North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina S587: Wake Surfing Safely.
Status: Introduced, June 17, 2026
What the bill says
An act to prohibit wake surfing within two hundred feet of the shoreline, structures, certain other watercraft, and swimmers.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROHIBIT WAKE SURFING WITHIN TWO HUNDRED FEET OF THE SHORELINE, STRUCTURES, CERTAIN OTHER WATERCRAFT, AND SWIMMERS. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. Article 1 of Chapter 75A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 75A-13.4. No wake surfing within 200 feet of shoreline, structures, other watercraft, or swimmers. (a) No person may engage in wake surfing within 200 feet of the shoreline or any structure, moored vessel, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or swimmer. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) in addition to any other punishment prescribed for that offense. (b) For purposes of this section, "wake surfing" means the operation of a motorboat to which weight has been added in the stern via water-filled tanks or other ballasts for the purpose of creating an artificially enlarged wake that is or is intended to be surfed by another person behind the motorboat." SECTION 2. This act becomes effective December 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date. *S587-v-3*
Sponsors
- Lazzara, Michael A. (R, 6) · primary sponsor
- Sawrey, Benton G. (R, 10) · primary sponsor
- Alexander, W. Ted (R, 44)
- Galey, Amy S. (R, 25)
- Johnson, Todd (R, 35)
- Jones, Dana (R, 31)
- Sawyer, Vickie (R, 37)
Latest actions
- : Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
- : Withdrawn From Cal
- : Placed On Cal For 06/17/2026
- : Withdrawn From Cal
- : Placed On Cal For 06/16/2026
- : Withdrawn From Com
- : Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
- : Regular Message Received For Concurrence in H Com Sub
- : Regular Message Sent To Senate
- : Passed 3rd Reading
Votes
- Wake Surfing Safely. Second Reading (June 10, 2026): 110 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Clarify Nonconforming Uses. Second Reading (May 7, 2025): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Clarify Nonconforming Uses. Amendment 1 (May 7, 2025): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: PROPERTY, PLANNING & ZONING, CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, CONSTRUCTION, LANDOWNERS, PUBLIC
Common questions
- What is S587?
- S587 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Wake Surfing Safely.
- What does S587 do?
- In its own words: An act to prohibit wake surfing within two hundred feet of the shoreline, structures, certain other watercraft, and swimmers.
- What is the status of S587?
- Introduced as of June 17, 2026. Latest action: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (June 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored S587?
- Lazzara, Michael A. (R, 6), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S587?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S587
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.