Inland Senator's Proposal on Vessel Seizures Set for Hearing

A Riverside County lawmaker's bill, which would authorize law enforcement agencies to seize vessels from suspects in boating under the influence deaths, is slated for an initial hearing Tuesday in the state Legislature.

Sen. Jeff Stone, R-Palm Desert, proposed SB 644 in February, which is slated to go before the Senate Committee on Public Safety.

Under the proposal, authorities would be granted the power to impound a boat belonging to a person arrested on suspicion of causing a fatality while intoxicated and operating the craft on any waterway.

Stone noted in his introduction to SB 644 that it's intended to replicate existing law concerning the seizure of motor vehicles from individuals arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol causing death or great bodily injury on state and local roads and highways.

Under SB 644, the boat impoundment period would last for 30 days, at the end of which the owner would be responsible for paying all fees and charges associated with the seizure before the boat could be released.

However, the impoundment would be immediately terminated and the vessel returned if it could be shown that the owner of record was not on board and was unaware of the conduct of the operator prior to the seizure.

According to the legislation, the impoundment would also be immediately lifted if it's proven that the vessel belonged to a rental agency or had been stolen.

The bill states that if criminal charges are filed, the boat could not be sold until the case is resolved. If the boat owner is acquitted or the case is dismissed, he or she would be entitled to a reimbursement of impoundment charges, according to the proposal.

– By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock