123rd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 2067		LR 2779(01)
	An Act To Require Boating Safety Education
	Fiscal Note for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Rep. Watson of Bath
	Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			2007-08	2008-09	Projections 2009-10	Projections 2010-11
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$0	$387,210	$397,747	$408,707
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$0	$387,210	$397,747	$408,707
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
	Establishes new Class E crimes.  Impact will be primarily to the county jail system beginning in fiscal year 2010-11.  The average cost to the county for a Class E crime is $2,959 based on an average length of stay of 27 days at $109.60 per day.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill requires mandatory boating safety education for all motorboat users and personal watercraft users.  At the request of any law enforcement officer, a person who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft must present evidence of this education.  The bill requires full compliance for all users by June 30, 2016, but creates a phase-in by age group beginning June 30, 2011.  The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall jointly adopt by rule a boating safety education program for operators of all noncommercial motorboats and personal watercraft.
	Although the requirements for boating safety education do not need to be met until June 30, 2011, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife indicates that the program will need to be implemented as soon as possible to meet the demand for potential students (possibly 250,000) and therefore a fiscal impact exists for fiscal year 2008 - 2009.  The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will need an appropriation for regional safety coordinator positions, office associate, assistant safety officer, travel, course materials, and miscellaneous costs.  This impact could be mitigated by any fees for boating safety courses and certificates established as part of the rule.
	Any costs incurred by the Department of Marine Resources associated with rule-making will be minor and can be absorbed within existing resources.