Rep. Guffey proposes the following amendment (LC-96.HA0010H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 50-21-10(20) and inserting:

 (20) "Personal watercraft" means a vessel, usually less than sixteen feet in length, that uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of propulsion and that is intended to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than within the confines of the hull.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 3, by striking Section 50-21-95(A) and inserting:

(A)  It is unlawful for a person to operate upon the waters of this State a vessel powered by an engine of ten horsepower or greater or equivalent to ten horsepower or greater, a personal watercraft, or a specialty propcraft without having possession of a South Carolina boating safety certificate issued by the department in the person's name, unless the person:

  (1) was born on or before July 1, 2007;

  (2) is in possession of a license to operate a vessel issued by the United States Coast Guard in the person's name, regardless of the expiration date on the license;

  (3) is in possession of a merchant mariner credential issued by the United States Coast Guard in the person's name, regardless of the expiration date on the credential;

  (4) is a nonresident in possession of a boating safety certificate, or an equivalency, issued by another state in the nonresident's name;

  (5) is operating a vessel, personal watercraft, or specialty propcraft from a business engaged in the renting of vessels, personal watercrafts, or specialty propcrafts and is in possession of a valid boat rental safety certificate issued in the person's name; or

  (6) is accompanied by a person at least eighteen years old who:

   (a) is in possession of a South Carolina boating safety certificate issued by the department in the person's name; or

   (b) meets one of the criteria in items (1) through (4) of this subsection.