Swearingen Supports Legislation Easing the Removal Process of Abandoned Boats

State Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) announces he supported and the General Assembly passed House Bill 211, legislation that defines the term “junk watercraft vessel or outboard motor” and prohibits leaving junk watercraft and outboard motor on property. Swearingen spoke to the bill on the House floor.

“This is an important bill for our district for a number of reasons,” said Swearingen. “Abandoned watercrafts present a number of nuisance issues to the 89^th district and other districts along the lake shore.”

This legislation gives local authorities the same tools to address this problem as they would a junk vehicle. The bill defines a junk watercraft vessel or outboard motor as any vessel that is three years or older, is apparently inoperable, and has a fair market value of $1,500 or less.

With the passage of the bill, the House accepted Senate amendments providing that the expedited legal process for which a property owner can obtain a title to a boat are limited to boats with a value of $10,000 or less.

House Bill 211 originally passed out of the House back in June 2019. With additions and passage within the General Assembly, the legislation now awaits the governor’s signature.