Florida Bill would Increase PWC Age of Operation
A bill which would increase the age of personal watercraft operation from 14 to 16 years of age has been pre-filed by Senator Jeremy Ring. The bill also would eliminate the allowance of children to steer a vessel with the proper supervision of an adult with boater education. The bill has been assigned to multiple Senate Committees including the Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee and the Commerce and Tourism Committee and the Rules Committee. The Florida legislature will come back into session on January 12, 2016. The Personal Watercraft Industry Association supports the age increase, however both PWIA and NMMA are seeking clarification on the child operation provision. For more information, please contact NMMA’s David Dickerson, [email protected].