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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07171990 - 1.32 > k4111-0302, TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Y Contra FROM: / Costa Phil Batchelor, County Administrator x DATE: July 10 , 1990 srq.���x�,- County-- SUBJECT: LEGISLATION: SB 1808 (Leonard) SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECO14MENDATION Continue the Board' s previous position in SUPPORT of SB 1808 by Senator Leonard which would reduce„ the permissible limit of blood alcohol for persons operating vessels from . 10% to . 08o and which would reduce the permissible limit of blood alcohol for minors operating motorboats from .10a to . 050. The bill also specifies that a minor may be found guilty of operating a motorboat with a blood alcohol level of . 05o even if a blood test was not made if the individual was operating a motorboat while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and if the trier of fact finds that the minor consumed an alcoholic beverage and was operating a motorboat with a blood alcohol level of .050 or more. The bill also provides that a minor found guilty of violating this section is guilty of an infraction, for which specified fines are imposed. In addition, the minor can be required to participate in an alcohol education or community service program. The bill expands the type of . vessels covered by these provisions, effective January 1, 1992, to any motorized recreational vessel. The bill also reduces the permissible blood alcohol level effective January 1, 1992 for an individual operating any non recreational vessel to . 040. BACKGROUND: On February 13 , 1990 the Board of Supervisors voted to support SB 1808 as introduced. On March 27, 1990 the Board of Supervisors voted to continue their support of SB 1808 as it was amended February 28, 1990. The bill has now been amended again. 17 CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: Yes.YES SIGNATURE: G RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): 6&64We 46 ACTION OF BOARD ON July 17, 1990 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER REQUESTED County- Admini..trator to explore with Senator Leonard the- addition of ,Gupport for the marine patrol on the Delta, VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED JUL 17 1990 PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF Please see Page 2. SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY - DEPUTY M382 (10/88) -2- Under current law, an individual is prohibited from operating any vessel. or manipulating water skis, an aquaplane or a similar device with a blood alcohol level of . 10% or more. No separate definition is made for minors. SB 1808, as amended June 26, 1990, would reduce all references to a blood alcohol level of . 10% to . 08% to conform them to the similar changes which were made in 1989 in regard to the blood alcohol level for operating vehicles. Effective January 1, 1992 the permissible blood alcohol level is reduced to . 04% for any person who is operating any vessel other than recreational vessels. This provision would also be applicable to foreign vessels which are using waters subject to state jurisdiction. In addition, SB 1808 would specify a lower level of . 05% for a minor who is operating a motorboat and would make it an infraction for a minor to so operate a motorboat. The level of proof 'which must be obtained for a minor is also reduced so that a minor can be convicted of this provision of law as long as it is shown that the individual was operating a motorboat while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, had consumed an alcoholic beverage and was operating a motorboat while having a blood alcohol level of . 05% or more, even if no chemical test was made of the blood. Finally, SB 1808 requires that any minor convicted of this provision - of law be required to participate in an alcohol education or community service program and imposes a fine of $100 for a first offense of violating this provision. A fine of $200 is imposed if there is a prior conviction within one year. A third or subsequent conviction with two or more prior convictions within one year carries a fine of $250. Effective January 1, 1992 the offense for minors is expanded from a motorboat to any motorized recreational vessel which is operated with a blood alcohol level of . 05% or more. The fines and other punishments remain the same as noted above. Since SB 1808 reduces the level of alcohol which an individual can have in his or her blood while operating a vessel and since SB 1808 makes special provisions for minors who operate motorboats or motorized recreational vessels while under the influence of alcoholic beverages the bill appears to be consistent with the Board of Supervisors ' war on the illegal use of alcoholic beverages. It is therefore recommended that the Board continue to indicate its support for SB 1808. SB 1808 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 20, 1990 by a vote of 11:0. Hearing on the bill was waived by the Senate Appropriations Committee and the bill passed the full Senate April 5, 1990 by a vote of 34 : 0. The bill passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee on June 25, 1990 by a vote of 8:0. The bill is currently on referral to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. cc: Senator Leonard County Administrator .District Attorney Sheriff-Coroner Public Defender County Probation Officer Health Services Director Alcohol. Program Administrator Chair, Alcohol Advisory Board Les Spahnn, SRJ. Jackson, Barish & Associates