H 187

 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.187
 2025  Page 1 of 2
1H.187
2 Introduced by Representative Garofano of Essex
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Motor vehicles; vessels; equipment; personal flotation devices; cold
6weather
7 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require all
8 individuals on board a vessel between November 1 and May 1 to wear a
9 personal flotation device.
10    An act relating to requiring the use of personal flotation devices during cold
11    weather
12 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
13 Sec. 1. 23 V.S.A. § 3306 is amended to read:
14 § 3306. LIGHTS AND EQUIPMENT
15***
16    (b)(1) Personal flotation devices. Each vessel, except sailboards, shall,
17 consistent with federal regulations, carry for each individual aboard at least
18 one wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device that is in
19 good and serviceable condition and capable of being used in accordance with
20 the U.S. Coast Guard approval label.
                                                                    VT LEG #380553 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.187
 2025  Page 2 of 2
1***
2      (4) Cold weather. On or before May 1 of each year and on or after
3 November 1 of each year, all individuals aboard a vessel, while under way and
4 the individual is on an open deck, shall wear a properly secured wearable U.S.
5 Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device as intended by the
6 manufacturer.
7      (5) Inspected commercial vessels. U.S. Coast Guard-inspected
8 commercial vessels shall be exempt from the provisions of this subsection.
9***
10 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
11   This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
                                                                 VT LEG #380553 v.1