Senate Bill 629

[bobmaggi]

according to our local paper(10/29), the state senate has passed this bill. Of course, by the time it gets past the state house of reps, etc, etc,. . . I am sure there will be the changes mentioned above. Of course in the article, the DNR says it will be hard to enforce, and opposes it. Maggi

 

[Tiny Bubbles]

If a scuba diver can't produce a c-card quickly enough to satisfy the law enforcement officer, will they be fined? My c-card will either be zipped up inside my drysuit with me, and take time and effort to produce. Or it will be in a vehicle parked a mile upstream or a mile downstream of where I'm at in the river, or in the boat, or at home, depending on the circumstances. There was a similar problem with the recent car insurance laws, which had to be changed, because keeping proof of car insurance in ones wallet or glove box was too much to ask of Michiganders. And what about visitors to our state or country? They may be from a place which does not handle scuba certification in the same way, and/or not be aware of Michigan's new laws requiring scuba certification to scuba dive where there are structures. And what constitutes certification? If I certify (say in writing) that my dive buddies are OK to dive, will that satisfy the state?

 

[hollywood703]

Unfortunately in this country, Ignorance of the Law, doesnt grant exemption from it. This Bill really falls down to enforcement. Some areas will get enforced (enough personnel to worry about such things) and most will not. It will also depend on the officer, some will enforce it at face value and some will just give warnings all the time. I know I personally, would not issue a citation, unless, the people involved are being wreckless and directly endangering themselves or others around them. I wouldnt go so far to say all divers are safe and would get exepmtions, but if they appear to be safe, and have all the appropriate Certifications....they will be on their way. It also to me depends on one's attitude when contact is made. If I initiate contact and they give me a lot of attitude, they are far more likely to get cited, I give respect to the people I make contact with, I expect it in return. So if this passes, and you run into some sort of Law Enforcement, make it a pleasant encounter, and your more likely to be given anything more than a verbal warning.

Tiny, unless you are an instructor, your verbal or written ok on other divers will highly unlikely be accepted. Its kinda like on a traffic stop for speeding and driver has no Drivers License.....a passenger stating he's ok to drive because i said so.....Unless someone shows proof they are qualified to "enable" that person to do the actions, its just a statement that holds no real weight.

 

[ComputerJoe]

Joel Sheltrown will give this bill a hearing?

Hmmm What a quandry! Who am I to believe? The Weathernan or the Politician?
Help me someone!!!!

 

[superstar]

I decide to go diving so I jump in my car. I need a drivers license, registration for the car, a license plate on the car, and proof of insurance. So I need to pay taxes to have law enforcement to make sure I have all these items with me. So I am pulling my boat on a trailer to the boat launch. I now need a trailer license plate and trailer registration. So my taxes are raised to have more law enforcement to make sure I have these additional items. I pay a fee at the boat ramp to launch my boat. Now I have to pay more taxes to have somebody collect the fee. I drive my boat to the dive site. Now i need MC numbers on my boat and boat registration papers. My taxes have gone up again to have marine law enforcement present to make sure I have these items with me. Also, on my boat I must have life jackets, flair kit, flame arestors on my engine, sealed alternator, fire extinguishers, oil discharge plaque. a throwable life saving device, proper navagation lights,etc. etc. etc.. These are several items required by law so we need several law enforcement officers to enforce this so I need to pay alot more in taxes to cover the expences. Now if I go scubadiving from on or near a breakwall I need to pay more taxes to have an officer present to check my c-card. WONDERFUL!!!
And we live in the land of the free..I DON'T THINK SO!!!
I hope they toss out the whole bill, I can't afford to pay any more taxes.

 

[Riverrat Dave]

Oh, But Jenny says that you still keep too much of your paycheck... She needs more for her social programs... "we must make Michigan a socialist state"...

 

[Riverrat Dave]

Has anyone heard anything about this bill lately?

 

[bobmaggi]

I thought I read that the state houses were on a vacation break again. . . . after the new services tax was repealed. . . and the state still needs to find ways to cut the budget and/or raise taxes. . . .:11: its hard to keep up w/ it all. Maggi

 

[ComputerJoe]

The New Services Tax was not repealed! Jenny has said that the Houses need to come up with something to replace it with. If not we will be stuck with it, if she meant what she said expect a veto of the repeal. Then my Astrologist/Baby Shoe bronzer/ Escort service/ Bail Bondsman will need to start charging me tax for their services.

Included in the "to be taxed" services are Scenic transportation and Tour Operator services. Want to bet Scuba Charters, while not mentioned, will be taxed. And if the operator dosen't collect it from you, the State will make sure it will come out of his earnings.

Are we actually paying our representitives to come up with these %$#$* bills? I think a half time legislature is half way to our answer.

 

[caymaniac]

I personally think we need a part time legislature, they never seem to get much done anyway and in the beginning it was meant to be a part time position. As a part-time position we could eliminate all their free health care for life as well as a number of other benefits and save the State some real big bucks!