Bill > SB85

This bill provides parishes and municipalities with expanded authority to establish and enforce no-wake zones on local waterways, with several key modifications to existing Louisiana law. The legislation clarifies that local governing authorities can create no-wake zones (areas where boats must travel at the slowest possible speed to maintain steering control and minimize water turbulence) on waterways within their jurisdiction, with exceptions for major waterways like the Mississippi River. The bill allows these local no-wake zones to be established and enforced by local law enforcement, state police, and wildlife agents, and explicitly states that state laws cannot preempt locally established no-wake zones. Additionally, the bill gives the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District specific emergency powers to implement no-wake zones during situations that might threaten waterway bank integrity, such as low water levels or potential erosion. The legislation standardizes terminology around "no-wake" zones throughout the relevant statutes, removing quotation marks and ensuring consistent language. The bill is set to take effect on August 1, 2025, and aims to provide more local control and flexibility in regulating watercraft speed and safety in Louisiana's waterways.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=SB85&sbi=y