AB500, s. 285 10Section 285. 30.67 (4), (5) and (6) (b) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB500,79,1711 30.67 (4) Reports confidential. No report required by this section to be filed
12with the department shall may be used as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal,
13arising out of an accident, except that the department shall furnish upon demand of
14any person who has or claims to have made such a report, or upon demand of any
15court, a certificate showing that a specified accident report has or has not been made
16to the department solely to prove a compliance or a failure to comply with the
17requirement that such a report be made.
AB500,80,2 18(5) Transmittal of information to federal and state authorities. If any
19request for information available on the basis of reports filed pursuant to this section
20is duly made by an authorized official or agency of the U.S. federal government or
21of the state which that registered the boat involved or the state where the accident

1occurred, the department shall compile and furnish such the information in
2accordance with such the request.
AB500,80,21 3(6) (b) In cases of death involving a boat in which the person died within 6 hours
4of the time of the accident, a blood specimen of at least 10 cc. shall be withdrawn from
5the body of the decedent within 12 hours after his or her death, by the coroner or
6medical examiner, or by a physician so designated by the coroner or medical
7examiner or by a qualified person at the direction of the physician. All morticians
8shall obtain a release from the coroner or medical examiner prior to proceeding with
9embalming any body coming under the scope that is subject to the requirements of
10this section. The blood so drawn shall be forwarded to a laboratory approved by the
11state health officer for analysis of the alcoholic alcohol content of the blood specimen.
12The laboratory shall notify the coroner or medical examiner causing the blood to be
13withdrawn shall be notified of the results of each analysis made and the coroner or
14medical examiner
shall forward the results of each analysis to the state health
15officer. The state health officer shall keep a record of all examinations to be used for
16statistical purposes only. The cumulative results of the examinations, without
17identifying the individuals involved, shall be disseminated and made public by the
18state health officer. The department shall reimburse coroners and medical
19examiners for the costs incurred in submitting reports and taking blood specimens
20and laboratories for the costs incurred in analyzing blood specimens under this
21section.
AB500, s. 286 22Section 286. 30.675 (intro.) and (1) of the statutes are renumbered 30.675 (1g)
23and (1r) and amended to read:
AB500,81,224 30.675 (1g) The display on a boat or by a person of an orange flag approximately
2518 by 30 inches in size
a visual distress signal of a type approved by the U.S. coast

1guard under 33 CFR 175.101 to 175.140
shall indicate that such boat or person is in
2need of help.
AB500,81,6 3(1r) Insofar as If it is possible without serious danger to the operator's boat or
4persons on board, the operator of a boat observing a distress signal shall render to
5the boat or person displaying the signal such assistance as may be practicable and
6necessary
is feasible to save the boat or person or to minimize any danger to them.
AB500, s. 287 7Section 287. 30.675 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB500,81,108 30.675 (2) No person shall may display a flag like that distress signal described
9in under sub. (1) (1g) unless such person is in need of assistance to prevent bodily
10injury or destruction of property.
AB500, s. 288 11Section 288. 30.68 (title) and (2) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB500,81,12 1230.68 (title) Prohibited Boat operation.
AB500,81,17 13(2) Negligent operation. No person may operate or use any boat, or
14manipulate any water skis, aquaplane engage in water skiing or a similar device
15upon
activity on the waters of this state in a careless, negligent, or reckless manner
16so as to endanger that person's life, property or person or the life, or property or of
17any
person of another.
Note: "Manipulate" is replaced by "engage in" with no intention of making any
change. "Water skiing or a similar activity" is defined in s. 30.50 by this bill. The last
phrase of this provision is simplified to refer to "the life or property of any person". The
reference to the "life" of a person refers to risks of both injury and death. The reference
to "any person" simplifies the language while continuing to refer to the person operating
or using a boat, water skis, or other device, any person on board the boat, as well as any
other person.
AB500, s. 289 18Section 289. 30.68 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 30.68 (3) and amended
19to read:
AB500,82,220 30.68 (3) Operation by incapacitated person or minor. No person in charge or
21control of a boat shall may authorize or knowingly permit the boat to be operated by

1any person who by reason of physical or mental disability incapacity is incapable of
2operating such the boat under the prevailing circumstances.
Note: This subsection is split into 2 subsections (see sub. (3m), below). Subsection
(3) applies only to persons lacking the capability of operating a boat. This provision
currently refers to physical or mental disability, but the title uses the word
"incapacitated". The title suggests that this provision is meant to be broader than a
narrow concept of physical or mental disability. This bill substitutes "incapacity" for
"disability". Incapacity is broader than "physical or mental disability", as it could include
any condition that has a bearing on the ability to operate a boat, such as physical strength
or fatigue. The last phrase, "under the prevailing circumstances", makes it clear that the
capacity to operate a boat under some conditions (e.g., in a sheltered bay) may not indicate
a capacity to operate the boat under other conditions (e.g., on a wind-swept lake).
