WI
Wisconsin Senate Bill SB198
Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session
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Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SB198

Introduced
4/14/25  
Refer
4/14/25  

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

This legislation looks to tighten the criteria under which individuals qualify for unemployment benefits. It recalibrates the definition of misconduct related to employment termination, broadening the scope of actions that can disqualify employees from receiving benefits. This includes not only theft but also vague standards such as absenteeism unless justified by valid reasons. Furthermore, violations of employer policies, as communicated and acknowledged by employees, are set to potentially impact UI eligibility, indicating a shift toward stricter accountability for employee conduct.

Summary

Senate Bill 198 introduces several significant changes to the Wisconsin unemployment insurance (UI) law. Key provisions require that claimants residing outside Wisconsin must register with their local job center or labor market exchange to maintain their benefits. Additionally, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is mandated to conduct random audits of at least 50 percent of work search actions reported by claimants, enhancing scrutiny on the compliance of individuals claiming benefits. These audits aim to ensure the integrity of the unemployment benefit system by verifying that claimants are genuinely seeking work as required.

Contention

Throughout the discussions surrounding SB198, notable contention arose regarding the balance between safeguarding the integrity of the unemployment system and ensuring fair access to benefits for eligible claimants. Critics of the bill express concerns that the expanded definition of misconduct and increased auditing could disproportionately affect vulnerable workers who may already be struggling to find employment. Supporters argue that such measures are necessary to prevent abuse of the UI system and to ensure that taxpayer funds are allocated effectively. The requirement for the Joint Committee on Finance to approve any federally authorized benefit augmentations is also a point of contention, raising questions about efficient management of state resources.

Latest WI SB198 Activity

View All Events: WI 2025-2026 Regular Session SB198

Companion Bills

WI AB167

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 AB167

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 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 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 AB872

Environmental health: product safety: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

WI HB633

A BILL to amend and reenact ยงยง 30-201, 45.2-1711, 45.2-1712, 45.2-1713, 56-579, 56-585.1:1, 56-585.1:5, 56-592, 56-592.1, 56-596, 56-596.1, 56-596.3, and 56-599 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Commission on Electric Utility Regulation; name change.

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