IndianaIndiana bars overnight motorboat use for wake boarding and surfing on public freshwater lakes
Since July 1, 2026, motorboat operators have faced an overnight ban on public freshwater lakes and speed exemption limits on small lakes when wake boarding or surfing.
What it does
People may not operate a motorboat for wake boarding or wake surfing on a public freshwater lake between sunset and sunrise.
On small lakes, people may operate motorboats for wake boarding or surfing only while a speed exemption for that lake is in effect. Earlier exemption rules also apply.
Violating either the nighttime restriction or the small lake rule is a Class C infraction.
Argument forBarring wake boarding and surfing from sunset to sunrise may reduce nighttime risks for people on public freshwater lakes.
Argument againstPeople may be unable to wake board or surf on a small lake at their preferred time, and a violation could bring an infraction.
More detail
A person may not operate a motorboat on a public freshwater lake for wake boarding or wake surfing from sunset to sunrise. Wake boarding includes being towed on a short board or operating the boat that tows the rider. Wake surfing includes surfing the boat's wake or operating the boat that makes a wake for someone to surf. This restriction took effect July 1, 2026.
A person may not operate a motorboat on a small lake for wake boarding or wake surfing unless a speed exemption for that lake is in effect. This rule applies to motorboat operators wake boarding or wake surfing on a small lake. Rules adopted under section 11 before July 1, 2026, apply to wake boarding and wake surfing. The rule took effect July 1, 2026.
A person who violates the nighttime or small lake wake boarding and wake surfing rules commits a Class C infraction. This penalty applies to violations of the nighttime rule and the small lake rule. The penalty provisions took 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
- Mar 12Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Mar 12Public Law 154Major
- Mar 5Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 24Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 23Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 20Returned to the House without amendmentsMinor
- Feb 19Third reading: passed; Roll Call 199: yeas 34, nays 11Passed Senate
- Vote recorded HB 1062 - Glick - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 10Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 26First reading: referred to Committee on Natural ResourcesMinor
- Jan 23Referred to the SenateMinor
- Jan 22Senate sponsor: Senator Glick
- Vote recorded HB 1062 - Abbott - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Third reading: passed; Roll Call 68: yeas 77, nays 19Passed House
- Jan 20Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 14Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- 2025
- Dec 5First reading: referred to Committee on Natural ResourcesMinor
- Dec 5Coauthored by Representatives Isa, Heine, Jackson C
- Dec 5Authored by Representative AbbottIntroduced
Public Safety