Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive 10 R cosponsors

AB 168 — Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (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.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 11 sponsors

    1 primary, 10 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (10 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

An Act to create 108.14 (10m), 108.14 (23m), 108.14 (28), 108.14 (29), 108.14 (30) and 939.74 (2) (d) of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

71 added · 160 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Assembly Bill 168 focus on enhancing fraud prevention and support measures within Wisconsin's unemployment insurance system. Key changes include the requirement for the Department of Workforce Development to implement identity verification measures for individuals filing claims, ensuring they confirm their identity before receiving benefits. Additionally, the bill mandates the establishment of a call center to help claimants with questions about their benefits during set hours. These updates aim to improve the integrity of the unemployment program and provide better support for those navigating the claims process.

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- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-1537/1 MED&CMH:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 168 April 8, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives KREIBICH, O'CONNOR , NEDWESKI , G REEN, DUCHOW , MURPHY , KNODL , B.
Date of enactment:
ACOBSON , GUNDRUM and D ITTRICH, cosponsored by Senator F EYEN.
Assembly Bill 168 Date of publication*:
Referred to Committee on Workforce Development, Labor, and Integrated Employment.
WISCONSIN ACT A N A CT to create 108.14 (10m), 108.14 (23m), 108.14 (28), 108.14 (29), 108.14 (30) and 939.74 (2) (d) of the statutes;
A N A CT to create 108.14 (10m), 108.14 (23m), 108.14 (28), 108.14 (29), 108.14 (30) and 939.74 (2) (d) of the statutes;
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau U NEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE This bill makes various changes in the unemployment insurance (UI) law, which is administered by the Department of Workforce Development.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in sen- 108.14 (28) If the department suspends or reduces ate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Significant changes include all of the following:
any method used by the department to detect fraud com- mitted against the unemployment insurance program SECTION 1.
Identity proofing The bill requires DWD to implement identity-proofing measures for UI claimants who are engaging in benefit-related transactions with DWD that 1) require a claimant to verify his or her identity prior to filing an initial claim for benefits and when engaging in other transactions with DWD, and 2) achieve the IAL2 and AAL2 standards adopted in the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Digital Identity Guidelines.
Statute of limitations Under current law, a prosecution for a felony must be commenced within six years after it was committed.
Current law provides several exceptions for certain felonies, and the bill adds another exception.
Under the bill, a prosecution for a - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-1537/1 MED&CMH:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 168 felony must be commenced within eight years after it was committed if the felony involves fraud in obtaining UI benefits and benefits under the special unemployment benefit programs under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020.
Education and informational materials Current law requires DWD to compile and provide to employers certain information about how the UI system works, including a handbook on the UI system for employers and information concerning the financing of the UI system that is published on DWD’s website.
The bill requires DWD to also provide certain training materials for employers and claimants on the UI system.
The bill requires DWD to publish training videos on its website and also to provide live training seminars for employing units that are free of charge and provided on a quarterly basis.
Assistance call center The bill requires DWD to operate a call center to assist claimants for UI benefits or similar federal payments.
Furthermore, the bill requires DWD to do the following:
1.
If the volume of calls has increased by 100 percent or more over the same week during the previous year or if there is a declared state of emergency for the state that causes or relates to an increase in UI claims, operate the call center with hours of at least 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
on weekdays.
2.
If the volume of calls has increased by 300 percent or more over the same week during the previous year or if there is a declared state of emergency for the state that causes or relates to an increase in UI claims, operate the call center with evening hours after 5 p.m.
and weekend hours.
Database comparisons The bill requires DWD to perform a comparison of state and national databases that track death records, employment records, prison records, citizenship and immigration, and immigrations and customs against recipients of UI benefits for the purposes of detecting fraud or erroneous payments.
The bill requires DWD to perform the comparison on at least a weekly basis.
The bill provides that DWD may also make such comparisons with other databases.
