A new bill authored by State Sen. LaTonya Johnson in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to prohibit the abandonment of boats on Wisconsin waters or adjacent land to protect navigation, safety, and the environment, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “prohibiting abandonment of a boat and providing a penalty”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill prohibits the abandonment of boats on Wisconsin waters or adjacent riparian land without consent. “Abandon” is defined as leaving a boat unattended for over seven consecutive days or in a neglected state posing a hazard to navigation, safety, or environmental health. If a law enforcement officer identifies an abandoned boat, the owner is notified to remove it within 30 days. Failure to do so may result in a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to nine months, or both. The Department of Natural Resources may also require the owner to complete a safety course before operating a boat. An effective date is not specified in the bill.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Shannon Zimmerman (Republican-30th District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), Senator Van H. Wanggaard (Republican-21st District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Cindi Duchow (Republican-97th District), and Representative Chanz J. Green (Republican-74th District), along two other co-sponsors.
LaTonya Johnson has authored or co-authored another 18 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Johnson graduated from Tennessee State University in 1997 with a BS.
Johnson, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2017 to represent the state’s 6th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Nikiya Harris Dodd.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB250 | 05/09/2025 | Prohibiting abandonment of a boat and providing a penalty |
| SB187 | 04/14/2025 | Study of guaranteed employment grant program and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB135 | 03/14/2025 | Special observance days in schools |
| SB73 | 02/26/2025 | Prosecuting or adjudicating delinquent a person under the age of 18 for committing an act of prostitution |
| SB70 | 02/26/2025 | A minor’s authority to consent to health care |
| SB60 | 02/21/2025 | Expanding the homestead income tax credit. (FE) |
