Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: Passed Assembly 1 R cosponsors

AB 1033 — Relating to: the regulation of wakesurfing and providing a penalty.

Last action — Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Assembly. Introduced February 09, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 50% · moderate confidence

  • Passed Assembly

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

An Act to renumber and amend 30.69 (1) (b); to amend 30.69 (1) (a) (intro.), 30.69 (3) (d) and 30.74 (1) (a); to create 30.01 (1ag), 30.01 (1ah), 30.01 (6r) and 30.69 (3) (cm) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

102 added · 237 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Assembly Bill 1033 focus on regulating wakesurfing, which is defined as surfing on the wake created by a motorboat. The changes clarify that wakesurfing falls under aquatic regulations similar to water skiing and aquaplaning, introducing specific safety measures such as prohibiting intoxicated wakesurfing and requiring an observer on the boat. This matters because it aims to improve safety on the water, addressing the risks associated with this popular recreational activity. Additionally, the legislation has removed unrelated provisions about hunting sandhill cranes, streamlining the bill to focus solely on wakesurfing regulations.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBs0501/1 EHS & ZDW:cdc ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 1033 February 19, 2026 - Offered by RepresentatROOKS.
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-6175/1 EHS:emw&wlj ASSEMBLY BILL 1033 February 9, 2026 - Introduced by Representative BROOKS , cosponsored by Senator F EYEN.
A N A CT to renumber 29.179 (5);
Referred to Committee on State Affairs.
to renumber and amend 30.69 (1) (b);
A N A CT to renumber and amend 30.69 (1) (b);
to amend 29.001 (39), 29.179 (4), 29.563 (14) (c) 3., 29.938 (intro.), 29.977 (1) (b), 29.983 (1) (b) 2., 30.69 (1) (a) (intro.), 30.69 (3) (d) and 30.74 (1) (a);
to amend 30.69 (1) (a) (intro.), 30.69 (3) (d) and 30.74 (1) (a);
to create 29.165, 29.179 (1) (a) 12., 29.179 (5) (b), 29.180 (1) (a) 8m., 29.180 (4m), 29.183 (1) (hm), 29.183 (6), 29.553 (1) (gm), 29.563 (2) (c) 3., 29.563 (2) (d) 3., 29.563 (14) (a) 4., 29.596, 30.01 (1ag), 30.01 (1ah), 30.01 (6r) and 30.69 (3) (cm) of the statutes;
to create 30.01 (1ag), 30.01 (1ah), 30.01 (6r) and 30.69 (3) (cm) of the statutes;
the regulation of wakesurfing and providing a penalty;
the regulation of wakesurfing and providing a penalty.
hunting of sandhill cranes and granting rule-making authority.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill regulates wakesurfing.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
The bill defines “wakesurfing” as surfing a motorboat’s wake, regardless of whether the person is being pulled by a tow rope attached to the motorboat that is producing the wake, or operating a motorboat in a manner that creates a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by another person.
S ECTION 1.
Under current law, various regulations apply to water skiing, aquaplaning, or a similar activity, and under current law, wakesurfing likely falls under “aquaplaning” or a “similar activity.” The bill explicitly provides that aquaplaning includes wakesurfing and thereby applies the same safety regulations that apply to water skiing and aquaplaning to wakesurfing.
29.001 (39) of the statutes is amended to read:
These regulations include requiring an observer or a wide-angle mirror on the motorboat, restricting wakesurfing to between sunrise and sunset, prohibiting intoxicated wakesurfing, requiring a motorboat used for wakesurfing to stay more than 100 feet away from any occupied anchored boat, personal watercraft, or marked swimming area or public boat - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-6175/1 EHS:emw&wlj ASSEMBLY BILL 1033 SECTION 1 landing, and prohibiting a person engaged in wakesurfing from being within 100 feet, or allowing a tow rope to be within 100 feet, of a personal watercraft.
29.001 (39) “Game birds” means birds that are in the wild and includes wild - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRBs0501/1 EHS & ZDW:cdc SECTION 1 geese, brant, wild ducks, wild swan, rails, coots, gallinules, snipe, woodcock, plovers, sandpipers, ruffed grouse, prairie chicken, sharp-tailed grouse, pheasants, gray partridge, chukar partridge, bobwhite, quail, crows, sandhill cranes, and wild turkey.
The bill generally prohibits a person from engaging in wakesurfing unless all of the following apply:
SECTION 2.
1.
29.165 of the statutes is created to read:
The motorboat is operated farther than 200 feet from a shoreline or dock, pier, boathouse, or other structure located completely or partly on the water.
29.165 Sandhill crane hunting permits.
(1) A UTHORIZATION ;
RESTRICTIONS .
(a) Department authority.
The department shall classify the sandhill crane as a migratory game bird, authorize the hunting of sandhill cranes in this state, subsequent to approval by the U.S.
