LRB-0029/1
ZDW:ahe
2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE
February 21, 2017 - Introduced by Senators Moulton, Feyen,
Marklein, Stroebel
and Kapenga, cosponsored by Representatives Jarchow, Kleefisch, Neylon,
Allen, E. Brooks, R. Brooks, Felzkowski, Gannon, Genrich, Horlacher,
Kitchens, Knodl, Kooyenga, Kremer, Kulp, Mursau, Novak, Tittl and
Tusler. Referred to Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining and Forestry.
SB69,1,3
1An Act to renumber and amend 30.69 (1) (a);
to amend 30.69 (1) (b) and 30.69
2(1) (c); and
to create 30.69 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes;
relating to: operating a
3motorboat towing a person on water skis.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill authorizes the operation of a motorboat towing a person on water skis,
aquaplane, or similar device, without having a second person in the boat to observe
the person being towed, if the motorboat is equipped with a mirror that provides the
operator with a wide field of vision to the rear.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB69,1
4Section
1. 30.69 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 30.69 (1) (a) (intro.) and
5amended to read:
SB69,1,86
30.69
(1) (a) (intro.) Except as provided in par. (b), no person may operate a
7motorboat towing a person on water skis, aquaplane
, or similar device unless
there 8one of the following applies:
SB69,2,2
11. There is in the
boat
motorboat a competent person in addition to the operator
2in a position to observe the progress of the person being towed.
SB69,2,7
3(ag) An observer
under par. (a) 1. shall be considered competent if that person
4can in fact observe the person being towed and relay any signals to the operator. This
5observer requirement does not apply to motorboats classified as Class A motorboats
6by the department actually operated by the persons being towed and so constructed
7as to be incapable of carrying the operator in or on the motorboat.
SB69,2,11
8(am) No person may engage in water skiing, aquaplaning
, or similar activity,
9at any time from sunset to sunrise. This restriction of the hours of water skiing does
10not prevent restrictions of the hours of water skiing between sunrise and sunset by
11local ordinances enacted pursuant to s. 30.77 (3).
SB69,2
12Section
2. 30.69 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
SB69,2,1413
30.69
(1) (a) 2. The motorboat is equipped with a mirror that provides the
14operator with a wide field of vision to the rear.
SB69,3
15Section
3. 30.69 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB69,2,1816
30.69
(1) (b)
Paragraph
Paragraphs (a)
does, (ag), and (am) do not apply to duly
17authorized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions
, or trials therefor,
18where adequate lighting is provided.
SB69,4
19Section
4. 30.69 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB69,2,2320
30.69
(1) (c) In addition to complying with
par. pars. (a),
(ag), and (am), no
21person may operate a personal watercraft that is towing a person who is on water
22skis, an aquaplane
, or similar device unless the personal watercraft is designed to
23seat at least 3 persons.
