HB477 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ginny ShaverRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Vessels, personal watercraft, operation of, further provided, Sec. 33-5-51 am'd.

Summary

HB 477 extends safety rules to all vessels and personal watercraft, adds distance and speed rules, and creates penalties for improper operation.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds vessels to the existing safety rules for watercraft and creates criminal penalties for operating a vessel or personal watercraft at an improper distance. It requires all people on a vessel or personal watercraft to wear a USCG-approved life jacket, requires a lanyard cutoff switch for PWCs without self-circling capability, and requires a rearview mirror when towing a person. It defines reckless operation through a set of dangerous maneuvers and makes violators subject to criminal penalties, with fines that go to the State Water Safety Fund. It sets idle-speed limits within 100 feet of certain people or places, bans PWC operation by anyone under 12, and allows exemptions for professional exhibitions.

Who It Affects

• Operators and riders of vessels and personal watercraft, who must comply with life jacket, distance, speed, and age rules or face penalties.
• Vessel or personal watercraft owners or those in charge, who must not allow operation by violators and can be fined or charged if they do.

Key Provisions

• Adds vessels to the safety provisions governing watercraft and creates criminal penalties for operating a vessel or personal watercraft at an improper distance.
• Requires all persons on a vessel or personal watercraft to wear a USCG-approved life jacket; requires a lanyard-style engine cut-off switch on PWCs without self-circling capability and a rearview mirror when towing.
• Establishes idle-speed restrictions: no operation faster than idle speed within 100 feet of moored/adrift boats, docks/bridges, people in the water, shoreline near residences, public parks/beaches, or marinas/public use areas.
• Prohibits anyone under 12 from operating a personal watercraft; violations carry a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum $25 fine, payable to the State Water Safety Fund.
• Defines reckless operation to include certain dangerous maneuvers and references penalties under Section 33-5-70; includes exemptions for professional exhibitions and regattas.
• The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Vessels