Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SB481: Prohibit motorboats and motorized watercraft on Class 2 waters
Status: Failed, May 23, 2025
What the bill says
A bill for an act entitled: "an act prohibiting the use of a motorboat or a personal watercraft on class ii waters; and amending section 23-2-302, mca.".
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF A MOTORBOAT OR A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ON CLASS II WATERS; AND AMENDING SECTION 23-2-302, MCA." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: Section 1. Section 23-2-302, MCA, is amended to read: "23-2-302. Recreational use permitted -- limitations -- exceptions. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) through (5) (6), all surface waters that are capable of recreational use may be so used by the public without regard to the ownership of the land underlying the waters. (2) The right of the public to make recreational use of surface waters does not include, without permission or contractual arrangement with the landowner: (a) the operation of all-terrain vehicles or other motorized vehicles not primarily designed for operation upon the water; (b) the recreational use of surface waters in a stock pond or other private impoundment fed by an intermittently flowing natural watercourse; (c) the recreational use of waters while diverted away from a natural water body for beneficial use pursuant to Title 85, chapter 2, part 2 or 3, except for impoundments or diverted waters to which the owner has provided public access; (d) big game hunting; (e) overnight camping unless it is necessary for the enjoyment of the surface water and the campsite is not …
Sponsors
- Galt, Wylie (R, 39) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (S) Died in Process
- : (S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
- : (S) Tabled in Committee
- : (S) Referred to Committee
- : (S) 1st Reading
- : (S) Introduced
- : (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- : (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- : (LC) Draft in Assembly
- : (LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
Subjects: Water
Common questions
- What is SB481?
- SB481 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Prohibit motorboats and motorized watercraft on Class 2 waters.
- What does SB481 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act prohibiting the use of a motorboat or a personal watercraft on class ii waters; and amending section 23-2-302, mca.".
- What is the status of SB481?
- Failed as of May 23, 2025. Latest action: (S) Died in Process (May 23, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB481?
- Galt, Wylie (R, 39).
- Where is the official record for SB481?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1951
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.