Unemployment Insurance – Changes Ahead

Dear WASS Members,

As noted in the last Legislative Minute, WASS continues to follow any changes to proposed legislation as it relates to UI and other topics relevant to the staffing industry.  In early April, Wisconsin Assembly and Senate Republicans introduced a workforce package with particular focus on reforms to unemployment insurance. It is particularly critical for leaders in the staffing industry to be in the know about any changes to Unemployment Insurance policies and laws – and WASS will continue to keep you informed.

This is the 2nd in the series of Legislative Minutes providing information on each of the bills.  Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) has shared much of this information and is taking a pro-business stance in support of these bills.

WASS supports initiatives to reduce reliance on unemployment insurance and related workforce programs for those individuals fully capable of working.  Staffing provides a powerful bridge back to employment for workers as they transition from unemployment back to the workplace and these bills provide incentives to re-enter the workplace.

AB 164/SB 197, relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law and federal Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment grants.

  1. Rep. B. Jacobson/Sen. Jacque

This legislation changes the focus of unemployment insurance to reemployment, providing individuals with access to career coaching and an individualized employment plan. It also strengthens work search requirements by requiring two of the required weekly work search actions be direct contacts with potential employers and requiring claimants to keep a current resume posted on the job center website.

AB 165/SB 202, relating to: local guaranteed income programs

  1. Rep. Piwowarcyk/Sen. Nass

This legislation would prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used for the purpose of making payment to individuals under guaranteed income programs. Some local governments are providing monthly stipends to individuals regardless of their work status and WMC believes this practice creates a disincentive to work.

AB 166/SB 199, relating to: academic and career planning services provided to pupils, requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes, and granting rule-making authority.

  1. Rep. Melotik/Sen. Feyen

This legislation provides high school students with key indicators for postsecondary schools during their academic and career planning services, including average salary, average debt, graduation rates and the 50 most in demand jobs within the state. This will allow students to make informed decisions on postsecondary schools and career opportunities.

  1. Click here for WMC testimony

AB 163, relating to: redeterminations of eligibility for the Medical Assistance program and database confirmation for public assistance program eligibility.

  1. Rep. Penterman/Sen. Stafsholt

AB163 would require stricter adherence to reporting requirements for those on the BadgerCare Plus (Medicaid) program.  This legislation makes changes to the BadgerCare Plus (Medicaid) program to prevent improper payments. This is expected to reduce improper payments and force the removal of individuals ineligible for the program. The bill would prohibit the automatic renewal of benefits for recipients, require the Department of Health Services to promptly remove all ineligible individuals, remove from the program for six months anyone that fails to report changes that would affect their eligibility and other reforms.

Another big THANK YOU to WASS Board Member, Mike Gotzler of Littler Mendelson for representing WASS on the State of Wisconsin’s Unemployment Insurance Council.

WASS would also like to extend additional gratitude to Rachel Ver Velde, Associate Vice President of Government Relations & Senior Political Advisor and our friends at the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce for continuing to monitor any further development on this and related issues.  WASS fully appreciates this information and welcomes the opportunity to share these updates with our members to keep you informed and updated.

WASS Legislative Minutes…another great reason to for being a WASS Member.  As a voice for our industry in Wisconsin, it is important to stay informed and proactive in the face of potential legislative changes. WASS is prepared and ready to advocate for the staffing industry.

Thank you,
WASS Advocacy Committee  
See full listing of Assembly Bills
Reminder
In early April, WASS send a Legislative Minute with a call to action. We called your attention to Assembly Bill 146 which would increase the window of time by which employers have to respond to Unemployment Insurance Claims. WASS Board Member, Eric Becher testified in favor of Assembly Bill 146 on behalf of WASS and Hatch Staffing Services.  The Assembly Committee Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment held a hearing on April 29, 2025 at the Capitol in Madison at which Eric defended this common sense bill and expressed our common concern regarding the timely response required when in receipt of a separation notice delivered via our unreliable USPS.We also need your voice and encourage you to express your support. See below for a refresher on the Bill and for a template for a letter which we encourage your agency to send in support of the Bill.  The template can be easily modified to show support (or your opposition to) other proposed policies and legislation as well.  It's important to build relationships with your elected leaders.   The WASS Website has resources to help you identify your various representatives. 
Read Assembly Bill 146

Make your Voice Heard

Consider sending a letter to the Author of Assembly Bill 146 such as:

Representative Paul Melotik, Assembly District 22
Room 308 North
State Capitol
PO Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
Dear Representative Melotik:

On behalf {agency name} and as a representative of the temporary staffing industry in Wisconsin, we respectfully submit our support for Assembly Bill 146. This bill establishes a fair and reasonable 12 business day window for employers to respond to unemployment insurance claim notices, addressing long standing challenges associated with delayed or missed mail delivery.

We place over ## of employees annually and believe that timely communication from the Department of Workforce Development is critical to maintaining the integrity of the UI system. We strongly support this commonsense reform to ensure due process for employers and accountability within the claims process.

Respectfully submitted,
Name
Title

Agency

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