Current Status Introducing Body:Senate Bill Number:1315 Primary Sponsor:Committee (07) Committee Number:20 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Watercraft and jet skis, Lake Bowen Residing Body:House Current Committee:Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs Computer Document Number:NO5/7762BDW.94 Introduced Date:19940330 Last History Body:House Last History Date:19940412 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide Sponsor Committee:Fish, Game & Forestry Sponsor Committee Number:07 Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved ____ ______ ____________ ______________________________ ___ ____________ 1315 House 19940412 Introduced, read first time, 20 referred to Committee 1315 Senate 19940407 Read third time, sent to House 1315 Senate 19940405 Read second time, notice of general amendments 1315 Senate 19940330 Introduced, read first time, placed on Calendar without referenceView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
INTRODUCED
March 30, 1994
S. 1315
S. Printed 3/30/94--S.
Read the first time March 30, 1994.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-25-1325 SO AS TO RESTRICT THE USE OF PERSONAL WATERCRAFT INCLUDING JET SKIS ON LAKE WILLIAM C. BOWEN, DEFINE TERMS, PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, AND PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 50-25-1325. (A) On Lake William C. Bowen no person may operate or be in possession of a personal watercraft upon the waters of this State in excess of the no wake speed within fifteen feet of a moored or an anchored vessel, wharf, dock, or pier or of a person in the water.
(B) As used in this section, personal watercraft means a motorized vessel where the operator and passenger ride on the outside surfaces of the vessel and includes, but is not limited to, a vessel commonly known as a `jet ski'.
(C) It is unlawful for a person who owns a personal watercraft or who has charge over or control of a personal watercraft to authorize or knowingly to permit the personal watercraft to be operated in violation of this section.
(D) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
(E) This section does not apply to:
(1) the operation of personal watercraft by the following personnel while in the performance of their official duties:
(a) law enforcement;
(b) emergency medical;
(c) civil defense;
(d) military;
(e) state and federally approved wildlife;
(f) those involved in biological research programs;
(2) performers engaged in a professional exhibition or a person preparing to participate or participating in an officially sanctioned regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition in an area and at a time designated for that purpose."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.