Senate Bill 146 would prohibit wake surfing on Lake Glenville in Jackson County under specified safety conditions. The bill defines wake surfing as operating a motorboat with added ballast to create an enlarged wake intended to be surfed by a person being towed behind the boat. It bars wake surfing within 500 feet of the shoreline or within 500 feet of any structure, moored vessel, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or swimmer.
The bill also makes a violation a Class 1 misdemeanor and requires a minimum fine of $100, in addition to any other punishment allowed by law. It applies only to the waters of Lake Glenville and would take effect October 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.
Impact
S146 would create a localized boating restriction for Lake Glenville by adding a new criminal offense tied to wake surfing near shorelines, vessels, and swimmers. It would affect boat operators, wake surf participants, and others using the lake, while giving enforcement authority to Wildlife Resources Commission officers, sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and other peace officers with general subject matter jurisdiction. The bill would not broadly change statewide boating law, but would add a lake-specific rule and penalty within North Carolina’s existing enforcement framework.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcripts or recorded votes, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the materials provided. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to be framed as a safety and nuisance-control proposal focused on protecting shoreline users and nearby watercraft from the hazards associated with wake surfing. Because the bill is narrowly tailored to one lake, it suggests a localized concern rather than a statewide policy dispute.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is the restriction on wake surfing itself, particularly the 500-foot buffer that could limit where the activity may occur on Lake Glenville. Supporters would likely emphasize safety for swimmers, paddlers, moored vessels, and shoreline property, while opponents may argue that the bill unduly restricts recreational boating and targets a specific sport. Another possible issue is enforcement and criminalization, since the bill makes violations a misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum fine, which may be seen as a strong penalty for a local recreation rule.