AB219: Bill Text

Currently, on or about January 15 of each odd-numbered year, the secretary of workforce development submits to the governor and legislative leaders a statement of UI financial outlook, which contains information relating to the current and projected fiscal condition of the UI program, recommendations for any changes in the UI law, and a report of the deliberations of the Council on Unemployment Insurance and any position of the council concerning the proposed changes. In addition, on or about February 15 of each year, DWD must furnish to the Council on Unemployment Insurance a report summarizing DWD's activities related to detection and prosecution of UI fraud during the preceding year. This bill separates the report of the fiscal condition of the UI program and recommended changes in the UI law from the report of the deliberations and position of the council and requires submittal of the former no later than April 15 of each odd-numbered year and of the later no later than May 15 of each odd-numbered year. The bill also requires submittal of the report concerning fraud no later than March 15 of each year.

Fraud investigation positions

The bill requires DWD to request funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to hire additional employees to perform UI fraud investigation.

Social security numbers maintained by DOT

Under current law, an individual who applies to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for vehicle title, for a motor vehicle operator's license or an identification card, or for registration as a motor vehicle dealer must, with limited exceptions, state his or her social security number on the application. DOT is generally required to maintain the confidentiality of these social security numbers but may disclose these social security numbers in limited circumstances, including to the Department of Children and Families and DOR for specified purposes.

This bill allows these social security numbers to also be disclosed to DWD for the sole purpose of enforcing or administering DWD's collection responsibilities related to UI.

Information relating to financing of UI system

This bill directs DWD to provide information to employers concerning the financing of the UI system, including the computation of reserve percentages and their effect upon the the contribution and solvency rates of employers, and to post this information on the Internet. The bill, also directs DWD to include this information on any statements of account that DWD provides to employers and to provide this information in writing to each employer who becomes newly subject to a requirement to pay contributions or to reimburse for benefits paid under the UI law.

UI handbook for employers

The bill requires DWD to create and keep up-to-date a handbook for employers for the purpose of informing employers who are subject to the UI law about the provisions and requirements of the UI law. The handbook must include all of the following: 1) information about the function and purpose of UI; 2) a description of the rights and responsibilities of employers under the UI law, including the rights and responsibilities associated with hearings to determine whether claimants are eligible for benefits under the law; 3) a description of the circumstances under which workers are generally eligible and ineligible for UI benefits under the UI law; 4) disclaimers explaining that the contents of the handbook may not be relied upon as legally enforceable and that adherence to the contents does not guarantee a particular result for a decision on a UI matter; and 5) a line to allow an individual employed by the employer to sign to acknowledge that the individual is aware of the contents of the handbook. DWD must make the handbook available on the Internet and must, for a fee, distribute printed copies of the handbook to employers who so request.

Electronic database of decisions

The bill requires DWD to maintain a searchable, electronic database of significant decisions made by the labor and industry review commission on UI matters for the use of the attorneys and certain other employees employed by DWD.

Initial training and continuing education for appeal tribunals (ALJs)

The bill requires DWD to conduct training for all individuals who serve as appeal tribunals, commonly known as administrative law judges (ALJs), that are employed or appointed by DWD to hear UI appeals to prepare them to perform their duties. The bill requires an initial training, for newly employed or appointed ALJs, and requires DWD to conduct similar training for individuals currently serving as ALJs within one year of the bill's general effective date. The bill also provides that DWD must require all individuals who serve as ALJs to satisfy continuing education requirements, as prescribed by DWD.

Due date for successorship applications

Currently, with certain exceptions, if a business is transferred from one employer to another employer, the transferee may, under certain conditions, request that DWD treat it as a successor for purposes of UI experience, including contribution (tax) and benefit liability. A successorship application must be received by DWD on or before the contribution payment due date for the first full quarter following the date of the transfer. This bill permits DWD to accept an application not more than 90 days after its due date if the transferee satisfies DWD that its application was late as a result of excusable neglect.

Standard affidavit form

This bill directs DWD to prescribe by rule a standard affidavit form that may be used by parties to UI administrative appeals and to make the form available to employers and claimants. Use of the form by a party does not eliminate the right of an opposing party to cross examine the affiant concerning the facts asserted in the affidavit.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to result if the bill is enacted.

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:

AB219,1 Section 1. 13.63 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,14,11 13.63 (1) (b) Except as provided under par. (am), the board shall not issue a license to an applicant who does not provide his or her social security number. The board shall not issue a license to an applicant or shall revoke any license issued to a lobbyist if the department of revenue certifies to the board that the applicant or lobbyist is liable for delinquent taxes under s. 73.0301 or if the department of workforce development certifies to the board that the applicant or lobbyist is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions under s. 108.227. The board shall refuse to issue a license or shall suspend any existing license for failure of an applicant or licensee to pay court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse or failure of an applicant or licensee to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857. No application may be disapproved by the board except an application for a license by a person who is ineligible for licensure under this subsection or s. 13.69 (4) or an application by a lobbyist whose license has been revoked under this subsection or s. 13.69 (7) and only for the period of such ineligibility or revocation.

AB219,2 Section 2. 13.63 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,14,18 13.63 (1) (c) Denial of a license on the basis of a certification by the department of revenue or the department of workforce development may be reviewed under s. 73.0301 or 108.227, whichever is applicable. Except with respect to a license that is denied or suspended pursuant to a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857, denial or suspension of any other license may be reviewed under ch. 227.

AB219,3 Section 3. 16.48 (1) (intro.) and (a) (intro.) of the statutes are consolidated, renumbered 16.48 (1) (a) (intro.) and amended to read:

AB219,15,2 16.48 (1) (a) (intro.) On or about January No later than April 15 of each odd-numbered year, the secretary of workforce development shall prepare and furnish to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the assembly, and the majority and minority leaders of the senate: (a) A a statement of unemployment insurance financial outlook, which shall contain the following, together with the secretary's recommendations and an explanation for such recommendations:

AB219,4 Section 4. 16.48 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,15,9 16.48 (1) (b) A No later than May 15 of each odd-numbered year, the secretary of workforce development shall prepare and furnish to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the assembly, and the majority and minority leaders of the senate a report summarizing the deliberations of the council on unemployment insurance and the position of the council, if any, concerning each proposed change in the unemployment insurance laws submitted under par. (a).

AB219,5 Section 5. 16.48 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,15,17 16.48 (3) On or about February No later than June 15 of each odd-numbered year, the secretary of workforce development, under the direction of the governor, shall submit to each member of the legislature an updated statement of unemployment insurance financial outlook which shall contain the information specified in sub. (1) (a), together with the governor's recommendations and an explanation for such recommendations, and a copy of the report required under sub. (1) (b).

AB219,6 Section 6. 19.55 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,15,24 19.55 (2) (d) Records of the social security number of any individual who files an application for licensure as a lobbyist under s. 13.63 or who registers as a principal under s. 13.64, except to the department of children and families for purposes of administration of s. 49.22 or, to the department of revenue for purposes of administration of s. 73.0301, and to the department of workforce development for purposes of administration of s. 108.227.

AB219,7 Section 7. 20.445 (1) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB219,16,3 20.445 (1) (gm) Unemployment insurance handbook. All moneys received under s. 108.14 (23) (d) for the costs of printing and distribution of the unemployment insurance handbook, to pay for those costs.

AB219,8 Section 8. 29.024 (2r) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,16,6 29.024 (2r) (title) Denial and revocation of approvals based on tax delinquency delinquent taxes or unemployment insurance contributions.

AB219,9 Section 9. 29.024 (2r) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,16,12 29.024 (2r) (c) Disclosure of numbers. The department of natural resources may not disclose any information received under par. (a) to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of making certifications required under s. 73.0301 and to the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of making certifications required under s. 108.227.

AB219,10 Section 10. 29.024 (2r) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,16,20 29.024 (2r) (d) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the department shall deny an application to issue or renew, or revoke if already issued, an approval specified in par. (a) if the applicant for or the holder of the approval fails to provide the information required under par. (a) or, if the department of revenue certifies that the applicant or approval holder is liable for delinquent taxes under s. 73.0301 , or if the department of workforce development certifies that the applicant or approval holder is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions under s. 108.227.

