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Everything Else In Committee Kentucky · 2026RS
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HB 168

AN ACT relating to boating under the influence.

In Plain Language

This law makes it easier to test boat operators for intoxication after serious accidents by allowing police to get search warrants for blood tests without waiting for consent. It applies the same drunk driving penalties to boating under the influence, and requires anyone convicted of boating drunk to take a safe-boating course and pay $100 to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. It also requires 911 dispatchers to report all boat accidents to the Kentucky State Police.

Official summary

Amend KRS 235.240 to require that when a motorboat or vessel is involved in an accident that results in a fatality or serious physical injury, the investigating law enforcement officer shall seek a search warrant for blood testing of the operator of the motorboat or vessel unless the test has already been done by consent; apply the penalties for driving under the influence to boating under the influence; require that in addition to all other penalties, a person found guilty of boating under the influence shall complete a safe-boating course and pay $100 to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to cover the costs of materials and instruction for the course; amend KRS 235.990 to conform; create a new section of KRS Chapter 15 to require a public safety telecommunicator who receives a report of an accident involving a motorboat or vessel on any waters of the Commonwealth to report the accident to the Kentucky State Police post covering where the accident occurred; provide that the Act may be cited as Keegan's Law.

Sponsor

K. Fleming (Republican-48)

Cosponsors

3 listed

Latest action

to Committee on Committees (S)

Feb 24, 2026

Official source

View on OpenStates ↗

Action history

Feb 24, 2026 to Committee on Committees (S)

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