Representative Klint
Kesto (R-Commerce Township) spoke on behalf of HB
4534 before the House Regulatory Reform Committee Wednesday. The bill would
require water vessels in tow (having a tow line attached to the vehicle for the
purpose of a water sport) to display a 12” by 12” orange flag to alert other
boaters.
Representative Kesto
testified that he normally is not supportive of unnecessary regulations, but
feels this is important. Mr. Kesto spoke of a friend of his who was towing his
three children from a jet ski when an unsuspecting boater broke the line,
killing two of the children and severely injuring the other. The Representative
said that he does not know if a flag would have helped this incident that
occurred in 2012, but feels that if this regulation is not overly burdensome
and has the possibility of saving at least one life, it’s worth exploring.
Vice Chair
Representative Brett Roberts (R-Eaton Township) feels a flag would not help in
most situations. In the 2012 incident, Mr. Roberts cited a few laws Mr. Kesto’s
friend had broken, including not having a spotter on the back of the jet ski.
Vice Chair Roberts also cited that of more than 5,000 boating accidents last
year, only 52 were related to towing.
Representative Scott
Dianda (D-Calumet) asked whether this bill should include regulations on how
many passengers a vehicle should be able to tow. In his opinion, Mr. Kesto’s
friend in 2012 was perhaps towing too many people at the time of the accident.
The committee has not
voted, and discussions on this bill will continue.