1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government; appropriating money for jobs and economic 
1.3 	development purposes; establishing and modifying certain programs; regulating 
1.4 	certain activities and practices; providing for accounts, assessments, and fees; 
1.5 	modifying provisions governing contractors; requiring studies; amending 
1.6 	Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.712, by adding a subdivision; 13.7905, 
1.7 	by adding a subdivision; 16B.61, subdivision 1a; 16B.65, subdivisions 1, 5a; 
1.8 	16B.70, subdivision 2; 80A.28, subdivision 1; 116J.551, subdivision 1; 116J.554, 
1.9 	subdivision 2; 116J.555, subdivision 1; 116J.575, subdivisions 1, 1a; 116J.966, 
1.10 	subdivision 1; 116L.17, subdivision 1; 116L.20, subdivision 1; 116M.18, 
1.11 	subdivision 6a; 177.27, subdivisions 1, 4; 268A.01, subdivision 13, by adding 
1.12 	a subdivision; 268A.085, subdivision 1; 268A.15, by adding a subdivision; 
1.13 	298.22, subdivision 2; 298.227; 326.242, subdivision 8, by adding a subdivision; 
1.14 	326.2441; 326.37, subdivision 1; 326.38; 326.40, subdivision 1; 326.401, 
1.15 	subdivision 2; 326.42, subdivision 1; 326.46; 326.461, by adding a subdivision; 
1.16 	326.47, subdivisions 2, 6; 326.48, subdivisions 1, 2; 326.50; 326.51; 326.52; 
1.17 	326.975, subdivision 1; 326.992; 327.33, subdivisions 2, 6; 327B.04, subdivision 
1.18 	7; 462A.21, subdivision 8b; 462A.33, subdivision 3; 471.471, subdivision 4; 
1.19 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 177; 181; 182; 
1.20 	326; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapters 59C; 326B; 
1.21 	repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.747, subdivision 4; 16C.18, 
1.22 	subdivision 2; 181.722; 183.375, subdivision 5; 183.545, subdivision 9; 326.241; 
1.23 	326.44; 326.52; 326.64; 326.975.
1.24 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.25	Section 1.  SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
1.26 	The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made 
1.27 	in this act.

1.28			2008
		2009
		Total
	
1.29	General
	$
	163,335,000
	$
	164,618,000
	$
	 327,953,000
	
1.30	Workforce Development  
		 10,235,000
		10,251,000 
		20,486,000
	
1.31	Remediation 
		 700,000  
		 700,000  
		1,400,000
	
1.32	Petroleum Tank Cleanup 
		1,084,000 
		  1,084,000 
		 2,168,000
	
2.1	Workers' Compensation  
		23,114,000
		23,498,000
		 46,612,000
	
2.2	Total
	$
	198,468,000
	$
	200,151,000
	$
	398,619,000

2.3	Sec. 2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
2.4 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the 
2.5 	agencies and for the purposes specified in this act.  The appropriations are from the general 
2.6 	fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each 
2.7 	purpose.  The figures "2008" and "2009" used in this act mean that the appropriations 
2.8 	listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, or June 30, 2009, 
2.9 	respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2008. "The second year" is fiscal year 2009. 
2.10 	"The biennium" is fiscal years 2008 and 2009.  Appropriations for the fiscal year ending 
2.11 	June 30, 2007, are effective the day following final enactment.

2.12				APPROPRIATIONS
	
2.13				Available for the Year
	
2.14				Ending June 30
	
2.15					2008
		2009

2.16
2.17	Sec. 3. EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC 
DEVELOPMENT

2.18	Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation
 	$
	60,275,000
	$
	60,593,000

2.19	Appropriations by Fund
	
2.20		2008
	2009
	
2.21	General
	50,105,000 
	50,423,000
	
2.22	Remediation  
	700,000
	700,000
	
2.23
2.24	Workforce 
Development  
	9,470,000
	9,470,000
	
2.25 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.26 	purpose are specified in the following 
2.27 	subdivisions.

2.28
2.29	Subd.  2.Business and Community 
Development
 		8,374,000
		8,513,000

2.30	Appropriations by Fund
	
2.31	General
	7,674,000 
	  7,813,000
	
2.32	Remediation  
	700,000 
	700,000 
	
2.33 	$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
2.34 	second year are from the general fund 
2.35 	for a grant under Minnesota Statutes, 
3.1 	section 116J.421, to the Rural Policy and 
3.2 	Development Center at St. Peter, Minnesota. 
3.3 	The grant shall be used for research and 
3.4 	policy analysis on emerging economic and 
3.5 	social issues in rural Minnesota, to serve as 
3.6 	a policy resource center for rural Minnesota 
3.7 	communities, to encourage collaboration 
3.8 	across higher education institutions to 
3.9 	provide interdisciplinary team approaches 
3.10 	to research and problem-solving in rural 
3.11 	communities, and to administer overall 
3.12 	operations of the center.
3.13 	The grant shall be provided upon the 
3.14 	condition that each state-appropriated 
3.15 	dollar be matched with a nonstate dollar. 
3.16 	Acceptable matching funds are nonstate 
3.17 	contributions that the center has received and 
3.18 	have not been used to match previous state 
3.19 	grants. Any unencumbered balance in the 
3.20 	first year is available for the second year.
3.21 	$155,000 the first year and $155,000 the 
3.22 	second year are from the general fund 
3.23 	for a grant to the Metropolitan Economic 
3.24 	Development Association for continuing 
3.25 	minority business development programs in 
3.26 	the metropolitan area.
3.27 	$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
3.28 	second year are from the general fund for 
3.29 	a grant to WomenVenture for women's 
3.30 	business development programs.
3.31 	$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the 
3.32 	second year are to help small businesses 
3.33 	access federal funds through the federal 
3.34 	Small Business Innovation Research Program 
3.35 	and the federal Small Business Technology 
4.1 	Transfer Program. Department services 
4.2 	must include maintaining connections to 
4.3 	11 federal programs, assessment of specific 
4.4 	funding opportunities, review of funding 
4.5 	proposals, referral to specific consulting 
4.6 	services, and training workshops throughout 
4.7 	the state. Unless prohibited by federal law, 
4.8 	the department must implement fees for 
4.9 	services that help companies seek federal 
4.10 	Phase II Small Business Innovation Research 
4.11 	grants. The recommended fee schedule 
4.12 	must be reported to the chairs of the house 
4.13 	of representatives finance committee and 
4.14 	senate budget division with jurisdiction over 
4.15 	economic development by February 1, 2008.
4.16 	$85,000 the first year and $85,000 the second 
4.17 	year are for grants to the Minnesota Inventors 
4.18 	Congress. Of this amount, $10,000 each year 
4.19 	is for the Student Inventors Congress.
4.20 	$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the 
4.21 	second year are appropriated to the Public 
4.22 	Facilities Authority for the small community 
4.23 	wastewater treatment program under 
4.24 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 446A.

4.25	Subd.  3.Workforce Development
 		48,740,000
		48,882,000

4.26	Appropriations by Fund
	
4.27	General
	39,270,000
	39,412,000
	
4.28
4.29	Workforce 
Development
	9,470,000 
	9,470,000 
	
4.30 	$6,785,000 the first year and $6,785,000 
4.31 	the second year are from the general fund 
4.32 	for the Minnesota job skills partnership 
4.33 	program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
4.34 	116L.01 to 116L.17. If the appropriation for 
4.35 	either year is insufficient, the appropriation 
5.1 	for the other year is available for it. This 
5.2 	appropriation does not cancel.
5.3 	$455,000 the first year and $455,000 the 
5.4 	second year are from the general fund for 
5.5 	a grant under Minnesota Statutes, section 
5.6 	116J.8747, to Twin Cities RISE! to provide 
5.7 	training to hard-to-train individuals.
5.8 	$875,000 the first year and $875,000 
5.9 	the second year are from the workforce 
5.10 	development fund and $500,000 the first 
5.11 	year and $500,000 the second year are 
5.12 	from the general fund for opportunities 
5.13 	industrialization center programs. 
5.14 	$250,000 the first year and $250,000 
5.15 	the second year are from the workforce 
5.16 	development fund and $100,000 the first 
5.17 	year and $100,000 the second year are from 
5.18 	the general fund for a grant to Lifetrack 
5.19 	Resources for its immigrant and refugee 
5.20 	collaborative programs, including those 
5.21 	related to job-seeking skills and workplace 
5.22 	orientation, intensive job development, 
5.23 	functional work English, and on-site job 
5.24 	coaching.
5.25 	$300,000 the first year and $300,000 the 
5.26 	second year are from the general fund for 
5.27 	grants to Northern Connections in Perham 
5.28 	to implement and operate a pilot workforce 
5.29 	program that provides one-stop supportive 
5.30 	services to individuals as they transition into 
5.31 	the workforce.
5.32 	$200,000 the first year and $200,000 the 
5.33 	second year are from the general fund for 
5.34 	a grant to HIRED to operate its industry 
5.35 	sector training initiatives, which provide 
6.1 	employee training developed in collaboration 
6.2 	with employers in specific, high-demand 
6.3 	industries. 
6.4 	$2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the 
6.5 	second year are from the general fund for the 
6.6 	Minnesota youth program under Minnesota 
6.7 	Statutes, sections 116L.56 and 116L.561.
6.8 	$1,250,000 the first year and $1,250,000 the 
6.9 	second year are from the general fund for 
6.10 	the youthbuild program under Minnesota 
6.11 	Statutes, sections 116L.361 to 116L.366. 
6.12 	This appropriation may be used for:
6.13 	(1) restoring the three youthbuild programs 
6.14 	that were eliminated due to budget reductions 
6.15 	and adding seven more youthbuild programs 
6.16 	statewide;
6.17 	(2) restoring funding levels for all youthbuild 
6.18 	programs plus an inflationary increase for 
6.19 	each program;
6.20 	(3) increasing the number of at-risk youth 
6.21 	served by the youthbuild programs from 260 
6.22 	youth per year to 500 youth per year; and
6.23 	(4) restoring the youthbuild focus on careers 
6.24 	in technology and adding a youthbuild focus 
6.25 	on careers in the medical field.
6.26 	$1,250,000 the first year and $1,250,000 
6.27 	the second year are from the workforce 
6.28 	development fund for grants to fund summer 
6.29 	youth employment in Minneapolis. The 
6.30 	grants shall be used to fund up to 500 jobs for 
6.31 	youth each summer. Of this appropriation, 
6.32 	$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
6.33 	second year are for a grant to the learn-to-earn 
6.34 	summer youth employment program. The 
7.1 	commissioner shall establish criteria for 
7.2 	awarding the grants. This appropriation is 
7.3 	available in either year of the biennium and 
7.4 	is available until spent.
7.5 	$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
7.6 	second year are from the general fund for a 
7.7 	grant to the city of St. Paul for grants to fund 
7.8 	summer youth employment in St. Paul. The 
7.9 	grants shall be used to fund up to 500 jobs 
7.10 	for youth each summer. The commissioner 
7.11 	shall establish criteria for awarding the 
7.12 	grants within the city of St. Paul. This 
7.13 	appropriation is available in either year of 
7.14 	the biennium and is available until spent.
7.15 	$1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the 
7.16 	second year are from the general fund for 
7.17 	a grant to the Minnesota Alliance of Boys 
7.18 	and Girls Clubs to administer a statewide 
7.19 	project of youth job skills development. This 
7.20 	project, which may have career guidance 
7.21 	components, including health and life skills, 
7.22 	is to encourage, train, and assist youth in 
7.23 	job-seeking skills, workplace orientation, 
7.24 	and job site knowledge through coaching. 
7.25 	This grant requires a 25 percent match from 
7.26 	nonstate resources.
7.27 	$5,371,000 the first year and $5,378,000 the 
7.28 	second year are from the general fund and 
7.29 	$6,920,000 the first year and $6,920,000 
7.30 	the second year are from the workforce 
7.31 	development fund for extended employment 
7.32 	services for persons with severe disabilities 
7.33 	or related conditions under Minnesota 
7.34 	Statutes, section 268A.15. 
8.1 	$2,690,000 the first year and $2,690,000 
8.2 	the second year are from the general 
8.3 	fund for grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
8.4 	section 268A.11, for the eight centers for 
8.5 	independent living. Money not expended the 
8.6 	first year is available the second year.
8.7 	The commissioner is directed to determine 
8.8 	a federally allowable methodology and to 
8.9 	use, whenever appropriate and possible, 
8.10 	state funds allocated for general operation 
8.11 	of centers for independent living under this 
8.12 	section to match available federal dollars. 
8.13 	Any additional federal dollars realized 
8.14 	through this match process may be used 
8.15 	by the centers for independent living for 
8.16 	general operating dollars. The state funds 
8.17 	used for match must remain intact for use 
8.18 	by the centers in their general operations. 
8.19 	An agreement to meet the federal matching 
8.20 	requirements will be documented through a 
8.21 	memorandum of understanding.
8.22 	$150,000 the first year and $150,000 the 
8.23 	second year are from the general fund 
8.24 	and $175,000 the first year and $175,000 
8.25 	the second year are from the workforce 
8.26 	development fund for grants under Minnesota 
8.27 	Statutes, section 268A.03, to Rise, Inc. 
8.28 	for the Minnesota Employment Center for 
8.29 	People Who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. 
8.30 	Money not expended the first year is 
8.31 	available the second year. 
8.32 	$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
8.33 	second year are from the general fund 
8.34 	for grants to provide interpreters for a 
8.35 	regional transition program that specializes 
9.1 	in providing culturally appropriate transition 
9.2 	services leading to employment for 
9.3 	deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind 
9.4 	students. This amount must be added to the 
9.5 	department's base.
9.6 	$1,400,000 the first year and $1,400,000 the 
9.7 	second year are from the general fund for 
9.8 	grants for programs that provide employment 
9.9 	support services to persons with mental 
9.10 	illness under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
9.11 	268A.13 and 268A.14. Up to $77,000 each 
9.12 	year may be used for administrative and 
9.13 	salary expenses. 
9.14 	$5,940,000 the first year and $5,940,000 the 
9.15 	second year are from the general fund for 
9.16 	state services for the blind activities.
9.17 	$9,021,000 the first year and $9,021,000 the 
9.18 	second year are from the general fund for the 
9.19 	state's vocational rehabilitation program for 
9.20 	people with significant disabilities to assist 
9.21 	with employment, under Minnesota Statutes, 
9.22 	chapter 268A.
9.23 	$150,000 the first year and $150,000 the 
9.24 	second year are for a grant to Advocating 
9.25 	Change Together for training, technical 
9.26 	assistance, and resources materials to persons 
9.27 	with developmental and mental illness 
9.28 	disabilities.

9.29	Subd. 4.Administration
 		3,161,000
		3,198,000
	
9.30 	$150,000 the first year and $150,000 
9.31 	the second year are to fund the analysis, 
9.32 	production, and dissemination of labor 
9.33 	market information.
10.1 	The first $1,450,000 deposited in each 
10.2 	year of the biennium and in each year of 
10.3 	subsequent bienniums into the contingent 
10.4 	account created under Minnesota Statutes, 
10.5 	section 268.196, subdivision 3, shall be 
10.6 	transferred by June 30 of each fiscal year 
10.7 	to the workforce development fund created 
10.8 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.20. 
10.9 	Deposits in excess of the $1,450,000 shall be 
10.10 	transferred by June 30 of each fiscal year to 
10.11 	the general fund.

10.12	Sec. 4. EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM
 	$
	11,386,000
	$
	11,499,000
	
10.13 	To develop maximum private sector 
10.14 	involvement in tourism, $4,000,000 the first 
10.15 	year and $4,000,000 the second year must 
10.16 	be matched by Explore Minnesota Tourism 
10.17 	from nonstate sources. Up to one-half of 
10.18 	the total match requirement may include 
10.19 	in-kind contributions. Cash match is defined 
10.20 	as revenue to the state or documented case 
10.21 	expenditures directly expended to support 
10.22 	Explore Minnesota Tourism programs.
10.23 	In each year, for every dollar generated 
10.24 	from nonstate sources in the previous year 
10.25 	in excess of $4,000,000, an amount of up 
10.26 	to $1,000,000 is appropriated from the 
10.27 	general fund to Explore Minnesota Tourism 
10.28 	for marketing purposes. This incentive is 
10.29 	ongoing. In order to maximize marketing 
10.30 	grant benefits, the director must give priority 
10.31 	for organizational partnership marketing 
10.32 	grants to organizations with year-round 
10.33 	sustained tourism activities. For programs 
10.34 	and projects submitted, the director must 
10.35 	give priority to those that encompass two 
11.1 	or more areas or that attract nonresident 
11.2 	travelers to the state.
11.3 	Funding for the marketing grants is available 
11.4 	either year of the biennium. Unexpended 
11.5 	grant funds from the first year are available 
11.6 	in the second year.
11.7 	The director may use grant dollars or the 
11.8 	value of in-kind services to provide the 
11.9 	state contribution for the partnership grant 
11.10 	program.
11.11 	Any unexpended money from the general 
11.12 	fund appropriations made under this section 
11.13 	does not cancel but must be placed in a 
11.14 	special marketing account for use by Explore 
11.15 	Minnesota Tourism for additional marketing 
11.16 	activities.
11.17 	$325,000 the first year and $325,000 the 
11.18 	second year are for the Minnesota Film and 
11.19 	TV Board. The appropriation in each year 
11.20 	is available only upon receipt by the board 
11.21 	of $1 in matching contributions of money or 
11.22 	in-kind contributions from nonstate sources 
11.23 	for every $3 provided by this appropriation.
11.24 	$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
11.25 	second year are for a grant to the Minnesota 
11.26 	Film and TV Board for the snowbate 
11.27 	program. These amounts are added to the 
11.28 	agency budget base.

11.29	Sec. 5. COMMERCE

11.30	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	18,934,000
	$
	19,391,000

11.31	Appropriations by Fund
	
11.32		2008
	2009
	
11.33	General
	17,015,000 
	17,472,000 
	
12.1	Petroleum Cleanup 
	1,084,000
	1,084,000
	
12.2
12.3	Workers' 
Compensation
	835,000
	835,000
	
12.4 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
12.5 	purpose are specified in the following 
12.6 	subdivisions.

12.7	Subd.  2.Financial Examinations
 		6,380,000
		6,573,000

12.8
12.9	Subd.  3.Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup 
Board
 		1,084,000
		1,084,000
	
12.10 	This appropriation is from the petroleum 
12.11 	tank release cleanup fund.

12.12	Subd. 4.Administrative Services
 		4,516,000
		4,620,000

12.13	Subd.  5.Market Assurance
 		6,954,000
		7,114,000

12.14	Appropriations by Fund
	
12.15	General
	6,119,000
	6,279,000
	
12.16
12.17	Workers' 
Compensation  
	835,000
	835,000

12.18	Sec. 6. HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

12.19	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	44,938,000
	$
	44,938,000
	
12.20 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
12.21 	purpose are specified in the following 
12.22 	subdivisions.
12.23 	This appropriation is for transfer to the 
12.24 	housing development fund for the programs 
12.25 	specified. Except as otherwise indicated, this 
12.26 	transfer is part of the agency's permanent 
12.27 	budget base.

12.28	Subd.  2.Challenge Program
 		9,622,000
		9,622,000
	
12.29 	For the economic development and housing 
12.30 	challenge program under Minnesota Statutes, 
12.31 	section 462A.33, for housing that:
12.32 	(1) conserves energy and utilizes sustainable, 
12.33 	healthy building materials;
13.1 	(2) preserves sensitive natural areas and 
13.2 	open spaces and minimizes the need for new 
13.3 	infrastructure;
13.4 	(3) is accessible to jobs and services through 
13.5 	integration with transportation or transit 
13.6 	systems; and
13.7 	(4) expands the mix of housing choices in 
13.8 	a community by diversifying the levels of 
13.9 	housing affordability.
13.10 	The agency may fund demonstration projects 
13.11 	that have unique approaches to achieving the 
13.12 	housing described in clauses (1) to (4).

13.13	Subd. 3.Urban Indian Housing Program
 		180,000
		180,000
	
13.14 	For the urban Indian housing program 
13.15 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.07, 
13.16 	subdivision 15.

13.17	Subd. 4.Tribal Indian Housing Program
 		1,105,000
		1,105,000
	
13.18 	For the tribal Indian housing program 
13.19 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.07, 
13.20 	subdivision 14.

13.21	Subd. 5.Housing Trust Fund
 		8,555,000
		8,555,000
	
13.22 	For deposit in the housing trust fund account 
13.23 	created under Minnesota Statutes, section 
13.24 	462A.201, and used for the purposes 
13.25 	provided in that section. 

13.26	Subd. 6.Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill
 		2,638,000
		2,638,000
	
13.27 	For a rental housing assistance program for 
13.28 	persons with a mental illness or families with 
13.29 	an adult member with a mental illness under 
13.30 	Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.2097. The 
13.31 	agency must not reduce the funding under 
13.32 	this subdivision.

