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1998 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 174
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the feasibility of establishing and implementing a mandatory boating safety education course in Virginia.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 1998
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 1998

WHEREAS, boating is a significant recreational activity which continues to increase annually, with approximately 230,000 recreational boats presently registered to operate on Virginia's waters; and

WHEREAS, recreational boating accidents and fatalities continue to be a cause for concern within the recreational boating community, with 28 fatalities occurring in Virginia in 1997; and

WHEREAS, providing boating safety education is one of the important responsibilities of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; and

WHEREAS, more than 18 states have implemented some form of mandatory boating safety education, with several of these reporting a reduction in the number of boating accidents and fatalities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the feasibility of establishing and implementing a mandatory boating safety education course in Virginia. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of 7 legislative members as follows: 4 members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House in accordance with the principles of Rule 16 of the House Rules; and 3 members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall examine the following: costs associated with implementation, associated student costs, benefits of instituting mandatory boating safety education, possible course content, and mandatory training requirements and exemptions.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $4,500.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. All agencies of the Commonwealth and the Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation, the Smith Mountain Lake Association, the Hampton Roads Safe Boating Coalition, the Virginia Association of Marine Industries, and other appropriate organizations are requested to provide assistance to the joint subcommittee.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1999 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.