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Bills from the January 2021 Special Session

Senate Bill 1

Transactions with the Department of Workforce Development under the unemployment insurance law, funding for unemployment insurance modernization efforts, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

Became law

The governor signed it on Feb 26, 2021. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Feb 17, 2021

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Senate vote, passed

    Passed Feb 18, 2021

  4. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed 89 to 0

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2021 Wisconsin Act 4

Latest entry in the official record, Feb 26, 2021: “Published 2-26-2021”

Read the bill

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What it does

Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Currently, with certain exceptions, each employer that has employees who are engaged in employment covered by the unemployment insurance law must file quarterly contribution (tax) and employment and wage reports and make quarterly payment of its contributions to the Department of Workforce Development. An employer of 25 or more employees or an employer agent that files reports on behalf of any employer must file its reports electronically. Current law also requires each employer that makes contributions for any 12-month period ending on June 30 equal to a total of at least $10,000 to make all contribution payments electronically in the following year. Finally, current law allows DWD to provide a secure means of electronic interchange between itself and employing units, claimants, and other persons that, upon request to and with prior approval by DWD, may be used for transmission or receipt of any document specified by DWD that is related to the administration of the UI law in lieu of any other means of submission or receipt.

This bill makes use of these electronic methods mandatory in all cases, unless the employer or other person demonstrates good cause for being unable to use the electronic method, as determined by DWD by rule. The bill also provides that DWD may permit the use of electronic records and electronic signatures for any document specified by DWD that is related to the administration of the UI law.

Read the full summary

The bill also creates appropriations to provide general purpose revenue (GPR) and federal funding to DWD for the renovation and modernization of unemployment insurance information technology systems and appropriates $5,320,000 GPR for this purpose.

Who's behind it

The Joint Committee on Finance introduced it.

1 more lawmaker ⁠.

See all the details

Signed on in support (1)

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

How lawmakers voted

There were 13 votes on this bill.

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 15 to 0 · Feb 17, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report introduction of Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Joint Committee on Finance vote on an amendment

Passed, 15 to 0 · Feb 17, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Joint Committee on Finance vote to recommend it

Passed, 15 to 0 · Feb 17, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report passage as amended, with emergency statement attached, pursuant to s. 16.47 (2), Wisconsin Statutes, recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 20 to 11 · Feb 18, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 20, Noes 11”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 12 · Feb 18, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 12”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 11 · Feb 18, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 11”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 11 · Feb 18, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 5 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 11”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 11 · Feb 18, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 6 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 11”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 27 to 3 · Feb 18, 2021 · 2 didn't vote

See how each of the 32 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Didn't vote (2)

Official motion: “PASSAGE”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 89 to 0 · Feb 23, 2021 · 5 didn't vote

See how each of the 94 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Yes (89)

Didn't vote (5)

Official motion: “CONCURRENCE”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 57 to 34 · Feb 23, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 34”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 57 to 34 · Feb 23, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 34”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 57 to 34 · Feb 23, 2021

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 34”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. Feb 26, 2021

    The new law was published.

  2. Feb 26, 2021

    The governor signed it. It became 2021 Wisconsin Act 4.

  3. Feb 24, 2021

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Feb 24, 2021

    1 more senator signed on in support.

  5. Feb 23, 2021

    The Assembly passed it too, 89 to 0.

  6. Feb 22, 2021

    “Read first time and referred to calendar of 2-23-2021 pursuant to Assembly Rule 93 (4)” (the official wording)

  7. Feb 18, 2021

    The Assembly received it.

  8. Feb 18, 2021

    The Senate passed it, 27 to 3.

  9. Feb 18, 2021

    The Senate adopted it.

  10. Feb 17, 2021

    “Report passage as amended, with emergency statement attached, pursuant to s. 16.47 (2), Wisconsin Statutes, recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  11. Feb 17, 2021

    “Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  12. Feb 17, 2021

    “Report introduction of Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  13. Feb 17, 2021

    The committee voted on it.

  14. Feb 17, 2021

    The committee held a public hearing.

  15. Feb 17, 2021

    Sent to the Joint Committee on Finance.

