Milwaukee City Wire

A new bill authored by State Sen. Bradley in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to regulate delivery drivers' classification as independent contractors and establish related benefit provisions, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

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 proposes regulations for delivery and transportation network companies, classifying their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees if certain conditions are met. It establishes that these drivers are not subject to worker's compensation, unemployment insurance, or minimum wage laws, provided the companies do not dictate specific working hours, terminate contracts for declining service requests, or restrict work with other companies. Additionally, the bill introduces the concept of portable benefit accounts, allowing eligible drivers to receive company contributions, manage retirement savings, and cover health-related expenses. Insurance options for these drivers are also outlined, permitting companies to offer group accident and sickness coverage for medical expenses and income loss due to injuries sustained while on duty. The bill sets minimum coverage standards and caters to income replacement benefits, with tax incentives on personal contributions. It is significant to note that the bill's provisions are not severable and would be invalidated if specific clauses are struck down by a court. Effective immediately upon publication, and pending assessment by a joint tax exemption committee if deemed a tax-related matter, this legislation aims to redefine the employment and benefit landscape for gig economy drivers.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Alex A. Dallman (Republican-39th District), Senator Howard L. Marklein (Republican-17th District), Senator Patrick Testin (Republican-24th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District). It was co-sponsored by Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), and Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), along seven other co-sponsors.

Julian Bradley has authored or co-authored another 34 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Bradley graduated from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse in 2014 with a BS.

Bradley, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2021 to represent the state's 28th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Dave Craig.

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.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB256	05/15/2025	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)
SB254	05/09/2025	Funding for the War Memorial Center and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB249	05/09/2025	Vacancies in appointive state offices
SB244	05/09/2025	Modifying the sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers. (FE)
SB240	05/09/2025	Workforce literacy grant program. (FE)
SB231	04/29/2025	Creating a tax credit for expenses related to film production services and for capital investments made by a film production company, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB176	04/03/2025	An income and franchise tax exemption for broadband expansion grants and for federal high-cost program funding for broadband expansion. (FE)
SB141	03/21/2025	Allowing an unlicensed person to use a motor vehicle and providing a penalty
SB132	03/14/2025	Classification of the crime of impersonating law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and certain other emergency personnel and providing a penalty
SB125	03/14/2025	A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE)
SB124	03/14/2025	Creating a board to organize, promote, and host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit. (FE)
SB115	03/07/2025	Department of Justice collection and reporting of certain criminal case data. (FE)
SB93	03/07/2025	Recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE)
SB61	02/21/2025	Excluding expenditures funded by referenda from shared costs for the purpose of determining equalization aid for school districts. (FE)
SB57	02/21/2025	County sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE)
SB36	02/12/2025	An income tax exemption for cash tips paid to an employee. (FE)
SB35	02/12/2025	Law enforcement and firefighter annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE)
SB25	02/05/2025	Court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths