HF 2623

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/20/2019 11:24am

A bill for an act
relating to workforce development; creating the Minnesota technology training
account in the special revenue fund; appropriating money in the account for training
in digital technology; transferring funds from the excess surplus in the assigned
risk plan; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116L.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [116L.25] MINNESOTA TECHNOLOGY TRAINING ACCOUNT.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Minnesota technology training account is created in the special revenue fund in
the state treasury. The commissioner of management and budget shall credit to the account
the amounts authorized under this section and appropriations and transfers to the account.
The State Board of Investment shall ensure that account money is invested under section
11A.24. All money earned by the account must be credited to the account. The principal of
the account and any unexpended earnings must be invested and reinvested by the State
Board of Investment.
new text end

new text begin (b) All principal and earnings of the Minnesota technology training account are
appropriated to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the
following purposes:
new text end

new text begin (1) grants to community organizations for short-term training in technology skills geared
toward employment with a specific employer and resulting in a certificate. Grant funds may
be used to pay for up to 100 percent of the costs of establishing such a program and up to
50 percent of the ongoing training costs in such a program. To the extent possible, at least
40 percent of funds used for this purpose should be for training targeted at populations who
are underrepresented in technology employment in Minnesota or who face barriers to
employment;
new text end

new text begin (2) grants to Minnesota residents for reimbursement of tuition paid in completing
approved courses in technology. In awarding these grants, the commissioner must consult
with the Office of Higher Education and must create a publicly available list of approved
courses, which may be offered either online or at an accredited college or university in
Minnesota. For approved courses one year in duration or longer, an individual must be
employed in the technology industry in Minnesota for one year before becoming eligible
for reimbursement;
new text end

new text begin (3) grants to organizations for short-term courses in technology for high school students.
Preference shall be given to courses that partner with a specific employer or an association
of employers. To the extent possible, at least 60 percent of funds used for this purpose
should be for courses targeted at populations who are underrepresented in technology
employment in Minnesota or who face barriers to employment; and
new text end

new text begin (4) creation of an Office of Technology Employment to oversee the above programs,
coordinate efforts across the Department of Employment and Economic Development and
state agencies, and serve as a point of contact for employers, educators, and community
organizations in order to foster partnerships and promote technology employment in
Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin ASSIGNED RISK TRANSFER.
new text end

new text begin By June 30, 2019, and each year thereafter, if the commissioner of commerce determines
on the basis of an audit that there is an excess surplus in the assigned risk plan created under
Minnesota Statutes, section 79.252, the commissioner of management and budget shall
transfer the amount of the excess surplus, not to exceed $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2019 and
not to exceed $6,000,000 in any fiscal year after 2019, to the Minnesota technology training
account, created under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.25. This transfer occurs prior to
any transfer under Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 2, section 14, as amended by Laws 2016,
chapter 189, article 7, section 8, and Laws 2017, chapter 94, article 6, section 17. The total
amount authorized for all transfers under this paragraph must not exceed $20,500,000. This
section expires the day following the transfer in which the total amount transferred under
this section to the Minnesota technology training account equals $20,500,000.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end