In an effort to better ensure the safety of Hoosiers on public freshwater lakes, State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) has introduced a piece of legislation aimed at setting forth precise guidelines for those engaging in high-wake water sports. The bill, titled House Bill 1062, specifically proposes to restrict wake surfing activities from sunset to sunrise, citing the dangers of limited visibility during night hours. "Wake surfing at night with limited visibility is incredibly dangerous," Abbott stressed in a statement obtained by Indiana House Republicans.
Along with House Bill 1062, Abbott co-authored House Bill 1077, which establishes safety rules for motorboats and towing. The bills aim to reduce accidents and improve visibility for water sports participants. Abbott said the growing popularity of boating makes consistent regulations necessary to keep Hoosiers safe.
House Bill 1062 has passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee and will move to the full House for consideration. If approved, it would establish clear rules to reduce accidents and keep Indiana’s lakes safe for all users.
As more Hoosiers use state lakes in summer, Abbott says legislative efforts like House Bill 1077 help promote recreational safety. “Indiana's lakes play an important role in family recreation during the hot summer months,” Abbott said, as reported by Indiana House Republicans. HB 1077 encourages safe, responsible water activities. Updates on these bills are available at iga.in.gov.
