Wake-Enhanced Boating Bills Introduced in Wisconsin Legislature

As the Wisconsin legislature rushes to conclude its 2025-2026 session, wake-enhanced boating bills have been introduced in both the Assembly and Senate. Our board has not taken a stance but wishes to inform members and provide legislator contact information.

In the Wisconsin Assembly...

Status: AB1033 (Regulating wakesurfing and providing a penalty) passed committee and heads to a floor vote.

The Assembly Committee on Government Affairs held a hearing on AB1033, which restricts wake-enhanced boats to operate no closer than 300 feet from shore and allows operation near anchored boats (e.g., fishing boats) and boat launches with a 100-foot buffer. The bill lacks any depth requirements and offers no civil immunity for towns and municipalites that pass stricter local regulations.

Nearly 87% of public comments at the hearing opposed the bill, citing University of Minnesota St. Anthony Falls Laboratory research and potential legal threats. It passed committee by a 7 to 3 party-line vote and moves to the full Assembly.

Representative Swearingen's statement: 

Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) represents Vilas County and is chair of the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs. Below is a copy of an email he sent regarding AB1033. In his opinion...

"[AB1033] preserves local control. The bill establishes a state standard. If local communities want to be more strict, they can do so but are still subject to DNR review as it is now.

Also, depth has been discussed. However the DNR has said repeatedly that they would have a hard time with enforcement. In addition, anything over 10 feet would eliminate larger shallow lakes like Winnebago. My biggest concern is the current 100 foot set back. This bill is a compromise at a 300 foot set back. More importantly, the Assembly will finish this session next week. If we don't pass something before then we'll be stuck with the 100 foot set back for potentially another two years!"

In the Wisconsin Senate...

Status: Two competing bills (SB1024 and SB1025) introduced.

SB1025 mirrors AB1033 but limits operation to within 200 (rather than 300) feet of shore.

SB1024 imposes stricter regulations, requiring a 500-foot distance from shore and 20-foot water depth. The bill creates civil immunity for local municipalities that enact restrictions that exceed the state law. Both bills will be reviewed by the Senate Committee on Transportation and Local Government to determine if either will move on to the full Senate.

Background:

Why might a final bill need civil immunity protections? Lawsuits are already threatening municipalities over wake-enhanced boating bans. The Town of Scott has been sued by two out-of-state boat owners for $139,000 in damages (about 7% of their annual budget) not including an unknown burden of legal expenses. Land o' Lakes has received an "intent to file notice" of a possible lawsuit by two boat owners, as reported in this week’s Vilas County News-Review.

The Wisconsin DNR notes all power boats impact lake habitats, but wake boats have a greater and deeper effect. Steven Little, DNR Deputy Secretary, notes that "rules must be enforceable to be effective," indicating that the DNR believes the solution is legislative and not regulatory.

Next steps:

Wisconsin residents can contact their legislators via https://legis.wisconsin.gov/