Senate panel raises weekend minimum age for personal watercraft to 14

Senate Finance, Ways and Means voted to advance Senate Bill 19-18, which raises the minimum age to operate a personal watercraft on Tennessee waters to 14 on weekends and holidays. The bill, sponsored by Senator Yarbrough, was amended on the floor to align the effective date; the committee then approved the bill as amended by roll call, 7–4, sending it to the calendar committee with a positive recommendation.

Sponsor Senator Yarbrough told the committee the change targets high-traffic weekends and holidays while leaving weekday rules unchanged. "It will raise the age to operate a personal, a personal watercraft on Tennessee body of water to 14 on on the weekends," the sponsor said, noting stakeholders including the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Personal Watercraft Association were consulted. He framed the change as a modest safety step recognizing differences between weekday and weekend lake traffic.

Members asked about supervision requirements, proof of age and enforcement. Legal counsel said the current penalty for violating age restrictions is a class C misdemeanor, with a fine levied or up to 30 days in jail; the counsel also noted a provision that makes an owner who knowingly permits a minor in violation potentially culpable. The committee adopted finance amendment number 2 to adjust the bill's effective date by voice vote, then approved the bill as amended by roll call (7 ayes, 4 noes). The bill will proceed to the calendar committee next.