Indiana Senate Bill Supported by Boating Industry
Indiana’s Senate Bill 187 (SB 187), introduced by Senator Susan Glick (R-13), passed in the state Senate last week with a vote of 40-6. SB 187 has the broad support of the recreational boating industry, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA).
This bill is an important step to protecting MRAA member businesses in Indiana and nationwide. Recently, wakesurfing has been scrutinized by a variety of stakeholders and faced proposed regulations to severely restrict the activity. The popularity of wake boats has soared in the last few years and, through shared info from our members, we understand that improved sales figures have also been bolstered by these high-grossing vessels. In an effort to cultivate a member-friendly business environment and assure the fast-growing recreational pastime remains accessible, MRAA and its industry partners are dedicated to advocating for policy to increase user safety.
SB187 will establish important and sensible safety measures, in addition to aligning wakesurfing and wakeboarding with other watersports. SB187 will:
•Clearly and appropriately define the activities of wakeboarding and wakesurfing.
•Prohibit wakeboarding and wakesurfing at night.
•Prohibit wakesurfing behind a vessel in which the propeller extends beyond the transom or swim platform.
•Align the activity of wakesurfing and wakeboarding on small public freshwater lakes (70-300 acres) to be consistent with the lakes speed limit exemption, which will establish unity and consistency among watersports.
•Establish a formal petition process for property owners on public freshwater lakes to petition the Natural Resource Commission (NRC) to adopt additional regulations. Petitions require participation of half the abutting property owners and a public hearing.
The bill, sponsored by Representative David Abbott (R-82), now heads to the House, will be assigned to the Natural Resources Committee and await a hearing. MRAA, alongside WSIA and NMMA, will work alongside the Indiana General Assembly to pass this bill to ensure the needs of the recreational boating industry are met.
Indiana members are encouraged to take action on the industry’s grassroots advocacy platform, Boating United, and write to Indiana lawmakers requesting support for this crucial bill that will keep Indiana’s waters safe for future generations.
Additional information on SB 187 can be viewed here
If you have any additional questions or are interested in getting engaged in Indiana, or your state, email Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager.