AB219,11 Section 11. 48.66 (2m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,17,3 48.66 (2m) (c) The subunit of the department that obtains a social security number or a federal employer identification number under par. (a) 1. may not disclose that information to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 and to the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227 or on the request of the subunit of the department that administers the child and spousal support program under s. 49.22 (2m).

AB219,12 Section 12. 48.715 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,17,13 48.715 (7) The department shall deny an application for the issuance or continuation of a license under s. 48.66 (1) (a) or a probationary license under s. 48.69 to operate a child welfare agency, group home, shelter care facility, or child care center, or revoke such a license already issued, if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent taxes or if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions. An action taken under this subsection is subject to review only as provided under s. 73.0301 (5) or 108.227 (5) and not as provided in s. 48.72.

AB219,13 Section 13. 50.498 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,17,17 50.498 (title) Denial, nonrenewal and revocation of license, certification or registration based on tax delinquency delinquent taxes or unemployment insurance contributions.

AB219,14 Section 14. 50.498 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,17,22 50.498 (2) The department may not disclose any information received under sub. (1) to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 and to the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227.

AB219,15 Section 15. 50.498 (4) of the statutes is renumbered 50.498 (4) (a).

AB219,16 Section 16. 50.498 (4) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB219,18,6 50.498 (4) (b) The department shall deny an application for the issuance of a certificate of approval, license or provisional license specified in sub. (1) or shall revoke a certificate of approval, license or provisional license specified in sub. (1), if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the applicant for or holder of the certificate of approval, license or provisional license is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions.

AB219,17 Section 17. 50.498 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,18,10 50.498 (5) An action taken under sub. (3) or (4) is subject to review only as provided under s. 73.0301 (2) (b) and (5) or s. 108.227 (5) and (6), whichever is applicable.

AB219,18 Section 18. 51.032 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,18,14 51.032 (title) Denial and revocations of certification or approval based on tax delinquency delinquent taxes or unemployment insurance contributions.

AB219,19 Section 19. 51.032 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,18,19 51.032 (2) The department may not disclose any information received under sub. (1) to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 and to the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227.

AB219,20 Section 20. 51.032 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,19,2 51.032 (4) The department shall deny an application for the issuance of a certification or approval specified in sub. (1) or shall revoke a certification or approval specified in sub. (1) if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant for or holder of a certification or approval is liable for delinquent taxes or if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the applicant for or holder of a certification or approval is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions.

AB219,21 Section 21. 51.032 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,19,6 51.032 (5) An action taken under sub. (3) or (4) is subject to review only as provided under s. 73.0301 (2) (b) and (5) or s. 108.227 (5) and (6), whichever is applicable.

AB219,22 Section 22. 71.78 (4) (o) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,19,11 71.78 (4) (o) A licensing department or the supreme court, if the supreme court agrees, for the purpose of denial, nonrenewal, discontinuation and revocation of a license based on tax delinquency under s. 73.0301 or unemployment insurance contribution delinquency under s. 108.227.

AB219,23 Section 23. 73.0301 (2) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,19,21 73.0301 (2) (c) 2. A licensing department may not disclose any information received under subd. 1. a. or b. to any person except to the department of revenue for the purpose of requesting certifications under par. (b) (a) 1. or 2. in accordance with the memorandum of understanding under sub. (4) and administering state taxes or, to the department of workforce development for the purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227 (2) (a) 1. or 2. in accordance with the memorandum of understanding under s. 108.227 (4) and administering the unemployment insurance program, and to the department of children and families for the purpose of administering s. 49.22.

AB219,24 Section 24. 73.0302 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,19,24 73.0302 (title) Liability for delinquent taxes or unemployment insurance contributions.

AB219,25 Section 25. 73.0302 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

AB219,20,8 73.0302 (5) If the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that an applicant for certification or recertification under s. 73.03 (50) or a person who holds a certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50) is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions, the department of revenue shall deny the application or revoke the certificate. A person subject to a denial or revocation under this subsection for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions is entitled to a notice under s. 108.227 (2) (b) 1. b. and hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this chapter.

AB219,26 Section 26. 73.0302 (6) of the statutes is created to read:

AB219,20,12 73.0302 (6) The department of revenue may disclose a social security number obtained under s. 73.03 (50) (c) to the department of workforce development for the purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227.

