Senate Bill 393 will clamp down on boating under the influence

By The Office of Sen. Jeff Stone

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation authored by Sen. Jeff Stone, R-La Quinta, to allow boats driven by intoxicated individuals to be impounded for up to 30 days. Stone represents Idyllwild in the state senate.
If a person is killed by a boater under the influence of drugs or alcohol and convicted of such crime, Senate Bill 393 calls for the boat used in the commission of the crime to be subject to asset forfeiture rules currently imposed on automobiles.
“Senate Bill 393 is a simple measure, but it shouldn’t matter if a person is killed by a car or a boat driven by someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol ⎯ the victim is still dead and the vehicle used in the crime should be subject to asset forfeiture,” said Stone.
The legislation was introduced after Stone learned about the death of 10-year-old Sara Margiotta, who was killed on the Colorado River in 2007 when the family’s boat was hit by a drunk boater.
After their daughter was killed on the river, the Margiotta Family formed Sara’s Way, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the importance of boating safety and the dangers of drinking and boating.
“I thank the governor for signing this legislation and urge boaters not to drink when they are operating their vessels,” said Stone.