Bill Text: MS SB2003 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Boats and other vessels; update numbering requirements for compliance with federal regulations.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-10 - Referred To Ports and Marine Resources [SB2003 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2025-SB2003-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Ports and Marine Resources
By: Senator(s) Ladner
Senate Bill 2003
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 59-21-9, 59-21-11, 59-21-17 AND 59-21-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO UPDATE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NUMBERING OF CERTAIN BOATS AND VESSELS FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 59-21-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
59-21-9. (1) The number awarded shall be painted on or attached to each side of the bow of the vessel for which it was issued. The numbers shall be placed on each side of the forward half of the vessel in such position as to provide clear legibility for identification. The numbers shall read from left to right and shall be in block characters of good proportion not less than three inches in height. The numbers shall be of a color which will contrast with the color of the background and so maintained as to be clearly visible and legible, i.e., dark numbers on a light background, or light numbers on a dark background. No other number shall be carried on the bow of such vessel.
(2) In addition to the requirements for the display of the awarded number for the vessel, the validation decal certifying the awarded number shall be displayed on each side of the vessel within six (6) inches of the awarded number.
SECTION 2. Section 59-21-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
59-21-11. The owner of any vessel required to be numbered under this chapter shall apply, within ten (10) days from the date of acquisition of the vessel, to the commission, on forms provided, for a certificate of number. The application for a number shall include the following:
(a) Name and full address of owner, including zip code.
(b) Date of birth of owner.
(c) Social security number or driver's license number of the owner.
(d) Present citizenship of owner (county, state, country).
(e) State and
county in which the vessel is principally * * * operated.
(f) Present number (if any).
(g) Hull material (wood, steel, aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, rubber/vinyl/canvas, other).
(h) Type of propulsion
( * * *air thrust, manual,
propeller, sail, water jet, other).
(i) Type of fuel (gas, diesel, electric, other).
(j) Length of vessel and type (airboat, auxiliary sail, cabin motorboat, houseboat, inflatable boat, open motorboat, paddle craft, personal watercraft, pontoon boat, rowboat, sail only, other).
(k) Make, model and year built (if known).
(l) Statement as to * * * primary operation (pleasure,
livery, dealer, manufacturer, charter-fishing, commercial-passenger,
commercial-fishing, commercial-other).
(m) A certification of ownership by the applicant.
(n) Serial number of outboard motor, boat and trailer owned by the applicant.
(o) Signature of owner.
(p) A receipt, sales or otherwise, which shows whether or not a sales or use tax was paid at the time of the purchase of the vessel. If the vessel was purchased outside the State of Mississippi, from and after July 1, 1978, and the tax for the privilege of using or consuming tangible personal property imposed by Section 27-67-5 was not paid at the time the vessel was acquired, then the owner shall be required to pay the tax as provided by the Mississippi Use Tax Law before a certificate of number can be issued.
(q) Application type (new number, renewal of number, transfer of ownership).
(r) Engine type (inboard, outboard, pod drive, sterndrive, other).
SECTION 3. Section 59-21-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
59-21-17. (1) The certificate of number shall include the following:
(a) Name and full address of owner, including zip code.
(b) Date of birth of owner.
(c) Present citizenship of owner (county, state, country).
(d) State and
county in which vessel is principally * * * operated.
(e) Present registration number and hull identification number (if any).
(f) Hull material (wood, steel, aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, rubber/vinyl/canvas, other).
(g) Type of propulsion
( * * *air
thrust, manual, propeller, sail, water jet, other).
(h) Type of fuel (gas, diesel, electric, other).
(i) Length of vessel and type (airboat, auxiliary sail, cabin motorboat, houseboat, inflatable boat, open motorboat, paddle craft, personal watercraft, pontoon boat, rowboat, sail only, other).
(j) Make, model and year built (if known).
(k) Statement as to * * * primary operation (pleasure,
livery, dealer, manufacturer, charter-fishing, commercial-passenger,
commercial-fishing, commercial-other).
(l) A certificate of ownership by the applicant.
(m) Signature of owner.
(n) Number awarded to vessel and hull identification number.
(o) Expiration date of certificate.
(p) Notice to the owner that he shall report within fifteen (15) days changes of ownership or address, and destruction or abandonment of vessel.
(q) Notice to the owner that the operator shall:
(i) Always carry this certificate or a digital certificate on vessel when in use.
(ii) Report every accident involving injury or death to persons, or property damage over One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
(iii) Stop and render aid or assistance if involved in a boating accident.
(r) Engine type (inboard, outboard, pod drive, sterndrive, other).
(2) The commission shall furnish and ensure that the forms required by this section and Section 59-21-13 are stocked at various county offices, boat companies, fishing camps, marinas, with enforcement officers, and at such other places as to make them available to boat owners. The commission shall award certificates of number and shall keep current a consolidated record of all certificates of numbers awarded and renewals of numbers.
(3) Upon request, information on ownership and identity of numbered vessels shall be available to federal, state and local officials, as needed, in any enforcement or assistance programs. The records pertaining to the numbering of undocumented vessels pursuant to this chapter are considered to be public records. Information based on such records may be released upon oral or written inquiry, subject only to reasonable restrictions necessary to carry on the business of the office. The commission may permit excerpts to be made or the copying or reproduction thereof by a private individual or concern. The fees and charges for copying, certifying or searching of records for information shall be assessed in accordance with usual fees allowed for such services.
SECTION 4. Section 59-21-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
59-21-19. (1) The certificate of number shall be pocket-size, approximately two and one-half inches (2-1/2") by three and one-half inches (3-1/2"), and water resistant.
(2) Pending the issuance of
the original certificate of number, the owner of the vessel may be furnished a
temporary certificate of number valid for sixty (60) days from the date of
issue. This temporary certificate shall be carried on board when the vessel is
being operated * * *
and shall have the following information:
(a) Name and full address of owner, including zip code;
(b) State in which vessel is principally operated;
(c) Type of propulsion;
(d) Length of vessel;
(e) Make of vessel;
(f) Signature of owner; and
(g) Date of issuance.
(3) Each applicant for an original or transfer certificate of number, who is entitled to issuance thereof, shall be issued a certificate for a period of three (3) years from the last day of the month of receipt of the original or transfer certificate. This subsection shall not apply to the certificate of number of a livery boat.
(4) The certificate of number of a livery boat shall be plainly marked "livery boat." The description of the motor and type of fuel will be omitted from the certificate of number in any case where the motor is not rented with the boat. Original and renewal certificates of number of a livery boat shall be valid for a period of three (3) years and shall expire at midnight on June 30.
(5) Numbers and certificates of number awarded boats operated by manufacturers and dealers may be transferred from one (1) boat to another. In lieu of the description, the word "manufacturer" or "dealer," as appropriate, will be plainly marked on each certificate. The manufacturer or dealer may have the number awarded printed upon or attached to a removable sign or signs to be temporarily mounted upon or attached to the boat being demonstrated or tested so long as the display meets the requirements of Section 59-21-9.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.
