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, and
certificates required by this article and the form of applications
for permits and certificates.
(2) Carry on a campaign of education with respect to safety in
the operation of watercraft and in the use and enjoyment of
public waters and with respect to Indiana laws relating to public
waters.
(3) Carry out and enforce this article and in connection with
these duties provide and maintain conservation officers and
patrol boats upon public waters.
(4) Locate, establish, and place, and authorize the location,
establishment, and placing by others on behalf of the
department, buoys, beacons, lights, markers, stakes, flags, and
other aids to the safe operation of watercraft upon public
waters. Each safety device must be approved by the United
States Coast Guard and recommended by the United States
Coast 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 with
foreign nations and other states in areas concerning the operation and
inspection of boats carrying passengers for hire from foreign nations
and 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 to
implement this article concerning the following:
(1) Applications for and the issuance of permits and certificates
required by this article.
(2) The conduct of watercraft races.
(3) Standards of safety for boats used to carry passengers for
hire, the determination of the maximum weight that may safely
be carried on boats, and the inspection of boats.
(4) The safe operation of watercraft upon public water where
unusual conditions or hazards exist, such as any of the
following:
(A) An obstruction in or along public water.
(B) Watercraft traffic congestion.
(C) A beach, boat launch, marina, dam, spillway, or other
recreational facility on or adjacent to public water.
(5) The placement, location, and maintenance of the following
structures upon public water:
(A) Buoys.
(B) Markers.
(C) Flags.
(D) Devices that are used for the purposes of swimming or
extending the use of water skis, water sleds, or aquaplanes.
(6) The establishment of zones where the use of watercraft may
be 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 organized
activities or tournaments.
(b) In a rule adopted under subsection (a)(4) or (a)(6), the
department may establish a zone where:
(1) the operation of all or some types of watercraft is
prohibited;
(2) particular activities are restricted or prohibited; or
(3) a limitation is placed on the speed at which a watercraft may
be 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 with
respect to a rule adopted under section 3(a)(4) or 3(a)(5) of this
chapter shall be held in the affected locality. A notice of the time and
place of the hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general
circulation 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 vary
from equipment and operational standards specified in this article
with respect to water over which Indiana has concurrent jurisdiction
with 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 C
infraction.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8.