Potential change in WI boating law - mirror a substitute for spotter

[robbo3]

I came across the post below on the WakeWorld forum that was of particular interest to me given our small family and frequent Watersports participation. I wanted to share with those WI boaters that this may be of interest to. Needless to say, I fully support the proposed change, this would allow my son and I to take early morning runs, or allow my wife to relax on the dock enjoying s beverage.

This post was well written, so it is posted in its entirety.

Text taken from:
http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=805707


Wisconsin currently requires a "competent person" as a third for all tow sport activities. I know I'm not the only one who has had this law keep my boat out of the water on one of the good weather days in our short season. Thankfully, both the State Senate and Assembly have bills to amend the current law to allow for a wide view mirror exception to the competent person requirement. I've linked both Senate Bill 180 and Assembly Bill 256 below.
http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2015/proposals/sb180
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2015/proposals/ab256

It appears SB180 is through committee. AB256 seems to have hit a snag in the Committee for Tourism. I am currently part of a group of people who are contacting both the chair and co-chair of the Assembly's Tourism Committee to voice support for the changes.

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/201.../assembly/1414

If you have a spare minute and are interested please send along an email to support the measure. From what I have read the mirror exemption has not been a safety issue in Minnesota, which has a boating culture and environmental restrictions quite similar to Wisconsin.

Email for committee chair: Rep.Tranel@legis.wisconsin.gov
Email for committee vice-chair Rep.Jarchow@legis.wisconsin.gov

Thanks

 

[RiverRat]

That could definitely help out on some occasions, but I would still like a third person if just to keep any ropes out of my intake.