1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government; establishing a biennial budget for jobs, labor, and 
1.3 	economic development; appropriating money for the Department of Labor and 
1.4 	Industry, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Bureau of 
1.5 	Mediation Services, and Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals; making labor 
1.6 	policy changes; establishing workforce standards for agriculture and food 
1.7 	processing workers, meat and poultry workers, and warehouse workers; establishing 
1.8 	a Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board; regulating combative sports; 
1.9 	prohibiting covenants not to compete; regulating building and construction 
1.10 	contracts; modifying provisions of the Public Employment Relations Board; 
1.11 	establishing wage protections for construction workers; establishing earned sick 
1.12 	and safe time; modifying economic development provisions; modifying Explore 
1.13 	Minnesota provisions; establishing a Capitol Area Community Vitality Task Force; 
1.14 	establishing the PROMISE Act; creating the Minnesota Forward Fund; creating 
1.15 	the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority; authorizing rulemaking; 
1.16 	requiring reports; creating accounts; creating penalties;amending Minnesota 
1.17 	Statutes 2022, sections 13.43, subdivision 6; 15.71, by adding subdivisions; 15.72, 
1.18 	by adding a subdivision; 116J.5492, subdivisions 8, 10; 116J.55, subdivisions 1, 
1.19 	5, 6; 116J.871, subdivisions 1, 2; 116J.8748, subdivisions 3, 4, 6, by adding a 
1.20 	subdivision; 116L.361, subdivision 7; 116L.362, subdivision 1; 116L.364, 
1.21 	subdivision 3; 116L.365, subdivision 1; 116L.56, subdivision 2; 116L.561, 
1.22 	subdivision 5; 116L.562, subdivision 2; 116U.05; 116U.10; 116U.15; 116U.20; 
1.23 	116U.30; 116U.35; 120A.414, subdivision 2; 122A.181, subdivision 5; 122A.26, 
1.24 	subdivision 2; 122A.40, subdivision 5; 122A.41, subdivision 2; 175.16, subdivision 
1.25 	1; 177.26, subdivisions 1, 2; 177.27, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, as amended, 7, 8, 9, 10; 
1.26 	177.42, subdivision 2; 178.01; 178.011, subdivision 7; 178.03, subdivision 1; 
1.27 	178.11; 179.86, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding subdivisions; 179A.03, subdivisions 
1.28 	14, 18, 19; 179A.041, by adding a subdivision; 179A.06, subdivision 6; 179A.07, 
1.29 	subdivisions 1, 6, by adding subdivisions; 179A.10, subdivision 2; 179A.12, 
1.30 	subdivisions 6, 11, by adding a subdivision; 181.03, subdivision 6; 181.032; 181.06, 
1.31 	subdivision 2; 181.14, subdivision 1; 181.171, subdivision 4; 181.172; 181.275, 
1.32 	subdivision 1; 181.635, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6; 181.85, subdivisions 2, 4; 181.86, 
1.33 	subdivision 1; 181.87, subdivisions 2, 3, 7; 181.88; 181.89, subdivision 2, by 
1.34 	adding a subdivision; 181.932, subdivision 1; 181.939; 181.940, subdivisions 2, 
1.35 	3; 181.941, subdivision 3; 181.9413; 181.942; 181.9435, subdivision 1; 181.9436; 
1.36 	181.944; 181.945, subdivision 3; 181.9456, subdivision 3; 181.956, subdivision 
1.37 	5; 181.964; 182.654, subdivision 11; 182.659, subdivisions 1, 8; 182.66, by adding 
1.38 	a subdivision; 182.661, by adding a subdivision; 182.666, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 
2.1 	5, by adding a subdivision; 182.676; 326B.092, subdivision 6; 326B.093, 
2.2 	subdivision 4; 326B.096; 326B.103, subdivision 13, by adding subdivisions; 
2.3 	326B.106, subdivisions 1, 4, by adding a subdivision; 326B.163, subdivision 5, 
2.4 	by adding a subdivision; 326B.164, subdivision 13; 326B.31, subdivision 30; 
2.5 	326B.32, subdivision 1; 326B.36, subdivision 7, by adding a subdivision; 326B.802, 
2.6 	subdivision 15; 326B.805, subdivision 6; 326B.921, subdivision 8; 326B.925, 
2.7 	subdivision 1; 326B.988; 337.01, subdivision 3; 337.05, subdivision 1; 341.21, 
2.8 	subdivisions 2a, 2b, 2c, 4f, 7, by adding a subdivision; 341.221; 341.25; 341.27; 
2.9 	341.28, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding subdivisions; 341.30, subdivision 4; 341.32, 
2.10 	subdivision 2; 341.321; 341.33; 341.355; 469.40, subdivision 11; 469.47, 
2.11 	subdivisions 1, 5, 6; 572B.17; Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 4, article 
2.12 	2, section 2, subdivision 1; article 8, section 30; Laws 2021, First Special Session 
2.13 	chapter 10, article 2, section 24; Laws 2023, chapter 24, sections 2, subdivisions 
2.14 	1, 2; 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 13; 16A; 
2.15 	116J; 116L; 116U; 177; 179; 181; 182; 216C; 327; 341; repealing Minnesota 
2.16 	Statutes 2022, sections 177.26, subdivision 3; 179A.12, subdivision 2; 181.9413; 
2.17 	Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 7, article 2, section 8, as amended.
2.18 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

2.19 	ARTICLE 1
2.20 	LABOR POLICY

2.21 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.871, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.22 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
2.23 	the meanings given them.
2.24 	(b) "Economic development" means financial assistance provided to a person directly 
2.25 	or to a local unit of government or nonprofit organization on behalf of a person who is 
2.26 	engaged in the manufacture or sale of goods and services. Economic development does not 
2.27 	include (1) financial assistance for rehabilitation of existing housing or; (2) financial 
2.28 	assistance for new housing construction in which total financial assistance at a single project 
2.29 	site is less than $100,000; or (3) financial assistance for the new construction of fully 
2.30 	detached single-family affordable homeownership units for which the financial assistance 
2.31 	covers no more than ten fully detached single-family affordable homeownership units. For 
2.32 	purposes of this paragraph, "affordable homeownership" means housing targeted at 
2.33 	households with incomes, at initial occupancy, at or below 115 percent of the state or area 
2.34 	median income, whichever is greater, as determined by the United States Department of 
2.35 	Housing and Urban Development.
2.36 	(c) "Financial assistance" means (1) a grant awarded by a state agency for economic 
2.37 	development related purposes if a single business receives $200,000 or more of the grant 
2.38 	proceeds; (2) a loan or the guaranty or purchase of a loan made by a state agency for 
2.39 	economic development related purposes if a single business receives $500,000 or more of 
2.40 	the loan proceeds; or (3) a reduction, credit, or abatement of a tax assessed under chapter 
3.1 	297A where the tax reduction, credit, or abatement applies to a geographic area smaller 
3.2 	than the entire state and was granted for economic development related purposes. Financial 
3.3 	assistance does not include payments by the state of aids and credits under chapter 273 or 
3.4 	477A to a political subdivision.
3.5 	(d) "Project site" means the location where improvements are made that are financed in 
3.6 	whole or in part by the financial assistance; or the location of employees that receive financial 
3.7 	assistance in the form of employment and training services as defined in section 116L.19, 
3.8 	subdivision 4, or customized training from a technical college.
3.9 	(e) "State agency" means any agency defined under section 16B.01, subdivision 2, 
3.10 	Enterprise Minnesota, Inc., and the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

3.11 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.871, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
3.12 		Subd. 2.Prevailing wage required. (a) A state agency may provide financial assistance 
3.13 	to a person only if the person receiving or benefiting from the financial assistance certifies 
3.14 	to the commissioner of labor and industry that laborers and mechanics at the project site 
3.15 	during construction, installation, remodeling, and repairs for which the financial assistance 
3.16 	was provided will be paid the prevailing wage rate as defined in section 177.42, subdivision 
3.17 	6. The person receiving or benefiting from the financial assistance is also subject to the 
3.18 	requirements and enforcement provisions of sections 177.27, 177.30, 177.32, 177.41 to 
3.19 	177.435, and 177.45.
3.20 	(b) For purposes of complying with section 177.30, paragraph (a), clauses (6) and (7), 
3.21 	the state agency awarding the financial assistance is considered the contracting authority 
3.22 	and the project is considered a public works project. The person receiving or benefiting 
3.23 	from the financial assistance shall notify all employers on the project of the record keeping 
3.24 	and reporting requirements in section 177.30, paragraph (a), clauses (6) and (7). Each 
3.25 	employer shall submit the required information to the contracting authority.

3.26 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 175.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
3.27 		Subdivision 1.Established. The Department of Labor and Industry shall consist of the 
3.28 	following divisions: Division of Workers' Compensation, Division of Construction Codes 
3.29 	and Licensing, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Statistics, Division 
3.30 	of Labor Standards, and Division of Apprenticeship, and such other divisions as the 
3.31 	commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry may deem necessary and establish. 
3.32 	Each division of the department and persons in charge thereof shall be subject to the 
3.33 	supervision of the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry and, in addition 
4.1 	to such duties as are or may be imposed on them by statute, shall perform such other duties 
4.2 	as may be assigned to them by the commissioner. Notwithstanding any other law to the 
4.3 	contrary, the commissioner is the administrator and supervisor of all of the department's 
4.4 	dispute resolution functions and personnel and may delegate authority to compensation 
4.5 	judges and others to make determinations under sections 176.106, 176.238, and 176.239
4.6 	and to approve settlement of claims under section 176.521.

4.7 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.26, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
4.8 		Subdivision 1.Creation. The Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship in the 
4.9 	Department of Labor and Industry is supervised and controlled by the commissioner of 
4.10 	labor and industry.

4.11 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.26, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
4.12 		Subd. 2.Powers and duties. The Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship shall 
4.13 	administer this chapter and chapters 178, 181, 181A, and 184.

4.14 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 2023, 
4.15 	chapter 30, section 1, is amended to read:
4.16 		Subd. 4.Compliance orders. The commissioner may issue an order requiring an 
4.17 	employer to comply with sections 177.21 to 177.435, 179.86,181.02, 181.03, 181.031, 
4.18 	181.032, 181.101, 181.11, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), 
4.19 	181.214 to 181.217, 181.275, subdivision 2a, 181.635, 181.722, 181.79, 181.85 to 181.89,
4.20 	181.939 to 181.943, and 181.987, or with any rule promulgated under section 177.28, 
4.21 	181.213, or 181.215. The commissioner shall issue an order requiring an employer to comply 
4.22 	with sections 177.41 to 177.435 or 181.987 if the violation is repeated. For purposes of this 
4.23 	subdivision only, a violation is repeated if at any time during the two years that preceded 
4.24 	the date of violation, the commissioner issued an order to the employer for violation of 
4.25 	sections 177.41 to 177.435 or 181.987 and the order is final or the commissioner and the 
4.26 	employer have entered into a settlement agreement that required the employer to pay back 
4.27 	wages that were required by sections 177.41 to 177.435. The department shall serve the 
4.28 	order upon the employer or the employer's authorized representative in person or by certified 
4.29 	mail at the employer's place of business. An employer who wishes to contest the order must 
4.30 	file written notice of objection to the order with the commissioner within 15 calendar days 
4.31 	after being served with the order. A contested case proceeding must then be held in 
4.32 	accordance with sections 14.57 to 14.69. If, within 15 calendar days after being served with 
5.1 	the order, the employer fails to file a written notice of objection with the commissioner, the 
5.2 	order becomes a final order of the commissioner.

5.3 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 178.01, is amended to read:
5.4 	178.01 PURPOSES.
5.5 	The purposes of this chapter are: to open to all people regardless of race, sex, creed, 
5.6 	color or national origin, the opportunity to obtain training and on-the-job learning that will 
5.7 	equip them for profitable employment and citizenship; to establish as a means to this end, 
5.8 	a program of voluntary apprenticeship under approved apprenticeship agreements providing 
5.9 	facilities for their training and guidance in the arts, skills, and crafts of industry and trade 
5.10 	or occupation, with concurrent, supplementary instruction in related subjects; to promote 
5.11 	apprenticeship opportunities under conditions providing adequate training and on-the-job 
5.12 	learning and reasonable earnings; to relate the supply of skilled workers to employment 
5.13 	demands; to establish standards for apprentice training; to establish an Apprenticeship Board 
5.14 	and apprenticeship committees to assist in effectuating the purposes of this chapter; to 
5.15 	provide for a Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship within the Department of 
5.16 	Labor and Industry; to provide for reports to the legislature regarding the status of apprentice 
5.17 	training in the state; to establish a procedure for the determination of apprenticeship 
5.18 	agreement controversies; and to accomplish related ends.

5.19 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 178.011, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
5.20 		Subd. 7.Division. "Division" means the department's Labor Standards and Apprenticeship 
5.21 	Division, established under sections 175.16 and 178.03, and the State Apprenticeship Agency 
5.22 	as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 29, part 29, section 29.2.

5.23 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 178.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
5.24 		Subdivision 1.Establishment of division. There is established a Division of Labor 
5.25 	Standards and Apprenticeship in the Department of Labor and Industry. This division shall 
5.26 	be administered by a director, and be under the supervision of the commissioner.

5.27 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 178.11, is amended to read:
5.28 	178.11 LABOR EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM.
5.29 	The commissioner shall establish the labor education advancement grant program for 
5.30 	the purpose of facilitating the participation or retention of minorities people of color, 
5.31 	Indigenous people, and women in apprenticeable trades and occupations registered 
6.1 	apprenticeship programs. The commissioner shall award grants to community-based and 
6.2 	nonprofit organizations and Minnesota Tribal governments as defined in section 10.65, 
6.3 	serving the targeted populations on a competitive request-for-proposal basis. Interested 
6.4 	organizations shall apply for the grants in a form prescribed by the commissioner. As part 
6.5 	of the application process, applicants must provide a statement of need for the grant, a 
6.6 	description of the targeted population and apprenticeship opportunities, a description of 
6.7 	activities to be funded by the grant, evidence supporting the ability to deliver services, 
6.8 	information related to coordinating grant activities with other employment and learning 
6.9 	programs, identification of matching funds, a budget, and performance objectives. Each 
6.10 	submitted application shall be evaluated for completeness and effectiveness of the proposed 
6.11 	grant activity.

6.12 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
6.13 		Subd. 2.State employees. (a) Unclassified employees, unless otherwise excluded, are 
6.14 	included within the units which include the classifications to which they are assigned for 
6.15 	purposes of compensation. Supervisory employees shall only be assigned to units 12, and
6.16 	16, and 18. The following are the appropriate units of executive branch state employees:
6.17 	(1) law enforcement unit;
6.18 	(2) craft, maintenance, and labor unit;
6.19 	(3) service unit;
6.20 	(4) health care nonprofessional unit;
6.21 	(5) health care professional unit;
6.22 	(6) clerical and office unit;
6.23 	(7) technical unit;
6.24 	(8) correctional guards unit;
6.25 	(9) state university instructional unit;
6.26 	(10) state college instructional unit;
6.27 	(11) state university administrative unit;
6.28 	(12) professional engineering unit;
6.29 	(13) health treatment unit;
6.30 	(14) general professional unit;
7.1 	(15) professional state residential instructional unit;
7.2 	(16) supervisory employees unit;
7.3 	(17) public safety radio communications operator unit; and
7.4 	(18) law enforcement supervisors unit. licensed peace officer special unit; and
7.5 	(19) licensed peace officer leader unit.
7.6 	Each unit consists of the classifications or positions assigned to it in the schedule of 
7.7 	state employee job classification and positions maintained by the commissioner. The 
7.8 	commissioner may only make changes in the schedule in existence on the day prior to 
7.9 	August 1, 1984, as required by law or as provided in subdivision 4.
7.10 	(b) The following positions are included in the licensed peace officer special unit:
7.11 	(1) State Patrol lieutenant;
7.12 	(2) NR district supervisor - enforcement;
7.13 	(3) assistant special agent in charge;
7.14 	(4) corrections investigation assistant director 2;
7.15 	(5) corrections investigation supervisor; and
7.16 	(6) commerce supervisor special agent.
7.17 	(c) The following positions are included in the licensed peace officer leader unit:
7.18 	(1) State Patrol captain;
7.19 	(2) NR program manager 2 enforcement; and
7.20 	(3) special agent in charge.

7.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

7.22 	Sec. 12. [181.536] POSTING OF VETERANS' BENEFITS AND SERVICES.
7.23 		Subdivision 1.Poster creation; content. (a) The commissioner shall consult with the 
7.24 	commissioner of veterans affairs to create and distribute a veterans' benefits and services 
7.25 	poster.
7.26 	(b) The poster must, at a minimum, include information regarding the following benefits 
7.27 	and services available to veterans:
7.28 	(1) contact and website information for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the 
7.29 	department's veterans' services program;
8.1 	(2) substance use disorder and mental health treatment;
8.2 	(3) educational, workforce, and training resources;
8.3 	(4) tax benefits;
8.4 	(5) Minnesota state veteran drivers' licenses and state identification cards;
8.5 	(6) eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits under state and federal law;
8.6 	(7) legal services; and
8.7 	(8) contact information for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Crisis 
8.8 	Line.
8.9 	(c) The commissioner must annually review the poster's content and update the poster 
8.10 	to include the most current information available.
8.11 		Subd. 2.Mandatory posting. Every employer in the state with more than 50 full-time 
8.12 	equivalent employees shall display the poster created pursuant to this section in a conspicuous 
8.13 	place accessible to employees in the workplace.

8.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

8.15 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.9435, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
8.16 		Subdivision 1.Investigation. The Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship shall 
8.17 	receive complaints of employees against employers relating to sections 181.172, paragraph 
8.18 	(a) or (d), and 181.939 to 181.9436 and investigate informally whether an employer may 
8.19 	be in violation of sections 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), and 181.939 to 181.9436. The 
8.20 	division shall attempt to resolve employee complaints by informing employees and employers 
8.21 	of the provisions of the law and directing employers to comply with the law. For complaints 
8.22 	related to section 181.939, the division must contact the employer within two business days 
8.23 	and investigate the complaint within ten days of receipt of the complaint.

8.24 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.9436, is amended to read:
8.25 	181.9436 POSTING OF LAW.
8.26 	The Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship shall develop, with the assistance 
8.27 	of interested business and community organizations, an educational poster stating employees' 
8.28 	rights under sections 181.940 to 181.9436. The department shall make the poster available, 
8.29 	upon request, to employers for posting on the employer's premises.

