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
 

  
HB4086LRB100 13520 AXK 28135 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 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.