Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive 9 R cosponsors

AB 162 — Relating to: workforce metrics. (FE)

Last action — Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced April 08, 2025. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers (Democratic) on October 31, 2025.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    1 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (9 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

An Act to renumber and amend 106.11; to amend 106.11 (title) and 109.07 (1m) (a); to create 106.11 (1) (title) and (2) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

79 added · 146 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to Assembly Bill 162 specify that state agencies involved in workforce development must regularly track and report on the effectiveness of their programs using key performance indicators established by federal law. This includes metrics like employment rates after program completion and earnings levels of participants. These changes are important because they aim to enhance accountability, ensuring that workforce development initiatives are genuinely helping individuals secure jobs and improve their skills. This reporting requirement will enable better assessment and improvement of workforce programs in Wisconsin.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-1536/1 MED:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 162 April 8, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives A RMSTRONG , O'CONNOR , BROOKS , D ITTRICH, GREEN , KNODL , KREIBICH, MURPHY and P ENTERMAN , cosponsored by Senator FEYEN .
Date of enactment:
Referred to Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment.
Assembly Bill 162 Date of publication*:
A N A CT to renumber and amend 106.11;
WISCONSIN ACT A N A CT to renumber and amend 106.11;
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill requires any state agency or authority that operates, coordinates, or oversees a workforce development program or activity, as defined in the bill, to track and report, at least annually, on the performance of that workforce development program or activity, using the primary indicators of performance under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in sen- formation for those resources, for distribution to those ate and assembly, do enact as follows:
These performance indicators are:
employees under s.
1) the percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program;
109.07 (1m) (a).
2) the percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from the program;
SECTION 3.
3) the median earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program;
106.11 (1) (title) and (2) of the statutes SECTION 1.
4) the percentage of program participants who obtain a recognized postsecondary credential, or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent during participation in or within one year after exit from the program;
106.11 (title) of the statutes is amended are created to read:
5) the percentage of program participants who, during a program year, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains toward - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-1536/1 MED:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 162 SECTION 1 such a credential or employment;
to read:
and 6) the indicators of effectiveness in serving employers, defined currently as the percentage of participants in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program who were employed by the same employer in the second and fourth quarters after exit.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
106.11 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
106.11 (1) (title) WORKFORCE INVESTMENT .
SECTION 2.
106.11 of the statutes is renumbered 106.11 (1) (a) and amended to read:
106.11 (1) (a) The department shall cooperate with the federal government in carrying out the purposes of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, 29 USC 2801 to 2945 Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, 29 USC 3101 to 3361.
In administering the programs authorized by that act, the department shall, in cooperation with other state agencies and with local workforce development boards established under 29 USC 2832 3122, establish a statewide workforce investment system to meet the employment, training, and educational needs of persons in this state.
(b) If a local workforce development board anticipates that there may be a business closing or mass layoff under s.
109.07 in the area served by that board, the board may prepare a list of resources available in that area that provide career planning, job search, job skills training, and other support services for affected employees, as defined in s.
109.07 (1) (a), including contact information for those resources, for distribution to those employees under s.
109.07 (1m) (a).
- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-1536/1 MED:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 162 SECTION 3 S ECTION 3.
106.11 (1) (title) and (2) of the statutes are created to read:
106.11 (1) (titleORKFORCE INVESTMENT .
(a) In this subsection:
(a) In SECTION 2.
106.11 of the statutes is renumbered this subsection:
106.11 (1) (a) and amended to read:
“Workforce development program or activity” means any program or coordinated activities funded in whole or in part by the state, whether by using state or federal funds, that does any of the following within this state:
XWorkforce development program or activityY means any program or coordinated activities funded in 106.11 (1) (a) The department shall cooperate with the federal government in carrying out the purposes of whole or in part by the state, whether by using state or the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, 29 USC federal funds, that does any of the following within this to 2945 Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, state:
a.
USC 3101 to 3361.
Promotes or provides job training or work readiness services.
In administering the programs a.
Promotes or provides job training or work readi- authorized by that act, the department shall, in coopera- ness services.
Assists individuals with looking for wage-earning work in this state.
Assists individuals with looking for wage-earning tion with other state agencies and with local workforce development boards established under 29 USC 2832 work in this state.
c.
3122, establish a statewide workforce investment system c.
Assists with or otherwise facilitates job placement within the state.
Assists with or otherwise facilitates job place- to meet the employment, training, and educational needs ment within the state.
of persons in this state.
“Workforce development program or activity” includes all of the following, in addition to what is specified under subd.
XWorkforce development program or activityY in- (b) If a local workforce development board antici- cludes all of the following, in addition to what is speci- pates that there may be a business closing or mass layoff fied under subd.
a.
under s.
Show all 107 changed rows (67 more)
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The Transform Milwaukee Jobs program and Transitional Jobs programs under s.
109.07 in the area served by that board, the a.
The Transform Milwaukee Jobs program and board may prepare a list of resources available in that Transitional Jobs programs under s.
b.
area that provide career planning, job search, job skills b.
The department of corrections’ initiatives to reintegrate offenders into the community.
The department of corrections[ initiatives to rein- training, and other support services for affected employ- tegrate offenders into the community.
c.
ees, as defined in s.
The employment and training program administered by the department of children and families under s.
109.07 (1) (a), including contact in- c.
49.79 (9).
The employment and training program adminis- ernor's partial veto which does not expressly prescribe the time when it takes effect shall take effect on the day after its date of publication.Y Wisconsin Act - 2 - 2025 Assembly Bill 162 tered by the department of children and families under s.
d.
employment during the 2nd quarter after exit from the 49.79 (9).
The Wisconsin Works program administered by the department of children and families under ss.
