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| Details of the Bill Sign up for email updates on SB154 |
See
Below for details about CBSOA's Involvement |
CBSOA President Cary Smith to testify on behalf of supporting SB154 scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2009, Sacramento State Capitol Building. |
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The CBSOA is going to be the sponsor of Senator John Benoit's bill SB 154 (Boating Under the Influence). The Board of Directors feels this is a great opportunity to have a voice in Sacramento. The CBSOA was the lead in the legislation that revamped California's Boating Under the Influence law to more closely align it with the vehicle code previously. This legislation would complete the circle. We are asking you as members to send letters of support for SB 154 to the listed below Senators. You can cut and paste parts of the sponsorship letter and ad your own pieces. Also you can go to the CBSOA website and use the 6 step process to call your Senator an voice your support. Thanks for your time and efforts in this matter. |
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| This is a copy
of the CBSOA letter pledging sponsorship of SB 154: 19 March 2009 Honorable Senator John Benoit State Capitol, Room 4066 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Honorable Senator John Benoit: The California Boating Safety Officers Association would like to be the sponsor of the public safety legislation to reinstate the suspension of California driver’s licenses for individuals caught boating-under-the-influence, (BUI) SB 154. The CBSOA is an organization of boating safety officers throughout the State of California. We have a membership of over 400 officers. One of our missions is to promote legislation to enhance boating safety in California. Our organization was the lead in the legislation that revamped California’s Boating Under the Influence law to more closely align it with the vehicle code previously. We strongly support SB 154 and believe the additional authorities it provides to the DMV will bring California in line with other States. We believe the additional penalties to convicted individuals of driver’s license suspension and having to complete an alcohol education course will help save lives on the waters of California. The California Department of Boating and Waterways reports that 25% of all boating related fatalities are attributed to boat operators who were under the influence of alcohol. CBSOA members are often the first to respond to these tragic events and have the first responsibilities of treating the injured, then the investigation of the accident and arrest of those responsible. Next, the officers have the responsibility of informing the family members of the tragedy. The CBSOA believes through education and stronger penalties for BUI as in SB 154, we can reduce the number of lives lost on California’s waterways, lakes, rivers and coastal waters. As for where to send letters they should be sent to the following individuals, at the least they should be sent to Senator Benoit and Senator Mark Leno. |
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| Senator John J. Benoit State Capitol Room 4066 Sacramento, CA 95814 |
Senator Mark Leno Committee on Public Safety State Capitol Room 2031 Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Senator Gilbert Cedillo State Capitol Room 5100 Sacramento, CA 95814 |
Senator Loni Hancock State Capitol Room 3092 Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Senator Darrell Steinberg State Capitol Room 205 Sacramento, CA 95814 |
Senator Rod Wright State Capitol Room 2048 Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Details of Senate Bill 154
john
J. benoit
Senator,
Thirty Seventh District State
Capitol, TEL:
916.651.4037 FAX:
916.327.2187 Boating
under the influence (SB
154) PURPOSE
Provides
the Department of Motor Vehicles with the authority to suspend the
driver’s
license of an individual convicted of boating under the influence (BUI). SUMMARY
SB
154
would grant the explicit statutory authority to the DMV to allow them
to
suspend the drivers licenses of individuals convicted of boating under
the
influence. Furthermore,
this bill will require that individuals convicted of boating under the
influence be required to attend and complete an alcohol education
course. BACKGROUND
According
to the California Department of Boating and Waterways, 25% of all
deaths on Since
the mid 1990s the DMV operated under the assumption that they had the
statutory
authority needed to suspend the drivers licenses of individuals who had
been
boating under the influence. Basically,
the DMV treated BUI cases similar to driving under the influence cases
which in
the California Vehicle code call for the suspension of a person’s
driving
privileges. In
2008, the California Court of Appeals ordered an end to this process.
The court’s
argument for halting this process was based solely on the fact that DMV
lacked explicit
statutory authority. The same
reckless mindset is at work when intoxicated individuals take either
the wheel
of the car or control of a watercraft. SB
154 reflects the seriousness of BUI offenses,
protecting the safety
of travelers on FOR
MORE INFORMATION
Staff: Scott
Seekatz (916)
651-4037 [Phone] (916)
327-2187 [Fax] Scott.Seekatz@sen.ca.gov |
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