Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | www.facebook.com
Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | www.facebook.com
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "the distribution of certain material on the Internet".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill creates restrictions on the online publication and distribution of material deemed harmful to minors, requiring businesses to use reasonable age verification methods before granting access to such content. "Material harmful to minors" includes content appealing to prurient interests, depicting sexual acts or nudity, and lacking significant value for minors. It also bans the publication of obscene material or depictions of purported children online. Entities that comply with age verification must not retain users' identifying data. Civil liability for damages, costs, and attorney fees may be imposed for violations, and sovereign immunity cannot be claimed as a defense. The bill excludes bona fide news organizations from these requirements and exempts Internet service providers, search engines, and cloud services from penalties if they do not generate the content. The effective date has not been specified.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Joy L. Goeben (Republican-5th District), Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), along seven other co-sponsors.
Van H. Wanggaard has authored or co-authored another 47 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB130 | 03/14/2025 | The distribution of certain material on the Internet |
| SB100 | 03/07/2025 | The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE) |
| SB99 | 03/07/2025 | Spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| 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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