MEMO: July 10, 2008

Attention: North Carolina Fishermen

The Southern Kingfish Association is once again asking for all our members and their friends to express their support for North Carolina House Bill H2167. This bill has passed the House and will be voted by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, July 10. When the bill is passed through committee, the next step will be the Senate Floor.

It is imperative that everyone strongly urges all North Carolina Senators as well as North Carolina Governor Easley to support House Bill 2167 as written and to oppose any amendments that might be proposed during Finance Committee.

Senate Bill 1695 which passed the Senate has run into lots of criticism from several groups because it also included allowing 53' semi's and other commercial vehicles unlimited access throughout NC. The House bill only addresses the recreational boat issue that has plagued anyone towing their boat in, to and through North Carolina.

For those not familiar with H2167 the information is below:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO INCREASE THE WIDTH OF BOATS THAT MAY BE TRANSPORTED ON HIGHWAY ROUTES DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT WITHOUT A PERMIT AND TO PROVIDE FOR AN ANNUAL PERMIT AS OPPOSED TO A SINGLE TRIP PERMIT FOR OVERSIZE BOATS. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. G.S. 20-116 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: "S 20-116. Size of vehicles and loads.
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(m) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a boat or boat trailer with an outside width of less than 120 inches may be towed without a permit. The towing of a boat or boat trailer less than 120 inches in width may take place on any day of the week, including weekends and holidays, and may take place at night. A boat or boat trailer in excess of 102 inches but less than 120 inches must be equipped with a minimum of two operable amber lamps on the widest point of the boat and the boat trailer such that the dimensions of the boat and the boat trailer are clearly marked and visible." SECTION 2. G.S. 20-119 (g) reads as rewritten: "S 20-119. Special permits for vehicles of excessive size or weight; fees.
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(g) The Department of Transportation shall issue annual overwidth permits for the following: vehicles
(1) A vehicle carrying agricultural equipment or machinery from the dealer to the farm or from the farm to the dealer that do does not exceed 14 feet in width. These permits shall be A permit issued under this subdivision is valid for unlimited movement without escorts on all State highways where the overwidth vehicles do vehicle does not exceed posted bridge and load limits. (2) A boat or boat trailer whose outside width equals or exceeds 120 inches. A permit issued under this subdivision must restrict a vehicle's towing of the boat or boat trailer to daylight hours only." SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law.

This bill will benefit the majority of North Carolina resident fishermen and make it much more feasible for fishermen from all over the country to enjoy the great fishing that this state has to offer.  It is also is economically important to many of the cities and towns along the NC coastline who depend on the revenue that fishermen provide.

Click the link below for a letter to contact all the appropriate NC Elected Officials on this issue.

http://www.tarheelstriperclub.com/towingissuesletter.htm

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