SB906: Bill Text

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2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Senate BILL 906

February 1, 2022 - Introduced by Senators Feyen, Bernier, Felzkowski, Marklein and Stroebel, cosponsored by Representatives Dallman, Vorpagel, Wittke, Allen, Armstrong, August, Brandtjen, Cabral-Guevara, Callahan, Dittrich, Duchow, Edming, James, Katsma, Kitchens, Knodl, Krug, Kuglitsch, Magnafici, Moses, Penterman, Petersen, Plumer, Schraa, Snyder, Sortwell, Steffen, Tusler, Zimmerman and Born. Referred to Committee on Economic and Workforce Development.

SB906,1,3 An Act to amend 108.06 (1) and 108.142 (4); and to create 108.06 (1m) and 227.01 (13) (yL) of the statutes; relating to: the amount of benefits received under the unemployment insurance law.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill changes the maximum number of weeks of regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits payable to an eligible claimant who is totally unemployed to an amount that varies depending upon the seasonally adjusted statewide average unemployment rate for the first or third calendar quarter immediately preceding the beginning of the claimant's benefit year.

Currently, the maximum number of weeks of regular UI benefits payable to an eligible claimant who is totally unemployed and who earns sufficient wages to qualify for those benefits is fixed at 26 weeks.

SB906,2,69 Under the bill, the maximum number of weeks for claimants whose benefit years begin during the first half of a given year is based upon the unemployment rate for the third quarter of the preceding year, and the maximum number of weeks for claimants whose benefit years begin during the second half of a given year is based upon the unemployment rate for the first quarter of that year. Once a claimant begins a benefit year, the claimant's maximum number of weeks of regular benefits is fixed for that benefit year. Because the maximum number of weeks of state supplemental benefits payable to a claimant is calculated in part based upon the maximum number of weeks of regular benefits payable to a claimant, the change also affects the maximum number of weeks of state supplemental benefits payable to a claimant. Under the bill, the maximum number of weeks of regular benefits for total unemployment is determined as follows: - See PDF for table

For further information see the state and local 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:

SB906,1 Section 1. 108.06 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB906,3,7 108.06 (1) Except as provided in sub. (6) and ss. 108.141 and 108.142, no claimant may receive total benefits based on employment in a base period greater than 26 times the number of weeks determined under sub. (1m) multiplied by the claimant's weekly benefit rate under s. 108.05 (1) or 40 percent of the claimant's base period wages, whichever is lower. Except as provided in sub. (6) and ss. 108.141 and 108.142, if a claimant's base period wages are reduced or canceled under s. 108.04 (5) or (18), or suspended under s. 108.04 (1) (f), (10) (a), or (17), the claimant may not receive total benefits based on employment in a base period greater than 26 times the number of weeks determined under sub. (1m) multiplied by the claimant's weekly benefit rate under s. 108.05 (1) or 40 percent of the base period wages not reduced, canceled or suspended which were paid or payable to the claimant, whichever is lower.

SB906,2 Section 2 . 108.06 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB906,3,20 108.06 (1m) (a) The department shall determine the maximum number of weeks of regular benefits under sub. (1) by calculating for the first and 3rd quarter of each year the average of the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rates for the months in the quarter, as determined by the bureau of labor statistics for the U.S. department of labor. For claimants whose benefit years begin on or after January 1 and before July 1 of any year, the department shall make the determination by using the 3rd calendar quarter of the preceding year. For claimants whose benefit years begin after June 30 and on or before December 31 of any year, the department shall make the determination by using the first calendar quarter of that year. For benefit years to which each determination applies, the maximum number of weeks of regular benefits is as follows: [See Figure 108.06 (1m) (a) following]

SB906,4,54 Figure 108.06 (1m) (a): - See PDF for table

SB906,4,58 (b) The maximum number of weeks of regular benefits payable to a claimant under sub. (1) in the first week of the claimant's benefit year remains the same regardless of the maximum number of weeks of regular benefits in effect in any subsequent week that benefits become payable to the claimant.

SB906,4,61 (c) The department shall publish on its Internet site a notice about the maximum number of weeks of regular benefits available as calculated in accordance with this subsection.

SB906,3 Section 3. 108.142 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB906,5,4 108.142 (4) Duration of Wisconsin supplemental benefits. During a Wisconsin supplemental benefit period, no claimant may receive total benefits based on employment in a base period greater than 34 times the sum of the number of weeks determined under s. 108.06 (1m) and 8, multiplied by the claimant's weekly benefit rate under s. 108.05 (1) or 40 percent of wages paid or payable to the claimant in his or her base period under s. 108.04 (4) (a), whichever is lower.

SB906,4 Section 4. 227.01 (13) (yL) of the statutes is created to read:

SB906,5,7 227.01 (13) (yL) Determines, under s. 108.06 (1m), the maximum number of weeks of regular unemployment insurance benefits available under s. 108.06 (1).

SB906,5 Section 5. Initial applicability.

SB906,5,10 (1) This act first applies with respect to benefit years established on the effective date of this subsection.

SB906,6 Section 6. Effective date.

SB906,5,12 (1) This act takes effect on July 3, 2022.

SB906,5,13 (End)