32-1115. Identification numbers; unlawful acts. (a) No person shall:

(1) Intentionally deface, destroy, remove or alter any hull identification number required for a vessel, without written authorization from the secretary.

(2) Place or stamp any serial number upon a vessel other than a number assigned to the vessel by the secretary.

(b) It shall be unlawful to sell, barter, exchange or possess any vessel if the original hull identification number has been destroyed, removed, altered or defaced.

(c) This section does not prohibit:

(1) The restoration of the original hull identification number by an owner of a vessel when the restoration of such number is authorized by the secretary.

(2) Any manufacturer from placing numbers or marks in the ordinary course of business upon new vessels or parts of vessels.

(d) Any law enforcement officer having knowledge of a vessel with a hull identification number that has been destroyed, removed, altered or defaced may seize and take possession of such vessel and may arrest the owner or custodian thereof and cause prosecution to be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(e) The secretary, upon request, shall assign a hull identification number to any handmade vessel.

(f) Any person who knowingly violates any provision of subsection (a) or (b) shall be guilty of a class A nonperson misdemeanor.

History: L. 2006, ch. 85, § 8; January 1, 2007.