ATLANTA (March 1, 2013) – Senate Bill 136, also known as the “Kile Glover Boat Education Law” and “Jake and Griffin Prince BUI Law,” passed the Georgia State Senate today with a vote of 50 to 0. Senate Bill 136 will reduce the legal blood alcohol limit from 0.10 to 0.08 and increases the penalties for hunting or boating while under the influence. Senate Bill 136 also requires individuals to complete a boating education course prior to operating personal watercraft.
“I am pleased by the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 136, and look forward to its favorable consideration in the House,” said Sen. Miller. “The citizens of Georgia deserve to be kept safe whether they are on the road or navigating one of our many waterways. If you are too drunk to drive a car, then you are too drunk to drive a boat or hunt.”
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, 28 boating accidents and 54 BUI’s have occurred on Lake Lanier alone since August 10, 2012. To address these alcohol-related boating deaths, the legislature has introduced several bills to lower the blood alcohol limit for boating, most recently during the 2011-2012 Legislative Session. House Bill 315 would have lowered the limit to .08 for a number of water sports, including boating, water skiing, and surfboarding. Similar bills were also introduced in both chambers during the 2009 -2010 Legislative Session, but never made it out of committee.
Senate Bill 136, also known as the “Jake and Griffin Prince BUI Law,” remembers two brothers killed when a drunken boater collided with their family’s pontoon. If signed into law, this legislation would lower the state’s legal intoxication limit for Georgia boaters to .08, making it the same as the limit for operating a motor vehicle on the state’s roadways. In addition, Senate Bill 136 would also prohibit operation while under the influence of any toxic vapor such as glue or aerosol.
Under this bill, a first or second conviction will result in a misdemeanor; a third conviction will result in a high and aggravated misdemeanor; and a fourth or subsequent conviction will result in a felony. Convictions will result in a civil fine, imprisonment, community service, clinical evaluation, possible completion of a DUI Program, and a period of probation. A person’s privileges to operate a boat will be suspended for three years and will remain suspended until the person has proof of completion of a boating education course and pays a $200 fine or $500 for a repeat conviction.
Along with its tribute to Jack and Griffin Prince, the legislation remembers 11-year-old Kile Glover, who passed after an accident with a jetski. The “Kile Glover Boat Education Law” seeks to increase the age requirement for wearing a personal flotation device from 10 to 13 years old. Effective July 1, 2014, anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, and those turning 16 years after, who operates a motorized vessel on the water must complete a boating education course approved by the Department of Natural Resources. Children ages 12 through 15 years of age may only operate a Class A vessel if the person is with an adult 18 years of age or older who completed a boater education course.
Under existing law, individuals are prohibited from hunting while their blood alcohol content is 0.10 grams or more at any time within three hours after hunting. This bill reduces the limit to 0.08. If convicted, the person’s hunting privileges will be suspended for one year and will remain suspended until they complete a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Reduction Program and pay a $200 fine or $500 for a repeat conviction.
Senate Bill 136 will now transfer to the House of Representatives for consideration.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 1, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
Shawna.Mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028