AB553: Bill Text

AB553, s. 26 Section 26. 108.04 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,16,7 108.04 (2) (a) 3. The individual is seeking suitable work during that week or, during the 104-week 156-week period beginning on January 2, 2000, the individual conducts a reasonable search for suitable work during that week. The work reasonable search required under during the period specified in this subdivision must include 2 actions that constitute a reasonable search as prescribed by rule of the department. The department shall, by rule, require claimants to conduct a reasonable search for suitable work during the period beginning after the 156-week period specified in this subdivision and shall, by rule, prescribe standards for the search to be considered reasonable.

AB553, s. 27 Section 27. 108.04 (7) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,16,13 108.04 (7) (h) The department shall charge to the fund's balancing account benefits paid to an employee that are otherwise chargeable to the account of an employer that is subject to the contribution requirements of ss. 108.17 and 108.18 if the employee voluntarily terminates employment with that employer and par. (a), (c), (d), (e), (k), (L), (o), (p), (q), or (s) or sub. (16) (b) applies.

AB553, s. 28 Section 28. 108.04 (8) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,17,6 108.04 (8) (c) If an employee fails, without good cause, to return to work with a former employer that recalls the employee within 52 weeks after the employee last worked for that employer, the employee is ineligible to receive benefits until 4 weeks have elapsed since the end of the week in which the failure occurs and the employee earns wages after the week in which the failure occurs equal to at least 4 times the employee's weekly benefit rate under s. 108.05 (1) in employment or other work covered by the unemployment insurance law of any state or the federal government. For purposes of requalification, the employee's weekly benefit rate shall be that rate which would have been paid had the failure not occurred. This paragraph does not preclude an employee from establishing a benefit year during a period in which the employee is ineligible to receive benefits under this paragraph if the employee qualifies to establish a benefit year under s. 108.06 (2) (a). The department shall charge to the fund's balancing account any benefits otherwise chargeable to the account of any employer that is subject to the contribution requirements under ss. 108.17 and 108.18 whenever an employee of that employer fails, without good cause, to return to work with that employer. If an employee receives actual notice of a recall to work, par. (a) applies in lieu of this paragraph.

AB553, s. 29 Section 29. 108.04 (13) (d) 4. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,17,10 108.04 (13) (d) 4. (intro.) To correct any erroneous payment not so adjusted from the account of an employer which is a government unit, an Indian tribe, or a nonprofit organization and which has elected reimbursement financing, the department shall:

AB553, s. 30 Section 30. 108.04 (16) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,17,16 108.04 (16) (b) The requalifying employment requirement under subs. (7) and (8) and the general qualifying requirements under sub. (2) do not apply to an individual as a result of the individual's enrollment in training or leaving unsuitable work to enter or continue training under 19 USC 2296 or a plan approved under 29 USC 2822.

AB553, s. 31 Section 31. 108.04 (17) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,17,22 108.04 (17) (b) A school year employee of a government unit, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization which provides services to or on behalf of an educational institution who performs services in an instructional, research, or principal administrative capacity is ineligible for benefits based on such services for any week of unemployment which occurs:

AB553,18,2 1. During the period between 2 successive academic years or terms, if the school year employee performed such services for such a government unit, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization in the first such year or term and if there is reasonable assurance that he or she will perform such services for such a government unit, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization in the 2nd such year or term; or

AB553,18,8 2. During the period between 2 regular but not successive academic terms, when an agreement between an employer and a school year employee provides for such a period, if the school year employee performed such services for such a government unit, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization in the first such term and if there is reasonable assurance that he or she will perform such services for such a government unit, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization in the 2nd such term.

AB553, s. 32 Section 32. 108.04 (17) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,18,19 108.04 (17) (e) A school year employee of a government unit, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization which provides services to or on behalf of an educational institution who performs services other than in an instructional, research or principal administrative capacity is ineligible for benefits based on such services for any week of unemployment which occurs during a period between 2 successive academic years or terms if the school year employee performed such services for such a government unit or nonprofit organization in the first such year or term and there is reasonable assurance that he or she will perform such services for such a government unit, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization in the 2nd such year or term.

AB553, s. 33 Section 33. 108.04 (17) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,19,6 108.04 (17) (h) A school year employee of a government unit, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization which provides services to or on behalf of an educational institution who performs the services described in par. (b) or (e) is ineligible for benefits based on such services for any week of unemployment which occurs during an established and customary vacation period or holiday recess if the school year employee performed such services for such a government unit , Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization in the period immediately before the vacation period or holiday recess, and there is reasonable assurance that the school year employee will perform the services described in par. (b) or (e) for such a government unit, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization in the period immediately following the vacation period or holiday recess.

AB553, s. 34 Section 34. 108.05 (1) (L) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,19,21 108.05 (1) (L) (intro.) Each eligible employee shall be paid benefits for each week of total unemployment that commences on or after October 1, 2000, and before December 30, 2001, at the weekly benefit rate specified in this paragraph. Unless sub. (1m) applies, the weekly benefit rate shall equal 4% of the employee's base period wages that were paid during that quarter of the employee's base period in which the employee was paid the highest total wages, rounded down to the nearest whole dollar, except that, if that amount is less than the minimum amount shown in the following schedule, no benefits are payable to the employee and, if that amount is more than the maximum amount shown in the following schedule, the employee's weekly benefit rate shall be the maximum amount shown in the following schedule and except that, if the employee's benefits are exhausted during any week under s. 108.06 (1), the employee shall be paid the remaining amount of benefits payable to the employee in lieu of the amount shown in the following schedule: [See Figure 108.05 (1) (L) following]

AB553, s. 35 Section 35. 108.05 (1) (m) and (n) of the statutes are created to read:

AB553,20,11 108.05 (1) (m) Each eligible employee shall be paid benefits for each week of total unemployment which commences on or after December 30, 2001, and before December 29, 2002, at the weekly benefit rate specified in this paragraph. Unless sub. (1m) applies, the weekly benefit rate shall equal 4% of the employee's base period wages which were paid during that quarter of the employee's base period in which the employee was paid the highest total wages, rounded down to the nearest whole dollar, except that, if that amount is less than the minimum amount shown in the following schedule, no benefits are payable to the employee and, if that amount is more than the maximum amount shown in the following schedule, the employee's weekly benefit rate shall be the maximum amount shown in the following schedule and except that, if the employee's benefits are exhausted during any week under s. 108.06 (1), the employee shall be paid the remaining amount of benefits payable to the employee in lieu of the amount shown in the following schedule: [See Figure 108.05 (1) (m) following]

AB553,20,13 Figure 108.05 (1) (m):

AB553,20,14 - See PDF for table

AB553,20,15 - See PDF for table

AB553,33,2 (n) Each eligible employee shall be paid benefits for each week of total unemployment which commences on or after December 29, 2002, at the weekly benefit rate specified in this paragraph. Unless sub. (1m) applies, the weekly benefit rate shall equal 4% of the employee's base period wages which were paid during that quarter of the employee's base period in which the employee was paid the highest total wages, rounded down to the nearest whole dollar, except that, if that amount is less than the minimum amount shown in the following schedule, no benefits are payable to the employee and, if that amount is more than the maximum amount shown in the following schedule, the employee's weekly benefit rate shall be the maximum amount shown in the following schedule and except that, if the employee's benefits are exhausted during any week under s. 108.06 (1), the employee shall be paid the remaining amount of benefits payable to the employee in lieu of the amount shown in the following schedule: [See Figure 108.05 (1) (n) following]

AB553,33,4 Figure 108.05 (1) (n):

AB553,33,5 - See PDF for table

AB553,33,6 - See PDF for table

AB553, s. 36 Section 36. 108.05 (7) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,45,8 108.05 (7) (a) 1. "Pension payment" means a pension, retirement, annuity, or other similar payment made to a claimant, based on the previous work of that claimant, whether or not payable on a periodic basis, from a governmental or other retirement system maintained or contributed to by an employer from which that claimant has base period wages, other than a payment received under the federal Social Security Act (42 USC 301 et seq.).

AB553, s. 37 Section 37. 108.05 (7) (f) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,45,13 108.05 (7) (f) 1. If the pension payment is received under the social security act (42 USC 301 et seq.) or railroad retirement act (45 USC 231 et seq.), the department shall reduce the weekly benefits payable for a week of partial or total unemployment by 50% of the weekly pension amount.

AB553, s. 38 Section 38. 108.065 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,45,17 108.065 (1) An employee service A temporary help company is the employer of an individual who the company engages in employment to perform services for a client or customer of the company.

AB553, s. 39 Section 39. 108.065 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB553,45,22 108.065 (1m) A professional employer organization is the employer of the employees who it engages to perform services for its client, including a corporate officer if the officer's position is included in the employee leasing agreement with the client.

AB553, s. 40 Section 40. 108.067 of the statutes is created to read:

AB553,46,6 108.067 Professional employer organizations and leasing agreements. (1) Each professional employer organization that enters into an employee leasing agreement with a client during any calendar quarter shall submit to the department, no later than the due date for the report under s. 108.17 (2) relating to that quarter, in the form prescribed by the department, a report disclosing the identity of that client and such other information as the department prescribes.

AB553,46,9 (2) If a professional employer organization and client terminate an employee leasing agreement, the professional employer organization and client shall notify the department within 10 working days of the termination.

