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Committee advances S.26 to require liability insurance for larger outboard engines; insurers seek data access for underwriting
Summary
Senate Bill 26, which would require liability insurance for outboard engines over 70 horsepower, received a unanimous favorable committee report. Farm Bureau Insurance testified and requested access to boater‑safety certificate data to underwrite and price policies effectively.
The Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee voted unanimously to give a favorable report to S.26, a bill that would require liability insurance for boats with outboard engines greater than 70 horsepower. Committee members described the measure as aimed at protecting boaters and other waterway users and said the bill had passed the committee in the prior session as well.
David Wiley, representing Farm Bureau Insurance, told the committee his company writes some watercraft policies and would like to expand that coverage if the market grows. Wiley asked for an amendment or mechanism to give insurers reliable access to boater safety and operator information maintained by DNR so insurers can underwrite and offer discounts to safer operators. He contrasted that with motor‑vehicle underwriting, which relies on DMV motor‑vehicle records.
Committee members asked whether insurance would be available and whether insurers turn away applicants. Wiley said insurance availability would improve under the bill and that carriers sometimes decline to insure larger boats; he volunteered to provide data on decline rates if the committee wanted it for drafting. Senators discussed how fines or insurance penalties might be coordinated with funds for removing abandoned vessels; one senator suggested fines could offset removal costs, but committee staff advised the S.167 removal fund is dedicated to boater safety program revenue.
The committee voted unanimously to advance S.26. Members said technical amendments may be needed to provide insurers with the identifying information necessary to underwrite policies and to keep insurance affordable and administrable for boaters.
