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SB 812MICHIGANSession 2025-2026State Billin committee

Michigan Senate Bill 812 defines wake boats and sets distance and depth limits for wake sport mode

Original title: Watercraft: other; wake boats; define and regulate.

Last action · February 26, 2026: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURESponsor: Rosemary Bayer

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

Senate Bill 812 defines s and wake-enhancing equipment, and prohibits operating a wake boat in in waters less than 20 feet deep or within 500 feet of a shoreline, dock, raft, swimming area, or anchored vessel. The bill also updates definitions for vessel speeds, peace officers, and related maritime terms under the natural resources and environmental protection act.

Why it matters

The measure establishes specific operating boundaries for wake-enhanced watercraft, imposing mandatory distance and depth restrictions that directly affect boat operators and shoreline property owners across Michigan waterways.

Background

Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act governs marine safety, vessel operations, and watercraft regulations across state waters. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Watercraft operators

Boat operators must comply with new definitions, distance buffers, and depth restrictions when operating wake boats.

Directly affected

Shoreline property owners

Property owners experience new 500-foot buffer protections from wake sport operations near docks and shores.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is legally classified as a wake boat under this bill?

A is defined as any vessel equipped with wake-enhancing equipment, which includes wake surf boats, ballasted boats, ballast tanks, ballast bags, compartments, and containers designed to enhance a boat's wake.

How far must a wake boat stay from shore while in wake sport mode?

An operator in must maintain a distance of not less than 500 feet from the shoreline, docks, rafts, bathing areas, and moored or anchored vessels.

Are there water depth restrictions for operating a wake boat in wake sport mode?

Yes, operating a vessel in is prohibited on state waters where the water depth is less than 20 feet.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

Feb 26, 2026SenateCommittee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE
Feb 26, 2026SenateIntroduced
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ROSEMARY BAYER

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.

Connected Entities

Rosemary Bayer, United States Coast Guard

PersonRosemary Bayer“Primary sponsor of Senate Bill 812”Map →

OrganizationUnited States Coast Guard“Federal agency issuing marine documents”Map →

Sources

Open source document

legislature.mi.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy50
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz35
Current news / social attention level

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