(Okoboji)– Disappointing. That’s how officials with the Iowa Great Lakes Water Safety Council sum up the past session of the Iowa Legislature when it comes to passage of laws dealing with water safety.
Spokesman Phil Petersen says they had five priority bills they wanted passed. They were successful with only one–tougher penalties for those who elude a lake patrol officer.
Of the issues that didn’t pass, Petersen says they’re mostly disappointed over one that would have lowered the blood alcohol content for drunk boating to point-oh-eight…the same as for drunk driving.
Another disappointment, Petersen says, was failure to get a bill passed that would require anyone under 13 that’s in a boat wear a life preserver while the craft is in operation.
Petersen says they plan to pursue those issues again in the upcoming session.
