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Bill > SB1024
WI SB1024
WI SB1024The regulation of wake-enhanced boating; ordinances restricting wake-enhanced boating; and civil immunity for local regulation of wake-enhanced boating.
summary
Introduced
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill imposes restrictions on the conduct of wake-enhanced boating specifies the authority of municipalities to regulate wake-enhanced boating. Under the bill, wake-enhanced boating is the operation of a motorboat in a manner that intentionally creates or enhances a wake for the purpose of wakesurfing, wakeboarding, or similar activities, including through the use of ballast tanks, wave-shaping devices, fins, or other mechanisms that displace water to increase wake size. Under the bill, no person may conduct wake-enhanced boating on the waters of this state unless certain conditions are met at all times while the wake-enhanced boating is being conducted. Specifically, those conditions are that the wake- enhanced boating is conducted at least 500 feet away from the shoreline and in water with a depth of at least 20 feet. The bill specifies that these restrictions do not preempt or otherwise affect in any way the authority of a local governmental unit to enact more restrictive regulations of wake-enhanced boating. Current law regulates the operation of boats, but allows a town, village, city, or LRB-6333/1 EHS:klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 1024 public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district (municipality) to adopt ordinances that regulate boating under certain circumstances. This bill adds to the types of boating ordinances municipalities may adopt restrictions on wake- enhanced boating, including prohibitions on wake-enhanced boating in specified areas; minimum distances from shore, structures, or other boats; minimum water depths; time-of-day restrictions; or complete prohibitions on certain bodies of water. The bill grants civil immunity to the state, any governmental subdivision or agency of the state, and any officer, official, agent, or employee of those entities that, in good faith, enacts, adopts, or enforces a boating ordinance that imposes restrictions on wake-enhanced boating that are more restrictive than those under state law.
AI Summary
This bill defines "wake-enhanced boating" as operating a motorboat to intentionally create or enlarge a wake for activities like wakesurfing or wakeboarding, often using special equipment. It mandates that such boating must occur at least 500 feet from shore and in water at least 20 feet deep. Crucially, this state-level regulation does not prevent local governments (municipalities like towns, villages, and cities) from enacting their own, potentially stricter, ordinances on wake-enhanced boating, which could include prohibitions in certain areas, specific distance requirements, depth rules, time restrictions, or even outright bans on certain bodies of water. Furthermore, the bill grants civil immunity to state and local entities and their employees who, in good faith, implement these more restrictive local boating ordinances, meaning they cannot be sued for doing so.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Representative Callahan added as a cosponsor (on 02/20/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb1024 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB1024.pdf |
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