WI
Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB167
Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session
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Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB167

Introduced
4/8/25  
Refer
4/8/25  
Report Pass
4/17/25  
Refer
4/17/25  
Engrossed
4/22/25  
Refer
4/24/25  
Enrolled
1/23/26  

Caption

An Act to renumber and amend 108.04 (2) (a) 4. and 108.04 (5) (e); to amend 16.54 (2) (a) 1., 108.04 (5) (b), 108.04 (15) (a) 1. and 108.14 (20); to create 16.54 (14), 108.04 (2) (a) 4. c., 108.04 (5) (e) (intro.), 108.04 (5) (e) 2. and 108.04 (5) (h) of the statutes; Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law and requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Finance of certain federally authorized unemployment benefits. (FE)

Impact

The proposed changes are aimed at reinforcing employer authority while setting stricter guidelines for employees claiming unemployment benefits. By tightening the definition of misconduct and increasing the auditing of job search activities, AB167 appears to aim at reducing fraudulent claims and increasing accountability among claimants. Furthermore, claimants residing out of state will now be required to register with local job centers, creating a greater barrier to accessing unemployment benefits while enhancing the verification process.

Summary

Assembly Bill 167 introduces various amendments to the unemployment insurance (UI) laws in Wisconsin. These amendments begin with a reformation of what constitutes misconduct under the UI regulations, expanding the definition to include actions that employers previously could not cite without proving intent to deprive. This bill streamlines the process, allowing actions such as unauthorized possession of property or distribution of confidential information to be classified as misconduct regardless of intent. Moreover, it establishes clearer policies on absenteeism and tardiness, stating these may constitute misconduct if aligned with employer policies detailed in an employee handbook.

Contention

Notably, the bill stipulates that any federally funded benefit augmentations must receive passive review from the Joint Committee on Finance, which may lead to contention as federal actions may be delayed or obstructed. This requirement raises concerns over the responsiveness of state actions to federally mandated support, particularly during times of economic hardship. Critics argue that such controls limit the effectiveness of unemployment support, particularly in crises when timely enhancements to benefits could provide essential aid to displaced workers.

Latest WI AB167 Activity

View All Events: WI 2025-2026 Regular Session AB167

Companion Bills

WI SB198

Crossfiled An Act to renumber and amend 108.04 (2) (a) 4. and 108.04 (5) (e); to amend 16.54 (2) (a) 1., 108.04 (5) (b), 108.04 (15) (a) 1. and 108.14 (20); to create 16.54 (14), 108.04 (2) (a) 4. c., 108.04 (5) (e) (intro.), 108.04 (5) (e) 2. and 108.04 (5) (h) of the statutes; Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law and requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Finance of certain federally authorized unemployment benefits. (FE)

Previously Filed As

WI AB2462

Unsafe products: disposal: penalties.

WI SB198

Various changes to the unemployment insurance law and requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Finance of certain federally authorized unemployment benefits. (FE)

WI SB730

Product safety: consumer products: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

WI SB682

Environmental health: product safety: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

WI AB170

An act relating to the Budget Act of 2025. An act to amend Sections 100, 10004, 10050, 19404, 23050, 23075, 26001, 26010, 26010.5, and 26040 of, and to amend and repeal Section 26180.5 of, the Business and Professions Code, to amend Sections 1916.12, 1918.5, and 5405 of the Civil Code, to amend Sections 300, 1514, 14382, 14652.5, and 18022.5 of the Financial Code, to amend, repeal, and add Section 513 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to amend Sections 12895, 12896, and 12944 of, to amend and repeal Sections 12804, 12804.5, and 12856 of, to amend, add, and repeal Section 15562.5 of, to amend, repeal, and add Sections 8587.11, 8876.7, 11546.1, 11550, 12800, 12855, 12901, 14030, 15990, and 65040.12 of, to add Sections 12804.1, 12804.2, 12804.3, and 12804.4 to, and to add Part 5.1 (commencing with Section 14470) to Division 3 of Title 2 of, the Government Code, to amend Sections 35805 and 127501.4 of, to amend and repeal Section 50407.5 of, and to amend, repeal, and add Sections 17974, 50093, 50150, 50151, 50153, 50154, 50210, 50216, 50230, 50250, 50400, 50423, 50462, 50900, 50901, 50913, 51005, 51624, 53524, and 54913 of, the Health and Safety Code, to amend, repeal, and add Section 998.547 of the Military and Veterans Code, to amend, repeal, and add Section 75121 of the Public Resources Code, to amend Section 10200 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, and to amend Sections 8255, 8256, 8257.01, 8257.1, and 8257.2 of, to amend, repeal, and add Sections 4581 and 9850 of, to add Sections 8257.02, 8257.03, 8257.04, and 8257.05 to, and to repeal and add the heading of Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 8255) of Division 8 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to reorganization of the executive branch of state government, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget.

WI SB0049

Labor: health and safety; revisions to the occupational safety and health act; provide for. Amends title & secs. 4, 13, 14, 14a, 14e 14f, 14j, 14n, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 41, 45, 46, 52, 54, 55, 56, 63, 65 & 91 of 1974 PA 154 (MCL 408.1004 et seq.) & repeals sec. 1035a of 1974 PA 154 (MCL 408.1035a).

WI SB170

An act to amend Sections 100, 10004, 10050, 19404, 23050, 23075, 26001, 26010, 26010.5, and 26040 of, and to amend and repeal Section 26180.5 of, the Business and Professions Code, to amend Sections 1916.12, 1918.5, and 5405 of the Civil Code, to amend Sections 300, 1514, 14382, 14652.5, and 18022.5 of the Financial Code, to amend, repeal, and add Section 513 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to amend Sections 12895, 12896, and 12944 of, to amend and repeal Sections 12804, 12804.5, and 12856 of, to amend, repeal, and add Sections 8587.11, 8876.7, 11546.1, 11550, 12800, 12855, 12901, 14030, 15562.5, 15990, and 65040.12 of, to add Sections 12804.1, 12804.2, 12804.3, and 12804.4 to, and to add Part 5.1 (commencing with Section 14470) to Division 3 of Title 2 of, the Government Code, to amend Sections 35805 and 127501.4 of, to amend and repeal Section 50407.5 of, and to amend, repeal, and add Sections 17974, 50093, 50150, 50151, 50153, 50154, 50210, 50216, 50230, 50250, 50400, 50423, 50462, 50900, 50901, 50913, 51005, 51624, 53524, and 54913 of, the Health and Safety Code, to amend, repeal, and add Section 998.547 of the Military and Veterans Code, to amend, repeal, and add Section 75121 of the Public Resources Code, to amend Section 10200 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, and to amend Sections 8255, 8256, 8257.01, 8257.1, and 8257.2 of, to amend, repeal, and add Sections 4581 and 9850 of, to add Sections 8257.02, 8257.03, 8257.04, and 8257.05 to, and to repeal and add the heading of Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 8255) of Division 8 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to reorganization of the executive branch of state government, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget.

WI SB72

An act to amend Sections 10004.

WI AB872

Environmental health: product safety: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

WI AB635

An act to amend Sections 18802, 18804, 18805, and 18806 of of, to amend and repeal Section 18803 of, and to add Section 18803.1 to, the Health and Safety Code, relating to housing.

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