IdahoWater-skiing rules permit mirror and time-based exceptions
Boat operators towing water skiers may use a qualifying mirror instead of a separate observer and may operate during specified seasonal periods.
What it does
A boat towing a water skier or similar device may operate without a separate observer if a firmly mounted mirror gives the operator a full view of the person being towed.
The stated exception allows towing during specified early-morning periods from May 15 through September 10 and at any time from September 11 through May 14, subject to safety rules.
Argument forA mirror could let some operators watch a towed skier without another person in the boat, which may make some outings easier to manage.
Argument againstRelying on a mirror instead of a separate observer could make it harder to notice a fallen or endangered skier, even with the required full view.
More detail
A boat operator may avoid having a separate observer on board when a large, firmly mounted mirror provides a full view of the person being towed. This applies to vessels towing a person on water skis or a similar device on Idaho waters. The operator must be able to face the direction of travel and watch the person being towed at all times. The existing exceptions for water-ski schools, authorized tournaments, competitions, exhibitions, and trials remain stated in the provision.
A vessel may receive the stated observer and nighttime-operation exception during specified dates and hours. The provision covers vessels towing people on water skis or similar devices on Idaho waters. From May 15 through September 10, the listed period runs from one hour before sunrise through 9:00 a.m. From September 11 through May 14, the provision states that operation may occur at any time of day. The general rules requiring careful operation, reasonable distance, and avoidance of danger still apply. The time-based periods repeat each year: May 15 through September 10, and September 11 through May 14.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 290 Effective: 04/02/2026Became Law
- Apr 1Delivered to Governor at 4:12 p.m. on April 1, 2026To Governor
- Apr 1Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Apr 1Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Apr 1Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Apr 1Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Mar 31Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 31Read third time in full – PASSED - 32-0-3AYES – Adams, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – NoneAbsent and excused – Anthon, Toews, WintrowFloor Sponsor - LentTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 27Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 26Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 19Introduced, read first time; referred to: Resources & EnvironmentMinor
- Mar 19Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 18Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – PASSED - 66-0-4AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug(Chadwick), Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – NoneAbsent – Crane(13), Hall(Stone), Manwaring, Vander WoudeFloor Sponsor - SauterTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 18Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 17Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 13Reported Printed and Referred to Resources & Conservation
- Mar 12Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
TransportationPublic SafetyGovernment & Ethics