as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/27/2020 08:20pm
A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; regulating wake surfing on waters of this state;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 86B.005, by adding subdivisions;
86B.315, subdivision 1, by adding subdivisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 86B.005, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
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"Wake surfer" means a person who wake surfs.
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Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 86B.005, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:
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"Wake surf" means:
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(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
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(2) to operate a boat that creates a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by another
person.
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Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 86B.315, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
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 towdeleted text end new text begin while towingnew 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.
Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 86B.315, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:
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On waters of this state, a person may not wake surf at
greater than slow-no wake speed within 200 feet of a:
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(1) shoreline;
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(2) dock;
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(3) swimmer;
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(4) raft used for swimming or diving; or
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(5) moored, anchored, or nonmotorized watercraft.
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Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 86B.315, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:
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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.
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