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.