WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 918

Boats, Boating - As introduced, increases from 12 to 16, the minimum age for operating a personal watercraft without direct adult supervision; requires persons operating personal watercraft to maintain financial responsibility in the same amounts applicable to motor vehicles. - Amends TCA Title 69, Chapter 9.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Heidi Campbell

Raises personal watercraft operator minimum age to 16 without supervision and requires operators to maintain motor vehicle-equivalent liability insurance.

Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 2/3/2026
#boating #boats
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 918

Legislative bill overview

SB 918 raises the minimum age for operating personal watercraft (jet skis) without adult supervision from 12 to 16 years old and requires PWC operators to carry financial responsibility insurance equivalent to motor vehicle requirements. The bill modifies Tennessee's boating regulations under Title 69, Chapter 9.

Why is this important

Personal watercraft accidents involving minors have resulted in injuries and fatalities, making safety regulations a public health consideration. Insurance requirements create financial accountability for operators and ensure victims have recourse for damages, similar to automotive regulations. This aligns Tennessee's PWC rules with safety standards in other states.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden on operators: Insurance requirements may increase recreational boating expenses for families and younger operators, potentially reducing accessibility to water recreation
  • Age restriction scope: Raising the minimum from 12 to 16 is substantial; opponents may argue it unnecessarily restricts teenagers' independence or that supervised operation by 12-year-olds is adequately safe
  • Enforcement and compliance: Monitoring insurance requirements on waterways presents practical enforcement challenges compared to road-based vehicle registration systems

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.