Skip navigation Wisconsin State Legislature
Picture of Senator Van H. Wanggaard

Senator Van H. Wanggaard

Majority Caucus Chair

Senate District 21

(R - Racine)
Home Page
District map based on 2023 Wisconsin Act 94
Subscribe to updates via Notify Subscribe to updates via Notify
2025 authored proposals feed Feed for Authored proposals feed
2025 all related items feed Feed for All related items feed
2025 author index
Historical information
Madison Office:
 Room 122 South
State Capitol
PO Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707 Telephone:
 (608) 266-1832
(866) 615-7510 Fax:
 (608) 282-3561
Staff:
 Scott Kelly Scott.Kelly@legis.wisconsin.gov
Eric Barbour Eric.Barbour@legis.wisconsin.gov
Michelle Osdene Michelle.Osdene@legis.wisconsin.gov

Biography

  • Born Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, April 1952; married; 2 children, 3 grandchildren.
  • Graduate Racine Lutheran High School, 1970; Racine Police Academy; Wisconsin State Patrol Academy Accident Investigation; Northwestern University Traffic Institute-Reconstruction; U.S. Coast Guard National SAR School; attended John F. Kennedy University, California; University of Wisconsin-Extension; University of Wisconsin-Parkside; Green Bay Technical College; Milwaukee Area Technical College; Fox Valley Technical College.
  • Full-time legislator. Retired traffic investigator, Racine Police Department; adjunct instructor, Gateway Technical College and Northwestern Traffic Institute; police liaison and security, Racine Unified School District.
  • Member: National Rifle Association (life member); Racine County Line Rifle Club (board of directors); Racine Police Credit Union (former president, vice president); Major, Wisconsin Wing, Civil Air Patrol Legislative Squadron (official Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force).
  • Former member: Racine Zoological Society (board of directors); Racine Jaycees; Racine Police Explorers (advisor); Traffic Accident Consultants, Inc. (board of directors); Association of SWAT Personnel; Racine Innovative Youth Service (board); Hostage Negotiation Team, RAPD; Racine Junior Deputy Sheriffs Association; Racine Alateen (advisor); National Association for Search and Rescue (PSAR chair).
  • Racine Police and Fire Commission, 2003—13 (chair, vice chair, secretary). Racine County Board, 2002—11.
  • Elected to Senate 2010. Reelected since 2014. Leadership positions: Majority Caucus Vice Chair 2015—2017; Majority Caucus Chair 2017, 2019.

Member of State Capitol and Executive Residence Board

2025 Authored Proposals

(first or second author, first sponsor)

  • 3/27/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 159
    Relating to: requirements for lighting on police vehicles.

  • 3/21/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 147
    Relating to: interpreter action by telephone or live audiovisual means in civil or criminal proceedings.

  • 3/21/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 138
    Relating to: prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE)

  • 3/21/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 146
    Relating to: prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty.

  • 3/21/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 155
    Relating to: requiring periodic inspections of parking structures.

  • 3/17/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 148
    Relating to: interpreter action by telephone or live audiovisual means in civil or criminal proceedings.

  • 3/14/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 130
    Relating to: the distribution of certain material on the Internet.

  • 3/14/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 133
    Relating to: maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. (FE)

  • 3/13/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 137
    Relating to: maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. (FE)

  • 3/11/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 124
    Relating to: prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty.

  • 3/10/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 105
    Relating to: the distribution of certain material on the Internet.

  • 3/7/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 100
    Relating to: the requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE)

  • 3/7/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 99
    Relating to: spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE)

  • 2/28/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 92
    Relating to: spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE)

  • 2/28/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 91
    Relating to: the requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE)

  • 2/28/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 77
    Relating to: registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty.

  • 2/28/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 78
    Relating to: impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE)

  • 2/26/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 82
    Relating to: governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device.

  • 2/24/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 61
    Relating to: injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty.

  • 2/21/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 64
    Relating to: injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty.

  • 2/21/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 65
    Relating to: impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE)

  • 2/21/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 66
    Relating to: registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty.

  • 2/17/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 35
    Relating to: withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE)

  • 2/17/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 26
    Relating to: battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty.

  • 2/12/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 30
    Relating to: required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE)

  • 2/12/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 34
    Relating to: withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE)

  • 2/12/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 39
    Relating to: establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE)

  • 2/6/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 10
    Relating to: a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE)

  • 2/3/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 4
    Relating to: required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE)

  • 2/3/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 12
    Relating to: a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE)

  • 1/24/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 6
    Relating to: impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses.

