3104

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 669

Approved May 28, 1985.

CHAPTER 670

(House Bill 1004)

AN ACT concerning

State Boat Act - Abandoned Vessel

FOR the purpose of defining certain terms; authorizing the
Department of Natural Resources to seize and take custody of
certain vessels and to be relieved of liability if a vessel
is damaged during seizure and State custody; authorizing the
Department to dispose of an abandoned vessel if it is not
claimed within a certain period of time after certain notice
is sent to the last known owner and any secured party or in
certain circumstances after a newspaper notice is published;
authorizing the Department to dispose of certain vessels
without notice; authorizing the Department to delegate
certain authority to the counties; changing the misdemeanor
offense of abandonment of a vessel from a crime of a
specific or willful intent to a crime of general intent;
creating a presumption that the last registered owner of a
vessel is prima facie the owner and the person who abandoned
it; and generally relating to the seizure, removal, and
disposal of abandoned vessels by the Department of Natural
Resources.

BY adding to

Article - Natural Resources

Section 8-721

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1983 Replacement Volume and 1984 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Natural   Resources

Section 8-725.1

Annotated Code of  Maryland

(1983 Replacement  Volume and 1984 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

8-721.