program or activity who were employed by the same d.
49.141 to 49.161.
The Wisconsin Works program administered by employer in the 2nd and 4th quarters after exit.
e.
the department of children and families under ss.
Any workforce development program or activity funded, whether directly or indirectly, by the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L.
49.141 2.
117-2.
Any state agency or authority that is required to to 49.161.
(b) 1.
perform the tracking and reporting under subd.
Any state agency or authority that operates, coordinates, or oversees a workforce development program or activity shall, subject to subd.
3., track and - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-1536/1 MED:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 162 SECTION 3 report on the performance of the workforce development program or activity, using all of the following primary indicators of performance:
a.
The percentage of program or activity participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the 2nd quarter after exit from the program or activity.
b.
The percentage of program or activity participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the 4th quarter after exit from the program or activity.
c.
The median earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the 2nd quarter after exit from the program.
d.
The percentage of program or activity participants who obtain a recognized postsecondary credential, or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, during participation in or within one year after exit from the program or activity.
For purposes of this subd.
d., program or activity participants who obtain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent shall be included in the percentage counted as meeting the criterion only if such participants, in addition to obtaining such diploma or its recognized equivalent, have obtained or retained employment or are in an education or training program leading to a recognized postsecondary credential within one year after exit from the program or activity.
shall e.
e.
Any workforce development program or activity publish the data through a single, state-maintained funded, whether directly or indirectly, by the federal website.
The percentage of program participants who, during a program year, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains toward such a credential or employment.
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L.
f.
117-2.
The percentage of participants in unsubsidized employment during the 2nd - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRB-1536/1 MED:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 162 SECTION 3 quarter after exit from the program or activity who were employed by the same employer in the 2nd and 4th quarters after exit.
2.
Any state agency or authority that is required to perform the tracking and reporting under subd.
1.
shall publish the data through a single, state-maintained website.
A state agency is not required to do any of the following under subds.
A state agency is not required to do any of the fol- (b) 1.
Any state agency or authority that operates, lowing under subds.
a.
coordinates, or oversees a workforce development pro- a.
b.
gram or activity shall, subject to subd.
Report on the performance of a workforce development program or activity to the extent that such reporting would violate confidentiality requirements under federal law.
3., track and re- b.
4.
Report on the performance of a workforce devel- port on the performance of the workforce development opment program or activity to the extent that such re- program or activity, using all of the following primary porting would violate confidentiality requirements un- indicators of performance:
The agency shall make or update the report required under subd.
der federal law.
a.
The percentage of program or activity partici- 4.
The agency shall make or update the report re- pants who are in unsubsidized employment during the quired under subd.
at least annually and shall submit reports to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s.
at least annually and shall submit 2nd quarter after exit from the program or activity.
reports to the appropriate standing committees of the b.
The percentage of program or activity partici- legislature under s.
(c) The department shall assist state agencies to comply with par.
pants who are in unsubsidized employment during the (c) The department shall assist state agencies to 4th quarter after exit from the program or activity.
comply with par.
S ECTION 4.
c.
109.07 (1m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
The median earnings of program participants S ECTION 4.
109.07 (1m) (a) of the statutes is who are in unsubsidized employment during the 2nd amended to read:
quarter after exit from the program.
(5) or (6), an employer that has decided upon a business closing or mass layoff in this state shall promptly notify the subunit of the department that administers s.
(5) or (6), an em- d.
106.15, any affected employee, any collective bargaining representative of any affected employee, and the highest official of any municipality in which the affected employment site is located, in writing of such action no later than 60 days prior to the date on which the business closing or mass layoff takes place.
The percentage of program or activity partici- ployer that has decided upon a business closing or mass pants who obtain a recognized postsecondary creden- layoff in this state shall promptly notify the subunit of tial, or a secondary school diploma or its recognized the department that administers s.
The notice to an affected employee shall also include contact information for the local workforce development board under 29 USC 2832 serving - 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRB-1536/1 MED:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 162 S ECTION 4 the area in which the employment site is located and, if available, the list of resources prepared under s.
106.15, any affected equivalent, during participation in or within one year af- employee, any collective bargaining representative of ter exit from the program or activity.
106.11 (1) (b).
For purposes of any affected employee, and the highest official of any this subd.
The employer shall provide in writing all information concerning its payroll, affected employees, and the wages and other remuneration owed to those employees as the department may require.
1.
The department may in addition require the employer to submit a plan setting forth the manner in which final payment in full shall be made to affected employees.
d., program or activity participants who ob- municipality in which the affected employment site is tain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equiv- located, in writing of such action no later than 60 days alent shall be included in the percentage counted as prior to the date on which the business closing or mass meeting the criterion only if such participants, in addi- layoff takes place.
END )
The notice to an affected employee tion to obtaining such diploma or its recognized equiva- shall also include contact information for the local work- lent, have obtained or retained employment or are in an force development board under 29 USC 2832 serving education or training program leading to a recognized the area in which the employment site is located and, if postsecondary credential within one year after exit from available, the list of resources prepared under s.
106.11 the program or activity.
(1) (b).
The employer shall provide in writing all infor- e.
The percentage of program participants who, dur- mation concerning its payroll, affected employees, and ing a program year, are in an education or training pro- the wages and other remuneration owed to those em- gram that leads to a recognized postsecondary creden- ployees as the department may require.
The department tial or employment and who are achieving measurable may in addition require the employer to submit a plan skill gains toward such a credential or employment.
setting forth the manner in which final payment in full f.
The percentage of participants in unsubsidized shall be made to affected employees.
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Action History

