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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of emergency engine cutoff switches on |
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motorboats. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as Kali's Law. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 31.1071 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 31.1071. OPERATION OF MOTORBOAT WITH EMERGENCY ENGINE |
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CUTOFF SWITCH. (a) In this section, "engine cutoff switch" means |
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an emergency switch installed on a motorboat that: |
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(1) is designed to shut off the engine if: |
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(A) the motorboat operator using a lanyard |
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attachment activates the switch by falling overboard or otherwise |
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moving beyond the length of the lanyard; or |
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(B) the motorboat operator or a passenger using a |
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wireless attachment activates the switch by falling overboard and |
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submerging the man-overboard transmitter; and |
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(2) attaches: |
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(A) physically to the motorboat operator through |
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the use of a lanyard worn by the operator; or |
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(B) wirelessly through the use of a |
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water-activated man-overboard transmitter worn by the motorboat |
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operator or any similarly equipped passenger on the motorboat. |
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(b) A motorboat operator may not operate a motorboat less |
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than 26 feet in length and equipped by the manufacturer with an |
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engine cutoff switch while the engine is running and the motorboat |
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is under way without first verifying that the switch is operational |
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and fully functional and: |
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(1) if using a lanyard attachment, properly attaching |
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the lanyard, as appropriate for the specific motorboat, to the |
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operator's body or to the clothing or personal flotation device |
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being worn by the operator; or |
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(2) if using a wireless attachment, properly attaching |
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to each individual on the motorboat an operational man-overboard |
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transmitter. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2018. |