  16. Feb 17, 2021

    Introduced in the Senate.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Feb 17, 2021 · Senate

    Introduced by Joint Committee on Finance

  2. Feb 17, 2021 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Joint Committee on Finance

  3. Feb 17, 2021 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  4. Feb 17, 2021 · Senate

    Executive action taken

  5. Feb 17, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Joint Committee on Finance

  6. Feb 17, 2021 · Senate

    Report introduction of Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0

  7. Feb 17, 2021 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0

  8. Feb 17, 2021 · Senate

    Report passage as amended, with emergency statement attached, pursuant to s. 16.47 (2), Wisconsin Statutes, recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0

  9. Feb 17, 2021 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  10. Feb 17, 2021 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 2-18-2021 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  11. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Larson

  12. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Erpenbach, Ringhand, Smith, Roys, L. Taylor and Bewley

  13. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Erpenbach, Ringhand, Smith, Roys, L. Taylor and Bewley

  14. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Read a second time

  15. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 5 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Carpenter

  16. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 6 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator Carpenter

  17. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 20, Noes 11

  18. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 12

  19. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 4 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 11

  20. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 5 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 11

  21. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 6 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 19, Noes 11

  22. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  23. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  24. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  25. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 27, Noes 3

  26. Feb 18, 2021 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  27. Feb 18, 2021 · Assembly

    Received from Senate

  28. Feb 22, 2021 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to calendar of 2-23-2021 pursuant to Assembly Rule 93 (4)

  29. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Rules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up

  30. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  31. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Hintz, Hesselbein, Spreitzer, Subeck, B. Meyers, Haywood, Goyke, Neubauer, Anderson, Andraca, Baldeh, Billings, Bowen, Brostoff, Cabrera, Conley, Considine, Doyle, Drake, Emerson, Hebl, Hong, McGuire, Milroy, Moore Omokunde, L. Myers, Ohnstad, Ortiz-Velez, Pope, Riemer, S. Rodriguez, Shankland, Shelton, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Stubbs, Vining and Vruwink

  32. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 34

  33. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representatives Hintz, Hesselbein, Spreitzer, Subeck, B. Meyers, Haywood, Goyke, Neubauer, Anderson, Andraca, Baldeh, Billings, Bowen, Brostoff, Cabrera, Conley, Considine, Doyle, Drake, Emerson, Hebl, Hong, McGuire, Milroy, Moore Omokunde, L. Myers, Ohnstad, Ortiz-Velez, Pope, Riemer, S. Rodriguez, Shankland, Shelton, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Stubbs, Vining and Vruwink

  34. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 34

  35. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 offered by Representatives Hintz, Hesselbein, Spreitzer, Subeck, B. Meyers, Haywood, Goyke, Neubauer, Anderson, Andraca, Baldeh, Billings, Bowen, Brostoff, Cabrera, Conley, Considine, Drake, Emerson, Hebl, Hong, McGuire, Milroy, Moore Omokunde, L. Myers, Ohnstad, Ortiz-Velez, Pope, Riemer, S. Rodriguez, Shankland, Shelton, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Stubbs, Vining and Vruwink

  36. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 34

  37. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  38. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  39. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 89, Noes 0, Paired 4

  40. Feb 23, 2021 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  41. Feb 23, 2021 · Senate

    Received from Assembly concurred in

  42. Feb 23, 2021 · Senate

    Report correctly enrolled

  43. Feb 24, 2021 · Senate

    Senator Jacque added as a coauthor

  44. Feb 24, 2021 · Senate

    Presented to the Governor on 2-24-2021

  45. Feb 26, 2021 · Senate

    Report approved by the Governor on 2-25-2021. 2021 Wisconsin Act 4

  46. Feb 26, 2021 · Senate

    Published 2-26-2021

Terms on this page

Wisconsin Act

The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.

Official term: Act. More in the glossary

Legislative Reference Bureau

The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.

Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary

Signed on in support

Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.

Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary

Roll call

A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.

Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary

From the Wisconsin Legislature's official record, checked Sep 15, 2026. See the source

Wisconsin Act

The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.

Official term: Act

More in the glossary

Legislative Reference Bureau

The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.

Official term: LRB analysis

More in the glossary

Signed on in support

Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.

Official term: Cosponsor

More in the glossary

Roll call

A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.

Official term: Roll call vote

More in the glossary