  1. Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

  2. Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)

  3. Report vetoed by the Governor on 10-31-2025

  4. Presented to the Governor on 10-29-2025

  5. Report correctly enrolled on 10-17-2025

  6. Received from Senate concurred in

  7. Ordered immediately messaged

  8. Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  9. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

  10. Ordered to a third reading

  11. Read a second time

  12. Placed on calendar 10-14-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  13. Available for scheduling

  14. Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  15. Executive action taken

  16. Public hearing held

  17. Read first time and referred to committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development

  18. Received from Assembly

  19. Ordered immediately messaged

  20. Read a third time and passed, Ayes 53, Noes 42, Paired 2

  21. Rules suspended

  22. Ordered to a third reading

  23. Read a second time

  24. Fiscal estimate received

  25. Placed on calendar 4-22-2025 by Committee on Rules

  26. Referred to committee on Rules

  27. Report passage recommended by Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment, Ayes 6, Noes 3

  28. Executive action taken

  29. Public hearing held

  30. Read first time and referred to Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment

  31. Introduced by Representatives Armstrong, O'Connor, Brooks, Dittrich, Green, Knodl, Kreibich, Murphy and Penterman; cosponsored by Senator Feyen

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 122 not signed on · 53 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (122)

122 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 122 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Read a third time and concurred in

Passed 18 Yea · 15 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 18000
Democrat 01200
Unaffiliated 0300
Total 181500
% of votes cast 55%45%0%0%
How each member voted (33)
Member Party Vote
JOHNSON — Nay
DASSLER-ALFHEI — Nay
HABUSH SINYKIN — Nay
Carpenter, Tim Democrat Nay
Drake, Dora Democrat Nay
Hesselbein, Dianne Democrat Nay
Keyeski, Sarah Democrat Nay
Larson, Chris Democrat Nay
Pfaff, Brad Democrat Nay
Ratcliff, Melissa Democrat Nay
Roys, Kelda Democrat Nay
Smith, Jeff Democrat Nay
Spreitzer, Mark Democrat Nay
Wall, Jamie Democrat Nay
Wirch, Robert Democrat Nay
Bradley, Julian Republican Yea
Cabral-Guevara, Rachael Republican Yea
Felzkowski, Mary Republican Yea
Feyen, Dan Republican Yea
Hutton, Rob Republican Yea
Jacque, André Republican Yea
Jagler, John Republican Yea
James, Jesse Republican Yea
Kapenga, Chris Republican Yea
LeMahieu, Devin Republican Yea
Marklein, Howard Republican Yea
Nass, Steve Republican Yea
Quinn, Romaine Republican Yea
Stafsholt, Rob Republican Yea
Testin, Patrick Republican Yea
Tomczyk, Cory Republican Yea
Wanggaard, Van Republican Yea
Wimberger, Eric Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Read a third time and passed

