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Senate approves personal‑watercraft safety bill, extends certification to 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds
Summary
The Senate passed the second substitute to SB 131 on Feb. 20, 1996, expanding safety‑course certification for 16‑ and 17‑year‑old operators of personal watercraft; the bill passed on final action (27 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent).
Salt Lake City — The Utah State Senate on Feb. 20 passed the second substitute to Senate Bill 131, a water‑safety measure that adjusts operator certification requirements for personal watercraft and clarifies when minors may operate single‑occupant sailboats under direct supervision.
Sen. Tanner (sponsor) said the bill’s intent is to include additional young operators (16 and 17 years old) in required safety training and certification administered by the division. He described a $12 fee for certification and a fiscal note of approximately $45,000, of which about $21,500 in general funds would be requested to cover program costs not met by fees.
Floor debate centered on technical language: several senators raised concerns that new definitions of "direct supervision" and references to single‑occupant craft might inadvertently restrict Boy Scout and instructional sailboat programs. Sponsors and staff said they would work with stakeholders and the division to refine language; the Senate agreed to "circle" the bill for a short time to accommodate that work and later returned to pass the second substitute.
Final action: the second substitute SB 131 passed on roll call with 27 ayes, no nays and two senators absent; the bill will be sent to the House for consideration.
What’s next: Sponsors said they would continue to work with parks and recreation staff and stakeholder groups to ensure the definitions for supervision and single‑occupant craft do not unduly restrict instructional programs.
