CHAPTER 7. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT
IC 14-15-7
Chapter 7. Powers and Duties of Department
IC 14-15-7-1
Duties of department
Sec. 1. The department shall do the following:
(1) Prescribe the form of accident reports, permits, andcertificates required by this article and the form of applicationsfor permits and certificates.
(2) Carry on a campaign of education with respect to safety inthe operation of watercraft and in the use and enjoyment ofpublic waters and with respect to Indiana laws relating to publicwaters.
(3) Carry out and enforce this article and in connection withthese duties provide and maintain conservation officers andpatrol boats upon public waters.
(4) Locate, establish, and place, and authorize the location,establishment, and placing by others on behalf of thedepartment, buoys, beacons, lights, markers, stakes, flags, andother aids to the safe operation of watercraft upon publicwaters. Each safety device must be approved by the UnitedStates Coast Guard and recommended by the United StatesCoast Guard as a uniform waterway marking system.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-7-2
Reciprocal agreements with foreign nations or states
Sec. 2. The department may enter into reciprocal agreements withforeign nations and other states in areas concerning the operation andinspection of boats carrying passengers for hire from foreign nationsand other states that operate in Indiana water.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-7-3
Adoption of rules
Sec. 3. (a) The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 toimplement this article concerning the following:
(1) Applications for and the issuance of permits and certificatesrequired by this article.
(2) The conduct of watercraft races.
(3) Standards of safety for boats used to carry passengers forhire, the determination of the maximum weight that may safelybe carried on boats, and the inspection of boats.
(4) The safe operation of watercraft upon public water whereunusual conditions or hazards exist, such as any of thefollowing:
(A) An obstruction in or along public water.
(B) Watercraft traffic congestion.
(C) A beach, boat launch, marina, dam, spillway, or otherrecreational facility on or adjacent to public water. (5) The placement, location, and maintenance of the followingstructures upon public water:
(A) Buoys.
(B) Markers.
(C) Flags.
(D) Devices that are used for the purposes of swimming orextending the use of water skis, water sleds, or aquaplanes.
(6) The establishment of zones where the use of watercraft maybe limited or prohibited for the following purposes:
(A) Fish, wildlife, or botanical resource management.
(B) The protection of users.
(7) The regulation of watercraft engaged in group or organizedactivities or tournaments.
(b) In a rule adopted under subsection (a)(4) or (a)(6), thedepartment may establish a zone where:
(1) the operation of all or some types of watercraft isprohibited;
(2) particular activities are restricted or prohibited; or
(3) a limitation is placed on the speed at which a watercraft maybe operated.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.38-2000, SEC.4.
IC 14-15-7-4
Hearings on rules
Sec. 4. In adopting rules under IC 4-22-2, a required hearing withrespect to a rule adopted under section 3(a)(4) or 3(a)(5) of thischapter shall be held in the affected locality. A notice of the time andplace of the hearing shall be published in a newspaper of generalcirculation in the county in which the hearing is to be held.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-7-5
Rules regarding waters under concurrent jurisdiction
Sec. 5. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 that varyfrom equipment and operational standards specified in this articlewith respect to water over which Indiana has concurrent jurisdictionwith the United States or another state.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.
IC 14-15-7-6
Violations
Sec. 6. A person who violates this chapter commits a Class Cinfraction.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.