To amend sections 1547.01, 1547.25, 1547.53, 1547.531, 1547.54, 1547.542, 1547.57, 1547.99, and 4585.31, to enact section 1547.65, and to repeal section 1547.62 of the Revised Code to provide owners of canoes, rowboats, and inflatable watercraft with an optional exemption from numbering requirements and to make other changes to the law governing watercraft.

Section 1. That sections 1547.01, 1547.25, 1547.53, 1547.531, 1547.54, 1547.542, 1547.57, 1547.99, and 4585.31 be amended and section 1547.65 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 1547.01.  (A) As used in sections 1541.03, 1547.25, 1547.26, 1547.39, 1547.40, 1547.53, 1547.54, 1547.541, 1547.542, 1547.543, 1547.56, 1547.57, 1547.66, 3733.21, and 5311.01 of the Revised Code, "watercraft" means any of the following when used or capable of being used for transportation on the water:

(1) A vessel operated by machinery either permanently or temporarily affixed;

(2) A sailboat other than a sailboard;

(3) An inflatable, manually propelled boat having that is required by federal law to have a hull identification number meeting the requirements of the United States coast guard;

(4) A canoe or rowboat.

"Watercraft" does not include ferries as referred to in Chapter 4583. of the Revised Code.

Watercraft subject to section 1547.54 of the Revised Code shall be divided into five classes as follows:

Class A: Less than sixteen feet in length;

Class 1: At least sixteen feet, but less than twenty-six feet in length;

Class 2: At least twenty-six feet, but less than forty feet in length;

Class 3: At least forty feet, but less than sixty-five feet in length;

Class 4: At least sixty-five feet in length.

(B) As used in this chapter:

(1) "Vessel" includes every description of watercraft, including nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(2) "Rowboat" means any vessel, except a canoe, that is designed to be rowed and that is propelled by human muscular effort by oars or paddles and upon which no mechanical propulsion device, electric motor, internal combustion engine, or sail has been affixed or is used for the operation of the vessel.

(3) "Sailboat" means any vessel, equipped with mast and sails, dependent upon the wind to propel it in the normal course of operation.

(a) Any sailboat equipped with an inboard engine is deemed a powercraft with auxiliary sail.

(b) Any sailboat equipped with a detachable motor is deemed a sailboat with auxiliary power.

(c) Any sailboat being propelled by mechanical power, whether under sail or not, is deemed a powercraft and subject to all laws and rules governing powercraft operation.

(4) "Powercraft" means any vessel propelled by machinery, fuel, rockets, or similar device.

(5) "Person" includes any legal entity defined as a person in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and any body politic, except the United States and this state, and includes any agent, trustee, executor, receiver, assignee, or other representative thereof.

(6) "Owner" includes any person who claims lawful possession of a vessel by virtue of legal title or equitable interest therein that entitled the person to that possession.

(7) "Operator" includes any person who navigates or has under the person's control a vessel, or vessel and detachable motor, on the waters in this state.

(8) "Visible" means visible on a dark night with clear atmosphere.

(9) "Waters in this state" means all streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, watercourses, waterways, and other bodies of water, natural or humanmade, that are situated wholly or partially within this state or within its jurisdiction and are used for recreational boating.

(10) "Navigable waters" means waters that come under the jurisdiction of the department of the army of the United States and any waterways within or adjacent to this state, except inland lakes having neither a navigable inlet nor outlet.

(11) "In operation" in reference to a vessel means that the vessel is being navigated or otherwise used on the waters in this state.

(12) "Sewage" means human body wastes and the wastes from toilets and other receptacles intended to receive or retain body waste.

(13) "Canoe" means a narrow vessel of shallow draft, pointed at both ends and propelled by human muscular effort, and includes kayaks, racing shells, and rowing sculls.

(14) "Coast guard approved" means bearing an approval number assigned by the United States coast guard.

(15) "Type one personal flotation device" means a device that is designed to turn an unconscious person floating in water from a face downward position to a vertical or slightly face upward position and that has at least nine kilograms, approximately twenty pounds, of buoyancy.

(16) "Type two personal flotation device" means a device that is designed to turn an unconscious person in the water from a face downward position to a vertical or slightly face upward position and that has at least seven kilograms, approximately fifteen and four-tenths pounds, of buoyancy.

(17) "Type three personal flotation device" means a device that is designed to keep a conscious person in a vertical or slightly face upward position and that has at least seven kilograms, approximately fifteen and four-tenths pounds, of buoyancy.

(18) "Type four personal flotation device" means a device that is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and not worn and that has at least seven and five-tenths kilograms, approximately sixteen and five-tenths pounds, of buoyancy.

(19) "Type five personal flotation device" means a device that, unlike other personal flotation devices, has limitations on its approval by the United States coast guard, including, without limitation, all of the following:

(a) The approval label on the type five personal flotation device indicates that the device is approved for the activity in which the vessel is being used or as a substitute for a personal flotation device of the type required on the vessel in use;.

(b) The personal flotation device is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label;.