9.1 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.666, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
9.2 		Subdivision 1.Willful or repeated violations. Any employer who willfully or repeatedly 
9.3 	violates the requirements of section 182.653, or any standard, rule, or order adopted under 
9.4 	the authority of the commissioner as provided in this chapter, may be assessed a fine not to 
9.5 	exceed $70,000 $156,259 for each violation. The minimum fine for a willful violation is 
9.6 	$5,000 $11,162.

9.7 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.666, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
9.8 		Subd. 2.Serious violations. Any employer who has received a citation for a serious 
9.9 	violation of its duties under section 182.653, or any standard, rule, or order adopted under 
9.10 	the authority of the commissioner as provided in this chapter, shall be assessed a fine not 
9.11 	to exceed $7,000 $15,625 for each violation. If a serious violation under section 182.653, 
9.12 	subdivision 2, causes or contributes to the death of an employee, the employer shall be 
9.13 	assessed a fine of up to $25,000 for each violation.

9.14 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.666, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
9.15 		Subd. 3.Nonserious violations. Any employer who has received a citation for a violation 
9.16 	of its duties under section 182.653, subdivisions 2 to 4, where the violation is specifically 
9.17 	determined not to be of a serious nature as provided in section 182.651, subdivision 12, 
9.18 	may be assessed a fine of up to $7,000 $15,625 for each violation.

9.19 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.666, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
9.20 		Subd. 4.Failure to correct a violation. Any employer who fails to correct a violation 
9.21 	for which a citation has been issued under section 182.66 within the period permitted for 
9.22 	its correction, which period shall not begin to run until the date of the final order of the 
9.23 	commissioner in the case of any review proceedings under this chapter initiated by the 
9.24 	employer in good faith and not solely for delay or avoidance of penalties, may be assessed 
9.25 	a fine of not more than $7,000 $15,625 for each day during which the failure or violation 
9.26 	continues.

9.27 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.666, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
9.28 		Subd. 5.Posting violations. Any employer who violates any of the posting requirements, 
9.29 	as prescribed under this chapter, except those prescribed under section 182.661, subdivision 
9.30 	3a, shall be assessed a fine of up to $7,000 $15,625 for each violation.

10.1 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.666, is amended by adding a subdivision 
10.2 	to read:
10.3 		Subd. 6a.Increases for inflation. (a) The commissioner shall increase the fines in 
10.4 	subdivisions 1 to 5, except for the fine for a serious violation under section 182.653, 
10.5 	subdivision 2, that causes or contributes to the death of an employee, to the amounts of the 
10.6 	corresponding federal penalties for the specified violations promulgated in United States 
10.7 	Code, title 29, section 666, subsections (a) and (b), as amended through November 5, 1990, 
10.8 	and adjusted according to United States Code, title 28, section 2461, note (Federal Civil 
10.9 	Penalties Inflation Adjustment), as amended through November 2, 2015. A maximum fine 
10.10 	shall not be reduced under this subdivision. The fines shall be increased to the nearest one 
10.11 	dollar.
10.12 	(b) A fine increased under this subdivision takes effect on the next October 1 after any 
10.13 	increases to the corresponding federal penalties and applies to all fines assessed on or after 
10.14 	October 1.
10.15 	(c) No later than September 1 of each year, the commissioner shall give notice in the 
10.16 	State Register of any increases to the corresponding federal penalties and the resulting 
10.17 	increase to the fines in subdivisions 1 to 5.

10.18 	Sec. 21. [182.677] ERGONOMICS.
10.19 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the definitions in this 
10.20 	subdivision apply unless otherwise specified.
10.21 	(b) "Health care facility" means a hospital with a North American Industrial Classification 
10.22 	system code of 622110, 622210, or 622310; an outpatient surgical center with a North 
10.23 	American Industrial Classification system code of 621493; and a nursing home with a North 
10.24 	American Industrial Classification system code of 623110.
10.25 	(c) "Warehouse distribution center" means an employer with 100 or more employees in 
10.26 	Minnesota and a North American Industrial Classification system code of 493110, 423110 
10.27 	to 423990, 424110 to 424990, 454110, or 492110.
10.28 	(d) "Meatpacking site" means a meatpacking or poultry processing site with 100 or more 
10.29 	employees in Minnesota and a North American Industrial Classification system code of 
10.30 	311611 to 311615, except 311613.
10.31 	(e) "Musculoskeletal disorder" or "MSD" means a disorder of the muscles, nerves, 
10.32 	tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, blood vessels, or spinal discs.
11.1 		Subd. 2.Ergonomics program required. (a) Every licensed health care facility, 
11.2 	warehouse distribution center, or meatpacking site in the state shall create and implement 
11.3 	an effective written ergonomics program establishing the employer's plan to minimize the 
11.4 	risk of its employees developing or aggravating musculoskeletal disorders. The ergonomics 
11.5 	program shall focus on eliminating the risk. To the extent risk exists, the ergonomics program 
11.6 	must include feasible administrative or engineering controls to reduce the risk.
11.7 	(b) The program shall include:
11.8 	(1) an assessment to identify and reduce musculoskeletal disorder risk factors in the 
11.9 	facility;
11.10 	(2) an initial and ongoing training of employees on ergonomics and its benefits, including 
11.11 	the importance of reporting early symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders;
11.12 	(3) a procedure to ensure early reporting of musculoskeletal disorders to prevent or 
11.13 	reduce the progression of symptoms, the development of serious injuries, and lost-time 
11.14 	claims;
11.15 	(4) a process for employees to provide possible solutions that may be implemented to 
11.16 	reduce, control, or eliminate workplace musculoskeletal disorders;
11.17 	(5) procedures to ensure that physical plant modifications and major construction projects 
11.18 	are consistent with program goals; and
11.19 	(6) annual evaluations of the ergonomics program and whenever a change to the work 
11.20 	process occurs.
11.21 		Subd. 3.Annual evaluation of program required. There must be an established 
11.22 	procedure to annually assess the effectiveness of the ergonomics program, including 
11.23 	evaluation of the process to mitigate work-related risk factors in response to reporting of 
11.24 	symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders by employees. The annual assessment shall determine 
11.25 	the success of the implemented ergonomic solutions and whether goals set by the ergonomics 
11.26 	program have been met.
11.27 		Subd. 4.Employee training. (a) An employer subject to this section must train all  
11.28 	employees on the following:
11.29 	(1) the name of each individual on the employer's safety committee;
11.30 	(2) the facility's ergonomic program;
11.31 	(3) the early signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries and the procedures for 
11.32 	reporting them;
12.1 	(4) the procedures for reporting injuries and other hazards;
12.2 	(5) any administrative or engineering controls related to ergonomic hazards that are in 
12.3 	place or will be implemented for their positions; and
12.4 	(6) the requirements of subdivision 9.
12.5 	(b) New employees must be trained according to paragraph (a) prior to starting work. 
12.6 	Current employees must receive initial training and ongoing annual training in accordance 
12.7 	with the employer's ergonomics program. The employer must provide the training during 
12.8 	working hours and compensate the employee for attending the training at the employee's 
12.9 	standard rate of pay. All training must be in a language and with vocabulary that the employee 
12.10 	can understand.
12.11 	(c) Updates to the information conveyed in the training shall be communicated to 
12.12 	employees as soon as practicable.
12.13 		Subd. 5.Involvement of employees. Employers subject to this section must solicit 
12.14 	feedback for its ergonomics program through its safety committee required by section 
12.15 	182.676, in addition to any other opportunities for employee participation the employer 
12.16 	may provide. The safety committee must be directly involved in ergonomics worksite 
12.17 	assessments and participate in the annual evaluation required by subdivision 3.
12.18 		Subd. 6.Workplace program or AWAIR. An employer subject to this section must 
12.19 	reference its ergonomics program in a written Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction 
12.20 	(AWAIR) program required by section 182.653, subdivision 8.
12.21 		Subd. 7.Recordkeeping. An employer subject to this section must maintain:
12.22 	(1) a written certification dated and signed by each person who provides training and 
12.23 	containing the name and job title of each employee who receives training pursuant to this 
12.24 	section. The certifications must include the date training was conducted. The certification 
12.25 	completed by the training providers must state that the employer has provided training 
12.26 	consistent with the requirements of this section and include a brief summary or outline of 
12.27 	the information that was included in the training session;
12.28 	(2) a record of all worker visits to on-site medical or first aid personnel for the last five 
12.29 	years, regardless of severity or type of illness or injury; and
12.30 	(3) a record of all musculoskeletal disorders suffered by employees for the last five 
12.31 	years.
13.1 		Subd. 8.Availability of records. (a) The employer must ensure that the certification 
13.2 	records required by subdivision 7, clause (1), are up to date and available to the 
13.3 	commissioner, employees, and authorized employee representatives, if any, upon request.
13.4 	(b) Upon the request of the commissioner, an employee who is a member of the facility's 
13.5 	safety committee, or an authorized employee representative, the employer must provide the 
13.6 	requestor a redacted version of the medical or first aid records and records of all 
13.7 	musculoskeletal disorders. The name, contact information, and occupation of an employee, 
13.8 	and any other information that would reveal the identity of an employee, must be removed 
13.9 	in the redacted version. The redacted version must only include, to the extent it would not 
13.10 	reveal the identity of an employee, the location where the employee worked, the date of the 
13.11 	injury or visit, a description of the medical treatment or first aid provided, and a description 
13.12 	of the injury suffered.
13.13 	(c) The employer must also make available to the commissioner and the employee who 
13.14 	is the subject of the records the unredacted medical or first aid records and unredacted 
13.15 	records of musculoskeletal disorders required by subdivision 7, clause (2), upon request.
13.16 		Subd. 9.Reporting encouraged. Any employer subject to this section must not institute 
13.17 	or maintain any program, policy, or practice that discourages employees from reporting 
13.18 	injuries, hazards, or safety and health standard violations, including ergonomic-related 
13.19 	hazards and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.
13.20 		Subd. 10.Training materials. The commissioner shall make training materials on 
13.21 	implementation of this section available to all employers, upon request, at no cost as part 
13.22 	of the duties of the commissioner under section 182.673.
13.23 		Subd. 11.Enforcement. This section shall be enforced by the commissioner under 
13.24 	sections 182.66 and 182.661. A violation of this section is subject to the penalties provided 
13.25 	under section 182.666.
13.26 		Subd. 12.Grant program. (a) The commissioner shall establish an ergonomics grant 
13.27 	program to provide matching funding for employers who are subject to this section to make 
13.28 	ergonomic improvements recommended by an on-site safety survey. Minnesota Rules, 
13.29 	chapter 5203, applies to the administration of the grant program.
13.30 	(b) To be eligible for a grant under this section, an employer must:
13.31 	(1) be a licensed health care facility, warehouse distribution center, or meatpacking site 
13.32 	as defined by subdivision 1;
14.1 	(2) have current workers' compensation insurance provided through the assigned risk 
14.2 	plan, provided by an insurer subject to penalties under chapter 176, or as an approved 
14.3 	self-insured employer; and
14.4 	(3) have an on-site safety survey with results that recommend specific equipment or 
14.5 	practices that will reduce the risk of injury or illness to employees and prevent 
14.6 	musculoskeletal disorders. This survey must have been conducted by a Minnesota 
14.7 	occupational safety and health compliance investigator or workplace safety consultant, an 
14.8 	in-house safety and health committee, a workers' compensation insurance underwriter, a 
14.9 	private consultant, or a person under contract with the assigned risk plan.
14.10 	(c) Grant funds may be used for all or part of the cost of the following:
14.11 	(1) purchasing and installing recommended equipment intended to prevent 
14.12 	musculoskeletal disorders;
14.13 	(2) operating or maintaining recommended equipment intended to prevent musculoskeletal 
14.14 	disorders;
14.15 	(3) property, if the property is necessary to meet the recommendations of the on-site 
14.16 	safety survey that are related to prevention of musculoskeletal disorders;
14.17 	(4) training required to operate recommended safety equipment to prevent musculoskeletal 
14.18 	disorders; and
14.19 	(5) tuition reimbursement for educational costs related to identifying ergonomic-related 
14.20 	issues that are related to the recommendations of the on-site safety survey.
14.21 	(d) The commissioner shall evaluate applications, submitted on forms developed by the 
14.22 	commissioner, based on whether the proposed project:
14.23 	(1) is technically and economically feasible;
14.24 	(2) is consistent with the recommendations of the on-site safety survey and the objective 
14.25 	of reducing risk of injury or illness to employees and preventing musculoskeletal disorders;
14.26 	(3) was submitted by an applicant with sufficient experience, knowledge, and commitment 
14.27 	for the project to be implemented in a timely manner;
14.28 	(4) has the necessary financial commitments to cover all project costs;
14.29 	(5) has the support of all public entities necessary for its completion; and
14.30 	(6) complies with federal, state, and local regulations.
15.1 	(e) Grants under this section shall provide a match of up to $10,000 for private funds 
15.2 	committed by the employer to implement the recommended ergonomics-related equipment 
15.3 	or practices.
15.4 	(f) Grants will be awarded to all applicants that meet the eligibility and evaluation criteria 
15.5 	under paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) until funding is depleted. If there are more eligible requests 
15.6 	than funding, awards will be prorated.
15.7 	(g) Grant recipients are not eligible to apply for another grant under chapter 176 until 
15.8 	two years after the date of the award.
15.9 		Subd. 13.Standard development. The commissioner may propose an ergonomics 
15.10 	standard using the authority provided in section 182.655.

15.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024, except subdivisions 9 
15.12 	and 12 are effective July 1, 2023.

15.13 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.092, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
15.14 		Subd. 6.Fees nonrefundable. Application and examination fees, license fees, license 
15.15 	renewal fees, and late fees are nonrefundable except for:
15.16 	(1) license renewal fees received more than two years after expiration of the license, as 
15.17 	described in section 326B.094, subdivision 2;
15.18 	(2) any overpayment of fees; and
15.19 	(3) if the license is not issued or renewed, the contractor recovery fund fee and any 
15.20 	additional assessment paid under subdivision 7, paragraph (e).

15.21 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.096, is amended to read:
15.22 	326B.096 REINSTATEMENT OF LICENSES.
15.23 		Subdivision 1.Reinstatement after revocation. (a) If a license is revoked under this 
15.24 	chapter and if an applicant for a license needs to pass an examination administered by the 
15.25 	commissioner before becoming licensed, then, in order to have the license reinstated, the 
15.26 	person who holds the revoked license must:
15.27 	(1) retake the examination and achieve a passing score; and
15.28 	(2) meet all other requirements for an initial license, including payment of the application 
15.29 	and examination fee and the license fee. The person holding the revoked license is not 
15.30 	eligible for Minnesota licensure without examination based on reciprocity.
16.1 	(b) If a license is revoked under a chapter other than this chapter, then, in order to have 
16.2 	the license reinstated, the person who holds the revoked license must:
16.3 	(1) apply for reinstatement to the commissioner no later than two years after the effective 
16.4 	date of the revocation;
16.5 	(2) pay a $100 $50 reinstatement application fee and any applicable renewal license fee; 
16.6 	and
16.7 	(3) meet all applicable requirements for licensure, except that, unless required by the 
16.8 	order revoking the license, the applicant does not need to retake any examination and does 
16.9 	not need to repay a license fee that was paid before the revocation.
16.10 		Subd. 2.Reinstatement after suspension. If a license is suspended, then, in order to 
16.11 	have the license reinstated, the person who holds the suspended license must:
16.12 	(1) apply for reinstatement to the commissioner no later than two years after the 
16.13 	completion of the suspension period;
16.14 	(2) pay a $100 $50 reinstatement application fee and any applicable renewal license fee; 
16.15 	and
16.16 	(3) meet all applicable requirements for licensure, except that, unless required by the 
16.17 	order suspending the license, the applicant does not need to retake any examination and 
16.18 	does not need to repay a license fee that was paid before the suspension.
16.19 		Subd. 3.Reinstatement after voluntary termination. A licensee who is not an individual 
16.20 	may voluntarily terminate a license issued to the person under this chapter. If a licensee has 
16.21 	voluntarily terminated a license under this subdivision, then, in order to have the license 
16.22 	reinstated, the person who holds the terminated license must:
16.23 	(1) apply for reinstatement to the commissioner no later than the date that the license 
16.24 	would have expired if it had not been terminated;
16.25 	(2) pay a $100 $25 reinstatement application fee and any applicable renewal license fee; 
16.26 	and
16.27 	(3) meet all applicable requirements for licensure, except that the applicant does not 
16.28 	need to repay a license fee that was paid before the termination.

17.1 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.103, is amended by adding a subdivision 
17.2 	to read:
17.3 		Subd. 6a.Electric vehicle capable space. "Electric vehicle capable space" means a 
17.4 	designated automobile parking space that has electrical infrastructure, including but not 
17.5 	limited to raceways, cables, electrical capacity, and panelboard or other electrical distribution 
17.6 	space necessary for the future installation of an electric vehicle charging station.

17.7 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.103, is amended by adding a subdivision 
17.8 	to read:
17.9 		Subd. 6b.Electric vehicle charging station. "Electric vehicle charging station" means 
17.10 	a designated automobile parking space that has a dedicated connection for charging an 
17.11 	electric vehicle.

17.12 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.103, is amended by adding a subdivision 
17.13 	to read:
17.14 		Subd. 6c.Electric vehicle ready space. "Electric vehicle ready space" means a designated 
17.15 	automobile parking space that has a branch circuit capable of supporting the installation of 
17.16 	an electric vehicle charging station.

17.17 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.103, is amended by adding a subdivision 
17.18 	to read:
17.19 		Subd. 10a.Parking facilities. "Parking facilities" includes parking lots, garages, ramps, 
17.20 	or decks.

17.21 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.103, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
17.22 		Subd. 13.State licensed facility. "State licensed facility" means a building and its 
17.23 	grounds that are licensed by the state as a hospital, nursing home, supervised living facility, 
17.24 	assisted living facility, including assisted living facility with dementia care, free-standing 
17.25 	outpatient surgical center, correctional facility, boarding care home, or residential hospice.

17.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2023.