13.33	Subd. 7.Family Homeless Prevention
 		7,465,000
		7,465,000
	
14.1 	For family homeless prevention and 
14.2 	assistance programs under Minnesota 
14.3 	Statutes, section 462A.204. Any balance in 
14.4 	the first year does not cancel but is available 
14.5 	in the second year.
14.6 	As provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 
14.7 	462A.20, subdivision 3, the agency may 
14.8 	transfer unencumbered balances from one 
14.9 	appropriated account to another as necessary 
14.10 	to implement the business plan of the 
14.11 	working group on long-term homelessness 
14.12 	established in Laws 2003, chapter 128, 
14.13 	article 15, section 9.

14.14	Subd. 8.Home Ownership Assistance Fund
 		885,000
		885,000

14.15	Subd. 9.Affordable Rental Investment Fund
 		8,996,000
		8,996,000
	
14.16 	For the affordable rental investment fund 
14.17 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
14.18 	462A.21, subdivision 8b.
14.19 	This appropriation is to finance the 
14.20 	acquisition, rehabilitation, and debt 
14.21 	restructuring of federally assisted rental 
14.22 	property and for making equity take-out 
14.23 	loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 
14.24 	462A.05, subdivision 39.
14.25 	The owner of the federally assisted rental 
14.26 	property must agree to participate in 
14.27 	the applicable federally assisted housing 
14.28 	program and to extend any existing 
14.29 	low-income affordability restrictions on the 
14.30 	housing for the maximum term permitted. 
14.31 	The owner must also enter into an agreement 
14.32 	that gives local units of government, 
14.33 	housing and redevelopment authorities, 
14.34 	and nonprofit housing organizations the 
14.35 	right of first refusal if the rental property 
15.1 	is offered for sale. Priority must be given 
15.2 	among comparable federally assisted rental 
15.3 	properties to properties with the longest 
15.4 	remaining term under an agreement for 
15.5 	federal rental assistance. Priority must also 
15.6 	be given among comparable rental housing 
15.7 	developments to developments that are or 
15.8 	will be owned by local government units, a 
15.9 	housing and redevelopment authority, or a 
15.10 	nonprofit housing organization.
15.11 	This appropriation also may be used to 
15.12 	finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and 
15.13 	debt restructuring of existing supportive 
15.14 	housing properties. For purposes of this 
15.15 	subdivision, "supportive housing" means 
15.16 	affordable rental housing with links to 
15.17 	services necessary for individuals, youth, and 
15.18 	families with children to maintain housing 
15.19 	stability.

15.20
15.21	Subd. 10.Housing Rehabilitation and 
Accessibility
 		4,287,000
		4,287,000
	
15.22 	For the housing rehabilitation and 
15.23 	accessibility program under Minnesota 
15.24 	Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivisions 14a 
15.25 	and 15a. 

15.26
15.27	Subd. 11.Home Ownership Education, 
Counseling, and Training
 		865,000
		865,000
	
15.28 	For the home ownership education, 
15.29 	counseling, and training program under 
15.30 	Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.209.

15.31	Subd. 12.Capacity Building Grants
 		340,000
		340,000
	
15.32 	For nonprofit capacity building grants 
15.33 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21, 
15.34 	subdivision 3b.

16.1	Sec. 7. LABOR AND INDUSTRY

16.2	Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation
 	$
	22,341,000
	$
	22,711,000

16.3	Appropriations by Fund
	
16.4		2008
	2009
	
16.5	General
	960,000
	977,000
	
16.6
16.7	Workers' 
Compensation
	20,616,000
	20,953,000
	
16.8
16.9	Workforce 
Development
	765,000
	781,000
	
16.10 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
16.11 	purpose are specified in the following 
16.12 	subdivisions.

16.13	Subd.  2.Workers' Compensation
 		10,381,000
		10,659,000
	
16.14 	This appropriation is from the workers' 
16.15 	compensation fund.
16.16 	Up to $200,000 the first year and up to 
16.17 	$200,000 the second year are for grants 
16.18 	to the Vinland Center for rehabilitation 
16.19 	services. The grants shall be distributed as 
16.20 	the department refers injured workers to 
16.21 	the Vinland Center to receive rehabilitation 
16.22 	services.

16.23	Subd. 3.Safety Codes and Services
 		4,192,000
		4,288,000
	
16.24 	This appropriation is from the workers' 
16.25 	compensation fund.

16.26	Subd. 4.Labor Standards and Apprenticeship
 		1,725,000
		1,758,000

16.27	Appropriations by Fund
	
16.28	General
	960,000
	977,000
	
16.29
16.30	Workforce 
Development 
	765,000
	 781,000
	
16.31 	$665,000 the first year and $681,000 the 
16.32 	second year from the workforce development 
16.33 	fund is for the apprenticeship program under 
16.34 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 178.
17.1 	$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the 
17.2 	second year from the workforce development 
17.3 	fund are for labor education and advancement 
17.4 	program grants. 

17.5	Subd. 5.General Support
 		6,043,000
		6,006,000
	
17.6 	This appropriation is from the workers' 
17.7 	compensation fund.

17.8
17.9	Sec. 8. BUREAU OF MEDIATION 
SERVICES

17.10	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	1,866,000
	$
	1,911,000
	
17.11 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
17.12 	purpose are specified in the following 
17.13 	subdivisions.

17.14	Subd.  2.Mediation Services
 		1,716,000
		1,761,000

17.15
17.16	Subd.  3.Labor Management Cooperation 
Grants
 		150,000
		150,000
	
17.17 	$150,000 the first year and $150,000 the 
17.18 	second year are for onetime grants to area 
17.19 	labor-management committees. Grants may 
17.20 	be awarded for a 12-month period beginning 
17.21 	July 1 of each year. Any unencumbered 
17.22 	balance remaining at the end of the first 
17.23 	year does not cancel but is available for the 
17.24 	second year.

17.25
17.26	Sec. 9. WORKERS' COMPENSATION 
COURT OF APPEALS
 	$
	1,663,000
	$
	1,710,000
	
17.27 	This appropriation is from the workers' 
17.28 	compensation fund.

17.29
17.30	Sec. 10. MINNESOTA HISTORICAL 
SOCIETY

17.31	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	24,187,000
	$
	24,504,000
	
17.32 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
17.33 	purpose are specified in the following 
18.1 	subdivisions. Of the appropriations, 
18.2 	$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
18.3 	second year are for increased building lease 
18.4 	costs. These amounts are added to the 
18.5 	department's base.

18.6	Subd. 2.Education and Outreach
 		13,645,000
		13,905,000

18.7	Subd. 3.Preservation and Access
 		10,221,000
		10,429,000

18.8	Subd.  4.Fiscal Agent

18.9	(a) Minnesota International Center
		43,000
		42,000

18.10	(b) Minnesota Air National Guard Museum
		16,000
		-0-

18.11	(c) Minnesota Military Museum
		134,000
		-0-

18.12	(d) Farmamerica (MN AIC)
		128,000
		128,000
	
18.13 	Notwithstanding any other law, this 
18.14 	appropriation may be used for operations.

18.15	(e) Balances Forward
					
18.16 	Any unencumbered balance remaining in 
18.17 	this subdivision the first year does not cancel 
18.18 	but is available for the second year of the 
18.19 	biennium.

18.20	Subd.  5.Fund Transfer
 					
18.21 	The Minnesota Historical Society may 
18.22 	reallocate funds appropriated in and between 
18.23 	subdivisions 2 and 3 for any program 
18.24 	purposes.

18.25	Sec. 11. BOARD OF THE ARTS

18.26	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	10,612,000
	$
	10,631,000
	
18.27 	If the appropriation for either year is 
18.28 	insufficient, the appropriation for the other 
18.29 	year is available.
19.1 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
19.2 	purpose are specified in the following 
19.3 	subdivisions.

19.4	Subd.  2.Operations and Services
 		754,000
		767,000

19.5	Subd. 3.Grants Program
 		6,901,000
		6,905,000

19.6	Subd.  4.Regional Arts Councils
 		2,957,000
		2,959,000

19.7
19.8
19.919.10
	Sec. 12. BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE, 
ENGINEERING, LAND SURVEYING, 
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, 
GEOSCIENCE, AND INTERIOR DESIGN
 	$
	801,000
	$
	817,000

19.11	Sec. 13. BOARD OF ACCOUNTING
 	$
	496,000
	$
	506,000

19.12
19.13	Sec. 14. BOARD OF BARBER AND 
COSMETOLOGISTS EXAMINERS
 	$
	919,000
	$
	940,000

19.14
19.15	Sec. 15. MINNESOTA BOXING 
COMMISSION
 	$
	50,000
	$
	-0-

19.16	Sec. 16. COMPENSATION INCREASES
 					
19.17 	The appropriations in this article, and any 
19.18 	statutory appropriations from which state 
19.19 	employee compensation is paid from any 
19.20 	fund, include an amount sufficient to fund 
19.21 	compensation increases of at least 3.25 
19.22 	percent of the 2007 compensation base for 
19.23 	the first year, compounded at the rate of 3.25 
19.24 	percent for the second year. This amount 
19.25 	must be used for that purpose and no other.

19.26	Sec. 17. TRANSFERS
 					
19.27 	The commissioner of labor and industry 
19.28 	shall transfer $1,600,000 by June 30, 2008, 
19.29 	and $1,500,000 by June 30, 2009, from the 
19.30 	construction code fund to the general fund. 
20.1 	Of the balance remaining in Laws 2005, First 
20.2 	Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 
20.3 	2, subdivision 2, for the methamphetamine 
20.4 	laboratory cleanup revolving loan fund, 
20.5 	$100,000 is for transfer to the small 
20.6 	community wastewater treatment account 
20.7 	established in Minnesota Statutes, section 
20.8 	446A.075, subdivision 1.

20.9 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.712, is amended by adding a subdivision 
20.10 	to read:
20.11 		Subd. 3.Vehicle protection product warrantors. Financial information provided 
20.12 	to the commissioner of commerce by vehicle protection product warrantors is classified 
20.13 	under section 59C.05, subdivision 3.

20.14 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.7905, is amended by adding a subdivision 
20.15 	to read:
20.16 		Subd. 4a.Independent contractor exemption certificates. Section 181.723, 
20.17 	subdivision 15, governs data related to independent contractor exemption certificates.

20.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2008.

20.19 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.61, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
20.20 		Subd. 1a.Administration by commissioner. The commissioner shall administer 
20.21 	and enforce the State Building Code as a municipality with respect to public buildings and 
20.22 	state licensed facilities in the state. The commissioner shall establish appropriate permit, 
20.23 	plan review, and inspection fees, and surcharges for public buildings and state licensed 
20.24 	facilities. Fees and surcharges for public buildings and state licensed facilities must be 
20.25 	remitted to the commissioner, who shall deposit them in the state treasury for credit to 
20.26 	the special revenue fund.
20.27 	Municipalities other than the state having an agreement with the commissioner 
20.28 	for code administration and enforcement service for public buildings and state licensed 
20.29 	facilities shall charge their customary fees, including surcharge, to be paid directly to the 
20.30 	jurisdiction by the applicant seeking authorization to construct a public building or a state 
20.31 	licensed facility. The commissioner shall sign an agreement with a municipality other than 
20.32 	the state for plan review, code administration, and code enforcement service for public 
20.33 	buildings and state licensed facilities in the jurisdiction if the building officials of the 
21.1 	municipality meet the requirements of section 16B.65 and wish to provide those services 
21.2 	and if the commissioner determines that the municipality has enough adequately trained 
21.3 	and qualified building inspectors to provide those services for the construction project. 
21.4 	The commissioner may direct the state building official to assist a community that 
21.5 	has been affected by a natural disaster with building evaluation and other activities related 
21.6 	to building codes.
21.7 	Administration and enforcement in a municipality under this section must apply 
21.8 	any optional provisions of the State Building Code adopted by the municipality. A 
21.9 	municipality adopting any optional code provision shall notify the state building official 
21.10 	within 30 days of its adoption.
21.11 	The commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of the code relating to 
21.12 	elevators statewide, except as provided for under section 16B.747, subdivision 3. 

21.13 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.65, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
21.14 		Subdivision 1.Designation. By January 1, 2002, Each municipality shall designate 
21.15 	a building official to administer the code. A municipality may designate no more than one 
21.16 	building official responsible for code administration defined by each certification category 
21.17 	established in rule. Two or more municipalities may combine in the designation of a 
21.18 	building official for the purpose of administering the provisions of the code within their 
21.19 	communities. In those municipalities for which no building officials have been designated, 
21.20 	the state building official may use whichever state employees are necessary to perform 
21.21 	the duties of the building official until the municipality makes a temporary or permanent 
21.22 	designation. All costs incurred by virtue of these services rendered by state employees 
21.23 	must be borne by the involved municipality and receipts arising from these services must 
21.24 	be paid into the state treasury and credited to the special revenue fund to the commissioner.

21.25 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.65, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:
21.26 		Subd. 5a.Administrative action and penalties. The commissioner shall, by rule, 
21.27 	establish a graduated schedule of administrative actions for violations of sections 16B.59
21.28 	to 16B.75 and rules adopted under those sections. The schedule must be based on and 
21.29 	reflect the culpability, frequency, and severity of the violator's actions. The commissioner 
21.30 	may impose a penalty from the schedule on a certification holder for a violation of sections 
21.31 	16B.59 to 16B.75 and rules adopted under those sections. The penalty is in addition to 
21.32 	any criminal penalty imposed for the same violation. Administrative monetary penalties 
21.33 	imposed by the commissioner must be paid to the special revenue fund.

22.1 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.70, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
22.2 		Subd. 2.Collection and reports. All permit surcharges must be collected by each 
22.3 	municipality and a portion of them remitted to the state. Each municipality having a 
22.4 	population greater than 20,000 people shall prepare and submit to the commissioner once 
22.5 	a month a report of fees and surcharges on fees collected during the previous month 
22.6 	but shall retain the greater of two percent or that amount collected up to $25 to apply 
22.7 	against the administrative expenses the municipality incurs in collecting the surcharges. 
22.8 	All other municipalities shall submit the report and surcharges on fees once a quarter 
22.9 	but shall retain the greater of four percent or that amount collected up to $25 to apply 
22.10 	against the administrative expenses the municipalities incur in collecting the surcharges. 
22.11 	The report, which must be in a form prescribed by the commissioner, must be submitted 
22.12 	together with a remittance covering the surcharges collected by the 15th day following 
22.13 	the month or quarter in which the surcharges are collected. All money collected by the 
22.14 	commissioner through surcharges and other fees prescribed by sections 16B.59 to 16B.75
22.15 	shall be deposited in the state government special revenue fund and is appropriated to the 
22.16 	commissioner for the purpose of administering and enforcing the State Building Code 
22.17 	under sections 16B.59 to 16B.75.

22.18 	Sec. 24. [59C.01] SHORT TITLE.
22.19 	This chapter may be cited as the "Vehicle Protection Product Act."

22.20 	Sec. 25. [59C.02] DEFINITIONS.
22.21 		Subdivision 1.Terms. For purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in subdivisions 
22.22 	2 to 11 have the meanings given them.
22.23 		Subd. 2.Administrator. "Administrator" means a third party other than the 
22.24 	warrantor who is designated by the warrantor to be responsible for the administration 
22.25 	of vehicle protection product warranties.
22.26 		Subd. 3.Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce.
22.27 		Subd. 4.Department. "Department" means the Department of Commerce.
22.28 		Subd. 5.Incidental costs. "Incidental costs" means expenses specified in the 
22.29 	warranty incurred by the warranty holder related to the failure of the vehicle protection 
22.30 	product to perform as provided in the warranty. Incidental costs may include, without 
22.31 	limitation, insurance policy deductibles, rental vehicle charges, the difference between the 
22.32 	actual value of the stolen vehicle at the time of theft and the cost of a replacement vehicle, 
22.33 	sales taxes, registration fees, transaction fees, and mechanical inspection fees.
23.1 		Subd. 6.Service contract. "Service contract" means a contract or agreement as 
23.2 	regulated under chapter 59B.
23.3 		Subd. 7.Vehicle protection product. "Vehicle protection product" means a vehicle 
23.4 	protection device, system, or service that:
23.5 	(1) is installed on or applied to a vehicle;
23.6 	(2) is designed to prevent loss or damage to a vehicle from a specific cause; and
23.7 	(3) includes a written warranty. 
23.8 	For purposes of this section, vehicle protection product includes, without limitation, 
23.9 	alarm systems; body part marking products; steering locks; window etch products; pedal 
23.10 	and ignition locks; fuel and ignition kill switches; and electronic, radio, and satellite 
23.11 	tracking devices.
23.12 		Subd. 8.Vehicle protection product warranty or warranty. "Vehicle protection 
23.13 	product warranty" or "warranty" means, for the purposes of this chapter, a written 
23.14 	agreement by a warrantor that provides, if the vehicle protection product fails to prevent 
23.15 	loss or damage to a vehicle from a specific cause, that the warranty holder must be 
23.16 	paid specified incidental costs by the warrantor as a result of the failure of the vehicle 
23.17 	protection product to perform pursuant to the terms of the warranty.
23.18 		Subd. 9.Vehicle protection product warrantor or warrantor. "Vehicle protection 
23.19 	product warrantor" or "warrantor," for the purposes of this chapter, means a person who is 
23.20 	contractually obligated to the warranty holder under the terms of the vehicle protection 
23.21 	product warranty agreement. Warrantor does not include an authorized insurer providing a 
23.22 	warranty reimbursement insurance policy.
23.23 		Subd. 10.Warranty holder. "Warranty holder," for the purposes of this chapter, 
23.24 	means the person who purchases a vehicle protection product or who is a permitted 
23.25 	transferee.
23.26 		Subd. 11.Warranty reimbursement insurance policy. "Warranty reimbursement 
23.27 	insurance policy" means a policy of insurance that is issued to the vehicle protection 
23.28 	product warrantor to provide reimbursement to, or to pay on behalf of, the warrantor all 
23.29 	covered contractual obligations incurred by the warrantor under the terms and conditions 
23.30 	of the insured vehicle protection product warranties sold by the warrantor.

23.31 	Sec. 26. [59C.03] SCOPE AND EXEMPTIONS.
23.32 	(a) No vehicle protection product may be sold or offered for sale in this state unless 
23.33 	the seller, warrantor, and administrator, if any, comply with the provisions of this chapter.
23.34 	(b) Vehicle protection product warrantors and related vehicle protection product 
23.35 	sellers and warranty administrators complying with this chapter are not required to comply 
24.1 	with and are not subject to any other provision of chapters 59B to 72A, except that section 
24.2 	72A.20, subdivision 38, shall apply to vehicle protection product warranties in the same 
24.3 	manner it applies to service contracts.
24.4 	(c) Service contract providers who do not sell vehicle protection products are not 
24.5 	subject to the requirements of this chapter and sales of vehicle protection products are 
24.6 	exempt from the requirements of chapter 59B.
24.7 	(d) Warranties, indemnity agreements, and guarantees that are not provided as a part 
24.8 	of a vehicle protection product are not subject to the provisions of this chapter.

24.9 	Sec. 27. [59C.04] REGISTRATION AND FILING REQUIREMENTS OF 
24.10 	WARRANTORS.
24.11 		Subdivision 1.General requirement.   A person may not operate as a warrantor or 
24.12 	represent to the public that the person is a warrantor unless the person is registered with 
24.13 	the department on a form prescribed by the commissioner.
24.14 		Subd. 2.Registration records. A registrant shall file a warrantor registration 
24.15 	record annually and shall update it within 30 days of any change. A registration record 
24.16 	must contain the following information:
24.17 	(1) the warrantor's name, any fictitious names under which the warrantor does 
24.18 	business in the state, principal office address, and telephone number;
24.19 	(2) the name and address of the warrantor's agent for service of process in the state if 
24.20 	other than the warrantor;
24.21 	(3) the names of the warrantor's executive officer or officers directly responsible for 
24.22 	the warrantor's vehicle protection product business;
24.23 	(4) the name, address, and telephone number of any administrators designated by 
24.24 	the warrantor to be responsible for the administration of vehicle protection product 
24.25 	warranties in this state;
24.26 	(5) a copy of the warranty reimbursement insurance policy or policies or other 
24.27 	financial information required by section 59C.05;
24.28 	(6) a copy of each warranty the warrantor proposes to use in this state; and 
24.29 	(7) a statement indicating under which provision of section 59C.05 the warrantor 
24.30 	qualifies to do business in this state as a warrantor.
24.31 		Subd. 3.Registration fee. The commissioner may charge each registrant a 
24.32 	reasonable fee to offset the cost of processing the registration and maintaining the records 
24.33 	in an amount not to exceed $250 annually. The information in subdivision 2, clauses (1) 
24.34 	and (2), must be made available to the public.
25.1 		Subd. 4.Renewal. If a registrant fails to register by the renewal deadline, the 
25.2 	commissioner shall give them written notice of the failure and the registrant will have 30 
25.3 	days to complete the renewal of the registration before the commissioner suspends the 
25.4 	registration.
25.5 		Subd. 5.Exception.  An administrator or person who sells or solicits a sale of a 
25.6 	vehicle protection product but who is not a warrantor shall not be required to register as a 
25.7 	warrantor or be licensed under the insurance laws of this state to sell vehicle protection 
25.8 	products.

25.9 	Sec. 28. [59C.05] FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
25.10 		Subdivision 1.General requirements. No vehicle protection product may be sold 
25.11 	or offered for sale in this state unless the warrantor meets either the requirements of 
25.12 	subdivision 2 or 3 in order to ensure adequate performance under the warranty. No other 
25.13 	financial security requirements or financial standards for warrantors is required.
25.14 		Subd. 2.Warranty reimbursement insurance policy. The vehicle protection 
25.15 	product warrantor shall be insured under a warranty reimbursement insurance policy 
25.16 	issued by an insurer authorized to do business in this state which provides that:
25.17 	(1) the insurer will pay to, or on behalf of the warrantor, 100 percent of all sums 
25.18 	that the warrantor is legally obligated to pay according to the warrantor's contractual 
25.19 	obligations under the warrantor's vehicle protection product warranty;
25.20 	(2) a true and correct copy of the warranty reimbursement insurance policy has been 
25.21 	filed with the commissioner by the warrantor; and
25.22 	(3) the policy contains the provision required in section 59C.06.
25.23 		Subd. 3.Network or stockholder's equity. (1) The vehicle protection product 
25.24 	warrantor, or its parent company in accordance with clause (2), shall maintain a net worth 
25.25 	or stockholders' equity of $50,000,000; and
25.26 	(2) the warrantor shall provide the commissioner with a copy of the warrantor's or 
25.27 	the warrantor's parent company's most recent Form 10-K or Form 20-F filed with the 
25.28 	Securities and Exchange Commission within the last calendar year or, if the warrantor 
25.29 	does not file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of the warrantor or 
25.30 	the warrantor's parent company's audited financial statements that shows a net worth of 
25.31 	the warrantor or its parent company of at least $50,000,000. If the warrantor's parent 
25.32 	company's Form 10-K, Form 20-F, or audited financial statements are filed to meet 
25.33 	the warrantor's financial stability requirement, then the parent company shall agree to 
25.34 	guarantee the obligations of the warrantor relating to warranties issued by the warrantor in 
26.1 	this state. The financial information provided to the commissioner under this paragraph 
26.2 	is trade secret information for purposes of section 13.37.

26.3 	Sec. 29. [59C.06] WARRANTY REIMBURSEMENT POLICY 
26.4 	REQUIREMENTS.
26.5 	No warranty reimbursement insurance policy may be issued, sold, or offered for sale 
26.6 	in this state unless the policy meets the following conditions:
26.7 	(1) the policy states that the issuer of the policy will reimburse, or pay on behalf of 
26.8 	the vehicle protection product warrantor, all covered sums that the warrantor is legally 
26.9 	obligated to pay, or will provide all service that the warrantor is legally obligated to 
26.10 	perform according to the warrantor's contractual obligations under the provisions of the 
26.11 	insured warranties sold by the warrantor;
26.12 	(2) the policy states that in the event payment due under the terms of the warranty is 
26.13 	not provided by the warrantor within 60 days after proof of loss has been filed according 
26.14 	to the terms of the warranty by the warranty holder, the warranty holder may file directly 
26.15 	with the warranty reimbursement insurance company for reimbursement;
26.16 	(3) the policy provides that a warranty reimbursement insurance company that 
26.17 	insures a warranty is deemed to have received payment of the premium if the warranty 
26.18 	holder paid for the vehicle protection product and the insurer's liability under the policy 
26.19 	shall not be reduced or relieved by a failure of the warrantor, for any reason, to report the 
26.20 	issuance of a warranty to the insurer; and
26.21 	(4) the policy has the following provisions regarding cancellation of the policy:
26.22 	(i) the issuer of a reimbursement insurance policy shall not cancel the policy until a 
26.23 	notice of cancellation in writing has been mailed or delivered to the commissioner and 
26.24 	each insured warrantor;
26.25 	(ii) the cancellation of a reimbursement insurance policy shall not reduce the issuer's 
26.26 	responsibility for vehicle protection products sold prior to the date of cancellation; and
26.27 	(iii) in the event an insurer cancels a policy that a warrantor has filed with the 
26.28 	commissioner, the warrantor shall do either of the following:
26.29 	(A) file a copy of a new policy with the commissioner, before the termination of 
26.30 	the prior policy, providing no lapse in coverage following the termination of the prior 
26.31 	policy; or 
26.32 	(B) discontinue offering warranties as of the termination date of the policy until a 
26.33 	new policy becomes effective and is accepted by the commissioner.

26.34 	Sec. 30. [59C.07] DISCLOSURE TO WARRANTY HOLDER.
27.1 	A vehicle protection product warranty must not be sold or offered for sale in this 
27.2 	state unless the warranty:
27.3 	(1) states, "The obligations of the warrantor to the warranty holder are guaranteed 
27.4 	under a warranty reimbursement insurance policy" if the warrantor elects to meet its 
27.5 	financial responsibility obligations under section 59C.05, subdivision 2, or states "The 
27.6 	obligations of the warrantor under this warranty are backed by the full faith and credit 
27.7 	of the warrantor" if the warrantor elects to meet its financial responsibility obligations 
27.8 	under section 59C.05, subdivision 3;
27.9 	(2) states that in the event a warranty holder must make a claim against a party other 
27.10 	than the warranty reimbursement insurance policy issuer, the warranty holder is entitled to 
27.11 	make a direct claim against the insurer upon the failure of the warrantor to pay any claim 
27.12 	or meet any obligation under the terms of the warranty within 60 days after proof of loss 
27.13 	has been filed with the warrantor, if the warrantor elects to meet its financial responsibility 
27.14 	obligations under section 59C.05, subdivision 2;
27.15 	(3) states the name and address of the issuer of the warranty reimbursement 
27.16 	insurance policy, and this information need not be preprinted on the warranty form, but 
27.17 	may be added to or stamped on the warranty, if the warrantor elects to meet its financial 
27.18 	responsibility obligations under section 59C.05, subdivision 2;
27.19 	(4) identifies the warrantor, the seller, and the warranty holder;
27.20 	(5) sets forth the total purchase price and the terms under which it is to be paid, 
27.21 	however, the purchase price is not required to be preprinted on the vehicle protection 
27.22 	product warranty and may be negotiated with the consumer at the time of sale;
27.23 	(6) sets forth the procedure for making a claim, including a telephone number;
27.24 	(7) specifies the payments or performance to be provided under the warranty 
27.25 	including payments for incidental costs expressed as either a fixed amount specified in the 
27.26 	warranty or sales agreement or by the use of a formula itemizing specific incidental costs 
27.27 	incurred by the warranty holder, the manner of calculation or determination of payments 
27.28 	or performance, and any limitations, exceptions, or exclusions;
27.29 	(8) sets forth all of the obligations and duties of the warranty holder such as the duty 
27.30 	to protect against any further damage to the vehicle, the obligation to notify the warrantor 
27.31 	in advance of any repair, or other similar requirements, if any;
27.32 	(9) sets forth any terms, restrictions, or conditions governing transferability and 
27.33 	cancellation of the warranty, if any; and
27.34 	(10) contains a disclosure that reads substantially as follows: "This agreement is a 
27.35 	product warranty and is not insurance."

28.1 	Sec. 31. [59C.08] PROHIBITED ACTS.
28.2 	(a) Unless licensed as an insurance company, a vehicle protection product warrantor 
28.3 	shall not use in its name, contracts, or literature, any of the words "insurance," "casualty," 
28.4 	"surety," "mutual," or any other words descriptive of the insurance, casualty, or surety 
28.5 	business or deceptively similar to the name or description of any insurance or surety 
28.6 	corporation, or any other vehicle protection product warrantor. A warrantor may use the 
28.7 	term "guaranty" or similar word in the warrantor's name.
28.8 	(b) A vehicle protection product seller or warrantor may not require as a condition of 
28.9 	financing that a retail purchaser of a motor vehicle purchase a vehicle protection product.

28.10 	Sec. 32. [59C.09] RECORD KEEPING.
28.11 	(a) All vehicle protection product warrantors shall keep accurate accounts, books, 
28.12 	and records concerning transactions regulated under this chapter.
28.13 	(b) A vehicle protection product warrantor's accounts, books, and records must 
28.14 	include:
28.15 	(1) copies of all vehicle protection product warranties;
28.16 	(2) the name and address of each warranty holder; and
28.17 	(3) the dates, amounts, and descriptions of all receipts, claims, and expenditures.
28.18 	(c) A vehicle protection product warrantor shall retain all required accounts, books, 
28.19 	and records pertaining to each warranty holder for at least two years after the specified 
28.20 	period of coverage has expired. A warrantor discontinuing business in this state shall 
28.21 	maintain its records until it furnishes the commissioner satisfactory proof that it has 
28.22 	discharged all obligations to warranty holders in this state.

28.23 	Sec. 33. [59C.10] COMMISSIONER'S POWERS AND DUTIES.
28.24 		Subdivision 1.EXAMINATION AND COMPLIANCE POWERS. The 
28.25 	commissioner may conduct examinations of warrantors, administrators, or other persons 
28.26 	to enforce this chapter and protect warranty holders in this state. Upon request of the 
28.27 	commissioner, a warrantor shall make available to the commissioner all accounts, books, 
28.28 	and records concerning vehicle protection products sold by the warrantor and transactions 
28.29 	regulated under this chapter that are necessary to enable the commissioner to reasonably 
28.30 	determine compliance or noncompliance with this chapter.
28.31 		Subd. 2.Enforcement authority. The commissioner may take action that is 
28.32 	necessary or appropriate to enforce the provisions of this chapter and the commissioner's 
28.33 	rules and orders and to protect warranty holders in this state. The commissioner has the 
29.1 	enforcement authority in chapter 45 available to enforce the provisions of the chapter and 
29.2 	the rules adopted pursuant to it.

29.3 	Sec. 34. [59C.12] APPLICABILITY.
29.4 	This chapter applies to all vehicle protection products sold or offered for sale on 
29.5 	or after the effective date of this chapter. The failure of any person to comply with this 
29.6 	chapter before its effective date is not admissible in any court proceeding, administrative 
29.7 	proceeding, arbitration, or alternative dispute resolution proceeding and may not otherwise 
29.8 	be used to prove that the action of any person or the affected vehicle protection product 
29.9 	was unlawful or otherwise improper. The adoption of this chapter does not imply that 
29.10 	a vehicle protection product warranty was insurance before the effective date of this 
29.11 	chapter. Nothing in this section may be construed to require the application of the penalty 
29.12 	provisions where this section is not applicable.

29.13 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 80A.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
29.14 		Subdivision 1.Registration or notice filing fee. (a) There shall be a filing fee of 
29.15 	$100 for every application for registration or notice filing. There shall be an additional fee 
29.16 	of one-tenth of one percent of the maximum aggregate offering price at which the securities 
29.17 	are to be offered in this state, and the maximum combined fees shall not exceed $300.
29.18 	(b) When an application for registration is withdrawn before the effective date or a 
29.19 	preeffective stop order is entered under section 80A.13, subdivision 1, all but the $100 
29.20 	filing fee shall be returned. If an application to register securities is denied, the total of all 
29.21 	fees received shall be retained. 
29.22 	(c) Where a filing is made in connection with a federal covered security under 
29.23 	section 18(b)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, there is a fee of $100 for every initial filing. 
29.24 	If the filing is made in connection with redeemable securities issued by an open end 
29.25 	management company or unit investment trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act 
29.26 	of 1940, there is an additional annual fee of 1/20 of one percent of the maximum aggregate 
29.27 	offering price at which the securities are to be offered in this state during the notice filing 
29.28 	period. The fee must be paid at the time of the initial filing and thereafter in connection 
29.29 	with each renewal no later than July 1 of each year and must be sufficient to cover the 
29.30 	shares the issuer expects to sell in this state over the next 12 months. If during a current 
29.31 	notice filing the issuer determines it is likely to sell shares in excess of the shares for 
29.32 	which fees have been paid to the commissioner, the issuer shall submit an amended notice 
29.33 	filing to the commissioner under section 80A.122, subdivision 1, clause (3), together with 
29.34 	a fee of 1/20 of one percent of the maximum aggregate offering price of the additional 
30.1 	shares. Shares for which a fee has been paid, but which have not been sold at the time 
30.2 	of expiration of the notice filing, may not be sold unless an additional fee to cover the 
30.3 	shares has been paid to the commissioner as provided in this section and section 80A.122, 
30.4 	subdivision 4a. If the filing is made in connection with redeemable securities issued by 
30.5 	such a company or trust, there is no maximum fee for securities filings made according to 
30.6 	this paragraph. If the filing is made in connection with any other federal covered security 
30.7 	under Section 18(b)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, there is an additional fee of one-tenth 
30.8 	of one percent of the maximum aggregate offering price at which the securities are to be 
30.9 	offered in this state, and the combined fees shall not exceed $300. Beginning with fiscal 
30.10 	year 2001 and continuing each fiscal year thereafter, as of the last day of each fiscal year, 
30.11 	the commissioner shall determine the total amount of all fees that were collected under 
30.12 	this paragraph in connection with any filings made for that fiscal year for securities of an 
30.13 	open-end investment company on behalf of a security that is a federal covered security 
30.14 	pursuant to section 18(b)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. To the extent the total fees 
30.15 	collected by the commissioner in connection with these filings exceed $25,000,000 in a 
30.16 	fiscal year, the commissioner shall refund, on a pro rata basis, to all persons who paid any 
30.17 	fees for that fiscal year, the amount of fees collected by the commissioner in excess of 
30.18 	$25,000,000. No individual refund is required of amounts of $100 or less for a fiscal year. 

30.19 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.551, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
30.20 		Subdivision 1.Grant account. A contaminated site cleanup and development 
30.21 	grant account is created in the general fund. Money in the account may be used, as 
30.22 	appropriated by law, to make grants as provided in section 116J.554 and to pay for the 
30.23 	commissioner's costs in reviewing applications and making grants. Notwithstanding 
30.24 	section 16A.28, money appropriated to the account for this program from any source is 
30.25 	available for four years until spent.

30.26 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.554, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
30.27 		Subd. 2.Qualifying sites. A site qualifies for a grant under this section, if the 
30.28 	following criteria are met:
30.29 	(1) the site is not scheduled for funding during the current or next fiscal year under 
30.30 	the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, United 
30.31 	States Code, title 42, section 9601, et seq. or under the Environmental Response, and 
30.32 	Liability Act under sections 115B.01 to 115B.20; 
30.33 	(2) the appraised value of the site after adjusting for the effect on the value of the 
30.34 	presence or possible presence of contaminants using accepted appraisal methodology, or 
31.1 	the current market value of the site as issued under section 273.121, separately taking into 
31.2 	account the effect of the contaminants on the market value, (i) is less than 75 percent of 
31.3 	the estimated project costs for the site or (ii) is less than or equal to the estimated cleanup 
31.4 	costs for the site and the cleanup costs equal or exceed $3 per square foot for the site; and 
31.5 	(3) (2) if the proposed cleanup is completed, it is expected that the site will be 
31.6 	improved with buildings or other improvements and these improvements will provide a 
31.7 	substantial increase in the property tax base within a reasonable period of time or the site 
31.8 	will be used for an important publicly owned or tax-exempt facility.

31.9 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.555, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
31.10 		Subdivision 1.Priorities. (a) The legislature expects that applications for grants 
31.11 	will exceed the available appropriations and the agency will be able to provide grants to 
31.12 	only some of the applicant development authorities.
31.13 	(b) If applications for grants for qualified sites exceed the available appropriations, 
31.14 	the agency shall make grants for sites that, in the commissioner's judgment, provide 
31.15 	the highest return in public benefits for the public costs incurred and that meet all the 
31.16 	requirements provided by law. In making this judgment, the commissioner shall consider 
31.17 	the following factors:
31.18 	(1) the recommendations or ranking of projects by the commissioner of the Pollution 
31.19 	Control Agency regarding the potential threat to public health and the environment that 
31.20 	would be reduced or eliminated by completion of each of the response action plans;
31.21 	(2) the potential increase in the property tax base of the local taxing jurisdictions, 
31.22 	considered relative to the fiscal needs of the jurisdictions, that will result from 
31.23 	developments that will occur because of completion of each of the response action plans;
31.24 	(3) the social value to the community of the cleanup and redevelopment of the site, 
31.25 	including the importance of development of the proposed public facilities on each of 
31.26 	the sites;
31.27 	(4) the probability that each site will be cleaned up without use of government 
31.28 	money in the reasonably foreseeable future by considering, but not limiting it to, the 
31.29 	current market value of the site versus the cleanup cost;
31.30 	(5) the amount of cleanup costs for each site; and
31.31 	(6) the amount of the commitment of municipal or other local resources to pay for 
31.32 	the cleanup costs.
31.33 	The factors are not listed in a rank order of priority; rather the commissioner may 
31.34 	weigh each factor, depending upon the facts and circumstances, as the commissioner 
31.35 	considers appropriate. The commissioner may consider other factors that affect the net 
32.1 	return of public benefits for completion of the response action plan. The commissioner, 
32.2 	notwithstanding the listing of priorities and the goal of maximizing the return of public 
32.3 	benefits, shall make grants that distribute available money to sites both within and outside 
32.4 	of the metropolitan area. The commissioner shall provide a written statement of the 
32.5 	supporting reasons for each grant. Unless sufficient applications are not received for 
32.6 	qualifying sites outside of the metropolitan area, at least 25 percent of the money provided 
32.7 	as grants must be made for sites located outside of the metropolitan area.

32.8 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.575, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
32.9 		Subdivision 1.Commissioner discretion. The commissioner may make a grant for 
32.10 	up to 50 percent of the eligible costs of a project. The determination of whether to make a 
32.11 	grant for a site is within the discretion of the commissioner, subject to this section and 
32.12 	sections 116J.571 to 116J.574 and available unencumbered money in the redevelopment 
32.13 	account.  If the commissioner determines that the applications for grants for projects in 
32.14 	greater Minnesota are less than the amount of grant funds available, the commissioner 
32.15 	may make grants for projects anywhere in Minnesota. The commissioner's decisions and 
32.16 	application of the priorities under this section are not subject to judicial review, except 
32.17 	for abuse of discretion.

32.18 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.575, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
32.19 		Subd. 1a.Priorities. (a) If applications for grants exceed the available 
32.20 	appropriations, grants shall be made for sites that, in the commissioner's judgment, provide 
32.21 	the highest return in public benefits for the public costs incurred. "Public benefits" include 
32.22 	job creation, bioscience development, environmental benefits to the state and region, 
32.23 	efficient use of public transportation, efficient use of existing infrastructure, provision of 
32.24 	affordable housing, multiuse development that constitutes community rebuilding rather 
32.25 	than single-use development, crime reduction, blight reduction, community stabilization, 
32.26 	and property tax base maintenance or improvement. In making this judgment, the 
32.27 	commissioner shall give priority to redevelopment projects with one or more of the 
32.28 	following characteristics:
32.29 	(1) the need for redevelopment in conjunction with contamination remediation needs;
32.30 	(2) the redevelopment project meets current tax increment financing requirements 
32.31 	for a redevelopment district and tax increments will contribute to the project;
32.32 	(3) the redevelopment potential within the municipality;
32.33 	(4) proximity to public transit if located in the metropolitan area; and
33.1 	(5) redevelopment costs related to expansion of a bioscience business in Minnesota; 
33.2 	and
33.3 	(5)(6) multijurisdictional projects that take into account the need for affordable 
33.4 	housing, transportation, and environmental impact.
33.5 	(b) The factors in paragraph (a) are not listed in a rank order of priority; rather, the 
33.6 	commissioner may weigh each factor, depending upon the facts and circumstances, as 
33.7 	the commissioner considers appropriate. The commissioner may consider other factors 
33.8 	that affect the net return of public benefits for completion of the redevelopment plan. The 
33.9 	commissioner, notwithstanding the listing of priorities and the goal of maximizing the 
33.10 	return of public benefits, shall make grants that distribute available money to sites both 
33.11 	within and outside of the metropolitan area. Unless sufficient applications are not received 
33.12 	for qualifying sites outside of the metropolitan area, at least 50 percent of the money 
33.13 	provided as grants must be made for sites located outside of the metropolitan area.

