WisconsinFailed Wisconsin bill would set unemployment benefit rules
This failed measure would set rules for certain federally backed benefit increases, job registration, benefit decisions after firings, and work search audits.
What it does
State officials would notify the finance committee before arranging certain federally backed unemployment benefit increases. If the committee schedules a review, approval is required, and the increase must be subject to cancellation.
People seeking unemployment benefits after their first week would register with a local job center website, or with their labor market exchange if they live outside Wisconsin.
A fired worker could be denied unemployment benefits for breaking certain attendance or job-related social media rules in a signed employee manual.
The workforce department would audit reported work search activity at a level that lets it assess at least half of all reported actions.
Argument forClaimants might get clearer job search steps: they would register with a job service, but would not have to apply for every listed opening.
Argument againstClaimants might wait longer for added federal benefits if lawmakers schedule a review, since those benefits could not begin without committee approval.
More detail
State officials would notify the Joint Committee on Finance about certain proposed increases to unemployment benefits funded or reimbursed by the federal government. This covers state agencies and officials, including the governor, arranging federal funds, reimbursement, or agreements for weekly or total benefits above the amounts set in state law. If the committee schedules a review within 7 working days after notice, the increase could not proceed without committee approval. Any increase must be subject to cancellation by the committee. The rule would not cover federal extended benefits. The committee must schedule a review within 7 working days after notice for its approval to be required.
Claimants would register on a local job center website or, if they live outside Wisconsin, with their labor market exchange. This applies to claimants seeking benefits for any week other than their first week. The Department of Workforce Development would verify registration. Claimants would also provide requested job search information and take part in required reemployment services. The requirement would first apply to weeks of unemployment beginning on the later of the Sunday after a department notice is published or January 4, 2026.
The text lists certain attendance, tardiness, and social media policy violations among reasons a fired worker may be disqualified from benefits. These provisions concern unemployment benefit decisions after an employee is fired. Attendance or tardiness must violate a reasonable employer policy in a manual the worker signed to acknowledge receiving, and the termination must follow that policy. A social media policy must be in a signed manual, be substantially related to the worker’s job, and be followed in the termination. These provisions would first apply to benefit decisions issued on January 4, 2026, or the first Sunday after 180 days from publication, whichever is later.
The Department of Workforce Development would conduct random audits of claimants’ reported work search activity. The audits would cover people claiming unemployment benefits under Wisconsin law. The audits would assess compliance with work search requirements.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82Latest
- May 12Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- Apr 3Report vetoed by the Governor Tony Evers on 4-3-2026Major
- Apr 2Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026To Governor
- Jan 23Report correctly enrolled on 1-22-2026Minor
- Jan 22LRB correction
- Jan 22Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Jan 21Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded CONCURRENCE. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 21Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 18, Noes 14Passed Senate
- Jan 21Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Jan 21Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Jan 21Read a second timeMinor
- Jan 16Placed on calendar 1-21-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- 2025
- Aug 19Available for scheduling
- Vote recorded Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development, Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 19Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development, Ayes 3, Noes 2Minor
- Aug 19Executive action taken
- May 6Public hearing held
- Apr 24Read first time and referred to committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic DevelopmentMinor
- Apr 23Received from AssemblyMinor
- Apr 22Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22Read a third time and passed, Ayes 53, Noes 42, Paired 2Passed Assembly
- Apr 22Rules suspended
- Apr 22Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Apr 22Read a second timeMinor
- Apr 22Fiscal estimate receivedMinor
- Apr 17Placed on calendar 4-22-2025 by Committee on Rules
- Vote recorded Report passage recommended by Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment, Ayes 6, Noes 3. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 17Referred to committee on RulesMinor
- Apr 17Report passage recommended by Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment, Ayes 6, Noes 3Minor
- Apr 17Executive action taken
- Apr 9Public hearing held
- Apr 8Read first time and referred to Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated EmploymentMinor
- Apr 8Introduced by Representatives Tucker, Armstrong, Brooks, B. Jacobson, Duchow, Murphy, O'Connor, Penterman and Knodl; cosponsored by Senator WimbergerIntroduced
- Aug 19Available for scheduling
Economy & Jobs