HB3020 S JUDICIARY AMT

Baker x7816

    The Committee on the Judiciary moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows:

    Eng. Com. Sub. for House Bill No. 3020--A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §20-9-1, §20-9-2, §20-9-3, §20-9-4, §20-9-5 and §20-9-6, all relating to boat dock and marina safety; defining terms; requiring certain signage at certain boat docks and marinas; requiring compliance with certain safety standards on electrical work and electrical wiring at certain boat docks and marinas; requiring certain work by certain certified electricians; establishing a date for compliance; requiring certain enforcement; providing rule-making authority and authorizing emergency rules; providing penalties for certain violations; and creating a misdemeanor offense for violation of certain sections.

PREAMBLE

THIS LEGISLATION SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE “MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM ACT.” WHEREAS, WEST VIRGINIA IS KNOWN FOR ITS BEAUTIFUL AND ABUNDANT WATERWAYS, LAKES AND RIVERS, WHICH PROVIDE A DRAW FOR TOURISM AND A BOOST FOR OUR ECONOMY; AND

WHEREAS, OUR WATERWAYS, LAKES AND RIVERS SHOULD BE A SAFE PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO ENJOY; AND

WHEREAS, THERE HAVE BEEN CASES RECENTLY WHERE CHILDREN HAVE DIED BECAUSE THE WATER WHERE THEY WERE SWIMMING WAS ELECTRIFIED BY THE UNGROUNDED AND IMPROPER CONNECTION OF ELECTRICITY TO BOAT DOCKS AND MARINAS; AND

WHEREAS, ELECTRICITY AND WATER CREATE A DEADLY COMBINATION THAT CAN PARALYZE A SWIMMER WHICH CAN RESULT IN THE SWIMMER DROWNING; AND WHEREAS, CHILDREN WHO ARE SWIMMING ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO ELECTROCUTION AND SHOCK IN THE WATER; AND

WHEREAS, BRINGING BOAT DOCKS AND MARINAS UP TO THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION AND NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE STANDARDS FOR MARINAS AND BOATYARDS IS NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF ALL OF THOSE WHO ENJOY OUR WATERWAYS, LAKES AND RIVERS FOR RECREATION AND TO PROTECT OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY.

Adopted

Rejected