25.302.12 100th Legislative Session 8
2025 South Dakota Legislature
Senate Bill 8
ENROLLED
AN ACT
ENTITLED An Act to establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to
provide penalties therefor.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 22-16:
Any person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or substances, in a
manner and to a degree prohibited by § 42-8-45, without design to effect death, operates
a boat, as defined by § 42-8-2, in a negligent manner and thereby causes the death of
another person, including an unborn child, is guilty of watercraft homicide, a Class 3
felony.
Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 22-18:
Any person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or substances, in a
manner and to a degree prohibited by § 42-8-45, without design to effect serious bodily
injury, operates a boat, as defined by § 42-8-2, in a negligent manner and thereby causes
the serious bodily injury of another person, including an unborn child, is guilty of
watercraft battery, a Class 4 felony.
Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 42-8:
Any operator of a boat involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to any
person, who fails to immediately stop the boat at the scene of the accident and comply
with the provisions of §§ 42-8-56 through 42-8-58, inclusive, is guilty of a Class 6 felony. 25.302.12 2 8
SB8 ENROLLED
An Act to establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to provide penalties
therefor.
I certify that the attached Act originated in
the:
Senate as Bill No. 8
Secretary of the Senate
President of the Senate
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate
Speaker of the House
Attest:
Chief Clerk
Senate Bill No. 8
File No. ____
Chapter No. ______
Received at this Executive Office
this _____ day of _____________,
2025 at ____________M.
By
for the Governor
The attached Act is hereby
approved this ________ day of
______________, A.D., 2025
Governor
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA ,
ss.
Office of the Secretary of State
Filed ____________, 2025
at _________ o'clock __M.
Secretary of State
By
Asst. Secretary of State