SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Marine Division is expected to review a proposed amendment to the county’s waterskiing safety regulation to appropriately reflect House Bill 887. 

The bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Mark Sauter, R-Sandpoint, removes language from Idaho Code that requires water-skiers to have at least one other person in the boat acting as an observer, assisting a person on water skis or other similar activities, so long as operations are occurring in a regulation legal and permitted slalom course, or between one hour before sunrise and 9 a.m. from May 15 through September 10 of each year, or at any time of day from September 11 through May 14 of each year, according to the code.  

If there is no observer, the vessel in operation must have a large mirror that is firmly mounted in a position that would allow the operator to face forward while observing the person being towed at all times. 

The bill was signed into law April 2, 2026, by Gov. Brad Little, where Commissioner Ron Korn brought forth the action item Tuesday to allow local water skiers the same opportunity to ski during early summer hours without the need for an observer or third person.  

Despite all commissioners being in favor of the idea behind the code change, commissioners Brian Domke and Asia Williams raised concerns about the execution and legalities of amending the county code to reflect Idaho statute.  

Additionally, Sheriff Daryl Wheeler, who was also in attendance of the business meeting, noted that the Marine Division had not been reached out to regarding the proposed code amendment, and requested a week to appropriately review the change, along with any educational and enforcement measures that may need to be taken.  

“I have some questions about how we, as the Sheriff’s Marine Division, are going to educate the public and how we’re going to enforce it. I can’t believe it was just brought without anyone from our office having input,” Wheeler said.  

The amendment will come back on the agenda next week, with Korn noting that he would add it to next Tuesday’s business meeting.