Bill > AB167

This bill makes several changes to Wisconsin's unemployment insurance laws, including requiring the Joint Committee on Finance to approve certain federally authorized unemployment benefits, a process referred to as "benefit augmentation," which could increase weekly benefit rates or total benefit amounts beyond what is normally provided. It also clarifies what constitutes employee misconduct that could disqualify someone from receiving unemployment benefits, such as theft or unauthorized possession of employer property, theft or unauthorized distribution of confidential information, or unauthorized use of an employer's credit card. The bill also modifies rules regarding absenteeism and tardiness, requiring employees to provide notice and valid reasons for such absences to avoid disqualification, and introduces new grounds for disqualification related to violations of employer policies on social media use. Additionally, it updates requirements for claimants to actively search for work, including registering on job center websites or with labor market exchanges if they live out of state, and mandates that the Department of Workforce Development conduct audits to ensure at least 50% of reported work search actions are assessed for compliance.

Business and Industry, Labor and Employment

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab167