SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21

(By Senators Dittmar, Whitlow, Anderson, Bowman,

Craigo, Grubb, Macnaughtan, Miller, Ross, White,Wiedebusch, Deem, Minear and Yoder)


[Originating in the Committee on Natural Resources]




Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to make a study regarding the safe coexistence of recreational watercraft and commercial watercraft in the use of this state's navigable waterways and of the feasibility of mandatory education and licensing for recreational watercraft operators.

Whereas, Administration officials of the division of motor vehicles and of the division of natural resources have expressed their willingness and desire to conduct a study of the need for mandatory education and licensing of recreational watercraft operators; and
Whereas, Such officials have expressed a willingness to provide relevant assistance to a legislative interim committee study of the issue; and
Whereas, While pleasure boating on the navigable streams of this state is normally a safe and enjoyable activity, when it is mixed with commercial barge traffic it can become a dangerous pastime; and
Whereas, Since 1994, the division of natural resources has received reports of seven accidents involving pleasure boats and commercial tows which resulted in fourteen injuries and four fatalities; and
Whereas, The division of natural resources annually offers classes in boating safety to all pleasure boaters; and
Whereas, The division of natural resources has reported that even though these classes are offered in areas of high boating activity, these classes are not well attended; and
Whereas, The division of natural resources and the division of motor vehicles have agreed in substance to form a committee to study the need for a comprehensive boating education program, whether it be voluntary or mandatory; and
Whereas, Both of the aforementioned divisions have expressed a desire to work with any legislative interim committee which may be authorized by the Legislature to seek a solution to the safety hazards of mixing pleasure and commercial boating traffic on the navigable streams of this state; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby requested to review, examine and study the need for a safe coexistence of recreation watercraft operators and commercial barge operators on the navigable streams of the state and for mandatory licensing and education for recreational watercraft operators; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the joint committee on government and finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1997, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the joint committee on government and finance.