All Roll Calls
Yes: 147 • No: 16
WisconsinAB6512025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)HouseWALLET
An Act to repeal 102.01 (2) (ar); to renumber 102.15 (1) (a); to renumber and amend 102.16 (1), 102.17 (4) (a), 102.17 (9) (a) 1., 102.44 (1) (ag), 102.44 (1) (am) and 102.44 (1) (b); to amend 20.445 (1) (sm), 40.65 (2) (a), 102.11 (1) (intro.), 102.125 (2), 102.125 (3), 102.15 (2), 102.16 (4), 102.17 (1) (d) 1., 102.17 (1) (d) 2., 102.17 (1) (d) 3., 102.17 (4) (b), 102.17 (9) (b) (intro.), 102.18 (1) (a), 102.18 (1) (bp), 102.27 (2) (a), 102.32 (6m) (a), 102.42 (title), 102.44 (1) (c) 1., 102.59 (1), 102.61 (1m) (c), 102.75 (1g) (a), 102.75 (1g) (c), 102.81 (2), 102.82 (2) (a) (intro.), 102.82 (2) (am), 102.82 (2) (ar) and 102.82 (2) (b); to repeal and recreate 102.85 (1) and 102.85 (2); to create 102.125 (1m), 102.16 (1) (e), 102.17 (1) (a) 1m., 102.17 (1) (a) 5., 102.17 (1) (i), 102.17 (4) (a) 1., 102.17 (9) (a) 1e., 102.17 (9) (a) 1g., 102.42 (10), 102.44 (4o), 102.59 (4), 102.82 (2) (ab), 102.82 (2) (ad) and 943.395 (1) (e) of the statutes; to affect 2023 Wisconsin Act 213, section 25; Relating to: various changes to the worker’s compensation law, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)
Sponsored By: Committee on Workforce Development
Signed by Governor
EmploymentFinesFire departmentForfeitureFraudLegislature -- Criminal PenaltiesJoint Review Committee onMedical service -- OccupationsMental healthPersons with disabilitiesWorker's compensationWorkforce DevelopmentDepartment of
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Longer claim access for injured workers
Traumatic work injuries requiring a shoulder replacement or reverse shoulder replacement have no claim-filing time limit. Filing a hearing application pauses the claim deadline while the case is pending. That protection ends at final disposition or the original deadline, whichever is later; dismissal without prejudice adds no further extension. The deadline also resumes after settlement approval when the pause applies. Specified hearing, deadline, and decision rules—including specified changes from 2023 Wisconsin Act 213—apply regardless of injury date. These changes begin January 1, 2026, or the day after publication, whichever is later.
More mental injury coverage for responders
Emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners gain access to the workers’ compensation rule for post-traumatic stress disorder. The mental injury must result in a PTSD diagnosis without an accompanying physical injury. The rule also covers qualifying law enforcement officers and firefighters. Eligible part-time employees and volunteer fire department members or officers count as firefighters.
More supplemental payments for disabled workers
Workers injured before January 1, 2020, gain supplemental benefits for disability weeks after this law takes effect. Eligible workers receive permanent total disability benefits under the specified additional-compensation rule, or permanent total or continuous temporary total benefits more than 24 months after injury. Each January 1, combined payments match the succeeding year’s weekly maximum, or preserve the worker’s original share of that maximum. Additional compensation and supplemental benefits use the funds provided for additional compensation. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, or the day after publication, whichever is later.
Easier training approval for injured workers
Rehabilitation training lasting 80 weeks or less is presumed reasonable when a private rehabilitation counselor finds it necessary. Employers or insurers remain responsible for reasonable program costs, subject to the law’s cost limits and training requirements. The presumption begins January 1, 2026, or the day after publication, whichever is later.
Discharge planning help for disabled workers
During an inpatient stay, providers cannot block employer or insurer case managers from records and discharge planning when needed. The access must be required to arrange appropriate housing and transportation for an injured worker with a disability. Employers, insurers, and case managers do not gain authority to direct the worker’s care.