AB500, s. 290 3Section 290. 30.68 (3) (b) to (d) of the statutes are renumbered 30.68 (3m) (a)
4to (c), and 30.68 (3m) (a) and (c), as renumbered, are amended to read:
AB500,82,125 30.68 (3m) (a) No person under the age of 10 years may operate a motorboat.
6Persons at least 10 and less than 12 years of age may operate a motorboat only if they
7are either accompanied in the boat by a parent or guardian or a person at least 18
8years of age designated by a parent or guardian. Persons at least 12 and less than
916 years of age may operate a motor of any horsepower motorboat, but only if they
10are either accompanied by a parent or guardian or a person at least 18 years of age
11designated by a parent or guardian, or in possession of a certificate issued under s.
1230.74 (1). This paragraph does not apply to personal watercraft.
Note: The reference to a motor of any horsepower is deleted because none of the
other provisions related to age of a motorboat operator related to horse power.
AB500,82,1513 (c) A violation of par. (a) or (b) or (c) done with the knowledge of a parent or
14guardian shall may also be deemed a violation by the parent or guardian, and
15punishable under s. 30.80
.
Note: "Shall" is replaced by "may" to provide discretion in citing a parent or
guardian under the particular circumstances. "Also" is added so that the violation of
requirements related to operation, leasing, or rental of a motorboat or personal
watercraft by a minor applies both to the minor and to the parent or guardian who knew
of the violation. The current statute could be interpreted to mean that only the parent
or guardian who knew of the violation is deemed to be in violation of the statute. The
reference to the punishment under s. 30.80 is eliminated as unnecessary.
AB500, s. 291
1Section 291. 30.68 (3m) (title) of the statutes is created to read:
AB500,83,22 30.68 (3m) (title) Operation of motorboats by minors.
AB500, s. 292 3Section 292. 30.68 (4) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 30.68 (4) and amended
4to read:
AB500,83,75 30.68 (4) Creating hazardous wake or wash. No person shall may operate a
6motorboat so as to approach or pass near another boat in such a manner as to create
7that creates a hazardous wake or wash.
Note: The phrase regarding approaching or passing another boat is eliminated to
make this provision broader. There does not appear to be a reason to limit it to these
conditions of boat operation. Eliminating this phrase applies this regulation to all
methods of motorboat operation, including operation in a circular course.
AB500, s. 293 8Section 293. 30.68 (4) (b) of the statutes is repealed.
Note: Current s. 30.68 (4) (b) creates a standard of strict liability for damage
caused by the wake or wash from a motorboat. A defense is provided if the negligence of
the other person was the primary cause of the damage. This statute relates to private
remedies and not to DNR enforcement. The special committee determined that such
damage should be subject to a standard of ordinary negligence, and thus recommends
repeal of this provision.
AB500, s. 294 9Section 294. 30.68 (4m) (title) and (5) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB500,83,1010 30.68 (4m) (title) Facing Personal watercraft; facing backwards.
AB500,83,14 11(5) Operating in circular circuitous course. No person may operate a
12motorboat repeatedly in a circuitous course around any other boat, or around any
13person who is swimming, if such the circuitous course is within 200 feet of such the
14boat or swimmer; nor shall any.
AB500,83,18 15(5g) Operation near skin diver or swimmer. No person may operate a boat or
16water skier operate or approach
and no person may engage in water skiing or a
17similar activity
closer than 100 feet to any skin diver's flag or any swimmer unless
18the one of the following applies:
AB500,83,19 19(a) The person is operating a boat that is part of the a skin diving operation or.
AB500,84,2
1(b) The person is operating a boat that is accompanying the a swimmer, or
2unless physical conditions make compliance impossible
.
AB500, s. 295 3Section 295. 30.68 (5g) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
AB500,84,64 30.68 (5g) (c) There is insufficient room for the person to operate the boat 100
5or more feet from the skin diver's flag or the swimmer and the boat is not being
6operated in excess of slow-no-wake speed.
Note: The current statute prohibits operation of a boat or use of water skis or
similar devices within 100 feet of a skin diver's flag or a swimmer. An exception is
provided for boats that are part of a skin diving operation or that are accompanying a
swimmer. A further exception applies if "physical conditions" make compliance
impossible. Presumably, this latter exception applies to narrow areas on a body of water
(e.g., channels or rivers) or when swimming or skin diving occurs near a boat landing.
The language of the current statute is clarified to better describe the latter exception with
a reference to the available room to navigate. Further, in the latter exception, a
requirement to operate at slow-no-wake speed is imposed for boats operating within 100
feet of a skin diver's flag or a swimmer pursuant to this exception. It should be noted that
s. 30.70 prohibits diving in established traffic lanes.
