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86B.303

Statute ID: 20089

Operate personal watercraft or other motorboats

In Effect

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Details are only available for Penalty and Charging Statutes.

Statute Number:

86B.303

Enactment Date:

May 24, 2023

Effective Date:

Jul 1, 2025

Expiration Date:

Repealed?:

Summary Text:

Operate personal watercraft or other motorboats

Statute ID:

20089

Created:

May 29, 2025 by mnjis.legal.analyst@state.mn.us

Updated:

May 29, 2025 by mnjis.legal.analyst@state.mn.us

Last Update Action:

Added

Legal Analyst Comment:

2023 c 60 art 4 s 25

Summary Text:

Operate personal watercraft or other motorboats

Link to MN Statute Text:

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/86B/303.html

Legislative Session:

2023 - Regular

Session Law Text?:

Statute text last updated on:

Dec 11, 2025

Subdivision 1.
An adult operator may not operate a motorboat, including a personal watercraft, unless:

(1) the adult operator possesses a valid watercraft operator's permit;

(2) the adult operator is an exempt operator; or

(3) an accompanying operator is in the motorboat.

Subdivision 1.
An adult operator may not operate a motorboat, including a personal watercraft, unless:

(1) the adult operator possesses a valid watercraft operator's permit;

(2) the adult operator is an exempt operator; or

(3) an accompanying operator is in the motorboat.

Subd. 2.
 (a) A young operator may not operate a personal watercraft or any motorboat powered by a motor with a factory rating of more than 75 horsepower.

(b) A young operator may operate a motorboat that is not a personal watercraft and that is powered by a motor with a factory rating of less than 75 horsepower if an accompanying operator is in the motorboat.

Subd. 2.
 (a) A young operator may not operate a personal watercraft or any motorboat powered by a motor with a factory rating of more than 75 horsepower.

(b) A young operator may operate a motorboat that is not a personal watercraft and that is powered by a motor with a factory rating of less than 75 horsepower if an accompanying operator is in the motorboat.

Subd. 3.
For purposes of this section and section 169A.20, an accompanying operator, as well as the actual operator, is operating and is in physical control of a motorboat.

Subd. 4.
An owner or other person in lawful control of a motorboat may not allow the motorboat to be operated contrary to this section.

Subd. 5.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, a person of any age may operate a motorboat that is not a personal watercraft that is powered by a motor with a factory rating of 25 horsepower or less without possessing a valid watercraft operator's permit and without an accompanying operator in the motorboat.