17.27 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.106, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
17.28 		Subdivision 1.Adoption of code. (a) Subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) and sections 
17.29 	326B.101 to 326B.194, the commissioner shall by rule and in consultation with the 
17.30 	Construction Codes Advisory Council establish a code of standards for the construction, 
18.1 	reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings, governing matters of structural materials, 
18.2 	design and construction, fire protection, health, sanitation, and safety, including design and 
18.3 	construction standards regarding heat loss control, illumination, and climate control. The 
18.4 	code must also include duties and responsibilities for code administration, including 
18.5 	procedures for administrative action, penalties, and suspension and revocation of certification. 
18.6 	The code must conform insofar as practicable to model building codes generally accepted 
18.7 	and in use throughout the United States, including a code for building conservation. In the 
18.8 	preparation of the code, consideration must be given to the existing statewide specialty 
18.9 	codes presently in use in the state. Model codes with necessary modifications and statewide 
18.10 	specialty codes may be adopted by reference. The code must be based on the application 
18.11 	of scientific principles, approved tests, and professional judgment. To the extent possible, 
18.12 	the code must be adopted in terms of desired results instead of the means of achieving those 
18.13 	results, avoiding wherever possible the incorporation of specifications of particular methods 
18.14 	or materials. To that end the code must encourage the use of new methods and new materials. 
18.15 	Except as otherwise provided in sections 326B.101 to 326B.194, the commissioner shall 
18.16 	administer and enforce the provisions of those sections.
18.17 	(b) The commissioner shall develop rules addressing the plan review fee assessed to 
18.18 	similar buildings without significant modifications including provisions for use of building 
18.19 	systems as specified in the industrial/modular program specified in section 326B.194. 
18.20 	Additional plan review fees associated with similar plans must be based on costs 
18.21 	commensurate with the direct and indirect costs of the service.
18.22 	(c) Beginning with the 2018 edition of the model building codes and every six years 
18.23 	thereafter, the commissioner shall review the new model building codes and adopt the model 
18.24 	codes as amended for use in Minnesota, within two years of the published edition date. The 
18.25 	commissioner may adopt amendments to the building codes prior to the adoption of the 
18.26 	new building codes to advance construction methods, technology, or materials, or, where 
18.27 	necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, or to improve the efficiency 
18.28 	or the use of a building.
18.29 	(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), the commissioner shall act on each new model 
18.30 	residential energy code and the new model commercial energy code in accordance with 
18.31 	federal law for which the United States Department of Energy has issued an affirmative 
18.32 	determination in compliance with United States Code, title 42, section 6833. The 
18.33 	commissioner may adopt amendments prior to adoption of the new energy codes, as amended 
18.34 	for use in Minnesota, to advance construction methods, technology, or materials, or, where 
19.1 	necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, or to improve the efficiency 
19.2 	or use of a building.
19.3 	(e) Beginning in 2024, the commissioner shall act on the new model commercial energy 
19.4 	code by adopting each new published edition of ASHRAE 90.1 or a more efficient standard. 
19.5 	The commercial energy code in effect in 2036 and thereafter must achieve an 80 percent 
19.6 	reduction in annual net energy consumption or greater, using the ASHRAE 90.1-2004 as a 
19.7 	baseline. The commissioner shall adopt commercial energy codes from 2024 to 2036 that 
19.8 	incrementally move toward achieving the 80 percent reduction in annual net energy 
19.9 	consumption. By January 15 of the year following each new code adoption, the commissioner 
19.10 	shall make a report on progress under this section to the legislative committees with 
19.11 	jurisdiction over the energy code.
19.12 	(f) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to limit the ability of a public utility to 
19.13 	offer code support programs, or to claim energy savings resulting from such programs, 
19.14 	through its energy conservation and optimization plans approved by the commissioner of 
19.15 	commerce under section 216B.241 or an energy conservation and optimization plan filed 
19.16 	by a consumer-owned utility under section 216B.2403.

19.17 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.106, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
19.18 		Subd. 4.Special requirements. (a) Space for commuter vans. The code must require 
19.19 	that any parking ramp or other parking facility constructed in accordance with the code 
19.20 	include an appropriate number of spaces suitable for the parking of motor vehicles having 
19.21 	a capacity of seven to 16 persons and which are principally used to provide prearranged 
19.22 	commuter transportation of employees to or from their place of employment or to or from 
19.23 	a transit stop authorized by a local transit authority.
19.24 	(b) Smoke detection devices. The code must require that all dwellings, lodging houses, 
19.25 	apartment houses, and hotels as defined in section 299F.362 comply with the provisions of 
19.26 	section 299F.362.
19.27 	(c) Doors in nursing homes and hospitals. The State Building Code may not require 
19.28 	that each door entering a sleeping or patient's room from a corridor in a nursing home or 
19.29 	hospital with an approved complete standard automatic fire extinguishing system be 
19.30 	constructed or maintained as self-closing or automatically closing.
19.31 	(d) Child care facilities in churches; ground level exit. A licensed day care center 
19.32 	serving fewer than 30 preschool age persons and which is located in a belowground space 
20.1 	in a church building is exempt from the State Building Code requirement for a ground level 
20.2 	exit when the center has more than two stairways to the ground level and its exit.
20.3 	(e) Family and group family day care. Until the legislature enacts legislation specifying 
20.4 	appropriate standards, the definition of dwellings constructed in accordance with the 
20.5 	International Residential Code as adopted as part of the State Building Code applies to 
20.6 	family and group family day care homes licensed by the Department of Human Services 
20.7 	under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502.
20.8 	(f) Enclosed stairways. No provision of the code or any appendix chapter of the code 
20.9 	may require stairways of existing multiple dwelling buildings of two stories or less to be 
20.10 	enclosed.
20.11 	(g) Double cylinder dead bolt locks. No provision of the code or appendix chapter of 
20.12 	the code may prohibit double cylinder dead bolt locks in existing single-family homes, 
20.13 	townhouses, and first floor duplexes used exclusively as a residential dwelling. Any 
20.14 	recommendation or promotion of double cylinder dead bolt locks must include a warning 
20.15 	about their potential fire danger and procedures to minimize the danger.
20.16 	(h) Relocated residential buildings. A residential building relocated within or into a 
20.17 	political subdivision of the state need not comply with the State Energy Code or section 
20.18 	326B.439 provided that, where available, an energy audit is conducted on the relocated 
20.19 	building.
20.20 	(i) Automatic garage door opening systems. The code must require all residential 
20.21 	buildings as defined in section 325F.82 to comply with the provisions of sections 325F.82 
20.22 	and 325F.83.
20.23 	(j) Exterior wood decks, patios, and balconies. The code must permit the decking 
20.24 	surface and upper portions of exterior wood decks, patios, and balconies to be constructed 
20.25 	of (1) heartwood from species of wood having natural resistance to decay or termites, 
20.26 	including redwood and cedars, (2) grades of lumber which contain sapwood from species 
20.27 	of wood having natural resistance to decay or termites, including redwood and cedars, or 
20.28 	(3) treated wood. The species and grades of wood products used to construct the decking 
20.29 	surface and upper portions of exterior decks, patios, and balconies must be made available 
20.30 	to the building official on request before final construction approval.
20.31 	(k) Bioprocess piping and equipment. No permit fee for bioprocess piping may be 
20.32 	imposed by municipalities under the State Building Code, except as required under section 
20.33 	326B.92 subdivision 1. Permits for bioprocess piping shall be according to section 326B.92 
20.34 	administered by the Department of Labor and Industry. All data regarding the material 
21.1 	production processes, including the bioprocess system's structural design and layout, are 
21.2 	nonpublic data as provided by section 13.7911.
21.3 	(l) Use of ungraded lumber. The code must allow the use of ungraded lumber in 
21.4 	geographic areas of the state where the code did not generally apply as of April 1, 2008, to 
21.5 	the same extent that ungraded lumber could be used in that area before April 1, 2008.
21.6 	(m) Window cleaning safety.The code must require the installation of dedicated 
21.7 	anchorages for the purpose of suspended window cleaning on (1) new buildings four stories 
21.8 	or greater; and (2) buildings four stories or greater, only on those areas undergoing 
21.9 	reconstruction, alteration, or repair that includes the exposure of primary structural 
21.10 	components of the roof. The commissioner shall adopt rules, using the expedited rulemaking 
21.11 	process in section 14.389, requiring window cleaning safety features that comply with a 
21.12 	nationally recognized standard as part of the State Building Code. Window cleaning safety 
21.13 	features shall be provided for all windows on:
21.14 	(1) new buildings where determined by the code; and
21.15 	(2) existing buildings undergoing alterations where both of the following conditions are 
21.16 	met:
21.17 	(i) the windows do not currently have safe window cleaning features; and
21.18 	(ii) the proposed work area being altered can include provisions for safe window cleaning.
21.19 	The commissioner may waive all or a portion of the requirements of this paragraph 
21.20 	related to reconstruction, alteration, or repair, if the installation of dedicated anchorages 
21.21 	would not result in significant safety improvements due to limits on the size of the project, 
21.22 	or other factors as determined by the commissioner.
21.23 	(n) Adult-size changing facilities. The commissioner shall adopt rules requiring 
21.24 	adult-size changing facilities as part of the State Building Code.

21.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

21.26 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.106, is amended by adding a subdivision 
21.27 	to read:
21.28 		Subd. 16.Electric vehicle charging. The code shall require a minimum number of 
21.29 	electric vehicle ready spaces, electric vehicle capable spaces, and electric vehicle charging 
21.30 	stations either within or adjacent to new commercial and multifamily structures that provide 
21.31 	on-site parking facilities. Residential structures with fewer than four dwelling units are 
21.32 	exempt from this subdivision.

22.1 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.802, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
22.2 		Subd. 15.Special skill. "Special skill" means one of the following eight categories:
22.3 	(a) Excavation. Excavation includes work in any of the following areas:
22.4 	(1) excavation;
22.5 	(2) trenching;
22.6 	(3) grading; and
22.7 	(4) site grading.
22.8 	(b) Masonry and concrete. Masonry and concrete includes work in any of the following 
22.9 	areas:
22.10 	(1) drain systems;
22.11 	(2) poured walls;
22.12 	(3) slabs and poured-in-place footings;
22.13 	(4) masonry walls;
22.14 	(5) masonry fireplaces;
22.15 	(6) masonry veneer; and
22.16 	(7) water resistance and waterproofing.
22.17 	(c) Carpentry. Carpentry includes work in any of the following areas:
22.18 	(1) rough framing;
22.19 	(2) finish carpentry;
22.20 	(3) doors, windows, and skylights;
22.21 	(4) porches and decks, excluding footings;
22.22 	(5) wood foundations; and
22.23 	(6) drywall installation, excluding taping and finishing.
22.24 	(d) Interior finishing. Interior finishing includes work in any of the following areas:
22.25 	(1) floor covering;
22.26 	(2) wood floors;
22.27 	(3) cabinet and counter top installation;
23.1 	(4) insulation and vapor barriers;
23.2 	(5) interior or exterior painting;
23.3 	(6) ceramic, marble, and quarry tile;
23.4 	(7) ornamental guardrail and installation of prefabricated stairs; and
23.5 	(8) wallpapering.
23.6 	(e) Exterior finishing. Exterior finishing includes work in any of the following areas:
23.7 	(1) siding;
23.8 	(2) soffit, fascia, and trim;
23.9 	(3) exterior plaster and stucco;
23.10 	(4) painting; and
23.11 	(5) rain carrying systems, including gutters and down spouts.
23.12 	(f) Drywall and plaster. Drywall and plaster includes work in any of the following 
23.13 	areas:
23.14 	(1) installation;
23.15 	(2) taping;
23.16 	(3) finishing;
23.17 	(4) interior plaster;
23.18 	(5) painting; and
23.19 	(6) wallpapering.
23.20 	(g) Residential roofing. Residential roofing includes work in any of the following areas:
23.21 	(1) roof coverings;
23.22 	(2) roof sheathing;
23.23 	(3) roof weatherproofing and insulation; and
23.24 	(4) repair of roof support system, but not construction of new roof support system; and
23.25 	(5) penetration of roof coverings for purposes of attaching a solar photovoltaic system.
23.26 	(h) General installation specialties. Installation includes work in any of the following 
23.27 	areas:
23.28 	(1) garage doors and openers;
24.1 	(2) pools, spas, and hot tubs;
24.2 	(3) fireplaces and wood stoves;
24.3 	(4) asphalt paving and seal coating; and
24.4 	(5) ornamental guardrail and prefabricated stairs; and
24.5 	(6) assembly of the support system for a solar photovoltaic system.

24.6 	Sec. 33. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.
 24.7 	The commissioner of labor and industry shall adopt rules, using the expedited rulemaking 
24.8 	process in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.389, that set forth adult-size changing facilities 
24.9 	to conform with the addition of Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.106, subdivision 4, 
24.10 	paragraph (n), under this act.

24.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

24.12 	Sec. 34. REPEALER.
 24.13 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.26, subdivision 3, is repealed.

24.14 	ARTICLE 2
24.15 	AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING WORKERS

24.16 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179.86, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
24.17 		Subdivision 1.Definition. For the purpose of this section, "employer" means an employer 
24.18 	in the meatpacking or poultry processing industry.

24.19 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179.86, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
24.20 		Subd. 3.Information provided to employee by employer. (a) At the start of 
24.21 	employment, an employer must provide an explanation in an employee's native language 
24.22 	of the employee's rights and duties as an employee either both person to person or and
24.23 	through written materials that, at a minimum, include:
24.24 	(1) a complete description of the salary and benefits plans as they relate to the employee;
24.25 	(2) a job description for the employee's position;
24.26 	(3) a description of leave policies;
24.27 	(4) a description of the work hours and work hours policy; and
24.28 	(5) a description of the occupational hazards known to exist for the position.; and
25.1 	(6) when workers' compensation insurance coverage is required by chapter 176, the 
25.2 	name of the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier, the carrier's phone number, 
25.3 	and the insurance policy number.
25.4 	(b) The explanation must also include information on the following employee rights as 
25.5 	protected by state or federal law and a description of where additional information about 
25.6 	those rights may be obtained:
25.7 	(1) the right to organize and bargain collectively and refrain from organizing and 
25.8 	bargaining collectively;
25.9 	(2) the right to a safe workplace; and
25.10 	(3) the right to be free from discrimination.; and
25.11 	(4) the right to workers' compensation insurance coverage.
25.12 	(c) The Department of Labor and Industry shall provide a standard explanation form for 
25.13 	use at the employer's option for providing the information required in this subdivision. The 
25.14 	form shall be available in English and Spanish and additional languages upon request.
25.15 	(d) The requirements under this subdivision are in addition to the requirements under 
25.16 	section 181.032.

25.17 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179.86, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
25.18 	read:
25.19 		Subd. 5.Civil action. An employee injured by a violation of this section has a cause of 
25.20 	action for damages for the greater of $1,000 per violation or twice the employee's actual 
25.21 	damages, plus costs and reasonable attorney fees. A damage award shall be the greater of 
25.22 	$1,400 or three times actual damages for an employee injured by an intentional violation 
25.23 	of this section.

25.24 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179.86, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
25.25 	read:
25.26 		Subd. 6.Fine. The commissioner of labor and industry shall fine an employer not less 
25.27 	than $400 or more than $1,000 for each violation of subdivision 3. The fine shall be payable 
25.28 	to the employee aggrieved.

26.1 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
26.2 		Subdivision 1.Prompt payment required. (a) When any such employee quits or resigns 
26.3 	employment, the wages or commissions earned and unpaid at the time the employee quits 
26.4 	or resigns shall be paid in full not later than the first regularly scheduled payday following 
26.5 	the employee's final day of employment, unless an employee is subject to a collective 
26.6 	bargaining agreement with a different provision. Wages are earned and unpaid if the 
26.7 	employee was not paid for all time worked at the employee's regular rate of pay or at the 
26.8 	rate required by law, including any applicable statute, regulation, rule, ordinance, government 
26.9 	resolution or policy, contract, or other legal authority, whichever rate of pay is greater. If 
26.10 	the first regularly scheduled payday is less than five calendar days following the employee's 
26.11 	final day of employment, full payment may be delayed until the second regularly scheduled 
26.12 	payday but shall not exceed a total of 20 calendar days following the employee's final day 
26.13 	of employment.
26.14 	(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), in the case of migrant workers, as 
26.15 	defined in section 181.85, the wages or commissions earned and unpaid at the time the 
26.16 	employee quits or resigns shall become due and payable within five three days thereafter.

26.17 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.635, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
26.18 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
26.19 	(a) "Employer" means a person who employs another to perform a service for hire. 
26.20 	Employer includes any agent or attorney of an employer who, for money or other valuable 
26.21 	consideration paid or promised to be paid, performs any recruiting.
26.22 	(b) "Person" means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability 
26.23 	partnership, association, individual, or group of persons.
26.24 	(c) "Recruits" means to induce an individual, directly or through an agent, to relocate 
26.25 	to Minnesota or within Minnesota to work in food processing by an offer of employment
26.26 	or of the possibility of employment.
26.27 	(d) "Food processing" means canning, packing, or otherwise processing poultry or meat 
26.28 	for consumption.
26.29 	(e) "Terms and conditions of employment" means the following:
26.30 	(1) nature of the work to be performed;
26.31 	(2) wage rate, nature and amount of deductions for tools, clothing, supplies, or other 
26.32 	items;
27.1 	(3) anticipated hours of work per week, including overtime;
27.2 	(4) anticipated slowdown or shutdown or if hours of work per week vary more than 25 
27.3 	percent from clause (3);
27.4 	(5) duration of the work;
27.5 	(6) workers' compensation coverage and name, address, and telephone number of insurer 
27.6 	and Department of Labor and Industry;
27.7 	(7) employee benefits available, including any health plans, sick leave, or paid vacation;
27.8 	(8) transportation and relocation arrangements with allocation of costs between employer 
27.9 	and employee;
27.10 	(9) availability and description of housing and any costs to employee associated with 
27.11 	housing; and
27.12 	(10) any other item of value offered, and allocation of costs of item between employer 
27.13 	and employee.

27.14 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.635, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
27.15 		Subd. 2.Recruiting; required disclosure. (a) An employer shall provide written 
27.16 	disclosure of the terms and conditions of employment to a person at the time it recruits the 
27.17 	person to relocate to work in the food processing industry. The disclosure requirement does 
27.18 	not apply to an exempt employee as defined in United States Code, title 29, section 213(a)(1). 
27.19 	The disclosure must be written in English and Spanish, or English and another language if 
27.20 	the person's preferred language is not English or Spanish, dated and signed by the employer 
27.21 	and the person recruited, and maintained by the employer for two three years. A copy of 
27.22 	the signed and completed disclosure must be delivered immediately to the recruited person. 
27.23 	The disclosure may not be construed as an employment contract.
27.24 	(b) The requirements under this subdivision are in addition to the requirements under 
27.25 	section 181.032.

27.26 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.635, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
27.27 		Subd. 3.Civil action. A person injured by a violation of this section has a cause of action 
27.28 	for damages for the greater of $500 $1,000 per violation or twice their actual damages, plus 
27.29 	costs and reasonable attorney's fees. A damage award shall be the greater of $750 $1,400
27.30 	or three times actual damages for a person injured by an intentional violation of this section.

28.1 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.635, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
28.2 		Subd. 4.Fine. The Department of Labor and Industry shall fine an employer not less 
28.3 	than $200 $400 or more than $500 $1,000 for each violation of this section. The fine shall 
28.4 	be payable to the employee aggrieved.

