HB520 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 520 expands Alabama's watercraft safety rules to include all vessels, sets distance requirements, safety equipment mandates, and penalties for unsafe operation.

What This Bill Does

It adds vessels to the existing watercraft rules and creates criminal penalties for operating a vessel or personal watercraft at an improper distance. It requires all people on board or being towed to wear a USCG-approved life jacket, and PWCs without self-circling capability must have a lanyard cutoff switch attached to the operator. It sets idle-speed limits within 100 feet of certain vessels, docks, people, and shorelines, defines reckless operation for dangerous maneuvers, and imposes an age restriction that no one under 12 may operate a personal watercraft. It also requires towing vessels to have a rearview mirror, with exceptions if an observer is present or the vessel has a wide-angle mirror meeting certain size and visibility specs. Violations would be Class B misdemeanors with fines deposited into the State Water Safety Fund.

Who It Affects

• People operating or riding on vessels or personal watercraft on Alabama waters (must wear life jackets, follow distance rules, idle-speed limits, and age-related limits).
• Vessel owners or persons in charge (cannot allow operation by violators).
• Tow operators and passengers (towing PWCs requires a rearview mirror, with specified exceptions).
• Minors (under 12 cannot operate a personal watercraft; 12 and older may operate under other applicable laws).

Key Provisions

• Extends existing watercraft operation rules to vessels (not just personal watercraft).
• Requiers all on board or being towed to wear a USCG-approved personal flotation device.
• PWCs without self-circling capability must have a lanyard engine cutoff switch attached to the operator; exceptions may apply.
• Defines reckless operation for specific dangerous maneuvers.
• Idle-speed limit within 100 feet of moored/adrift boats, docks/pier/bridges, people in the water, shoreline near residences, public parks/beaches, and marinas or public use areas.
• Age restriction: no operation of a PWC by anyone under 12; 12 and older may operate subject to other laws.
• Owners cannot knowingly permit operation by violators.
• Rearview mirror required for towing; exceptions if an observer 12+ is present or the vessel has a wide-angle mirror meeting size/visibility specs.
• Violations are Class B misdemeanors with fines deposited into the State Water Safety Fund.
• The act is noted as exempt from certain local expenditure requirements because it creates or amends a crime.

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