Summary — HR 87 (House Resolution No. 87)
A resolution to declare May 2025 as Boating Safety Month in the state of Michigan — ADOPTED
Purpose and intent
HR 87 is a ceremonial/non‑binding House resolution that designates May 2025 as "Boating Safety Month" in Michigan. Its intent is to raise public awareness about safe boating practices across Michigan’s extensive inland lakes, rivers, and Great Lakes shoreline, encourage education and preventive practices, and recognize the role of state agencies, law enforcement, safety organizations, and volunteers in promoting boating safety.
Key provisions
- Declares May 2025 as Boating Safety Month in the State of Michigan.
- Highlights Michigan’s boating resources (noting over 11,000 inland lakes, thousands of river miles, and borders on four of the five Great Lakes) and the recent increase in recreational boating participation.
- Encourages boaters to adopt safe practices such as:
- taking boating education courses;
- performing vessel safety checks;
- carrying and using accessible life jackets;
- preparing a float plan and monitoring weather conditions;
- operating soberly and following nautical navigation rules.
- Cites National Safe Boating Week (observed in May) as a focal point for broader educational outreach.
- Urges residents and visitors to engage in responsible boating to help ensure safety and reduce accidents.
Who is affected
- Directly: Michigan boaters, recreational users, and visitors who use state waters.
- Indirectly: State agencies, local law enforcement, safety organizations, volunteer groups, and community outreach/education programs that promote boating safety.
- Note: As a resolution, HR 87 does not create new legal obligations, regulatory changes, or funding.
Procedural and timeline information
- Introduced in the Michigan House (House Resolution No. 87).
- Adopted by the House (read by title, rules suspended, adopted 4/29/2025 in one record); enrolled and signed by the Speaker 4/30/2025; presented to the Secretary of State 5/05/2025. (Legislative record shows the resolution was adopted in final form and reported enrolled.)
- Classification: House resolution — symbolic/expressive action (not statutory law).
Sponsors / Supporters
Offered and sponsored by Michigan House members including Reps. Alicia St. Germaine, Roth, Schmaltz, Bierlein, Pavlov, DeBoyer, Robinson and additional co‑sponsors named in the adopted version (Alexander, Glanville, MacDonell, Paiz, Rheingans, Rogers, Young).
Impact
HR 87 is primarily symbolic: it promotes public education and awareness around boating safety, supports the work of safety and enforcement organizations, and encourages safer behavior on Michigan waters. It does not appropriate funds or alter existing statutes or enforcement authorities.