28.5 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.635, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
28.6 		Subd. 6.Standard disclosure form. The Department of Labor and Industry shall provide 
28.7 	a standard form for use at the employer's option in making the disclosure required in 
28.8 	subdivision 2. The form shall be available in English and Spanish and additional languages 
28.9 	upon request.

28.10 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.85, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
28.11 		Subd. 2.Agricultural labor. "Agricultural labor" means field labor associated with the 
28.12 	cultivation and harvest of fruits and vegetables and work performed in processing fruits and 
28.13 	vegetables for market, as well as labor performed in agriculture as defined in Minnesota 
28.14 	Rules, part 5200.0260.

28.15 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.85, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
28.16 		Subd. 4.Employer. "Employer" means a processor of fruits or vegetables an individual, 
28.17 	partnership, association, corporation, business trust, or any person or group of persons that 
28.18 	employs, either directly or indirectly through a recruiter, more than 30one or more migrant 
28.19 	workers per day for more than seven days in any calendar year.

28.20 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.86, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
28.21 		Subdivision 1.Terms. (a) An employer that recruits a migrant worker shall provide the 
28.22 	migrant worker, at the time the worker is recruited, with a written employment statement 
28.23 	which shall state clearly and plainly, in English and Spanish, or English and another language 
28.24 	if the worker's preferred language is not English or Spanish:
28.25 	(1) the date on which and the place at which the statement was completed and provided 
28.26 	to the migrant worker;
28.27 	(2) the name and permanent address of the migrant worker, of the employer, and of the 
28.28 	recruiter who recruited the migrant worker;
29.1 	(3) the date on which the migrant worker is to arrive at the place of employment, the 
29.2 	date on which employment is to begin, the approximate hours of employment, and the 
29.3 	minimum period of employment;
29.4 	(4) the crops and the operations on which the migrant worker will be employed;
29.5 	(5) the wage rates to be paid;
29.6 	(6) the payment terms, as provided in section 181.87;
29.7 	(7) any deduction to be made from wages; and
29.8 	(8) whether housing will be provided.; and
29.9 	(9) when workers' compensation insurance coverage is required by chapter 176, the 
29.10 	name of the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier, the carrier's phone number, 
29.11 	and the insurance policy number.
29.12 	(b) The Department of Labor and Industry shall provide a standard employment statement 
29.13 	form for use at the employer's option for providing the information required in subdivision 
29.14 	1. The form shall be available in English and Spanish and additional languages upon request.
29.15 	(c) The requirements under this subdivision are in addition to the requirements under 
29.16 	section 181.032.

29.17 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.87, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
29.18 		Subd. 2.Biweekly pay. The employer shall pay wages due to the migrant worker at 
29.19 	least every two weeks, except on termination, when the employer shall pay within three 
29.20 	days unless payment is required sooner pursuant to section 181.13.

29.21 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.87, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
29.22 		Subd. 3.Guaranteed hours. The employer shall guarantee to each recruited migrant 
29.23 	worker a minimum of 70 hours pay for work in any two successive weeks and, should the 
29.24 	pay for hours actually offered by the employer and worked by the migrant worker provide 
29.25 	a sum of pay less than the minimum guarantee, the employer shall pay the migrant worker 
29.26 	the difference within three days after the scheduled payday for the pay period involved. 
29.27 	Payment for the guaranteed hours shall be at the hourly wage rate, if any, specified in the 
29.28 	employment statement, or the federal, state, or local minimum wage, whichever is higher
29.29 	highest. Any pay in addition to the hourly wage rate specified in the employment statement 
29.30 	shall be applied against the guarantee. This guarantee applies for the minimum period of 
29.31 	employment specified in the employment statement beginning with the date on which 
30.1 	employment is to begin as specified in the employment statement. The date on which 
30.2 	employment is to begin may be changed by the employer by written, telephonic, or 
30.3 	telegraphic notice to the migrant worker, at the worker's last known physical address or 
30.4 	email address, no later than ten days prior to the previously stated beginning date. The 
30.5 	migrant worker shall contact the recruiter to obtain the latest information regarding the date 
30.6 	upon which employment is to begin no later than five days prior to the previously stated 
30.7 	beginning date. This guarantee shall be reduced, when there is no work available for a period 
30.8 	of seven or more consecutive days during any two-week period subsequent to the 
30.9 	commencement of work, by five hours pay for each such day, when the unavailability of 
30.10 	work is caused by climatic conditions or an act of God, provided that the employer pays 
30.11 	the migrant worker, on the normal payday, the sum of $5 $50 for each such day.

30.12 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.87, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
30.13 		Subd. 7.Statement itemizing deductions from wages. The employer shall provide a 
30.14 	written statement at the time wages are paid clearly itemizing each deduction from wages.
30.15 	The written statement shall also comply with all other requirements for an earnings statement 
30.16 	in section 181.032.

30.17 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.88, is amended to read:
30.18 	181.88 RECORD KEEPING.
30.19 	Every employer subject to the provisions of sections 181.85 to 181.90 shall maintain 
30.20 	complete and accurate records of the names of, the daily hours worked by, the rate of pay 
30.21 	for and the wages paid each pay period to for every individual migrant worker recruited by 
30.22 	that employer, as required by section 177.30 and shall preserve the records also maintain 
30.23 	the employment statements required under section 181.86 for a period of at least three years.

30.24 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.89, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
30.25 		Subd. 2.Judgment; damages. If the court finds that any defendant has violated the 
30.26 	provisions of sections 181.86 to 181.88, the court shall enter judgment for the actual damages 
30.27 	incurred by the plaintiff or the appropriate penalty as provided by this subdivision, whichever 
30.28 	is greater. The court may also award court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee. The penalties 
30.29 	shall be as follows:
30.30 	(1) whenever the court finds that an employer has violated the record-keeping 
30.31 	requirements of section 181.88, $50 $200;
31.1 	(2) whenever the court finds that an employer has recruited a migrant worker without 
31.2 	providing a written employment statement as provided in section 181.86, subdivision 1, 
31.3 	$250 $800;
31.4 	(3) whenever the court finds that an employer has recruited a migrant worker after having 
31.5 	provided a written employment statement, but finds that the employment statement fails to 
31.6 	comply with the requirement of section 181.86, subdivision 1 or section 181.87, $250 $800;
31.7 	(4) whenever the court finds that an employer has failed to comply with the terms of an 
31.8 	employment statement which the employer has provided to a migrant worker or has failed 
31.9 	to comply with any payment term required by section 181.87, $500 $1,600;
31.10 	(5) whenever the court finds that an employer has failed to pay wages to a migrant worker 
31.11 	within a time period set forth in section 181.87, subdivision 2 or 3, $500 $1,600; and
31.12 	(6) whenever penalties are awarded, they shall be awarded severally in favor of each 
31.13 	migrant worker plaintiff and against each defendant found liable.

31.14 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.89, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
31.15 	read:
31.16 		Subd. 3.Enforcement. In addition to any other remedies available, the commissioner 
31.17 	may assess the penalties in subdivision 2 and provide the penalty to the migrant worker 
31.18 	aggrieved by the employer's noncompliance.

31.19 	ARTICLE 3
31.20 	NURSING HOME WORKFORCE STANDARDS

31.21 	Section 1. TITLE.
 31.22 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 181.211 to 181.217, shall be known as the "Minnesota 
31.23 	Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board Act."

31.24 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
31.25 		Subd. 7.Employer liability. If an employer is found by the commissioner to have 
31.26 	violated a section identified in subdivision 4, or any rule adopted under section 177.28, 
31.27 	181.213, or 181.215, and the commissioner issues an order to comply, the commissioner 
31.28 	shall order the employer to cease and desist from engaging in the violative practice and to 
31.29 	take such affirmative steps that in the judgment of the commissioner will effectuate the 
31.30 	purposes of the section or rule violated. The commissioner shall order the employer to pay 
31.31 	to the aggrieved parties back pay, gratuities, and compensatory damages, less any amount 
32.1 	actually paid to the employee by the employer, and for an additional equal amount as 
32.2 	liquidated damages. Any employer who is found by the commissioner to have repeatedly 
32.3 	or willfully violated a section or sections identified in subdivision 4 shall be subject to a 
32.4 	civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation for each employee. In determining the amount 
32.5 	of a civil penalty under this subdivision, the appropriateness of such penalty to the size of 
32.6 	the employer's business and the gravity of the violation shall be considered. In addition, the 
32.7 	commissioner may order the employer to reimburse the department and the attorney general 
32.8 	for all appropriate litigation and hearing costs expended in preparation for and in conducting 
32.9 	the contested case proceeding, unless payment of costs would impose extreme financial 
32.10 	hardship on the employer. If the employer is able to establish extreme financial hardship, 
32.11 	then the commissioner may order the employer to pay a percentage of the total costs that 
32.12 	will not cause extreme financial hardship. Costs include but are not limited to the costs of 
32.13 	services rendered by the attorney general, private attorneys if engaged by the department, 
32.14 	administrative law judges, court reporters, and expert witnesses as well as the cost of 
32.15 	transcripts. Interest shall accrue on, and be added to, the unpaid balance of a commissioner's 
32.16 	order from the date the order is signed by the commissioner until it is paid, at an annual rate 
32.17 	provided in section 549.09, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). The commissioner may establish 
32.18 	escrow accounts for purposes of distributing damages.

32.19 	Sec. 3. [181.211] DEFINITIONS.
32.20 		Subdivision 1.Application. The terms defined in this section apply to sections 181.211 
32.21 	to 181.217.
32.22 		Subd. 2.Board. "Board" means the Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards 
32.23 	Board established under section 181.212.
32.24 		Subd. 3.Certified worker organization. "Certified worker organization" means a 
32.25 	worker organization that is certified by the board to conduct nursing home worker trainings 
32.26 	under section 181.214.
32.27 		Subd. 4.Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of labor and industry.
32.28 		Subd. 5.Compensation. "Compensation" means all income and benefits paid by a 
32.29 	nursing home employer to a nursing home worker or on behalf of a nursing home worker, 
32.30 	including but not limited to wages, bonuses, differentials, paid leave, pay for scheduling 
32.31 	changes, and pay for training or occupational certification.
32.32 		Subd. 6.Employer organization. "Employer organization" means:
33.1 	(1) an organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(6) 
33.2 	of the Internal Revenue Code and that represents nursing home employers; or
33.3 	(2) an entity that employers, who together employ a majority of nursing home workers 
33.4 	in Minnesota, have selected as a representative.
33.5 		Subd. 7.Nursing home. "Nursing home" means a nursing home licensed under chapter 
33.6 	144A, or a boarding care home licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56.
33.7 		Subd. 8.Nursing home employer. "Nursing home employer" means an employer of 
33.8 	nursing home workers in a licensed, Medicaid-certified facility that is reimbursed under 
33.9 	chapter 256R.
33.10 		Subd. 9.Nursing home worker. "Nursing home worker" means any worker who provides 
33.11 	services in a nursing home in Minnesota, including direct care staff, non-direct care staff, 
33.12 	and contractors, but excluding administrative staff, medical directors, nursing directors, 
33.13 	physicians, and individuals employed by a supplemental nursing services agency.
33.14 		Subd. 10.Worker organization. "Worker organization" means an organization that is 
33.15 	exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(5) of 
33.16 	the Internal Revenue Code, that is not dominated or interfered with by any nursing home 
33.17 	employer within the meaning of United States Code, title 29, section 158a(2), and that has 
33.18 	at least five years of demonstrated experience engaging with and advocating for nursing 
33.19 	home workers.

33.20 	Sec. 4. [181.212] MINNESOTA NURSING HOME WORKFORCE STANDARDS 
33.21 	BOARD; ESTABLISHMENT.
33.22 		Subdivision 1.Board established; membership. (a) The Minnesota Nursing Home 
33.23 	Workforce Standards Board is created with the powers and duties established by law. The 
33.24 	board is composed of the following voting members:
33.25 	(1) the commissioner of human services or a designee;
33.26 	(2) the commissioner of health or a designee;
33.27 	(3) the commissioner of labor and industry or a designee;
33.28 	(4) three members who represent nursing home employers or employer organizations, 
33.29 	appointed by the governor in accordance with section 15.066; and
33.30 	(5) three members who represent nursing home workers or worker organizations, 
33.31 	appointed by the governor in accordance with section 15.066.
34.1 	(b) In making appointments under clause (4), the governor shall consider the geographic 
34.2 	distribution of nursing homes within the state.
34.3 		Subd. 2.Terms; vacancies. (a) Board members appointed under subdivision 1, clause 
34.4 	(4) or (5), shall serve four-year terms following the initial staggered-lot determination.
34.5 	(b) For members appointed under subdivision 1, clause (4) or (5), the governor shall fill 
34.6 	vacancies occurring prior to the expiration of a member's term by appointment for the 
34.7 	unexpired term. A member appointed under subdivision 1, clause (4) or (5), must not be 
34.8 	appointed to more than two consecutive terms.
34.9 	(c) A member serves until a successor is appointed.
34.10 		Subd. 3.Chairperson. The board shall elect a member by majority vote to serve as its 
34.11 	chairperson and shall determine the term to be served by the chairperson.
34.12 		Subd. 4.Staffing. The commissioner may employ an executive director for the board 
34.13 	and other personnel to carry out duties of the board under sections 181.211 to 181.217.
34.14 		Subd. 5.Board compensation. Compensation of board members is governed by section 
34.15 	15.0575.
34.16 		Subd. 6.Application of other laws. Meetings of the board are subject to chapter 13D. 
34.17 	The board is subject to chapter 13. The board shall comply with section 15.0597.
34.18 		Subd. 7.Voting. The affirmative vote of five board members is required for the board 
34.19 	to take any action, including actions necessary to establish minimum nursing home 
34.20 	employment standards under section 181.213.
34.21 		Subd. 8.Hearings and investigations. To carry out its duties, the board shall hold public 
34.22 	hearings on, and conduct investigations into, working conditions in the nursing home industry 
34.23 	in accordance with section 181.213.
34.24 		Subd. 9.Department support. The commissioner shall provide staff support to the 
34.25 	board. The support includes professional, legal, technical, and clerical staff necessary to 
34.26 	perform rulemaking and other duties assigned to the board. The commissioner shall supply 
34.27 	necessary office space and supplies to assist the board in its duties.
34.28 		Subd. 10.Antitrust compliance. The board shall establish operating procedures that 
34.29 	meet all state and federal antitrust requirements and may prohibit board member access to 
34.30 	data to meet the requirements of this subdivision.
34.31 		Subd. 11.Annual report. By December 1, 2023, and each December 1 thereafter, the 
34.32 	executive director of the board shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority 
35.1 	members of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over labor 
35.2 	and human services on any actions taken and any standards adopted by the board.