  • 1/24/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 5
    Relating to: battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty.

  • 1/6/2025: 2025 Assembly Joint Resolution 1
    Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).

  • 1/6/2025: 2025 Senate Joint Resolution 2
    Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).

2025 Co-authored Proposals

  • 3/14/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 123
    Relating to: investment securities under the Uniform Commercial Code.

  • 3/14/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 125
    Relating to: a nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE)

  • 3/7/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 93
    Relating to: recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE)

  • 3/7/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 94
    Relating to: civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty.

  • 3/7/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 117
    Relating to: designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants.

  • 3/7/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 105
    Relating to: jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE)

  • 3/7/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 116
    Relating to: designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants.

  • 3/7/2025: 2025 Senate Joint Resolution 13
    Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller.

  • 3/7/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 115
    Relating to: Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE)

  • 2/26/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 75
    Relating to: venue for actions in which there is a governmental party.

  • 2/26/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 83
    Relating to: utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)

  • 2/26/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 69
    Relating to: an income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher. (FE)

  • 2/26/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 77
    Relating to: entering certain places with intent to commit battery and providing a penalty.

  • 2/21/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 51
    Relating to: flags flown at state and local government buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule.

  • 2/21/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 57
    Relating to: county sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE)

  • 2/12/2025: 2025 Senate Joint Resolution 9
    Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr.

  • 2/12/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 28
    Relating to: an incumbent transmission facility owner’s right to construct, own, and maintain certain transmission facilities and Public Service Commission procedures if the transmission facility is a regionally cost-shared transmission line.

  • 2/7/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 27
    Relating to: requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. (FE)

  • 2/5/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 22
    Relating to: requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents.

  • 2/5/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 25
    Relating to: court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths.

  • 2/5/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 18
    Relating to: changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE)

  • 2/5/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 23
    Relating to: extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE)

  • 2/3/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 11
    Relating to: allowing representatives of certain federally chartered youth membership organizations to provide information to pupils on public school property.

  • 2/3/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 13
    Relating to: incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE)

  • 2/3/2025: 2025 Senate Joint Resolution 3
    Relating to: proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin.

  • 1/24/2025: 2025 Senate Bill 2
    Relating to: expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War.

2025 Cosponsored Proposals

  • 3/17/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 138
    Relating to: jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE)

  • 3/13/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 133
    Relating to: investment securities under the Uniform Commercial Code.

  • 3/13/2025: 2025 Assembly Joint Resolution 18
    Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Representative Jonathan Brostoff.

  • 3/11/2025: 2025 Assembly Joint Resolution 12
    Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller.

  • 3/11/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 108
    Relating to: a nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE)

  • 3/3/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 100
    Relating to: designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants.

  • 3/3/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 102
    Relating to: designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants.

  • 2/28/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 97
    Relating to: extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE)

  • 2/28/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 85
    Relating to: recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE)

  • 2/28/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 88
    Relating to: civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty.

  • 2/28/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 84
    Relating to: prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE)

  • 2/28/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 83
    Relating to: governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device.

  • 2/24/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 54
    Relating to: utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)

  • 2/24/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 67
    Relating to: venue for actions in which there is a governmental party.

  • 2/24/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 64
    Relating to: an income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher. (FE)

  • 2/24/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 65
    Relating to: entering certain places with intent to commit battery and providing a penalty.

  • 2/17/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 39
    Relating to: requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer.

  • 2/17/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 46
    Relating to: flags flown at state and local government buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule.

  • 2/17/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 29
    Relating to: impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses.

  • 2/17/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 27
    Relating to: expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War.

  • 2/17/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 34
    Relating to: court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths.

  • 2/13/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 25
    Relating to: an incumbent transmission facility owner’s right to construct, own, and maintain certain transmission facilities and Public Service Commission procedures if the transmission facility is a regionally cost-shared transmission line.

  • 2/12/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 24
    Relating to: county sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE)

  • 2/10/2025: 2025 Assembly Joint Resolution 4
    Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr.

  • 2/7/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 23
    Relating to: establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE)

  • 2/6/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 9
    Relating to: allowing representatives of certain federally chartered youth membership organizations to provide information to pupils on public school property.

  • 2/6/2025: 2025 Assembly Joint Resolution 3
    Relating to: proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Wisconsin.

  • 2/3/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 5
    Relating to: requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents.

  • 2/3/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 3
    Relating to: incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE)

  • 1/31/2025: 2025 Assembly Bill 1
    Relating to: changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE)

2025 Authored Amendments

2025 Votes