(c) The personal flotation device is used in accordance with requirements in its owner's manual if the approval label refers to such a manual.

(20) "Inflatable watercraft" means any vessel constructed of rubber, canvas, or other material that is designed to be inflated with any gaseous substance, constructed with two or more air cells, and operated as a vessel. Inflatable watercraft propelled by a motor shall be classified as powercraft and shall be registered by length. Inflatable watercraft propelled by a sail shall be classified as a sailboat and shall be registered by length.

(21) "Idle speed" means the slowest possible speed needed to maintain steerage or maneuverability.

(22) "Diver's flag" means a red flag not less than one foot square having a diagonal white stripe extending from the masthead to the opposite lower corner that when displayed indicates that divers are in the water.

(23) "Muffler" means an acoustical suppression device or system that is designed and installed to abate the sound of exhaust gases emitted from an internal combustion engine and that prevents excessive or unusual noise.

(24) "Law enforcement vessel" means any vessel used in law enforcement and under the command of a law enforcement officer.

(25) "Personal watercraft" means a vessel, less than sixteen feet in length, that is propelled by machinery and designed to be operated by an individual sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than by an individual sitting or standing inside the vessel.

(26) "No wake" has the same meaning as "idle speed."

(27) "Watercraft dealer" means any person who is regularly engaged in the business of manufacturing, selling, displaying, offering for sale, or dealing in vessels at an established place of business. "Watercraft dealer" does not include a person who is a marine salvage dealer or any other person who dismantles, salvages, or rebuilds vessels using used parts.

(28) "Electronic" includes electrical, digital, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or any other form of technology that entails capabilities similar to these technologies.

(29) "Electronic record" means a record generated, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means for use in an information system or for transmission from one information system to another.

(30) "Electronic signature" means a signature in electronic form attached to or logically associated with an electronic record.

(C) Unless otherwise provided, this chapter applies to all vessels operating on the waters in this state. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in contravention of any valid federal act or regulation, but is in addition to the act or regulation where not inconsistent.

The state reserves to itself the exclusive right to regulate the minimum equipment requirements of watercraft and vessels operated on the waters in this state.

Sec. 1547.25.  (A) No person shall operate or permit to be operated any watercraft vessel, other than a commercial vessel or other vessel exempted by rules adopted under section 1547.52 of the Revised Code, on the waters in this state:

(1) That is sixteen feet or greater in length without carrying aboard one type one, two, or three personal flotation device for each person aboard and one type four personal flotation device;

(2) That is less than sixteen feet in length, including canoes and kayaks of any length, without carrying aboard one type one, two, or three personal flotation device for each person aboard.

(B) A type five personal flotation device may be carried in lieu of a type one, two, or three personal flotation device required under division (A) of this section.

(C) No person shall operate or permit to be operated any commercial vessel on the waters in this state:

(1) That is less than forty feet in length and is not carrying persons for hire without carrying aboard at least one type one, two, or three personal flotation device for each person aboard;

(2) That is carrying persons for hire or is forty feet in length or longer and is not carrying persons for hire without carrying aboard at least one type one personal flotation device for each person aboard;

(3) That is twenty-six feet in length or longer without carrying aboard at least one type four ring life buoy in addition to the applicable requirements of divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section.

(D) Each personal flotation device carried aboard a watercraft or vessel, including a commercial vessel, pursuant to this section shall be coast guard approved and in good and serviceable condition, of appropriate size for the wearer, and readily accessible to each person aboard the watercraft vessel at all times.

(E) As used in this section, "commercial vessel" means any vessel used in the carriage of any person or property for a valuable consideration whether flowing directly or indirectly from the owner, partner, or agent or any other person interested in the vessel. "Commercial vessel" does not include any vessel that is manufactured or used primarily for noncommercial use or that is leased, rented, or chartered to another for noncommercial use.

Sec. 1547.53.  Every watercraft operated on the waters in this state shall be numbered by this state in accordance with federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state. A watercraft numbered by this state shall display the number on the watercraft as provided in section 1547.57 of the Revised Code. Watercraft exempt from numbering by the state are:

(A) Those currently documented by the United States coast guard or its successor;

(B) Those whose principal use is not on the waters in this state and that have not been used within this state for more than sixty days and have a valid number assigned under a federally approved numbering system by another state if the number is displayed in accordance with the requirements of that system and the certificate of number is available for inspection whenever the watercraft is on waters in this state;

(C) Those from a country other than the United States, temporarily using the waters in this state;

(D) Those whose owner is the United States, a state, or a political subdivision of a state;, that fit either of the following descriptions, and that are clearly identifiable as such:

(1) A powercraft that principally is used for governmental purposes other than recreational purposes;

(2) A watercraft other than a powercraft.

(E) A ship's lifeboat. As used in this division, "lifeboat" means a watercraft that is held aboard another vessel and used exclusively for emergency purposes.

