Bill S. 61 proposes significant amendments to the South Carolina Code of Laws concerning the titling and registration of watercraft and outboard motors. A key change is the removal of the requirement for outboard motors to be titled, which simplifies the regulatory process for marine dealers and owners. The bill introduces a new Article 5 to Chapter 23, Title 50, establishing a framework for the registration of watercraft and outboard motors, while also making conforming changes to sections related to temporary certificates, validation decals, and tax notices. It outlines the responsibilities of marine dealers, including compliance with inspection requirements and procedures for ownership transfer and title acquisition.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate records and introduces penalties for non-compliance, such as operating a watercraft without a valid title. It mandates that all watercraft and outboard motors in the state must be registered, with specific requirements for registration and ownership transfer notifications. The legislation also establishes a late penalty for registrations submitted after sixty days and exempts volunteer rescue squads from fee requirements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2027, applying to property tax years beginning thereafter, and aims to enhance regulation and oversight in the boating community, reducing fraud and improving accountability.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 50-23-345, 50-23-375, 12-37-3210
12/11/2024-A: 50-23-345, 50-23-375, 12-37-3210
Latest Version: 50-23-345, 50-23-375, 12-37-3210