HB358 is a comprehensive bill that revises the laws related to boating and boater safety certifications in Alabama. The bill introduces the classification of "boating violation" as a distinct criminal offense with penalties not exceeding a $200 fine or 30 days imprisonment, or both. It also amends the responsibilities of the Marine Patrol Division, grants district courts jurisdiction over boating violations, and requires reporting of certain boating accidents. The bill centralizes duties under the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and its secretary by removing references to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources. It also outlines procedural changes for vessel registration and administration, including the issuance of annual certificates of registration and the remittance of registration money.

Furthermore, HB358 modifies the requirements for boater safety certification, removing the requirement for a boater safety certification and the accompanying penalties for operating a motorized vessel without certification. It creates a new offense called "boating violation" with a fine of not less than $25 and addresses false statements and concealment of material facts in certification applications. The bill also changes the penalty for certain boating offenses, adds requirements for engine cut-off switches on recreational vessels, and allows the secretary to establish speed zones. It revises the process for obtaining duplicate certifications, reinstating canceled certifications, and expands the grounds for suspension or revocation of boater certifications and operating privileges. The bill is set to become effective on January 1, 2024, and includes provisions for the adoption of a Uniform Boating Traffic Ticket and Complaint form.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 33-5-3, 33-5-4, 33-5-5, 33-5-6, 33-5-7, 33-5-8, 33-5-10, 33-5-12, 33-5-15, 33-5-16, 33-5-20, 33-5-21, 33-5-22, 33-5-23, 33-5-25, 33-5-26, 33-5-27, 33-5-28, 33-5-30, 33-5-31, 33-5-32, 33-5-34, 33-5-35, 33-5-36, 33-5-51, 33-5-52, 33-5-53, 33-5-54, 33-5-55, 33-5-56, 33-5-58, 33-5-59, 33-5-60, 33-5-61, 33-5-62, 33-5-63, 33-5-64, 33-5-65, 33-5-66, 33-5-67, 33-5-68, 33-5-69, 33-5-70, 33-5-71, 33-5-72, 33-5-73, 33-5-74, 33-5-75, 33-5-77, 33-5-79, 33-5-81, 12-12-50, 12-12-51, 12-12-52, 12-12-55, 12-19-179
Engrossed: 33-5-3, 33-5-4, 33-5-5, 33-5-6, 33-5-7, 33-5-8, 33-5-10, 33-5-12, 33-5-15, 33-5-16, 33-5-20, 33-5-21, 33-5-22, 33-5-23, 33-5-25, 33-5-26, 33-5-27, 33-5-28, 33-5-30, 33-5-31, 33-5-32, 33-5-34, 33-5-35, 33-5-36, 33-5-51, 33-5-52, 33-5-53, 33-5-54, 33-5-55, 33-5-56, 33-5-58, 33-5-59, 33-5-60, 33-5-61, 33-5-62, 33-5-63, 33-5-64, 33-5-65, 33-5-66, 33-5-67, 33-5-68, 33-5-69, 33-5-70, 33-5-71, 33-5-72, 33-5-73, 33-5-74, 33-5-75, 33-5-77, 33-5-79, 33-5-81, 12-12-50, 12-12-51, 12-12-52, 12-12-55, 12-19-179
Enrolled: 33-5-3, 33-5-4, 33-5-5, 33-5-6, 33-5-7, 33-5-8, 33-5-10, 33-5-12, 33-5-15, 33-5-16, 33-5-20, 33-5-21, 33-5-22, 33-5-23, 33-5-25, 33-5-26, 33-5-27, 33-5-28, 33-5-30, 33-5-31, 33-5-32, 33-5-34, 33-5-35, 33-5-36, 33-5-51, 33-5-52, 33-5-53, 33-5-54, 33-5-55, 33-5-56, 33-5-58, 33-5-59, 33-5-60, 33-5-61, 33-5-62, 33-5-63, 33-5-64, 33-5-65, 33-5-66, 33-5-67, 33-5-68, 33-5-69, 33-5-70, 33-5-71, 33-5-72, 33-5-73, 33-5-74, 33-5-75, 33-5-77, 33-5-79, 33-5-81, 12-12-50, 12-12-51, 12-12-52, 12-12-55, 12-19-179