Senate Passes Bill Lowering Georgia BUI Limit

A bill that would lower the state's Boating Under the Influence legal limit and institute boating safety regulations now has cleared both houses of the Georgia General Assembly.

On Thursday (March 20), the House passed Senate Bill 136 by a 146-17 vote. The Gainesville Times reported that the "nay" votes are believed to be related to hunter-safety provisions of the bill. The Senate unanimously passed the bill earlier in March.

Gov. Nathan Deal is expected to sign the bill, which carries the names of Griffin and Jake Prince of Buford, and Kile Glover of Atlanta. They were all killed in water-safety related incidents last year on Lake Lanier.

Does this legislation make you feel safer on Lake Lanier? What other changes are needed? Add your comments below the article.

The bill would lower the legal limit for boating under the influence to 0.08 grams per 100, the same as for drivers of motor vehicles. It also raises the life jacket requirement age to 13 from 10, increases the age limit to operate some boats and personal watercraft, and requires boating education.

Last June, the Prince brothers were killed when a boat slammed into the pontoon boat that was carrying them and others. Griffin Prince's body was found after a nine-day search.

Paul Bennett of Cumming has been indicted in connection with the Prince deaths. He faces a May trial date on homicide and boating under the influence charges.

Last July, Glover died from injuries he sustained when a personal watercraft operator struck him and another youth on the lake. The youths were in an inner tube being pulled by a larger boat.

Jeffrey Hubbard, described as a family friend, has been indicted in connection with the Glover death. He was indicted on charges of homicide by vessel, serious injury by vessel, reckless operation of a vessel, unlawful operation of a personal watercraft, and boat traffic violation. Kile Glover was the former stepson of entertainer Usher Raymond.

The complete Senate Bill 136 is here.

See also:

Bill Would Lower Georgia's 'Drunk Boater' Legal Limit

~ Suwanee Patch