S 0098 General Bill, By Land
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-120 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DUTY OF
 THE OWNER OF A BOAT LIVERY, TO REMOVE THE PROVISIONS MANDATING THE OWNER'S
 LIABILITY FOR NEGLIGENT OPERATION OF A VESSEL.

   12/10/08  Senate Prefiled
   12/10/08  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry
   01/13/09  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-116
   01/13/09  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-116
   02/18/09  Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment Fish,
                     Game and Forestry SJ-10
   02/19/09  Senate Committee Amendment Adopted SJ-9
   02/19/09  Senate Read second time SJ-9
   02/24/09  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-14
   02/25/09  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-8
   02/25/09  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-8

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED

February 19, 2009

S. 98

S. Printed 2/19/09--S.

Read the first time January 13, 2009.

TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-120 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DUTY OF THE OWNER OF A BOAT LIVERY, TO REMOVE THE PROVISIONS MANDATING THE OWNER'S LIABILITY FOR NEGLIGENT OPERATION OF A VESSEL.

Amend Title To Conform

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 50-21-120 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 50-21-120.    Neither the owner, his agent, or employees of a boat livery operating in this State shall permit any vessel to depart from his premises unless it is in sound and safe operating condition, have a valid registration, is properly numbered and is provided, either by the owner or the renter, with the equipment required pursuant to Section 50-21-610 50-21-170 and any regulations made pursuant thereto; and the owner of a boat livery shall be liable for damage or injury which may result directly from his failure to meet the requirements of this paragraph; provided, however, that readily identifiable livery boats of less than twenty-six feet in length leased or rented to another for the latter's noncommercial use for less than seven days may have the registration certificate retained ashore by the owner or his representative.

The owner of a vessel shall be liable for any injury or damage occasioned by the negligent operation of such vessel whether the negligence consists of a violation of the provisions of the statutes of this State or neglecting to observe the ordinary care in the operation as the regulations of common law require. The owner shall not be liable, however, unless the vessel is being used with his express or implied consent or is in the possession of a person or organization legally responsible therefor. It shall be presumed that the vessel is being operated with the knowledge and consent of the owner if, at the time of the injury or damage, it is under control of a member of the owner's household. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to relieve any other person from any liability which he would otherwise have. Provided, the owner of a boat livery shall not be liable as an owner as provided in this paragraph, and in case of any negligent injury or damage occasioned by the operation of a vessel rented or hired from a boat livery, the operator of the vessel shall be liable as owner thereof."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.