(F) Those that have been exempted from numbering by the chief of the division of watercraft after the chief has found that the numbering of the watercraft will not materially aid in their identification and, if an agency of the United States has a numbering system applicable to the watercraft, after the chief has further found that they also would be exempt from numbering by the United States government if they were subject to the federal law;

(G) Those temporarily using the waters in this state under a waiver issued by the chief to an organization sponsoring a race, regatta, or special event. The chief may issue a waiver upon application by the sponsoring organization at least fifteen days before the date of the proposed race, regatta, or special event. The waiver shall be effective for ten days including the day or days of the proposed race, regatta, or special event. Such a waiver does not obviate the need for compliance with section 1547.20 of the Revised Code.

(H) Canoes, rowboats, and inflatable watercraft that are registered under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code and that an owner, in accordance with this division, chooses not to have numbered under this section. An owner of a canoe, rowboat, or inflatable watercraft may choose to do either of the following:

(1) Have it numbered under this section, pay a lesser registration fee under division (A)(2)(a) of section 1547.54 of the Revised Code, and obtain square tags under division (A) of section 1547.57 of the Revised Code;

(2) Not have it numbered under this section, pay a higher registration fee under division (A)(2)(b) of section 1547.54 of the Revised Code, and obtain a rectangular tag under division (C) of section 1547.57 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1547.531.  (A)(1) Except as provided in division (A)(2) or (B) of this section, no person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any watercraft on the waters in this state unless the watercraft is registered in the name of the current owner in accordance with section 1547.54 of the Revised Code, and the registration is valid and in effect.

(2) On and after January 1, 1999, if a watercraft that is required to be issued a certificate of title under Chapter 1548. of the Revised Code is transferred to a new owner, it need not be registered under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code for forty-five days following the date of the transfer, provided that the new owner purchases a temporary watercraft registration under division (A) of this section or holds a bill of sale from a watercraft dealer.

For the purposes of division (A)(2) of this section, a temporary watercraft registration or a bill of sale from a watercraft dealer shall contain at least all of the following information:

(a) The hull identification number or serial number of the watercraft;

(b) The make of the watercraft;

(c) The length of the watercraft;

(d) The type of propulsion, if any;

(e) The state in which the watercraft principally is operated;

(f) The name of the owner;

(g) The address of the owner, including the zip code;

(h) The signature of the owner;

(i) The date of purchase;

(j) A notice to the owner that the temporary watercraft registration expires forty-five days after the date of purchase of the watercraft or that the watercraft cannot be operated on the waters in this state solely under the bill of sale beginning forty-five days after the date of purchase of the watercraft, as applicable.

(3) A person may purchase a temporary watercraft registration from the chief of the division of watercraft or from an authorized agent designated under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code. The chief shall furnish forms for temporary watercraft registrations to authorized agents. In addition to completing the registration form with the information specified in divisions (A)(2)(a) to (i) of this section, the person shall pay one of the applicable fees required under divisions (A)(2)(a) to (f)(g) of section 1547.54 of the Revised Code as provided in that section.

Moneys received for the payment of temporary watercraft registrations shall be deposited to the credit of the waterways safety fund created in section 1547.75 of the Revised Code.

(4) In addition to the applicable fee required under division (A)(3) of this section, the chief or an authorized agent shall charge an additional fee of three dollars for a temporary watercraft registration that the chief or the authorized agent issues. When the temporary watercraft registration is issued by an authorized agent, the agent may retain the additional fee. When the temporary watercraft registration is issued by the chief, the additional fee shall be deposited to the credit of the waterways safety fund.

(5) A person who purchases a temporary watercraft registration for a watercraft and who subsequently applies for a registration certificate under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code need not pay the fee required under division (A)(2) of that section for the initial registration certificate issued for that watercraft, provided that at the time of application for the registration certificate, the person furnishes proof of payment for the temporary watercraft registration.

(6) A person who purchases a temporary watercraft registration, who subsequently applies for a registration certificate under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code, and who is exempt from payment for the registration certificate under division (O) of that section may apply to the chief for a refund of the amount paid for the temporary watercraft registration at the time that the person applies for a registration certificate. The chief shall refund that amount upon issuance to the person of a registration certificate.

(7) All records of the division of watercraft made or maintained for the purposes of divisions (A)(2) to (8) of this section are public records. The records shall be available for inspection at reasonable hours and in a manner that is compatible with normal operations of the division.

(8) Pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 1547.52 of the Revised Code, the chief may adopt rules establishing all of the following:

(a) Record-keeping requirements governing the issuance of temporary watercraft registrations and the use of bills of sale from watercraft dealers for the purposes of division (A)(2) of this section;

(b) Procedures and requirements for the refund of fees under division (A)(6) of this section;

(c) Any other procedures and requirements necessary for the administration and enforcement of divisions (A)(2) to (8) of this section.

(B) All of the following watercraft are exempt from registration:

(1) Those that are exempt from numbering by the state under divisions (B) to (G) of section 1547.53 of the Revised Code;

(2) Those that have been issued a commercial documentation by the United States coast guard or its successor and are used exclusively for commercial purposes;

(3) Those that have been documented by the United States coast guard or its successor as temporarily transitting, whose principal use is not on the waters in this state, and that have not been used within this state for more than sixty days.