Fraud detection The bill requires DWD, if it suspends or reduces any method used by the department to detect fraud committed against the unemployment insurance program, to submit a notification detailing the suspension or reduction and the reasons therefor to the Council on Unemployment Insurance, the Governor, and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-1537/1 MED&CMH:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 168 SECTION 1 The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
S ECTION 1.
108.14 (10m) The department shall implement identity-proofing measures for claimants who are engaging in benefit-related transactions with the department that satisfy all of the following:
under this chapter, the department shall submit a notifi- 108.14 (10m) The department shall implement cation detailing the suspension or reduction and the rea- identity-proofing measures for claimants who are en- sons therefor to the council on unemployment insur- gaging in benefit-related transactions with the depart- ance, the governor, and the appropriate standing com- ment that satisfy all of the following:
(a) The measures require a claimant to verify his or her identity prior to filing an initial claim for benefits and when engaging in other transactions with the department.
mittees of the legislature under s.
(b) The measures achieve the IAL2 and AAL2 standards adopted in the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Digital Identity Guidelines.
S ECTION 2.
108.14 (23m) of the statutes is created to read:
108.14 (23m) The department shall provide training materials on the unemployment insurance system, including all of the following:
(a) Training videos for claimants and employing units published on the department’s website.
(b) Live training seminars for employing units that are free of charge and provided on a quarterly basis.
The seminars may be in-person, online, or both.
S ECTION 3.
108.14 (28) of the statutes is created to read:
Show all 109 changed rows (69 more)
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108.14 (28) If the department suspends or reduces any method used by the department to detect fraud committed against the unemployment insurance program under this chapter, the department shall submit a notification detailing the suspension or reduction and the reasons therefor to the council on - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-1537/1 MED&CMH:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 168 SECTION 3 unemployment insurance, the governor, and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s.
S ECTION 4.
(a) The measures require a claimant to verify his or S ECTION 4.
108.14 (29) of the statutes is created to read:
108.14 (29) of the statutes is created to her identity prior to filing an initial claim for benefits read:
108.14 (29) (a) The department shall maintain a call center to provide assistance and support by telephone to claimants for benefits under this chapter or payments under federal assistance programs for unemployment.
and when engaging in other transactions with the 108.14 (29) (a) The department shall maintain a call department.
center to provide assistance and support by telephone to (b) The measures achieve the IAL2 and AAL2 stan- dards adopted in the National Institute of Standards and claimants for benefits under this chapter or payments under federal assistance programs for unemployment.
Technology[s Digital Identity Guidelines.
The department shall, during each of the following periods, operate the call center with hours of at least 9 a.m.
The department shall, during each of the fol- SECTION 2.
108.14 (23m) of the statutes is created lowing periods, operate the call center with hours of at to read:
108.14 (23m) The department shall provide training least 9 a.m.
a.
materials on the unemployment insurance system, in- a.
During a declared state of emergency for the state that causes or relates to an increase in unemployment claims.
During a declared state of emergency for the state cluding all of the following:
b.
that causes or relates to an increase in unemployment claims.
For 90 days after any week in which the call center experiences an increase of at least 100 percent in calls compared to the same week during the previous year, and for 90 days after each subsequent week in which such an increase occurs.
(a) Training videos for claimants and employing b.
For 90 days after any week in which the call cen- units published on the department[s website.
(b) Live training seminars for employing units that ter experiences an increase of at least 100 percent in are free of charge and provided on a quarterly basis.
The calls compared to the same week during the previous seminars may be in-person, online, or both.
year, and for 90 days after each subsequent week in SECTION 3.
108.14 (28) of the statutes is created to which such an increase occurs.
read:
The department shall, during each of the following periods, operate the call center with hours after 5 p.m.
The department shall, during each of the follow- 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 168 ing periods, operate the call center with hours after 5 6.
Databases maintained by the U.S.
Immigration p.m.
and Customs Enforcement.
During a declared state of emergency for the state that causes or relates to an increase in unemployment claims.
During a declared state of emergency for the state (b) The department may perform comparisons of that causes or relates to an increase in unemployment recipients of benefits under this chapter against public claims.
or private databases in addition to those specified in par.
For 90 days after any week in which the call center experiences an increase of at least 300 percent in calls compared to the same week during the previous year, and for 90 days after each subsequent week in which such an increase occurs.
For 90 days after any week in which the call cen- (a) 1.
S ECTION 5.
to 6.
