BILL NUMBER:  AB 1287
  VETOED	DATE: 10/10/1999




October 10, 1999

To the Members of the Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1287 without my signature.  This bill
would require persons of certain age that own or operate a motor boat
to pass a written boating safety examination and obtain a
certificate.

There may well be reasonable measures we can adopt to enhance the
safety of boat operators, but unfortunately this bill will not
accomplish that goal.  There is little evidence that a written test
alone will improve the piloting skills of motor boat operators or
reduce boating accidents.  Until such evidence is brought forth, I do
not believe it is appropriate to require millions of Californians
who enjoy boating as recreation to run the gauntlet of yet another
government bureaucracy to obtain licenses to pilot their boats.

Sincerely,





GRAY DAVIS