Comprehensive boating educational programs; required completion; exception

(a) The department shall establish a comprehensive boating education program and may seek the cooperation of boatmen, the federal government, and other states. The department may accept moneys made available under federal safety programs and may issue boating certificates to persons who complete courses in boating education. (b) Effective July 1, 2014, and except as otherwise provided by this chapter, anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, who operates any motorized vessel on the waters of this state shall complete a boating education course approved by the department prior to the operation of such vessel. (c) A person shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section if he or she is: (1) Licensed by the United States Coast Guard as a master of a vessel; (2) Operating such vessel on a private lake or pond; or (3) A nonresident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators approved boater education course or the equivalency from another state. History. — Ga. L. 1973, p. 1427, § 1; Ga. L. 2013, p. 92, § 11/SB 136. Editor’s notes. — Ga. L. 2013, p. 92, § 1/SB 136, not codified by the General Assembly, provides, in part, that Sections 5, 6, and 11 of this Act shall be known and may be cited as the ‘‘Kile Glover Boat Education Law’’. Ga. L. 2013, p. 92, § 14/SB 136, not codified by the General Assembly, provides, in part, that the amendment of this Code section by that Act shall apply to all offenses occurring on and after May 15, 2013; provided, however, that for purposes of determining the number of prior convictions or pleas of nolo contendere pursuant to the felony provisions of paragraph (4) of subsection (m) of Code Section 52-7-12, only those offenses for which a conviction or a plea of nolo contendere is obtained on or after May 15, 2013, shall be considered. 52-7-23. Power of Board of Natural Resources to adopt rules and regulations. The Board of Natural Resources is authorized to adopt any regulations necessary for the administration and enforcement of this article, including, but not limited to, regulations setting forth the criteria for determining when an indemnity bond shall be required under Code Section 52-7-19 and the appropriate amount of the bond and when a forfeiture bond shall be required under Code Section 52-7-19, the appropriate amount of the bond, and the conditions for default thereunder. In adopting the indemnity bond regulations, the board shall 151 52-7-23 WATERS OF STATE, PORTS & WATERCRAFT 52-7-25 include, without limitation, criteria relating to the expense of restoring the water body and its surrounding area to the state of cleanliness existing before the conduct of an event authorized under Code Section 52-7-19. In adopting the forfeiture bond regulations, the board shall include, without limitation, criteria relating to the magnitude of the event, the water body and surrounding area upon which it will be held, and the potential public safety hazard inherent in the event. The board may, by regulation, establish bond forfeiture conditions for categories of noncompliance, including, but not limited to, failure or refusal to comply with requirements to provide facilities for the convenience of participants and spectators, requirements relating to public safety, and requirements relating to damage to the water body and surrounding area upon which the event was held. History. — Ga. L. 1973, p. 1427, § 21; Ga. L. 1981, p. 987, § 2.