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)
AB 167 requires the governor or state agency to notify the Joint Committee on Finance before implementing any increase to unemployment benefits above current state law (e.g., higher weekly rates or additional benefit weeks). The committee must approve such "benefit augmentations" before they take effect, and it retains the right to terminate them at any time. This applies to federally funded benefits but excludes federal extended benefits under Section 108.141. The bill also makes minor technical updates to unemployment claim requirements, such as requiring out-of-state claimants to register with local job centers. These changes aim to centralize oversight of unemployment benefit adjustments at the state level.
Bill status
vetoed
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Aug 2025
Assembly Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
Vetoed
Apr 2026
Introduced Apr 8, 2025
Vetoed Apr 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Bill Text
→
Text as Enrolled
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Wisconsin's unemployment insurance law to clarify what counts as misconduct, expand the definition of misconduct to include unauthorized use of employer credit cards and destruction of records, and strengthen work search requirements. It also creates a new process requiring the Joint Committee on Finance to review and approve any state programs that increase unemployment benefits beyond standard federal levels.
Scope change
The bill applies to all unemployment insurance claims and specifically targets the rules governing misconduct determinations and the administration of federally funded unemployment benefits.
ELIGIBILITY
Expanded the definition of misconduct to include unauthorized possession of employer property, theft of confidential information, unauthorized use of employer credit cards, and destruction of employer records.
Changed absenteeism rules to allow employers to define misconduct through reasonable written policies, rather than relying solely on a specific number of absences.
REQUIREMENT
Added a requirement for claimants to register on their local job center website if they reside outside Wisconsin.
ENFORCEMENT
Increased the requirement for the Department of Workforce Development to audit at least 50% of reported work search actions.
FISCAL
Created a new requirement for the Joint Committee on Finance to review and approve any state programs that augment unemployment benefits beyond standard federal rates.
Floor votes · Assembly Apr 22, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
32
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Apr 3, 2026
Vetoed
Report vetoed by the Governor on 4-3-2026
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 18, Noes 14
upper
Aug 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development, Ayes 3, Noes 2
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 53, Noes 42, Paired 2
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on calendar 4-22-2025 by Committee on Rules
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment, Ayes 6, Noes 3
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Tucker, Armstrong, Brooks, B. Jacobson, Duchow, Murphy, O'Connor, Penterman and Knodl;
cosponsored by Senator Wimberger
lower
9 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about AB 167
Scope: WI
Hi! I can help you understand AB 167. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline