U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Office of Government Affairs
Connecticut
Area Coordinator:
Stu Soffer, N-LAE
State Liaison:
Steven Biro
Department of Environmental Protection
Coast Guard Auxiliary District: 1NR
Coast Guard District: 1st
Second Quarter Report, 2009:
Bill 6160, which pertains to DUI & BWI reciprocal sanctions for loss of boating certificate and drivers licenses, is not anticipated to be enacted.
Bill 832, which increased the offense from a misdemeanor to a class
D felony (manslaughter) if a person dies and the boat operator was
under the influence, passed on Senate consent calendar. This bill
is anticipated to be enacted.
Bill 824 extends vessel dealer numbers to marine dealers,
surveyors, and yacht brokers. It has passed and waiting for the
Governor's signature. The bill takes effect in July of 2009.
Bill 871 will increase Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) fines for pollution violations (sewage discharges from
vessels). This bill is anticipated to be enacted.
The USCG Auxiliary national staff
was made aware of a DEP (Department of Environmental Protection)
policy that addresses vessel safety checks (VSC) at state boat ramps
in Connecticut. It imposes a notification requirement on CGAUX
for conducting VSCs. In the past, DEP had informally notified
USPS and CGAUX members of the policy on a case by case basis as they
used the launches. The SLO and DCO are working with the DEP to
modify the program to make it less onerous for vessel examiners.