Bill Amendment: IL SB2972 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly

NOTE: For additional amemendments please see the Bill Drafting List

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Bill Title: BOATS-INSURANCE REQUIRED

Status: 2026-06-18 - Sent to the Governor [SB2972 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-SB2972-Senate_Amendment_001.html

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Sen. Julie A. Morrison

Filed: 2/13/2026

 

 

 

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AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2972
AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2972 by replacing
everything after the enacting clause with the following:
"Section 5. The Boat Registration and Safety Act is
amended by adding Section 5-24 as follows:
(625 ILCS 45/5-24 new)
Sec. 5-24. Operation of motorboat, vessel, or personal
watercraft; insurance.
(a) It is unlawful for the owner of a motorboat of more
than 10 horsepower, a vessel over 21 feet long, or a personal
watercraft to operate or allow the operation of the motorboat,
vessel, or personal watercraft unless it is covered by a
liability insurance policy that has been issued by an
insurance company licensed in this State. The insurance policy
shall provide at least $50,000 of liability coverage per
occurrence. On and after the effective date of this amendatory

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Act of the 104th General Assembly, the Department shall not
approve any new or renewed registration without receiving
proof of liability insurance in accordance with this
subsection.
(b) Every owner or operator of a motorboat of more than 10
horsepower, a vessel over 21 feet long, or a personal
watercraft shall carry within the motorboat, vessel, or
personal watercraft evidence of insurance. The evidence shall
be legible and sufficient to demonstrate that the motorboat,
vessel, or personal watercraft is currently covered by a
liability insurance policy as required under this Section and
may include, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) an insurance card provided by the insurer under
this Section;
(2) the current declarations page of a liability
insurance policy;
(3) a liability insurance binder, certificate of
liability insurance, or receipt for payment to an insurer
or its authorized representative for a liability insurance
premium; or
(4) the display of electronic images on a cellular
phone or other type of portable electronic device. The use
of a cellular phone or other type of portable electronic
device to display proof of insurance does not constitute
consent for a law enforcement officer, court, or other
officer of the court to access other contents of the

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cellular phone or other type of portable electronic
device. Any law enforcement officer, court, or officer of
the court presented with the cellular phone or other type
of portable electronic device shall be immune from any
liability resulting from damage to the cellular phone or
other type of portable electronic device.
(c) An operator or owner of a motorboat, vessel, or
personal watercraft who violates subsection (b) commits a
petty offense and shall be fined for a first violation not less
than $50 nor more than $250, for a second violation not less
than $250 nor more than $500, and for a third or subsequent
violation not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.
(d) The Department is authorized to adopt rules as
necessary to implement this Section.".