fish and wildlife service, and issue sandhill crane hunting permits to limit the number of hunters of sandhill cranes and the number of sandhill cranes harvested in any area of the state.
The sandhill crane hunting permit issued by the department shall include any restrictions necessary to comply with federal laws and regulations.
The department shall establish by rule one sandhill crane hunting season and may establish by rule hunting zones where the hunting of sandhill cranes is permitted.
The department shall establish restrictions on sandhill crane hunting permits to minimize the inadvertent taking of other bird species.
(b) Requirements.
No person may hunt sandhill cranes unless he or she has a valid small game license, or other license that authorizes the hunting of small game, and a valid sandhill crane hunting permit.
(2) ISSUANCE OF PERMITS .
(a) Procedure;
preference system.
If the department issues sandhill crane hunting permits under sub.
(1) (a), the department shall determine the number of permits it will issue for a given sandhill - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRBs0501/1 EHS & ZDW:cdc SECTION 2 crane hunting zone and for a given sandhill crane hunting season.
If the number of applications for sandhill crane hunting permits for a given hunting zone or season does not exceed the number of available sandhill crane hunting permits allocated by the department for that hunting zone or that season, the department shall issue a sandhill crane hunting permit to each applicant who pays the applicable fee.
If the number of applications for sandhill crane hunting permits for a given hunting zone or season exceeds the number of available sandhill crane hunting permits allocated by the department for that hunting zone or that season, the department shall issue permits according to a cumulative preference system.
The department shall establish preference categories under the cumulative preference system for those applicants who applied for but were not issued permits, with higher priority of hunting permits issued to those categories with the most preference points versus those with fewer preference points.
Under the system, the department shall allow each applicant to apply for a preference point or for a permit for each sandhill crane hunting season.
The department shall give a preference point to each applicant who applies for a preference point and to each applicant who applies for a permit but who is not selected.
If the number of applicants within a preference category exceeds the number of permits available in the category, the department shall select at random within the category the applicants to be issued the permits.
(b) Loss of preference points.
Applicants who fail to apply for either a preference point or a permit at least once during any 3 consecutive years shall lose all previously accumulated preference points.
- 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRBs0501/1 EHS & ZDW:cdc SECTION 2 (c) Permit limitation.
No person may apply for or receive more than one sandhill crane hunting permit for one season.
(d) Notification;
Show all 163 changed rows (123 more)
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issuance;
payment.
The department shall issue a notice of approval to those applicants selected to receive a sandhill crane hunting permit under par.
(a).
A person who receives a notice of approval and who pays the applicable fee in the manner required by the department shall be issued a sandhill crane hunting permit.
(e) Harvest limit.
Subject to subd.
1., a sandhill crane hunting permit is valid for harvesting one sandhill crane in the zone and time period for which the permit is issued.
Three years after the date on which the hunting of sandhill cranes begins in this state, if the state’s sandhill crane hunt has remained continuously in compliance with U.S.
The motorboat is operated farther than 200 feet from any person in the water or any occupied vessel.
fish and wildlife service requirements, the department may authorize the holder of a sandhill crane hunting permit to harvest 2 sandhill cranes in the zone and time period for which the permit is issued.
3.
(f) Education requirement.
Any person surfing on or across the wake of the motorboat or being towed on a board is wearing a personal flotation device prescribed by federal regulations.
A sandhill crane hunting permit is not valid unless the permit holder has completed the sandhill crane hunter education program under s.
The wakesurfing restrictions under the bill and the current law restrictions that the bill explicitly applies to wakesurfing do not apply to a wakesurfing tournament, competition, exhibition, or trial that is authorized by the Department of Natural Resources or a municipality and where adequate lighting is provided.
29.596.
The bill applies the same penalties to wakesurfing that apply to water skiing violations under current law.
S ECTION 3.
Current law requires DNR to establish a program of comprehensive courses on boating safety and operation and to issue certificates to persons 10 years of age or older successfully completing such courses.
