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Bill > SB0918
TN SB0918
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 69, Chapter 9, relative to personal watercraft.
summary
Introduced
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
114th General Assembly
Bill Summary
As introduced, increases from 12 to 16, the minimum age for operating a personal watercraft without direct adult supervision; requires persons operating personal watercraft to maintain financial responsibility in the same amounts applicable to motor vehicles. - Amends TCA Title 69, Chapter 9.
AI Summary
This bill makes two key changes to Tennessee's personal watercraft laws: First, it increases the minimum age for operating a personal watercraft without direct adult supervision from 12 to 16 years old, which means younger teens will now need an adult present to operate a personal watercraft independently. Second, the bill requires personal watercraft owners and operators to maintain financial responsibility, specifically by carrying proof of insurance in the same amounts required for motor vehicles (as specified in Tennessee Code § 55-12-102(12)(D)(i)). This financial responsibility provision aims to ensure that personal watercraft operators have adequate insurance coverage in case of accidents or damages. The bill will take effect in two stages: the age requirement change will be immediate upon becoming law, while the financial responsibility requirement will go into effect on July 1, 2025, giving owners and operators time to obtain the necessary insurance.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 1/13/2026 (on 04/21/2025)
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0918&ga=114 |
| Amendment 2-0 to SB0918 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Amend/SA0440.pdf |
| Fiscal Memo for SA0440 (7831) | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/FM1368.pdf |
| Amendment 1-0 to SB0918 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Amend/SA0247.pdf |
| Fiscal Memo for SA0247 (5297) | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/FM0663.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - HB0940 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/HB0940.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/SB0918.pdf |
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