SB2972 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

BOATS-INSURANCE REQUIRED
Last Action
3/11/2026 - Senate: Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2026
Senate Sponsors
Sen. Julie A. Morrison
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
625 ILCS 45/5-24 new  
Synopsis As Introduced
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.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 2
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Provides that it is unlawful for the owner of a motorboat of more than 10 horsepower, a motorboat over 21 feet long, 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 that has been issued by an insurance company licensed in the State in an amount no less than the minimum amount set for bodily injury or death and for destruction of property under the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that proof of insurance shall be produced and displayed by the owner or operator of the motorboat or personal watercraft upon request to any law enforcement officer or to any person who has suffered or claims to have suffered either personal injury or property damage as a result of the operation of the motorboat or personal watercraft by the owner or operator. Provides that any operator of a motorboat or personal watercraft subject to registration and numbering under the Act who fails to have a liability insurance policy on a motorboat or personal watercraft is guilty of a petty offense and shall be required to pay a fine in excess of $500, but not more than $1,000. Provides that no person charged with such a violation shall be convicted if such person produces in court satisfactory evidence that at the time of the arrest the motorboat or personal watercraft was covered by a liability insurance policy. Allows the chief judge of each circuit to designate an officer of the court to review the documentation demonstrating that at the time of arrest the motorboat or personal watercraft was covered by a liability insurance policy. Provides that a person who (i) has not previously been convicted of or received a disposition of court supervision for failing to have a liability insurance policy on a motorboat or personal watercraft and (ii) produces at his or her court appearance satisfactory evidence that the motorboat or personal watercraft is covered, as of the date of the court appearance, by a liability insurance policy shall pay a fine of $100 and receive a disposition of court supervision.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 3
Provides that it is unlawful for the owner of a motorboat of more than 50 horsepower (rather than 10 horsepower) to operate or allow the operation of the motorboat unless it is covered by a liability insurance policy that has been issued by an insurance company licensed in the State.
Actions
DateChamberAction
1/27/2026SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. Morrison
1/27/2026SenateFirst Reading
1/27/2026SenateReferred to Assignments
2/03/2026SenateAssigned to Transportation
2/13/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. Morrison
2/13/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
2/17/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Transportation
2/24/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. Morrison
2/24/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
2/24/2026SenatePostponed - Transportation
3/03/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 3 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. Morrison
3/03/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 3 Referred to Assignments
3/03/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Transportation
3/04/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 3 Assignments Refers to Transportation
3/10/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Transportation
3/10/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 2 Adopted
3/10/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 3 Adopted
3/11/2026SenateDo Pass as Amended Transportation; 016-001-001
3/11/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2026
3/13/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments