TennesseeHB 0940114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 69, Chapter 9, relative to personal watercraft.

Sponsored By: Karen D. Camper (Democrat)

Became Law

Boats, Boating

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Rules for kids using personal watercraft

Beginning January 1, 2027, Tennessee sets clear age rules for personal watercraft. Children under 12 may not operate unless an adult is close enough to take immediate control. Ages 12–13 may operate Monday through Friday, but not on state legal holidays. At other times, they may operate only with direct adult supervision. Ages 14 and older may operate at any time allowed by law. The operator must be able to take immediate control of the vessel. “Direct supervision” means an adult is close enough to take immediate control.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Karen D. Camper
Democrat • House

Cosponsors

Caleb Hemmer
Democrat • House
Jason Powell
Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 235 • No: 32

House vote • 2/23/2026

FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT # 3 2/23/2026

Yes: 82 • No: 7

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 2/12/2026

Yes: 27 • No: 4

House vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2025

Yes: 72 • No: 15

House vote • 4/21/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 25 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2025

HOUSE AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote • 3/19/2025

HOUSE AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Pub. Ch. 584
3/16/2026
Effective date(s) 01/01/2027
3/16/2026
Signed by Governor.
3/6/2026
Signed by Senate Speaker
2/26/2026Senate
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
2/26/2026House
Signed by H. Speaker
2/25/2026House
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
2/25/2026House
H. concurred in S. am. no. 3 Ayes 82, Nays 7 PNV 0 HB0940
2/23/2026House
H. Placed on Message Calendar for 2/23/2026
2/19/2026House
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
2/12/2026Senate
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0440)
2/12/2026Senate
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 3 - SA0470)
2/12/2026Senate
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0247)
2/12/2026Senate
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 27, Nays 4
2/12/2026Senate
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0217)
4/22/2025House
H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0518)
4/22/2025House
Sponsor(s) Added.
4/22/2025House
Passed H., as am., Ayes 72, Nays 15, PNV 3
4/22/2025House
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/22/2025House
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/22/2025Senate
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/17/2025House
Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/17/2025
4/17/2025House
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/17/2025House
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025
4/17/2025House
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/21/2025
4/17/2025House

Bill Text

HA0518 (Substitute)
4/22/2025
PDF
Enrolled / Public Chapter
PDF
Fiscal Note
PDF
HA0217
PDF
Introduced
PDF
SA0247
PDF
SA0440
PDF
SA0470
PDF

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