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2025 Senate Bill 8 - SD Legislature establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to provide penalties therefor.

25.302.12 100th Legislative Session 8

2025 South Dakota Legislature

Senate Bill 8

ENROLLED

An Act

ENTITLED An Act to establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to provide penalties therefor.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 22-16:

Any person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or substances, in a manner and to a degree prohibited by § 42-8-45, without design to effect death, operates a boat, as defined by § 42-8-2, in a negligent manner and thereby causes the death of another person, including an unborn child, is guilty of watercraft homicide, a Class 3 felony.

Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 22-18:

Any person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or substances, in a manner and to a degree prohibited by § 42-8-45, without design to effect serious bodily injury, operates a boat, as defined by § 42-8-2, in a negligent manner and thereby causes the serious bodily injury of another person, including an unborn child, is guilty of watercraft battery, a Class 4 felony.

Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 42-8:

Any operator of a boat involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to any person, who fails to immediately stop the boat at the scene of the accident and comply with the provisions of §§ 42-8-56 through 42-8-58, inclusive, is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

An Act to establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to provide penalties therefor.

I certify that the attached Act originated in the:

Senate as Bill No. 8

Secretary of the Senate

President of the Senate

Attest:

Secretary of the Senate

Speaker of the House

Attest:

Chief Clerk

Senate Bill No. 8

File No. ____

Chapter No. ______

Received at this Executive Office

this _____ day of _____________,

2025 at ____________M.

By

for the Governor

The attached Act is hereby

approved this ________ day of

______________, A.D., 2025

Governor

STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA,

ss.

Office of the Secretary of State

Filed ____________, 2025

at _________ o'clock __M.

Secretary of State

By

Asst. Secretary of State