Bill
HB 1062
Sets daytime and small-lake limits on wakeboarding and wakesurfing on public freshwater lakes, plus penalties for violations.
Jurisdiction: Indiana
Session: 2026
Status: Enacted as Public Law (signed March 12, 2026)
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
Purpose and Intent
- Establishes regulatory definitions and restrictions for wake boarding and wake surfing on public freshwater lakes.
- Creates penalties (Class C infractions) for violations and applies certain restrictions to wake activities on small lakes.
Key Provisions
1) Definitions (new statutory terms)
- Wake Boarding (Section 301.1):
- Means either (a) towed on a short board across a wake by a motorboat (with or without foot bindings), or (b) operating a motorboat that creates a wake intended to tow a person on such a board.
- Wake Surfing (Section 301.4):
- Means either (a) surfing a wake (whether or not towing by a rope), or (b) operating a motorboat that creates a wake intended to be surfed by another person.
- Public Freshwater Lake (Section 222): Maintains existing meaning under IC 14-26-2-3 for purposes of the affected chapters.
2) Time-of-Day Restriction (new Section 8.1)
- Prohibits operating a motorboat on a public freshwater lake for wakeboarding or wake surfing between sunset and sunrise.
3) Small Lake Speed and Activity Restrictions (amended Chapter IC 14-15-3)
- Speed limit on small lakes (new Section 10(a)):
- A motorboat on a small lake may not exceed 10 miles per hour, subject to exemptions under Section 11.
- Wakeboarding/Wake Surfing prohibition on small lakes (new Section 10(b)):
- A person may not operate a motorboat on a small lake while engaging in wakeboarding or wake surfing unless within the time and day speed exemption granted under Section 11.
4) Transitional/Applicability Provisions
- Section 11.1: A rule adopted under Section 11 (existing rulemaking authority) before July 1, 2026, applies to wake boarding and wake surfing.
5) Penalties and Violations
- Violations of wakeboarding/wake surfing provisions (and related restrictions on wake activities) are classified as Class C infractions.
- Taxonomy of violations references various sections of the chapter (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 8.1, 9, 10, 14-30) as applicable.
- Class C infractions carry a maximum fine of $500, with associated court costs.
6) Related Administrative/Enforcement Impacts
- Department of Natural Resources (DNR) enforcement responsibilities to implement and enforce wakeboarding and wakesurfing provisions on public freshwater lakes.
- Local trial courts and law enforcement agencies will handle enforcement and adjudication of Class C infractions.
Background and Legislative Path
- Introduced in the 2026 session; passed the Senate and House with amendments, and was signed into law as Public Law 154 on March 12, 2026.
- Primary sponsors: Rep. Abbott (with co-sponsors Isa, Heine, Jackson C, Glick in the Senate).
Potential Impact
Notes for Readers
- The bill amends IC 14-8-2, adds new definitions to IC 14-8-2, and makes targeted amendments to IC 14-15-3.
- It applies specifically to wakeboarding and wakesurfing on public freshwater lakes, with additional limits for small lakes.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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