Bill Targeting Jet Skis Scuttled Opponents Labeled Measure Expensive And Unenforceable
The Idaho State Senate on Monday sank a bill that would have tightened safety regulations for Jet Skiers.
Sen. Mary Lou Reed, D-Coeur d’Alene, sponsored the bill, which was voted down 22-13. Out-of-control Jet Skiers, she said, are “a runaway problem.”
Opponents called the bill expensive and unenforceable. Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, attacked it as “a terrible bill,” and “ridiculous.”
“In my opinion, you can’t legislate responsibility,” Cameron said. “Sometimes we in this Legislature think we can save ourselves from ourselves. I don’t think we can or should do that.”
Cameron’s home county, Minidoka, has 40 registered owners of Jet Skis. Kootenai County has 1,147 - by far the largest number in Idaho.
The small, high-powered watercraft account for 8 percent of the state’s vessels, and 30 percent of the state’s marine accidents, Reed said. Reported accidents rose from 1 in 1988 to 27 last year.
Reed’s bill would have required riders to be at least 16, wear a life jacket and ride in a “reasonable and prudent” manner. The bill also would have prohibited riding from sunset to 8 a.m.
“Most of these little critters do not have lights,” Reed said.
The bill also would have prohibited riding within 100 feet of a swimmer, dock or moored boat.
“If you’ve ever been in the water when a Jet Ski went by within 100 feet, 100 feet is not very far,” Reed said. “It is a very terrifying situation.”
Her proposal was supported by Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, who said, “This bill is about injuries and the potential for lost lives in the future. It’s to protect kids.”
During debate, Schroeder lambasted Cameron’s argument about legislating responsibility, saying lawmakers don’t shy away from auto regulations.
“That’s an argument we use when it’s convenient,” he said.
Sen. Stan Hawkins, R-Ucon, said Idaho already has the Safe Boating Act, which prohibits any vessel from endangering life, limb or property. “We already have something on the books that’s probably better than this,” Hawkins said, pointing at Reed’s bill.Reed said the bill was endorsed by the state sheriffs association. Although counties can regulate Jet Skis, she said, lakes rarely follow county boundaries.
North Idaho senators voting for the bill were Reed, Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum; Tim Tucker, D-Porthill; and Marguerite McLaughlin, D-Orofino. Sen. Gordon Crow, R- Coeur d’Alene, voted no.
xxxx JET SKIS Kootenai County has more than one-fifth of the jet skis in Idaho. Here are the number of registered jet skis in selected counties and the total for the state. Jet skis Ada 501 Benewah 47 Bonner 380 Boundary 10 Kootenai 1,147 Latah 53 Shoshone 10 TOTAL 5,183 Source: Idaho State Parks and Recreation