Merski champions bipartisan update to boat laws, secures passage of H.B. 1418
Rep. Robert Merski October 6, 2025 | 3:39 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 06 – With growing numbers of e-foils and jetboards on Pennsylvania waters, state Rep. Bob Merski, D-Erie, secured House passage of H.B. 1418, a bipartisan measure that clarifies which electric boards qualify as personal watercraft and sets commonsense safety and equipment standards.
House Bill 1418 would update Pennsylvania’s boating laws to address the rapid rise of electric-powered personal watercraft, including e-foils and jetboards, by aligning state rules with U.S. Coast Guard policy and establishing clear safety, registration, and education requirements to keep the Commonwealth’s waterways safe and accessible.
The bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by Merski and state Rep. Zachary Mako, R-Lehigh/Northampton, modernizes outdated language and explicitly clarifies which emerging motorized boards are treated as personal watercraft under state law. The bill would require operators to carry vessel registration, mandate Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices during operation, and set minimum onboard equipment standards such as a fire extinguisher, a sound-producing device, and proper navigation lighting.
It also would empower the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to require boating safety education for operators and require manufacturers to meet engine cut-off switch standards or obtain Coast Guard exemptions.
“With the House’s passage of H.B. 1418, Pennsylvania is catching up with new technology and making our waterways safer for everyone,” Merski said. “This bipartisan bill sets straightforward rules for registration, required safety equipment, and operator education while preserving recreational opportunities on our lakes and rivers.”
This bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.