33.14 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.966, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
33.15 		Subdivision 1.Generally. (a) The commissioner shall promote, develop, and 
33.16 	facilitate trade and foreign investment in Minnesota. In furtherance of these goals, and in 
33.17 	addition to the powers granted by section 116J.035, the commissioner may: 
33.18 	(1) locate, develop, and promote international markets for Minnesota products 
33.19 	and services;
33.20 	(2) arrange and lead trade missions to countries with promising international markets 
33.21 	for Minnesota goods, technology, services, and agricultural products;
33.22 	(3) promote Minnesota products and services at domestic and international trade 
33.23 	shows;
33.24 	(4) organize, promote, and present domestic and international trade shows featuring 
33.25 	Minnesota products and services;
33.26 	(5) host trade delegations and assist foreign traders in contacting appropriate 
33.27 	Minnesota businesses and investments;
33.28 	(6) develop contacts with Minnesota businesses and gather and provide information 
33.29 	to assist them in locating and communicating with international trading or joint venture 
33.30 	counterparts;
33.31 	(7) provide information, education, and counseling services to Minnesota businesses 
33.32 	regarding the economic, commercial, legal, and cultural contexts of international trade;
33.33 	(8) provide Minnesota businesses with international trade leads and information 
33.34 	about the availability and sources of services relating to international trade, such as 
34.1 	export financing, licensing, freight forwarding, international advertising, translation, and 
34.2 	custom brokering;
34.3 	(9) locate, attract, and promote foreign direct investment and business development 
34.4 	in Minnesota to enhance employment opportunities in Minnesota;
34.5 	(10) provide foreign businesses and investors desiring to locate facilities in 
34.6 	Minnesota information regarding sources of governmental, legal, real estate, financial, and 
34.7 	business services;
34.8 	(11) enter into contracts or other agreements with private persons and public entities, 
34.9 	including agreements to establish and maintain offices and other types of representation in 
34.10 	foreign countries, to carry out the purposes of promoting international trade and attracting 
34.11 	investment from foreign countries to Minnesota and to carry out this section, without 
34.12 	regard to section 16C.06; and 
34.13 	(12) market trade-related materials to businesses and organizations, and the proceeds 
34.14 	of which must be placed in a special revolving account and are appropriated to the 
34.15 	commissioner to prepare and distribute trade-related materials.
34.16 	(b) The programs and activities of the commissioner of employment and economic 
34.17 	development and the Minnesota Trade Division may not duplicate programs and activities 
34.18 	of the commissioner of agriculture.
34.19 	(c) The commissioner shall notify the chairs of the senate Finance and house Ways 
34.20 	and Means Committees of each agreement under this subdivision to establish and maintain 
34.21 	an office or other type of representation in a foreign country.
34.22 	(d) The Minnesota Trade Office shall serve as the state's office of protocol providing 
34.23 	assistance to official visits by foreign government representatives and shall serve as liaison 
34.24 	to the foreign diplomatic corps in Minnesota.

34.25 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
34.26 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms 
34.27 	have the meanings given them in this subdivision.
34.28 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic 
34.29 	development.
34.30 	(c) "Dislocated worker" means an individual who is a resident of Minnesota at the 
34.31 	time employment ceased or was working in the state at the time employment ceased and:
34.32 	(1) has been permanently separated or has received a notice of permanent separation 
34.33 	from public or private sector employment and is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement 
34.34 	to unemployment benefits, and is unlikely to return to the previous industry or occupation;
35.1 	(2) has been long-term unemployed and has limited opportunities for employment 
35.2 	or reemployment in the same or a similar occupation in the area in which the individual 
35.3 	resides, including older individuals who may have substantial barriers to employment by 
35.4 	reason of age;
35.5 	(3) has been terminated or has received a notice of termination of employment as a 
35.6 	result of a plant closing or a substantial layoff at a plant, facility, or enterprise;
35.7 	(4)  has been self-employed, including farmers and ranchers, and is unemployed as a 
35.8 	result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or 
35.9 	because of natural disasters; or
35.10 	(4) (5) is a displaced homemaker. A "displaced homemaker" is an individual who 
35.11 	has spent a substantial number of years in the home providing homemaking service and 
35.12 	(i) has been dependent upon the financial support of another; and now due to divorce, 
35.13 	separation, death, or disability of that person, must find employment to self support; or (ii) 
35.14 	derived the substantial share of support from public assistance on account of dependents 
35.15 	in the home and no longer receives such support.
35.16 	To be eligible under this clause, the support must have ceased while the worker 
35.17 	resided in Minnesota.
35.18 	(d) "Eligible organization" means a state or local government unit, nonprofit 
35.19 	organization, community action agency, business organization or association, or labor 
35.20 	organization.
35.21 	(e) "Plant closing" means the announced or actual permanent shutdown of a single 
35.22 	site of employment, or one or more facilities or operating units within a single site of 
35.23 	employment.
35.24 	(f) "Substantial layoff" means a permanent reduction in the workforce, which is 
35.25 	not a result of a plant closing, and which results in an employment loss at a single site 
35.26 	of employment during any 30-day period for at least 50 employees excluding those 
35.27 	employees that work less than 20 hours per week.

35.28 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
35.29 		Subdivision 1.Determination and collection of special assessment. (a) In addition 
35.30 	to amounts due from an employer under the Minnesota unemployment insurance program, 
35.31 	each employer, except an employer making reimbursements, is liable for a special 
35.32 	assessment levied at the rate of .10 percent per year for calendar years 2006 and 2007 on 
35.33 	all taxable wages, as defined in section 268.035, subdivision 24. Beginning January 1, 
35.34 	2008, the special assessment shall be levied at a rate of .085 percent per year on all taxable 
35.35 	wages. The assessment shall become due and be paid by each employer on the same 
36.1 	schedule and in the same manner as other amounts due from an employer under section 
36.2 	268.051, subdivision 1.
36.3 	(b) The special assessment levied under this section shall be subject to the same 
36.4 	requirements and collection procedures as any amounts due from an employer under the 
36.5 	Minnesota unemployment insurance program.

36.6 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116M.18, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:
36.7 		Subd. 6a.Nonprofit corporation loans. The board may make loans to a nonprofit 
36.8 	corporation with which it has entered into an agreement under subdivision 1. These 
36.9 	loans must be used to support a new or expanding business. This support may include 
36.10 	such forms of financing as the sale of goods to the business on installment or deferred 
36.11 	payments, lease purchase agreements, or royalty investments in the business. The interest 
36.12 	rate charged by a nonprofit corporation for a loan under this subdivision must not exceed 
36.13 	the Wall Street Journal prime rate plus four percent. For a loan under this subdivision, the 
36.14 	nonprofit corporation may charge a loan origination fee equal to or less than one percent 
36.15 	of the loan value. The nonprofit corporation may retain the amount of the origination fee. 
36.16 	The nonprofit corporation must provide at least an equal match to the loan received by the 
36.17 	board. The maximum loan available to the nonprofit corporation under this subdivision is 
36.18 	$50,000. Loans made to the nonprofit corporation under this subdivision may be made 
36.19 	without interest. Repayments made by the nonprofit corporation must be deposited in the 
36.20 	revolving fund created for urban initiative grants.

36.21 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
36.22 		Subdivision 1.Examination of records. The commissioner may enter during 
36.23 	reasonable office hours or upon request and inspect the place of business or employment of 
36.24 	any employer of employees working in the state, to examine and inspect books, registers, 
36.25 	payrolls, and other records of any employer that in any way relate to wages, hours, and 
36.26 	other conditions of employment of any employees. The commissioner may transcribe any 
36.27 	or all of the books, registers, payrolls, and other records as the commissioner deems 
36.28 	necessary or appropriate and may question the employees to ascertain compliance with 
36.29 	sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.435. The commissioner may investigate wage claims or 
36.30 	complaints by an employee against an employer if the failure to pay a wage may violate 
36.31 	Minnesota law or an order or rule of the department. 

36.32 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
37.1 		Subd. 4.Compliance orders. The commissioner may issue an order requiring an 
37.2 	employer to comply with sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.435, 181.02, 181.03, 181.031, 
37.3 	181.032, 181.101, 181.11, 181.12, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, and 181.79, or with 
37.4 	any rule promulgated under section 177.28. The department shall serve the order upon 
37.5 	the employer or the employer's authorized representative in person or by certified mail 
37.6 	at the employer's place of business. An employer who wishes to contest the order must 
37.7 	file written notice of objection to the order with the commissioner within 15 calendar 
37.8 	days after being served with the order. A contested case proceeding must then be held 
37.9 	in accordance with sections 14.57 to 14.69. If, within 15 calendar days after being 
37.10 	served with the order, the employer fails to file a written notice of objection with the 
37.11 	commissioner, the order becomes a final order of the commissioner. 

37.12 	Sec. 47. [177.45] PRIVATE PARTY CIVIL ACTIONS.
37.13 		Subdivision 1.Civil action; damages. A person aggrieved by a violation of section 
37.14 	177.43, 177.435, or 177.44 may bring a civil action seeking redress directly to district 
37.15 	court. A contractor, subcontractor, or agent who is found to have violated any of those 
37.16 	sections is liable to the aggrieved party for compensatory damages in the amount of any 
37.17 	unpaid wages and benefits and for an additional equal amount as liquidated damages, in 
37.18 	addition to other appropriate relief, including, but not limited to, injunctive relief. An 
37.19 	action under this section may be maintained against any contractor, subcontractor, or agent 
37.20 	by any one or more employees. An agreement between the employee and employer to 
37.21 	work for less than the applicable wage is not a defense to the action.
37.22 		Subd. 2.District court jurisdiction. An action brought under subdivision 1 may be 
37.23 	filed in the district court of the county where a violation is alleged to have been committed, 
37.24 	where the contractor, subcontractor, or agent resides or has a principal place of business, 
37.25 	or any other court of competent jurisdiction.
37.26 		Subd. 3.Attorney fees and costs. In an action brought under subdivision 1, the 
37.27 	court shall order a contractor, subcontractor, or agent who is found to have committed 
37.28 	a violation to pay to the aggrieved party reasonable costs, disbursements, witness fees, 
37.29 	and attorney fees.

37.30 	Sec. 48. [181.723] DEFINITIONS.
37.31 		Subdivision 1.Scope. The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
37.32 	(a) "Person" means any individual, limited liability corporation, corporation, 
37.33 	partnership, incorporated or unincorporated association, sole proprietorship, joint stock 
37.34 	company, or any other legal or commercial entity.
38.1 	(b) "Department" means the Department of Labor and Industry.
38.2 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Labor and 
38.3 	Industry.
38.4 	(d) "Knowingly" means knew or could have known with the exercise of reasonable 
38.5 	diligence.
38.6 		Subd. 2.Limited application. This section applies only to individuals performing 
38.7 	public or private sector commercial or residential building construction or improvement 
38.8 	services.
38.9 		Subd. 3.Employee-employer relationship. Except as provided in subdivision 
38.10 	4, for purposes of chapters 176, 177, 181A, 182, and 268, an individual who performs 
38.11 	services for a person that are in the course of the person's trade, business, profession, or 
38.12 	occupation is an employee of that person and that person is an employer of the individual.
38.13 		Subd. 4.Independent contractor. An individual is an independent contractor and 
38.14 	not an employee of the person for whom the individual is performing services in the course 
38.15 	of the person's trade, business, profession or occupation only if (1) the individual holds 
38.16 	a current independent contractor exemption certificate issued by the commissioner; and 
38.17 	(2) the individual is performing services for the person under the independent contractor 
38.18 	exemption certificate as provided in subdivision 6. The requirements in clauses (1) and (2) 
38.19 	must be met in order to qualify as an independent contractor and not as an employee of 
38.20 	the person for whom the individual is performing services in the course of the person's 
38.21 	trade, business, profession, or occupation.
38.22 		Subd. 5.Application. To obtain an independent contractor exemption certificate, 
38.23 	the individual must submit, in the manner prescribed by the commissioner, a complete 
38.24 	application and the certificate fee required under subdivision 13.
38.25 	(a) A complete application must include all the following information:
38.26 	(1) the individual's full name;
38.27 	(2) the individual's residence address and telephone number;
38.28 	(3) the individual's business name, address, and telephone number;
38.29 	(4) the services for which the individual is seeking an independent contractor 
38.30 	exemption certificate;
38.31 	(5) the individual's Social Security number;
38.32 	(6) the individual's or the individual's business federal employer identification 
38.33 	number, if  a number has been issued to the individual or the individual's business;
38.34 	(7) any information or documentation that the commissioner requires by rule that 
38.35 	will assist the department in determining whether to grant or deny the individual's 
38.36 	application; and
39.1 	(8) The individual's sworn statement that the individual meets all of the following 
39.2 	conditions:
39.3 	(i) the individual maintains a separate business with the individual's own office, 
39.4 	equipment, materials, and other facilities;
39.5 	(ii) the individual holds or has applied for a federal employer identification number 
39.6 	or has filed business or self-employment income tax returns with the federal Internal 
39.7 	Revenue Service if the person has performed services in the previous year for which the 
39.8 	individual is seeking the independent contractor exemption certificate;
39.9 	(iii) the individual operates under contracts to perform specific services for specific 
39.10 	amounts of money and under which the individual controls the means of performing the 
39.11 	services;
39.12 	(iv) the individual incurs the main expenses related to the service that the individual 
39.13 	performs under contract;
39.14 	(v) the individual is responsible for the satisfactory completion of services that the 
39.15 	individual contracts to perform and is liable for a failure to complete the service;
39.16 	(vi) the individual receives compensation for service performed under a contract on 
39.17 	a commission or per-job or competitive bid basis and not on any other basis;
39.18 	(vii) the individual may realize a profit or suffer a loss under contracts to perform 
39.19 	service;
39.20 	(viii) the individual has continuing or recurring business liabilities or obligations; and
39.21 	(ix) the success or failure of the individual's business depends on the relationship of 
39.22 	business receipts to expenditures.
39.23 	(b) Within 30 days of receiving a complete application and the certificate fee, the 
39.24 	commissioner must either grant or deny the application. The commissioner may deny 
39.25 	an application for an independent contractor exemption certificate if the individual has 
39.26 	not submitted a complete application and certificate fee or if the individual does not 
39.27 	meet all of the conditions for holding the independent contractor exemption certificate. 
39.28 	The commissioner may revoke an independent contractor exemption certificate if the 
39.29 	commissioner determines that the individual no longer meets all of the conditions for 
39.30 	holding the independent contractor exemption certificate, commits any of the actions 
39.31 	set out in subdivision 7, or fails to cooperate with a department investigation into the 
39.32 	continued validity of the individual's certificate. Once issued, an independent contractor 
39.33 	exemption certificate remains in effect for two years unless:
39.34 	(1) revoked by the commissioner; or
39.35 	(2) canceled by the individual.
40.1 	(c) If the department denies an individual's original or renewal application for 
40.2 	an independent contractor exemption certificate or revokes an independent contractor 
40.3 	exemption certificate, the commissioner shall issue to the individual an order denying or 
40.4 	revoking the certificate. The commissioner may issue an administrative penalty order to 
40.5 	an individual or person who commits any of the actions set out in subdivision 7.
40.6 	(d) An individual or person to whom the commissioner issues an order under 
40.7 	paragraph (c) shall have 30 days after service of the order to request a hearing. The request 
40.8 	for hearing must be in writing and must be served on or faxed to the commissioner at the 
40.9 	address or fax number specified in the order by the 30th day after service of the order.  If 
40.10 	the individual does not request a hearing or if the individual's request for a hearing is not 
40.11 	served on or faxed to the commissioner by the 30th day after services of the order, the 
40.12 	order shall become a final order of the commissioner and is not subject to review by any 
40.13 	court or agency. The date on which a request for hearing is served by mail shall be the 
40.14 	postmark date on the envelope in which the request for hearing is mailed. If the individual 
40.15 	serves or faxes a timely request for hearing, the hearing shall be a contested case hearing 
40.16 	and shall be held in accordance with chapter 14.
40.17 		Subd. 6.Qualifications for exemption certificate. An individual is performing 
40.18 	services for a person under an independent contractor exemption certificate if:
40.19 	(a) the individual is performing services listed on the individual's independent 
40.20 	contractor exemption certificate;
40.21 	(b) at the time the individual is performing services listed on the individual's 
40.22 	independent contractor exemption certificate, the individual meets all the following 
40.23 	conditions:
40.24 	(1) the individual maintains a separate business with the individual's own office, 
40.25 	equipment, materials, and other facilities;
40.26 	(2) the individual holds or has applied for a federal employer identification number 
40.27 	or has filed business or self-employment income tax returns with the federal Internal 
40.28 	Revenue Service if the individual performed services in the previous year for which the 
40.29 	individual has the independent contractor exemption certificate;
40.30 	(3) the individual is operating under contract to perform the specific services for 
40.31 	the person for specific amounts of money and under which the individual controls the 
40.32 	means of performing the services;
40.33 	(4) the individual is incurring the main expenses related to the services that the 
40.34 	individual is performing for the person under the contract;
41.1 	(5) the individual is responsible for the satisfactory completion of the services 
41.2 	that the individual has contracted to perform for the person and is liable for a failure 
41.3 	to complete the services;
41.4 	(6) the individual receives compensation from the person for the services performed 
41.5 	under the contract on a commission or per-job or competitive bid basis and not on any 
41.6 	other basis;
41.7 	(7) the individual may realize a profit or suffer a loss under the contract to perform 
41.8 	services for the person;
41.9 	(8) the individual has continuing or recurring business liabilities or obligations; and
41.10 	(9) the success or failure of the individual's business depends on the relationship of 
41.11 	business receipts to expenditures.
41.12 		Subd. 7.Prohibited activities. (a) An individual shall not:
41.13 	(1) perform work as an independent contractor without first obtaining from the 
41.14 	department an independent contractor exemption certificate;
41.15 	(2) perform work as an independent contractor when the department has denied or 
41.16 	revoked the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate;
41.17 	(3) transfer to another individual or allow another individual to use the individual's 
41.18 	independent contractor exemption certificate;
41.19 	(4) alter or falsify an independent contractor exemption certificate;
41.20 	(5) misrepresent the individual's status as an independent contractor; or
41.21 	(6) make a false material statement, representation, or certification; omit material 
41.22 	information; or alter, conceal, or fail to file a document required by this section or any rule 
41.23 	adopted by the commissioner under this section.
41.24 	(b) A person for whom an individual is performing services in the person's trade, 
41.25 	business, profession, or occupation shall not:
41.26 	(1) require an individual through coercion, misrepresentation, or fraudulent means to 
41.27 	adopt independent contractor status;
41.28 	(2) knowingly misrepresent that an individual who has not been issued an 
41.29 	independent contractor exemption certificate or is not performing services for the person 
41.30 	under an independent contractor exemption certificate is an independent contractor; or
41.31 	(3) make a false material statement, representation, or certification; omit material 
41.32 	information; or alter, conceal, or fail to file a document required by this section or any rule 
41.33 	adopted by the commissioner under this section.
41.34 	(c) An individual or person who violates a provision of this subdivision is subject 
41.35 	to a penalty to be assessed by the department of up to $1,000 for each violation. The 
41.36 	department shall deposit penalties in the Assigned Risk Safety Account.
42.1 		Subd. 8.Commissioner's powers. (a) In order to carry out the purposes of this 
42.2 	section, the commissioner may:
42.3 	(1) administer oaths and affirmations, certify official acts, interview, question, take 
42.4 	oral or written statements, and take depositions;
42.5 	(2) request, examine, take possession of, photograph, record, and copy any 
42.6 	documents, equipment, or materials;
42.7 	(3) at a time and place indicated by the commissioner, request persons to appear 
42.8 	before the commissioner to give testimony and produce documents, equipment, or 
42.9 	materials;
42.10 	(4) issue subpoenas to compel persons to appear before the commissioner to give 
42.11 	testimony and produce documents, equipment, or materials; and
42.12 	(5) subject to paragraph (c), with or without notice, enter without delay upon 
42.13 	any property, public or private, for the purpose of taking any action authorized under 
42.14 	this subdivision or the applicable law, including obtaining information or conducting 
42.15 	inspections or investigations.
42.16 	(b) Persons requested by the commissioner to give testimony or produce documents, 
42.17 	equipment, or materials shall respond within the time and in the manner  specified by the 
42.18 	commissioner. If no time to respond is specified in the request, then a  response shall be 
42.19 	submitted within 30 days of the commissioner's service of the request.
42.20 	(c) Upon the refusal or anticipated refusal of a property owner, lessee, property 
42.21 	owner's representative, or lessee's representative to permit the commissioner's entry onto 
42.22 	property as provided in paragraph (a), the commissioner may apply for an administrative 
42.23 	inspection order in the Ramsey County District Court or, at the commissioner's discretion, 
42.24 	in the district court in the county in which the property is located. The commissioner may 
42.25 	anticipate that a property owner or lessee will refuse entry if the property owner, lessee, 
42.26 	property owner's representative, or lessee's representative has refused to permit entry on a 
42.27 	prior occasion or has informed the commissioner that entry will be refused. Upon showing 
42.28 	of administrative probable cause by the commissioner, the district court shall issue an 
42.29 	administrative inspection order that compels the property owner or lessee to permit the 
42.30 	commissioner to enter the property for the purposes specified in paragraph (a).
42.31 	(d) Upon the application of the commissioner, a district court shall treat the failure of 
42.32 	any person to obey a subpoena lawfully issued by the commissioner under this subdivision 
42.33 	as a contempt of court.
42.34 		Subd. 9.Notice requirements. Unless otherwise specified, service of a document on 
42.35 	a person under this section may be by mail, by personal service, or in accordance with any 
42.36 	consent to service filed with the commissioner. Service by mail shall be accomplished in 
43.1 	the manner provided in Minnesota Rules, part 1400.5550, subpart 2. Personal service shall 
43.2 	be accomplished in the manner provided in Minnesota Rules, part 1400.5550, subpart 3.
43.3 		Subd. 10.Facsimile; timely service. When this section permits a request for 
43.4 	reconsideration or request for hearing to be served by fax on the commissioner, the fax 
43.5 	shall not exceed 15 pages in length. The request shall be considered timely served if the 
43.6 	fax is received by the commissioner, at the fax number identified by the commissioner 
43.7 	in the order or notice of violation, no later than 4:30 p.m. central time on the last day 
43.8 	permitted for faxing the request. Where the quality or authenticity of the faxed request 
43.9 	is at issue, the commissioner may require the original request to be filed. Where the 
43.10 	commissioner has not identified quality or authenticity of the faxed request as an issue 
43.11 	and the request has been faxed in accordance with this subdivision, the person faxing the 
43.12 	request does not need to file the original request with the commissioner.
43.13 		Subd. 11.Time period computation. In computing any period of time prescribed 
43.14 	or allowed by this section, the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated 
43.15 	period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed 
43.16 	shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which event the 
43.17 	period runs until the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
43.18 		Subd. 12.Rulemaking. The commissioner may, in consultation with the 
43.19 	commissioner of the Department of Revenue and the commissioner of the Department 
43.20 	of Employment and Economic Development, adopt, amend, and repeal rules that relate 
43.21 	to the commissioner's responsibilities under this section.
43.22 		Subd. 13.Fee. The certificate fee for the original application and for the renewal 
43.23 	of an independent contractor exemption certificate is $150. The certificate fee shall be 
43.24 	deposited in the construction code fund and is appropriated to the commissioner for 
43.25 	payment of the costs related to administering and enforcing this section.
43.26 		Subd. 14.Notice to commissioner; review by commissioner of revenue. When 
43.27 	the commissioner has reason to believe that an individual who holds a certificate has failed 
43.28 	to maintain all the conditions required by subdivision 6 or is not performing services for a 
43.29 	person under the independent contractor exemption certificate, the commissioner must 
43.30 	notify the commissioner of the Department of Revenue and the commissioner of the 
43.31 	Department of Employment and Economic Development. Upon receipt of notification 
43.32 	from the commissioner that an individual who holds a certificate has failed to maintain all 
43.33 	the conditions required by subdivision 6 or is not performing services for a person under 
43.34 	the independent contractor exemption certificate, the commissioner of the Department 
43.35 	of Revenue must review the information returns required under section 6041A of the 
43.36 	Internal Revenue Code. The commissioner of the Department of Revenue shall also 
44.1 	review the submitted certification that is applicable to returns audited or investigated 
44.2 	under section 289A.35.
44.3 		Subd. 15.Data. Data in applications for an independent contractor exemption 
44.4 	certificate and any required documentation submitted to the commissioner are private data 
44.5 	on individuals as defined in section 13.02. Data in exemption certificates issued by the 
44.6 	commissioner are public data. Data that document a revocation or cancellation of an 
44.7 	exemption certificate are public data. Upon request of the Department of Revenue or 
44.8 	the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the commissioner may 
44.9 	release to the requesting department data classified as private under this subdivision or 
44.10 	investigative data that are not public under section 13.39 that relate to the issuance or 
44.11 	denial of applications or revocations of certificates.

