BOATER SAFETY EDUCATION BILL PASSES LEGISLATURE! May 11, 2005 - Governor Christine Gregoire signs SSB-5145, The Mandatory Boater Safety Education bill proposed by RBAW and The Washington Alliance for Mandatory Boater Education. Included in the photo with the Alliance members are RBAW officers David Kutz, (President - to the Governor's immediate right), Ray Schow, (RBAW Lobbyist), Hap Arnold (1st VP), Gus Decock (Trustee), Maureen Murray (former Treasurer), and Bernard Murray (past RBAW President and Director Emeritus). Visit the WAMBE Web site to see the latest news on mandatory boater safety education in Washington State, including the 2005 legislation, press releases and supports list. RBAW and the Washington Alliance for Mandatory Boating Education (WAMBE) are happy to announce that SSB-5145 has PASSED the Washington State Legislature on 16 April 2005. The bill is on the way to the Governor's desk for her expected signature. The effort was arduous with correspondence, support letters, trips to Olympia for legislative hearings and testimony, and ALL the lobby efforts. WAMBE had 36 boating organizations working to support the boater education initiative. We'd like to THANK our colleagues and all RBAW members who helped the Lobby efforts with phone calls, e-mails and letters to your legislators. We also need to thank our RBAW lobbyist Ray Schow for his excellent work and diligent efforts in Olympia. He was there all the way, almost every day. We also want our members to remember and recognize a few select Legislators that were instrumental in getting our bill passed. Special recognition goes to the prime sponsors Senator Ken Jacobsen of Seattle and Representative Brian Sullivan of Mukilteo. Others who went to bat for us were Sen. Phil Rockefeller (North Kitsap), Sen. Harriet Spanel (Bellingham), Sen. Dan Swecker (Rochester), Rep. Jim Buck (Port Angeles), Sen. Mary-Margaret Haugen (Camano), and Rep. Glenn Anderson (Issaquah). The bill had true bi-partisan support. If you see these people over the summer, be sure to give them a pat on the back and thank them for us. The bill will create a new law in Washington to require phased-in basic boater safety education by the year 2016 for all recreational boaters born after Jan. 1, 1955. This has been a 5-year effort that was introduced by RBAW in 2000 and culminated with the successful efforts of the Alliance. We feel this proactive piece of legislation will improve boater safety and our enjoyment of the water for the long-term future. For the exact bill language, please click here. OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTION SB-5699 - This bill is intended to help prevent and control Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and algae. What's proposed is an increase of $3.00 for all registered boats. The additional $3.00 would be used for AIS and algae control, prevention, inspections, education, etc. The bill is likely to pass. AIS is a big problem in other states, causing havoc to the environment and boating. Although RBAW supports the cause and feel boaters should contribute their fair share, we do not feel it is justified to place the funding entirely on the backs of registered boats. Other user groups provided for in the bill are excluded from the funding source i.e. unregistered small craft and non-powered vessels, airplanes, tribal vessels, etc. However, If passed, we feel it will create an opportunity for RBAW to help the legislature consider the registration requirements for smaller boats so they too can contribute to the funding of both AIS and boating safety programs. SB-5270 - This bill would have required marina operators to ask moorage tenants to provide proof of current State vessel registration documents as a condition of leasing moorage and have it available for the Dept. of Revenue to review upon request. Basically, it means to moor at any marina in Washington State you would have to have your registration and taxes paid up for the year. The bill has apparently died in the House Rule Committee but we can expect to see it again next year. SSB-6091 - Increase to State Gasoline Tax. RBAW is working with other recreation groups and the N.W. Marine Trade Association on trying to get any increase to motor boat fuel tax returned to boating. This effort was a new development at the end of the session, with the announcement of a proposed gas tax increase. Right now there is a 23-cent cap on the boat fuel tax returned to boaters and we want to make sure that, if there is a general increase in gas tax, the increased tax on motor boat fuel is returned to boating. Home | About RBAW | Boater News | Events Calendar Our Members | You Can Help | Join RBAW | Contact Us Design & Development by Dan Larsen