The Boating Offense
Compact is enacted into law and entered into on behalf of this
state with all other states legally joining therein in a form
substantially as follows:
ARTICLE I
Findings and Declaration of Policy
(1) The party states find that:
(a) The safety of their waters is materially affected by the
degree of compliance with state laws and local ordinances relating
to the operation of boats;
(b) Violation of such a law or ordinance is evidence that the
violator engages in conduct which is likely to endanger the safety
of persons and property;
(2) It is the policy of each of the party states to promote
compliance with the laws, ordinances, and administrative rules and
regulations relating to the operation of boats by their operators
in each of the jurisdictions where such operators operate boats.
ARTICLE II
Definition
As used in this compact, "state" means a state that has
entered into this compact.
ARTICLE III
Concurrent Jurisdiction
(1) If conduct is prohibited by two adjoining party states,
courts and law enforcement officers in either state who have
jurisdiction over boating offenses committed where waters form a
common interstate boundary have concurrent jurisdiction to arrest,
prosecute, and try offenders for the prohibited conduct committed
anywhere on the boundary water between the two states.
(2) This compact does not authorize:
(a) Prosecution of any person for conduct that is unlawful in
the state where it was committed, but lawful in the other party
state;
(b) A prohibited conduct by the party state.
ARTICLE IV
Entry Into Force and Withdrawal
(1) This compact shall enter into force and become effective
as to any state when it has enacted the same into law.
(2) Any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting
a statute repealing the same.
ARTICLE V
Construction and Severability
This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate
the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be
severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this
compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party
state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any
government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the
validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability
thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall
not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to
the constitution of any state party thereto, the compact shall
remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in
full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable
matters.