An Act relative to wakesurfing
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 6/18/2026 | Senate | Accompanied a study order, see S3126↗ |
| 5/27/2026 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 06/08/2026 from 09:00 AM-12:00 PM in Written Testimony Only |
| 5/26/2026 | House | House concurred |
| 4/1/2026 | Senate | Referred to the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security |
| 4/1/2026 | Senate | Rules suspended |
| 12/11/2025 | Senate | Referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently |
No additional cosponsors.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J40 | Suspend Rules | — |
| J22 | Accompanied | — |
| Bill | Title | Status |
|---|---|---|
| S3126 | Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to make an investigation and study of a certain current Senate documents relative to wakesurfing. | Active |
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
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.
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.”
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.”