BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                            



           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                        SB 427|
          |Office of Senate Floor Analyses   |                              |
          |1020 N Street, Suite 524          |                              |
          |(916) 651-1520         Fax: (916) |                              |
          |327-4478                          |                              |
           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
           
                                           
                                       CONSENT


          Bill No:  SB 427
          Author:   Monning (D)
          Amended:  4/8/13
          Vote:     21


           SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER COMMITTEE  :  9-0, 4/23/13
          AYES:  Pavley, Cannella, Evans, Fuller, Hueso, Jackson, Lara,  
            Monning, Wolk

           SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE  :  Senate Rule 28.8
           
           
           SUBJECT  :    Vessels:  equipment requirements:  personal  
          flotation devices

           SOURCE  :     Author


           DIGEST  :    This bill deletes the requirement that boaters under  
          the age of 13, and all persons on board a personal watercraft or  
          being towed behind a boat as a skier, wear a specific type of  
          United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved floatation device, and  
          instead requires the person use a USCG approved wearable  
          floatation device used in accordance with approved labels and  
          manufacturer's instructions.

           ANALYSIS  :    

          Existing law:

          1.Mandates that vessels or associated equipment used on waters  
            are subject to boating safety statutes and regulations.   
                                                                CONTINUED





                                                                     SB 427
                                                                     Page  
          2

            Currently, California requires persons aboard a motorboat,  
            sailboat, or other vessel to wear specific types of personal  
            flotation device.

          2.Requires a person under 13 years of age to wear a USGC  
            approved personal flotation device when aboard a motorboat,  
            sailboat, or vessel that is underway, except as provided.

          3.Requires a person on board a personal watercraft or a person  
            being towed behind a vessel on water skis, an aquaplane, or  
            similar device to wear a specific type of USCG approved  
            personal flotation device, except as provided.

          This bill:

          1.Deletes the requirement that boaters under the age of 13, and  
            all persons on board a personal watercraft or being towed  
            behind a boat as a skier, wear a specific type of United  
            States Coast Guard (USCG) approved floatation device, and  
            instead requires the person use a USCG approved wearable  
            floatation device used in accordance with approved labels and  
            manufacturer's instructions.

          2.Redefines vessel to mean every description of a watercraft or  
            other artificial contrivance used or capable of being used as  
            a means of transportation on water.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Appropriation:  No   Fiscal Com.:  Yes    
          Local:  Yes


          RM:ej  5/7/13   Senate Floor Analyses 

                         SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  NONE RECEIVED

                                   ****  END  ****