SB1310enr 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1310 Enrolled LRB098 06016 MLW 36055 b

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Boat Registration and Safety Act is amended by changing Sections 5-4, 5-22, 11A-2, and 11A-3 as follows:

(625 ILCS 45/5-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-4)

Sec. 5-4. Overloading. A. No motorboat may be loaded with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity taking into consideration weather and other existing operating conditions. Water skiers, tubers, parasailers, or other persons towed by the motorboat shall be considered part of the total number of passengers and cargo allowed by a watercraft's capacity plate for the purpose of determining a motorboat's carrying capacity.

B. Capacity plates. (1) Every vessel less than 26 feet in length, designed to carry 2 or more persons and to be propelled by machinery as its principal source of power or designed to be propelled by oars shall, if manufactured or offered for sale in this State, have affixed permanently thereto by the manufacturer a capacity plate as required by this Section. As used in this Section, "manufacture" means to construct or assemble a vessel or alter a vessel in such manner as to change its weight capacity.

(2) A capacity plate shall bear the following information permanently marked thereon in such manner as to be clearly visible and legible from the position designed or normally intended to be occupied by the operator of the vessel when under way:

a. For all vessels designed for or represented by the manufacturer as being suitable for use with outboard motor:

1. The total weight of persons, motor, gear and other articles placed aboard which the vessel is capable of carrying with safety under normal conditions.

2. The recommended number of persons commensurate with the weight capacity of the vessel and the presumed weight in pounds of each such person. In no instance may such presumed weight per person be less than 150 pounds.

3. Clear notice that the information appearing on the capacity plate is applicable under normal conditions and that the weight of the outboard motor and associated equipment is considered to be part of total weight capacity.

4. The maximum horsepower of the motor the vessel is designed or intended to accommodate.

b. For all other vessels to which this Section applies:

1. The total weight of persons, gear and other articles placed aboard which the vessel is capable of carrying with safety under normal conditions.

2. The recommended number of persons commensurate with the weight capacity of the vessel and the presumed weight in pounds of each such person. In no instance shall such presumed weight per person be less than 150 pounds.

3. Clear notice that the information appearing on the capacity plate is applicable under normal conditions.

(3) The information relating to maximum capacity required to appear on capacity plates by Subsection B (2) of this Section shall be determined in accordance with such methods and formulas as shall be prescribed by rule or regulation adopted by the Department. In prescribing such methods and formulas, the Department shall be guided by and give due regard to the necessity for uniformity in methods and formulas lawful for use in determining small vessel capacity in the several states and to any methods and formulas which may be recognized or recommended by the United States Coast Guard or any agency successor thereto.

(4) Any vessel to which this Section applies, not having a capacity plate meeting the requirements of law affixed thereto by the manufacturer thereof, may have such affixed by any other person in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Department may prescribe and may thereafter be offered for sale in this State, but no action taken pursuant to this Section or in the manner described herein, shall relieve any manufacturer from liability for failure to comply with the requirements of this Section.

(5) The information appearing on a capacity plate shall be deemed to warrant that the manufacturer, or the person affixing the capacity plate is permitted by Subsection B (4) of this Section, as the case may be, has correctly and faithfully employed a method and formula for the calculation of maximum weight capacity prescribed by the Department and that the information appearing on the capacity plate with respect to maximum weight capacity and recommended number of persons is the result of the application of such method and formula, and with respect to information concerning horsepower limitations, that such information is not a deliberate or negligent misrepresentation.

(6) If any vessel required by this Section to have a capacity plate affixed thereto is of such design or construction as to make it impracticable or undesirable to affix such plate, the manufacturer, or other person having the responsibility for affixing the plate, may represent such impracticability or undesirability to the Department in writing. Upon determination by the Department that such representation has merit and that a proper and effective substitute for the capacity plate which will serve the same purpose is feasible, the Department may authorize such alternative compliance and such alternative compliance shall thereafter be deemed compliance with the capacity plate requirements of this Section.

(7) The Department may by rules or regulations exempt from the requirements of this Section vessels which it finds to be of such unconventional design or construction that the information required on capacity plates would not assist in promoting safety or is not reasonably obtainable.

(8) The Department is authorized to issue and amend rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this Section.

Failure to affix a proper capacity plate shall constitute a separate violation of this subsection B for each vessel with respect to which such failure occurs.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-22)

Sec. 5-22. Operation of watercraft upon the approach of an authorized emergency watercraft.

(a) As used in this Section, "authorized emergency watercraft" includes any watercraft operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Police, the Illinois Department of State Police, a county sheriff, a local law enforcement agency, a fire department, a provider of emergency medical services, or the United States Coast Guard, equipped with alternately flashing red, blue, red and white, red and blue, or red in combination with white or blue lights, while engaged in official duties. Any authorized emergency watercraft must be clearly emblazoned with markings identifying it as a watercraft operated by the qualifying agency.

(b) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency watercraft making use of rotating or flashing visual signals and lawfully making use of a visual signal, the operator of every other watercraft shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately reduce the speed of the watercraft, so as not to create a wake, and shall yield way to the emergency watercraft, moving to the right to permit the safe passage of the emergency watercraft, and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency watercraft has passed, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

(c) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency watercraft, when the authorized emergency watercraft is giving a signal by displaying rotating or alternately flashing red, blue, red and white, red and blue, or red in combination with white or blue lights, a person operating an approaching watercraft shall proceed with due caution at no-wake speed and yield the right-of-way by moving safely away from that authorized emergency watercraft, proceeding with due caution at a no-wake speed with due regard to safety and water conditions, maintaining no-wake speed until sufficiently away from the emergency watercraft so as not to create a wake that would otherwise rock or otherwise disturb the authorized emergency watercraft.

(d) This Section shall not operate to relieve the operator of an authorized emergency watercraft from the duty to operate that watercraft with due regard for the safety of all persons using the waterway.

(e) A person who violates this Section commits a business offense punishable by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $10,000. It is a factor in aggravation if the person committed the offense while in violation of Section 5-16 of this Act.

(f) If a violation of this Section results in damage to the property of another person, in addition to any other penalty imposed, the person's watercraft operating privileges shall be suspended for a fixed period of not less than 90 days and not more than one year.

(g) If a violation of this Section results in injury to another person, in addition to any other penalty imposed, the person's watercraft operating privileges shall be suspended for a fixed period of not less than 180 days and not more than 2 years.

(h) If a violation of subsection (c) of this Section results in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to, or the death of, another person, in addition to any other penalty imposed, the person's watercraft operating privileges shall be suspended for 2 years.

(i) The Department of Natural Resources shall, upon receiving a record of a judgment entered against a person under this Section:

(1) suspend the person's watercraft operating privileges for the mandatory period; or

(2) extend the period of an existing suspension by the appropriate mandatory period.

(Source: P.A. 95-107, eff. 1-1-08.)

(625 ILCS 45/11A-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 321A-2)

Sec. 11A-2. A. Any person who violates Section 3-11, 3A-3, 3A-13, 3A-14, or 3A-20 is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

B. Any person who violates Section 3A-21 is guilty of a Class 2 felony.

(Source: P.A. 88-524.)

(625 ILCS 45/11A-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 321A-3)

Sec. 11A-3. Any person who violates any of the provisions of Section 5-1, 7-1, or 7-8 of this Act is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

Any person who violates Section 5-2 of this Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, except that aggravated reckless operation of a watercraft is a Class 4 felony.

(Source: P.A. 93-782, eff. 1-1-05.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.