35.3 	Sec. 5. [181.213] DUTIES OF THE BOARD; MINIMUM NURSING HOME 
35.4 	EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS.
35.5 		Subdivision 1.Authority to establish minimum nursing home employment 
35.6 	standards. (a) The board must adopt rules establishing minimum nursing home employment 
35.7 	standards that are reasonably necessary and appropriate to protect the health and welfare 
35.8 	of nursing home workers, to ensure that nursing home workers are properly trained about 
35.9 	and fully informed of their rights under sections 181.211 to 181.217, and to otherwise satisfy 
35.10 	the purposes of sections 181.211 to 181.217. Standards established by the board must include 
35.11 	standards on compensation for nursing home workers, and may include recommendations 
35.12 	under paragraph (c). The board may not adopt standards that are less protective of or 
35.13 	beneficial to nursing home workers as any other applicable statute or rule or any standard 
35.14 	previously established by the board unless there is a determination by the board under 
35.15 	subdivision 2 that existing standards exceed the operating payment rate and external fixed 
35.16 	costs payment rates included in the most recent budget and economic forecast completed 
35.17 	under section 16A.103. In establishing standards under this section, the board must establish 
35.18 	statewide standards, and may adopt standards that apply to specific nursing home occupations.
35.19 	(b) The board must adopt rules establishing initial standards for wages for nursing home 
35.20 	workers no later than August 1, 2024. The board may use the authority in section 14.389 
35.21 	to adopt rules under this paragraph. The board shall consult with the department in the 
35.22 	development of these standards prior to beginning the rule adoption process.
35.23 	(c) To the extent that any minimum standards that the board finds are reasonably 
35.24 	necessary and appropriate to protect the health and welfare of nursing home workers fall 
35.25 	within the jurisdiction of chapter 182, the board shall not adopt rules establishing the 
35.26 	standards but shall instead recommend the occupational health and safety standards to the 
35.27 	commissioner. The commissioner shall adopt nursing home health and safety standards 
35.28 	under section 182.655 as recommended by the board, unless the commissioner determines 
35.29 	that the recommended standard is outside the statutory authority of the commissioner, 
35.30 	presents enforceability challenges, is infeasible to implement, or is otherwise unlawful and 
35.31 	issues a written explanation of this determination.
35.32 		Subd. 2.Investigation of market conditions. (a) The board must investigate market 
35.33 	conditions and the existing wages, benefits, and working conditions of nursing home workers 
35.34 	for specific geographic areas of the state and specific nursing home occupations. Based on 
36.1 	this information, the board must seek to adopt minimum nursing home employment standards 
36.2 	that meet or exceed existing industry conditions for a majority of nursing home workers in 
36.3 	the relevant geographic area and nursing home occupation. Except for standards exceeding 
36.4 	the threshold determined in paragraph (d), initial employment standards established by the 
36.5 	board are effective beginning January 1, 2025, and shall remain in effect until any subsequent 
36.6 	standards are adopted by rules.
36.7 	(b) The board must consider the following types of information in making determinations 
36.8 	that employment standards are reasonably necessary to protect the health and welfare of 
36.9 	nursing home workers:
36.10 	(1) wage rate and benefit data collected by or submitted to the board for nursing home 
36.11 	workers in the relevant geographic area and nursing home occupations;
36.12 	(2) statements showing wage rates and benefits paid to nursing home workers in the 
36.13 	relevant geographic area and nursing home occupations;
36.14 	(3) signed collective bargaining agreements applicable to nursing home workers in the 
36.15 	relevant geographic area and nursing home occupations;
36.16 	(4) testimony and information from current and former nursing home workers, worker 
36.17 	organizations, nursing home employers, and employer organizations;
36.18 	(5) local minimum nursing home employment standards;
36.19 	(6) information submitted by or obtained from state and local government entities; and
36.20 	(7) any other information pertinent to establishing minimum nursing home employment 
36.21 	standards.
36.22 	(c) In considering wage and benefit increases, the board must determine the impact of 
36.23 	nursing home operating payment rates determined pursuant to section 256R.21, subdivision 
36.24 	3, and the employee benefits portion of the external fixed costs payment rate determined 
36.25 	pursuant to section 256R.25. If the board, in consultation with the commissioner of human 
36.26 	services, determines the operating payment rate and employee benefits portion of the external 
36.27 	fixed costs payment rate will increase to comply with the new employment standards, the 
36.28 	board shall report to the legislature the increase in funding needed to increase payment rates 
36.29 	to comply with the new employment standards and must make implementation of any new 
36.30 	nursing home employment standards contingent upon an appropriation, as determined by 
36.31 	sections 256R.21 and 256R.25, to fund the rate increase necessary to comply with the new 
36.32 	employment standards.
37.1 	(d) In evaluating the impact of the employment standards on payment rates determined 
37.2 	by sections 256R.21 and 256R.25, the board, in consultation with the commissioner of 
37.3 	human services, must consider the following:
37.4 	(1) the statewide average wage rates for employees pursuant to section 256R.10, 
37.5 	subdivision 5, and benefit rates pursuant to section 256R.02, subdivisions 18 and 22, as 
37.6 	determined by the annual Medicaid cost report used to determine the operating payment 
37.7 	rate and the employee benefits portion of the external fixed costs payment rate for the first 
37.8 	day of the calendar year immediately following the date the board has established minimum 
37.9 	wage and benefit levels;
37.10 	(2) compare the results of clause (1) to the operating payment rate and employee benefits 
37.11 	portion of the external fixed costs payment rate increase for the first day of the second 
37.12 	calendar year after the adoption of any nursing home employment standards included in the 
37.13 	most recent budget and economic forecast completed under section 16A.103; and
37.14 	(3) if the established nursing home employment standards result in an increase in costs 
37.15 	that exceed the operating payment rate and external fixed costs payment rate increase 
37.16 	included in the most recent budget and economic forecast completed under section 16A.103, 
37.17 	effective on the proposed implementation date of the new nursing home employment 
37.18 	standards, the board must determine if the rates will need to be increased to meet the new 
37.19 	employment standards and the standards must not be effective until an appropriation sufficient 
37.20 	to cover the rate increase and federal approval of the rate increase is obtained.
37.21 	(e) The budget and economic forecasts completed under section 16A.103 shall not 
37.22 	assume an increase in payment rates determined under chapter 256R resulting from the new 
37.23 	employment standards until the board certifies the rates will need to be increased and the 
37.24 	legislature appropriates funding for the increase in payment rates.
37.25 		Subd. 3.Review of standards. At least once every two years, the board shall:
37.26 	(1) conduct a full review of the adequacy of the minimum nursing home employment 
37.27 	standards previously established by the board; and
37.28 	(2) following that review, adopt new rules, amend or repeal existing rules, or make 
37.29 	recommendations to adopt new rules or amend or repeal existing rules for minimum nursing 
37.30 	home employment standards using the expedited rulemaking process in section 14.389, as 
37.31 	appropriate to meet the purposes of sections 181.211 to 181.217.
37.32 		Subd. 4.Variance and waiver. The board shall adopt procedures for considering 
37.33 	temporary variances and waivers of the established standards for individual nursing homes 
38.1 	based on the board's evaluation of the risk of closure or receivership under section 144A.15, 
38.2 	due to compliance with all or part of an applicable standard.
38.3 		Subd. 5.Conflict. (a) In the event of a conflict between a standard established by the 
38.4 	board in rule and a rule adopted by another state agency, the rule adopted by the board shall 
38.5 	apply to nursing home workers and nursing home employers.
38.6 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), in the event of a conflict between a standard 
38.7 	established by the board in rule and a rule adopted by another state agency, the rule adopted 
38.8 	by the other state agency shall apply to nursing home workers and nursing home employers 
38.9 	if the rule adopted by the other state agency is adopted after the board's standard and the 
38.10 	rule adopted by the other state agency is more protective or beneficial than the board's 
38.11 	standard.
38.12 	(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the commissioner of health determines that a 
38.13 	standard established by the board in rule or recommended by the board conflicts with 
38.14 	requirements in federal regulations for nursing home certification or with state statutes or 
38.15 	rules governing licensure of nursing homes, the federal regulations or state nursing home 
38.16 	licensure statutes or rules shall take precedence, and the conflicting board standard or rule 
38.17 	shall not apply to nursing home workers or nursing home employers.
38.18 		Subd. 6.Effect on other agreements. Nothing in sections 181.211 to 181.217 shall be 
38.19 	construed to:
38.20 	(1) limit the rights of parties to a collective bargaining agreement to bargain and agree 
38.21 	with respect to nursing home employment standards; or
38.22 	(2) diminish the obligation of a nursing home employer to comply with any contract, 
38.23 	collective bargaining agreement, or employment benefit program or plan that meets or 
38.24 	exceeds, and does not conflict with, the minimum standards and requirements in sections 
38.25 	181.211 to 181.217 or established by the board.

38.26 	Sec. 6. [181.214] DUTIES OF THE BOARD; TRAINING FOR NURSING HOME 
38.27 	WORKERS.
38.28 		Subdivision 1.Certification of worker organizations. The board shall certify worker 
38.29 	organizations that it finds are qualified to provide training to nursing home workers according 
38.30 	to this section. The board shall by rule establish certification criteria that a worker 
38.31 	organization must meet in order to be certified and provide a process for renewal of 
38.32 	certification upon the board's review of the worker organization's compliance with this 
38.33 	section. In adopting rules to establish certification criteria under this subdivision, the board 
39.1 	may use the authority in section 14.389. The criteria must ensure that a worker organization, 
39.2 	if certified, is able to provide:
39.3 	(1) effective, interactive training on the information required by this section; and
39.4 	(2) follow-up written materials and responses to inquiries from nursing home workers 
39.5 	in the languages in which nursing home workers are proficient.
39.6 		Subd. 2.Curriculum. (a) The board shall establish requirements for the curriculum for 
39.7 	the nursing home worker training required by this section. A curriculum must at least provide 
39.8 	the following information to nursing home workers:
39.9 	(1) the applicable compensation and working conditions in the minimum standards or 
39.10 	local minimum standards established by the board;
39.11 	(2) the antiretaliation protections established in section 181.216;
39.12 	(3) information on how to enforce sections 181.211 to 181.217 and on how to report 
39.13 	violations of sections 181.211 to 181.217 or of standards established by the board, including 
39.14 	contact information for the Department of Labor and Industry, the board, and any local 
39.15 	enforcement agencies, and information on the remedies available for violations;
39.16 	(4) the purposes and functions of the board and information on upcoming hearings, 
39.17 	investigations, or other opportunities for nursing home workers to become involved in board 
39.18 	proceedings;
39.19 	(5) other rights, duties, and obligations under sections 181.211 to 181.217;
39.20 	(6) any updates or changes to the information provided according to clauses (1) to (5) 
39.21 	since the most recent training session;
39.22 	(7) any other information the board deems appropriate to facilitate compliance with 
39.23 	sections 181.211 to 181.217; and
39.24 	(8) information on labor standards in other applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, 
39.25 	and ordinances regarding nursing home working conditions or nursing home worker health 
39.26 	and safety.
39.27 	(b) Before establishing initial curriculum requirements, the board must hold at least one 
39.28 	public hearing to solicit input on the requirements.
39.29 		Subd. 3.Topics covered in training session. A certified worker organization is not 
39.30 	required to cover all of the topics listed in subdivision 2 in a single training session. A 
39.31 	curriculum used by a certified worker organization may provide instruction on each topic 
39.32 	listed in subdivision 2 over the course of up to three training sessions.
40.1 		Subd. 4.Annual review of curriculum requirements. The board must review the 
40.2 	adequacy of its curriculum requirements at least annually and must revise the requirements 
40.3 	as appropriate to meet the purposes of sections 181.211 to 181.217. As part of each annual 
40.4 	review of the curriculum requirements, the board must hold at least one public hearing to 
40.5 	solicit input on the requirements.
40.6 		Subd. 5.Duties of certified worker organizations. A certified worker organization:
40.7 	(1) must use a curriculum for its training sessions that meets requirements established 
40.8 	by the board;
40.9 	(2) must provide trainings that are interactive and conducted in the languages in which 
40.10 	the attending nursing home workers are proficient;
40.11 	(3) must, at the end of each training session, provide attending nursing home workers 
40.12 	with follow-up written or electronic materials on the topics covered in the training session, 
40.13 	in order to fully inform nursing home workers of their rights and opportunities under sections 
40.14 	181.211 to 181.217;
40.15 	(4) must make itself reasonably available to respond to inquiries from nursing home 
40.16 	workers during and after training sessions; and
40.17 	(5) may conduct surveys of nursing home workers who attend a training session to assess 
40.18 	the effectiveness of the training session and industry compliance with sections 181.211 to 
40.19 	181.217 and other applicable laws, rules, and ordinances governing nursing home working 
40.20 	conditions or worker health and safety.
40.21 		Subd. 6.Nursing home employer duties regarding training. (a) A nursing home 
40.22 	employer must submit written documentation to the board to certify that every two years 
40.23 	each of its nursing home workers completes one hour of training that meets the requirements 
40.24 	of this section and is provided by a certified worker organization. A nursing home employer 
40.25 	may, but is not required to, host training sessions on the premises of the nursing home.
40.26 	(b) If requested by a certified worker organization, a nursing home employer must, after 
40.27 	a training session provided by the certified worker organization, provide the certified worker 
40.28 	organization with the names and contact information of the nursing home workers who 
40.29 	attended the training session, unless a nursing home worker opts out according to paragraph 
40.30 	(c).
40.31 	(c) A nursing home worker may opt out of having the worker's nursing home employer 
40.32 	provide the worker's name and contact information to a certified worker organization that 
41.1 	provided a training session attended by the worker by submitting a written statement to that 
41.2 	effect to the nursing home employer.
41.3 		Subd. 7.Training compensation. A nursing home employer must compensate its nursing 
41.4 	home workers at their regular hourly rate of wages and benefits for each hour of training 
41.5 	completed as required by this section and reimburse any reasonable travel expenses associated 
41.6 	with attending training sessions not held on the premises of the nursing home.

41.7 	Sec. 7. [181.215] REQUIRED NOTICES.
41.8 		Subdivision 1.Provision of notice. (a) Nursing home employers must provide notices 
41.9 	informing nursing home workers of the rights and obligations provided under sections 
41.10 	181.211 to 181.217 of applicable minimum nursing home employment standards and local 
41.11 	minimum standards and that for assistance and information, nursing home workers should 
41.12 	contact the Department of Labor and Industry. A nursing home employer must provide 
41.13 	notice using the same means that the nursing home employer uses to provide other 
41.14 	work-related notices to nursing home workers. Provision of notice must be at least as 
41.15 	conspicuous as:
41.16 	(1) posting a copy of the notice at each work site where nursing home workers work 
41.17 	and where the notice may be readily seen and reviewed by all nursing home workers working 
41.18 	at the site; or
41.19 	(2) providing a paper or electronic copy of the notice to all nursing home workers and 
41.20 	applicants for employment as a nursing home worker.
41.21 	(b) The notice required by this subdivision must include text provided by the board that 
41.22 	informs nursing home workers that they may request the notice to be provided in a particular 
41.23 	language. The nursing home employer must provide the notice in the language requested 
41.24 	by the nursing home worker. The board must assist nursing home employers in translating 
41.25 	the notice in the languages requested by their nursing home workers.
41.26 		Subd. 2.Minimum content and posting requirements. The board must adopt rules 
41.27 	under section 14.389 specifying the minimum content and posting requirements for the 
41.28 	notices required in subdivision 1. The board must make available to nursing home employers 
41.29 	a template or sample notice that satisfies the requirements of this section and rules adopted 
41.30 	under this section.

42.1 	Sec. 8. [181.216] RETALIATION PROHIBITED.
42.2 	(a) A nursing home employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, interfere with, 
42.3 	threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against a nursing home 
42.4 	worker because the person has exercised or attempted to exercise rights protected under 
42.5 	this act, including but not limited to:
42.6 	(1) exercising any right afforded to the nursing home worker under sections 181.211 to 
42.7 	181.217;
42.8 	(2) participating in any process or proceeding under sections 181.211 to 181.217, 
42.9 	including but not limited to board hearings, board or department investigations, or other 
42.10 	related proceedings; or
42.11 	(3) attending or participating in the training required by section 181.214.
42.12 	(b) It shall be unlawful for an employer to:
42.13 	(1) inform another employer that a nursing home worker or former nursing home worker 
42.14 	has engaged in activities protected under sections 181.211 to 181.217; or
42.15 	(2) report or threaten to report the actual or suspected citizenship or immigration status 
42.16 	of a nursing home worker, former nursing home worker, or family member of a nursing 
42.17 	home worker to a federal, state, or local agency for exercising or attempting to exercise any 
42.18 	right protected under this act.
42.19 	(c) A person found to have experienced retaliation in violation of this section shall be 
42.20 	entitled to back pay and reinstatement to the person's previous position, wages, benefits, 
42.21 	hours, and other conditions of employment.

42.22 	Sec. 9. [181.217] ENFORCEMENT.
42.23 		Subdivision 1.Minimum nursing home employment standards. Except as provided 
42.24 	in section 181.213, subdivision 4, paragraph (b) or (c), the minimum wages and other 
42.25 	compensation established by the board in rule as minimum nursing home employment 
42.26 	standards shall be the minimum wages and other compensation for nursing home workers 
42.27 	or a subgroup of nursing home workers as a matter of state law. Except as provided in 
42.28 	section 181.213, subdivision 4, paragraph (b) or (c), it shall be unlawful for a nursing home 
42.29 	employer to employ a nursing home worker for lower wages or other compensation than 
42.30 	that established as the minimum nursing home employment standards.
42.31 		Subd. 2.Investigations. The commissioner may investigate possible violations of sections 
42.32 	181.214 to 181.217 or of the minimum nursing home employment standards established by 
43.1 	the board whenever it has cause to believe that a violation has occurred, either on the basis 
43.2 	of a report of a suspected violation or on the basis of any other credible information, including 
43.3 	violations found during the course of an investigation.
43.4 		Subd. 3.Civil action by nursing home worker. (a) One or more nursing home workers 
43.5 	may bring a civil action in district court seeking redress for violations of sections 181.211 
43.6 	to 181.217 or of any applicable minimum nursing home employment standards or local 
43.7 	minimum nursing home employment standards. Such an action may be filed in the district 
43.8 	court of the county where a violation or violations are alleged to have been committed or 
43.9 	where the nursing home employer resides, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, 
43.10 	and may represent a class of similarly situated nursing home workers.
43.11 	(b) Upon a finding of one or more violations, a nursing home employer shall be liable 
43.12 	to each nursing home worker for the full amount of the wages, benefits, and overtime 
43.13 	compensation, less any amount the nursing home employer is able to establish was actually 
43.14 	paid to each nursing home worker, and for an additional equal amount as liquidated damages. 
43.15 	In an action under this subdivision, nursing home workers may seek damages and other 
43.16 	appropriate relief provided by section 177.27, subdivision 7, or otherwise provided by law, 
43.17 	including reasonable costs, disbursements, witness fees, and attorney fees. A court may also 
43.18 	issue an order requiring compliance with sections 181.211 to 181.217 or with the applicable 
43.19 	minimum nursing home employment standards or local minimum nursing home employment 
43.20 	standards. A nursing home worker found to have experienced retaliation in violation of 
43.21 	section 181.216 shall be entitled to back pay and reinstatement to the worker's previous 
43.22 	position, wages, benefits, hours, and other conditions of employment.
43.23 	(c) An agreement between a nursing home employer and nursing home worker or labor 
43.24 	union that fails to meet the minimum standards and requirements in sections 181.211 to 
43.25 	181.217 or established by the board is not a defense to an action brought under this 
43.26 	subdivision.

43.27 	Sec. 10. INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.
 43.28 	The governor shall make initial appointments to the Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce 
43.29 	Standards Board under Minnesota Statutes, section 181.212, no later than August 1, 2023. 
43.30 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 181.212, subdivision 2, the initial terms of 
43.31 	members appointed under Minnesota Statutes, section 181.212, subdivision 1, clauses (4) 
43.32 	and (5), shall be determined by lot by the secretary of state and shall be as follows:
43.33 	(1) one member appointed under each of Minnesota Statutes, section 181.212, subdivision 
43.34 	1, clauses (4) and (5), shall serve a two-year term;
44.1 	(2) one member appointed under each of Minnesota Statutes, section 181.212, subdivision 
44.2 	1, clauses (4) and (5), shall serve a three-year term; and
44.3 	(3) one member appointed under each of Minnesota Statutes, section 181.212, subdivision 
44.4 	1, clauses (4) and (5), shall serve a four-year term.
44.5 	The commissioner of labor and industry must convene the first meeting within 30 days after 
44.6 	the governor completes appointments to the board. The board must elect a chair at its first 
44.7 	meeting.

44.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

44.9 	ARTICLE 4
44.10 	COMBATIVE SPORTS

44.11 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.21, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
44.12 		Subd. 2a.Combatant. "Combatant" means an individual who employs the act of attack 
44.13 	and defense as a professional boxer, professional or amateur tough person, martial artist
44.14 	professional or amateur kickboxer, or professional or amateur mixed martial artist while 
44.15 	engaged in a combative sport.

44.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

44.17 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.21, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:
44.18 		Subd. 2b.Combative sport. "Combative sport" means a sport that employs the act of 
44.19 	attack and defense with the fists, with or without using padded gloves, or feet that is practiced 
44.20 	as a sport under the rules of the Association of Boxing Commissions, unified rules for mixed 
44.21 	martial arts, or their equivalent. Combative sports include professional boxing and,
44.22 	professional and amateur tough person, professional or amateur kickboxing, and professional 
44.23 	and amateur mixed martial arts contests.

44.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

44.25 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.21, subdivision 2c, is amended to read:
44.26 		Subd. 2c.Combative sports contest. "Combative sports contest" means a professional 
44.27 	boxing, a professional or amateur tough person, a professional or amateur kickboxing, or 
44.28 	a professional or amateur martial art contest or mixed martial arts contest, bout, competition, 
44.29 	match, or exhibition.

44.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

45.1 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.21, subdivision 4f, is amended to read:
45.2 		Subd. 4f.Martial art. "Martial art" means a variety of weaponless disciplines of combat 
45.3 	or self-defense that utilize physical skill and coordination, and are practiced as combat 
45.4 	sports. The disciplines include, but are not limited to, Wing Chun, kickboxing, Tae kwon 
45.5 	do, savate, karate, Muay Thai, sanshou, Jiu Jitsu, judo, ninjitsu, kung fu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, 
45.6 	wrestling, grappling, tai chi, and other weaponless martial arts disciplines.

