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Committee approves bill requiring second renter to complete safety training when more than one person on rental boats
Summary
House Bill 556 would require an additional person on a rented vessel to complete rental safety training (or hold an equivalent certificate) so that more than one occupant has completed basic boater-rental safety instruction; the committee approved the bill after sponsors and DNR staff described current rental-certification practices.
The Game, Fish & Parks committee advanced House Bill 556, a measure aimed at reducing incidents on rental vessels by requiring that when a rental boat carries more than one person, a second person also complete the rental education or hold an equivalent certificate.
Representative Cox, sponsor of the bill, said the idea came from conversations with constituents after training exercises by recovery teams highlighted situations in which renters and passengers did not know where life jackets were or how to operate vessels. The sponsor told the committee the bill was drafted with DNR staff and deputy commissioners to align language with existing rental-certificate practices.
Committee members asked how Georgia's boat-education rules interact with neighboring states. The department's representatives explained Georgia requires residents born on or after Jan. 1, 1998 to complete a boater education course to operate vessels; rental certificates are available after a short video and check-off with the livery and are valid for six months. Witnesses noted Alabama's rules differ (Alabama requires certification for all ages under its law), but the sponsor's bill focuses solely on rental practices within this state.
Sponsor testimony said the age threshold in the current draft was changed to 18 to avoid allowing minors to rent without appropriate oversight. After a motion and second, the committee approved the bill by voice vote.
