IndianaBoaters would follow lake and towing safety rules
If approved, starting July 1, 2026, boaters would follow rules for life jackets, lake traffic, nighttime towing, and safety flags.
What it does
A person towed by a motorboat would have to wear a life jacket.
On inland lakes of at least five acres, boat operators would travel counterclockwise when reasonably possible; Lake Michigan is excluded.
Motorboat operators would not tow people or objects from sunset to sunrise, except when towing a distressed boat.
When a towed person enters the water, motorboat users would watch them and display a bright red or orange flag while preparing to tow or retrieve them.
Argument forPeople being towed may be easier to spot when they enter the water because boat users would need to watch them and display a bright flag.
Argument againstOperators on covered lakes may have less freedom to choose their route because they would need to travel counterclockwise when reasonably possible.
More detail
A person being towed by a motorboat would have to wear a personal flotation device. This applies to a person towed by a motorboat. The section does not apply to sailboards, windsurfing boards, or certain boats used only for competitive racing. This requirement would take effect July 1, 2026.
A person operating a boat on an inland lake would have to travel counterclockwise when reasonably possible. An inland lake must be surrounded by land and cover at least five acres; Lake Michigan is excluded. The direction rule applies only to the extent that traveling counterclockwise is reasonably possible. This rule would take effect July 1, 2026.
A person operating a motorboat would be barred from towing any person or object from sunset to sunrise, except a distressed boat. The restriction applies to a person operating a motorboat and covers towing people or objects. The exception allows towing a distressed boat during those hours. The restriction would take effect July 1, 2026.
A person in a motorboat would have to watch the person being towed and display a water recreation flag when that person enters the water and while preparing to tow or retrieve them. This applies when a person is being towed by a motorboat and enters the water. The flag would need to be bright red or orange, at least 12 inches high and wide, mounted on a handle, and visible from all directions. This requirement would take effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jan 5First reading: referred to Committee on Natural ResourcesLatest
- Jan 5Authored by Representative Heine
- Jan 5Coauthored by Representative AbbottIntroduced
Public SafetyTransportation