29.179 (1) (a) 12.
Current law requires DNR to prescribe the course content and the form of the certificate, but the bill adds an exception that the course must include education on wakesurfing and the proper use of and operation of motorboats used in wakesurfing.
of the statutes is created to read:
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
29.179 (1) (a) 12.
SECTION 1.
A sandhill crane hunting permit.
S ECTION 4.
29.179 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
29.179 (4) ETENTION OF PREFERENCE POINTS.
Notwithstanding ss.
29.164 (3) (cr), 29.165 (2) (b), 29.177 (5) (b), 29.184 (6) (b), and 29.192 (4), a person who is - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRBs0501/1 EHS & ZDW:cdc SECTION 4 transferred an approval under this section shall retain all preference points that he or she has previously accumulated for that type of approval.
S ECTION 5.
29.179 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 29.179 (5) (a).
S ECTION 6.
29.179 (5) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
29.179 (5) (b) This section applies to sandhill crane hunting permits only to the extent allowable under federal laws and regulations.
S ECTION 7.
29.180 (1) (a) 8m.
of the statutes is created to read:
29.180 (1) (a) 8m.
Sandhill crane hunting permit.
S ECTION 8.
29.180 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:
29.180 (4m) This section applies to sandhill crane hunting permits only to the extent allowable under federal laws and regulations.
S ECTION 9.
29.183 (1) (hm) of the statutes is created to read:
29.183 (1) (hm) Sandhill crane hunting permit.
S ECTION 10.
29.183 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
29.183 (6) This section applies to sandhill crane hunting permits only to the extent allowable under federal laws and regulations.
S ECTION 11.
29.553 (1) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:
29.553 (1) (gm) Sandhill crane hunting permit.
S ECTION 12.
29.563 (2) (c) 3.
of the statutes is created to read:
29.563 (2) (c) 3.
Sandhill crane:
$10.
S ECTION 13.
29.563 (2) (d) 3.
of the statutes is created to read:
29.563 (2) (d) 3.
Sandhill crane:
$50.
S ECTION 14.
29.563 (14) (a) 4.
of the statutes is created to read:
- 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRBs0501/1 EHS & ZDW:cdc S ECTION 14 29.563 (14) (a) 4.The processing fee for applications for sandhill crane hunting permits:
75 cents.
S ECTION 15.
29.563 (14) (c) 3.
of the statutes is amended to read:
29.563 (14) (c) 3.
Each application for a hunter’s choice permit, bonus deer hunting permit, elk hunting license, wild turkey hunting license, Class A bear license, wolf harvesting license, Canada goose hunting permit, sandhill crane hunting permit, sharp-tailed grouse hunting permit, bobcat hunting and trapping permit, otter trapping permit, fisher trapping permit, or sturgeon fishing permit:
25 cents.
S ECTION 16.
29.596 of the statutes is created to read:
29.596 Sandhill crane hunter education program.
(1) The department shall establish and conduct a sandhill crane hunter education prograThe department shall offer the program online and may offer the program in person.
The program shall provide a course of instruction that includes education tools and communications that will help hunters understand sandhill crane hunting and how to avoid the harvest of nontarget species, particularly whooping cranes.
(2) The department shall offer a test for a person to demonstrate successful completion of the course of instruction and shall issue a certificate of accomplishment for free to a person who completes the course of instruction and passes the test.
The department shall offer the test online and may offer the test in person.
(3) No person may hunt sandhill cranes unless he or she has a valid certificate of accomplishment issued under sub.
(2).
(4) If the department maintains a system under which the department stores - 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRBs0501/1 EHS & ZDW:cdc S ECTION 16 information in an electronic format as described under s.
23.47 (2), the department shall store information in that system relating to persons who have completed a sandhill crane hunter education program, and any associated test, that satisfies the requirements of this section.
(5) The department may not charge a fee for the course of instruction under sub.
(1) or the test under sub.
(2).
S ECTION 17.
29.938 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
29.938 Use by the department of unclaimed, seized, or confiscated property.
(intro.) The department may receive, retain, and use for the hunter education programs under ss.
29.591 and, 29.595, and 29.596, the trapper education program under s.
29.597, or other educational hunting, fishing, trapping, or conservation activities the department conducts any of the following property:
S ECTION 18.
29.977 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
29.977 (1) (b) Any moose, fisher, prairie chicken, or sand hill sandhill crane, $262.50.
S ECTION 19.