Higher disability benefit caps for workers
Permanent partial disability benefit caps depend on the worker’s injury date. For injuries from January 1, 2025, until the law takes effect, the weekly benefit cap is $446. It rises to $454 from the effective date through December 31, 2026, and $462 for injuries beginning January 1, 2027. The matching maximum average weekly earnings are $669, $681, and $693. The effective date is January 1, 2026, or the day after publication, whichever is later.
More settlement payment flexibility for workers
Workers can receive settlement payments directly, including full lump sums, without depositing them with a financial institution. Settlement payments do not count toward the three-advance-payments-per-calendar-year limit or as advances under related claim-deadline rules. The workforce department can review, change, cancel, or confirm a compromise within one year of specified filing or award events. Employers, insurers, and specified dependents have the same right as employees to request review. A written agreement must say “compromise” to count as one; further claims are barred only as the law provides.
More funding for Wisconsin’s workforce agency
Wisconsin adds $834,700 to the workforce department’s specified appropriation for fiscal year 2025–26. It adds $941,800 for fiscal year 2026–27. The money supports that appropriation’s existing purpose, not a stated new household payment or eligibility expansion.
Criminal penalties for employer insurance fraud
False or fraudulent workers’ compensation insurance applications are criminal offenses. Fraudulently misclassifying employees to lower workers’ compensation premiums is also a criminal offense. The prohibition begins January 1, 2026, or the day after publication, whichever is later. The supplied text does not specify the criminal penalty amount.
New reporting duties for compensation insurers
Insurers must report evidence of fraudulent coverage applications or employee misclassification intended to lower premiums to the workforce department. The department can require investigations and records, and investigating insurers must report their findings. Supplemental-benefit reimbursement claims must be filed within 12 months after the end of the year benefits were paid. Claims require department approval and the department’s required reporting method. The reimbursement deadline begins January 1, 2026, or the day after publication, whichever is later.
New disability ratings for repeat surgeries
Providers no longer add disability ratings together for a second or later identical surgery on the same limb. Instead, they determine a permanent partial disability rating that cannot fall below the first surgery’s rating. This applies when permanent partial disability benefits are due for the procedure. The rule begins January 1, 2026, or the day after publication, whichever is later.
Higher employer penalties with limited waivers
Repeated uninsured-employer findings carry higher payments: the third requires the greater of $3,000 or three times the prior three years’ unpaid amount; later findings require $4,000 or four times that amount. Separate coverage-violation penalties are the greater of $1,000 or the premium, then $2,000 or twice, $3,000 or three times, and $4,000 or four times the premium. False coverage information or missing contract-related cancellation notices carries $100–$1,000 penalties, rising to $3,000 for a third violation and $4,000 for later violations. The department can waive required uninsured-employer payments for employers covered by election or whose noncompliance results solely from agent or broker fraud, misrepresentation, or gross negligence. Required uninsured-employer payments are due within 30 days of notice, with 1% monthly interest when late. These rules begin January 1, 2026, or the day after publication, whichever is later.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Committee on Workforce Development
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
André Jacque
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Senate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15
Yes: 18 • No: 15
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 1
Yes: 32 • No: 1
House vote • 1/20/2026
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 97, Noes 0
Yes: 97 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Published 3-31-2026
3/30/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 3-30-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 145
3/30/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 3-26-2026
3/26/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 2-13-2026
2/13/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
2/12/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
2/11/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 1
2/11/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
2/11/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
2/11/2026SenateSenate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15
2/11/2026SenateRead a second time
2/11/2026SenateSenate Amendment 1 offered by Senators Smith, Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Larson, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Spreitzer, Wall and Wirch
2/11/2026SenateFiscal estimate received
2/10/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 2-11-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
2/9/2026SenatePublic hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
2/9/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
1/23/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
1/23/2026SenateReceived from Assembly
1/20/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
1/20/2026HouseRead a third time and passed, Ayes 97, Noes 0
1/20/2026HouseRules suspended
1/20/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
1/20/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 1 adopted
1/20/2026HouseRead a second time
1/20/2026HousePlaced on calendar 1-20-2026 by Committee on Rules
1/14/2026House
Bill Text
Assembly Amendment 1
1/20/2026
Bill Text
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