The bill HB358 amends various sections of the Code of Alabama to establish a new classification for boating violations, reclassifying them from misdemeanors to "boating violations" with penalties that may include fines of up to $200 or imprisonment for up to 30 days. It introduces operational and equipment requirements for vessels, mandates reporting of certain boating accidents, and sets forth horsepower requirements and the use of engine cut-off switches. The bill also creates a uniform electronic boating traffic ticket system, grants district courts jurisdiction over boating violations, and establishes associated court costs and fees. Significant changes include renaming the Marine Police Division to the Marine Patrol Division and updating definitions related to boating violations and personal watercraft.

Additionally, the bill streamlines the registration and licensing process for vessels by replacing references to the "Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency" and the "Department of Conservation and Natural Resources" with "secretary" or "ALEA." It clarifies the responsibilities of the secretary in managing registration fees and issuing certificates, while ensuring that all records related to vessel registration are public, with certain exceptions. The bill also outlines the process for obtaining boater safety certifications, including the introduction of electronic signatures and the establishment of specific photo dimensions for certifications. Overall, HB358 aims to modernize and enhance the regulatory framework governing boating safety and operations in Alabama, with an effective date of January 1, 2024.

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