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. The Stormy Lake Association 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 on Wednesday. The bill would exclude wake-enhanced boats from operating closer than 300 feet from shore, although it allows operation near anchored boats (e.g., fishing boats) and boat launches with a 100-foot buffer. The bill does not exclude boats from operating in shallow water and offers no civil immunity to towns and municipalities that pass stricter local regulations and ordinances.

Despite short notice, the hearing was well-attended. According to the Last Wilderness Alliance, nearly 87% of public comments at the hearing opposed the bill as lacking a scientific rationale and being insufficiently restrictive. Citizens cited data from University of Minnesota St. Anthony Falls Laboratory research regarding minimal recommended distances from shore and minimal water depth. They also warned that AB1033 does nothing to protect municipalities and towns from expensive lawsuits.

AB1033 passed the 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 Oneida Counties (home to 991 named lakes). He is chair of the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs and supports AB1033. Below is a copy of an email he sent regarding the bill.

In Mr. Swearingen's 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) were introduced on Friday.

SB1025 mirrors AB1033 except for the limiting wake-enhanced boating to within 200 (rather than 300) feet of shore. This might be amended prior to a vote.

SB1024 imposes much stricter restrictions, 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. '

The Senate Committee on Transportation and Local Government will hear testimony about the two bills on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The meeting begins at 11:30 AM. The committee will discuss five other pieces of legislation, as well. A link to watch the meeting live is here.

Background…

What would be the advantage of including civil immunity protections? Lawsuits are already threatening municipalities over wake-enhanced boating bans. For example, the Town of Scott in Burnett County has been sued by out-of-state boat owners (Texas and Florida) who have property on Birch Island Lake, a 768 acre seepage lake that has a maximum depth of about 13 feet. The plantiffs seek to overturn the ban and claim damages of $190,000 in the depreciation of their boats. This represents about 26% of the town's $718,000 annual revenue, not to mention the unknown burden of legal expenses to defend against the lawsuit and any appeals. Closer to home, 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.

Michelle Nault, the Lakes & Rivers Section Manager at the Wisconsin DNR, recently noted that 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 needs egislative guidance to create meaningful and enforceable regulations.

Next steps…

Wisconsin residents, both in favor and opposed to wake-enhanced boating restrictions, can contact their legislators. Contact information is at https://legis.wisconsin.gov/

Do you have comments for the Stormy Lake Association board? Email Bruce Campbell at brucecampbell310@gmail.com.

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Wake-Enhanced Boating Bills Introduced in Wisconsin Legislature