29.983 (1) (b) 2.
of the statutes is amended to read:
29.983 (1) (b) 2.
For any moose, fisher, prairie chicken, or sand hill sandhill crane, $262.50.
S ECTION 20.
S ECTION 21.
SECTION 2.
- 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRBs0501/1 EHS & ZDW:cdc S ECTION 22 S ECTION 22.
SECTION 3.
(b) Operating a motorboat in a manner that creates a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by a person.
- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-6175/1 EHS:emw&wlj ASSEMBLY BILL 1033 SECTION 3 (b) Operating a motorboat in a manner that creates a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by a person.
S ECTION 23.
S ECTION 4.
S ECTION 24.
S ECTION 5.
S ECTION 25.
S ECTION 6.
The motorboat used in wakesurfing is operated farther than 300 feet from a shoreline or a dock, pier, boathouse, or other structure located completely or partly on the body of water.
The motorboat used in wakesurfing is operated farther than 200 feet from a shoreline or a dock, pier, boathouse, or other structure located completely or partly on the body of water.
The motorboat used in wakesurfing is operated farther than 300 feet from any person in the water or any occupied vessel.
The motorboat used in wakesurfing is operated farther than 200 feet from any person in the water or any occupied vessel.
- 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRBs0501/1 EHS & ZDW:cdc S ECTION 25 3.
3.
S ECTION 26.
S ECTION 7.
30.69 (3) (d) Paragraphs (a) to (c) (cm) do not apply to pickup or drop areas that are marked with regulatory markers and that are open to operators of personal watercraft and to persons and motorboats engaged in water skiing, wakesurfing, or similar activity.
30.69 (3) (d) Paragraphs (a) to (c) (cm) do not apply to pickup or drop areas - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-6175/1 EHS:emw&wlj ASSEMBLY BILL 1033 SECTION 7 that are marked with regulatory markers and that are open to operators of personal watercraft and to persons and motorboats engaged in water skiing, wakesurfing, or similar activity.
S ECTION 27.
S ECTION 8.
S ECTION 28.
(END)
Nonstatutory provisions.
(1) DEPARTMENT TO SEEK APPROVAL .
No later than 60 days after the effective date of this subsection, the department of natural resources shall request approval from the U.S.
fish and wildlife service to authorize the hunting of sandhill cranes in this state.
(2) FEDERAL APPROVAL OF SANDHILL CRANE HUNTING.
When the department of natural resources receives approval from the U.S.
fish and wildlife service to - 2026 Legislature - 10 - LRBs0501/1 EHS & ZDW:cdc SECTION 28 authorize the hunting of sandhill cranes in this state, the department shall notify the legislative reference bureau.
The legislative reference bureau shall publish a notice in the Wisconsin Administrative Register that specifies that date.
S ECTION 29.
Effective dates.
This act takes effect on the date specified in the notice published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register uECTION 28 (2) of this act, except as follows:
(1) The treatment of ECTION 28 (1) of this act takes effect on the day after publication.
(END )
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Action History

  1. Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Read first time and referred to committee on Transportation and Local Government

  3. Received from Assembly

  4. Ordered immediately messaged

  5. Read a third time and passed

  6. Rules suspended

  7. Ordered to a third reading

  8. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  9. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Brooks

  10. Read a second time

  11. LRB correction (Assembly Substitute Amendment 1)

  12. Made a special order of business at 12:06 PM on 2-19-2026 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 14

  13. Referred to committee on Rules

  14. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on State Affairs, Ayes 7, Noes 3

  15. Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on State Affairs, Ayes 7, Noes 3

  16. Executive action taken

  17. Public hearing held

  18. Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Brooks

  19. Read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs

  20. Introduced by Representative Brooks; cosponsored by Senator Feyen

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 130 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

  • Feyen

Not signed on (130)

130 members have not signed on to this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 1033 do?
An Act to renumber and amend 30.69 (1) (b); to amend 30.69 (1) (a) (intro.), 30.69 (3) (d) and 30.74 (1) (a); to create 30.01 (1ag), 30.01 (1ah), 30.01 (6r) and 30.69 (3) (cm) of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 1033?
AB 1033 is sponsored by Feyen and Brooks, Robert (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 1033?
This bill has passed the Assembly. Introduced February 09, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track AB 1033?
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