Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10108, sub-§12 is enacted to read:

12.__Personal watercraft training and certificate program.__ The commissioner shall establish a program for training and certifying individuals 14 years of age and older in the safe operation of personal watercraft.__The commissioner may cooperate with any public or private association or organization having as one of its objectives the promotion of safety in operating a watercraft.

In establishing the program under this subsection, the commissioner shall:

A.__Prescribe the type of instruction and the requirements for the satisfactory completion of a personal watercraft safety program using the criteria published by a nationwide organization of administrators of state boating laws;

B.__Prescribe and promote the times and places of instruction;

C.__Issue a certificate of competency to individuals who successfully complete a personal watercraft safety program;

D.__Adopt rules establishing the extent to which the certificate program will be used in the operation and registration of personal watercraft; and

E.__Charge a fee of $10 per person enrolled in the program.

The rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2- A.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a recreational watercraft training and certificate program to promote the safe operation of watercraft in the waters of the State.