Rep. Brooks authors Wisconsin Assembly bill on courier worker classification

A new bill authored by State Rep. Robert Brooks in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to clarify employment classification for delivery and transportation network couriers, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “delivery network couriers and transportation network drivers, Department of Financial Institutions’ approval to offer portable benefit accounts, providing for insurance coverage, modifying administrative rules related to accident and sickness insurance, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)”.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes that under certain conditions, delivery and transportation network couriers are not considered employees of network companies for the purposes of workers’ compensation, minimum wage, and unemployment insurance. It defines terms related to application-based drivers and allows network companies to offer portable benefit accounts, to which they may contribute 4% of a driver’s quarterly earnings. The bill authorizes approved financial services providers to administer these accounts, and drivers can use them for various purposes, including insurance premiums and retirement account transfers. Additionally, the bill allows network companies to provide group accident and sickness insurance for drivers engaged through their digital networks. It specifies coverage requirements, including medical expenses and disability payments, mandates disclosure of insurance policies upon request, and outlines the invalidation conditions if core provisions are ruled void by a court. The bill takes effect the day after publication, with certain administrative rule changes taking effect as specified by statute.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Julian Bradley (Republican-28th District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District), Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (Democrat-8th District), Representative Priscilla A. Prado (Democrat-9th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Patrick Testin (Republican-24th District), and Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), along five other co-sponsors.

Robert Brooks has co-authored or authored another 53 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Brooks, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state’s 59th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Ty Bodden.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.