45.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

45.8 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
45.9 	read:
45.10 		Subd. 4i.Kickboxing. "Kickboxing" means the act of attack and defense with the fists 
45.11 	using padded gloves and bare feet.

45.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

45.13 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.21, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
45.14 		Subd. 7.Tough person contest. "Tough person contest," including contests marketed 
45.15 	as tough man or tough woman contests, means a contest of two-minute rounds consisting 
45.16 	of not more than four rounds between two or more individuals who use their hands, or their 
45.17 	feet, or both in any manner. Tough person contest includes kickboxing and other recognized 
45.18 	martial art contest boxing match or similar contest where each combatant wears headgear 
45.19 	and gloves that weigh at least 12 ounces.

45.20 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.221, is amended to read:
45.21 	341.221 ADVISORY COUNCIL.
45.22 	(a) The commissioner must appoint a Combative Sports Advisory Council to advise the 
45.23 	commissioner on the administration of duties under this chapter.
45.24 	(b) The council shall have nine five members appointed by the commissioner. One 
45.25 	member must be a retired judge of the Minnesota District Court, Minnesota Court of Appeals, 
45.26 	Minnesota Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, 
45.27 	or the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. At least four All five members must have knowledge 
45.28 	of the boxing industry. At least four members must have knowledge of the mixed martial 
45.29 	arts industry combative sports. The commissioner shall make serious efforts to appoint 
45.30 	qualified women to serve on the council.
46.1 	(c) Council members shall serve terms of four years with the terms ending on the first 
46.2 	Monday in January.
46.3 	(d) (c) The council shall annually elect from its membership a chair.
46.4 	(e) (d) Meetings shall be convened by the commissioner, or by the chair with the approval 
46.5 	of the commissioner.
46.6 	(f) The commissioner shall designate two of the members to serve until the first Monday 
46.7 	in January 2013; two members to serve until the first Monday in January 2014; two members 
46.8 	to serve until the first Monday in January 2015; and three members to serve until the first 
46.9 	Monday in January 2016.
46.10 	(e) Appointments to the council and the terms of council members are governed by 
46.11 	sections 15.059 and 15.0597.
46.12 	(g) (f) Removal of members, filling of vacancies, and compensation of members shall 
46.13 	be as provided in section 15.059.
46.14 	(g) Meetings convened for the purpose of advising the commissioner on issues related 
46.15 	to a challenge filed under section 341.345 are exempt from the open meeting requirements 
46.16 	of chapter 13D.

46.17 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.25, is amended to read:
46.18 	341.25 RULES.
46.19 	(a) The commissioner may adopt rules that include standards for the physical examination 
46.20 	and condition of combatants and referees.
46.21 	(b) The commissioner may adopt other rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
46.22 	chapter, including, but not limited to, the conduct of all combative sport contests and their 
46.23 	manner, supervision, time, and place.
46.24 	(c) The commissioner must adopt unified rules for mixed martial arts contests.
46.25 	(d) The commissioner may adopt the rules of the Association of Boxing Commissions, 
46.26 	with amendments.
46.27 	(e) (c) The most recent version of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, as 
46.28 	promulgated by the Association of Boxing Commissions and amended August 2, 2016, are, 
46.29 	is incorporated by reference and made a part of this chapter except as qualified by this 
46.30 	chapter and Minnesota Rules, chapter 2202. In the event of a conflict between this chapter 
46.31 	and the Unified Rules, this chapter must govern.
47.1 	(d) The most recent version of the Unified Rules of Boxing, as promulgated by the 
47.2 	Association of Boxing Commissions, is incorporated by reference and made a part of this 
47.3 	chapter except as qualified by this chapter and Minnesota Rules, chapter 2201. In the event 
47.4 	of a conflict between this chapter and the Unified Rules, this chapter must govern.
47.5 	(e) The most recent version of the Unified Rules of Kickboxing, as promulgated by the 
47.6 	Association of Boxing Commissions, is incorporated by reference and made a part of this 
47.7 	chapter except as qualified by this chapter and any applicable Minnesota Rules. In the event 
47.8 	of a conflict between this chapter and the Unified Rules, this chapter must govern.

47.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

47.10 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.27, is amended to read:
47.11 	341.27 COMMISSIONER DUTIES.
47.12 	The commissioner shall:
47.13 	(1) issue, deny, renew, suspend, or revoke licenses;
47.14 	(2) make and maintain records of its acts and proceedings including the issuance, denial, 
47.15 	renewal, suspension, or revocation of licenses;
47.16 	(3) keep public records of the council open to inspection at all reasonable times;
47.17 	(4) develop rules to be implemented under this chapter;
47.18 	(5) conform to the rules adopted under this chapter;
47.19 	(6) develop policies and procedures for regulating boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial 
47.20 	arts;
47.21 	(7) approve regulatory bodies to oversee martial arts and amateur boxing contests under 
47.22 	section 341.28, subdivision 5;
47.23 	(7) (8) immediately suspend an individual license for a medical condition, including but 
47.24 	not limited to a medical condition resulting from an injury sustained during a match, bout, 
47.25 	or contest that has been confirmed by the ringside physician. The medical suspension must 
47.26 	be lifted after the commissioner receives written information from a physician licensed in 
47.27 	the home state of the licensee indicating that the combatant may resume competition, and 
47.28 	any other information that the commissioner may by rule require. Medical suspensions are 
47.29 	not subject to section 326B.082 or the contested case procedures provided in sections 14.57 
47.30 	to 14.69; and
48.1 	(8) (9) immediately suspend an individual combatant license for a mandatory rest period, 
48.2 	which must commence at the conclusion of every combative sports contest in which the 
48.3 	license holder competes and does not receive a medical suspension. A rest suspension must 
48.4 	automatically lift after 14 calendar days from the date the combative sports contest passed 
48.5 	without notice or additional proceedings. Rest suspensions are not subject to section 326B.082
48.6 	or the contested case procedures provided in sections 14.57 to 14.69.

48.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

48.8 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
48.9 		Subd. 2.Regulatory authority; tough person contests. All professional and amateur 
48.10 	tough person contests are subject to this chapter. All tough person contests are subject to 
48.11 	the most recent version of the Unified Rules of Boxing, as promulgated by the Association 
48.12 	of Boxing Commissions rules. Every contestant in a tough person contest shall have a 
48.13 	physical examination prior to their bouts. Every contestant in a tough person contest shall 
48.14 	wear headgear and padded gloves that weigh at least 12 ounces. All tough person bouts are 
48.15 	limited to two-minute rounds and a maximum of four total rounds. Officials at all tough 
48.16 	person contests shall be licensed under this chapter.

48.17 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.28, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
48.18 		Subd. 3.Regulatory authority; mixed martial arts contests; similar sporting 
48.19 	events. All professional and amateur mixed martial arts contests, martial arts contests except 
48.20 	amateur contests regulated by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), recognized 
48.21 	martial arts studios and schools in Minnesota, and recognized national martial arts 
48.22 	organizations holding contests between students, ultimate fight contests, and similar sporting 
48.23 	events are subject to this chapter and all officials at these events must be licensed under this 
48.24 	chapter.

48.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

48.26 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.28, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
48.27 	read:
48.28 		Subd. 4.Regulatory authority; kickboxing contests. All professional and amateur 
48.29 	kickboxing contests are subject to this chapter and all officials at these events must be 
48.30 	licensed under this chapter.

48.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

49.1 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.28, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
49.2 	read:
49.3 		Subd. 5.Regulatory authority; martial arts and amateur boxing.  (a) Unless this 
49.4 	chapter specifically states otherwise, contests or exhibitions for martial arts and amateur 
49.5 	boxing are exempt from the requirements of this chapter and officials at these events are 
49.6 	not required to be licensed under this chapter.
49.7 	(b) Martial arts and amateur boxing contests, unless subject to the exceptions set forth 
49.8 	in subdivision 6, must be regulated by a nationally recognized organization approved by 
49.9 	the commissioner. The organization must have a set of written standards, procedures, or 
49.10 	rules used to sanction the combative sports it oversees.
49.11 	(c) Any regulatory body overseeing a martial arts or amateur boxing event must submit 
49.12 	bout results to the commissioner within 72 hours after the event. If the regulatory body 
49.13 	issues suspensions, the regulatory body must submit to the commissioner a list of any 
49.14 	suspensions resulting from the event within 72 hours after the event. Regulatory bodies that 
49.15 	oversee combative sports or martial arts contests under subdivision 6 are not subject to this 
49.16 	paragraph.

49.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

49.18 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.28, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
49.19 	read:
49.20 		Subd. 6.Regulatory authority; certain students. Combative sports or martial arts 
49.21 	contests regulated by the Minnesota State High School League, National Collegiate Athletic 
49.22 	Association, National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association, National Association of 
49.23 	Intercollegiate Athletics, or any similar organization that governs interscholastic athletics 
49.24 	are not subject to this chapter and officials at these events are not required to be licensed 
49.25 	under this chapter.

49.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

49.27 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
49.28 		Subd. 4.Prelicensure requirements. (a) Before the commissioner issues a promoter's 
49.29 	license to an individual, corporation, or other business entity, the applicant shall, a minimum 
49.30 	of six weeks before the combative sport contest is scheduled to occur, complete a licensing 
49.31 	application on the Office of Combative Sports website or on forms furnished or approved
49.32 	prescribed by the commissioner and shall:
50.1 	(1) provide the commissioner with a copy of any agreement between a combatant and 
50.2 	the applicant that binds the applicant to pay the combatant a certain fixed fee or percentage 
50.3 	of the gate receipts;
50.4 	(2) (1) show on the licensing application the owner or owners of the applicant entity and 
50.5 	the percentage of interest held by each owner holding a 25 percent or more interest in the 
50.6 	applicant;
50.7 	(3) (2) provide the commissioner with a copy of the latest financial statement of the 
50.8 	applicant;
50.9 	(4) provide the commissioner with a copy or other proof acceptable to the commissioner 
50.10 	of the insurance contract or policy required by this chapter;
50.11 	(5) (3) provide proof, where applicable, of authorization to do business in the state of 
50.12 	Minnesota; and
50.13 	(6) (4) deposit with the commissioner a cash bond or surety bond in an amount set by 
50.14 	the commissioner, which must not be less than $10,000. The bond shall be executed in favor 
50.15 	of this state and shall be conditioned on the faithful performance by the promoter of the 
50.16 	promoter's obligations under this chapter and the rules adopted under it.
50.17 	(b) Before the commissioner issues a license to a combatant, the applicant shall:
50.18 	(1) submit to the commissioner the results of a current medical examination examinations
50.19 	on forms furnished or approved prescribed by the commissioner that state that the combatant 
50.20 	is cleared to participate in a combative sport contest. The medical examination must include 
50.21 	an ophthalmological and neurological examination, and documentation of test results for 
50.22 	HBV, HCV, and HIV, and any other blood test as the commissioner by rule may require. 
50.23 	The ophthalmological examination must be designed to detect any retinal defects or other 
50.24 	damage or condition of the eye that could be aggravated by combative sports. The 
50.25 	neurological examination must include an electroencephalogram or medically superior test 
50.26 	if the combatant has been knocked unconscious in a previous contest. The commissioner 
50.27 	may also order an electroencephalogram or other appropriate neurological or physical 
50.28 	examination before any contest if it determines that the examination is desirable to protect 
50.29 	the health of the combatant. The commissioner shall not issue a license to an applicant 
50.30 	submitting positive test results for HBV, HCV, or HIV; The applicant must undergo and 
50.31 	submit the results of the following medical examinations, which do not exempt a combatant 
50.32 	from the requirements in section 341.33:
51.1 	(i) a physical examination performed by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathic 
51.2 	medicine, advance practice nurse practitioner, or a physician assistant. Physical examinations 
51.3 	are valid for one year from the date of the exam;
51.4 	(ii) an ophthalmological examination performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist 
51.5 	that includes dilation designed to detect any retinal defects or other damage or a condition 
51.6 	of the eye that could be aggravated by combative sports. Ophthalmological examinations 
51.7 	are valid for one year from the date of the exam;
51.8 	(iii) blood work results for HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen), HCV (Hepatitis C 
51.9 	antibody), and HIV. Blood work results are good for one year from the date blood was 
51.10 	drawn. The commissioner shall not issue a license to an applicant submitting positive test 
51.11 	results for HBsAg, HCV, or HIV; and
51.12 	(iv) other appropriate neurological or physical examinations before any contest, if the 
51.13 	commissioner determines that the examination is desirable to protect the health of the 
51.14 	combatant;
51.15 	(2) complete a licensing application on the Office of Combative Sports website or on 
51.16 	forms furnished or approved prescribed by the commissioner; and
51.17 	(3) provide proof that the applicant is 18 years of age. Acceptable proof is a photo driver's 
51.18 	license, state photo identification card, passport, or birth certificate combined with additional 
51.19 	photo identification.
51.20 	(c) Before the commissioner issues a license to a referee, judge, or timekeeper, the 
51.21 	applicant must submit proof of qualifications that may include certified training from the 
51.22 	Association of Boxing Commissions, licensure with other regulatory bodies, professional 
51.23 	references, or a log of bouts worked.
51.24 	(d) Before the commissioner issues a license to a ringside physician, the applicant must 
51.25 	submit proof that they are licensed to practice medicine in the state of Minnesota and in 
51.26 	good standing.

51.27 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
51.28 		Subd. 2.Expiration and application. Licenses issued on or after January 1, 2023, shall 
51.29 	expire annually on December 31 one year after the date of issuance. A license may be 
51.30 	applied for each year by filing an application for licensure and satisfying all licensure 
51.31 	requirements established in section 341.30, and submitting payment of the license fees 
51.32 	established in section 341.321. An application for a license and renewal of a license must 
51.33 	be on a form provided by the commissioner.

52.1 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.321, is amended to read:
52.2 	341.321 FEE SCHEDULE.
52.3 	(a) The fee schedule for professional and amateur licenses issued by the commissioner 
52.4 	is as follows:
52.5 	(1) referees, $25;
52.6 	(2) promoters, $700;
52.7 	(3) judges and knockdown judges, $25;
52.8 	(4) trainers and seconds, $80 $40;
52.9 	(5) timekeepers, $25;
52.10 	(6) professional combatants, $70;
52.11 	(7) amateur combatants, $50 $35; and
52.12 	(8) ringside physicians, $25.
52.13 	License fees for promoters are due at least six weeks prior to the combative sport contest.
52.14 	All other license fees shall be paid no later than the weigh-in prior to the contest. No license 
52.15 	may be issued until all prelicensure requirements in section 341.30 are satisfied and fees 
52.16 	are paid.
52.17 	(b) The commissioner shall establish a contest fee for each combative sport contest and 
52.18 	shall consider the size and type of venue when establishing a contest fee. The A promoter 
52.19 	or event organizer of an event regulated by the Department of Labor and Industry must pay, 
52.20 	per event, a combative sport contest fee isof $1,500 per event or not more than four percent 
52.21 	of the gross ticket sales, whichever is greater, as determined by the commissioner when the 
52.22 	combative sport contest is scheduled. The fee must be paid as follows:
52.23 	(c) A professional or amateur combative sport contest fee is nonrefundable and shall be 
52.24 	paid as follows:
52.25 	(1) $500 at the time the combative sport contest is scheduled; and
52.26 	(2) $1,000 at the weigh-in prior to the contest.;
52.27 	(3) if four percent of the gross ticket sales is greater than $1,500, the balance is due to 
52.28 	the commissioner within 14 days of the completed contest; and
52.29 	(4) the value of all complimentary tickets distributed for an event, to the extent they 
52.30 	exceed five percent of total event attendance, counts toward gross tickets sales for the 
53.1 	purposes of determining a combative sports contest fee. For purposes of this clause, the 
53.2 	lowest advertised ticket price shall be used to calculate the value of complimentary tickets.
53.3 	If four percent of the gross ticket sales is greater than $1,500, the balance is due to the 
53.4 	commissioner within seven days of the completed contest.
53.5 	(d) The commissioner may establish the maximum number of complimentary tickets 
53.6 	allowed for each event by rule.
53.7 	(e) (c) All fees and penalties collected by the commissioner must be deposited in the 
53.8 	commissioner account in the special revenue fund.

53.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023, except that the amendments 
53.10 	to paragraph (b) are effective for combative sports contests scheduled to occur on or after 
53.11 	January 1, 2024.

53.12 	Sec. 18. [341.322] PAYMENT SCHEDULE.
53.13 	The commissioner may establish a schedule of payments to be paid by a promoter to 
53.14 	referees, judges and knockdown judges, timekeepers, and ringside physicians.

53.15 	Sec. 19. [341.323] EVENT APPROVAL.
53.16 		Subdivision 1.Preapproval documentation. Before the commissioner approves a 
53.17 	combative sports contest, the promoter shall provide the commissioner, at least six weeks 
53.18 	before the combative sport contest is scheduled to occur, information about the time, date, 
53.19 	and location of the contest and at least 72 hours before the combative sport contest is 
53.20 	scheduled to occur:
53.21 	(1) a copy of any agreement between a combatant and the promoter that binds the 
53.22 	promoter to pay the combatant a certain fixed fee or percentage of the gate receipts;
53.23 	(2) a copy or other proof acceptable to the commissioner of the insurance contract or 
53.24 	policy required by this chapter;
53.25 	(3) proof acceptable to the commissioner that the promoter will provide, at the cost of 
53.26 	the promoter, at least one uniformed security guard or uniformed off-duty member of law 
53.27 	enforcement to provide security at any event regulated by the Department of Labor and 
53.28 	Industry. The commissioner may require a promoter to take additional security measures 
53.29 	to ensure the safety of participants and spectators at an event; and
53.30 	(4) proof acceptable to the commissioner that the promoter will provide an ambulance 
53.31 	service as required by section 341.324.
54.1 		Subd. 2.Proper licensure. Before the commissioner approves a combative sport contest, 
54.2 	the commissioner must ensure that the promoter is properly licensed under this chapter. 
54.3 	The promoter must maintain proper licensure from the time it schedules a combative sports 
54.4 	contest through the date of the contest.
54.5 		Subd. 3.Discretion. Nothing in this section limits the commissioner's discretion in 
54.6 	deciding whether to approve a combative sport contest or event.

54.7 	Sec. 20. [341.324] AMBULANCE.
54.8 	A promoter must ensure, at the cost of the promoter, that a licensed ambulance service 
54.9 	with two emergency medical technicians is on the premises during a combative sports 
54.10 	contest.

54.11 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.33, is amended to read:
54.12 	341.33 PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIRED; FEES.
54.13 		Subdivision 1.Examination by physician. All combatants must be examined by a 
54.14 	physician licensed by this state within 36 hours before entering the ring, and the examining 
54.15 	physician shall immediately file with the commissioner a written report of the examination. 
54.16 	The physician's examination may report on the condition of the combatant's heart and general 
54.17 	physical and general neurological condition. The physician's report may record the condition 
54.18 	of the combatant's nervous system and brain as required by the commissioner. The physician 
54.19 	may prohibit the combatant from entering the ring if, in the physician's professional opinion, 
54.20 	it is in the best interest of the combatant's health. The cost of the examination is payable by 
54.21 	the promoter conducting the contest or exhibition.
54.22 		Subd. 2.Attendance of physician. A promoter holding or sponsoring a combative sport 
54.23 	contest shall have in attendance a physician licensed by this state Minnesota. The 
54.24 	commissioner may establish a schedule of fees to be paid to each attending physician by 
54.25 	the promoter holding or sponsoring the contest.

54.26 	Sec. 22. [341.331] PROHIBITED PERFORMANCE ENHANCING SUBSTANCES 
54.27 	AND TESTING.
54.28 		Subdivision 1.Performance enhancing substances and masking agents prohibited. All 
54.29 	combatants are prohibited from using the substances listed in the following classes contained 
54.30 	in the World Anti-Doping Code published by the World Anti-Doping Agency, unless a 
54.31 	combatant meets an applicable exception set forth therein:
55.1 	(1) S0, nonapproved substances;
55.2 	(2) S1, anabolic agents;
55.3 	(3) S2, peptide hormones, growth factors, and related substances and mimetics;
55.4 	(4) S3, beta-2 agonists;
55.5 	(5) S4, hormone and metabolic modulators; and
55.6 	(6) S5, diuretics and masking agents.
55.7 		Subd. 2.Testing. The commissioner may administer drug testing to discover violations 
55.8 	of subdivision 1 as follows:
55.9 	(a) The commissioner may require a combatant to submit to a drug test to determine if 
55.10 	substances are present in the combatant's system in violation of subdivision 1. This testing 
55.11 	may occur at any time after the official weigh-in, on the day of the contest in which the 
55.12 	combatant is participating, or within 24 hours of competing in a combative sports contest 
55.13 	in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner may require testing based 
55.14 	on reasonable cause or random selection. Grounds for reasonable cause includes observing 
55.15 	or receiving credible information that a combatant has used prohibited performance enhancing 
55.16 	drugs. If testing is based on random selection, both combatants competing in a selected bout 
55.17 	shall submit to a drug test.
55.18 	(b) Specimens may include urine, hair samples, or blood. Specimens shall be tested at 
55.19 	a facility acceptable to the commissioner. Results of all drug tests shall be submitted directly 
55.20 	to the commissioner.
55.21 	(c) The promoter shall pay the costs relating to drug testing combatants. Any requests 
55.22 	for follow-up or additional testing must be paid by the combatant.
55.23 		Subd. 3.Discipline. (a) If a combatant fails to provide a sample for drug testing when 
55.24 	required, and the request is made before a bout, the combatant shall not be allowed to 
55.25 	compete in the bout. If the request is made after a bout, and the combatant fails to provide 
55.26 	a sample for drug testing, the combatant shall be subject to disciplinary action under section 
55.27 	341.29.
55.28 	(b) If a combatant's specimen tests positive for any prohibited substances, the combatant 
55.29 	shall be subject to disciplinary action under section 341.29.
55.30 	(c) A combatant who is disciplined and was the winner of a bout shall be disqualified 
55.31 	and the decision shall be changed to no contest. The results of a bout shall remain unchanged 
55.32 	if a combatant who is disciplined was the loser of the bout.

56.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

56.2 	Sec. 23. [341.345] CHALLENGING THE OUTCOME OF A COMBATIVE SPORT 
56.3 	CONTEST.
56.4 		Subdivision 1.Challenge. (a) If a combatant disagrees with the outcome of a combative 
56.5 	sport contest regulated by the Department of Labor and Industry in which the combatant 
56.6 	participated, the combatant may challenge the outcome.
56.7 	(b) If a third party makes a challenge on behalf of a combatant, the third party must 
56.8 	provide written confirmation that they are authorized to make the challenge on behalf of 
56.9 	the combatant. The written confirmation must contain the combatant's signature and must 
56.10 	be submitted with the challenge.
56.11 		Subd. 2.Form. A challenge must be submitted on a form prescribed by the commissioner, 
56.12 	set forth all relevant facts and the basis for the challenge, and state what remedy is being 
56.13 	sought. A combatant may submit photos, videos, documents, or any other evidence the 
56.14 	combatant would like the commissioner to consider in connection to the challenge. A 
56.15 	combatant may challenge the outcome of a contest only if it is alleged that:
56.16 	(1) the referee made an incorrect call or missed a rule violation that directly affected the 
56.17 	outcome of the contest;
56.18 	(2) there was collusion amongst officials to affect the outcome of the contest; or
56.19 	(3) scores were miscalculated.
56.20 		Subd. 3.Timing. A challenge must be submitted within ten days of the contest.
56.21 	(a) For purposes of this subdivision, the day of the contest shall not count toward the 
56.22 	ten-day period. If the tenth day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, then a combatant 
56.23 	shall have until the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday to submit a 
56.24 	challenge.
56.25 	(b) The challenge must be submitted to the commissioner at the address, fax number, 
56.26 	or email address designated on the commissioner's website. The date on which a challenge 
56.27 	is submitted by mail shall be the postmark date on the envelope in which the challenge is 
56.28 	mailed. If the challenge is faxed or emailed, it must be received by the commissioner by 
56.29 	4:30 p.m. Central Time on the day the challenge is due.
56.30 		Subd. 4.Opponent's response. If the requirements of subdivisions 1 to 3 are met, the 
56.31 	commissioner shall send a complete copy of the challenge documents, along with any 
56.32 	supporting materials submitted, to the opposing combatant by mail, fax, or email. The 
57.1 	opposing combatant has 14 days from the date the commissioner sends the challenge and 
57.2 	supporting materials to submit a response to the commissioner. Additional response time 
57.3 	is not added when the commissioner sends the challenge to the opposing combatant by mail. 
57.4 	The opposing combatant may submit photos, videos, documents, or any other evidence the 
57.5 	opposing combatant would like the commissioner to consider in connection to the challenge. 
57.6 	The response must be submitted to the commissioner at the address, fax number, or email 
57.7 	address designated on the commissioner's website. The date on which a response is submitted 
57.8 	by mail is the postmark date on the envelope in which the response is mailed. If the response 
57.9 	is faxed or emailed, it must be received by the commissioner by 4:30 p.m. Central Time on 
57.10 	the day the response is due.
57.11 		Subd. 5.Licensed official review. The commissioner may, if the commissioner 
57.12 	determines it would be helpful in resolving the issues raised in the challenge, send a complete 
57.13 	copy of the challenge or response, along with any supporting materials submitted, to any 
57.14 	licensed official involved in the combative sport contest at issue by mail, fax, or email and 
57.15 	request the official's views on the issues raised in the challenge.
57.16 		Subd. 6.Order. The commissioner shall issue an order on the challenge within 60 days 
57.17 	after receiving the opposing combatant's response. If the opposing combatant does not 
57.18 	submit a response, the commissioner shall issue an order on the challenge within 75 days 
57.19 	after receiving the challenge.
57.20 		Subd. 7.Nonacceptance. If the requirements of subdivisions 1 through 3 are not met, 
57.21 	the commissioner must not accept the challenge and may send correspondence to the person 
57.22 	who submitted the challenge stating the reasons for nonacceptance of the challenge. A 
57.23 	combatant has no further appeal rights if the combatant's challenge is not accepted by the 
57.24 	commissioner.
57.25 		Subd. 8.Administrative hearing. After the commissioner issues an order under 
57.26 	subdivision 6, each combatant under section 326B.082, subdivision 8, has 30 days after 
57.27 	service of the order to submit a request for hearing before an administrative law judge.

57.28 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.355, is amended to read:
57.29 	341.355 CIVIL PENALTIES.
57.30 	When the commissioner finds that a person has violated one or more provisions of any 
57.31 	statute, rule, or order that the commissioner is empowered to regulate, enforce, or issue, the 
57.32 	commissioner may impose, for each violation, a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each 
57.33 	violation, or a civil penalty that deprives the person of any economic advantage gained by 
58.1 	the violation, or both. The commissioner may also impose these penalties against a person 
58.2 	who has violated section 341.28, subdivision 5, paragraph (b) or (c).

58.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

58.4 	ARTICLE 5
58.5 	MEAT AND POULTRY PROCESSING

58.6 	Section 1. [179.87] TITLE.
58.7 	Sections 179.87 to 179.8757 may be titled the "Safe Workplaces for Meat and Poultry 
58.8 	Processing Workers Act."

58.9 	Sec. 2. [179.871] DEFINITIONS.
58.10 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of sections 179.87 to 179.8757, the terms in 
58.11 	this section have the meanings given.
58.12 		Subd. 2.Authorized employee representative. "Authorized employee representative" 
58.13 	has the meaning given in section 182.651, subdivision 22.
58.14 		Subd. 3.Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of labor and industry 
58.15 	or the commissioner's designee.
58.16 		Subd. 4.Coordinator. "Coordinator" means the meatpacking industry worker rights 
58.17 	coordinator or the coordinator's designee.
58.18 		Subd. 5.Meat-processing worker. "Meat-processing worker" or "worker" means any 
58.19 	individual who a meat-processing employer suffers or permits to work directly in contact 
58.20 	with raw meatpacking products in a meatpacking operation, including independent contractors 
58.21 	and persons performing work for an employer through a temporary service or staffing 
58.22 	agency. Workers in a meatpacking operation who inspect or package meatpacking products 
58.23 	and workers who clean, maintain, or sanitize equipment or surfaces are included in the 
58.24 	definition of a meat-processing worker. Meat-processing worker does not include a federal, 
58.25 	state, or local government inspector.
58.26 		Subd. 6.Meatpacking operation. "Meatpacking operation" or "meat-processing 
58.27 	employer" means a meatpacking or poultry processing site with 100 or more employees in 
58.28 	Minnesota and a North American Industrial Classification system (NAICS) code of 311611 
58.29 	to 311615, excluding NAICS code 311613. Meatpacking operation or meat-processing 
58.30 	employer does not mean a grocery store, butcher shop, meat market, deli, restaurant, or 
59.1 	other business preparing meatpacking products for immediate consumption or for sale in a 
59.2 	retail establishment or otherwise directly to an end-consumer.
59.3 		Subd. 7.Meatpacking products. "Meatpacking products" means meat food products 
59.4 	and poultry food products as defined in section 31A.02, subdivision 10.

59.5 	Sec. 3. [179.8715] WORKER RIGHTS COORDINATOR.
59.6 	(a) The commissioner must appoint a meatpacking industry worker rights coordinator 
59.7 	in the Department of Labor and Industry and provide the coordinator with necessary office 
59.8 	space, furniture, equipment, supplies, and assistance.
59.9 	(b) The commissioner must enforce sections 179.87 to 179.8757, including inspecting, 
59.10 	reviewing, and recommending improvements to the practices and procedures of meatpacking 
59.11 	operations in Minnesota. A meat-processing employer must grant the commissioner full 
59.12 	access to all meatpacking operations in this state at any time that meatpacking products are 
59.13 	being processed or meat-processing workers are on the job.
59.14 	(c) No later than December 1 each year, beginning December 1, 2024, the coordinator 
59.15 	must submit a report to the governor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the 
59.16 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over labor. The report must include recommendations 
59.17 	to promote better treatment of meat-processing workers. The coordinator shall also post the 
59.18 	report on the Department of Labor and Industry's website.

59.19 	Sec. 4. [179.872] REFUSAL TO WORK UNDER DANGEROUS CONDITIONS.
59.20 	A meat-processing worker has the right to refuse to work under dangerous conditions 
59.21 	in accordance with section 182.654, subdivision 11. Pursuant to section 182.654, subdivision 
59.22 	11, the worker shall continue to receive pay and shall not be subject to discrimination.

59.23 	Sec. 5. [179.875] ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE.
59.24 		Subdivision 1.Administrative enforcement. The commissioner, either on the 
59.25 	commissioner's initiative or in response to a complaint, may inspect a meatpacking operation 
59.26 	and subpoena records and witnesses as provided in sections 175.20, 177.27, and 182.659. 
59.27 	If a meat-processing employer does not comply with the commissioner's inspection, the 
59.28 	commissioner may seek relief as provided in this section or chapter 175 or 182.
59.29 		Subd. 2.Compliance authority. The commissioner may issue a compliance order under 
59.30 	section 177.27, subdivision 4, requiring an employer to comply with sections 179.8755, 
59.31 	paragraphs (b) and (c); 179.8756, subdivisions 1 to 3 and 4, paragraphs (f) and (g); and 
60.1 	179.8757. The commissioner also has authority, pursuant to section 182.662, subdivision 
60.2 	1, to issue a stop-work or business-closure order when there is a condition or practice that 
60.3 	could result in death or serious physical harm.
60.4 		Subd. 3.Private civil action. If a meat-processing employer does not comply with a 
60.5 	provision in sections 179.87 to 179.8757, an aggrieved worker, authorized employee 
60.6 	representative, or other person may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction 
60.7 	within three years of an alleged violation and, upon prevailing, must be awarded the relief 
60.8 	provided in this section. Pursuing administrative relief is not a prerequisite for bringing a 
60.9 	civil action.
60.10 		Subd. 4.Other government enforcement. The attorney general may enforce sections 
60.11 	179.87 to 179.8757 under section 8.31.
60.12 		Subd. 5.Relief. (a) In a civil action or administrative proceeding brought to enforce 
60.13 	sections 179.87 to 179.8757, the court or commissioner must order relief as provided in this 
60.14 	subdivision.
60.15 	(b) For any violation of sections 179.87 to 179.8757:
60.16 	(1) an injunction to order compliance and restrain continued violations;
60.17 	(2) payment to a prevailing worker by a meat-processing employer of reasonable costs, 
60.18 	disbursements, and attorney fees; and
60.19 	(3) a civil penalty payable to the state of not less than $100 per day per worker affected 
60.20 	by the meat-processing employer's noncompliance with sections 179.87 to 179.8757.
60.21 	(c) Any worker who brings a complaint under sections 179.87 to 179.8757 and suffers 
60.22 	retaliation is entitled to treble damages in addition to lost pay and recovery of attorney fees 
60.23 	and costs.
60.24 	(d) Any company who is found to have retaliated against a meat-processing worker must 
60.25 	pay a fine of up to $10,000 to the commissioner, in addition to other penalties available 
60.26 	under the law.
60.27 		Subd. 6.Whistleblower enforcement; penalty distribution. (a) The relief provided in 
60.28 	this section may be recovered through a private civil action brought on behalf of the 
60.29 	commissioner in a court of competent jurisdiction by another individual, including an 
60.30 	authorized employee representative, pursuant to this subdivision.
60.31 	(b) The individual must give written notice to the coordinator of the specific provision 
60.32 	or provisions of sections 179.87 to 179.8757 alleged to have been violated. The individual 
61.1 	or representative organization may commence a civil action under this subdivision if no 
61.2 	enforcement action is taken by the commissioner within 30 days.
61.3 	(c) Civil penalties recovered pursuant to this subdivision must be distributed as follows:
61.4 	(1) 70 percent to the commissioner for enforcement of sections 179.87 to 179.8757; and
61.5 	(2) 30 percent to the individual or authorized employee representative.
61.6 	(d) The right to bring an action under this subdivision shall not be impaired by private 
61.7 	contract. A public enforcement action must be tried promptly, without regard to concurrent 
61.8 	adjudication of a private claim for the same alleged violation.

61.9 	Sec. 6. [179.8755] RETALIATION AGAINST EMPLOYEES AND 
61.10 	WHISTLEBLOWERS PROHIBITED.
61.11 	(a) Pursuant to section 182.669, no meat-processing employer or other person may 
61.12 	discharge or discriminate against a worker because the worker has raised a concern about 
61.13 	a meatpacking operation's health and safety practices to the employer or otherwise exercised 
61.14 	any right authorized under sections 182.65 to 182.674.
61.15 	(b) No meat-processing employer or other person may attempt to require any worker to 
61.16 	sign a contract or other agreement that would limit or prevent the worker from disclosing 
61.17 	information about workplace health and safety practices or hazards, or to otherwise abide 
61.18 	by a workplace policy that would limit or prevent such disclosures. Any such agreements 
61.19 	or policies are hereby void and unenforceable as contrary to the public policy of this state. 
61.20 	An employer's attempt to impose such a contract, agreement, or policy shall constitute an 
61.21 	adverse action enforceable under section 179.875.
61.22 	(c) Reporting or threatening to report a meat-processing worker's suspected citizenship 
61.23 	or immigration status, or the suspected citizenship or immigration status of a family member 
61.24 	of the worker, to a federal, state, or local agency because the worker exercises a right under 
61.25 	sections 179.87 to 179.8757 constitutes an adverse action for purposes of establishing a 
61.26 	violation of that worker's rights. For purposes of this paragraph, "family member" means a 
61.27 	spouse, parent, sibling, child, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, cousin, grandparent, or grandchild 
61.28 	related by blood, adoption, marriage, or domestic partnership.