AB553,46,20 (3) Notwithstanding s. 108.02 (13) (i), if an employer that is a client of a professional employer organization enters into an employee leasing agreement with the organization that results in the discontinuance of all employees of the employer who are engaged in employment, the department shall maintain the employer account of the client for a period of 5 full calendar years after the beginning of the agreement. If the employee leasing agreement is terminated prior to the end of the 5-year period, the client shall so notify the department and resume all responsibilities as the employer of its employees under this chapter as of the date of termination. Section 108.02 (13) (i) applies if the employee leasing agreement is terminated before the end of the 5-year period and the conditions for termination of coverage set forth in s. 108.02 (13) (i) exist.

AB553, s. 41 Section 41. 108.09 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 108.09 (3) (a) 1. and amended to read:

AB553,47,2 108.09 (3) (a) 1. To hear and decide disputed claims, the department shall establish appeal tribunals. Except as authorized in this paragraph, each of which tribunal shall consist of an individual who is a permanent employee of the department.

AB553,47,7 3. Upon request of a party to an appeal or upon its own motion, the department may appoint an individual who is not a permanent employee of the department to hear an appeal in which the department or an employee or former employee of the department is an interested party. No individual may hear any appeal in which the individual is a directly interested party.

AB553, s. 42 Section 42. 108.09 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

AB553,47,14 108.09 (3) (a) 2. The department may appoint an individual who is not a permanent employee of the department to serve as a temporary reserve appeal tribunal if the individual formerly served as an appeal tribunal while employed by the department and retired from state service as a permanent employee. An individual who is appointed to serve as a temporary reserve appeal tribunal shall be an attorney who is licensed to practice in this state.

AB553, s. 43 Section 43. 108.14 (2e) of the statutes is created to read:

AB553,47,24 108.14 (2e) The department may provide a secure means of electronic interchange between itself and employing units, claimants, and other persons which, upon request to and with prior approval by the department, may be used for departmental transmission or receipt of any document specified by the department that is related to the administration of this chapter in lieu of any other means of submission or receipt specified in this chapter. If a due date is established by statute for the receipt of any document that is submitted electronically to the department under this subsection, then that submission is timely only if the document is submitted by midnight of the statutory due date.

AB553, s. 44 Section 44. 108.14 (19) of the statutes is created to read:

AB553,48,4 108.14 (19) On or about February 15 annually, the department shall prepare and furnish to the council on unemployment insurance a report summarizing the department's activities related to detection and prosecution of unemployment insurance fraud in the preceding year.

AB553, s. 45 Section 45. 108.141 (7) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB553,48,8 108.141 (7) (c) The department shall charge the full amount of extended benefits based upon employment for an Indian tribe to the account of the Indian tribe.

AB553, s. 46 Section 46. 108.152 of the statutes is created to read:

AB553,48,15 108.152 Financing benefits for employees of Indian tribes. (1) Election of reimbursement financing. Each Indian tribe which is an employer may, in lieu of paying contributions under ss. 108.17 and 108.18, elect reimbursement financing for itself as a whole or for any tribal units or combinations of tribal units which are wholly owned subdivisions, subsidiaries or business enterprises, as of the beginning of any calendar year, subject to the following conditions:

AB553,48,19 (a) The Indian tribe or tribal unit shall file a written notice of the election with the department before the beginning of that year except that, if the Indian tribe or tribal unit became an employer as of the beginning of that year, it shall file the notice within 30 days after the date of the determination that it is an employer.

AB553,48,24 (b) An Indian tribe or tribal unit whose election of reimbursement financing is terminated under sub. (2) (a) may not thereafter reelect reimbursement financing unless it has been subject to the contribution requirements of ss. 108.17 and 108.18 for at least 3 calendar years thereafter and is not, at the time of filing such reelection, delinquent under s. 108.22.

AB553,49,3 (c) No election of reimbursement financing is valid unless the Indian tribe or tribal unit has satisfied the requirements of sub. (3) within 60 days after it files the notice of election.

AB553,49,9 (d) If the Indian tribe or tribal unit is an employer prior to the effective date of an election, ss. 108.17 and 108.18 shall apply to all employment prior to the effective date of the election, but after all benefits based on prior employment have been charged to any account that it has had under s. 108.16 (2), the department shall transfer any positive balance or charge any negative balance remaining therein to the balancing account as if s. 108.16 (6) (c) and (6m) (d) applied.

AB553,49,14 (2) Termination of election. (a) An Indian tribe or tribal unit that elected reimbursement financing may terminate its election as of the close of the 2nd calendar year to which the election applies, or at the close of any subsequent calendar year, by filing a written notice of termination with the department before the close of that year.

AB553,49,17 (b) If an Indian tribe or tribal unit terminates an election under this subsection, the employer's contribution rate is 2.7% on its payroll for each of the next 3 calendar years.

