Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | Official Website
Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | Official Website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill prohibits state agencies and local governmental units in Wisconsin from enforcing any restrictions on the use or sale of motor vehicles or other devices based on their energy source. This applies to vehicles used for transportation or other functions and to any other devices powered by a particular energy source. However, the bill explicitly states that it does not impact policies concerning the purchase of motor vehicles for state agency or local government use. The measure seeks to eliminate any government-imposed limitations centered on the type of energy—such as gasoline, electricity, or other fuels—powering a vehicle or device, with an effective date yet to be specified.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Duke Tucker (Republican-75th District), Senator Julian Bradley (Republican-28th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (Republican-25th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), and Representative Calvin T. Callahan (Republican-35th District), along 19 other co-sponsors.
Van H. Wanggaard has authored or co-authored another 28 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Wanggaard graduated from Gateway Technical College.
Wanggaard, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2015 to represent the state's 21st Senate district, replacing previous state senator John Lehman.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB82 | 02/26/2025 | Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device |
| SB66 | 02/21/2025 | Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty |
| SB65 | 02/21/2025 | Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE) |
| SB64 | 02/21/2025 | Injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty |
| SB39 | 02/12/2025 | Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) |
| SB34 | 02/12/2025 | Withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB30 | 02/12/2025 | Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE) |
| SB12 | 02/03/2025 | A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE) |
| SB6 | 01/24/2025 | Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses |
| SB5 | 01/24/2025 | Battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty |
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