Photo courtesy Commonwealth Media Services Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at a news conference Monday.

Legislation to make it easier for volunteer firefighters to receive their certification has been signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Senate Bill 90, sponsored by Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Chambersburg and co-sponsored by a host of Republican senators that includes state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-Oil City and Sen. Michele Brooks, R-Greenville, unanimously passed both houses of the state Legislature after taking a couple of legislative sessions to gain traction.

Current firefighter applicants must complete four training modules totaling 188 hours and then pass a test that covers all four modules. Mastriano’s bill will allow potential volunteer firefighters to be tested following each of the four modules.

“The bill would make it easier for firefighters to earn their certification while maintaining the high standards and requirements of the certification process,” Mastriano said. “We can increase the number of volunteer firefighters by reforming the certification process without jeopardizing quality or safety.”

Shapiro also signed legislation that will give local municipalities and law enforcement greater ability to deal with abandoned boats. Sponsored by Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Coraopolis and chairwoman of the state House of Representatives Game and Fisheries Committee, the legislation defines an at-risk boat as a boat that is taking on water without a way to get rid of the water, if spaces that should be closed off can’t be sealed off or remain open for extended periods of time, a boat that has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor or does not have an engine.

Derelict boats are defined as a boat that is found on either waterways or public property and meets one of several circumstances, including being sunk or partially sunk; aground without the ability to move without mechanical help; remains on state waters after a boating accident, fire or weather event; or is in a neglected or deteriorating condition such that the boat’s hull, steering or propulsion systems are compromised due to missing, incomplete, damaged, broken or inoperable components.

Abandoned boats are those presumed abandoned because the boat can’t operate or is left unattended on state waters or public property, can’t be operated and is left unattended; remains illegally on state waters or public property, is left unattended and has no valid registration; or has been on a salvor’s private property for 20 days.

“Abandoned boats have been a growing problem on Pennsylvania’s rivers and waterways, and I’m proud to see this issue finally being addressed,” Kulik said. “With the governor’s signature, we now have a law that creates a clear process for identifying these hazardous vessels and empowering local communities to take meaningful action to hold boat owners responsible for the damage they leave behind. As the chair of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, I was proud to work with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to develop this law that delivers tools that communities have been asking for to remove abandoned boats.”