(C) No person shall operate a watercraft documented by the United States coast guard or its successor unless the certificate of documentation is valid, is on the watercraft for which it has been issued, and is available for inspection whenever the watercraft is in operation. In accordance with 46 C.F.R. part 67, as amended, the watercraft shall display the official number, the vessel name, and the home port listed on the certificate of documentation.

(D)(1) For the purposes of this section and section 1547.53 of the Revised Code, a watercraft is principally using the waters in this state if any of the following applies:

(a) The owner resides in this state and declares that the watercraft principally is using the waters in this state;.

(b) The owner resides in another state, but declares that the watercraft principally is using the waters in this state;.

(c) The watercraft is registered in another state or documented by the United States coast guard and is used within this state for more than sixty days regardless of whether it has been assigned a seasonal or permanent mooring at any public or private docking facility in this state.

(2) Notwithstanding division (D)(1)(c) of this section, a person on active duty in the armed forces of the United States may register a watercraft in the person's state of permanent residence in lieu of registering it in this state regardless of the number of days that the watercraft is used in this state.

Sec. 1547.54.  (A)(1) The Except as otherwise provided in section 1547.542 of the Revised Code, the owner of every watercraft requiring registration under this chapter shall file an application for a triennial registration certificate with the chief of the division of watercraft on forms that shall be provided by the chief or by an electronic means approved by the chief. The application shall be signed by the following:

(a) If the watercraft is owned by two persons under joint ownership with right of survivorship established under section 2106.17 of the Revised Code, by both of those persons as owners of the watercraft. The signatures may be done by electronic signature if the owners themselves are renewing the registration and there are no changes in the registration information since the issuance of the immediately preceding registration certificate. In all other instances, the signatures must shall be done manually.

(b) If the watercraft is owned by a minor, by the minor and a parent or legal guardian. The signatures may be done by electronic signature if the parent or legal guardian and the minor themselves are renewing the registration and there are no changes in the registration information since the issuance of the immediately preceding registration certificate. In all other instances, the signatures must shall be done manually.

(c) In all other cases, by the owner of the watercraft. The signature may be done by electronic signature if the owner him or herself is renewing the registration personally and there are no changes in the registration information since the issuance of the immediately preceding registration certificate. In all other instances, the signatures must shall be done manually.

(2) An application for a triennial registration of a watercraft filed under division (A)(1) of this section shall be accompanied by the following fee:

(a) For canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and inflatable watercraft that are numbered under section 1547.53 of the Revised Code, twelve dollars;

(b) For canoes, row boats, and inflatable watercraft that are not numbered under section 1547.53 of the Revised Code, seventeen dollars;

(c) For class A watercraft, including motorized canoes, thirty dollars;

(c)(d) For class 1 watercraft, forty-five dollars;

(d)(e) For class 2 watercraft, sixty dollars;

(e)(f) For class 3 watercraft, seventy-five dollars;

(f)(g) For class 4 watercraft, ninety dollars.

(3) For the purpose of registration, any watercraft operated by means of power, sail, or any other mechanical or electrical means of propulsion, except motorized canoes, shall be registered by length as prescribed in this section.

(4) If an application for registration is filed by two persons as owners under division (A)(1)(a) of this section, the person who is listed first on the title shall serve as and perform the duties of the "owner" and shall be considered the person "in whose name the watercraft is registered" for purposes of divisions (B) to (Q) of this section and for purposes of all other sections in this chapter.

(B) All registration certificates issued under this section are valid for three years and are renewable on a triennial basis unless sooner terminated or discontinued in accordance with this chapter. The renewal date shall be printed on the registration certificate. A registration certificate may be renewed by the owner in the manner prescribed by the chief. All fees shall be charged according to a proration of the time remaining in the registration cycle to the nearest year.

(C) In addition to the fees set forth in this section, the chief, or any authorized agent, shall charge an additional fee of three dollars for any registration certificate the chief or authorized agent issues. When the registration certificate is issued by an authorized agent, the additional fee of three dollars shall be retained by the issuing agent. When the registration certificate is issued by the chief, the additional fee of three dollars shall be deposited to the credit of the waterways safety fund established in section 1547.75 of the Revised Code.

(D)(1) Upon receipt of the application in approved form, the chief shall enter the same upon the records of the office of the division, assign a number to the watercraft if a number is required under section 1547.53 of the Revised Code, and issue to the applicant a registration certificate. If a number is assigned by the chief, it shall be set forth on the certificate. The registration certificate shall be on the watercraft for which it is issued and available at all times for inspection whenever the watercraft is in operation, except that livery operators may retain the registration certificate at the livery where it shall remain available for inspection at all times and except as otherwise provided in division (D)(2) of this section.

