Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the bill Monday after she and the sponsor, Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, met privately with the parents of two young women who died in separate accidents on Pierce County's Lake Tapps. Both suffered from carbon monoxide asphyxiation and drowned.

The new law will be named for Jenda Jones and Denise Colbert. Colbert, 21, died in 2003. Jones, 22, died last August.

"Out of tragedy sometimes some good comes so my heart goes out to both of you," Gov. Gregoire said to the parents as she signed the bill.

The parents, Marble and Doni Jones of Walla Walla and Jay and Kelly Colbert of Bonney Lake, watched as the bill was signed into law.

Roach said the measure will save lives.

The practice "is so dangerous because of the extremely high levels of carbon monoxide from the boat exhaust," Roach said, adding. "A swimmer can die from breathing in boat exhaust and drowning. Asphyxiation can occur in as little as 60 seconds."

Denise Colbert was swimming, and decided to get a tow back to shore behind a boat. She fell unconscious and drowned.

"And she was an easygoing just a fun loving person," said her father Jay Colbert.

The new law says the boat owner can be fined a maximum $100 for allowing someone to teak-surf, dive, bodysurf or hold onto the swim deck on the back of the boat.

Just two minutes of exposure can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Exceptions are allowed for someone briefly occupying the swim platform, deck, or swim ladder to help the boat depart or dock, or while entering or exiting the boat. The law doesn't apply when the boat is being used for law enforcement or emergency rescue.

The state Parks and Recreation Commission is directed to include information about carbon monoxide poisoning as part of boater safety education classes and brochures.

All new and used boats in Washington must display a sticker on the boat's interior that warns about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The state Senate staff said the Coast Guard warns that carbon monoxide concentrations released from the backs of ski boats can be as high as 40,000 to 80,000 parts per million. Concentrations as low as 200 parts per million can be fatal over a period of time. Exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can cause a rapid loss of consciousness.

Teak surfing gets its name from the type of wood used on some boat platforms.

Washington joins Oregon, California and several other states in outlawing teak surfing.

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The bill is SB6364.