2007 House Bill 4143 (Revise marine offense penalties )

Public Act 8 of 2007

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Introduced by Rep. Steve Bieda (D) on January 25, 2007, to establish that various maritime and watercraft law violations will be a civil violation subject to a $500 fine, rather than a criminal misdemeanor. Also, the bill would increase from $100 to $500 the fine if a person refuses to submit to a preliminary chemical breath analysis upon a peace officer's lawful request.
- Referred to the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, And Natural Resources Committee on January 25, 2007.
  - Reported in the House on February 27, 2007, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
- Substitute offered in the House on March 6, 2007, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on March 6, 2007.
- Amendment offered by Rep. Steve Bieda (D) on March 6, 2007, to clarify that the proposed $500 fine applies to all of the civil infractions referenced in the bill. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on March 6, 2007.
Passed in the House (103 to 0) on March 7, 2007. [Vote Details and Comments]
Received in the Senate on March 8, 2007.
- Referred to the Senate Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee on March 8, 2007.
  - Reported in the Senate on April 24, 2007, with the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
- Substitute offered in the Senate on April 24, 2007, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described. The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 24, 2007.
Passed in the Senate (38 to 0) on April 24, 2007, to establish that various maritime and watercraft law violations will be a civil violation subject to a $500 fine, rather than a criminal misdemeanor. Also, the bill would increase from $100 to $500 the fine if a person refuses to submit to a preliminary chemical breath analysis upon a peace officer's lawful request. [Vote Details and Comments]
Received in the House on April 24, 2007.
- Amendment offered by Rep. Steve Bieda (D) on April 26, 2007, to remove from the bill a provision related to criminal offenses for subsequent offences of marine safety statutes. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on April 26, 2007.
Passed in the House (103 to 0) on April 26, 2007, to concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill, except for the the Bieda amendment. [Vote Details and Comments]
Received in the Senate on May 1, 2007.
Passed in the Senate (38 to 0) on May 2, 2007, to concur with the House-passed version of the bill. [Vote Details and Comments]
Received in the House on May 2, 2007.
Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on May 10, 2007.

Most Recent Comments

1) Does anyone know [by Anonymous Citizen on June 28, 2007]
if not having a boating safety certificate is still a misdemeanor under this law? If it is, what are my chances of having this ticket reduced to a civil infraction? The very first time I rode a jet ski I got a ticket for not having the boating safety certificate. The jet ski wasn’t even mine. I’ll give them the money, I just don’t want to have a misdemeanor in my record. Does anybody else think that a misdemeanor is too harsh of a punishment for the first time?
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2) how is it beneficial to [by Anonymous Citizen on June 5, 2007]
make certain infractions civil, other than to lower the standards for evidence, increase the fines that can be collected, and make judgements from the bench based on 'the proponderance of the evidence' as opposed to 'guilt beyond a reasonable doubt'.
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3) All This Pig Slop Does [by Anonymous Citizen on June 5, 2007]
is jack up penalties and fines. The state has become an insatiable money sucking machine. Watch this kind of stuff kill what's left of the boating industry. The canadians did this sort of thing and marinas are dying all over. Add the high cost of fuel and this will be another part of the michganistan economy that has slipped down the old crapper.
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