44.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. Subdivision 12 is effective the day following final enactment. 
44.13 	The remainder of this section is effective July 1, 2008.

44.14 	Sec. 49. [182.6551] CITATION.
44.15 	Sections 182.6551 to 182.6553 may be cited as the "Safe Patient Handling Act."

44.16 	Sec. 50. [182.6552] DEFINITIONS.
44.17 		Subdivision 1.Direct patient care worker. "Direct patient care worker" means an 
44.18 	individual doing the job of directly providing physical care to patients including nurses, as 
44.19 	defined by section 148.171, who provide physical care to patients.
44.20 		Subd. 2.Health care facility. "Health care facility" means a hospital as defined in 
44.21 	section 144.50, subdivision 2, a medical facility as defined in section 144.561, subdivision 
44.22 	1, paragraph (b), a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 5, an 
44.23 	outpatient clinic, or a physician's office.
44.24 		Subd. 3.Safe patient handling. "Safe patient handling" means a process, based on 
44.25 	scientific evidence on causes of injuries, that uses safe patient handling equipment rather 
44.26 	than people to transfer, move, and reposition patients in all health care facilities to reduce 
44.27 	workplace injuries. This process also reduces the risk of injury to patients.
44.28 		Subd. 4.Safe patient handling equipment. "Safe patient handling equipment" 
44.29 	means engineering controls, lifting and transfer aids, or mechanical assistive devices used 
44.30 	by nurses and other direct patient care workers instead of manual lifting to perform the 
44.31 	acts of lifting, transferring, and repositioning health care facility patients and residents.

44.32 	Sec. 51. [182.6553] SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM.
45.1 		Subdivision 1.Safe patient handling program required. (a) By July 1, 2008, 
45.2 	every licensed health care facility in the state shall adopt a written safe patient handling 
45.3 	policy establishing the facility's plan to achieve by January 1, 2011, the goal of minimizing 
45.4 	manual lifting of patients by nurses and other direct patient care workers by utilizing 
45.5 	safe patient handling equipment.
45.6 	(b) The program shall address:
45.7 	(1) assessment of hazards with regard to patient handling;
45.8 	(2) the acquisition of an adequate supply of appropriate safe patient handling 
45.9 	equipment;
45.10 	(3) initial and ongoing training of nurses and other direct patient care workers on 
45.11 	the use of this equipment;
45.12 	(4) procedures to ensure that physical plant modifications and major construction 
45.13 	projects are consistent with program goals; and 
45.14 	(5) periodic evaluations of the safe patient handling program.
45.15 		Subd. 2.Safe patient handling committee. (a) By July 1, 2008, every licensed 
45.16 	health care facility in the state shall establish a safe patient handling committee either by 
45.17 	creating a new committee or assigning the functions of a safe patient handling committee 
45.18 	to an existing committee.
45.19 	(b) Membership of a safe patient handling committee or an existing committee must 
45.20 	meet the following requirements: 
45.21 	(1) at least half the members shall be nonmanagerial nurses and other direct patient 
45.22 	care workers; and 
45.23 	(2) in a health care facility where nurses and other direct patient care workers 
45.24 	are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the union shall select the committee 
45.25 	members proportionate to its representation of nonmanagement nurses and other direct 
45.26 	patient care workers.
45.27 	(c) A health care organization with more than one covered health care facility may 
45.28 	establish a committee at each facility or one committee to serve this function for all the 
45.29 	facilities. If the organization chooses to have one overall committee for multiple facilities, 
45.30 	at least half of the members of the overall committee must be nonmanagerial nurses and 
45.31 	other direct patient care workers and each facility must be represented on the committee.
45.32 	(d) Employees who serve on a safe patient handling committee must be compensated 
45.33 	by their employer for all hours spent on committee business.
45.34 		Subd. 3.Facilities with existing programs. A facility that has already adopted a 
45.35 	safe patient handling policy that satisfies the requirements of subdivision 1, and established 
45.36 	a safe patient handling committee by July 1, 2008, that satisfies the requirements of this 
46.1 	section is considered to be in compliance with those requirements. The committee must 
46.2 	continue to satisfy the requirements of subdivision 2, paragraph (b), on an ongoing basis. 
46.3 		Subd. 4.Committee duties. A safe patient handling committee shall:
46.4 	(1) complete a patient handling hazard assessment that: 
46.5 	(i) considers patient handling tasks, types of nursing units, patient populations, and 
46.6 	the physical environment of patient care areas; 
46.7 	(ii) identifies problems and solutions; 
46.8 	(iii) identifies areas of highest risk for lifting injuries; and 
46.9 	(iv) recommends a mechanism to report, track, and analyze injury trends;
46.10 	(2) make recommendations on the purchase, use, and maintenance of an adequate 
46.11 	supply of appropriate safe patient handling equipment;
46.12 	(3) make recommendations on training of nurses and other direct patient care 
46.13 	workers on use of safe patient handling equipment, initially when the equipment arrives at 
46.14 	the facility and periodically afterwards;
46.15 	(4) conduct annual evaluations of the safe patient handling implementation plan and 
46.16 	progress toward goals established in the safe patient handling plan; and
46.17 	(5) recommend procedures to ensure that, when remodeling of patient care areas 
46.18 	occurs, the plans incorporate safe patient handling equipment or the physical space and 
46.19 	construction design needed to accommodate safe patient handling equipment at a later date.
46.20 		Subd. 5.Training materials. The commissioner shall make training materials on 
46.21 	implementation of this section available to all health care facilities at no cost as part of the 
46.22 	training and education duties of the commissioner under section 182.673.
46.23 		Subd. 6.Enforcement. This section shall be enforced by the commissioner under 
46.24 	section 182.661. A violation of this section is subject to the penalties provided under 
46.25 	section 182.666.
46.26 		Subd. 7.Grant program. The commissioner may make grants to health care 
46.27 	facilities to acquire safe patient handling equipment and for training on safe patient 
46.28 	handling and safe patient handling equipment. Grants to any one facility may not exceed 
46.29 	$40,000. A grant must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the grantee. The 
46.30 	commissioner shall establish a grant application process. The commissioner may give 
46.31 	priority for grants to facilities that demonstrate that acquiring safe patient handling 
46.32 	equipment will impose a financial hardship on the facility.

46.33 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.01, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
47.1 		Subd. 13.Supported employment. (a) "Supported employment" means 
47.2 	employment of a person with a disability so severe that the person needs ongoing training 
47.3 	and support to get and keep a job in which:
47.4 	(1) the person engages in paid work in a position removed from the service vendor's 
47.5 	site where individuals without disabilities who do not require public subsidies also may 
47.6 	be employed;
47.7 	(2) public funds are necessary to provide ongoing training and support services 
47.8 	throughout the period of the person's employment; and
47.9 	(3) the person has the opportunity for social interaction with individuals who do not 
47.10 	have disabilities and who are not paid caregivers.
47.11 	(b) If the commissioner has certified a rehabilitation facility setting as integrated, 
47.12 	then employment at that site may be considered supported employment.

47.13 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.01, is amended by adding a 
47.14 	subdivision to read:
47.15 		Subd. 14.Affirmative business enterprise employment. "Affirmative business 
47.16 	enterprise employment" means employment which provides paid work on the premises of 
47.17 	an affirmative business enterprise as certified by the commissioner.
47.18 	Affirmative business enterprise employment is considered community employment 
47.19 	for purposes of funding under Minnesota Rules, parts 3300.1000 to 3300.2055, provided 
47.20 	that the wages for individuals reported must be at or above customary wages for the 
47.21 	same employer. The employer must also provide one benefit package that is available to 
47.22 	all employees.

47.23 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.085, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
47.24 		Subdivision 1.Appointment; membership. Every city, town, county, nonprofit 
47.25 	corporation, or combination thereof establishing a rehabilitation facility shall appoint a 
47.26 	rehabilitation facility board of no fewer than nineseven voting members before becoming 
47.27 	eligible for the assistance provided by sections 268A.06 to 268A.15. When any city, 
47.28 	town, or county singly establishes such a rehabilitation facility, the board shall be 
47.29 	appointed by the chief executive officer of the city or the chair of the governing board 
47.30 	of the county or town. When any combination of cities, towns, counties, or nonprofit 
47.31 	corporations establishes a rehabilitation facility, the chief executive officers of the cities, 
47.32 	nonprofit corporations, and the chairs of the governing bodies of the counties or towns 
47.33 	shall appoint the board. If a nonprofit corporation singly establishes a rehabilitation 
47.34 	facility, the corporation shall appoint the board of directors. Membership on a board 
48.1 	shall be representative of the community served and shall include a person with a 
48.2 	disability. One-third to one-half of the board shall be representative of industry or 
48.3 	business. The remaining members should be representative of lay associations for persons 
48.4 	with a disability, labor, the general public, and education, welfare, medical, and health 
48.5 	professions. Nothing in sections 268A.06 to 268A.15 shall be construed to preclude 
48.6 	the appointment of elected or appointed public officials or members of the board of 
48.7 	directors of the sponsoring nonprofit corporation to the board, so long as the representation 
48.8 	described above is preserved. If a county establishes an extended employment program 
48.9 	and manages the program with county employees, the governing board shall be the county 
48.10 	board of commissioners, and other provisions of this chapter pertaining to membership on 
48.11 	the governing board do not apply. 

48.12 	Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.15, is amended by adding a 
48.13 	subdivision to read:
48.14 		Subd. 9.Integrated setting. At the commissioner's discretion, paid work on the 
48.15 	premises of a rehabilitation facility may be certified as an integrated setting after a site 
48.16 	review by the department.

48.17 	Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 298.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
48.18 		Subd. 2.Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. There is hereby 
48.19 	created the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, consisting of 13 ten members, 
48.20 	five of whom are state senators appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the 
48.21 	Rules Committee of the senate, and five of whom are representatives, appointed by the 
48.22 	speaker of the house of representatives. The remaining members shall be appointed one 
48.23 	each by the senate majority leader, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the 
48.24 	governor and must be nonlegislators who reside in a taconite assistance area as defined in 
48.25 	section 273.1341. The members shall be appointed in January of every odd-numbered 
48.26 	year, except that the initial nonlegislator members shall be appointed by July 1, 1999, and 
48.27 	shall serve until January of the next odd-numbered year. Vacancies on the board shall be 
48.28 	filled in the same manner as the original members were chosen. At least a majority of 
48.29 	the legislative members of the board shall be elected from state senatorial or legislative 
48.30 	districts in which over 50 percent of the residents reside within a taconite assistance area 
48.31 	as defined in section 273.1341. All expenditures and projects made by the commissioner 
48.32 	of Iron Range resources and rehabilitation shall be consistent with the priorities 
48.33 	established in subdivision 8 and shall first be submitted to the Iron Range Resources and 
48.34 	Rehabilitation Board for approval by a majority of the board of expenditures and projects 
49.1 	for rehabilitation purposes as provided by this section, and the method, manner, and time 
49.2 	of payment of all funds proposed to be disbursed shall be first approved or disapproved by 
49.3 	the board. The board shall biennially make its report to the governor and the legislature on 
49.4 	or before November 15 of each even-numbered year. The expenses of the board shall be 
49.5 	paid by the state from the funds raised pursuant to this section. 

49.6 	Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 298.227, is amended to read:
49.7 	298.227 TACONITE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND.
49.8 	An amount equal to that distributed pursuant to each taconite producer's taxable 
49.9 	production and qualifying sales under section 298.28, subdivision 9a, shall be held by 
49.10 	the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board in a separate taconite economic 
49.11 	development fund for each taconite and direct reduced ore producer. Money from the 
49.12 	fund for each producer shall be released by the commissioner after review by a joint 
49.13 	committee consisting of an equal number of representatives of the salaried employees and 
49.14 	the nonsalaried production and maintenance employees of that producer. The District 11 
49.15 	director of the United States Steelworkers of America, on advice of each local employee 
49.16 	president, shall select the employee members. In nonorganized operations, the employee 
49.17 	committee shall be elected by the nonsalaried production and maintenance employees. 
49.18 	The review must be completed no later than six months after the producer presents a 
49.19 	proposal for expenditure of the funds to the committee. The funds held pursuant to this 
49.20 	section may be released only for acquisition of plant and stationary mining equipment and 
49.21 	facilities for the producer or for research and development in Minnesota on new mining, or 
49.22 	taconite, iron, or steel production technology, but only if the producer provides a matching 
49.23 	expenditure to be used for the same purpose of at least 50 percent of the distribution 
49.24 	based on 14.7 cents per ton beginning with distributions in 2002.  Effective for proposals 
49.25 	for expenditures of money from the fund approved beginning the day following final 
49.26 	enactment. The commissioner may release the funds only if the proposed expenditure is 
49.27 	approved by a majority of the members of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation 
49.28 	Board. If a producer uses money that has been released from the fund prior to the day 
49.29 	following final enactment to procure haulage trucks, mobile equipment, or mining shovels, 
49.30 	and the producer removes the piece of equipment from the taconite tax relief area defined 
49.31 	in section 273.134 within ten years from the date of receipt of the money from the fund, 
49.32 	a portion of the money granted from the fund must be repaid to the taconite economic 
49.33 	development fund. The portion of the money to be repaid is 100 percent of the grant if the 
49.34 	equipment is removed from the taconite tax relief area within 12 months after receipt of 
49.35 	the money from the fund, declining by ten percent for each of the subsequent nine years 
50.1 	during which the equipment remains within the taconite tax relief area. If a taconite 
50.2 	production facility is sold after operations at the facility had ceased, any money remaining 
50.3 	in the fund for the former producer may be released to the purchaser of the facility on 
50.4 	the terms otherwise applicable to the former producer under this section. If a producer 
50.5 	fails to provide matching funds for a proposed expenditure within six months after the 
50.6 	commissioner approves release of the funds, the funds are available for release to another 
50.7 	producer in proportion to the distribution provided and under the conditions of this section. 
50.8 	Any portion of the fund which is not released by the commissioner within two years of its 
50.9 	deposit in the fund shall be divided between the taconite environmental protection fund 
50.10 	created in section 298.223 and the Douglas J. Johnson economic protection trust fund 
50.11 	created in section 298.292 for placement in their respective special accounts. Two-thirds 
50.12 	of the unreleased funds shall be distributed to the taconite environmental protection fund 
50.13 	and one-third to the Douglas J. Johnson economic protection trust fund. 

50.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for proposals for expenditures of 
50.15 	money from the fund the day following final enactment.

50.16 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, is amended by adding a subdivision 
50.17 	to read:
50.18 		Subd. 5a.Registration of unlicensed individuals. Unlicensed individuals 
50.19 	performing electrical work for a contractor or employer shall register with the department 
50.20 	in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. Experience credit for electrical work 
50.21 	performed after January 1, 2008, by an applicant for a license identified in this section 
50.22 	shall not be granted where the applicant has not registered with or is not licensed by 
50.23 	the department.

50.24 	Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
50.25 		Subd. 8.License, registration, and renewal fees; expiration. All licenses issued 
50.26 	hereunder shall expire in a manner as provided by the board. (a) Unless revoked or 
50.27 	suspended under this chapter, all licenses issued or renewed under this section expire on the 
50.28 	date specified in this subdivision. Master licenses expire March 1 of each odd-numbered 
50.29 	year after issuance or renewal. Electrical contractor licenses expire March 1 of each 
50.30 	even-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Technology system contractor licenses 
50.31 	expire August 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Journeyman, 
50.32 	installer, power limited technician, and special electrician licenses expire two years from 
50.33 	the date of original issuance and every two years thereafter. Registrations of unlicensed 
50.34 	individuals expire one year from the date of original issuance and every year thereafter.
51.1 	(b) Fees, as set by the board, shall be payable for application and examination, and 
51.2 	for the original issuance and each subsequent renewal of the following, are:
51.3 	(1) For each personal license application and examination: $35;
51.4 	Class A Master.
51.5 	Class B Master.
51.6 	Class A Journeyman, Class B Journeyman, Installer, Power Limited Technician, or 
51.7 	Special Electrician.
51.8 	(2) For original issuance of original license and each subsequent renewal of:
51.9 	Class A Master. or master special electrician, including master elevator constructor: 
51.10 	$40 per year;
51.11 	Class B Master.: $25 per year;
51.12 	Power Limited Technician.: $15 per year;
51.13 	Class A Journeyman, Class B Journeyman, Installer, or Special Electrician. other 
51.14 	than master special electrician: $15 per year;
51.15 	Electrical contractor: $100 per year.
51.16 	Technology Systems Contractor Unlicensed individual registration: $15 per year.
51.17 	(c) If any new license is issued in accordance with this subdivision for less than two 
51.18 	years, the fee for the license shall be prorated on an annual basis. 
51.19 	(d) A license fee may not be refunded after a license is issued or renewed. However, 
51.20 	if the fee paid for a license was not prorated in accordance with this subdivision, the 
51.21 	amount of the overpayment shall be refunded.
51.22 	(e) Any contractor who seeks reissuance of a license after it has been revoked or 
51.23 	suspended under this chapter shall submit a reissuance fee of $100 before the license is 
51.24 	reinstated.
51.25 	(f) The fee for the issuance of each duplicate license is $15.
51.26 	(3) (g) An individual or contractor who fails to renew a license before 30 days after 
51.27 	the expiration or registration of the license must submit a late fee equal to one year's 
51.28 	license fee in addition to the full renewal fee. Fees for renewed licenses or registrations 
51.29 	are not prorated. An individual or contractor that fails to renew a license or registration by 
51.30 	the expiration date is unlicensed until the license or registration is renewed.

51.31 	Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.2441, is amended to read:
51.32 	326.2441 INSPECTION FEE SCHEDULE.
51.33 		Subdivision 1.Schedule. State electrical inspection fees shall be paid according 
51.34 	to calculated in accordance with subdivisions 2 to 13 15.
52.1 		Subd. 2.Fee for each separate inspection. The minimum fee for each separate 
52.2 	inspection of an installation, replacement, alteration, or repair is $20. $35. Except as 
52.3 	otherwise provided in this section, the maximum number of separate inspections allowed 
52.4 	without payment of an additional fee is the whole number resulting from dividing by 
52.5 	35 the total fee calculated in accordance with this section. Where additional separate 
52.6 	inspections are necessary, additional fees are required to result in a value equal to the total 
52.7 	number of separate inspections multiplied by 35. The fee for any inspections needed after 
52.8 	a "final inspection" is performed shall be calculated without consideration of any fee 
52.9 	paid before the final inspection.
52.10 		Subd. 3.Fee for services, generators, other power supply sources, or feeders to 
52.11 	separate structures. The inspection fee for the installation, addition, alteration, or repair 
52.12 	of each service, change of service, temporary service, generator, other power supply 
52.13 	source, or feeder to a separate structure is:
52.14 	(1) 0 ampere to and including 400 ampere capacity, $25 $35;
52.15 	(2) 401 ampere to and including 800 ampere capacity, $50 $60; and
52.16 	(3) ampere capacity above 800, $75 $100.
52.17 	Where multiple disconnects are grouped at a single location and are supplied by a 
52.18 	single set of supply conductors the cumulative rating of the overcurrent devices shall be 
52.19 	used to determine the supply ampere capacity.
52.20 		Subd. 4.Fee for circuits, feeders, feeder taps, or sets of transformer secondary 
52.21 	conductors. The inspection fee for the installation, addition, alteration, or repair of 
52.22 	each circuit, feeder, feeder tap, or set of transformer secondary conductors, including 
52.23 	the equipment served, is:
52.24 	(1) 0 ampere to and including 200 ampere capacity, $5 $6; and
52.25 	(2) ampere capacity above 200, $10 $15.
52.26 	Where existing feeders and circuits are reconnected to overcurrent devices installed 
52.27 	as part of the replacement of an existing disconnect, switchboard, motor control center, or 
52.28 	panelboard, the inspection fee for each circuit or feeder is $2.
52.29 		Subd. 5.Limitations to fees of subdivisions 3 and 4 Inspection fee for dwellings.
 52.30 	(a) The inspection fee for a one-family dwelling and each dwelling unit of a two-family 
52.31 	dwelling with a supply of up to 500 amperes where a combination of ten or more sources 
52.32 	of supply, feeders, or circuits are installed, added, altered, repaired, or extended is $80. is 
52.33 	the following:
52.34 	(1) the fee for each service or other source of power as provided in subdivision 3;
52.35 	(2) $100 for up to 30 feeders and circuits; and
52.36 	(3) for each additional feeder or circuit, the fee as provided in subdivision 4.
53.1 	This fee applies to each separate installation for new dwellings and additions, alterations, 
53.2 	or repairs to existing dwellings and includes not more than two inspections.where 15 
53.3 	or more feeders or circuits are installed or extended in connection with any addition, 
53.4 	alteration, or repair to existing dwellings. Where existing feeders and circuits are 
53.5 	reconnected to overcurrent devices installed as part of the replacement of an existing 
53.6 	panelboard, the fee for each reconnected feeder or circuit is $2. The maximum number 
53.7 	of separate inspections shall be determined in accordance with subdivision 2. The 
53.8 	fee for additional inspections or other installations is that specified in subdivisions 2 
53.9 	to, 4, 6, and 8. The installer may submit fees for additional inspections when filing the 
53.10 	request for electrical inspection. The fee for each detached accessory structure directly 
53.11 	associated with a dwelling unit shall be calculated in accordance with subdivisions 3 and 
53.12 	4. When included on the same request for electrical inspection form, inspection fees for 
53.13 	detached accessory structures directly associated with the dwelling unit may be combined 
53.14 	with the dwelling unit fees to determine the maximum number of separate inspections in 
53.15 	accordance with subdivision 2.
53.16 	(b) The inspection fee for each dwelling unit of a multifamily dwelling with three 
53.17 	to 12 or more dwelling units is $50 and the fee for each additional dwelling unit is $25.
53.18 	$70 for a combination of up to 20 feeders and circuits and $6 for each additional feeder 
53.19 	or circuit. This fee applies to each separate installation for each new dwelling unit and 
53.20 	where ten or more feeders or circuits are installed or extended in connection with any 
53.21 	addition, alteration, or repair to existing dwelling units. Where existing feeders or circuits 
53.22 	are reconnected to overcurrent devices installed as part of the replacement of an existing 
53.23 	panelboard, the fee for each reconnected feeder or circuit is $2. The maximum number 
53.24 	of separate inspections for each dwelling unit shall be determined in accordance with 
53.25 	subdivision 2. The fee for additional inspections or for inspection of other installations 
53.26 	is that specified in subdivisions 2, 4, 6, and 8. These fees include only inspection of the 
53.27 	wiring within individual dwelling units and the final feeder to that unit. This limitation is 
53.28 	subject to the following conditions:
53.29 	(1) where the multifamily dwelling is provided with common service equipment 
53.30 	and each dwelling unit is supplied by a separate feeder or feeders extended from common 
53.31 	service or distribution equipment. The fee for multifamily dwelling services or other 
53.32 	power source supplies and all other circuits is that specified in subdivisions 2 to 4; and.
53.33 	(2) this limitation applies only to new installations for multifamily dwellings where 
53.34 	the majority of the individual dwelling units are available for inspection during each 
53.35 	inspection trip.
54.1 	(c) A separate request for electrical inspection form must be filed for each dwelling 
54.2 	unit that is supplied with an individual set of service entrance conductors. These fees are 
54.3 	the one-family dwelling rate specified in paragraph (a).
54.4 		Subd. 6.Additions to fees of subdivisions 3 to 5. (a) The fee for the electrical 
54.5 	supply for each manufactured home park lot is $25 $35. This fee includes the service or 
54.6 	feeder conductors up to and including the service equipment or disconnecting means. 
54.7 	The fee for feeders and circuits that extend from the service or disconnecting means is 
54.8 	that specified in subdivision 4.
54.9 	(b) The fee for each recreational vehicle site electrical supply equipment is $5 $6 
54.10 	for each circuit originating within the equipment. The fee for recreational vehicle park 
54.11 	services, feeders, and circuits is that specified in subdivisions 3 and 4.
54.12 	(c) The fee for each street, parking lot, or outdoor area lighting standard is $1, and the 
54.13 	fee for each traffic signal standard is $5. Circuits originating within the standard or traffic 
54.14 	signal controller shall not be used when computing calculating the fee for each standard.
54.15 	(d) The fee for transformers for light, heat, and power is $10 $15 for transformers 
54.16 	rated up to ten kilovolt-amperes and $20$30 for transformers rated in excess of ten 
54.17 	kilovolt-amperes. The previous sentence does not apply to Class 1 transformers or power 
54.18 	supplies for Class 1 power-limited circuits or to Class 2 or Class 3 transformers or power 
54.19 	supplies.
54.20 	(e) The fee for transformers and electronic power supplies for electric signs and 
54.21 	outline lighting is $5 per unit.
54.22 	(f) The fee for alarm, communication, remote control, and signaling technology 
54.23 	circuits or systems, and circuits of less than 50 volts, is 50 75 cents for each system device 
54.24 	or apparatus.
54.25 	(g) The fee for each separate inspection of the bonding for a swimming pool, spa, 
54.26 	fountain, an equipotential plane for an agricultural confinement area, or similar installation 
54.27 	shall be $20 is $35. Bonding conductors and connections require an inspection before 
54.28 	being concealed.
54.29 	(h) The fee for all wiring installed on center pivot irrigation booms is $40 $35 plus 
54.30 	$5 for each electrical drive unit.
54.31 	(i) The fee for retrofit modifications to existing lighting fixtures is 25 cents per 
54.32 	lighting fixture luminaire.
54.33 	(j) When a separate inspection of a concrete-encased grounding electrode is 
54.34 	performed, the fee is $35.
54.35 	(k) The fees required by subdivisions 3 and 4 are doubled for installations over 
54.36 	600 volts.
55.1 		Subd. 7.Investigation fees: work without a request for electrical inspection.
 55.2 	(a) Whenever any work for which a request for electrical inspection is required by the 
55.3 	board has begun without the request for electrical inspection form being filed with the 
55.4 	board commissioner, a special investigation shall be made before a request for electrical 
55.5 	inspection form is accepted by the board.
55.6 	(b) An investigation fee, in addition to the full fee required by subdivisions 1 
55.7 	to 6, shall be paid before an inspection is made. The investigation fee is two times the 
55.8 	hourly rate minimum fee specified in subdivision 10 2 or the inspection fee required 
55.9 	by subdivisions 1 to 6, whichever is greater, not to exceed $1,000. The payment of the 
55.10 	investigation fee does not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of 
55.11 	the board department rules or statutes nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
55.12 		Subd. 8.Reinspection fee. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 2 and 5, 
55.13 	when reinspection is necessary to determine whether unsafe conditions identified during a 
55.14 	final inspection have been corrected and the conditions are not the subject of an appeal 
55.15 	pending before the board commissioner or any court, a reinspection fee of $20 may $35 
55.16 	shall be assessed in writing by the inspector.
55.17 		Subd. 9.Supplemental fee. When inspections scheduled by the installer are 
55.18 	preempted, obstructed, prevented, or otherwise not able to be completed as scheduled due 
55.19 	to circumstances beyond the control of the inspector, a supplemental inspection fee of 
55.20 	$20 may $35 shall be assessed in writing by the inspector.
55.21 		Subd. 10.Special inspection. For inspections not covered in this section, or for 
55.22 	requested special inspections or services, the fee shall be $30 is $80 per hour, including 
55.23 	travel time, plus 31 cents the standard mileage rate per mile traveled, plus the reasonable 
55.24 	cost of equipment or material consumed. This provision is applicable to inspection 
55.25 	of empty conduits and other jobs as may be determined by the board commissioner. 
55.26 	This fee may also be assessed when installations are not accessible by roadway and 
55.27 	require alternate forms of transportation. or are located in the Northwest Angle, or when 
55.28 	inspections are performed outside of Minnesota. For purposes of this subdivision, 
55.29 	the standard mileage rate is the standard mileage rate effective at the time of travel, 
55.30 	as established by the Internal Revenue Service for computing the deductible costs of 
55.31 	operating an automobile for business expense purposes.
55.32 		Subd. 11.Inspection of transitory projects. (a) For inspection of transitory 
55.33 	projects including, but not limited to, festivals, fairs, carnivals, circuses, shows, production 
55.34 	sites, and portable road construction plants, the inspection procedures and fees are as 
55.35 	specified in paragraphs (b) to (i).
56.1 	(b) The fee for inspection of each generator or other source of supply is that specified 
56.2 	in subdivision 3. A like fee is required at each engagement or setup.
56.3 	(c) In addition to the fee for generators or other sources of supply, there must be an 
56.4 	inspection of all installed feeders, circuits, and equipment at each engagement or setup at 
56.5 	the hourly rate specified in subdivision 10, with a two-hour one-hour minimum.
56.6 	(d) An owner, operator, or appointed representative of a transitory enterprise 
56.7 	including, but not limited to, festivals, fairs, carnivals, circuses, production companies, 
56.8 	shows, portable road construction plants, and similar enterprises shall notify the board
56.9 	commissioner  of its itinerary or schedule and make application for initial inspection a 
56.10 	minimum of 14 days before its first engagement or setup. An owner, operator, or appointed 
56.11 	representative of a transitory enterprise who fails to notify the board commissioner 14 
56.12 	days before its first engagement or setup may be subject to the investigation fees specified 
56.13 	in subdivision 7. The owner, operator, or appointed representative shall request inspection 
56.14 	and pay the inspection fee for each subsequent engagement or setup at the time of the initial 
56.15 	inspection. For subsequent engagements or setups not listed on the itinerary or schedule 
56.16 	submitted to the board commissioner and where the board commissioner is not notified at 
56.17 	least 48 hours in advance, a charge of $100 may be made in addition to all required fees.
56.18 	(e) Amusement rides, devices, concessions, attractions, or other units must be 
56.19 	inspected at their first appearance of the year. The inspection fee is $20 $35 per unit with a 
56.20 	supply of up to 60 amperes and $30 $40 per unit with a supply above 60 amperes.
56.21 	(f) An additional fee at the hourly rate specified in subdivision 10 must be charged 
56.22 	for additional time spent by each inspector if equipment is not ready or available for 
56.23 	inspection at the time and date specified on the application for initial inspection or the 
56.24 	request for electrical inspection form.
56.25 	(g) In addition to the fees specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), a fee of two hours one 
56.26 	hour at the hourly rate specified in subdivision 10 must be charged for inspections required 
56.27 	to be performed on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or after regular business hours.
56.28 	(h) The fee for reinspection of corrections or supplemental inspections where an 
56.29 	additional trip is necessary may be assessed as specified in subdivision 8.
56.30 	(i) The board may commissioner shall retain the inspection fee when an owner, 
56.31 	operator, or appointed representative of a transitory enterprise fails to notify the board
56.32 	commissioner at least 48 hours in advance of a scheduled inspection that is canceled.
56.33 		Subd. 11a.Negotiated fee. When the fee calculated in accordance with subdivisions 
56.34 	2 to 11 results in a total fee that unreasonably exceeds the cost of inspection, the 
56.35 	commissioner may negotiate a fee that more reasonably offsets the cost of inspection.
57.1 		Subd. 12.Handling fee. The handling fee to pay the cost of printing and handling 
57.2 	of the paper form requesting an electrical inspection is up to $1.
57.3 		Subd. 13.National Electrical Code used for interpretation of provisions. For 
57.4 	purposes of interpretation of this section and Minnesota Rules, chapter 3800, the most 
57.5 	recently adopted edition of the National Electrical Code shall be prima facie evidence of 
57.6 	the definitions, interpretations, and scope of words and terms used.

57.7 	Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.37, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
57.8 		Subdivision 1.Rules. The state commissioner of health Plumbing Board may, by 
57.9 	rule, prescribe minimum standards which shall be uniform, and which standards shall 
57.10 	thereafter be effective for all new plumbing installations, including additions, extensions, 
57.11 	alterations, and replacements connected with any water or sewage disposal system owned 
57.12 	or operated by or for any municipality, institution, factory, office building, hotel, apartment 
57.13 	building, or any other place of business regardless of location or the population of the 
57.14 	city or town in which located. Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 
57.15 	4715.3130, as they apply to review of plans and specifications, the commissioner may 
57.16 	allow plumbing construction, alteration, or extension to proceed without approval of the 
57.17 	plans or specifications by the commissioner.
57.18 	Except for powers granted to the Plumbing Board, the commissioner of labor and 
57.19 	industry shall administer the provisions of sections 326.37 to 326.45 and for such purposes 
57.20 	may employ plumbing inspectors and other assistants.

57.21 	Sec. 62. [326.372] PLUMBING BOARD.
57.22 		Subdivision 1.Composition. (a) The Plumbing Board shall consist of 12 voting 
57.23 	members who must be residents of the state, appointed by the governor, and confirmed 
57.24 	by the senate. The commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner's designee 
57.25 	shall be a voting member. The first appointed board members shall serve an initial term 
57.26 	of four years, except where designated otherwise. The governor shall then reappoint the 
57.27 	current members or appoint replacement members, all or in part, to subsequent three-year 
57.28 	terms. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies 
57.29 	occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the 
57.30 	existing term and the following three-year term. Of the 11 appointed members, the 
57.31 	composition shall be as follows:
57.32 	(1) two members shall be municipal plumbing inspectors, one from the seven-county 
57.33 	metro area and one from greater Minnesota;
57.34 	(2) one member shall be a licensed mechanical engineer;
58.1 	(3) two members serving an initial term of three years shall be plumbing contractors 
58.2 	or the representative of the contractor, engaged in a commercial scope of plumbing 
58.3 	contracting, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota;
58.4 	(4) two members serving an initial term of three years shall be plumbing contractors 
58.5 	or their representatives, engaged in the residential scope of plumbing contracting, one 
58.6 	from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota; 
58.7 	(5) two members serving an initial term of two years shall be plumbing 
58.8 	journeypersons engaged in a commercial scope of plumbing systems installation, one 
58.9 	from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota; and
58.10 	(6) two members serving an initial term of two years shall be plumbing 
58.11 	journeypersons engaged in a residential scope of plumbing systems installation, one from 
58.12 	the metro area and one from greater Minnesota.
58.13 	(b) Except for the licensed mechanical engineer, all persons appointed to the 
58.14 	council must possess a current Minnesota plumbing license and maintain the license for 
58.15 	the duration of their term.
58.16 		Subd. 2.Powers. (a) The board shall have the power to:
58.17 	(1) elect its chairperson;
58.18 	(2) specify the plumbing code that must be followed in this state;
58.19 	(3) maintain a review process to make determinations regarding any complaints, 
58.20 	code amendments, code compliance, and code clarifications filed with the board;
58.21 	(4) adopt rules necessary for the regulation and licensing of contractors, 
58.22 	journeypersons, apprentices, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, and 
58.23 	alteration of plumbing systems that would include issuing, renewing, revoking, refusing 
58.24 	to renew, and suspending a plumbing license, except for persons licensed under sections 
58.25 	326.02 to 326.15;
58.26 	(5) adopt rules necessary for continuing education for individuals regulated and 
58.27 	licensed under this section; 
58.28 	(6) make recommendations to the commissioner regarding educational requirements 
58.29 	for plumbing inspectors; and 
58.30 	(7) pay expenses deemed necessary in the performance of board duties, including: 
58.31 	(i) rent, utilities, and supplies in the manner and amount specified in section 43A.18, 
58.32 	subdivision 2; and 
58.33 	(ii) per diem and expenses for its members as provided in section 15.0575, 
58.34 	subdivision 3.
58.35 	(b) Requests under the review process in paragraph (a), clause (3), may originate 
58.36 	with the municipal inspectors, the plumbing contractors or their employees, and other 
59.1 	persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of plumbing systems. The board 
59.2 	shall make its findings known to all parties and the commissioner of labor and industry 
59.3 	within the time period specified by the board.
59.4 		Subd. 3.Fees and finances. The board shall submit an annual budget to the 
59.5 	commissioner of labor and industry. The commissioner shall collect fees under section 
59.6 	326.42 necessary for the operation and continuance of the board. The commissioner is 
59.7 	responsible for the enforcement of the codes and licensing requirements determined by 
59.8 	the board. The board shall set the fees for licenses and certification under this section. 
59.9 	The commissioner of finance shall make a quarterly certification of the amount necessary 
59.10 	to pay expenses required for operation of the board under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), 
59.11 	clause (6). The certified amount is appropriated to the board for those purposes from 
59.12 	the fees collected under section 326.42.

59.13 	Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.38, is amended to read:
59.14 	326.38 LOCAL REGULATIONS.
59.15 	Any city having a system of waterworks or sewerage, or any town in which reside 
59.16 	over 5,000 people exclusive of any statutory cities located therein, or the metropolitan 
59.17 	airports commission, may, by ordinance, adopt local regulations providing for plumbing 
59.18 	permits, bonds, approval of plans, and inspections of plumbing, which regulations are 
59.19 	not in conflict with the plumbing standards on the same subject prescribed by the state 
59.20 	commissioner of health Plumbing Board. No city or such town shall prohibit plumbers 
59.21 	licensed by the state commissioner of health from engaging in or working at the business, 
59.22 	except cities and statutory cities which, prior to April 21, 1933, by ordinance required 
59.23 	the licensing of plumbers. Any city by ordinance may prescribe regulations, reasonable 
59.24 	standards, and inspections and grant permits to any person, firm, or corporation engaged 
59.25 	in the business of installing water softeners, who is not licensed as a master plumber or 
59.26 	journeyman plumber by the state commissioner of health labor and industry, to connect 
59.27 	water softening and water filtering equipment to private residence water distribution 
59.28 	systems, where provision has been previously made therefor and openings left for that 
59.29 	purpose or by use of cold water connections to a domestic water heater; where it is not 
59.30 	necessary to rearrange, make any extension or alteration of, or addition to any pipe, fixture 
59.31 	or plumbing connected with the water system except to connect the water softener, and 
59.32 	provided the connections so made comply with minimum standards prescribed by the state 
59.33 	commissioner of health Plumbing Board.

59.34 	Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
60.1 		Subdivision 1.License required; master and journeyman plumbers. In any city 
60.2 	now or hereafter having 5,000 or more population, according to the last federal census, and 
60.3 	having a system of waterworks or sewerage, no person, firm, or corporation shall engage 
60.4 	in or work at the business of a master plumber or journeyman plumber unless licensed 
60.5 	to do so by the state commissioner of health labor and industry. A master plumber may 
60.6 	also work as a journeyman plumber. Anyone not so licensed may do plumbing work 
60.7 	which complies with the provisions of the minimum standard prescribed by the state 
60.8 	commissioner of health Plumbing Board on premises or that part of premises owned and 
60.9 	actually occupied by the worker as a residence, unless otherwise forbidden to do so by 
60.10 	a local ordinance.
60.11 	In any such city no person, firm, or corporation shall engage in the business of 
60.12 	installing plumbing nor install plumbing in connection with the dealing in and selling of 
60.13 	plumbing material and supplies unless at all times a licensed master plumber, who shall 
60.14 	be responsible for proper installation, is in charge of the plumbing work of the person, 
60.15 	firm, or corporation.
60.16 	The Department of Health Plumbing Board shall prescribe rules, not inconsistent 
60.17 	herewith, for the examination and licensing of plumbers.

60.18 	Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.401, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
60.19 		Subd. 2.Journeyman exam. A plumber's apprentice who has completed four years 
60.20 	of practical plumbing experience is eligible to take the journeyman plumbing examination. 
60.21 	Up to 24 months of practical plumbing experience prior to registration as an apprentice 
60.22 	may be applied to the four-year experience requirement. However, none of this practical 
60.23 	plumbing experience may be applied if the person did not have any practical plumbing 
60.24 	experience in the 12-month period immediately prior to registration. The commissioner
60.25 	Plumbing Board may adopt rules to evaluate whether the person's past practical plumbing 
60.26 	experience is applicable in preparing for the journeyman's examination. If two years 
60.27 	after completing the training the person has not taken the examination, the four years 
60.28 	of experience shall be forfeited.
60.29 	The commissioner may allow an extension of the two-year period for taking the 
60.30 	exam for cases of hardship or other appropriate circumstances.

60.31 	Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.42, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
60.32 		Subdivision 1.Application. Applications for plumber's license shall be made to the 
60.33 	state commissioner of health labor and industry, with fee. Unless the applicant is entitled 
60.34 	to a renewal, the applicant shall be licensed by the state commissioner of health labor and 
61.1 	industry only after passing a satisfactory examination administered by the examiners
61.2 	commissioner of labor and industry, based upon rules adopted by the Plumbing Board
61.3 	showing fitness. Examination fees for both journeyman and master plumbers shall be in 
61.4 	an amount prescribed by the state commissioner of health labor and industry pursuant to 
61.5 	section 144.122. Upon being notified that of having successfully passed the examination 
61.6 	for original license the applicant shall submit an application, with the license fee herein 
61.7 	provided. License fees shall be in an amount prescribed by the state commissioner of 
61.8 	health labor and industry pursuant to section 144.122. Licenses shall expire and be 
61.9 	renewed as prescribed by the commissioner pursuant to section 144.122. 

61.10 	Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.46, is amended to read:
61.11 	326.46 SUPERVISION OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING.
61.12 	The Department of Labor and Industry shall supervise all high pressure piping 
61.13 	used on all projects in this state, and may prescribe minimum standards which shall be 
61.14 	uniform under rules adopted by the board.
61.15 	The department shall employ inspectors and other assistants to carry out the 
61.16 	provisions of sections 326.46 to 326.52. 

61.17 	Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.461, is amended by adding a subdivision 
61.18 	to read:
61.19 		Subd. 1a.Board. "Board" means the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems.

61.20 	Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.47, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
61.21 		Subd. 2.Permissive municipal regulation. A municipality may, by ordinance, 
61.22 	provide for the inspection of high pressure piping system materials and construction, and 
61.23 	provide that it shall not be constructed or installed except in accordance with minimum 
61.24 	state standards. The authority designated by the ordinance for issuing high pressure piping 
61.25 	permits and assuring compliance with state standards must report to the Department of 
61.26 	Labor and Industry all violations of state high pressure piping standards.
61.27 	A municipality may not adopt an ordinance with high pressure piping standards that 
61.28 	does not conform to the uniform standards prescribed by the Department of Labor and 
61.29 	Industry board. The Department of Labor and Industry board shall specify by rule the 
61.30 	minimum qualifications for municipal inspectors.

61.31 	Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.47, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
62.1 		Subd. 6.Filing and inspection fees. The Department of Labor and Industry 
62.2 	must charge a filing fee set by the commissioner board under section 16A.1285 for all 
62.3 	applications for permits to construct or install high pressure piping systems. The fee for 
62.4 	inspection of high pressure piping system construction or installation shall be set by the 
62.5 	commissioner board under section 16A.1285. This subdivision does not apply where a 
62.6 	permit is issued by a municipality complying with subdivision 2. 

62.7 	Sec. 71. [326.471] BOARD OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING SYSTEMS.
62.8 		Subdivision 1.Composition. (a) The Board of High Pressure Piping Systems shall 
62.9 	consist of 12 members who must be residents of the state, appointed by the governor, and 
62.10 	confirmed by the senate. The commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry or 
62.11 	the commissioner's designee shall be a voting member. The first appointed board members 
62.12 	shall serve an initial term of four years, except where designated otherwise. The governor 
62.13 	shall then reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members, all or in part, to 
62.14 	subsequent three-year terms. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion 
62.15 	of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term 
62.16 	shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Of the 11 appointed 
62.17 	members, the composition shall be as follows:
62.18 	(1) one member shall be a high pressure piping inspector;
62.19 	(2) one member shall be a licensed mechanical engineer;
62.20 	(3) one member shall be a representative of the piping industry;
62.21 	(4) four members shall be high pressure piping contractors or their representatives, 
62.22 	engaged in the scope of high pressure piping, two from the metro area and two from 
62.23 	greater Minnesota;
62.24 	(5) two members shall be high pressure piping journeypersons engaged in the scope 
62.25 	of high pressure piping systems installation, one from the metro area and one from greater 
62.26 	Minnesota; and
62.27 	(6) two members shall be representatives from utility companies in Minnesota 
62.28 	who shall serve an initial term of two years.
62.29 	(b) Except for the licensed mechanical engineer and the members from utilities 
62.30 	companies, all persons appointed to the board must possess a current license or 
62.31 	competency credential required for contractors and persons engaged in the design, 
62.32 	installation, alteration, and inspection of high pressure piping systems.
62.33 		Subd. 2.Powers. (a) The board shall have the power to:
62.34 	(1) elect its chair;
62.35 	(2) specify the high pressure piping code that must be followed in Minnesota;
63.1 	(3) maintain an appeals committee to make determinations regarding any complaints, 
63.2 	code amendments, code compliance, and code clarifications filed with the board;
63.3 	(4) adopt rules necessary for the regulation and licensing of contractors, 
63.4 	journeypersons, trainees, and persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and 
63.5 	inspection of high pressure piping systems, except for persons licensed under sections 
63.6 	326.02 to 326.15;
63.7 	(5) adopt rules necessary for continuing education for individuals regulated and 
63.8 	licensed under this section; and
63.9 	(6) pay expenses deemed necessary in the performance of board duties, including: 
63.10 	(i) rent, utilities, and supplies in the manner and amount specified in section 43A.18, 
63.11 	subdivision 2; and 
63.12 	(ii) per diem and expenses for its members as provided in section 15.0575, 
63.13 	subdivision 3.
63.14 	(b) Complaints filed under this section may originate with high pressure piping 
63.15 	inspectors, contractors, or their employees, or other persons engaged in the design, 
63.16 	installation, and alteration of a high pressure piping system. The board shall make their 
63.17 	findings known to all parties and the commissioner of the Department of Labor and 
63.18 	Industry within the time period specified by the board.
63.19 		Subd. 3.Fees and finances. The board shall submit an annual budget to the 
63.20 	commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry. The commissioner shall collect 
63.21 	fees under section 326.47, subdivision 6, necessary for the operation and continuance 
63.22 	of the board. The commissioner is responsible for the enforcement of the codes and 
63.23 	licensing requirements determined by the board. The board shall set the fees for licenses 
63.24 	and certification under this section and for all high pressure piping system permits and 
63.25 	submit the fee structure to the commissioner of labor and industry.  The commissioner 
63.26 	of finance shall make a quarterly certification of the amount necessary to pay expenses 
63.27 	required for operation of the board under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (6). The 
63.28 	certified amount is appropriated to the board for those purposes from the fees collected 
63.29 	under section 326.50.

63.30 	Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.48, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
63.31 		Subdivision 1.License required; rules; time credit. No person shall engage in 
63.32 	or work at the business of a contracting pipefitter unless issued an individual contracting 
63.33 	pipefitter license to do so by the Department of Labor and Industry under rules prescribed 
63.34 	by the board. No license shall be required for repairs on existing installations. No 
63.35 	person shall engage in or work at the business of journeyman pipefitter unless issued an 
64.1 	individual journeyman pipefitter competency license to do so by the Department of Labor 
64.2 	and Industry under rules prescribed by the board. A person possessing an individual 
64.3 	contracting pipefitter competency license may also work as a journeyman pipefitter.
64.4 	No person, partnership, firm, or corporation shall install high pressure piping, nor 
64.5 	install high pressure piping in connection with the dealing in and selling of high pressure 
64.6 	pipe material and supplies, unless, at all times, a person possessing a contracting pipefitter 
64.7 	individual competency license or a journeyman pipefitter individual competency license is 
64.8 	responsible for the high pressure pipefitting work conducted by the person, partnership, 
64.9 	firm, or corporation being in conformity with Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules.
64.10 	The Department of Labor and Industry board shall prescribe rules, not inconsistent 
64.11 	herewith, for the examination and individual competency licensing of contracting 
64.12 	pipefitters and journeyman pipefitters and for issuance of permits by the department and 
64.13 	municipalities for the installation of high pressure piping.
64.14 	An employee performing the duties of inspector for the Department of Labor and 
64.15 	Industry in regulating pipefitting shall not receive time credit for the inspection duties 
64.16 	when making an application for a license required by this section.

64.17 	Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.48, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
64.18 		Subd. 2.High pressure pipefitting business license. Before obtaining a permit 
64.19 	for high pressure piping work, a person, partnership, firm, or corporation must obtain or 
64.20 	utilize a business with a high pressure piping business license.
64.21 	A person, partnership, firm, or corporation must have at all times as a full-time 
64.22 	employee at least one individual holding an individual contracting pipefitter competency 
64.23 	license. Only full-time employees who hold individual contracting pipefitter licenses 
64.24 	are authorized to obtain high pressure piping permits in the name of the business. The 
64.25 	individual contracting pipefitter competency license holder can be the employee of only 
64.26 	one high pressure piping business at a time.
64.27 	To retain its business license without reapplication, a person, partnership, firm, or 
64.28 	corporation holding a high pressure piping business license that ceases to employ a person 
64.29 	holding an individual contracting pipefitter competency license shall have 60 days from 
64.30 	the last day of employment of its previous individual contracting pipefitter competency 
64.31 	license holder to employ another license holder. The Department of Labor and Industry 
64.32 	must be notified no later than five days after the last day of employment of the previous 
64.33 	license holder.
64.34 	No high pressure pipefitting work may be performed during any period when the 
64.35 	high pressure pipefitting business does not have an individual contracting pipefitter 
65.1 	competency license holder on staff. If a license holder is not employed within 60 days, 
65.2 	the pipefitting business license shall lapse.
65.3 	The Department of Labor and Industry board shall prescribe by rule procedures for 
65.4 	application for and issuance of business licenses and fees.

65.5 	Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.50, is amended to read:
65.6 	326.50 APPLICATION; FEES.
65.7 	Application for an individual contracting pipefitter competency or an individual 
65.8 	journeyman pipefitter competency license shall be made to the Department of Labor and 
65.9 	Industry, with fees. The applicant shall be licensed only after passing an examination
65.10 	administered by the Department of Labor and Industry in accordance with rules adopted 
65.11 	by the board.

65.12 	Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.51, is amended to read:
65.13 	326.51 DEPARTMENT MAY REVOKE LICENSES.
65.14 	The department board may revoke or suspend, for cause, any license obtained 
65.15 	through error or fraud, or if the licensee is shown to be incompetent, or for a violation 
65.16 	of any of its rules and regulations applicable to high pressure pipefitting work. The 
65.17 	licensee shall have notice, in writing, enumerating the charges, and be entitled to a hearing 
65.18 	on at least ten days' notice, with the right to produce testimony. The hearing shall be 
65.19 	held pursuant to chapter 14. The commissioner board shall issue a final order based on 
65.20 	testimony and the record at hearing. One year from the date of revocation application 
65.21 	may be made for a new license.

65.22 	Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.52, is amended to read:
65.23 	326.52 DEPOSIT OF FEES.
65.24 	All fees received under sections 326.46 to 326.52 shall be deposited by the 
65.25 	Department of Labor and Industry to the credit of the general fund in the state treasury. 
65.26 	The salaries and per diem of the inspectors and examiners hereinbefore provided, their 
65.27 	expenses, and all incidental expenses of the department and board in carrying out the 
65.28 	provisions of sections 326.46 to 326.52 shall be paid from the appropriations made to the 
65.29 	Department of Labor and Industry. The commissioner board by rule shall set the amount 
65.30 	of the fees at a level that approximates, to the greatest extent possible, the salaries, per 
65.31 	diem, and incidental expenses of the department.

66.1 	Sec. 77. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.975, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
66.2 		Subdivision 1.Generally. (a) In addition to any other fees, each applicant for a 
66.3 	license under sections 326.83 to 326.98 shall pay a fee to the contractor's recovery fund. 
66.4 	The contractor's recovery fund is created in the state treasury and must be administered 
66.5 	by the commissioner in the manner and subject to all the requirements and limitations 
66.6 	provided by section 82.43with the following exceptions:.
66.7 	(1) each licensee who renews a license shall pay in addition to the appropriate 
66.8 	renewal fee an additional fee which shall be credited to the contractor's recovery fund. The 
66.9 	amount of the fee shall be based on the licensee's gross annual receipts for the licensee's 
66.10 	most recent fiscal year preceding the renewal, on the following scale:

66.11		Fee
	Gross Receipts
	
66.12		$100
	under $1,000,000
	
66.13		$150
	$1,000,000 to $5,000,000
	
66.14		$200
	over $5,000,000
	
66.15 	Any person who receives a new license shall pay a fee based on the same scale;
66.16 	(2) (b) The purpose of this fund is:
66.17 	(i)(1) to compensate any aggrieved owner or lessee of residential property located 
66.18 	within this state who obtains a final judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction 
66.19 	against a licensee licensed under section 326.84, on grounds of fraudulent, deceptive, or 
66.20 	dishonest practices, conversion of funds, or failure of performance arising directly out 
66.21 	of any transaction when the judgment debtor was licensed and performed any of the 
66.22 	activities enumerated under section 326.83, subdivision 19, on the owner's residential 
66.23 	property or on residential property rented by the lessee, or on new residential construction 
66.24 	which was never occupied prior to purchase by the owner, or which was occupied by the 
66.25 	licensee for less than one year prior to purchase by the owner, and which cause of action 
66.26 	arose on or after April 1, 1994; and
66.27 	(ii)(2) to reimburse the Department of Commerce for all legal and administrative 
66.28 	expenses, including staffing costs, incurred in administering the fund;.
66.29 	(3) Nothing may obligate the fund for more than $50,000 per claimant, nor more 
66.30 	than $75,000 per licensee; and.
66.31 	(4) Nothing may obligate the fund for claims based on a cause of action that arose 
66.32 	before the licensee paid the recovery fund fee set in clause (1), or as provided in section 
66.33 	326.945, subdivision 3.
66.34 	(b)(c) Should the commissioner pay from the contractor's recovery fund any amount 
66.35 	in settlement of a claim or toward satisfaction of a judgment against a licensee, the 
66.36 	license shall be automatically suspended upon the effective date of an order by the court 
67.1 	authorizing payment from the fund. No licensee shall be granted reinstatement until the 
67.2 	licensee has repaid in full, plus interest at the rate of 12 percent a year, twice the amount 
67.3 	paid from the fund on the licensee's account, and has obtained a surety bond issued by an 
67.4 	insurer authorized to transact business in this state in the amount of at least $40,000.

67.5 	Sec. 78. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.992, is amended to read:
67.6 	326.992 BOND REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTORS.
67.7 	(a) A person contracting to do gas, heating, ventilation, cooling, air conditioning, 
67.8 	fuel burning, or refrigeration work must give bond to the state in the amount of 
67.9 	$25,000 for all work entered into within the state. The bond must be for the benefit of 
67.10 	persons suffering financial loss by reason of the contractor's failure to comply with the 
67.11 	requirements of the State Mechanical Code. A bond given to the state must be filed with 
67.12 	the commissioner of administrationlabor and industry and is in lieu of all other bonds to 
67.13 	any political subdivision required for work covered by this section. The bond must be 
67.14 	written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state.
67.15 	(b) The commissioner of administrationlabor and industry may charge each person 
67.16 	giving bond under this section an annual bond filing fee of $15. The money must be 
67.17 	deposited in a special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner to cover the 
67.18 	cost of administering the bond program.

67.19 	Sec. 79. [326B.04] DEPOSIT OF MONEY.
67.20 		Subdivision 1.Construction code fund. There is created in the state treasury 
67.21 	a construction code fund as a special revenue fund for the purpose of administering this 
67.22 	chapter, sections 327.31 to 327.36, and chapter 327B. All money collected under those 
67.23 	sections, except penalties, is credited to the construction code fund unless otherwise 
67.24 	specifically designated by law. Any interest or profit accruing from investment of these 
67.25 	sums is credited to the construction code fund. All money collected in the construction 
67.26 	code fund is appropriated to the commissioner of labor and industry to administer and 
67.27 	enforce the provisions of the laws identified in this section.
67.28 	Unless otherwise provided by law, all penalties assessed under this chapter, section 
67.29 	327.35, and chapter 327B are credited to the assigned risk safety account established 
67.30 	by section 79.253.
67.31 		Subd. 2.Deposits. All remaining balances as of June 30, 2007, in the state 
67.32 	government special revenue fund and special revenue fund accounts maintained for 
67.33 	the Building Codes and Standards Division, Board of Electricity, and plumbing and 
67.34 	engineering unit are transferred to the construction code fund. Unless otherwise 
68.1 	specifically designated by law: (1) all money collected under chapter 183 and sections 
68.2 	16B.59 to 16B.76; 144.122, paragraph (f); 181.723; 326.241 to 326.248; 326.37 to 
68.3 	326.521; 326.57 to 326.65; 326.83 to 326.992; 327.31 to 327.36; and 327B.01 to 
68.4 	327B.12, except penalties, is credited to the construction code fund; (2) all fees collected 
68.5 	under section 45.23 in connection with continuing education for residential contractors, 
68.6 	residential remodelers, and residential roofers are credited to the construction code fund; 
68.7 	and (3) all penalties assessed under the sections set forth in clauses (1) and (2) and all 
68.8 	penalties assessed under sections 144.99 to 144.993 in connection with any violation of 
68.9 	sections 326.37 to 326.45 or 326.57 to 327.65 or the rules adopted under those sections 
68.10 	are credited to the assigned risk safety account established by section 79.253.

