Area Coordinator:

Stu Soffer, N-LAE

State Liaison:

Robert E. Johnson

Maine

Boating Law Administrator

State Website

Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

Legislation Website

Coast Guard Auxiliary District:  1NR

Coast Guard District:  1st

First Quarter Report, 2008:

Work is ongoing on LD2067 – An Act to Require Boating Safety Education.  There is a possibility this bill will move forward this year with continued support from various groups.  A committee lead by Ralph Pears from the Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) continues to communicate with the members of the legislature to respond to concerns and answer questions as well as urge passage of this bill.

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Fourth Quarter Report, 2007:

LR2779 (Mandatory Boater Education) has been admitted for consideration as an Emergency Bill in this current session of the Legislature.  No new legislation has been introduced.

Action Alert:  (February 29, 2008)

Mandatory Boater Safety Education, LD 2067:  Current Status -- Following the wave of phone calls, e-mails, letters, and opinion/editorial pieces in support of comprehensive mandatory boater safety education, our efforts should now culminate with one final push. LD-2067, which would phase in mandatory boater safety education for all recreational boaters, is “likely” to be placed on the House and Senate calendars for floor debate in the coming week.

Third Quarter Report, 2007:

The Mandatory Boater Education Bill is not yet numbered.  There will be a meeting of representatives of involved parties on 12 October, 2007, to discuss this legislation.  The goal is to have the bill passed and enacted before summer 2008.

Second Quarter Report, 2007:

At present all activity is tied up in a budget debate and funding for any pending legislation is still in limbo.  At present any boating issues are limited to simple regulatory issues on specific lakes/ponds without a funding requirement.  Public education and any other issues will have to wait for department funding.  The question is which department.  LLO will continue to monitor and report.

First Quarter Report, 2007:

Effective 1 April 2007 all PWC operators between ages 15-17 must complete a NASBLA approved-boating safety course that has 8 hours minimum of instruction and with proctored exam.

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Updated Thursday May 15, 2008

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