Iowa Senate Bill SSB3153

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/24
• Refer: 2/6/24

Caption

A bill for an act relating to regulation of vessels and equipment on public lakes by common interest communities and certain nonprofit corporations.(See SF 2292.)

Impact

If enacted, SSB3153 would amend existing laws to empower common interest communities to develop specific regulations for vessel operations, thus giving them authority that may not previously have been recognized under state law. This change could lead to a more organized and consistent approach to how water navigation rules are applied within these communities, addressing issues like safety and equipment compliance on navigable bodies of water.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 3153 seeks to establish regulations for the operation of vessels and equipment on public lakes by common interest communities and certain nonprofit corporations. This legislation allows these communities, which are adjacent to or abutting a public lake, to create their own rules and policies regarding vessel operation, including equipment specifications. Such regulations aim to enhance safety and organize the use of public waters by ensuring that members of these communities and their guests adhere to standardized operational policies.

Contention

There are potential points of contention surrounding SSB3153, primarily involving the balance of authority between community regulations and state oversight of public waterways. Critics may raise concerns over whether such local regulations adequately take public access and safety into account. Additionally, the provision allowing for the use of private buoys and safety installations to communicate these policies might be met with resistance from those who prioritize state oversight of navigable waters to prevent abuse or overreach by localized legislation.