New Boating Safety Act Kicks Off Comprehensive Federal Study on Mandatory Operator Training Standards

The Brianna Lieneck Boating Safety Act of 2025 isn't dropping new rules on boaters right away, but it is setting the stage for potentially big changes down the line. This section of the bill mandates a deep-dive study into how recreational boaters are currently trained and certified across the country. Essentially, Congress wants the Coast Guard to hire a consultant—or be the consultant—to figure out if current boater education is up to snuff and how to standardize it.

The Federal Fact-Finding Mission

Within 180 days of this bill becoming law, the Secretary overseeing the Coast Guard has to deliver a comprehensive report to Congress. This isn't just a quick survey; the report must scrutinize everything from training materials used by volunteer groups like the Coast Guard Auxiliary to state-level programs certified by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). They're checking course content, testing methods, and whether the training actually addresses the "real risks boaters face today." Think of it like a national audit of every boating safety course you’ve ever seen advertised.

What It Means for Your Boating License

If you own a boat, the most important part of this study is the focus on reciprocity and minimum standards. Right now, if you took a mandatory safety course in Florida, that certificate might not be automatically recognized in New York, forcing you to potentially take another course or test. The study has to analyze how uniform these standards are and how easy it is for your certificate to travel with you. The goal is to figure out the minimum federal standard for operating a boat, much like how commercial drivers have a national baseline for a CDL.

Crucially, the report must outline how a future federal training and testing program could mesh with existing state systems. This raises a key question: will the federal government eventually require a standardized boater license? The study must also analyze how states currently allow experienced boaters to skip the course and just take the test—and then recommend if a federal “test-out” option should be available for those who’ve been on the water for decades. This could be a huge time-saver for seasoned captains if adopted.

The Cost and Scope Concerns

Two provisions in the study stand out for their real-world impact. First, the Coast Guard must analyze how a mandatory education phase-in timeline affects course availability or cost. If a federal mandate forces everyone to get certified quickly, course prices could skyrocket, or availability could dry up, creating a bottleneck for anyone looking to buy a new boat or move their existing one. This signals that the financial burden on everyday boaters is a recognized concern.

Second, the study must analyze whether a federal program should apply to “all waters within a state, including internal lakes and rivers.” This is a big deal because traditionally, the federal government sticks to navigable waters, leaving small, internal lakes to state jurisdiction. Analyzing this suggests a potential expansion of federal authority into waters that have historically been regulated only by state parks or local agencies. If you sail a small boat on a landlocked reservoir, this study could eventually lead to new federal requirements for you, too.