Two Florida congressmen teamed up on Monday to showcase a bill they hope will encourage boating safety.
Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., brought out the “Austin and Perry Safe Boating Incentive Act.” The bill, which was named after Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen, two teenagers who went missing this past summer while boating, creates new tax credits for purchasing safety beacons for boating.
“As the father of three young boys, my heart broke for Austin and Perry’s families when they went missing last summer,” Rooney said on Monday. “This bill is a concrete step in attempting to prevent future tragedies and to help save lives. I hope this bill will encourage more people to install safety beacons on their boats and vessels, so they can continue to experience the joys of boating while also remaining safe.”
"Last summer, our community was shaken by the loss of Austin and Perry,” Murphy, who is running for the U.S. Senate, said. “Like them, I grew up on the water, and it has always been a major part of my life. But unfortunately, tragedy can strike anyone at anytime.
"By promoting the use of locator beacons to improve recovery efforts and survival chances when accidents occur, we honor the memory of Austin and Perry as well as their love of the water by making boating and water activities safer,” Murphy added.
The legislation creates a tax credit covering 50 percent of the costs of locator beacons up to $200 and establishes a lifetime limit of $500. The proposed credit would cover Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs). Only smaller passenger and recreational boats would be eligible for credit.
Murphy introduced the bill earlier this month with Rooney as a co-sponsor. The bill was sent to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