Passed 53 Yea · 42 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 52000
Democrat 04101
Unaffiliated 1101
Total 534202
% of votes cast 55%43%0%2%
How each member voted (97)
Member Party Vote
JOHNSON — Nay
MOORE OMOKUNDE — Not Voting
SPEAKER — Yea
Anderson, Clinton Democrat Nay
Andraca, Deb Democrat Not Voting
Arney, Margaret Democrat Nay
Bare, Mike Democrat Nay
Billings, Jill Democrat Nay
Brown, Brienne Democrat Nay
Clancy, Ryan Democrat Nay
Cruz, Angelina Democrat Nay
DeSanto, Karen Democrat Nay
DeSmidt, Ben Democrat Nay
Doyle, Steve Democrat Nay
Emerson, Jodi Democrat Nay
Fitzgerald, Joan Democrat Nay
Goodwin, Russell Democrat Nay
Haywood, Kalan Democrat Nay
Hong, Francesca Democrat Nay
Hysell, Andrew Democrat Nay
Jacobson, Jenna Democrat Nay
Joers, Alex Democrat Nay
Kirsch, Karen Democrat Nay
Madison, Darrin Democrat Nay
Mayadev, Renuka Democrat Nay
McCarville, Maureen Democrat Nay
McGuire, Tip Democrat Nay
Neubauer, Greta Democrat Nay
Ortiz-Velez, Sylvia Democrat Nay
Palmeri, Lori Democrat Nay
Phelps, Christian Democrat Nay
Prado, Priscilla Democrat Nay
Rivera-Wagner, Amaad Democrat Nay
Roe, Ann Democrat Nay
Sheehan, Joe Democrat Nay
Sinicki, Christine Democrat Nay
Snodgrass, Lee Democrat Nay
Spaude, Ryan Democrat Nay
Stroud, Angela Democrat Nay
Stubbs, Shelia Democrat Nay
Subeck, Lisa Democrat Nay
Taylor, Sequanna Democrat Nay
Tenorio, Angelito Democrat Nay
Udell, Randy Democrat Nay
Vining, Robyn Democrat Nay
Allen, Scott Republican Yea
Armstrong, David Republican Yea
August, Tyler Republican Yea
Behnke, Elijah Republican Yea
Born, Mark Republican Yea
Brill, Lindee Republican Yea
Brooks, Robert Republican Yea
Callahan, Calvin Republican Yea
Dallman, Alex Republican Yea
Dittrich, Barbara Republican Yea
Donovan, Bob Republican Yea
Duchow, Cindi Republican Yea
Franklin, Benjamin Republican Yea
Goeben, Joy Republican Yea
Green, Chanz Republican Yea
Gundrum, Rick Republican Yea
Gustafson, Nate Republican Yea
Hurd, Karen Republican Yea
Jacobson, Brent Republican Yea
Kaufert, Dean Republican Yea
Kitchens, Joel Republican Yea
Knodl, Daniel Republican Yea
Kreibich, Rob Republican Yea
Krug, Scott Republican Yea
Kurtz, Tony Republican Yea
Maxey, Dave Republican Yea
Melotik, Paul Republican Yea
Moses, Clint Republican Yea
Murphy, David Republican Yea
Mursau, Jeffrey Republican Yea
Nedweski, Amanda Republican Yea
Neylon, Adam Republican Yea
Novak, Todd Republican Yea
O'Connor, Jerry Republican Yea
Penterman, William Republican Yea
Petersen, Kevin Republican Yea
Piwowarczyk, Jim Republican Yea
Pronschinske, Treig Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Jessie Republican Yea
Snyder, Patrick Republican Yea
Sortwell, Shae Republican Yea
Spiros, John Republican Yea
Steffen, David Republican Yea
Summerfield, Rob Republican Yea
Swearingen, Rob Republican Yea
Tittl, Paul Republican Yea
Tranel, Travis Republican Yea
Tucker, Duke Republican Yea
Tusler, Ron Republican Yea
VanderMeer, Nancy Republican Yea
Wichgers, Chuck Republican Yea
Wittke, Robert Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

labor education
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 162 do?
An Act to renumber and amend 106.11; to amend 106.11 (title) and 109.07 (1m) (a); to create 106.11 (1) (title) and (2) of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 162?
AB 162 is sponsored by Feyen, Armstrong, David (Republican), O'Connor, Jerry (Republican), Brooks, Robert (Republican), Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), Green, Chanz (Republican), Knodl, Daniel (Republican), Kreibich, Rob (Republican), Murphy, David (Republican), and Penterman, William (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 162?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced April 08, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 162?
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