MontanaHB 46869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Generally revise laws related to watercraft.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Safer rules for jet ski riders

If you operate or ride a personal watercraft, you must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. If your craft has a lanyard engine cutoff, attach it to you or your jacket. Stay at no‑wake speed within 200 feet of docks, swimmers, anchored boats, and nonmotorized boats, with limited exceptions. Do not operate on waters the commission restricts or operate recklessly.

200-foot safety zone around divers

Do not run a motorboat within 200 feet of a buoy or tow‑float that shows a diver‑down symbol. You may enter the zone by sail or oar. In an emergency or if water is too shallow to go around, you may use power at no‑wake speed and must be able to prove it. The Fish and Wildlife Commission can set places where a 200‑foot diver zone is not allowed.

Higher threshold to report boat accidents

You must report a boating accident right away if it causes death, disappearance, injury, or more than $2,000 in property damage. Report to the county sheriff or a game warden and use the standard form. The property‑damage threshold rose from $100 to $2,000.

Right-of-way and buffer zones for boats

Steer to the right when meeting head‑on and pass on the other boat’s left. Yield if another boat is on your starboard side, and if you are overtaking. Motorboats must yield to sailboats when collision is possible. Do not block usual boat passageways. Stay at least 20 feet outside clearly marked swimming areas and 75 feet from people fishing or hunting; if you cannot avoid it, go no‑wake or the slowest speed needed to move upstream. Owners of swimming areas must mark them with white buoys with international orange markings.

Boat registration, numbers, and decal rules

You must get a state certificate and boat numbers, and show valid registration and validation decals to use Montana waters. Apply and pay the fee at your county treasurer. File a new application within 40 days after a sale, and tell the county if your address changes. Put numbers and decals in the required size and spots, and keep a pocket-size certificate on board for inspection. If you run a rental livery, carry the rental agreement on each motorboat instead of the certificate. After a purchase, you may run the boat for 40 days with a temporary permit. The fine for missing validation decals cannot be more than the court’s cost.

More boating facility funding and council ended

The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks uses motorboat account money to improve, run, and maintain boating facilities and may match federal funds when possible. The law repeals the boating advisory council, ending its formal role. The department must reimburse the Department of Justice for programming costs tied to this section that were spent in fiscal year 2005.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Steven Kelly
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Denley Loge
Republican • Senate
Greg Hertz
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 290 • No: 2

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 2

House vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 45 • No: 0

House vote • 2/25/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

House vote • 2/24/2025