Our Legislative Counsel, John Spillane, has been keeping track of the numerous bills filed in the House and Senate that affect our industry. While too many to report on here, the following may be of special interest: Call John at (508) 756-4342; Fax (508) 752-2344 for further information.

Senate Bills (click here for a COMPLETE LIST)

• Senate 103- An Act to further regulate the sale and repair of certain new boats. Basically a “lemon law” for boats.
• Senate 121- An act providing for loans for waterfront development. Setting up a revolving fund not to exceed ten million dollars to rehabilitate existing infrastructure in waterfront areas.
• Senate 979- An Act relative to mechanic’s liens for labor and materials. Relative to any construction project withone to four dwelling units.
• Senate 1054- An Act relative to great ponds. Amending Chapter 91 so Section 19 will not apply to private piers or docks owned by abutters and used for their own personal use.
• Senate 1082- An Act establishing an environmental appeasl board within the executive office of Environmental Affairs.
• Senate 1085- An Act to incorporate wetland stewardship and science based resource management into existing wetland and open water body protection programs. Encouraging land owners and managers to protect and enhance values and functions of wetlands and open waters.
• Senate 1090- An Act authorizing the dredging of the harbor area surrounding Marina Bay in Quincy, not to exceed four hundred thousand dollars.
• Senate 1095- An Act relative to increasing public access to tidelands. An appropriation of $5,000,000. To increase public access to tidelands by acquiring rights for public on-foot right-of-passage along the shore of the coastline between mean high and extreme low water lines. Basically during daylight hours only and not where there is a licensed structure.
• House 3170- An Act relative to jet skis, surf jets, wet bikes, and other personal watercraft in municipalities. Allowing cities or towns to make rules and regulations on the use of PWCs on any pond not exceeding 500 acres without the approval of the Director of Law Enforcement. Opposed by the Governor’s Boating Safety Advisory Board.

House Bills (click here for a COMPLETE LIST)

• House 3810- An Act relative to the use of Jet Skis. Similar in intent to House 3170 but changing the maximum size of great pond description to 225 acres from the existing 75. Also opposed by the Governor’s Boating Safety Board.
• House 3815- An Act regulating the use of jet skis. Allowing any city or town to make and enforce regulations, including a total ban, on ponds or coastal waterways within their boundaries.
• While we do not have details on the following, they are being followed closely and will be reported on later if action is needed:
• House 738- Changing the gas Tax Revenues used to conduct Waterways Projects and Coastal Protection.
• All the following are relative to the Boat Excise: House 1127, 1128, 1309, 1310, 2084, 3447.
• House 1254- Recycling of lead-acid marine batteries.
• House 2762- Bill relative to abandoned vessels.
• House 2947- Bill to reconstruct and maintain the seawall in Marshfield and Scituate.
• House 3311- Bill making an appropriation to repair a sea wall in Hull.
• House 2948- Bill requiring Marinas, Yacht Clubs, and Boat Yards to make certain reports to Harbor Masters.
• House 3796- Bill authorizing the Registry of Motor Vehicles to register motorboats and personal watercraft.
• Senate 1056- Bill further regulating the removal of certain underground storage tanks.
• Senate 1702- Bill amending the collection of Sales Tax by vendors of boats and vessels.
• Senate 1709- Bill relative to the disposition of monies received from the Gas Tax to the Harbors and Inland Waters Maintenance Fund.