Bill 1342

                    Current Status

Introducing Body:               Senate
Bill Number:                    1342
Primary Sponsor:                Reese
Committee Number:               20
Type of Legislation:            GB
Subject:                        Lake Bowen, jet skis
                                restricted
Residing Body:                  House
Current Committee:              Agriculture, Natural
                                Resources, and Environmental
                                Affairs
Computer Document Number:       NO5/7782BDW.94
Introduced Date:                19940413    
Last History Body:              House
Last History Date:              19940426    
Last History Type:              Introduced, read first time,
                                referred to Committee
Scope of Legislation:           Statewide
All Sponsors:                   Reese
Type of Legislation:            General Bill

Bill  Body    Date          Action Description              CMN  Leg Involved
____  ______  ____________  ______________________________  ___  ____________

1342  House   19940426      Introduced, read first time,    20
                            referred to Committee
1342  Senate  19940422      Read third time, sent to House
1342  Senate  19940421      Read second time, unanimous
                            consent for third reading on
                            Friday, April 22, 1994          
1342  Senate  19940421      Recalled from Committee              07
1342  Senate  19940413      Introduced, read first time,    07
                            referred to Committee

RECALLED

April 21, 1994

S. 1342

S. Printed 4/21/94--S.

Read the first time April 13, 1994.

A BILL

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 twenty-five 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.