SF3814

Purpose

The bill changes who is considered an “adult operator” of a motorboat or personal watercraft by updating the official definition in Minnesota law. It modifies Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 86B.30, subdivision 3.

Main Provisions

• Redefines “Adult operator” to include a motorboat operator, including a personal watercraft operator, who is 12 years old or older and who was born on or after certain dates. The definition is implemented in a staged way with different birth-year cutoffs and dates.
• Staged effective dates and birth-year cutoffs:
  • Effective July 1, 2025: born on or after July 1, 2004
  • Effective July 1, 2026: born on or after July 1, 2000
  • Effective July 1, 2027: born on or after July 1, 1996
  • Effective July 1, 2028: born on or after July 1, 1987

Significance and Changes to Law

• The definition of “adult operator” is expanded and scheduled to broaden over time to include people born more recently, with four separate phased dates.
• This is a change to the existing law that sets who can be considered an adult motorboat or personal watercraft operator, potentially affecting licensing, operation rules, and safety requirements for these vessels.

Implementation Details

• The changes are limited to the definition within Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 86B.30, subdivision 3, specifically Subdivision 3, labeled “Adult operator.”
• The four-phase implementation ties eligibility to both age (12 years or older) and the specific birth-year windows listed above, with the corresponding dates when those birth-year groups become considered adult operators.

Potential Impacts (what could change for people and activities)

• Over time, more people who are younger or born more recently would be classified as “adult operators” for motorboats and personal watercraft, according to the birth-year schedule.
• Could influence who is allowed to operate these vessels without additional restrictions, depending on how “adult operator” interacts with other rules in the statute (not detailed here).

Relevant Terms - adult operator - motorboat operator - personal watercraft operator - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 86B.30 subdivision 3 - Subd.3.Adult operator - 12 years of age or older - born on or after July 1, 2004 - born on or after July 1, 2000 - born on or after July 1, 1996 - born on or after July 1, 1987 - effective dates: July 1, 2025; July 1, 2026; July 1, 2027; July 1, 2028