If people are forced to carry an EPIRB they might feel forced to use it, even when they've simply run out of gas. And the problem with an EPIRB is it doesn't know the difference between a disaster and an inconvenience -- which is why VHF with DSC is the better solution for anywhere within range -- and that's a lot farther than 3 miles offshore.
Plus the VHF is actually useful at times when you are not in distress.
If this does become law, than I think another law that is worth having is for everyone who lives in a house with a staircase be required to wear a helmet - you just never know!