Bill S.224 seeks to improve the management and regulation of public waters in Vermont, particularly in relation to municipalities and wakeboats. It empowers municipalities to regulate public waters that are sources for their public water systems, contingent upon their ownership or control of the surrounding private land. The bill also requires wakeboat owners to designate a "home lake" for their operations during the year, limiting their use to that lake unless the boat undergoes decontamination before being moved to another waterbody. Additionally, it allows aquatic nuisance inspection stations to operate at state fishing access areas in accordance with federal regulations.

The legislation introduces new definitions for "wakeboat" and sets forth operational guidelines, including decontamination protocols and the requirement for identification decals. It amends existing laws related to fishing tournaments, stipulating that applications must be submitted on a form from the Commissioner, detailing access points and permissions for private right-of-way use. The bill also specifies conditions for granting special permits for group access area use, establishes a maximum speed limit of 15 miles per hour in access areas, and clarifies that fishing tournaments on the Connecticut River do not require a permit if they do not utilize a Vermont access area. The act is designed to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 10-1424, 10-1422, 4-1102(b), 4-1102, 10-1454(d), 10-1454, 10-4145, 10-4613