Assembly Bill 167 proposes various amendments to Wisconsin's unemployment insurance (UI) laws, primarily focusing on the definition of misconduct and the requirements for claimants. The bill modifies the current definition of misconduct by eliminating the requirement for intent to permanently deprive an employer of property or services and expands the definition to include unauthorized possession of an employer's property, theft of confidential information, and destruction of employer records. Additionally, it changes the criteria for absenteeism and tardiness, allowing for terminations based on violations of reasonable employer policies as outlined in an employment manual acknowledged by the employee.

The bill also introduces new requirements for claimants, particularly those residing outside Wisconsin, mandating them to register with local job centers and subjecting their reported work search actions to random audits. Furthermore, it establishes a process for notifying the Joint Committee on Finance regarding any federally authorized UI benefit augmentations, which must undergo a seven-day passive review and cannot be effectuated without the committee's approval. The changes to the definition of misconduct will also apply to workers' compensation claims, ensuring consistency across both laws.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 16.54(2)(a)1, 16.54, 108.04(5)(b), 108.04, 108.04(15)(a)1