Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Brooks bill passes Assembly and Senate on courier employment and benefits

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Robert Brooks seeks to clarify employment status for delivery couriers and establish portable benefit accounts to support drivers through network companies, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

It passed both chambers as of June 18, clearing the Assembly by a vote of 56-36 and the Senate by a vote of 17-15.

However, Gov. Tony Evers vetoed the bill on Aug. 11.

The bill, introduced as AB269 on May 19, during the 2025 session, was summarized by the state legislature 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.

In the Assembly, four Democrats and 52 Republicans voted in favor while 36 Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 17 Republicans voted in favor while 14 Democrats and one Republican voted against it.

Representatives Dallman, Brooks, Armstrong, Ortiz-Velez, Snyder, and four other legislators introduced the bill in the Wisconsin Assembly on May 19 during the 2025 legislative session. The bill was also co-authored by Sen. Julian Bradley (Republican-28th District), Rep. David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Rep. Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District), Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (Democrat-8th District), and Rep. Priscilla A. Prado (Democrat-9th District).

The bill was also co-sponsored by Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Sen. Patrick Testin (Republican-24th District), Sen. Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District) and five other co-sponsors.

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.