Madison, WI — Today, Democratic colleagues Representative Hysell (D-Sun Prairie) and Representative Miresse (D-Stevens Point) testified in opposition to Assembly Bill 1033. Assembly Bill 1033 aims to regulate wake surfing by prohibiting the activity unless 300 feet from shoreline. The bill fails to acknowledge depth requirements, invasive species, and preserve local control. A different Republican bill, LRB 6365, also regulates wake surfing but takes into account depth requirements and preserves local control. Rep. Hysell and Rep. Miresse testified at the Assembly Committee on State Affairs to voice their concerns.
Rep. Miresse (D-Stevens Point) released the following statement:
“Assembly Bill 1033 is bad for Wisconsin lakes, property owners, local control, and would allow wake boats to cause irreversible harm to our lakes and damage ecosystems. Over 90 groups from lake associations, homeowners associations, anglers, traditional hook & bullet conservation groups, small businesses, towns and villages, and many others are united against this wake surfing bill. These are groups whose members are Republican, Democrat, and Independent, and only have their lake’s preservation and our Wisconsin way of life in mind. This bill is an attack on our shared Wisconsin values, and is unpopular with literally everybody in Wisconsin, except a handful of boaters, out-of-state industry, those with deep pockets.”
Rep. Hysell (D-Sun Prairie) released the following statement:
“Assembly Bill 1033 would put Wisconsin towns at risk of being sued by wealthy individuals and a deep-pocketed industry. We should instead protect towns and pass LRB 6365 authored by our Republican colleagues Representative Nate Gustafson and Senator Racheal Cabral-Guevara. Unlike AB 1033, LRB 6365 would give immunity to Wisconsin municipalities that choose to pass ordinances to protect their lakes.”
