A new version of a boating safety bill from the state Department of Parks & Rec was introduced in the House Resources Committee today, though with several “no” votes. Under the new bill, no one under 14 could operate a motorized boat or watercraft in Idaho unless they’re supervised by an adult and have passed an approved boating safety course. The bill also amends provisions about overloaded boats and safe navigation. Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, spoke out in favor of the new age restriction. “This is about safety,” he said. “We observe it routinely, that a boatload of kids, no older than 13, have no business being in a boat without the supervision of an adult.”

Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, questioned the need for both adult supervision and the safety course. “If we require them to go through the course, why can’t we forgive the obligation to have mandatory supervision?” he asked. State parks division administrator Dean Sangrey responded, “We just feel it’s appropriate, and it’s not unreasonable.”

The overloaded-boat amendment caused some confusion because it included people being towed behind the boat. Rep. JoAn Wood, R-Rigby, noted that that section didn’t specify that it applied only to motorized vessels, as the age limit section did. She said it could apply to a canoe. Rep. Dell Raybould, R-Rexburg, responded, “I don’t mean to be facetious, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a canoe towing a water skier. It’d have to be a powered vessel.” In the audience, a grinning Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, whispered, “I have.”

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