UT HB0499

Excludes air mattresses and inner tubes from the definition of "vessel" under Utah watercraft law

Prohibits the Division of Outdoor Recreation from requiring personal flotation devices (PFDs) on flatwater, in designated swimming areas, or within 50 feet of shore on non-whitewater

Removes the requirement to have a PFD on board human-powered vessels when wearing one is not required

Requires the Division to designate all rivers as flatwater by default, with only specific portions designated as whitewater (entire river systems cannot be classified as whitewater)

Takes effect May 6, 2026