Bill
Bill > A2856
NJ A2856
NJ A2856Codifies certain State Police regulations on pre-rental boat safety record retention; requires Superintendent of State Police to audit and publish certain boat rental instruction records.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Superintendent of the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety to annually audit the records a boat rental business maintains concerning required pre-rental safety instruction the business provides to operate a power vessel. Under current law, a person who has not completed a State-approved boat safety course may rent a power vessel from a boat rental business if the person rents from a business engaged in renting power vessels for use on New Jersey's waters; the person successfully completes a State-approved pre-rental instruction course by the owner or lessor prior to use; and, the owner of the rental business is experienced in operating power vessels on the State's waters and has completed a boat safety course approved by the Superintendent of State Police. Current State Police regulations require that the original proof of completion indicating that a boat renter has finished the pre-rental instruction be maintained by the boat rental business for three years. The bill also requires the superintendent to annually audit the pre-rental safety instruction records and publish the results of the audit on the State Police website. The penalty for violating the bill's provisions is consistent with the statutory penalties for general violations of the State's boating laws regulating power vessels: a fine of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense, and $100 for a third or subsequent offense.
AI Summary
This bill requires boat rental businesses to keep records of individuals who complete their required pre-rental safety instruction for a period and in a way determined by the Superintendent of State Police, codifying existing State Police regulations on this matter. The Superintendent, who heads the Division of State Police within the Department of Law and Public Safety, must then annually review these records and make the audit results public on the State Police website. This measure aims to ensure that individuals renting power vessels on New Jersey's waters have received proper safety training, especially if they haven't completed a separate State-approved boat safety course beforehand. Penalties for not complying with these provisions are the same as those for general boating law violations, ranging from a $25 fine for a first offense to $100 for subsequent offenses.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A2856 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3000/2856_I1.HTM |
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