68.11 	Sec. 80. [326B.89] CONTRACTOR RECOVERY FUND.
68.12 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms 
68.13 	have the meanings given them.
68.14 	(b) "Gross annual receipts" means the total amount derived from residential 
68.15 	contracting or residential remodeling activities, regardless of where the activities are 
68.16 	performed, and must not be reduced by costs of goods sold, expenses, losses, or any 
68.17 	other amount.
68.18 	(c) "Licensee" means a person licensed as a residential contractor or residential 
68.19 	remodeler.
68.20 	(d) "Residential real estate" means a new or existing building constructed for 
68.21 	habitation by one to four families, and includes detached garages.
68.22 	(e) "Fund" means the contractor recovery fund.
68.23 		Subd. 2.Generally. The contractor recovery fund is created in the state treasury 
68.24 	and shall be administered by the commissioner for the purposes described in this section. 
68.25 	Any interest or profit accruing from investment of money in the fund shall be credited 
68.26 	to the contractor recovery fund.
68.27 		Subd. 3.Fund fees. In addition to any other fees, a person who applies for or 
68.28 	renews a license under sections 326.83 to 326.98 shall pay a fee to the fund. The person 
68.29 	shall pay, in addition to the appropriate application or renewal fee, the following additional 
68.30 	fee that shall be deposited in the fund. The amount of the fee shall be based on the person's 
68.31 	gross annual receipts for the person's most recent fiscal year preceding the application or 
68.32 	renewal, on the following scale:

68.33		Fee
	Gross Annual Receipts
		
68.34		$160
	under $1,000,000
		
69.1		$210
	$1,000,000 to $5,000,000
		
69.2		$260
	over $5,000,000
		
69.3 		Subd. 4.Purpose of fund. The purpose of this fund is to:
69.4 	(1) compensate owners or lessees of residential real estate who meet the requirements 
69.5 	of this section;
69.6 	(2) reimburse the department for all legal and administrative expenses, 
69.7 	disbursements, and costs, including staffing costs, incurred in administering and defending 
69.8 	the fund;
69.9 	(3) pay for educational or research projects in the field of residential contracting to 
69.10 	further the purposes of sections 326B.801 to 326B.825; and
69.11 	(4) provide information to the public on residential contracting issues.
69.12 		Subd. 5.Payment limitations. Except as otherwise provided in this section, 
69.13 	the commissioner shall not pay compensation from the fund to an owner or a lessee 
69.14 	in an amount greater than $75,000. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the 
69.15 	commissioner shall not pay compensation from the fund to owners and lessees in an 
69.16 	amount that totals more than $150,000 per licensee. The commissioner shall not pay 
69.17 	compensation from the fund for a final judgment based on a cause of action that arose 
69.18 	before the commissioner's receipt of the licensee's fee required by subdivision 3.
69.19 		Subd. 6.Verified application. To be eligible for compensation from the fund, an 
69.20 	owner or lessee shall serve on the commissioner a verified application for compensation 
69.21 	on a form approved by the commissioner. The application shall verify the following 
69.22 	information:
69.23 	(1) the specific grounds upon which the owner or lessee seeks to recover from 
69.24 	the fund:
69.25 	(2) that the owner or the lessee has obtained a final judgment in a court of competent 
69.26 	jurisdiction against a licensee licensed under section 326B.803;
69.27 	(3) that the final judgment was obtained against the licensee on the grounds of 
69.28 	fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest practices, conversion of funds, or failure of performance 
69.29 	that arose directly out of a transaction that occurred when the licensee was licensed and 
69.30 	performing any of the special skills enumerated under section 326B.802, subdivision 19;
69.31 	(4) the amount of the owner's or the lessee's actual and direct out-of-pocket loss on 
69.32 	the owner's residential real estate, on residential real estate leased by the lessee, or on new 
69.33 	residential real estate that has never been occupied or that was occupied by the licensee 
69.34 	for less than one year prior to purchase by the owner;
69.35 	(5) that the residential real estate is located in Minnesota;
70.1 	(6) that the owner or the lessee is not the spouse of the licensee or the personal 
70.2 	representative of the licensee;
70.3 	(7) the amount of the final judgment, any amount paid in satisfaction of the final 
70.4 	judgment, and the amount owing on the final judgment as of the date of the verified 
70.5 	application; and
70.6 	(8) that the verified application is being served within two years after the judgment 
70.7 	became final.
70.8 	The owner's and the lessee's actual and direct out-of-pocket loss shall not include 
70.9 	attorney fees, interest on the loss, and interest on the final judgment obtained as a result of 
70.10 	the loss. An owner or lessee may serve a verified application regardless of whether the 
70.11 	final judgment has been discharged by a bankruptcy court. A judgment issued by a court is 
70.12 	final if all proceedings on the judgment have either been pursued and concluded or been 
70.13 	forgone, including all reviews and appeals. For purposes of this section, owners who are 
70.14 	joint tenants or tenants in common are deemed to be a single owner. For purposes of this 
70.15 	section, owners and lessees eligible for payment of compensation from the fund shall not 
70.16 	include government agencies, political subdivisions, financial institutions, and any other 
70.17 	entity that purchases, guarantees, or insures a loan secured by real estate.
70.18 		Subd. 7.Commissioner review. The commissioner shall within 120 days after 
70.19 	receipt of the verified application:
70.20 	(1) enter into an agreement with an owner or a lessee that resolves the verified 
70.21 	application for compensation from the fund; or
70.22 	(2) issue an order to the owner or the lessee accepting, modifying, or denying the 
70.23 	verified application for compensation from the fund.
70.24 	Upon receipt of an order issued under clause (2), the owner or the lessee shall have 
70.25 	30 days to serve upon the commissioner a written request for a hearing. If the owner or 
70.26 	the lessee does not serve upon the commissioner a timely written request for hearing, the 
70.27 	order issued under clause (2) shall become a final order of the commissioner that may not 
70.28 	be reviewed by any court or agency. The commissioner shall order compensation from 
70.29 	the fund only if the owner or the lessee has filed a verified application that complies with 
70.30 	subdivision 6 and if the commissioner determines based on review of the application that 
70.31 	compensation should be paid from the fund. The commissioner shall not be bound by any 
70.32 	prior settlement, compromise, or stipulation between the owner or the lessee and the 
70.33 	licensee.
70.34 		Subd. 8.Administrative hearing. If an owner or a lessee timely serves a request 
70.35 	for hearing under subdivision 7, the commissioner shall request that an administrative law 
70.36 	judge be assigned and that a hearing be conducted under the contested case provisions 
71.1 	of chapter 14 within 30 days after the service of the request for hearing upon the 
71.2 	commissioner. Upon petition of the commissioner, the administrative law judge shall 
71.3 	continue the hearing up to 60 days and upon a showing of good cause may continue the 
71.4 	hearing for such additional period as the administrative law judge deems appropriate. 
71.5 	At the hearing the owner or the lessee shall have the burden of proving by substantial 
71.6 	evidence under subdivision 6, clauses (1) to (8). The administrative law judge shall issue 
71.7 	findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order. If the administrative law judge finds that 
71.8 	compensation should be paid to the owner or the lessee, the administrative law judge 
71.9 	shall order the commissioner to make payment from the fund of the amount it finds to be 
71.10 	payable pursuant to the provisions of and in accordance with the limitations contained in 
71.11 	this section. The order of the administrative law judge shall constitute the final decision of 
71.12 	the agency in the contested case. Judicial review of the administrative law judge's findings 
71.13 	of fact, conclusions of law, and order shall be in accordance with sections 14.63 to 14.69.
71.14 		Subd. 9.Satisfaction of applications for compensation. The commissioner shall 
71.15 	pay compensation from the fund to an owner or a lessee pursuant to the terms of an 
71.16 	agreement that has been entered into under subdivision 7, clause (1), or pursuant to a final 
71.17 	order that has been issued under subdivision 7, clause (2), or subdivision 8 by December 1 
71.18 	of the fiscal year following the fiscal year during which the agreement was entered into or 
71.19 	during which the order became final, subject to the limitations of this section. At the end 
71.20 	of each fiscal year the commissioner shall calculate the amount of compensation to be 
71.21 	paid from the fund pursuant to agreements that have been entered into under subdivision 
71.22 	7, clause (1), and final orders that have been issued under subdivision 7, clause (2), or 
71.23 	subdivision 8. If the calculated amount exceeds the amount available for payment, then 
71.24 	the commissioner shall allocate the amount available among the owners and the lessees 
71.25 	in the ratio that the amount agreed to or ordered to be paid to each owner or lessee 
71.26 	bears to the amount calculated. The commissioner shall mail notice of the allocation to 
71.27 	all owners and lessees not less than 45 days following the end of the fiscal year. Any 
71.28 	compensation paid by the commissioner in accordance with this subdivision shall be 
71.29 	deemed to satisfy and extinguish any right to compensation from the fund based upon the 
71.30 	verified application of the owner or lessee.
71.31 		 Subd. 10.Right of subrogation. If the commissioner pays compensation from the 
71.32 	fund to an owner or a lessee pursuant to an agreement under subdivision 7, clause (1), or a 
71.33 	final order issued under subdivision 7, clause (2), or subdivision 8, then the commissioner 
71.34 	shall be subrogated to all of the rights, title, and interest in the owner's or lessee's final 
71.35 	judgment in the amount of compensation paid from the fund and the owner or the lessee 
71.36 	shall assign to the commissioner all rights, title, and interest in the final judgment in 
72.1 	the amount of compensation paid. The commissioner shall deposit in the fund money 
72.2 	recovered under this subdivision.
72.3 		 Subd. 11.Effect of section on commissioner's authority. Nothing contained 
72.4 	in this section shall limit the authority of the commissioner to take disciplinary action 
72.5 	against a licensee under the provisions of this chapter. A licensee's repayment in full of 
72.6 	obligations to the fund shall not nullify or modify the effect of any other disciplinary 
72.7 	proceeding brought under the provisions of this chapter.
72.8 		 Subd. 12.Limitation. Nothing may obligate the fund to compensate:
72.9 	(1) insurers or sureties under subrogation or similar theories; or
72.10 	(2) owner of residential property for final judgments against a prior owner of the 
72.11 	residential property unless the claim is brought and judgment is rendered for breach of the 
72.12 	statutory warranty set forth in chapter 327A.
72.13 		 Subd. 13.Condominiums or townhouses. For purposes of this section, the owner 
72.14 	or the lessee of a condominium or townhouse is considered an owner or a lessee of 
72.15 	residential property regardless of the number of residential units per building.
72.16 		 Subd. 14.Accelerated compensation. (a) Payments made from the fund to 
72.17 	compensate owners and lessees that do not exceed the jurisdiction limits for conciliation 
72.18 	court matters as specified in section 491A.01 may be paid on an accelerated basis if all of 
72.19 	the requirements in paragraphs (b) and (c) have been satisfied.
72.20 	(b) The owner or the lessee has served upon the commissioner a verified application 
72.21 	for compensation that complies with the requirements set out in subdivision 6 and the 
72.22 	commissioner determines based on review of the application that compensation should be 
72.23 	paid from the fund. The commissioner shall calculate the actual and direct out-of-pocket 
72.24 	loss in the transaction, minus attorney fees, interest on the loss and on the judgment 
72.25 	obtained as a result of the loss, and any satisfaction of the judgment, and make payment 
72.26 	to the owner or the lessee up to the conciliation court jurisdiction limits within 15 days 
72.27 	after the owner or lessee serves the verified application.
72.28 	(c) The commissioner may pay compensation to owners or lessees that totals not 
72.29 	more than $50,000 per licensee per fiscal year under this accelerated process. The 
72.30 	commissioner may prorate the amount of compensation paid to owners or lessees under 
72.31 	this subdivision if applications submitted by owners and lessees seek compensation in 
72.32 	excess of $50,000 against a licensee. Any unpaid portion of a verified application that 
72.33 	has been prorated under this subdivision shall be satisfied in the manner set forth in 
72.34 	subdivision 9.
72.35 		 Subd. 15.Appropriation. Money in the fund is appropriated to the commissioner 
72.36 	for the purposes of this section.
73.1 		 Subd. 16.Additional assessment. If the balance in the fund is at any time less than 
73.2 	the commissioner determines is necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, every 
73.3 	licensee, when renewing a license, shall pay, in addition to the annual renewal fee and 
73.4 	the fee set forth in subdivision 3 an assessment not to exceed $100. The commissioner 
73.5 	shall set the amount of assessment based on a reasonable determination of the amount 
73.6 	that is necessary to restore a balance in the fund that is adequate to carry out the purposes 
73.7 	of this section.

73.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective December 1, 2007, except that 
73.9 	subdivisions 1, 3, and 15 are effective July 1, 2007.

73.10 	Sec. 81. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.33, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
73.11 		Subd. 2.Fees. The commissioner shall by rule establish reasonable fees for seals, 
73.12 	installation seals and inspections which are sufficient to cover all costs incurred in the 
73.13 	administration of sections  327.31 to  327.35. The commissioner shall also establish by 
73.14 	rule a monitoring inspection fee in an amount that will comply with the secretary's fee 
73.15 	distribution program. This monitoring inspection fee shall be an amount paid by the 
73.16 	manufacturer for each manufactured home produced in Minnesota. The monitoring 
73.17 	inspection fee shall be paid by the manufacturer to the secretary. The rules of the 
73.18 	fee distribution program require the secretary to distribute the fees collected from all 
73.19 	manufactured home manufacturers among states approved and conditionally approved 
73.20 	based on the number of new manufactured homes whose first location after leaving the 
73.21 	manufacturer is on the premises of a distributor, dealer or purchaser in that state. All 
73.22 	money collected by the commissioner through fees prescribed by sections  327.31 to 
73.23 	327.36 shall be deposited in the state government special revenue fund and is appropriated 
73.24 	to the commissioner for the purpose of administering and enforcing the Manufactured 
73.25 	Home Building Code under sections  327.31 to  327.36.

73.26 	Sec. 82. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.33, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
73.27 		Subd. 6.Authorization as agency. The commissioner shall apply to the secretary 
73.28 	for approval of the commissioner as the administrative agency for the regulation of 
73.29 	manufactured homes under the rules of the secretary. The commissioner may make 
73.30 	rules for the administration and enforcement of department responsibilities as a state 
73.31 	administrative agency including, but not limited to, rules for the handling of citizen's 
73.32 	complaints. All money received for services provided by the commissioner or the 
73.33 	department's authorized agents as a state administrative agency shall be deposited in 
73.34 	the general construction code fund. The commissioner is charged with the adoption, 
74.1 	administration, and enforcement of the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety 
74.2 	Standards, consistent with rules and regulations promulgated by the United States 
74.3 	Department of Housing and Urban Development. The commissioner may adopt the 
74.4 	rules, codes, and standards necessary to enforce the standards promulgated under this 
74.5 	section. The commissioner is authorized to conduct hearings and presentations of views 
74.6 	consistent with regulations adopted by the United States Department of Housing and 
74.7 	Urban Development and to adopt rules in order to carry out this function.

74.8 	Sec. 83. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.04, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
74.9 		Subd. 7.Fees; licenses; when granted. Each application for a license or license 
74.10 	renewal must be accompanied by a fee in an amount established by the commissioner 
74.11 	by rule pursuant to section  327B.10. The fees shall be set in an amount which over 
74.12 	the fiscal biennium will produce revenues approximately equal to the expenses which 
74.13 	the commissioner expects to incur during that fiscal biennium while administering and 
74.14 	enforcing sections  327B.01 to  327B.12. All money collected by the commissioner 
74.15 	through fees prescribed in sections  327B.01 to  327B.12 shall be deposited in the state 
74.16 	government special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner for purposes of 
74.17 	administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner shall grant 
74.18 	or deny a license application or a renewal application within 60 days of its filing. If the 
74.19 	license is granted, the commissioner shall license the applicant as a dealer or manufacturer 
74.20 	for the remainder of the calendar year. Upon application by the licensee, the commissioner 
74.21 	shall renew the license for a two year period, if: 
74.22 	(a) the renewal application satisfies the requirements of subdivisions 3 and 4;
74.23 	(b) the renewal applicant has made all listings, registrations, notices and reports 
74.24 	required by the commissioner during the preceding year; and
74.25 	(c) the renewal applicant has paid all fees owed pursuant to sections  327B.01 to  
74.26 	327B.12 and all taxes, arrearages, and penalties owed to the state. 

74.27 	Sec. 84. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462A.21, subdivision 8b, is amended to read:
74.28 		Subd. 8b.Family rental housing. It may establish a family rental housing 
74.29 	assistance program to provide loans or direct rental subsidies for housing for families 
74.30 	with incomes of up to 80 percent of state median income, or to provide grants for the 
74.31 	operating cost of public housing. Priority must be given to those developments with 
74.32 	resident families with the lowest income. The development may be financed by the 
74.33 	agency or other public or private lenders. Direct rental subsidies must be administered by 
74.34 	the agency for the benefit of eligible families. Financial assistance provided under this 
75.1 	subdivision to recipients of aid to families with dependent children must be in the form 
75.2 	of vendor payments whenever possible. Loans, grants, and direct rental subsidies under 
75.3 	this subdivision may be made only with specific appropriations by the legislature. The 
75.4 	limitations on eligible mortgagors contained in section 462A.03, subdivision 13, do not 
75.5 	apply to loans for the rehabilitation of existing housing under this subdivision. 

75.6 	Sec. 85. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462A.33, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
75.7 		Subd. 3.Contribution requirement. Fifty percent of the funds appropriated for 
75.8 	this section must be used for challenge grants or loans which meet the requirements of this 
75.9 	subdivision for housing proposals with financial or in-kind contributions from nonstate 
75.10 	resources that reduce the need for deferred loan or grant funds from state resources. These
75.11 	Challenge grants or loans must be used for economically viable homeownership or rental 
75.12 	housing proposals that:
75.13 	(1) include a financial or in-kind contribution from an area employer and either a unit 
75.14 	of local government or a private philanthropic, religious, or charitable organization; and
75.15 	(2) address the housing needs of the local work force. Among comparable 
75.16 	proposals, preference shall be given to proposals that include contributions from nonstate 
75.17 	resources for the greatest portion of the total development cost. Comparable proposals 
75.18 	with contributions from local units of government or private philanthropic, religious, or 
75.19 	charitable organizations shall be given preference in awarding grants or loans.
75.20 	For the purpose of this subdivision, an employer a contribution may consist partially 
75.21 	or wholly of the premium paid for federal housing tax credits.
75.22 	Preference for grants and loans shall also be given to comparable proposals that 
75.23 	include a financial or in-kind contribution from a unit of local government, an area 
75.24 	employer, and a private philanthropic, religious, or charitable organization.

75.25 	Sec. 86. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 471.471, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
75.26 		Subd. 4.Application process. A person seeking a waiver shall apply to the 
75.27 	Building Code and Standards Division of the Department of Administration Labor and 
75.28 	Industry on a form prescribed by the board and pay a $70 fee to the construction code 
75.29 	fund. The division shall review the application to determine whether it appears to be 
75.30 	meritorious, using the standards set out in subdivision 3. The division shall forward 
75.31 	applications it considers meritorious to the board, along with a list and summary of 
75.32 	applications considered not to be meritorious. The board may require the division to 
75.33 	forward to it an application the division has considered not to be meritorious. The board 
75.34 	shall issue a decision on an application within 90 days of its receipt. A board decision 
76.1 	to approve an application must be unanimous. An application that contains false or 
76.2 	misleading information must be rejected.

76.3 	Sec. 87. TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY; BOARD OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING 
76.4 	SYSTEMS.
 76.5 	The authority of the commissioner of labor and industry to adopt rules relating to 
76.6 	high pressure piping systems is transferred to the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems. 
76.7 	Licenses and permits currently in effect remain in effect according to their terms unless 
76.8 	affected by board action. Rules adopted by the commissioner of labor and industry remain 
76.9 	in effect until amended or repealed by the board. The commissioner of administration 
76.10 	may not use the authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.37, to modify transfers of 
76.11 	authority in this act.

76.12 	Sec. 88. FIRST MEETING; APPOINTMENTS FOR BOARD OF HIGH 
76.13 	PRESSURE PIPING SYSTEMS.
 76.14 	The governor must complete the appointments required by Minnesota Statutes, 
76.15 	section 326.471, no later than July 1, 2007. The commissioner of labor and industry 
76.16 	shall convene the first meeting of the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems no later 
76.17 	than September 1, 2007.

76.18 	Sec. 89. TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY; PLUMBING BOARD.
 76.19 	The authority of the commissioners of health and labor and industry to adopt rules 
76.20 	relating to plumbers is transferred to the Plumbing Board. Licenses and permits currently 
76.21 	in effect remain in effect according to their terms unless affected by board action. Rules 
76.22 	adopted by the commissioner of health or labor and industry remain in effect until amended 
76.23 	or repealed by the board. The commissioner of administration may not use the authority 
76.24 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.37, to modify the transfers of authority in this act.

76.25 	Sec. 90. FIRST MEETING; APPOINTMENTS FOR PLUMBING BOARD.
 76.26 	The governor must complete the appointments required by Minnesota Statutes, 
76.27 	section 326.372, no later than July 1, 2007. The commissioner of labor and industry shall 
76.28 	convene the first meeting of the Plumbing Board no later than September 1, 2007.

76.29 	Sec. 91. STUDY.
 76.30 	The commissioner of labor and industry shall study ways to require workers' 
76.31 	compensation insurers to recognize compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 
77.1 	182.6553. The commissioner shall report by January 15, 2008, the results of the study 
77.2 	to the chairs of the policy committees of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over 
77.3 	workers' compensation issues.

77.4 	Sec. 92. SECURITY FILING FEES.
 77.5 	The commissioner of commerce must not refund any fee collected under Minnesota 
77.6 	Statutes, section 80A.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), beginning with fiscal year 2007.

77.7 	Sec. 93.  REPEALER.
 77.8 	(a) Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.747, subdivision 4; 16C.18, subdivision 
77.9 	2; 183.375, subdivision 5; 183.545, subdivision 9; 326.241; 326.44; 326.52; and 326.64,
77.10 	are repealed.
77.11 	(b) Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.975, is repealed effective December 
77.12 	1, 2007.
77.13 	(c) Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 181.722, is repealed effective January 1, 2009.

77.14 	Sec. 94. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 77.15 	Unless another effective date is expressly provided, this act is effective July 1, 2007.