AB500, s. 296 7Section 296. 30.68 (5m) of the statutes is renumbered 30.66 (5) and amended
8to read:
AB500,84,119 30.66 (5) Towing Slow-no-wake; towing by a personal watercraft. A person
10may use a personal watercraft to tow a stranded or disabled boat if , during towing,
11the speed of the personal watercraft does not exceed slow-no-wake.
AB500, s. 297 12Section 297. 30.68 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB500,85,213 30.68 (6) Riding on decks and gunwales. No person operating a motorboat may
14ride or sit, or may allow any other person in the motorboat to ride or sit, on the
15gunwales, on tops of seat backs or sides, or on the decking over the bow of the boat
16in an unsafe manner while under way, unless such the person is inboard of guards
17or railings provided on the boat to prevent persons from being lost overboard.
18Nothing in this section subsection shall be construed to prohibit entry upon the

1decking over the bow of the boat for the purpose of anchoring, mooring, or casting off
2or other necessary purpose.
AB500, s. 298 3Section 298. 30.68 (7) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB500,85,44 30.68 (7) (title) Restricted Swimming areas and regulatory markers.
AB500, s. 299 5Section 299. 30.68 (7) of the statutes is renumbered 30.68 (7) (a) and amended
6to read:
AB500,85,97 30.68 (7) (a) No person shall may operate a boat within a water any area which
8that has been clearly marked by regulatory markers or buoys or some other
9distinguishing device
as a bathing or swimming area; nor.
AB500,85,12 10(b) No person may operate a boat in restricted use areas contrary to regulatory
11notice pursuant to s. 30.74 (2). This subsection does not apply in the case of an
12emergency, or to patrol or rescue craft
markers.
Note: The deletion of "restricted use areas" clarifies that this provision applies to
all regulatory markers, whether or not the regulatory marker designates a restricted use
area. See s. 30.68 (14) for the general exception for patrol boats.
AB500, s. 300 13Section 300. 30.68 (8) and (8m) (a) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB500,85,1814 30.68 (8) Anchoring in traffic lanes. No person may anchor, place, affix, or
15abandon any unattended boat, raft, float, or similar structure in the traveled portion
16of any river or channel or in any traffic lane established and legally marked
17designated by aids to navigation, so as to prevent, impede or interfere with the safe
18passage of any other boat through the same.
AB500,85,20 19(8m) (a) No person may use a mooring or attach a boat to a mooring buoy if the
20mooring or mooring buoy violates s. 30.772 or 30.773.
Note: "Attach a boat to a mooring buoy" duplicates the prohibition on use of a
mooring. "Mooring" is defined in s. 30.01 (3e), when used as a noun, to mean "a mooring
anchor and mooring buoy together with attached chains, cables, ropes and pennants and
related equipment, unless the term is qualified or restricted".
AB500, s. 301 21Section 301. 30.68 (8m) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
AB500,86,2
130.68 (8m) (c) No person may attach a boat to any aid to navigation or
2regulatory marker, except to mooring buoys.
Note: The prohibition in new sub. (8m) (c) is moved to this location from s. 30.68
(12).
AB500, s. 302 3Section 302. 30.68 (9) and (11) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB500,86,74 30.68 (9) Overloading. No person may operate, and no owner of a boat may
5allow a person to operate, a boat that is loaded with passengers or cargo beyond its
6safe carrying capacity, taking into consideration weather and other account existing
7operating conditions.
AB500,86,13 8(11) Unnecessarily sounding whistles horns; use of flashing lights. No
9person shall may unnecessarily sound a horn, whistle, or other sound-producing
10device on any boat while at anchor or under way on the water. The use of a siren or
11a light that resembles an emergency light specified under sub. (14) (a)
on any boat
12except duly authorized a patrol boats on patrol or rescue boat that is on duty is
13prohibited.
Note: "At anchor or underway" is replaced by "on the water" to make this
prohibition broader. For example, the broader language would prohibit unnecessary
sounding of a horn while a boat is tied to a dock. "Emergency light" is added to the
prohibition on use of a siren.
AB500, s. 303 14Section 303. 30.68 (12) of the statutes is repealed.
Note: The prohibition on mooring or fastening a boat to aids to navigation or
regulatory markers is deleted here and recreated in s. 30.68 (8m) (c), above.
AB500, s. 304 15Section 304. 30.68 (14) (title) of the statutes is created to read:
AB500,86,1616 30.68 (14) (title) Patrol boats.
AB500, s. 305 17Section 305. 30.69 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB500,86,18 1830.69 (title) Water skiing and similar activities.
AB500, s. 306 19Section 306. 30.69 (1) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB500,86,2020 30.69 (1) (title) Prohibited at certain times Prohibitions; exceptions.