108.14 (30) of the statutes is created to read:
ter experiences an increase of at least 300 percent in S ECTION 6.
108.14 (30) (a) The department shall, on at least a weekly basis, perform a - 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRB-1537/1 MED&CMH:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 168 SECTION 5 comparison of recipients of benefits under this chapter against all of the following for the purpose of detecting fraud or erroneous payments:
939.74 (2) (d) of the statutes is created calls compared to the same week during the previous to read:
1.
year, and for 90 days after each subsequent week in 939.74 (2) (d) A prosecution for a felony violation which such an increase occurs.
Nationally recognized databases that contain information on death records, including the federal social security administration’s death master file.
under s.
108.24 (1) or (2) or under any other statute un- SECTION 5.
108.14 (30) of the statutes is created to der which a person is prosecuted for fraud in obtaining read:
108.14 (30) (a) The department shall, on at least a unemployment insurance benefits, benefits under the pandemic unemployment assistance program under 15 weekly basis, perform a comparison of recipients of USC 9021, benefits under the federal pandemic unem- benefits under this chapter against all of the following ployment compensation and mixed earner unemploy- for the purpose of detecting fraud or erroneous payments:
ment compensation programs under 15 USC 9023, or 1.
Nationally recognized databases that contain in- benefits under the pandemic emergency unemployment compensation program under 15 USC 9025 must be formation on death records, including the federal social commenced within 8 years after the commission of the security administration[s death master file.
The National Association of State Workforce Agencies’ integrity data hub.
The National Association of State Workforce violation if the violation is related to benefits that were Agencies[ integrity data hub.
paid or payable on or before September 4, 2021.
The national directory of new hires maintained by the office of child support enforcement in the U.S.
The national directory of new hires maintained by S ECTION 7.
department of health and human services.
4.
Prisoner databases maintained by the department of justice, the department of corrections, and the U.S.
department of justice.
5.
The U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services Secure Automated Verification of Eligibility database.
6.
Databases maintained by the U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
(b) The department may perform comparisons of recipients of benefits under this chapter against public or private databases in addition to those specified in par.
(a) 1.
to 6.
S ECTION 6.
939.74 (2) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
939.74 (2) (d) A prosecution for a felony violation under s.
108.24 (1) or (2) or under any other statute under which a person is prosecuted for fraud in obtaining unemployment insurance benefits, benefits under the pandemic unemployment assistance program under 15 USC 9021, benefits under the federal pandemic unemployment compensation and mixed earner unemployment compensation programs under 15 USC 9023, or benefits under the pandemic emergency unemployment compensation program under 15 USC 9025 must be commenced - 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRB-1537/1 MED&CMH:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 168 S ECTION 6 within 8 years after the commission of the violation if the violation is related to benefits that were paid or payable on or before September 4, 2021.
SECTION 7.
939.74 (2) (d) first applies to an act for which the time limit under s.
the office of child support enforcement in the U.S.
939.74 (1) for prosecution has not expired as of the effective date of this subsection.
de- partment of health and human services.
SECTION 8.
939.74 (2) (d) first applies to an act for which the time 4.
Prisoner databases maintained by the department limit under s.
939.74 (1) for prosecution has not expired of justice, the department of corrections, and the U.S.
as of the effective date of this subsection.
department of justice.
S ECTION 8.
(1) This act takes effect on the Sunday after publication.
5.
END )
The U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (1) This act takes effect on the Sunday after Secure Automated Verification of Eligibility database.
publication.
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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 Kreibich, O'Connor, Nedweski, Green, Duchow, Murphy, Knodl, B. Jacobson, Gundrum and Dittrich; cosponsored by Senator Feyen

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 10 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 53 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (10)

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 121 →

"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

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 168 do?
An Act to create 108.14 (10m), 108.14 (23m), 108.14 (28), 108.14 (29), 108.14 (30) and 939.74 (2) (d) of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 168?
AB 168 is sponsored by Feyen, Kreibich, Rob (Republican), O'Connor, Jerry (Republican), Nedweski, Amanda (Republican), Green, Chanz (Republican), Duchow, Cindi (Republican), Murphy, David (Republican), Knodl, Daniel (Republican), Jacobson, Brent (Republican), Gundrum, Rick (Republican), and Dittrich, Barbara (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 168?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced April 08, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 168?
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