SB2972

Requires motorboats and personal watercraft to have liability insurance and carry proof of insurance.

SB2972 amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act to mandate that owners of motorboats over 50 horsepower or personal watercraft must operate them only if they have a liability insurance policy with at least $50,000 coverage per occurrence. Owners or operators must carry proof of insurance on board. Penalties include fines for violations, escalating from $50 for a first offense to $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. The Department of Natural Resources can adopt rules to implement this provision.