AB500, s. 307
1Section 307. 30.69 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 30.69 (1) (a) (intro.)
2and amended to read:
AB500,87,43 30.69 (1) (a) (intro.) Except as provided in par. (b), no No person may operate
4do any of the following:
AB500,87,13 51. Operate a motorboat towing a person on engaged in water skis, aquaplane
6or
skiing or a similar device activity unless there is in the boat a competent person
7in addition to the operator in a position to observe the progress of the person being
8towed. An observer shall be considered competent if that person
who is in a position
9to observe, and
can in fact observe, the person being towed and relay any signals to
10the operator. This observer requirement does not apply to motorboats classified as
11Class A motorboats by the department actually operated by the persons being towed
12and so constructed as to be incapable of carrying the operator in or on the motorboat.
13No person may engage
AB500,87,18 142. Engage in water skiing, aquaplaning or a similar activity, or operate a
15motorboat towing a person engaged in water skiing or a similar activity,
at any time
16from sunset to sunrise. This restriction of the hours of water skiing does not prevent
17restrictions of the hours of water skiing between sunrise and sunset by local
18ordinances enacted pursuant to s. 30.77 (3).
Note: The reference to local ordinances is eliminated, and all provisions related
to local ordinances will be consolidated in s. 30.77. It is proposed to expand this
prohibition to apply to the motorboat operator as well as to the person engaged in water
skiing or a similar activity.
AB500, s. 308 19Section 308. 30.69 (1) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 30.69 (1) (b) (intro.)
20and amended to read:
AB500,87,2221 30.69 (1) (b) (intro.) Paragraph (a) 1. does not apply to duly authorized water
22any of the following:
AB500,88,3
11. Water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials therefor, where
2adequate lighting is provided
, or practice sessions that are authorized by a permit
3from a local governmental unit that enacts an ordinance under s. 30.77
.
Note: The reference to "duly authorized" water ski tournaments and other
activities is unclear. A specific reference to authorization by means of a permit from a
local governmental unit that adopts ordinances under s. 30.77 is substituted for that
phrase.
"Practice sessions" is substituted for "trials". The meaning of "trials" is not clear,
although one sense of that word is a preliminary competition. The special committee
believes that the exemption from the observer requirement is widely understood to apply
to all activities related to organized water ski activities, including practice sessions, and
that the broader exemption from the observer requirement is appropriate, so the statute
is redrafted accordingly.
Current s. 30.69 (1) (a) commences with "Except as provided in par. (b)". That
provision is recreated above in s. 30.69 (1) (c), with the omission of the reference to the
provision of adequate lighting. It appears to be the intent of the current statute that the
observer requirement does not apply to water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions
or practice sessions under any circumstances.
AB500, s. 309 4Section 309. 30.69 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
AB500,88,75 30.69 (1) (b) 2. Motorboats less than 16 feet long that are operated by the person
6being towed and that are so constructed as to be incapable of carrying the operator
7in or on the motorboat.
AB500, s. 310 8Section 310. 30.69 (1) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB500,88,129 30.69 (1) (bm) Paragraph (a) 2. does not apply to water ski tournaments,
10competitions, exhibitions, or practice sessions that are conducted under a permit
11from a local governmental unit that enacts an ordinance under s. 30.77 and for which
12adequate lighting is provided.
AB500, s. 311 13Section 311. 30.69 (1) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 30.69 (1) (b) 3. and
14amended to read:
AB500,88,1815 30.69 (1) (b) 3. In addition to complying with par. (a), no person may operate
16a
A personal watercraft that is towing a person who is on engaged in water skis, an
17aquaplane
skiing or a similar device activity unless the personal watercraft is
18designed to seat at least 3 persons.
AB500, s. 312
1Section 312. 30.69 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB500,89,62 30.69 (2) Careful and prudent operation. A person operating a motorboat
3having in tow a person on water skis, aquaplane or engaged in water skiing or a
4similar device activity shall operate such boat the motorboat in a careful and prudent
5manner and at a reasonable distance from persons and property so as not to
6endanger the life or property of any person.
AB500, s. 313 7Section 313. 30.69 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB500,89,118 30.69 (3) Restrictions. (a) No person operating a motorboat that is towing
9persons a person engaged in water skiing, aquaplaning or a similar activity may
10operate the motorboat within 100 feet of any occupied anchored boat, any personal
11watercraft, or any marked swimming area or public boat landing.
AB500,89,1412 (b) No person who is engaged in water skiing, aquaplaning or a similar activity
13may get come within 100 feet of a personal watercraft or allow the tow rope while in
14use to get come within 100 feet of a personal watercraft.
AB500,89,1615 (c) 1. A motorboat towing a person who is engaged in water skiing , aquaplaning
16or a similar activity.
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