Two House Bills Pass That Protect Lakeside Homeowners, Boater Accident Victims

Two bills affecting residents and users of Lake Hartwell have passed in the State House of Representatives this session and are now on their way to the Senate.

In his weekly Legislative update, State Rep. Alan Powell said House Bill 121 passed last week by a vote of 164 to 6 changes the requirements for boats “wakeboarding” and “wakesurfing” to be 200 feet from shore.

The current distance is 100 feet.

Additionally, if passed in the Senate boaters could not operate within 400 feet from bank to bank.

Residents living on Lake Hartwell have complained for years about damage to their docks and shorelines from boaters and personal watercraft users getting too close.

Powell said the bill is of importance to all lakes in Georgia due to safety and damage to docks and boats from wakes.

Powell was one of the sponsors of the bill.

And House Bill 207 requires the operator of each boat involved in a boating accident to immediately stop, remain at the scene and provide their name, address, registration, as well as their government-issued ID upon request, to the operator of the vessel they struck.

Vessel operators would also be responsible for rendering assistance to any injured person and notifying emergency medical services and law enforcement if necessary.

These operators could only leave the scene immediately if they need help notifying the police or emergency responders.

The bill outlines criminal charges if an operator flees the scene of a boating accident that results in death, disappearance, or a serious injury that requires medical treatment.

The bill would also require boats to carry the necessary U.S. Coast Guard-approved nighttime and daytime visual distress signals when operating in state coastal waters.

Current law mirrors Georgia’s motor vehicle accident laws that allow boating accidents to be reported within 48 hours of the incident.