Governor to Sign Boater Compact Bill in Hartwell Today

Governor Nathan Deal will be in Hartwell later this afternoon to sign a boating bill authored by State Representative Alan Powell.

House Bill 777 is called the Boating Violator Compact and according to Powell is designed to address boating violation problems on both sides of the state line.

 “The bill is a product of the bi-state Savannah River Caucus,” Powell said. “It creates a boaters’ violation compact. It’s similar to a what a traffic citation would be.  So, now  you don’t have to go to jail, you don’t have to produce ready cash for the fine. You can sign a personal recognizance and then it would be handled like a traffic violation.”

Powell said the bill is the first such law in the nation.

“The Governor sees the significance of that and that’s why he decided to helicopter in this afternoon to sign the bill at the Big Oaks Recreation Center in Hartwell and the public is invited,” Powell said. 

South Carolina is expected to pass a similar law during their current legislative session.   According to Powell, HB777 is one of the side initiatives to come out of the joint Georgia and South Carolina Savannah River Caucuses.

“We realized that there other things that can benefit citizens in both states from North Georgia and Western Carolina and the mountains to the ports of Savannah and we’re just real pleased,” Powell said. 

Powell said the Georgia and South Carolina Water Caucuses are expected to meet again this summer for a another joint session.

Governor Nathan Deal is expected to sign HB777 into law this afternoon at 3p at the Big Oaks Recreation Center on U.S. 29.