A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to INCREASE the width of boats that may be transported on highway routes during the day and night with and without a permit, Change the fee for an annual permit for recreational boats and trailers, and change  the penalty for permit violations.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑116 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(m)	Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the towing of any boat or boat trailer 120 inches wide or less shall not require a permit to be issued pursuant to the requirements of G.S. 20‑119, may take place on any day of the week, including weekends and holidays, and may take place at night. Any boat or boat trailer being towed at night shall be equipped with two functioning amber lights, clearly visible on each side of the boat and trailer at their widest point. With a properly issued permit, the towing of any boat or boat trailer in excess of 120 inches wide may take place on any day of the week, including weekends and holidays, but may not take place at night. The fee for an annual permit issued for a recreational boat or boat trailer pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 20‑119(b) shall be only twenty‑five dollars ($25.00)."SECTION 2.  G.S. 20‑119 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(d1)	Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety may assess a civil penalty of only fifty dollars ($50.00) for a violation of the terms or conditions of a permit to tow a boat or boat trailer or the failure to obtain a required permit for the towing of a boat or boat trailer."
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2008.  Section 2 of this act applies to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2008.