South Carolina General Assembly

115th Session, 2003-2004

A169, R122, S710

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill

Sponsors: Senator Reese

Document Path: l:\council\bills\nbd\11765ac03.doc

Companion/Similar bill(s): 138, 292

Introduced in the Senate on May 21, 2003

Introduced in the House on May 27, 2003

Passed by the General Assembly on May 29, 2003

Became law without Governor's signature, January 16, 2004

Summary: Spartanburg County, Lake Blalock, watercraft horsepower limits

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

DateBodyAction Description with journal page number

5/21/2003SenateIntroduced and read first time SJ3

5/21/2003SenateReferred to Committee on Fish, Game and ForestrySJ3

5/21/2003SenateRecalled from Committee on Fish, Game and ForestrySJ3

5/21/2003SenateUnanimous consent for second reading on next legislative day SJ3

5/22/2003SenateRead second time SJ25

5/22/2003SenateUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day

5/23/2003SenateRead third time and sent to House SJ8

5/27/2003HouseIntroduced, read first time, placed on calendar without reference HJ6

5/28/2003HouseRead second time HJ21

5/29/2003HouseRead third time and enrolled HJ15

6/3/2003Ratified R 122

1/16/2004Became law without Governor's signature

1/22/2004Copies available

1/22/2004Effective date 01/16/04

2/20/2004Act No.169

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

5/21/2003

5/21/2003-A

5/27/2003

(A169, R122, S710)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 50251330, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO WATERCRAFT RESTRICTIONS ON LAKE H. TAYLOR BLALOCK, SO AS TO INCREASE THE HORSEPOWER OF AN ENGINE FROM FIFTEEN HORSEPOWER TO THIRTY HORSEPOWER AND TO ESTABLISH A MAXIMUM LENGTH FOR WATERCRAFT OF TWENTYFIVE FEET AND TO INCREASE THE LENGTH FOR PONTOON BOATS TO TWENTYFIVE FEET; TO PROHIBIT ON LAKE BLALOCK THE OPERATION OF PERSONAL WATERCRAFT, OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT AFTER MIDNIGHT OR IN VIOLATION OF COAST GUARD REGULATIONS, AND OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT NEAR PUMP STATIONS AND PIERS; TO LIMIT THE HEIGHT OF SAILBOAT MASTS; TO PROHIBIT SWIMMING IN CERTAIN AREAS; AND TO AUTHORIZE LAKE WARDENS TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO THE LAKE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

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

Lake Blalock activities regulated

SECTION1.Section 50251330 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 181 of 1993, is further amended to read:

“Section 50251330.(A) Watercraft may not operate on Lake H. Taylor Blalock with an engine greater than thirty horsepower or greater than twentyfive feet in length, and in the case of a pontoon boat, the engine may not be greater than forty horsepower or greater than twentyfive feet in length, unless:

(1)the gas line has been disconnected and the engine or prop is trimmed out of water; and

(2)an electric trolling motor or engine of thirty horsepower or less is mounted.

(B)It is unlawful on Lake H. Taylor Blalock to:

(1)operate personal watercraft, including jet skies;

(2)operate watercraft between midnight and one hour before sunrise;

(3)operate watercraft with an outboard motor having horsepower in excess of the United States Coast Guard rating for the watercraft or with the Coast Guard rating plate missing or changed;

(4)operate watercraft of any type within five hundred feet of any pump station, water intake of a dam, or spillways, and these restricted areas must be clearly marked with signs designed and installed by the Spartanburg Water System;

(5)operate watercraft or anchor within one hundred fifty feet of public fishing piers;

(6)operate sailing craft with a mast height in excess of thirty feet;

(7)wade, bathe, or swim within two hundred feet of any public landing, bridge, or restricted area, and these restricted areas must be clearly marked with signs designed and installed by the Spartanburg Water System.

(C)The lake wardens may limit entrance of watercraft onto the lake via the public landings when conditions including, but not limited to, overcrowding or adverse weather create an unsafe boating environment.”

Time effective

SECTION2.This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 3rd day of June, 2003.

Became law without the signature of the Governor -- 1/16/04.

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