The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Recreation Council has decided to recommend legislation that would tie drunk driving on a snowmobile to the operator's drivers license.

A vote in St. Germain was taken at approximately 11:40 a.m. Friday.

The recommendation, voted 13-to-1, would not apply to speeding or other offenses.

The discussion began Friday morning with the Law Enforcement Committee, which is part of the Recreation Council, going over fatality statistics since 2000.

Council Chair Richard Steimel said that in January 2000, the governor directed the committee to address the tragedies that were occurring year after year on the trails.

The committee then assembled a list of guidelines and legislation that it recommended.

Among them was to tie OWIs for a snowmobile operator to their driver's license, a concept he noted that has been successful in Minnesota and Michigan.

However, that recommendation was modified by the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs.

Steimel noted that since that time, 165 people have lost their lives on the trail, and that he believes at least some of those lives could have been saved if some of the council's original suggestions had been put into place.

The Law Enforcement Committee then unanimously decided to support and recommend legislation that would tie OWI charges against a snowmobile operator to their driver's license.

The full Recreation Council, after much discussion, voted to move forward.

No specific language of the legislation being recommended.

The DNR will now begin researching the specifics, considering similar laws in other states, and finding legislative support.

Council members also said an important portion of getting this legislation passed is getting the support of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs due to their influence in Madison.

Stay tuned to www.wsaw.com for further details.