100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB4086

 

Introduced , by Rep. Barbara Wheeler

 

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 the operator of any watercraft that is towing a person or persons shall display a bright or brilliant orange flag at least 18 inches above the highest point of the area surrounding the boat's helm (rather than displayed at the highest point of the area surrounding the boat's helm). Effective immediately.


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A BILL FOR

 

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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 is occupied
12by at least 2 competent persons.
13    B. No person may operate a motorboat having in tow or
14otherwise be assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or
15similar contrivance from the period of one-half hour after
16sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. This paragraph B does
17not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski
18tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials therefor
19where adequate lighting is provided.
20    C. All persons operating a motorboat having in tow or
21otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or
22similar contrivance, must be careful and prudent in their
23operation and keep at a reasonable distance from persons and

 

 

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