(a) Except as provided by Section 31.131, this section applies to a person who violates for the first time a provision of this chapter relating to the operation of a vessel.
(b) A justice may defer imposition of a fine and place a defendant on probation for a period not to exceed 60 days if the defendant:
(1) pleads guilty or nolo contendere or is found guilty; and
(2) requests permission from the court to attend a boater education course.
(c) The justice shall require the defendant to successfully complete a boater education course approved by the department during the probation period.
(d) If the defendant presents satisfactory evidence that the defendant has successfully completed the boater education course, the justice shall waive imposition of a fine. If the defendant fails to successfully complete the boater education course, the justice shall impose a fine for the violation.