Bill Text: MS HB712 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Life jackets; increase minimum age of person required to wear on certain vessels.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2017-01-31 - Died In Committee [HB712 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-HB712-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representative Clark
House Bill 712
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-21-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE FROM TWELVE TO EIGHTEEN THE MINIMUM AGE FOR A PERSON WHO IS REQUIRED TO WEAR A COAST GUARD APPROVED PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE WHILE ON BOARD CERTAIN MOTORBOATS, SAILBOATS OR VESSELS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-21-153, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE FROM $250.00 TO $500.00 THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI BOATING LAW; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 59-21-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
59-21-81. (1) Every vessel
shall have on board a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device for each
person aboard such vessel, and every person * * * eighteen (18) years or
younger on board a motorboat, sailboat, or vessel which measures less than
twenty-six (26) feet in length shall wear a type I, II, or III Coast Guard
approved personal flotation device while such motorboat, sailboat, or vessel is
underway. For the purpose of this section "underway" shall mean at
all times except when a motorboat, sailboat, or vessel is anchored, moored, or
aground. Every vessel shall have lights during the hours of darkness, which
comply with all federal regulations applicable to vessels of its
classification. Such vessel shall not be operated unless in a safe and
seaworthy condition; the owner and operator shall employ such safety devices as
may be necessary for the safe operation of such vessel, including an efficient
natural or mechanical ventilating system when necessary for safe operation. In
addition to the requirements imposed by this section, all vessels shall comply
with all federal regulations applicable to vessels of such classification.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, "personal watercraft" means a vessel which uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person on board or being towed behind is wearing a type I, type II or type III, personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.
SECTION 2. Section 59-21-153, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
59-21-153. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be subject to the following penalties:
(a) For a violation of
any of the provisions of Sections 59-21-23(d), 59-21-29, 59-21-33, 59-21-55, 59-21-81
through 59-21-87, and 59-21-111 through 59-21-129, by a fine not to exceed * * * Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the
county jail not to exceed thirty (30) days, or both.
(b) For the violation of any provision of Section 59-21-31, by a fine of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed thirty (30) days, or both.
(c) For the violation of any other provision of this chapter, by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00).
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.
