Information about boating accidents will continue to be denied to Iowans under a bill in the state Senate.

Under current state law, the state Department of Natural Resources cannot release information about a boating accident besides the names and addresses of persons involved.

The confidentiality issue arose when a DNR boat crashed into a 24-foot cabin cruiser on West Lake Okoboji. The accident injured persons of both parties.

However, Sen. Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, introduced a bill that would require the DNR to release information on boating accidents to the public.

This is the only fair and right thing to do.

Herbert Strentz, executive secretary of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, said information regarding property damage on the water should be as regularly available as information regarding drunk driving on the highway.

Currently, an amendment to the bill proposes for boat accident reports only to be open to those involved in the accident, their lawyers and their insurance companies.

However, this amendment does not fulfill one’s right of access to information that should have been made public in the first place.

Current Iowa law allows public and media access to traffic accident reports. Information about boating accidents is no different.

If Iowa law must be just, it must have no exceptions. Keeping information about boating accidents confidential is an exception that isn’t just. If our lawmakers want to make just laws, they must make open all information pertaining to individuals in a public setting.