This bill amends the existing law regarding the issuance of safe boater education certificates by incorporating an online examination approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Specifically, it requires that individuals aged 18 and older must pass an online examination that meets U.S. boating education standards, while those under 18 may opt for a proctored examination. The bill stipulates that the online examination must be completed with a minimum passing grade of 80 percent. The current requirement for a classroom course remains, which must provide at least 8 hours of instruction.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Safety to adopt rules for the implementation of these changes within 60 days of the bill's passage. The effective date for the online examination requirement is set for January 1, 2026, while the rulemaking provisions will take effect 60 days after the bill is passed. The legal language inserted into the current law includes references to NASBLA and the specifications for the online examination, while no deletions from the current law are noted in the provided text.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 270-D:13