Relating to the use of personal flotation devices on personal watercraft

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 22, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 28, 2025
Done: Senate committeeMarch 6, 2025
Done: Passes the SenateMarch 9, 202629–17
Done: House committeeMarch 18, 2026
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Became SF 548 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 548 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to the use of personal flotation devices on personal watercraft. The bill requires all persons on board a personal watercraft to wear a personal flotation device. The bill provides an exception to the personal flotation device requirement when the person is at least years of age and the personal watercraft is traveling at miles per hour or less or is in a no-wake zone. Under current administrative rules, all operators and passengers of personal watercraft must wear a specified personal flotation device.

Read the full explanation

A “personal watercraft” means a vessel, less than feet in length, which is propelled by a water jet pump or similar machinery as its primary source of motor propulsion and is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than being operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling inside the vessel. A person in violation of the personal flotation device requirement is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $30.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Senate subcommittee

Named January 28, 2025. On January 29, 2025 it recommended amendment and passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§462A.9

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

0 for · 0 against · 6 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

91st General Assembly

SF 108Renumbered SF 548Passed a chamberfrom SF 108

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.