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Montana committee hears debate over allowing towed water sports at night
Summary
Supporters told the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee modern boats and illuminated gear make wake-surfing at night feasible; Fish, Wildlife and Parks opposed the bill on safety grounds, warning of reduced visibility and enforcement challenges. The committee later tabled HB 930 in executive action.
Representative (bill sponsor) brought House Bill 930 to the committee to allow tow‑towed water sports — wakeboarding, water skiing, and wake surfing — after dark under restrictions. "What house bill 9 30 does is allows for water sports at night," the sponsor told the committee and said an amendment would limit towing to 15 miles per hour and require riders to wear illuminated life jackets.
A proponent, Brad Longcake, said modern wake boats have powerful underwater and tower lighting that make night surfing visible and family‑friendly. "You can see me for miles on the water," Longcake said, arguing the boats’ built‑in navigation and decorative lighting, plus illuminated life jackets, would make evening recreation safe.
But Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) testified in opposition. Ron Howell, FWP chief of law enforcement, said the agency objects to HB 930 "based solely on safety," noting that "nighttime significantly reduces visual range and depth perception, making it more difficult to spot obstructions" and that submerged hazards and multi‑boat towing scenarios raise collision risk. Enforcement concerns also factored: Enforcement Division Captain Phil Kilbreth explained the required vessel lights at night — a 360‑degree stern light plus red and green sidelights — and said wardens do not routinely have radar guns to precisely enforce a 15 mph towing cap.
Committee members pressed sponsors and FWP on several points: how a 15 mph limit would be verified (sponsors pointed to boat GPS systems; FWP noted limited enforcement tools from shore), whether extra decorative lighting is legal (Kilbreth said law is not explicit about lights beyond the required navigation lights), and whether illuminated life jackets and beacons are available and reliable. Both sides agreed that lower speeds reduce risk, but FWP maintained that eliminating nighttime prohibition could increase serious accidents and complaints.
The committee did not vote during the hearing. In later executive action the committee moved HB 930 to the table.