AB553,49,21 (3) Assurance of reimbursement. An Indian tribe or tribal unit electing reimbursement financing under sub. (1) shall file assurance of reimbursement in the same manner and subject to the conditions provided for other employers under s. 108.151 (4).

AB553,50,2 (4) Reimbursement account. The department shall maintain a reimbursement account, as a subaccount of the fund's balancing account, for each Indian tribe, tribal unit, or combination of tribal units in accordance with any valid election made under subs. (1) and (5) and subject to the procedures and conditions provided for other employers under s. 108.151 (5).

AB553,50,7 (5) Group reimbursement account. An Indian tribe that has elected reimbursement financing for tribal units or one or more combinations of tribal units may request to have specified tribal units treated as one employer for purposes of this chapter. The department shall approve any such request subject to the following conditions:

AB553,50,12 (a) The tribal units shall be so treated for a period of at least the 3 calendar years following their request, unless their election of reimbursement financing is terminated under sub. (2) or (6), but the Indian tribe may discontinue the treatment as of the beginning of any calendar year following that period by filing notice with the department prior to the beginning of that calendar year.

AB553,50,15 (b) The tribal units shall be jointly and severally liable for any required reimbursements, together with any interest thereon and any penalties or tardy filing fees.

AB553,50,17 (c) The Indian tribe shall designate one or more individuals to act as an agent for all members of the group for all fiscal and reporting purposes under this chapter.

AB553,50,23 (6) Failure to make required payments or file assurance of reimbursement. (a) If an Indian tribe or tribal unit fails to pay required contributions, reimbursements in lieu of contributions, penalties, interest, or fees within 90 days of the time that the department transmits to the tribe a final notice of delinquency, or fails to file or maintain the required assurance of reimbursement as provided in subs. (1) (c) and (3):

AB553,50,25 1. The department shall immediately notify the federal internal revenue service and the federal department of labor of that failure.

AB553,51,4 2. Any valid election of reimbursement financing is terminated as of the end of the current calendar year and any pending election that fails to meet the requirement to file an assurance of reimbursement under sub. (1) (c) is terminated immediately.

AB553,51,7 3. The department may consider the Indian tribe not to be an employer and may consider services performed for the tribe not to be employment for purposes of this chapter.

AB553,51,12 (b) An Indian tribe whose prior election of reimbursement financing has been terminated under par. (a) may not thereafter reelect reimbursement financing unless it has been subject to the contribution requirements of ss. 108.17 and 108.18 for at least one calendar year thereafter and is not delinquent under s. 108.22 at the time that it files a request for reelection.

AB553,51,18 (c) The final notice of delinquency specified in par. (a) shall include information that failure to make full payment within the prescribed time will cause the Indian tribe to be liable for taxes under the federal Unemployment Tax Act (26 USC 3301, et seq.), will cause the tribe to be precluded from electing reimbursement financing, and may cause the department to determine that the tribe is not an employer and that services performed for the tribe are not employment for purposes of this chapter.

AB553, s. 47 Section 47. 108.16 (6) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,51,21 108.16 (6) (g) Any payment received for the balancing account under s. 108.15 or 108.152.

AB553, s. 48 Section 48. 108.16 (6m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,51,25 108.16 (6m) (a) The benefits thus chargeable under s. 108.04 (1) (f), (5), (7) (h), (8) (a), or (13) (c) or (d), 108.07 (3), (3r), (5) (b), (5m), (6), or (8), 108.14 (8n) (e), 108.141 or, 108.151, or 108.152 or sub. (6) (e) or (7) (a) and (b).

AB553, s. 49 Section 49. 108.16 (8) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,52,4 108.16 (8) (b) (intro.) If the business of any employer is transferred to a single transferee, the transferee is deemed a successor for purposes of this chapter, if the department determines that all of the following conditions have been satisfied:

AB553, s. 50 Section 50. 108.16 (8) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,52,9 108.16 (8) (b) 2. The transfer included at least 25% 100% of the transferor's total business as measured by comparing the payroll experience assignable to the portion of the business transferred with the transferor's total payroll experience for the last 4 completed quarters immediately preceding on the date of the transfer.

AB553, s. 51 Section 51. 108.16 (8) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,52,13 108.16 (8) (b) 3. The same financing provisions under s. 108.15, 108.151, 108.152, or 108.18 apply to the transferee as applied to the transferor on the date of the transfer.

AB553, s. 52 Section 52. 108.16 (8) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB553,52,17 108.16 (8) (c) 3. The same financing provisions under s. 108.15, 108.151, 108.152, or 108.18 apply to the transferee as applied to the transferor on the date of transfer.

AB553, s. 53 Section 53. 108.16 (8) (c) 4. of the statutes is created to read: