Bill 363

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               363
Ratification Number:       303
Act Number                 296
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   No wake zones within public boat
                           landings; no swimming by hydroelectric
                           plants

(A296, R303, S363)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-125 SO AS TO REQUIRE WATERCRAFT TO SLOW TO NO WAKE SPEED WHEN OPERATED WITHIN TWO HUNDRED FEET OF PUBLIC BOAT LANDINGS OR RAMPS LOCATED ON LAKES AND RESERVOIRS CONSTRUCTED OR DEVELOPED FOR INVESTOR-OWNED HYDROELECTRIC GENERATING PLANTS AND TO PROHIBIT SWIMMING WITHIN FIFTY FEET OF THEM EXCEPT IN THAT PORTION OF GAME ZONE NO. 4 IN LANCASTER COUNTY.

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

Swimming prohibited and no wake zone established

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 50-21-125. It is unlawful for any person to swim within fifty feet of a public boat landing or ramp located on a lake or reservoir constructed or developed by an investor-owned utility for hydroelectric generation. For the purposes of this section, a public boat landing or ramp is one owned or maintained by an investor-owned utility for hydroelectric generation and is available to the public at large. The no swimming area must be clearly marked and signs must be posted to give public notice that no swimming is allowed in the area. Watercraft shall slow to no wake speed when operated within two hundred feet of the landing or ramp. The Wildlife and Marine Resources Department shall issue a sufficient number of signs to inform operators of motorboats that the area is a no wake zone. The signs must have printed on them 'SLOW TO NO WAKE SPEED'. The provisions of this section do not apply in that portion of Game Zone No. 4 in Lancaster County."

Time effective

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