Many new rules have been put in place for recreational boating. "Recreational boating" means using any kind of watercraft, even seaplanes (as long as they're not flying), to travel (used as transportation) on the water. Some things are not included, like boathouses, floating homes, air mattresses, beach and water toys, and single inner tubes.
Pull the Plug Law and Stopping Aquatic Invasive Species
This law was updated in 2019. It says boat owners must "pull the plug" (a device to keep water out of a hole at the stern of a boat) after leaving the water and while trailering the boat on land.
- Drain any water from places in the boat that can hold water.
- Pull off any weeds from the trailer and motor, and throw them away in a dumpster.
Any invasive plants or animals will stay in the water and won't survive traveling on land. This helps stop them from spreading to other waterways.
This law also works with boat inspection stations at state borders. Law Enforcement can stop drivers who skip these stations. If you pass a station without stopping, you must go back or pay a fine ($1,250 and/or up to 30 days in jail). Not pulling the plug can cost $30 for non-motorized boats or $50 for motorized boats.
The goal is to keep our lakes and rivers safe by teaching boaters to Clean - Drain - Dry and Pull the Plug (get rid of water inside the boat), and to add more inspection stations. Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention.
Boating Safety Education Program Changes
This rule, which has been around for 25 years, says that if you want to drive a boat with a motor greater than 10 hp, you must take a boating safety course first. There is no longer a 60-day exception for new boat buyers or out-of-state visitors. Visitors from other states must:
- Have a boating safety education card from their home state.
- Oregon accepts any NASBLA-approved boating safety education course from other states.
- Washington State boaters who don't need a safety card in their own state must either take a Washington safety course and carry their card, or take an Oregon boating safety education course and carry the Oregon card.
Boating Safety Law Updates
Now, courts and the Marine Board can take away your Boating Safety Education Card for one to three years if you are caught Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants (BUII). If you are cited for reckless boating, your card can be taken away for one year. The rules for reckless boating are now the same as the rules used for cars.
Life Jacket Carriage Requirement
Reduces the fine for not carrying a life jacket from a B violation ($265) to a D violation ($115). If a child 12 or younger is not wearing a life jacket, the citation remains a Class B violation.
Waterway Access Permit Program (SB 47 from 2019, and HB 2982 from 2025)
This law created a dedicated funding account to develop new or improved waterway access for non-motorized boaters. Waterway access grant dollars are awarded to qualifying non-profit organizations offering boating safety education and on-water experiences in underserved communities.
The Waterway Access Permit replaced the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit in 2020 and is required on all boats 10' long and longer—one permit per boat.
Permits are transferable to other paddlecrafts. Youth under 14 do not need a permit.
In 2025, the program was updated to remove the 10-foot length requirement, requiring all paddlecraft (including kayaks, rafts, and SUPs) under 10 feet to purchase and carry a Waterway Access Permit. All of the same provisions and exemptions apply. An exemption was added for whitewater kayakers who paddle in remote, undeveloped areas (as defined by the Marine Board). See the Boat Oregon Online Map and select the Whitewater Exemption layer.
The permit purchasing options for 2026:
- 1 week for $6 (valid for 7 days from the date of purchase)
- 1 calendar year for $20
- 2 calendar years for $35
- Nonresident Aquatic Invasive Species Permit is required for any out-of-state boaters recreating in Oregon. The AIS permit costs $30 and is valid for one calendar year, plus inspection requirements.
Revenue supports boating facility grants for state agencies, local governments, park organizations, and tribal governments for the acquisition of property, leases, or easements for the public to access waterways and the construction and maintenance of boating access facilities. A part of the revenue continues to fund mandatory boat inspection stations and statewide aquatic invasive species prevention efforts in partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Learn more from the Waterway Access Permit FAQ Page.
Boat Rental Business Registration
Boat rental businesses have to sign up with the Marine Board and share basic information about their business and the kinds of boats they rent to people. This rule helps the Marine Board work better with boat rental companies. The Marine Board will give registered businesses safety information to share with customers. This way, people who rent boats can learn important safety tips and how to operate the boat safely. The goal is to keep renters safe and lower the number of accidents and deaths.
Whitewater Helmets
Outfitter Guides must now offer or make available (to buy or rent) a helmet. This applies to any river section with a Class III or higher whitewater rating. Helmet wear is not a requirement.
Federal Life Jacket Labeling Changes
The US Coast Guard has changed how they label life jackets. Now, there are two types: wearable and throwable. Wearable life jackets have a number showing how well they float—the bigger the number, the more they help keep you above water. Always check the label. Both old and new labels show the weight, chest size, and approval number to help you pick the right jacket. If a jacket is not allowed for certain activities, the label will show that with a symbol. Old types of life jackets are still okay to use in Oregon.
If you drive a boat for wakeboarding or wake surfing in the Newberg Pool on the Willamette River (between Roger's Landing and Bernert Landing), you must take a special class called the Towed Watersports Education Course and carry a Towed Watersports Education Card. This card shows police that you know the rules for towing people on the water, how to make safe wakes, and how to prevent accidents. You can get your card by studying the course materials and passing a test. The card costs $20, and you have to renew it every two years. Also, boats used for wakeboarding or wakesurfing need stickers that prove the owner or driver finished the course. This rule comes on top of the regular boating class everyone must take. If you don't carry both the Towed Watersports Education Card and the Boat Oregon Education Card, you can get a Class B ticket and pay $265. If you break wake rules again within three years, you might get a Class A ticket, pay $435, and even lose your boating rights for up to one year.
TOWED WATERSPORTS LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
In 2021, this law was amended. Per ORS 830.649, people engaged in towed watersports on the Newberg Pool (Willamette River, RM 26.6-55, between Willamette Falls and the mouth of the Yamhill River) are required to carry a Towed Watersports Education Card. This is proof for law enforcement that the boat operator is knowledgeable in towed watersports safety, wave management techniques, and operator responsibilities for accident prevention. Boat operators can complete this requirement by studying our course material and taking an online exam. In addition, boats used for towed watersports must have decals certifying that the owner/operator completed the Towed Watersports Education Program and that their boat is in compliance with weight restrictions set by the Oregon Legislature in the statute. In 2022, the law was updated once more to remove the local area rules for red and yellow zones of operation, expand the
Newberg Pool Congested Zone from the confluence of the Yamhill River (RM 55) to Willamette Falls (RM 26.6), and require boats to certify a maximum loading weight of under 5,500 pounds. All persons engaged in towed watersports must take the
Towed Watersports Education Course and be able to present their education credentials to a law enforcement officer upon request.
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATES to Existing Laws Between 2019 and 2025
Motorized Boat Title and Registration Fees, Boating Education Card: Motorized boat titles and registrations were increased by 33% during the 2019 legislative session. The increase added $1.45 per foot for a two-year motorboat registration. Boat title fees increased to $75 (from $50), and the boating safety education card increased to $20 (from $10). Replacement boating safety education cards increased to $16 (from $8).
Agency Bill to Restructure Fees for the Outfitter Guide Program:
The Marine Board proposed one bill in addition to its budget for the 2025 long session. HB 2558 modified the definition of "charter guide" for outfitter guide laws and restructured the outfitter and guide fees to comply with federal interstate commerce law.