BillTrack50 logo
Free Signup Login
Bill

Bill > AB532

WI AB532

WI AB532
Unemployment insurance benefits. (FE)

summary

Introduced
10/15/2025
In Committee
10/15/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/23/2026

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

EMPLOYMENT This bill makes changes regarding the amount of unemployment insurance benefits that a claimant may receive in a given week, as follows: Increasing maximum weekly unemployment benefits Under current law, a person who qualifies for unemployment insurance receives a weekly benefit rate equal to a percentage of that person[s past earnings, but the weekly benefit rate is capped at $370. This bill changes the maximum weekly benefit rate in the following ways: 1. For benefits paid for weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 4, 2026, but before January 3, 2027, the maximum weekly benefit rate is capped at $497. 2. For benefits paid for weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 3, 2027, the maximum weekly benefit rate is increased based upon the change in the consumer price index and is then increased on the same basis annually thereafter. Increasing unemployment insurance benefit wage cap Under current law, a person who qualifies for unemployment insurance is ineligible to receive any UI benefits for a week if the person receives or will receive wages or certain other earnings totalling more than $500 (wage cap). This bill changes the wage cap in the following ways: 1. For weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 4, 2026, but before January 3, 2027, the wage cap is increased to $672. 2. For weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 3, 2027, the wage cap is increased based upon the change in the consumer price index and is then increased on the same basis annually thereafter. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill modifies Wisconsin's unemployment insurance benefits system by establishing a phased approach to increasing the maximum weekly benefit amount and wage limitation for unemployment claims. Specifically, the bill sets the maximum weekly benefit amount at $370 for weeks of unemployment between January 5, 2014, and January 4, 2026, then increases it to $497 for weeks between January 4, 2026, and January 3, 2027. Starting January 3, 2027, the maximum weekly benefit amount will be indexed annually based on changes in the consumer price index, with the amount adjusted each January to reflect inflation. Similarly, the wage limitation for receiving benefits (the amount a claimant can earn in a week without losing unemployment benefits) will increase from $500 to $672 in the same timeframe, and will also be subject to annual indexing after January 3, 2027. The bill requires the state department to publish a schedule of weekly benefit rates and provides that if the consumer price index does not increase, the amounts will remain unchanged. These modifications aim to update unemployment insurance benefits to better reflect economic changes and cost of living adjustments.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (30)

Last Action

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 (on 03/23/2026)
(1 Companion Bills)

bill text

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...