Substitute House Bill No. 5332, also known as Public Act No. 26-60, introduces several amendments to boating regulations in Connecticut. A new subsection (m) is added to Section 15-133, prohibiting operators of recreational motorboats from allowing individuals to sit or stand on the gunwale while the vessel is underway at speeds greater than slow-no-wake. Additionally, the bill modifies Section 15-140j by removing the restriction that prohibits individuals under sixteen from operating personal watercraft or a Jet Assisted Vehicle (JAV) without a certificate, allowing for more flexibility in marine events. It also mandates that vessel owners must display current contact information on their vessels, unless they possess a valid certificate of number.

Further changes include the repeal and replacement of certain provisions regarding motorboat operation on Wyassup Lake, allowing for higher speeds and waterskiing during specified hours. The bill also enhances the penalties for vessel abandonment, increasing the fines from a range of $300-$500 to $750-$1,000, with exceptions during declared emergencies. It allows parties with standing to recover costs associated with abandoned vessels, including environmental remediation expenses, and exempts state and municipal agencies from notarization and filing fees when reporting abandoned vessels.