Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SB196

Introduced
4/14/25  
Refer
4/14/25  

Caption

An Act to renumber 108.04 (2) (ae); to renumber and amend 108.14 (19); to amend 108.04 (2) (a) 3., 108.04 (2) (bm), 108.04 (2) (g) 2., 108.04 (11) (cm), 108.14 (21) and 108.22 (8) (a); to create 108.04 (1) (hg), 108.04 (2) (ae) 1., 108.04 (2) (hL), 108.14 (19) (b) and 108.14 (28) of the statutes; Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)

Impact

The impact of SB196 on state laws involves significant changes to how unemployment benefits are administered. By mandating that the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) consider employer reports on job search compliance, the bill allows for a more systematic approach to monitoring claimants' attachment to the labor market. This could decrease the number of individuals receiving benefits who are not engaged in job-seeking activities, ideally leading to a reduction in fraud and misuse of the UI system.

Summary

Senate Bill 196 introduces several modifications to the existing unemployment insurance (UI) law in Wisconsin. The primary focus of this bill is to enhance the accountability of claimants by instituting stricter requirements regarding job search efforts. Under the new provisions, claimants must provide weekly verification of their job search activities, and failure to respond to job offers or interview invitations can lead to disqualification from benefits. This regulatory change aims to ensure that claimants are actively seeking work as a condition of receiving UI benefits.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB196 stem from concerns about the potential for increased pressure on unemployed individuals. Critics argue that the stringent job search verification requirements could discourage people from applying for benefits, particularly those who may face barriers in finding suitable employment. Furthermore, worry exists that the bill's provisions on the mandatory recovery of overpayments could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, making it imperative for legislators to balance oversight with support for those seeking employment.

Companion Bills

WI AB169

Crossfiled An Act to renumber 108.04 (2) (ae); to renumber and amend 108.14 (19); to amend 108.04 (2) (a) 3., 108.04 (2) (bm), 108.04 (2) (g) 2., 108.04 (11) (cm), 108.14 (21) and 108.22 (8) (a); to create 108.04 (1) (hg), 108.04 (2) (ae) 1., 108.04 (2) (hL), 108.14 (19) (b) and 108.14 (28) of the statutes; Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)

WI AB622

Crossfiled An Act to repeal 108.04 (7) (t) 1.; to amend 108.04 (7) (e), 108.04 (7) (t) 2., 108.04 (8) (d) (intro.) and 108.04 (8) (dm) of the statutes; Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)

WI AB652

Crossfiled An Act to repeal 108.04 (12) (f) 3., 108.17 (2g), 108.17 (7) and 108.205 (1m); to renumber 108.04 (12) (f) 4.; to renumber and amend 108.04 (11) (cm), 108.04 (12) (f) 1m. and 2m. and 108.14 (21); to amend 108.04 (2) (h), 108.04 (11) (d), 108.04 (11) (f), 108.05 (1) (r), 108.05 (9), 108.05 (10) (intro.), 108.095 (2), 108.14 (2e), 108.14 (19), 108.14 (20), 108.16 (3) (a), 108.17 (2), 108.17 (2b), 108.205 (2), 108.22 (1) (ac), 108.22 (1) (ad) 1., 108.22 (1) (af) and 108.225 (16) (am) 1. c.; to create 108.022, 108.04 (1) (hg), 108.04 (2) (hL), 108.04 (8) (bm), 108.04 (11) (cm) 2., 108.05 (1) (s), 108.05 (7m) (title), (c) and (d), 108.14 (10m), 108.14 (21) (b), 108.14 (30) and 108.185 of the statutes; Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)

Previously Filed As

WI AB2462

Unsafe products: disposal: penalties.

WI SB730

Product safety: consumer products: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

WI SB682

Environmental health: product safety: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

WI AB872

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 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.

WI SB0806

Health facilities: other; hyperbaric oxygen inspection fund; create. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 21224 to pt. 212. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0803'26, SB 0804'26, SB 0805'26

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 SB72

An act to amend Sections 10004.

WI SB1084

Modifies provisions relating to state funds for regional planning commissions

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Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)

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