SB 2179 Illinois Senate · 104th Regular Session

DNR-BOAT REGISTRATION/SAFETY

Summary
Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Prohibits a person from falsifying information on any application to the Department of Natural Resources that is required to be provided to the Department by the Act. Provides that the navigation lights shall, at minimum, have an intensity so as to be visible at the minimum ranges as set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations. Provides that it is unlawful to operate a motorboat without a whistle, horn, or other appliance capable of producing a blast of 2 seconds or more duration and having an audible distance as set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (rather than being audible for at least one-half mile). Prohibits a motorboat operator from operating a motorboat less than 26 feet in length that is equipped by the manufacturer with an engine cutoff switch if the switch is not in use while the motorboat is operating on plane or above displacement speed. Prohibits a person from operating a watercraft without first verifying that the engine cut-off switch is operational and fully functional and properly attaching the lanyard or wireless attachment to the operator's body or to the clothing or personal flotation device being worn by the operator. Provides that a power-driven vessel operating in narrow channels and proceeding downbound with a following current (rather than downstream) shall have the right-of-way over an upbound vessel, shall propose the manner and place of passage, and shall imitate the maneuvering signals as required by law. Changes the ages at which a person may operate a motorboat based on the speed of the motorboat. Prohibits certain marijuana use within certain areas of a watercraft while upon waters in the State. Requires the Department to outline the application process for passenger-for-hire licenses or rental boat licenses by administrative rule. Makes other changes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Aug 2025
Introduced Apr 9, 2025 Signed Aug 1, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 1 edit · Aug 1, 2025
MINOR
The transition from the Engrossed to the Enrolled version of SB 2179 involved only minor formatting updates, such as changing the document title and updating page headers. No substantive policy changes, definitions, or legal provisions were altered.
TECHNICAL

Updated document metadata headers to reflect the final Enrolled status and adjusted page numbering markers.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 9, 2025 · House May 22, 2025

How they voted

477
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 58
Apr 9, 2025
D Democratic39
36 Yea 3
92% Yea
R Republican19
11 Yea 7 Nay 1
57% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
30
Key actions
8
Committee
8
Amendments
2
Aug 1, 2025
Signed into law
Governor Approved
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Both Houses
upper
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 076-036-000
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Do Pass / Short Debate Transportation: Vehicles & Safety; 008-004-000
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Assigned to Transportation: Vehicles & Safety
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Arrived in House
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading - Passed; 048-007-000
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Do Pass as Amended Transportation; 019-000-000
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Transportation
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. Morrison
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
Assigned to Transportation
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Assignments
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors