An action alert from our partner organization, Wisconsin Lakes
| ENCOURAGE SUPPORT FOR THE TERMS OF LRB-5069 Sen. André Jacque (R-DePere) entered the wakesports fray last week, releasing a proposal that would manage wakesports on Wisconsin waters under terms largely in line with those proposed in recent popular Wisconsin Conservation Congress resolutions. The proposal is being circulated among legislators looking for co-sponsors with a deadline of December 14. Wisconsin Lakes is in support of this effort, with the one caveat noted below. The bill: Prohibits enhanced wakes on lakes smaller than 1500 acres, Prohibits enhanced wakes within 700 feet of shore or from any boat swimmer, or other individual using the water on lakes 1500 acres or larger, Preserves local authority to enact ordinances stricter than these provisions. Due to an unintended consequence of its language, the bill would limit an existing right to sue a boater for personal injury to only cases where the injury was caused by enhanced wakes (click “read more from WI Lakes” below for a full explanation). While Wisconsin Lakes is not endorsing the bill’s current language in full because of this issue, we believe a change is in the works that will take care of it and allow us to offer our full support. We recommend you encourage your legislators to support the terms of this bill while asking for the change of language to preserve the general right to sue reckless boaters (explained above), and if appropriate for them, to co–sponsor the legislation. Read the proposal (Keep in mind that until it is introduced, the language will likely change and the author could decide not to introduce it all) How to contact your legislator READ MORE FROM WISCONSIN LAKES INCLUDING A FULL EXPLANATION OF THE BILL… |
| AB656/SB680 UPDATE – HEARINGS AHEAD? Sen. Jacque’s proposal detailed above is diametrically opposed to AB656/SB680 which would only prohibit wakesports within 200 feet of shore and prohibits local governments from enacting anything stronger (while allowing them to be less restrictive). These bills are currently sitting in their assigned legislative committees, which could come as early as next week. You can count on Wisconsin Lakes for any updates just as soon as we get them. |