(2) A person who is operating on the waters of this state a canoe, rowboat, or inflatable watercraft that has not been numbered under section 1547.53 of the Revised Code and who is stopped by a law enforcement officer in the enforcement of this chapter or rules adopted under it shall present to the officer, not later than seventy-two hours after being stopped, a registration certificate. The registration certificate shall have been obtained under this section for the canoe, rowboat, or inflatable watercraft prior to the time that it was stopped. Failure of the person to present the registration certificate within seventy-two hours constitutes prima-facie evidence of a violation of this section.

(E) No person shall issue or be issued a registration certificate for a watercraft that is required to be issued a certificate of title under Chapter 1548. of the Revised Code except upon presentation of a certificate of title for the watercraft as provided in that chapter, proof of current documentation by the United States coast guard, a renewal registration form provided by the division of watercraft, or a certificate of registration issued under this section that has expired if there is no change in the ownership or description of the watercraft.

(F) Whenever the ownership of a watercraft changes, a new application form together with the prescribed fee shall be filed with the chief or the chief's agent and a new registration certificate shall be issued. The application shall be signed manually by the person or persons specified in division (A)(1)(a) to (c) of this section and shall be accompanied by a two-dollar transfer fee. Any remaining time on the registration shall be transferred. An authorized agent of the chief shall charge an additional fee of three dollars, which shall be retained by the issuing agent. If the certificate is issued by the chief, an additional fee of three dollars for each certificate issued shall be collected.

(G) If an agency of the United States has in force an overall system of identification numbering for watercraft or certain types of watercraft within the United States, the numbering system employed by the division shall be in conformity with that system.

(H) The chief may assign any registration certificates to any authorized agent for the assignment thereof. If a person accepts that authorization, the person may be assigned a block of numbers and certificates therefor that upon assignment, in conformity with this chapter and Chapter 1548. of the Revised Code and with rules of the division, shall be valid as if assigned directly by the division. Any person so designated as an agent by the chief shall post with the division security as may be required by the director of natural resources. The chief may issue an order temporarily or permanently restricting or suspending an agent's authorization without a hearing if the chief finds that the agent has violated this chapter or Chapter 1548. of the Revised Code, rules adopted under them, or any agreements prescribed by the chief.

(I) All records of the division made or kept pursuant to this section shall be public records. Those records shall be available for inspection at reasonable hours and in a manner compatible with normal operations of the division.

(J) The owner shall furnish the division notice within fifteen days of the following:

(1) The transfer, other than through the creation of a security interest in any watercraft, of all or any part of the owner's interest or, if the watercraft is owned by two persons under joint ownership with right of survivorship established under section 2106.17 of the Revised Code, of all or any part of the joint interest of either of the two persons. The transfer shall not terminate the registration certificate.

(2) Any change in the address appearing on the certificate and, as a part of the notification, shall furnish the chief with the owner's new address;

(3) The destruction or abandonment of the watercraft.

(K) The chief may issue duplicate registration certificates or duplicate tags to owners of currently registered watercraft, the fee for which shall be four dollars.

(L) If the chief finds that a registration certificate previously issued to an owner is in error to a degree that would impair its basic purpose and use, the chief may issue a corrected certificate to the owner without charge.

(M) No authorized agent shall issue and no person shall receive or accept from an authorized agent a registration certificate assigned to the authorized agent under division (H) of this section unless the exact month, day, and year of issue are plainly written thereon by the agent. Certificates issued with incorrect dates of issue are void from the time they are issued.

(N) The chief, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt rules governing the renewal of watercraft registrations by electronic means.

(O) As used in this section:

(1) "Disabled veteran" means a person who is included in either of the following categories:

(a) Because of a service-connected disability, has been or is awarded funds for the purchase of a motor vehicle under the "Disabled Veterans' and Servicemen's Automobile Assistance Act of 1970," 84 Stat. 1998, 38 U.S.C. 1901, and amendments thereto;

(b) Has a service-connected disability rated at one hundred per cent by the veterans administration.

(2) "Prisoner of war" means any regularly appointed, enrolled, enlisted, or inducted member of the military forces of the United States who was captured, separated, and incarcerated by an enemy of the United States at any time, and any regularly appointed, enrolled, or enlisted member of the military forces of Great Britain, France, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, or the republics formerly associated with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or Yugoslavia who was a citizen of the United States at the time of the appointment, enrollment, or enlistment, and was captured, separated, and incarcerated by an enemy of this country during World War II.

(P) Any disabled veteran, congressional medal of honor awardee, or prisoner of war may apply to the chief for a certificate of registration, or for a renewal of the certificate of registration, without the payment of any fee required by this section. The application for a certificate of registration shall be accompanied by evidence of disability or by documentary evidence in support of a congressional medal of honor that the chief requires by rule. The application for a certificate of registration by any person who has been a prisoner of war shall be accompanied by written evidence in the form of a record of separation, a letter from one of the armed forces of a country listed in division (O)(2) of this section, or other evidence that the chief may require by rule, that the person was honorably discharged or is currently residing in this state on active duty with one of the branches of the armed forces of the United States, or was a prisoner of war and was honorably discharged or received an equivalent discharge or release from one of the armed forces of a country listed in division (O)(2) of this section.

