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Last week, the Georgia Legislature passed vessel titling legislation (HB314) – marking the first time the state has passed a recreational boat titling measure – and sent it to Governor Kemps’ desk for his signature who is expected to sign. Securing titling laws in key boating states is a top NMMA advocacy priority and the organization celebrated the bill’s approval, calling it a major victory for the entire industry.

Georgia’s boat titling law will establish a program that significantly enhances protections for consumers. “This is just commonsense, I am surprised that titling for vessels is not already in place, but I am glad that it will be now,” said Senator John Albers, who sponsored the bill in the Georgia Senate.

Specially, the vessel titling bill passed in Georgia helps consumers by:

• Protecting them from buying a damaged, destroyed, or stolen boat;
• Acts as a deterrent to theft;
• Provides access to more reasonable financing and insurance options; and
• Establishes the sole and rightful owner of a boat.

In addition to Georgia, NMMA is currently working to pass boat titling laws in Alabama and Florida.

For more information on these bills, please contact NMMA director of state government relations, Libby Yranski at [email protected] or NMMA policy and engagement manager for the southeast, Lee Gatts at [email protected].

Photo caption: Lee Gatts, NMMA (Left) stands with Sen. President Pro Tempore Butch Miller (Center) and Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan (Right) in front of the final vote on HB314.