requiring a boat owner who is not the operator to notify law enforcement and file an accident report in certain circumstances.

HB 1046 requires boat owners who are not the vessel operator to notify law enforcement and file an accident report if the operator fails to do so after an incident involving death, injury, or property damage exceeding $2,000. The bill mandates that the operator must immediately stop, assist those involved, and exchange information, while also submitting a written report to the Department of Safety within 15 days. If the operator is unable or unwilling to comply with these duties, the owner must take over the responsibility to report the accident to police and the state department. Failure to meet these notification and reporting requirements can result in criminal penalties, ranging from a class A misdemeanor to a felony depending on the severity of the incident.