Governor Matt Blunt recently signed House Bill 1715 which will change many of Missouri's boating laws.

One key change that will go into effect on August 28, 2008, is the legal blood alcohol content limit. It will be reduced from .10 percent to .08 percent for operation of a vessel on the water, which is the same limit for driving a vehicle on Missouri roadways.

The bill also establishes a speed limit of 30 MPH at night on all waterways. Prior to this bill, this speed limit was only in effect on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and lakes with shoreline over 160 miles. This aspect of the bill will help reduce confusion as all waterways will have the same rules.

Another component of the bill requires boaters to operate at idle speed within 100 feet of an emergency vessel that has red or blue lights displayed. The purpose of this is to make it safer for Missouri State Water Patrol officers conducting stops on the waterways.

For a full review of the bill click on this link: House Bill 1715