Posted on 02/03/2021 10:32:58 AM PST by llevrok
SPOKANE, Wash. — Thousands have signed a petition urging the Washington Legislature to "say no" to a bill that would put new safety rules in place for kayakers, standup paddleboarders and others.
House Bill 1018 would require anyone operating a "human-powered" vessel in Washington to take a boater education course and purchase a boater education card for $10. This means kayaks, canoes, rafts, standup paddleboards and other vessels would fall under the same set of rules as motorboats in the state.
Five Washington state representatives are sponsoring the bill. It was introduced in the House on Jan. 11, 2021 and has since been referred to the the Committee on Community and Economic Development.
Under the bill, anyone without a boater education in their possession would be subject to an infraction. The penalty would be waived if the boater provided proof to the court within 60 days that they received a boater education card.
More than 11,000 people have signed a Change.org petition against the bill in two weeks. Scott Holley, the man who started the petition, says the requirements would "create unnecessary burdens on Washington residents in ways that will make it more difficult for lower-income individuals to participate."
"Paddling is an ideal sport for the COVID-19 era. It promotes physical as well as mental health," the petition reads. "We should be encouraging and not discouraging outdoor paddlesport recreation."
We need another bureaucracy for that!
Row boats? Paddle boats? Seriously?
Even an inner tube at the lake could be classed as a “human powered vessel”.
I see no problem with this, this (in politician speak) is just “common sense boating laws”
What’s the matter Libs? Don’t you like living in the peoples Republic of Washington state? After all it’s for the children..........
“This is what happens in a single party government. Anything and everything will be taxed, even your kid’s pool noodles!”
You know it, and I’m laughing at them. I want them to get every bit of what they voted for, good and hard.
If you have to show that you have completed a water safety course, that means there needs to be certified trainers and water safety police.
That means a whole new state department added to an exsisting one.
It took decades, but eventually, everyone in the Soviet Union hated the government, even the communists.
I wonder how long it will take in the USA?
Its hard to think of a single word or concept that has done more damage to the American psyche in the last thirty years than *safe*.
Just another tax. There will be no increment in safety.
Embrace the suck Washingtonians! you voted for it!...............
To be safe they should lower the speed limit to 25 MPH.
Stupid should hurt..............
Man, is there ANY aspect of our lives that Dems don’t want to regulate and tax?
“That means a whole new state department added to an existing one.”
Don’t worry, they’ll all be affirmative action hires, so “social justice” will be served.
Even a surf board.
This will keep those lowlifes from paddling by Bill Gates mansion!
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