(Q) Annually by the fifteenth day of January, the director of natural resources shall determine the amount of fees that would have been collected in the prior calendar year for each certificate of registration issued or renewed pursuant to division (P) of this section and shall certify the total amount of foregone revenue to the director of budget and management for reimbursement. The director of budget and management shall transfer the amount certified from the general revenue fund to the waterways safety fund created pursuant to section 1547.75 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1547.542.  Any person or organization owning any number of canoes, kayaks, rowboats, inflatable watercraft, or sailboats for the purpose of rental to the public may apply with the chief of the division of watercraft for and receive an annual certificate of livery registration. No watercraft shall be rented to the public from a livery or other place of business in this state unless it first has been numbered and registered in accordance with this section or section 1547.54 of the Revised Code. Certificates of livery registration shall be issued by an authorized agent who is selected by the chief from among those designated under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code. The certificate shall display the name of the owner of the livery, the date of issuance, the date of expiration, the number of watercraft registered, the fee paid, an authorized facsimile of the signature of the chief provided by the authorized agent who is selected to issue the certificate, and the signature of the livery owner. The certificate shall bear the livery watercraft registration number assigned to the livery owner, which shall be displayed in accordance with section 1547.57 of the Revised Code on each watercraft in the fleet for which the certificate was issued. The owner of a livery shall obtain an amended certificate of livery registration from the chief whenever the composition of the fleet changes.

The fee for each watercraft registered under this section shall be in accordance with an annual registration fee. The fee shall be one-third of the triennial registration fees prescribed in section 1547.54 of the Revised Code. However, if the size of the fleet does not increase, the fee for an amended certificate of livery registration shall be the fee prescribed for issuing a duplicate registration certificate under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code, and the chief shall not refund to the livery owner all or any portion of an annual registration fee applicable to a watercraft transferred or abandoned by the livery owner. If the size of the fleet increases, the livery owner shall be required to pay the applicable annual registration fee for each watercraft registered under an amended certificate of livery registration that is in excess of the number of watercraft contained in the annual certificate of livery registration.

The certificate of livery registration, rental receipts, and required safety equipment are subject to inspection at any time at the livery's place of business by any authorized representative of the division of watercraft or any law enforcement officer in accordance with section 1547.63 of the Revised Code.

Except as provided in this section, all watercraft registered under this section are subject to this chapter and Chapter 1548. of the Revised Code.

The chief may issue an order temporarily or permanently restricting or suspending a livery certificate of registration and the privileges associated with it without a hearing if the chief finds that the holder of the certificate has violated this chapter.

Sec. 1547.57.  When (A) Except as otherwise provided in division (C) of this section, when the chief of the division of watercraft issues a registration certificate under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code, the chief also shall issue to the applicant two tags not larger than three inches square, color coded, indicating the expiration date of the certificate. The owner of watercraft currently documented by the United States coast guard and for which a registration certificate is issued shall securely affix one tag to the watercraft's port side and the other tag to the starboard side so that the tags are clearly visible under normal operating conditions. The tags shall be removed from the watercraft when they become invalid. The owner of any other watercraft for which a registration certificate is issued shall securely affix one tag to the watercraft's port side, six inches toward the stern from the identification number, and the other tag to the starboard side, six inches toward the stern from the identification number. The tags shall be securely affixed to the watercraft prior to its operation, but shall be removed from the watercraft when they become invalid. A person may operate without a registration certificate issued under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code, for a period not to exceed forty-five days, any watercraft required to be titled on the waters in this state if the person is in compliance with section 1547.531 of the Revised Code.

(B) The owner of every watercraft requiring numbering by this state shall attach to each side of the bow of the watercraft the permanent identification number in such manner as may be prescribed by applicable federal standards in order that it shall be clearly visible. The number shall be maintained in a legible condition at all times. No number other than the number assigned to a watercraft or granted by reciprocity pursuant to this chapter shall be painted, attached, or otherwise displayed on either side of the bow of the watercraft.

(C) When the chief issues a registration certificate under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code for a canoe, rowboat, or inflatable watercraft that has not been numbered under section 1547.53 of the Revised Code, the chief also shall issue to the applicant a tag not larger than three inches by six inches, with distinguishing color coding and a number for identification purposes. The owner of the canoe, rowboat, or inflatable watercraft for which the registration certificate is issued shall affix the tag securely to a location on the canoe, rowboat, or inflatable watercraft as prescribed by rules adopted by the chief under section 1547.52 of the Revised Code.

(D) No person shall operate or permit to be operated any watercraft on the waters in this state in violation of this section.

Sec. 1547.65. (A) A watercraft constructed on or after November 1, 1972, shall have a hull identification number permanently displayed and affixed to it in accordance with federal law.

