NMMA
[pic]
North Carolina Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto on Boat Towing
Local Boaters Instrumental in Effort
BACKGROUND
North Carolina is ranked fifth in the nation in boat sales, spending $550 million on boats. The state’s more than 370,000 registered boaters make it the eleventh ranked state in total boaters. The boating industry employs more than 10,000 people in the area through boating-related businesses, such as boat dealerships, manufacturers and marinas.
In 2007, North Carolina State Highway Patrol began enforcing a decades-old state law that bans boats from 8’5” wide to 9’6” from being transported by trailer at night, on Sundays and from the business day before until the business day after national holidays. Most boaters were unaware of this law until local boaters began receiving fines of $500 to more than $1,000 per infraction. Local boaters and legislators became deeply concerned about the negative impact the law would have on recreational boat trips, regional fishing tournaments, coastline tourism and boating-relating jobs.
THE PROBLEM
In 2008, legislation was introduced in the North Carolina general assembly to increase the width of boats that may be transported on highway routes during the day and night without a permit and to provide for an annual permit as opposed to a single trip permit for oversize boats. House Bill 2167 / S.L. 2008-229 passed in both the House and Senate. Governor Mike Easley then vetoed the bill, citing unwarranted safety concerns.
However, data from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the North Carolina Wildlife Commission show that accidents involving towed boats are historically very limited, even more so among boats greater than 8’ wide:
• In 2007, seven of the 300 boat-related road accidents investigated by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol involved boats more than eight feet wide. Of these seven incidents, it is unknown how many occurred at night, on Sundays or the business day before through the business day after national holidays.
• In 2007, the North Carolina Wildlife Commission reported a total of 169 accidents related to overall boat towing.
• From 2004 to 2007, boats greater than 8 feet wide were involved in about 22 road accidents per year out of a statewide average of 230,000 accidents per year.
THE SOLUTION
With the help of local NMMA members Parker Marine and Grady-White Boats, NMMA encouraged local boaters to contact House and Senate leaders to call a special session of the state legislature to re-examine the veto. Through widespread media coverage and outreach to local boating and fishing groups, recreational boaters throughout the region were made aware of this important issue.
On August 27, 2008, Governor Easley presided over a special session on House Bill 2167 / S.L. 2008-229. The Governor’s veto was overturned in just 40 minutes with resounding votes of 95-8 in the House and 39-0 in the Senate. The veto override is the first in North Carolina history.
For more information, contact David Dickerson, director of state government relations (ddickerson@ or 202-737-9761).
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.