Brianna Lieneck Boating Safety Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2772
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-09: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-11T08:06:13Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Brianna Lieneck Boating Safety Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (where the U.S. Coast Guard operates) to conduct a study and submit a report to Congress on recreational vessel operator training programs. The goal is to assess current training options and identify ways to improve boating safety for recreational boaters by evaluating education, harmonization across states, and potential federal involvement.
Key Provisions
- Timeline and Scope: Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must complete a study reviewing:
- U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadron training programs.
- State boating education programs, including those supported by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA, a group that coordinates boating safety efforts among states).
- Other hands-on training available to recreational boat operators (people who use boats for non-commercial leisure activities).
- Specific Areas of Examination: The study must analyze:
- Course materials and content.
- Training and assessment methods (how training is delivered and tested).
- How well the content addresses common risks faced by recreational boaters, such as accidents or navigation hazards.
- Report Contents: The report to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation must include:
- Efforts by the Coast Guard and NASBLA to encourage states to make boater training mandatory.
- Evaluation of how states can align their education programs and testing.
- Analysis of reciprocity (mutual recognition) between states for training and education requirements.
- Uniformity of training among states with mandatory programs.
- Proposed minimum standards for boater education.
- Ways to integrate a potential federal training program with state ones.
- Relevance of course content to real boating risks.
- Current phase-in periods for mandatory training in states (gradual rollout timelines) and recommendations, including impacts on availability and cost.
- Options for experienced boaters to skip full courses and take tests directly, with recommendations for a federal bypass option.
- How the Coast Guard could manage a federal education, training, and testing program.
- Whether a federal program should apply to all state waters, including inland areas like lakes and rivers.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no immediate changes to current laws. It solely mandates a study and report, which could inform future legislation but does not alter existing federal or state boating regulations, such as voluntary or state-mandated training requirements.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Coast Guard will need to allocate resources for the study, potentially leading to expanded roles in boating education if recommendations are adopted. Congress may use the report to propose new laws.
- Citizens: Recreational boaters could benefit from improved, more standardized training, potentially reducing accidents and enhancing safety. No direct costs or mandates are imposed yet.
- International Relations: No impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. waters and state/federal programs.
- Overall, it could lead to safer boating practices nationwide without immediate disruptions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security: Responsible for conducting the study and potentially administering future programs.
- States and NASBLA: Their programs will be reviewed; they may face pressure to adopt mandatory training or harmonize standards.
- Recreational Boaters: Primary beneficiaries through potential enhancements to training accessibility and relevance.
- Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadrons: Volunteer groups providing boating education, whose programs will be evaluated.
- Congressional Committees: House Transportation and Infrastructure, and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which will receive and act on the report.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill respects state authority over internal waters by focusing on harmonization rather than overriding state laws. It could pave the way for federal minimum standards under the Coast Guard's existing authority to promote navigation safety (under Title 46 of the U.S. Code), but any future mandates would need to balance federal preemption with state rights.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; it aligns with Congress's commerce clause powers over navigable waters but avoids encroaching on state police powers without further legislation.
- Political: Named after Brianna Lieneck (likely in honor of a boating incident victim), it signals bipartisan interest in public safety. The emphasis on voluntary reciprocity and bypass options for experienced users may appeal across political lines, but recommendations for federal involvement could spark debates on federalism (division of power between federal and state governments).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-09: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 2025-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-04-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Brianna Lieneck Boating Safety Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-09 — PDF (4 pages)