MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Game and Fish; Education

By: Representative Guice

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COAST COUNTIES THROUGH WHICH BOATING SAFETY COURSES SHALL BE OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BOATING SAFETY COURSES OFFERED IN THE SCHOOLS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. There is established in the school districts in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties a pilot program through which the boating safety course required for the lawful operation of a motorboat under Section 59-21-85 shall be made available to students enrolled in the public schools in those counties. On no less than four (4) separate occasions during the school year, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and Floatilla 38, District 8 Public Affairs Office of the Unites States Coast Guard Auxiliary, in coordination with the school districts, shall offer the boating safety course in the public schools during the normal school day to students who are required to obtain a certificate of satisfactory completion of the course in order to lawfully operate a motorboat. The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and Coast Guard Auxiliary shall be responsible for all costs incurred in relation to the boating safety courses offered in the public schools.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.