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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Bill Authorizes Rules Restricting Large Motorboats on Lakes to Idle Mode
Last action · January 30, 2026: To Natural ResourcesSponsors: Tom Takubo and 1 other
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What This Bill Proposed
West Virginia Senate Bill 682 authorizes the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to promulgate rules restricting motorboats with engines larger than 9.9 horsepower to operating in on 9.9 horsepower lakes and to impose fines for violations.
Boaters operating engines larger than 9.9 horsepower on designated 9.9 horsepower lakes face new operational restrictions and potential fines if rules are adopted.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
motorboat operators
Motorboat operators with engines larger than 9.9 horsepower may be restricted to idle mode on designated lakes and subject to fines for violations.
Key Facts
- The Director of the Division of Natural Resources is authorized to promulgate rules restricting motorboats with engines larger than 9.9 horsepower to operating in idle mode on 9.9 horsepower lakes.
- The rules established by the director shall provide the authority to impose fines on the operators of motorboats violating the rules.
- Vessels on state waters remain subject to lighting, equipment, ventilation, and navigation rules contained in federal navigation laws and rules promulgated by the United States Coast Guard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changes for motorboat operators under Senate Bill 682?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in Senate committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Jan 30, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Natural Resources
- Jan 30, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced in Senate
- Jan 30, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Natural Resources
- Jan 30, 2026SenateIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 40)
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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