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Updated:   2026-04-07

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Measure
Authors Jeff Gonzalez  
Subject Vessels: operation: registration.
Relating To relating to vessels.
Title An act to amend Sections 658.7 and 760 of, and to add Section 267 to, the Harbors and Navigation Code, and to amend Sections 9850, 9851, and 23640 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vessels.
Last Action Dt 2026-03-16
State Amended Assembly
Status In Committee Process
Flags
Vote Req Approp Fiscal Cmte Local Prog Subs Chgs Urgency Tax Levy Active?
Majority No Yes Yes None No No Y
i
Leginfo Link  
Bill Actions
2026-03-17     Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-03-16     Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and PUB. S.
2026-03-16     From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.
2026-02-19     From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
2026-02-18     Read first time. To print.
Versions
Amended Assembly     2026-03-16
Introduced     2026-02-18
Analyses TBD
Latest Text Bill Full Text
Latest Text Digest

(1) Existing law prohibits a for-hire vessel from operating or navigating on the waters of this state, except as provided. A violation of this prohibition is a crime. Existing law defines “for-hire vessel” to include any vessel propelled by machinery carrying more than 3 passengers for hire, except as provided.

(2) Under existing law, failure of an operator of a vessel involved in towing a skier to display or cause to be displayed a ski flag, as provided, is an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding $15.

(3) Existing law requires a vessel that is not required to have and does not have a valid marine document issued by a federal agency and that uses the waters or is on the waters of this state to be numbered in accordance with applicable state or federal law. A violation of this requirement is an infraction. Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide a number for a vessel upon registration.

(4) In a case in which a person is charged with driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, existing law prohibits a court from either staying or suspending the proceedings for the purpose of allowing the accused person to attend or participate in, or entertaining dismissal of the proceedings because the accused person attends or participates in, education, training, or treatment programs, as provided.

This bill would similarly prohibit a court from staying, suspending, or entertaining dismissal of the proceedings of a case in which a person is charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as specified.

(5) Existing law authorizes a peace officer to prepare a written notice to appear when the officer has reasonable cause to believe that a person involved in a traffic accident has violated a traffic law and that the violation was a factor in the occurrence of the traffic accident, as provided.

This bill would similarly authorize a peace officer to prepare a written notice to appear when the officer has reasonable cause to believe that a person involved in a vessel accident has violated a boating law and that the violation was a factor in the occurrence of the vessel accident, as provided.