Boats, Boating - As enacted, generally increases from 12 to 14, the age that a person must be to lawfully operate a personal watercraft upon the waters of Tennessee without being under the direct supervision of an adult,, the official text

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                     ~tate of m;ennessee

                          PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 584

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 940

                                 By Representatives Camper, Powell, Hemmer

                                        Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 918

        By Senators Yarbro, Bowling, Haile, Akbari, Campbell, Massey, Reeves, Walley

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

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 69-9-505, is amended by deleting the
section and substituting:

                    (a) It is unlawful for persons under twelve (12) years of age to operate a personal
         watercraft upon the waters of Tennessee unless such person is under the direct
          supervision of an adult.

                    (b) It is lawful for persons twelve (12) years of age and thirteen (13) years of age
         to operate a personal watercraft upon the waters of Tennessee:

                              (1) On Monday through Friday, excepting legal holidays as designated in
                    § 15-1-101; or

                              (2) When under the direct supervision of an adult, at all times permitted
                    by this part.

                    (c) It is lawful for persons fourteen (14) years of age and older to operate a
          personal watercraft upon the waters of Tennessee at all times permitted under this part.

                    (d) As used in this section, "direct supervision" means being in such proximity
          with the operator so as to be able to take immediate control of the vessel.

          SECTION 2. This act takes effect January 1, 2027, the public welfare requiring it.
                    HOUSE BILL NO. 940

PASSED:  February 23, 2026

                                    CA~t=C)W-,EXTON,SPEAKER

                                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                    ~ ~~, :\f¥\.r◄ ~~ ,RA4zN~-o''v•-'M~!l

                                              SPEAKER OF THE ~)

ffiu:c_fb. APPROVED this (,t)._ day of  2026

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BILL LEE, GOVERNOR