CONCORD - House lawmakers weighed a bill Tuesday that would extend penalties for driving a boat recklessly to the driver's motor vehicle privileges.
The House Transportation Committee is reviewing Senate Bill 285, which would allow for the suspension or revocation of a driver's license for serious boating offenses, including for operating recklessly or while intoxicated.
The bill, which has been passed by the Senate, was prompted by the arrest of Erica Blizzard for reckless driving a day after she was convicted of negligent homicide in April 2010. In a high-profile case, Blizzard was accused of killing a close friend, Stephanie Beaudoin, while piloting a boat at night on Lake Winnipesaukee on June 15, 2008.
Blizzard was convicted of negligent homicide and spent six months in jail. After her conviction, the Department of Safety held a hearing and stripped Blizzard of her privilege to pilot a boat for three years starting that May.
While Blizzard's boating license had been suspended, current law prevented the sentence from being applied to her driver's license.
“There was a public outcry over this type of behavior and a desire for it to be avoided in the future,” Lt. Tim Dunleavy of the state Marine Patrol told the panel. “As a result, we have this legislation before you today.”
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeanie Forrester, R-Meredith, would allow judges to suspend or revoke a driver's license for serious boating offenses, and it would allow for suspension of a driver's license for the duration of a boating license suspension.
The committee is expected to vote on the bill this week.
Earlier this month, the state Supreme Court upheld Blizzard's suspension after she filed a challenge.
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