Bill > AB977

Introduced Session

Under current law, no person may operate, and no owner may give permission for the operation of, any boat on the waters of the state unless the boat is covered by a registration issued by the Department of Natural Resources or is exempt from that registration requirement. This bill narrows a current law exemption from registration requirements for a nonmotorized boat that is not a sailboat so that it only applies if one occupant of the boat holds a valid fishing license. Current law defines “nonmotorized boat” to mean a boat that is not a motorboat but that is designed and constructed to be used as a boat for transportation of a person on water, including a canoe, sailboat, inflatable boat or similar device, row boat, raft, or dinghy that is not a motorboat. The bill adds another exemption for a nonmotorized boat that is not a sailboat and that is operated within a vehicle admission area where, under current law, a vehicle admission receipt is generally required in order for a vehicle to enter. Vehicle admission areas include all state parks, the Richard Bong state recreation area, the Wisconsin Dells natural area, the Point Beach state forest, certain recreational areas in other state forests, certain designated use zones within recreation areas, and most roadside parks. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Chanz Green (R)*,  Brent Jacobson (R)*,  Romaine Quinn (R),  Rob Stafsholt (R), 

Read first time and referred to Committee on Sporting Heritage (on 01/30/2026)

Official Document