AB219,27 Section 27. 73.09 (6m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,20,20 73.09 (6m) Social security numbers. Each applicant for certification or recertification under this section shall provide the applicant's social security number on the application. The department of revenue may not disclose a social security number that it obtains under this subsection, except to the department of workforce development for the purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227. The department of revenue may not certify or recertify any person who fails to provide his or her social security number on his or her application.

AB219,28 Section 28. 73.09 (8) of the statutes is created to read:

AB219,21,5 73.09 (8) Liability for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions. If the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that an applicant for certification or recertification under this section is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions, the department of revenue shall deny the application for certification or recertification or revoke the certificate. A person subject to a denial or revocation under this subsection for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions is entitled to a notice under s. 108.227 (2) (b) 1. b. and hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this chapter.

AB219,29 Section 29. 101.02 (20) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,21,17 101.02 (20) (b) Except as provided in par. (e), the department of safety and professional services may not issue or renew a license unless each applicant who is an individual provides the department of safety and professional services with his or her social security number and each applicant that is not an individual provides the department of safety and professional services with its federal employer identification number. The department of safety and professional services may not disclose the social security number or the federal employer identification number of an applicant for a license or license renewal except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 and to the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227.

AB219,30 Section 30. 101.02 (20) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,21,23 101.02 (20) (c) The department of safety and professional services may not issue or renew a license if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent taxes or if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions.

AB219,31 Section 31. 101.02 (20) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,22,5 101.02 (20) (d) The department of safety and professional services shall revoke a license if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the licensee is liable for delinquent taxes or if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the licensee is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions.

AB219,32 Section 32. 102.17 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB219,23,12 102.17 (1) (c) Any party shall have the right to be present at any hearing, in person or by attorney or any other agent, and to present such testimony as may be pertinent to the controversy before the department. No person, firm, or corporation, other than an attorney at law who is licensed to practice law in the state, may appear on behalf of any party in interest before the department or any member or employee of the department assigned to conduct any hearing, investigation, or inquiry relative to a claim for compensation or benefits under this chapter, unless the person is 18 years of age or older, does not have an arrest or conviction record, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, is otherwise qualified, and has obtained from the department a license with authorization to appear in matters or proceedings before the department. Except as provided under pars. (cm) and , (cr), and (ct), the license shall be issued by the department under rules promulgated by the department. The department shall maintain in its office a current list of persons to whom licenses have been issued. Any license may be suspended or revoked by the department for fraud or serious misconduct on the part of an agent, any license may be denied, suspended, nonrenewed, or otherwise withheld by the department for failure to pay court-ordered payments as provided in par. (cm) on the part of an agent, and any license may be denied or revoked if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent taxes or if the department determines under par. (ct) that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent contributions. Before suspending or revoking the license of the agent on the grounds of fraud or misconduct, the department shall give notice in writing to the agent of the charges of fraud or misconduct and shall give the agent full opportunity to be heard in relation to those charges. In denying, suspending, restricting, refusing to renew, or otherwise withholding a license for failure to pay court-ordered payments as provided in par. (cm), the department shall follow the procedure provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857. The license and certificate of authority shall, unless otherwise suspended or revoked, be in force from the date of issuance until the June 30 following the date of issuance and may be renewed by the department from time to time, but each renewed license shall expire on the June 30 following the issuance of the renewed license.

AB219,33 Section 33. 102.17 (1) (ct) of the statutes is created to read:

AB219,23,19 102.17 (1) (ct) 1. The department may deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a license under par. (c), or revoke such a license already issued, if the department determines that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent contributions, as defined in s. 108.227 (1) (d). Notwithstanding par. (c), an action taken under this subdivision is subject to review only as provided under s. 108.227 (5) and not as provided in ch. 227.

AB219,24,2 2. If the department denies an application or revokes a license under subd. 1., the department shall mail a notice of denial or revocation to the applicant or license holder. The notice shall include a statement of the facts that warrant the denial or revocation and a statement that the applicant or license holder may, within 30 days after the date on which the notice of denial or revocation is mailed, file a written request with the department to have the determination that the applicant or license holder is liable for delinquent contributions reviewed at a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a).