HB375 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ginny ShaverRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Vessels, Nonresident Alabama Boater Safety Certification requirement, provided

Summary

HB375 requires nonresident boaters to obtain a boater safety certification before operating a vessel in Alabama, with several exemptions and a new certification program, effective October 1, 2024.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Nonresident Alabama Boater Safety Certification and requires nonresidents to obtain certification before operating a motorized vessel on Alabama waters, with exceptions for certain cases. Nonresidents may use a certification from their home state or country, or obtain the new Alabama nonresident certification, subject to exemptions such as recent residents, commercial activity, and rental-vessel circumstances. New Alabama residents who purchase a vessel may operate for up to 30 days if the vessel is registered in their name and a bill of sale is in their possession. Violations of these rules are treated as boating violations and can carry penalties.

Who It Affects

• Nonresident boaters who wish to operate motorized vessels in Alabama: they must obtain certification (from their home state/country or the new Alabama Nonresident Boater Safety Certification) before operating, with various exemptions and time limits.
• Rental boat businesses and operators (including rental vessels and commercial operators): they can qualify for exemptions if rental contracts include required safety instruction, the contract is signed, a proof of non-suspension is provided, a copy of the contract is on board, and the operator is at least 16 years old.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Nonresident Alabama Boater Safety Certification and requires nonresidents to obtain certification before operating a motorized vessel on Alabama waters, with certain exceptions.
• New Alabama residents who purchase a vessel may operate for up to 30 days after sale if the vessel is registered in their name and a bill of sale is in their possession.
• Certification expiration rules: if the certification is issued with the holder's Alabama driver license expiration, it expires then; otherwise, certifications expire four years from issuance.
• Renewal process: certifications may be renewed without examination at the end of the period; renewal notices are mailed 30 days after expiration; a 60-day grace period exists for renewal; failure to renew requires passing a written or oral exam.
• Nonresident exemptions: nonresidents 12 or older with valid certification from their home state/country are exempt from requirements, but may not have privileges beyond those of a similarly aged Alabama resident with a valid certification.
• Nonresident exemptions for states that do not require certification: up to 45 days of operation per calendar year; beyond that, nonresidents must be examined and certified.
• Commercial activity exemption: a person operating a vessel solely for a valid and legal commercial activity is exempt during that activity.
• Rental-vessel exemption: rental vessels licensed to operate by the state or a state-owned marina are exempt if (1) the lessee is instructed, (2) the rental contract is signed, (3) the lessee signs a statement about certification suspensions, (4) a copy of the rental contract is on board, and (5) the operator is 16 or older.
• Violation under this section is classified as a boating violation.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Waters & Boating