102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB1917

 

Introduced 2/17/2021, by Rep. Andrew S. Chesney

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 45/5-14  from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-9

    Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Provides that a person may operate a motorboat that has in tow or is otherwise assisting a person on water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar contrivance in or upon any waterway if the motorboat is occupied by at least one competent person and it is equipped with wide-angle mirrors. Effective immediately.


LRB102 11695 RAM 17029 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB1917LRB102 11695 RAM 17029 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 changing Section 5-14 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 45/5-14)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-9)
7    Sec. 5-14. Towing of persons.
8    A. No person may operate a motorboat that has in tow or is
9otherwise assisting a person on water skis, an aquaplane, or a
10similar contrivance in or upon any waterway, unless the
11motorboat has a capacity of at least 3 persons, and the
12motorboat is (1) occupied by at least 2 competent persons or
13(2) occupied by at least one competent person and equipped
14with wide-angle mirrors.
15    B. No person may operate a motorboat having in tow or
16otherwise be assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or
17similar contrivance from the period of one-half hour after
18sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. This paragraph B does
19not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski
20tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials therefor
21where adequate lighting is provided.
22    C. All persons operating a motorboat having in tow or
23otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or

 

 

HB1917- 2 -LRB102 11695 RAM 17029 b

1similar contrivance, must be careful and prudent in their
2operation and keep at a reasonable distance from persons and
3property so as not to endanger the life or property of any
4person.
5    D. No person may operate or manipulate any vessel, tow
6rope or other device by which the direction or location of
7water skis, aquaplane, or similar device may be affected or
8controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, aquaplane,
9or similar device, or any persons thereon to collide with or
10strike against any person or object, except ski jumps, buoys
11and like objects normally used in competitive or recreational
12skiing.
13    E. The operator of any watercraft that is towing a person
14or persons shall display on the watercraft a bright or
15brilliant orange flag measuring not less than 12 inches per
16side. The flag shall be displayed at the highest point of the
17area surrounding the boat's helm as to be visible from all
18directions, continuously, while the person or persons being
19towed depart the boat in preparation for towing and until
20reentry into the boat when the activity has ceased. Display of
21the flag for purposes other than the activity described in
22this Section is prohibited.
23(Source: P.A. 98-697, eff. 1-1-15.)
 
24    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
25becoming law.