April 12, 2018
Sophia’s Law Clarification Passes House
St. Paul, Minn. – On Thursday, a clarification of Sophia’s Law co-authored by Rep. Rob Ecklund, DFL-International Falls, passed on a bipartisan vote off the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Sophia’s Law is named after Sophia Baechler, a seven-year-old who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while boating on Lake Minnetonka. It requires motorboats with enclosed accommodation compartments to be equipped with a functioning marine carbon monoxide detection system.
However, the bill would have unintended consequences on the house boat hospitality and rental industry. The clarification passed today maintains the integrity of the law designed to protect Minnesota’s boaters while avoiding an unnecessary burden on the state’s tourism industry.
“The bill passed today provides greater clarity on Sophia’s Law when it goes into effect. I want to thank Rep. Jerry Hertaus for working with me and the houseboat and hospitality industry so that these concerns were adequately addressed,” Ecklund said. “Making Sophia’s Law more specific protects boaters and the tourism industry in our district and across the state.”
Sophia’s Law goes into effect on May 1, 2018. Information regarding compliance with Sophia’s Law can be found here.
Rep. Rob Ecklund is a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 3A. He can be reached at the Capitol by email at rep.rob.ecklund@house.mn or by phone at (651) 296-2190.
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