(B) A watercraft constructed before November 1, 1972, shall have a hull identification number assigned to it by the chief of the division of watercraft at the time of registration, at the time of application for title, after transfer of ownership, or at the time of a change to this state as the principal location of operation. The number shall be permanently displayed and affixed as prescribed by rules adopted under section 1547.52 of the Revised Code.

(C) A person who builds a watercraft or imports a watercraft from another country for personal use and not for the purpose of sale shall request a hull identification number from the chief and permanently display and affix the number as prescribed by rules adopted under section 1547.52 of the Revised Code.

(D) No person shall operate or permit to be operated any watercraft on the waters in this state in violation of this section.

Sec. 1547.99.  (A) Whoever violates section 1547.91 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.

(B) Whoever violates section 1547.10, division (I) of section 1547.111, section 1547.13, or section 1547.66 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(C) Whoever violates a provision of this chapter or a rule adopted thereunder, for which no penalty is otherwise provided, is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(D) Whoever violates section 1547.07 or 1547.12 of the Revised Code without causing injury to persons or damage to property is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(E) Whoever violates section 1547.07 or 1547.12 of the Revised Code causing injury to persons or damage to property is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(F) Whoever violates division (M) of section 1547.54, division (G) of section 1547.30, or section 1547.131, 1547.25, 1547.33, 1547.38, 1547.39, 1547.40, 1547.65, 1547.69, or 1547.92 of the Revised Code or a rule adopted under division (A)(2) of section 1547.52 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(G) Whoever violates section 1547.11 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall be punished as provided in division (G)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (G)(2) or (3) of this section, the court shall sentence the offender to a term of imprisonment of three consecutive days and may sentence the offender pursuant to section 2929.21 of the Revised Code to a longer term of imprisonment. In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than one hundred fifty nor more than one thousand dollars.

The court may suspend the execution of the mandatory three consecutive days of imprisonment that it is required to impose by division (G)(1) of this section if the court, in lieu of the suspended term of imprisonment, places the offender on probation and requires the offender to attend, for three consecutive days, a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 3793.10 of the Revised Code. The court also may suspend the execution of any part of the mandatory three consecutive days of imprisonment that it is required to impose by division (G)(1) of this section if the court places the offender on probation for part of the three consecutive days; requires the offender to attend, for that part of the three consecutive days, a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 3793.10 of the Revised Code; and sentences the offender to a term of imprisonment equal to the remainder of the three consecutive days that the offender does not spend attending the drivers' intervention program. The court may require the offender, as a condition of probation, to attend and satisfactorily complete any treatment or education programs, in addition to the required attendance at a drivers' intervention program, that the operators of the drivers' intervention program determine that the offender should attend and to report periodically to the court on the offender's progress in the programs. The court also may impose any other conditions of probation on the offender that it considers necessary.

(2) If, within five years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one violation of section 1547.11 of the Revised Code, of a municipal ordinance relating to operating a watercraft or manipulating any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, of a municipal ordinance relating to operating a watercraft or manipulating any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device with a prohibited concentration of alcohol in the blood, breath, or urine, of division (A)(1) of section 2903.06 of the Revised Code, or of division (A)(2), (3), or (4) of section 2903.06 of the Revised Code or former section 2903.06 or 2903.07 of the Revised Code in a case in which the jury or judge found that the offender was under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, the court shall sentence the offender to a term of imprisonment of ten consecutive days and may sentence the offender pursuant to section 2929.21 of the Revised Code to a longer term of imprisonment. In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than one hundred fifty nor more than one thousand dollars.

In addition to any other sentence that it imposes upon the offender, the court may require the offender to attend a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 3793.10 of the Revised Code.

(3) If, within five years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to more than one violation identified in division (G)(2) of this section, the court shall sentence the offender to a term of imprisonment of thirty consecutive days and may sentence the offender to a longer term of imprisonment of not more than one year. In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than one hundred fifty nor more than one thousand dollars.

In addition to any other sentence that it imposes upon the offender, the court may require the offender to attend a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 3793.10 of the Revised Code.

(4) Upon a showing that imprisonment would seriously affect the ability of an offender sentenced pursuant to division (G)(1), (2), or (3) of this section to continue the offender's employment, the court may authorize that the offender be granted work release from imprisonment after the offender has served the three, ten, or thirty consecutive days of imprisonment that the court is required by division (G)(1), (2), or (3) of this section to impose. No court shall authorize work release from imprisonment during the three, ten, or thirty consecutive days of imprisonment that the court is required by division (G)(1), (2), or (3) of this section to impose. The duration of the work release shall not exceed the time necessary each day for the offender to commute to and from the place of employment and the place of imprisonment and the time actually spent under employment.

