1.1                          A bill for an act
  1.2             relating to natural resources; requiring lifejackets 
  1.3             for children aboard watercraft; amending Minnesota 
  1.4             Statutes 2004, section 86B.501, by adding a 
  1.5             subdivision.  
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 86B.501, is 
  1.8   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  1.9      Subd. 3.  [LIFEJACKET REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN.] (a) No person 
  1.10  may operate a watercraft under way with a child under 13 years 
  1.11  of age aboard unless the child is: 
  1.12     (1) wearing an appropriate personal flotation device 
  1.13  approved under subdivision 1; or 
  1.14     (2) below the top deck or in an enclosed cabin.  
  1.15     (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to commercial watercraft 
  1.16  where the child is a passenger and the operator is licensed by 
  1.17  the state of Minnesota or the United States Coast Guard to carry 
  1.18  passengers for hire. 
  1.19     (c) A violation of this subdivision prior to May 1, 2006, 
  1.20  shall not result in a penalty, but is punishable only by a 
  1.21  safety warning. 
  1.22     <b>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</b> This section is effective the day 
  1.23  following final enactment.