Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB467

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/26/25
• Refer: 9/26/25
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to repeal 108.04 (2) (bb) and 108.04 (2) (bd); to amend 108.04 (2) (a) (intro.) and 108.04 (2) (bm); to repeal and recreate 108.04 (2) (a) 3. and 108.04 (2) (b) of the statutes; Relating to: unemployment insurance work search and registration and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

Impact

The most significant change proposed by AB467 is the removal of specific waiver requirements from the statutes. Instead, the DWD would have the authority to create waivers as deemed necessary through rule-making, including by emergency rules in certain scenarios. This change means that if a claimant is expecting to be recalled to work, they may not have to adhere to the usual work search requirements, creating a more adaptive system that can respond to the needs of individuals and economic conditions. Given that the work search is a critical factor for many seeking unemployment aid, this legislation could significantly adjust the landscape for unemployed individuals in Wisconsin.

Summary

Assembly Bill 467 aims to modify the regulations surrounding unemployment insurance in Wisconsin. It primarily focuses on the work search and registration requirements that claimants must fulfill to receive unemployment benefits. Currently, under existing law, individuals are required to demonstrate that they are actively seeking work to maintain their eligibility for benefits. This bill proposes to shift the authority for establishing specific waiver conditions for these requirements from the statutes to the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), allowing them greater flexibility in determining when these waivers may be implemented.

Conclusion

Overall, AB467 proposes changes intended to modernize the administration of unemployment benefits in Wisconsin, offering more flexibility to adapt to individual claimant circumstances. However, it also opens up discussions about the balance of power between state agencies and the rights of claimants, setting the stage for what could be important legislative debates ahead.

Contention

While this bill has been portrayed as a necessary update to streamline benefits processing and provide more timely assistance to unemployed individuals, there are potential contentions. Critics may raise concerns that by granting broader authority to the DWD without stringent regulations, there could be inconsistencies or unfairness in how waivers are administered. Additionally, there may be debates around whether these changes sufficiently protect the interests of claimants or if they provide the department too much discretionary power.