(5) Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code that authorizes the suspension of the imposition or execution of a sentence or the placement of an offender in any treatment program in lieu of imprisonment, no court shall suspend the ten or thirty consecutive days of imprisonment required to be imposed by division (G)(2) or (3) of this section or place an offender who is sentenced pursuant to division (G)(2) or (3) of this section in any treatment program in lieu of imprisonment until after the offender has served the ten or thirty consecutive days of imprisonment required to be imposed pursuant to division (G)(2) or (3) of this section. Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code that authorizes the suspension of the imposition or execution of a sentence or the placement of an offender in any treatment program in lieu of imprisonment, no court, except as specifically authorized by division (G)(1) of this section, shall suspend the three consecutive days of imprisonment required to be imposed by division (G)(1) of this section or place an offender who is sentenced pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section in any treatment program in lieu of imprisonment until after the offender has served the three consecutive days of imprisonment required to be imposed pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section.

(H) Whoever violates section 1547.304 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and also shall be assessed any costs incurred by the state or a county, township, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision in disposing of an abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor, less any money accruing to the state, county, township, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision from that disposal.

(I) Whoever violates division (B) or (C) of section 1547.49 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(J) Whoever violates section 1547.31 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on a first offense. On each subsequent offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(K) Whoever violates section 1547.05 or 1547.051 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree if the violation is not related to a collision, injury to a person, or damage to property and a misdemeanor of the third degree if the violation is related to a collision, injury to a person, or damage to property.

(L) The sentencing court, in addition to the penalty provided under this section for a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted under it that involves a powercraft powered by more than ten horsepower and that, in the opinion of the court, involves a threat to the safety of persons or property, shall order the offender to complete successfully a boating course approved by the national association of state boating law administrators before the offender is allowed to operate a powercraft powered by more than ten horsepower on the waters in this state. Violation of a court order entered under this division is punishable as contempt under Chapter 2705. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4585.31.  As used in sections 4585.31 to 4585.34 of the Revised Code, "owner of any property" or "owner of the property" means an owner, lessee, or any other person entitled to possession of the property.

The owner of any property on which a watercraft or outboard motor valued at less than ten thousand dollars has been left for six months without permission may sell the watercraft or motor at public auction and recover his the owner's maintenance or repair charges, including parts and labor charges and dockage or storage charges, if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) The owner of the property applies for a search of the records of the division of watercraft for the name and address of the owner of the watercraft or motor and for a search for any lien or mortgage thereon;.

(B) Upon receiving the results of the searches, the owner of the property sends notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to:

(1) The last known address of the owner of the watercraft or motor, to remove the watercraft or motor;

(2) Any lienholder or mortgagee, stating where the watercraft or motor is located and any maintenance or repair charges, including parts and labor charges and dockage or storage charges. Unless the lienholder or mortgagee redeems the watercraft or motor within forty-five days after the return receipt is received by the sender, the lien or mortgage is invalid. The lienholder or mortgagee may, to the extent of his the lienholder's or mortgagee's previously secured interest, assert a claim for any amount deposited in the county treasury for the watercraft or motor pursuant to section 4585.33 of the Revised Code.

(C) The watercraft or motor remains unredeemed by the owner, lienholder, or mortgagee for forty-five days after the return receipts are recovered by the sender;.

(D) The owner of the property requests the chief of the division of watercraft or his designee, an appointee of the chief who shall be a watercraft dealer licensed certified in accordance with section 1547.65 1547.543 of the Revised Code or an independent marine surveyor and appraiser, to appraise the watercraft or motor and secures from the the chief or his designee written confirmation that the fair market value of the watercraft or motor is less than ten thousand dollars. The chief or his designee shall make such appraisal when requested and shall give to the owner of the property written confirmation that the value has been correctly determined.

(E) The owner of the property advertises that the watercraft or motor will be sold at public auction. The advertisement of sale shall be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in the auction section of a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the watercraft or motor has been left without permission. The advertisement shall include a description of the watercraft or motor, the name of the owner, and the date, time, and place of the sale.

(F) An auction sale is conducted on the property where the watercraft or motor was left without permission of the owner of the property, at which the highest bidder is the purchaser of the watercraft or motor. The owner of the property shall provide a reasonable period of time prior to the sale for prospective purchasers to examine the watercraft or motor. The owner of the property may bid at the sale.

(G) Immediately after the auction sale, the owner of the property executes an affidavit in triplicate, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and provided by the clerk of courts, stating:

(1) That the requirements of this section have been met;

(2) The length of time that the watercraft or motor was left on his the owner's property without permission, as of the date of the auction sale;

(3) The expenses incurred by the owner of the property in connection with the watercraft or motor as of the date of the auction sale, including the expenses of conducting the sale and, if the property is operated as a place of storage for charge, any accrued dockage or storage charges and any maintenance or repair charges, including parts and labor charges;

(4) The name and address of the purchaser of the watercraft or motor at the auction sale and the amount of his the purchaser's bid.

(H) Upon payment of the bid price by the purchaser, the owner of the property presents the affidavit in triplicate required by division (G) of this section, the written confirmation of value required by division (D) of this section, and the return receipts required by division (B) of this section to the purchaser of the watercraft or motor.

Section 2. That existing sections 1547.01, 1547.25, 1547.53, 1547.531, 1547.54, 1547.542, 1547.57, 1547.99, and 4585.31 and section 1547.62 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.