MISSOURI HOUSE PASSES “MARIE’S LAW” TO PROMOTE BOATING SAFETY AT STAY AFLOAT, LAKE OF THE OZARKS
JEFFERSON CITY, MO. – The Missouri House of Representatives has passed HB 2670, known as “Marie’s Law,” a bipartisan initiative aimed at improving boating safety at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Sponsored by Representative Dr. Lisa Thomas (R-District 123), the bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to install signage at designated state-owned boat ramps promoting responsible boating practices.
Named in memory of Marie Steinkuehler (Terrell) of High Ridge, who lost her life in a boating accident involving alcohol in July 2020, the legislation mandates signs bearing the message: “Marie’s Message: Stay Afloat, Don’t Drink and Boat.” The bill received unanimous House approval (140-0) and now advances to the Missouri Senate. Representative Thomas emphasized the law’s potential to raise awareness and prevent future tragedies, highlighting the importance of fostering a culture of safety on Missouri’s waterways. House Speaker Dean Plocher praised the bill’s passage and the collaborative effort behind it, calling it a meaningful step toward protecting lives on the water.
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX ON DOCKS
Missouri House Bill 54, introduced by Representative Willard Haley (R) during the 2025 legislative session, seeks to modify the assessment of tangible personal property taxes on boats. Specifically, the bill proposes that floating boat docks and motorboats, when housed or stored outside the owner’s county of residence, such as on a boat lift or in a marina, and not regularly transported to the owner’s county, should be assessed for property tax purposes in the county where the items are located, rather than the county of the owner’s residence.
This measure aligns with similar legislation from the previous year, HB 1430(2024), indicating a continued legislative interest in clarifying property tax assessments for watercraft and related structures. As of early 2025, HB 54 has been read twice in the House and is awaiting further consideration.
If enacted, the bill could impact property tax assessments for boat owners, particularly those utilizing marinas or boat lifts outside their counties of residence.
HOUSE BILL 643 LAKEFRONT ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
Missouri’s lakeshores are known not only for boating activities but also for the finest entertainment in the Midwest. Due to this, Missouri House Bill 643, introduced during the 2025 legislative session, aimed to modify the state’s provisions related to establishing lakefront entertainment districts.
Sponsored by Representative Don Mayhew (R), the bill seeks to provide local governments with enhanced authority to create designated areas along Missouri’s lakeshores that can host entertainment venues, festivals, and recreational activities. This initiative is designed to stimulate economic development, boost tourism, and promote community engagement in lakeside regions.
This bill could pave the way for establishing new entertainment districts, potendany transromins Missours lakeront areds tnto vibrant nuos for restaents and visitors alike.
MO HOUSE BILL 1419 BOATER EDUCATION CARD
Lake of the Ozarks hosts more than 160,000 boats on its waterway. Each with a driver behind the wheel and at the Captain’s console. Experience matters in any body of water. The Lake is a recreational waterway with varying skill and knowledge for operating a watercraft. Missouri House Bill introduced by Representative Don Mayhew (R) on February 24, 2025, proposed amendments to provisions related to boating safety identification cards. The bill was read for the second time in the House on February 25, 2025.
Under current Missouri law, individuals born after January 1, 1984, are required to hold a valid boating safety identification card in order to operate motorized vessels on the state’s waters. The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) is responsible for issuing these cards, which are granted upon successful completion of an approved boating safety course.
Although the specific provisions of HB 1419 have not been fully detailed in available sources, the legislation is intended to update and improve existing regulations concerning boating safety education and certification. The proposed amendments are expected to strengthen boating safety standards and ensure that operators are properly educated in safe boating practices.
Additional information and updates on the bill’s progress can be accessed through the official website of the Missour House of Representatives and other legislative tracking