HF 1606

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/28/2022 05:02pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; regulating wake surfing on waters of this state;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 86B.005, by adding subdivisions;
86B.315, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding subdivisions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 86B.005, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 17a. new text end

new text begin Wake surfer. new text end

new text begin "Wake surfer" means a person who wake surfs.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 86B.005, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 17b. new text end

new text begin Wake surf. new text end

new text begin "Wake surf" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) to surf a wake, regardless of whether the surfer is being pulled by a tow rope attached
to the watercraft that is producing the wake; or
new text end

new text begin (2) to operate a boat that creates a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by another
person.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 86B.315, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Observer or mirror required.

A person may not new text begin wake surf on waters
of this state or new text end operate a watercraft on waters of this state deleted text begin and create a wake for a wake
surfer or tow deleted text end new text begin while towing new text end a person on water skis, an aquaplane, a surfboard, a saucer, or
a similar device unless:

(1) there is another person in the watercraft in addition to the operator who is in a position
to continually observe the person being towed; or

(2) the boat is equipped with a mirror providing the operator a wide field of vision to
the rear.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 86B.315, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Prohibited deleted text begin night deleted text end activities.

new text begin (a) new text end On waters of this state, from one-half hour
after sunset to sunrise of the following day, a person may not:

(1) wake surf;

(2) operate a watercraft creating a wake for a wake surfer;

(3) be towed by a watercraft; or

(4) operate a watercraft towing a person on water skis, an aquaplane, a surfboard, a
saucer, or another device.

new text begin (b) On waters of this state, a person may not wake surf on:
new text end

new text begin (1) a lake or bay of 50 acres or less; or
new text end

new text begin (2) a waterway where the waterway is less than 500 feet wide.
new text end

new text begin (c) On waters of this state, a person may not wake surf at greater than slow-no wake
speed within 200 feet of a:
new text end

new text begin (1) shoreline;
new text end

new text begin (2) dock;
new text end

new text begin (3) swimmer;
new text end

new text begin (4) raft used for swimming or diving; or
new text end

new text begin (5) moored, anchored, or nonmotorized watercraft.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 86B.315, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Requirements for wake surf watercraft. new text end

new text begin A person may not wake surf unless
the watercraft used to wake surf is powered with a propeller that is forward of the watercraft's
transom or swim platform or powered by a jet drive.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 86B.315, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin No preemption. new text end

new text begin Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a local
government from regulating wake surfing more than 200 feet from shore in accordance with
this chapter.
new text end