For-hire vessels: organized camps: camp vessels.

Existing law defines "for-hire vessel" to include any vessel propelled by machinery carrying more than 3 passengers for hire, except as provided. Existing law requires a company that operates a for-hire vessel to procure liability insurance, as provided. Existing law prohibits a for-hire vessel from being operated or navigated on the waters of this state except by a person who holds a valid operator's license. Under existing law, a violation of that prohibition and other provisions related to for-hire vessels is a misdemeanor. This bill would exempt a camp vessel, as defined, from the definition of for-hire vessel, and thereby exempt a camp vessel operated by an organized camp from the requirement that it be operated by a person with a valid operator's license. The bill would require an organized camp, as defined, to obtain a permit from the Division of Boating and Waterways before operating a camp vessel, as specified. The bill would authorize the division to assess a permit fee to cover the reasonable cost of issuing permits and of enforcement. The bill would require the permit fees to be deposited into the Camp Vessel Permit Fee Fund, which the bill would create in the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, to be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to cover the cost of issuing and enforcing the permits, as specified. The bill would require an organized camp that operates a camp vessel to comply with the liability insurance requirement as if it operates a for-hire vessel, and would require the organized camp and a person operating a camp vessel to meet separate operating and safety requirements for a camp vessel, as specified. Because a violation of these separate operating requirements would be a misdemeanor, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.