104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2972
 
Introduced 1/27/2026, by Sen. Julie A. Morrison
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 45/5-24 new
    Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Provides that it is unlawful for the owner of a motorboat of more than 50 horsepower or a personal watercraft to operate or allow the operation of the motorboat or personal watercraft unless it is covered by a liability insurance policy with at least $50,000 of liability coverage per occurrence. Requires every owner or operator of a motorboat of more than 50 horsepower or a personal watercraft to carry within the motorboat or personal watercraft evidence of insurance. Provides penalties for violations. Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules as necessary to implement the provision.


LRB104 16617 LNS 30018 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 
SB2972LRB104 16617 LNS 30018 b

1    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Boat Registration and Safety Act is amended 
5by adding Section 5-24 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 45/5-24 new)
7    Sec. 5-24. Operation of motorboat or personal watercraft; 
8insurance. 
9    (a) It is unlawful for the owner of a motorboat of more 
10than 50 horsepower or a personal watercraft to operate or 
11allow the operation of the motorboat or personal watercraft 
12unless it is covered by a liability insurance policy that has 
13been issued by an insurance company licensed in this State. 
14The insurance policy shall provide at least $50,000 of 
15liability coverage per occurrence. On and after the effective 
16date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly, the 
17Department shall not approve any new or renewed registration 
18without receiving proof of liability insurance in accordance 
19with this subsection.
20    (b) Every owner or operator of a motorboat of more than 50 
21horsepower or a personal watercraft shall carry within the 
22motorboat or personal watercraft evidence of insurance. The 
23evidence shall be legible and sufficient to demonstrate that 
 
 
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1the motorboat or personal watercraft is currently covered by a 
2liability insurance policy as required under this Section and 
3may include, but is not limited to, the following:
4        (1) an insurance card provided by the insurer under 
5    this Section;
6        (2) the current declarations page of a liability 
7    insurance policy;
8        (3) a liability insurance binder, certificate of 
9    liability insurance, or receipt for payment to an insurer 
10    or its authorized representative for a liability insurance 
11    premium; or
12        (4) the display of electronic images on a cellular 
13    phone or other type of portable electronic device. The use 
14    of a cellular phone or other type of portable electronic 
15    device to display proof of insurance does not constitute 
16    consent for a law enforcement officer, court, or other 
17    officer of the court to access other contents of the 
18    electronic device. Any law enforcement officer, court, or 
19    officer of the court presented with the device shall be 
20    immune from any liability resulting from damage to the 
21    mobile electronic device.
22    (c) An owner of a motorboat or personal watercraft who 
23violates subsection (a) and knowingly operates or permits the 
24operation of the motorboat or personal watercraft in which the 
25operation of the motorboat or personal watercraft is the 
26proximate cause of an accident on the waters of this State 
 
 
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1commits a Class A misdemeanor. 
2    (d) An operator or owner of a motorboat or personal 
3watercraft who violates subsection (b) commits a petty offense 
4and shall be fined for a first violation not less than $50 nor 
5more than $250 and for a second violation not less than $250 
6nor more than $500. A third or subsequent violation of 
7subsection (b) is a Class A misdemeanor for which a fine of not 
8less than $500 nor more than $1,000 shall be imposed.
9    (e) The Department is authorized to adopt rules as 
10necessary to implement this Section.