New Law Sets Alcohol Limit For Boats, Snowmobiles At 0.08 Percent

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed laws subjecting boaters and snowmobilers to the same blood-alcohol limit as drivers.

The measures set the legal limit at 0.08 percent instead of 0.10 percent.

When Michigan changed the legal alcohol limit for driving from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent in 2003, it didn't also do so in snowmobile, watercraft and off-road vehicle statutes.

Snyder said Tuesday that the "common-sense" legislation will help keep waterways and other recreational areas safe.

The governor also signed bills increasing the deposit required for candidates to seek recounts, letting Michigan issue shooting permits in areas where bears are damaging crops and allowing municipal utilities to offer low-cost financing to customers for energy-efficiency improvements.

Another new law lets Michigan permanently revoke licenses for health workers who engage in fraud.