Provides for parishes to designate no-wake zones on state waterways. (8/1/25)
Summary
SB 85 revises Louisiana law governing watercraft operation, local waterway regulation, and emergency waterway closures. The bill expands and clarifies the authority of parishes and municipalities to establish and post speed limits and no-wake zones on waterways within their jurisdiction, while preserving existing exceptions for the Mississippi River, the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. It also specifies that no-wake zones established by local governments do not preempt state law, rule, or regulation establishing or limiting no-wake zones.
The bill also updates the state’s careless-operation statute to make clear that operating a vessel in excess of an established speed or no-wake zone is careless operation. In emergency or disaster situations, the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries may close waterways or impose no-wake restrictions for a limited period, and the bill authorizes the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District to declare an emergency and enforce a bare-steerage-speed no-wake zone when low water or other conditions threaten bank erosion or instability. The bill further maintains and clarifies existing statewide no-wake zones near certain facilities, including public bridges.
Impact
SB 85 amends multiple provisions in Title 34 and Title 38 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, expanding local and district authority over vessel speed restrictions and no-wake zones while preserving state oversight and enforcement mechanisms. It affects boaters, parish and municipal governments, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, sheriffs, state police, wildlife agents, and the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District by clarifying who may set, post, and enforce waterway restrictions and under what conditions those restrictions may be imposed.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate 38-0, the House 94-0, and the Senate concur vote 39-0, indicating unanimous support in both chambers. The available record shows no committee transcript debate, suggesting little visible opposition or extended controversy.
Contention
The main policy issues addressed by SB 85 are the balance between local control and state authority over waterways, and the scope of emergency powers to restrict boating. The bill clarifies that parish and municipal no-wake zones do not override state rules, while also giving local governments and the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District more explicit authority to respond to erosion, low water, and emergency conditions. Any potential contention would likely center on navigation impacts, enforcement authority, and whether local restrictions could affect boating access, but no recorded opposition appears in the available voting history.
Establishes special dredging account; directs $5,000,000 of sales tax collected annually be deposited therein; directs DEP to administer account and dredging program with certain requirements.
Establishes special dredging account; directs $5,000,000 of sales tax collected annually be deposited therein; directs DEP to administer account and dredging program with certain requirements.