Quantcast

Kenosha Reporter

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Sen. Wanggaard authors Wisconsin Senate bill imposing surcharge on prostitution offenses

Webp i9ui9kma13z7ppmi4o01t7o9dqs7

Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | www.facebook.com

Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | www.facebook.com

A new bill authored by State Sen. Van H. Wanggaard in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to impose a surcharge on prostitution-related offenses to fund victim services and child protection efforts, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill introduces a $5,000 surcharge for individuals convicted of offenses related to prostitution, including patronizing or soliciting prostitutes, pandering, and offenses involving children such as soliciting or patronizing a child for prostitution. The funds collected from this surcharge will be allocated equally between services for sex-trafficking victims and resources for combating Internet crimes against children. Specifically, the money will support treatment and services for trafficking victims and bolster criminal investigative operations targeting Internet crimes against children. The bill outlines the procedures for collection, allocation, and use of these funds and applies to offenses committed from its effective date forward.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), and Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), along eight other co-sponsors.

Van H. Wanggaard has authored or co-authored another 50 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.

Bills Introduced by Van H. Wanggaard in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB13803/21/2025Prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB13303/14/2025Maximum 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)
SB13003/14/2025The distribution of certain material on the Internet
SB10003/07/2025The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE)
SB9903/07/2025Spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB8202/26/2025Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device
SB6602/21/2025Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty
SB6502/21/2025Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE)
SB6402/21/2025Injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty
SB3902/12/2025Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE)
SB3402/12/2025Withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB3002/12/2025Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE)
SB1202/03/2025A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE)
SB601/24/2025Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses
SB501/24/2025Battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Donate

MORE NEWS