Bill would end reporting requirement for minor boating accidents

The Idaho Sheriff’s Association says it’s currently illegal for a boat operator to fail to report an accident, for a full county investigation, if the damage comes to $500 or more - and that’s too low. “We are proposing $1,500, to be the same as cars,” Sheriff’s Association lobbyist Mike Kane told the Senate Judiciary Committee this afternoon. “It’s a great imposition to the boating public to have to go through what is in the current law for very minor accidents, and also a waste of county resources,” when all that’s happened is “two Chris-Crafts kinda nudge each other.” The committee voted unanimously to introduce the bill, with Sen. Patti-Anne Lodge, R-Huston, noting that it could save counties some money.