Boating Offense Compact

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Boating Offense Compact
Formation date:	1992
Member jurisdictions:	2
Issue(s):	Law enforcement

The Boating Offense Compact is an interstate compact between Oregon and Washington that grants courts and law enforcement officers in both states concurrent jurisdiction over boating offenses committed in waters that form the interstate boundary.

Governance

Unlike other interstate compacts, the boating offense compact does not establish a separate commission to govern the provisions of the compact. Rather, it grants concurrent jurisdiction to existing law enforcement agencies over the arrest and prosecution of offenders whose conduct is prohibited by—and committed on the boundary water of—both member states.

Text of the compact

The legislature of each member state passes the laws with certain modifications, but the core of the legislation remains the same.

Article I: Findings and Declaration of Policy 1. The party states find that: 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; 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: Prosecution of any person for conduct that is unlawful in the state where it was committed, but lawful in the other party state; 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.

See also

• Interstate compact

External links

• The Council of State Governments - National Center for Interstate Compacts
• Boating Offense Compact
• Washington state legislation