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S3099 • 2025

An Act relative to wakesurfing

An Act relative to wakesurfing

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Ryan C. Fattman
Last action
2026-06-18
Official status
Accompanied a study order, see S3126
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act relative to wakesurfing

An Act relative to wakesurfing By Mr.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act relative to wakesurfing By Mr.
  • Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No.
  • 3099) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Ryan C.
  • Fattman for legislation to implement fines on motorboat operators engaged in wakesurfing activity in close proximity to the shoreline.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-18 Senate

    Accompanied a study order, see S3126

  2. 2026-05-27 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 06/08/2026 from 09:00 AM-12:00 PM in Written Testimony Only

  3. 2026-05-26 House

    House concurred

  4. 2026-04-01 Senate

    Rules suspended

  5. 2026-04-01 Senate

    Referred to the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

  6. 2025-12-11 Senate

    Referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently

Official Summary Text

An Act relative to wakesurfing
By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 3099) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Ryan C. Fattman for legislation to implement fines on motorboat operators engaged in wakesurfing activity in close proximity to the shoreline. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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Bill S.3099

SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 90B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following new definition:-

“Wakesurfing activity” - an activity that involves using a surfboard, wakeboard or similar device while being propelled by a motorboat's wake or while on or in a motorboat's wake directly behind that motorboat

SECTION 2. Chapter 90B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 9F the following new section:-

“Section 9G. A person may not operate a motorboat engaged in wakesurfing activity in less than 15 feet of water or within 300 feet of the shoreline on waters of the commonwealth. Any person engaging in wakesurfing activity must wear an approved personal flotation device. The division of law enforcement within the department of fisheries and wildlife is hereby authorized and directed to establish an educational safety program for the operation of wakesurfing activity.

SECTION 3. Chapter 90B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 14 the following new section:-

“Section 14A. Any person who violates section 9G shall be subject to a civil fine as follows: not more than $75 for a first offense; not more than $250 for a second offense; and not more than $500 for a third or subsequent offense. Upon a third or subsequent violation, the operator’s boating safety certificate shall be suspended, and the registration of the vessel used in the wakesurfing activity shall be suspended for a period of 90 days.”

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