HB284 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ginny ShaverRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Watercraft, operation of, boater safety certification requirements, further provided, Secs. 32-5A-191.3, 33-5-51, 33-5-52, 33-5-72 am'd.

Summary

HB284 tightens boating safety rules and penalties, strengthening DUI-related consequences for boaters, requiring nonresident boaters to have boater safety certification, and expanding emergency shut-off switch requirements.

What This Bill Does

It would suspend both boating and driving licenses when someone is convicted of boating under the influence, and suspend the driver's license and boating license or boater safety certification for those convicted of operating a motor vehicle under the influence. It creates criminal penalties for operating a vessel or personal watercraft at greater than idle speed under certain conditions. It requires all nonresidents to obtain boater safety certification before operating a vessel in Alabama, removing the previous 45-day exemption. It extends the emergency engine or motor shut-off switch requirement to vessels less than 26 feet in length, and includes technical updates to current law language.

Who It Affects

• Boaters convicted of boating under the influence or operators convicted of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, who would face suspensions of both boating and driving privileges (or boater safety certification).
• Nonresident boaters, who would now be required to obtain boater safety certification (in their home state/country or via a Nonresident Alabama Boater Safety Certification) before operating a vessel in Alabama.

Key Provisions

• Amends sections to suspend both boating license and driver's license for boating under the influence; and suspend driver's license and boating license or boater safety certification for operating a motor vehicle under the influence.
• Creates criminal penalties for operating a vessel or personal watercraft at greater than idle speed under specified conditions.
• Replaces the nonresident relief of up to 45 days without certification with a requirement that all nonresidents obtain boater safety certification before operating in Alabama (home state/country or Nonresident Alabama Boater Safety Certification).
• Extends the emergency engine or motor shut-off switch requirement from vessels under 24 feet to vessels under 26 feet.
• Adds that the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency shall suspend a vessel operating privilege or boater safety certification under the same DUI-related rules as for driving privileges (Section 2).
• Includes nonsubstantive technical revisions to update code language and notes about local fund expenditure provisions under Amendment 621; the bill is designed to qualify for a local-funding exception.
• Effective date: 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 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Vessels