This bill mandates that operators of powerboats less than 26 feet in length or with an outboard engine exceeding 115 pounds of thrust or 3 horsepower must wear an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) when traveling at speeds greater than headway speed. The ECOS is defined as a system that includes lanyards, electronic switches, fobs, or similar devices designed to disable the propulsion or engine of a vessel if the operator is displaced from the helm. Headway speed is defined as the minimum speed at which a boat can maintain steering control.
Exceptions to this requirement are specified in the bill: it does not apply to vessels where the main helm is within an enclosed cabin or to vessels or outboard engines manufactured before 2020 that were not originally equipped with an ECOS. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, with an approved date of June 14, 2024, and an effective date of August 13, 2024. There are no insertions or deletions indicated in the provided text.