AZ One Step Closer to Mandatory Boater Education

The Arizona House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee has voted to pass H.B. 2149: watercraft operation; minors; safety education, in a 9-2 vote. This marks the first step toward adopting boater education in the Grand Canyon State. As of today, Arizona is one of only five states without mandatory boater education.

In 2022, boating accidents killed 13 individuals, injured 60, and caused $1 million in damages across Arizona. Sponsored by State Representative David Cook (R-07) and State Senator Brian Fernandez (D-023), H.B. 2149 establishes a boater education program by requiring those born on or after January 1, 2007, operating a vessel over 50 HP to take a NASBLA-approved boater education course or presenting a boater safety card from another state.

Driven by Arizonans, H.B. 2149 has been championed across the state. With over 126,000 boats registered and a $2 billion annual impact, Arizona is a hub for recreational boating. By bridging the gap between education and boating, Arizona takes the next step in ensuring that recreational boating is here to stay in the state.