1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/07/2016 04:32pm
A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; creating Sophia's Law; requiring marine carbon
monoxide detection systems on certain motorboats; requiring safety information
on carbon monoxide poisoning from certain motorboats; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2014, section 86B.005, by adding subdivisions; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 86B.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 86B.005, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
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"Enclosed accommodation
compartment" means one contiguous space, surrounded by boat structure, that contains
all of the following:
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(1) designated sleeping accommodations;
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(2) a galley area with sink; and
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(3) a head compartment.
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Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 86B.005, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
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"Marine carbon monoxide
detection system" means a device or system that meets the requirements of the American
Boat and Yacht Council Standard A-24, July 2015, for carbon monoxide detection systems.
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(a) No motorboat that has an enclosed
accommodation compartment may be operated on any waters of the state unless the
motorboat is equipped with a functioning marine carbon monoxide detection system
installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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(b) After the effective date of this section, no new motorboat that has an enclosed
accommodation compartment may be sold or offered for sale in Minnesota unless the
motorboat is equipped with a new functioning marine carbon monoxide detection system
installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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All state-sponsored boating safety courses and all
boating safety courses that require state approval by the commissioner must incorporate
information about the dangers of being overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning while on
or behind a motorboat and how to prevent that poisoning.
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(a) No gasoline-powered
motorboat that has an enclosed accommodation compartment may be operated on any
waters of the state unless labels warning of carbon monoxide dangers are affixed in the
vicinity of the aft reboarding area, the galley, and the steering station.
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(b) For a motorboat sold by a dealer, the dealer must ensure that specified warning
labels have been affixed before completion of the transaction.
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(c) Warning labels approved by the American Boat and Yacht Council, National
Marine Manufacturers Association, or the commissioner satisfy the requirements of this
section when installed as specified.
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The commissioner shall mail the
information and labels to all motorboat owners required to install labels in the first
year. The commissioner must also provide license agents with informational brochures
and warning labels about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning while boating. A
license agent must make the brochure and labels available to motorboat owners and make
efforts to inform new owners of the requirements. The commissioner shall highlight the
new requirements on the watercraft renewal reminder postcard for three consecutive
three-year license cycles and in the Minnesota Boating Guide. The brochure must instruct
motorboat owners with gasoline-powered motorboats that have enclosed accommodation
compartments to place the labels according to subdivision 3 and inform motorboat owners
of carbon monoxide dangers of gasoline-powered generators.
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A violation of this section does not result in a penalty
but is punishable only by a safety warning.
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This section is effective May 1, 2017.
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Sections 1 to 3 may be known and cited as "Sophia's Law."
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