FISCAL NOTE

House Bill 238 as amended and reported by the Committee on Judiciary requires the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to suspend an individual’s drivers license upon conviction of operation of a vessel while under the influence and to suspend an individual’s boating privileges upon conviction of driving under the influence. In addition, this bill provides criminal penalties for operation of a vessel or personal watercraft above idle speed under certain conditions, adds vessels to the current prohibition of reckless operation for personal watercraft, and requires the operator of a vessel 26 feet in length or less (currently 24 feet or less) to wear a shut-off switch.

This bill could increase receipts to the State General Fund and municipal general funds from fines; increase receipts to the State General Fund, county general funds, municipal general funds, and other funds to which court costs are deposited; and could increase the obligations of the State General Fund, district attorneys, and local jails by an undetermined amount dependent upon the number of persons charged with and convicted of the offenses provided by this bill and the penalties imposed.