Illinois · Senate Bill 2179 · 104th General Assembly

DNR-BOAT REGISTRATION/SAFETY

  1. Introduced Feb 7, 2025
  2. In committee Feb 7, 2025
  3. Passed the Senate Apr 9, 2025
  4. Passed the House May 22, 2025
  5. To the governor Jun 20, 2025
  6. Became law Aug 1, 2025

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

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…

Read the full title (301 words)

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.

Every action

30 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 22 earlier steps
  1. SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. Morrison
  2. SenateFirst Reading
  3. CommitteeReferred to Assignments · Senate Assignments
  4. CommitteeAssigned to Transportation · Senate Transportation
  5. SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. Morrison
  6. CommitteeSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments · Senate Assignments
  7. CommitteeSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Transportation · Senate Transportation
  8. SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
  9. CommitteeDo Pass as Amended Transportation; 019-000-000 · Senate Transportation
  10. SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 6, 2025
  11. SenateSecond Reading
  12. SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 19, 2025
  13. SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
  14. SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
  15. SenateThird Reading - Passed; 048-007-000
  16. HouseArrived in House
  17. HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Kelly
  18. HouseFirst Reading
  19. CommitteeReferred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  20. CommitteeAssigned to Transportation: Vehicles & Safety · House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety
  21. CommitteeDo Pass / Short Debate Transportation: Vehicles & Safety; 008-004-000 · House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety
  22. HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
  1. HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
  2. HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
  3. HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 076-036-000
  4. SenatePassed Both Houses
  5. SenateSent to the Governor
  6. SenateGovernor Approved
  7. SenateEffective Date January 1, 2026
  8. SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0137

Roll calls

5 recorded votes: 2 on the floor, 3 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Third Reading · Full Senate

Passed 48–7
Apr 9, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 48 No 7 Not voting 4
Democrats: 37 yes, 0 no Republicans: 11 yes, 7 no
How each member voted

Yes · 48

No · 7

Not voting · 4

Third Reading · Full House

Passed 76–36
May 22, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 76 No 36 Not voting 6
Democrats: 74 yes, 0 no Republicans: 2 yes, 36 no
How each member voted

Yes · 76

No · 36

Not voting · 2

Absent · 1

Excused · 3

Committee and other votes

Sponsors

The member who introduced it.

From Illinois's official records (www.ilga.gov), checked Nov 2, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.