61.29 	Sec. 7. [179.8756] MEATPACKING WORKER CHRONIC INJURIES AND 
61.30 	WORKPLACE SAFETY.
61.31 		Subdivision 1.Facility committee. (a) The meat-processing employer's ergonomics 
61.32 	program under section 182.677, subdivision 2, must be developed and implemented by a 
62.1 	committee of individuals who are knowledgeable of the tasks and work processes performed 
62.2 	by workers at the employer's facility. The committee must include:
62.3 	(1) a certified professional ergonomist;
62.4 	(2) a licensed, board-certified physician, with preference given to a physician who has 
62.5 	specialized experience and training in occupational medicine; and
62.6 	(3) at least three workers employed in the employer's facility who have completed a 
62.7 	general industry outreach course approved by the commissioner, one of whom must be an 
62.8 	authorized employee representative if the employer is party to a collective bargaining 
62.9 	agreement.
62.10 	(b) If it is not practicable for a certified professional ergonomist or a licensed, 
62.11 	board-certified physician to be a member of the committee required by paragraph (a), the 
62.12 	meatpacking employer must have their safe-worker program reviewed by a certified 
62.13 	professional ergonomist and a licensed, board-certified physician prior to implementation 
62.14 	of the program and annually thereafter.
62.15 		Subd. 2.New task and annual safety training. (a) Meat-processing employers must 
62.16 	provide every worker who is assigned a new task if the worker has no previous work 
62.17 	experience with training on how to safely perform the task, the ergonomic and other hazards 
62.18 	associated with the task, and training on the early signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal 
62.19 	injuries and the procedures for reporting them. The employer must give a worker an 
62.20 	opportunity within 30 days of receiving the new task training to receive refresher training 
62.21 	on the topics covered in the new task training. The employer must provide this training in 
62.22 	a language and with vocabulary that the employee can understand.
62.23 	(b) Meat-processing employers must provide each worker with no less than eight hours 
62.24 	of safety training each year. This annual training must address health and safety topics that 
62.25 	are relevant to the establishment and the worker's job assignment, such as cuts, lacerations, 
62.26 	amputations, machine guarding, biological hazards, lockout/tagout, hazard communication, 
62.27 	ergonomic hazards, and personal protective equipment. At least two of the eight hours of 
62.28 	annual training must be on topics related to the facility's ergonomic injury prevention 
62.29 	program, including the assessment of surveillance data, the ergonomic hazard prevention 
62.30 	and control plan, and the early signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and the 
62.31 	procedures for reporting them. The employer must provide this training in a language and 
62.32 	with vocabulary that the employee can understand.
62.33 		Subd. 3.Medical services and qualifications. (a) Meat-processing employers must 
62.34 	ensure that:
63.1 	(1) all first-aid providers, medical assistants, nurses, and physicians engaged by the 
63.2 	employer are licensed and perform their duties within the scope of their licensed practice;
63.3 	(2) medical management of musculoskeletal disorders is under direct supervision of a 
63.4 	licensed physician specializing in occupational medicine who will advise on best practices 
63.5 	for management and prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders; and
63.6 	(3) medical management of musculoskeletal injuries follows the most current version 
63.7 	of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine practice guidelines.
63.8 	(b) The coordinator may compile, analyze, and publish annually, either in summary or 
63.9 	detailed form, all reports or information obtained under sections 179.87 to 179.8757, 
63.10 	including information about ergonomics programs, and may cooperate with the United 
63.11 	States Department of Labor in obtaining national summaries of occupational deaths, injuries, 
63.12 	and illnesses. The coordinator and authorized employee representative must preserve the 
63.13 	anonymity of each employee with respect to whom medical reports or information is obtained.
63.14 	(c) Meat-processing employers must not institute or maintain any program, policy, or 
63.15 	practice that discourages employees from reporting injuries, hazards, or safety standards 
63.16 	violations.
63.17 		Subd. 4.Pandemic protections. (a) This subdivision applies during a peacetime public 
63.18 	health emergency declared under section 12.31, subdivision 2, that involves airborne 
63.19 	transmission.
63.20 	(b) Meat-processing employers must maintain a radius of space around and between 
63.21 	each worker according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines unless 
63.22 	a nonporous barrier separates the workers. An employer may accomplish such distancing 
63.23 	by increasing physical space between workstations, slowing production speeds, staggering 
63.24 	shifts and breaks, adjusting shift size, or a combination thereof. The employer must 
63.25 	reconfigure common or congregate spaces to allow for such distancing, including lunch 
63.26 	rooms, break rooms, and locker rooms. The employer must reinforce social distancing by 
63.27 	allowing workers to maintain six feet of distance along with the use of nonporous barriers.
63.28 	(c) Meat-processing employers must provide employees with face masks and must make 
63.29 	face shields available on request. Face masks, including replacement face masks, and face 
63.30 	shields must be provided at no cost to the employee. All persons present at the meatpacking 
63.31 	operation must wear face masks in the facility except in those parts of the facility where 
63.32 	infection risk is low because workers work in isolation.
64.1 	(d) Meat-processing employers must provide all meat-processing workers with the ability 
64.2 	to frequently and routinely sanitize their hands with either hand-washing or hand-sanitizing 
64.3 	stations. The employer must ensure that restrooms have running hot and cold water and 
64.4 	paper towels and are in sanitary condition. The employer must provide gloves to those who 
64.5 	request them.
64.6 	(e) Meat-processing employers must clean and regularly disinfect all frequently touched 
64.7 	surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, training rooms, machinery controls, tools, 
64.8 	protective garments, eating surfaces, bathrooms, showers, and other similar areas. Employers 
64.9 	must install and maintain ventilation systems that ensure unidirectional air flow, outdoor 
64.10 	air, and filtration in both production areas and common areas such as cafeterias and locker 
64.11 	rooms.
64.12 	(f) Meat-processing employers must disseminate all required communications, notices, 
64.13 	and any published materials regarding these protections in English, Spanish, and other 
64.14 	languages as required for employees to understand the communication.
64.15 	(g) Consistent with sections 177.253 and 177.254, meat-processing employers must 
64.16 	provide adequate break time for workers to use the bathroom, wash their hands, and don 
64.17 	and doff protective equipment. Nothing in this subdivision relieves an employer of its 
64.18 	obligation to comply with federal and state wage and hour laws.
64.19 	(h) Meat-processing employers must provide sufficient personal protective equipment 
64.20 	for each employee for each shift, plus replacements, at no cost to the employee. 
64.21 	Meat-processing employers must provide training in proper use of personal protective 
64.22 	equipment, safety procedures, and sanitation.
64.23 	(i) Meat-processing employers must record all injuries and illnesses in the facility and 
64.24 	make these records available upon request to the health and safety committee. The name, 
64.25 	contact information, and occupation of an employee, and any other information that would 
64.26 	reveal the identity of an employee, must be removed. The redacted records must only include, 
64.27 	to the extent it would not reveal the identity of an employee, the location where the employee 
64.28 	worked, the date of the injury or visit, a description of the medical treatment or first aid 
64.29 	provided, and a description of the injury suffered. The employer also must make its records 
64.30 	available to the commissioner, and where there is a collective bargaining agreement, to the 
64.31 	authorized bargaining representative.
64.32 	(j) Except for paragraphs (f) and (g), this subdivision shall be enforced by the 
64.33 	commissioner under sections 182.66 and 182.661. A violation of this subdivision is subject 
65.1 	to the penalties provided under section 182.666. Paragraphs (f) and (g) are enforceable by 
65.2 	the commissioner as described in section 179.875, subdivision 2.
65.3 	(k) The entirety of this subdivision may also be enforced as described in section 179.875, 
65.4 	subdivisions 3 to 6.

65.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024, except subdivision 4, 
65.6 	which is effective July 1, 2023.

65.7 	Sec. 8. [179.8757] NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.
65.8 	(a) Meat-processing employers must provide written information and notifications about 
65.9 	employee rights under section 179.86 and sections 179.87 to 179.8757 to workers in their 
65.10 	language of fluency at least annually. If a worker is unable to understand written information 
65.11 	and notifications, the employer must provide such information and notices orally in the 
65.12 	worker's language of fluency.
65.13 	(b) The coordinator must notify covered employers of the provisions of sections 179.87 
65.14 	to 179.8757 and any recent updates at least annually.
65.15 	(c) The coordinator must place information explaining sections 179.87 to 179.8757 on 
65.16 	the Department of Labor and Industry's website in at least English, Spanish, and any other 
65.17 	language that at least ten percent of meat-processing workers communicate in fluently. The 
65.18 	coordinator must also make the information accessible to persons with impaired visual 
65.19 	acuity.

65.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

65.21 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.654, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
65.22 		Subd. 11.Refusal to work under dangerous conditions. An employee acting in good 
65.23 	faith has the right to refuse to work under conditions which the employee reasonably believes 
65.24 	present an imminent danger of death or serious physical harm to the employee.
65.25 	A reasonable belief of imminent danger of death or serious physical harm includes but 
65.26 	is not limited to a reasonable belief of the employee that the employee has been assigned 
65.27 	to work in an unsafe or unhealthful manner with a hazardous substance, harmful physical 
65.28 	agent or infectious agent.
65.29 	An employer may not discriminate against an employee for a good faith refusal to 
65.30 	perform assigned tasks if the employee has requested that the employer correct the hazardous 
65.31 	conditions but the conditions remain uncorrected.
66.1 	An employee who has refused in good faith to perform assigned tasks and who has not 
66.2 	been reassigned to other tasks by the employer shall, in addition to retaining a right to 
66.3 	continued employment, receive pay for the tasks which would have been performed if (1) 
66.4 	the employee requests the commissioner to inspect and determine the nature of the hazardous 
66.5 	condition, and (2) the commissioner determines that the employee, by performing the 
66.6 	assigned tasks, would have been placed in imminent danger of death or serious physical 
66.7 	harm.
66.8 	Additionally, an administrative law judge may order, in addition to the relief found in 
66.9 	section 182.669:
66.10 	(1) reinstatement of the worker to the same position held before any adverse personnel 
66.11 	action or to an equivalent position; reinstatement of full fringe benefits and seniority rights; 
66.12 	compensation for unpaid wages, benefits, and other remuneration; or front pay in lieu of 
66.13 	reinstatement; and
66.14 	(2) compensatory damages payable to the aggrieved worker equal to the greater of $5,000 
66.15 	or twice the actual damages, including unpaid wages, benefits, and other remuneration and 
66.16 	punitive damages.

66.17 	ARTICLE 6
66.18 	COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE

66.19 	Section 1. [181.988] COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE VOID IN EMPLOYMENT 
66.20 	AGREEMENTS; SUBSTANTIVE PROTECTIONS OF MINNESOTA LAW APPLY.
66.21 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) "Covenant not to compete" means an agreement between 
66.22 	an employee and employer that restricts the employee, after termination of the employment, 
66.23 	from performing:
66.24 	(1) work for another employer for a specified period of time;
66.25 	(2) work in a specified geographical area; or
66.26 	(3) work for another employer in a capacity that is similar to the employee's work for 
66.27 	the employer that is party to the agreement.
66.28 	A covenant not to compete does not include a nondisclosure agreement, or agreement 
66.29 	designed to protect trade secrets or confidential information. A covenant not to compete 
66.30 	does not include a nonsolicitation agreement, or agreement restricting the ability to use 
66.31 	client or contact lists, or solicit customers of the employer.
67.1 	(b) "Employer" means any individual, partnership, association, corporation, business, 
67.2 	trust, or any person or group of persons acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an 
67.3 	employer in relation to an employee.
67.4 	(c) "Employee" as used in this section means any individual who performs services for 
67.5 	an employer, including independent contractors.
67.6 	(d) "Independent contractor" means any individual whose employment is governed by 
67.7 	a contract and whose compensation is not reported to the Internal Revenue Service on a 
67.8 	W-2 form. For purposes of this section, independent contractor also includes any corporation, 
67.9 	limited liability corporation, partnership, or other corporate entity when an employer requires 
67.10 	an individual to form such an organization for purposes of entering into a contract for 
67.11 	services as a condition of receiving compensation under an independent contractor agreement.
67.12 		Subd. 2.Covenants not to compete void and unenforceable. (a) Any covenant not to 
67.13 	compete contained in a contract or agreement is void and unenforceable.
67.14 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a covenant not to compete is valid and enforceable 
67.15 	if:
67.16 	(1) the covenant not to compete is agreed upon during the sale of a business. The person 
67.17 	selling the business and the partners, members, or shareholders, and the buyer of the business 
67.18 	may agree on a temporary and geographically restricted covenant not to compete that will 
67.19 	prohibit the seller of the business from carrying on a similar business within a reasonable 
67.20 	geographic area and for a reasonable length of time; or
67.21 	(2) the covenant not to compete is agreed upon in anticipation of the dissolution of a 
67.22 	business. The partners, members, or shareholders, upon or in anticipation of a dissolution 
67.23 	of a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation may agree that all or any number 
67.24 	of the parties will not carry on a similar business within a reasonable geographic area where 
67.25 	the business has been transacted.
67.26 	(c) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to render void or unenforceable any 
67.27 	other provisions in a contract or agreement containing a void or unenforceable covenant 
67.28 	not to compete.
67.29 	(d) In addition to injunctive relief and any other remedies available, a court may award 
67.30 	an employee who is enforcing rights under this section reasonable attorney fees.
67.31 		Subd. 3.Choice of law; venue. (a) An employer must not require an employee who 
67.32 	primarily resides and works in Minnesota, as a condition of employment, to agree to a 
67.33 	provision in an agreement or contract that would do either of the following:
68.1 	(1) require the employee to adjudicate outside of Minnesota a claim arising in Minnesota; 
68.2 	or
68.3 	(2) deprive the employee of the substantive protection of Minnesota law with respect to 
68.4 	a controversy arising in Minnesota.
68.5 	(b) Any provision of a contract or agreement that violates paragraph (a) is voidable at 
68.6 	any time by the employee and if a provision is rendered void at the request of the employee, 
68.7 	the matter shall be adjudicated in Minnesota and Minnesota law shall govern the dispute.
68.8 	(c) In addition to injunctive relief and any other remedies available, a court may award 
68.9 	an employee who is enforcing rights under this section reasonable attorney fees.
68.10 	(d) For purposes of this section, adjudication includes litigation and arbitration.
68.11 	(e) This subdivision applies only to claims arising under this section.

68.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023, and applies to contracts 
68.13 	and agreements entered into on or after that date.

68.14 	ARTICLE 7
68.15 	BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

68.16 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15.71, is amended by adding a subdivision 
68.17 	to read:
68.18 		Subd. 1a.Indemnification agreement. "Indemnification agreement" means an agreement 
68.19 	by the promisor to indemnify, defend, or hold harmless the promisee against liability or 
68.20 	claims of liability for damages arising out of bodily injury to persons or out of physical 
68.21 	damage to tangible or real property.

68.22 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15.71, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
68.23 	read:
68.24 		Subd. 1b.Promisee. "Promisee" includes that party's independent contractors, agents, 
68.25 	employees, or indemnitees.

68.26 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15.72, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
68.27 	read:
68.28 		Subd. 3.Unenforceability of certain agreements. (a) An indemnification agreement 
68.29 	contained in, or executed in connection with, a contract for a public improvement is 
68.30 	unenforceable except to the extent that:
69.1 	(1) the underlying injury or damage is attributable to the negligent or otherwise wrongful 
69.2 	act or omission, including breach of a specific contractual duty, of the promisor or the 
69.3 	promisor's independent contractors, agents, employees, or delegatees; or
69.4 	(2) an owner, a responsible party, or a governmental entity agrees to indemnify a 
69.5 	contractor directly or through another contractor with respect to strict liability under 
69.6 	environmental laws.
69.7 	(b) A provision in a public building or construction contract that requires a party to 
69.8 	provide insurance coverage to one or more other parties, including third parties, for the 
69.9 	negligence or intentional acts or omissions of any of those other parties, including third 
69.10 	parties, is against public policy and is void and unenforceable.
69.11 	(c) Paragraph (b) does not affect the validity of a provision that requires a party to provide 
69.12 	or obtain workers' compensation insurance, construction performance or payment bonds, 
69.13 	builder's risk policies, owner or contractor-controlled insurance programs or policies, or 
69.14 	project-specific insurance for claims arising out of the promisor's negligent acts or omissions 
69.15 	or the negligent acts or omissions of the promisor's independent contractors, agents, 
69.16 	employees, or delegatees.
69.17 	(d) Paragraph (b) does not affect the validity of a provision that requires the promisor 
69.18 	to provide or obtain insurance coverage for the promisee's vicarious liability, or liability 
69.19 	imposed by warranty, arising out of the acts or omissions of the promisor.
69.20 	(e) Paragraph (b) does not apply to building and construction contracts for work within 
69.21 	50 feet of public or private railroads, or railroads regulated by the Federal Railroad 
69.22 	Administration.

69.23 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 337.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
69.24 		Subd. 3.Indemnification agreement. "Indemnification agreement" means an agreement 
69.25 	by the promisor to indemnify, defend, or hold harmless the promisee against liability or 
69.26 	claims of liability for damages arising out of bodily injury to persons or out of physical 
69.27 	damage to tangible or real property.

69.28 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 337.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
69.29 		Subdivision 1.Agreements valid. (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), 
69.30 	sections 337.01 to 337.05 do not affect the validity of agreements whereby a promisor agrees 
69.31 	to provide specific insurance coverage for the benefit of others.
70.1 	(b) A provision that requires a party to provide insurance coverage to one or more other 
70.2 	parties, including third parties, for the negligence or intentional acts or omissions of any of 
70.3 	those other parties, including third parties, is against public policy and is void and 
70.4 	unenforceable.
70.5 	(c) Paragraph (b) does not affect the validity of a provision that requires a party to provide 
70.6 	or obtain workers' compensation insurance, construction performance or payment bonds, 
70.7 	or project-specific insurance, including, without limitation, builder's risk policies or owner 
70.8 	or contractor-controlled insurance programs or policies builder's risk policies, owner or 
70.9 	contractor-controlled insurance programs or policies, or project-specific insurance for claims 
70.10 	arising out of the promisor's negligent acts or omissions or the negligent acts or omissions 
70.11 	of the promisor's independent contractors, agents, employees, or delegatees.
70.12 	(d) Paragraph (b) does not affect the validity of a provision that requires the promisor 
70.13 	to provide or obtain insurance coverage for the promisee's vicarious liability, or liability 
70.14 	imposed by warranty, arising out of the acts or omissions of the promisor.
70.15 	(e) Paragraph (b) does not apply to building and construction contracts for work within 
70.16 	50 feet of public or private railroads, or railroads regulated by the Federal Railroad 
70.17 	Administration.

70.18 	Sec. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 70.19 	Sections 1 to 5 are effective the day following final enactment and apply to agreements 
70.20 	entered into on or after that date.

70.21 	ARTICLE 8
70.22 	PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD

70.23 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 13.43, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
70.24 		Subd. 6.Access by labor organizations, Bureau of Mediation Services, Public 
70.25 	Employment Relations Board. Personnel data may be disseminated to labor organizations 
70.26 	and the Public Employment Relations Board to the extent that the responsible authority 
70.27 	determines that the dissemination is necessary to conduct elections, notify employees of 
70.28 	fair share fee assessments, and implement the provisions of chapters 179 and 179A. Personnel 
70.29 	data shall be disseminated to labor organizations, the Public Employment Relations Board,
70.30 	and to the Bureau of Mediation Services to the extent the dissemination is ordered or 
70.31 	authorized by the commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services or the Public 
70.32 	Employment Relations Board or its employees or agents.

71.1 	Sec. 2. [13.7909] PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD DATA.
71.2 		Subdivision 1.Definition. For purposes of this section, "board" means the Public 
71.3 	Employment Relations Board.
71.4 		Subd. 2.Charge and complaint data. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), 
71.5 	all data maintained by the board about a charge of unfair labor practices and appeals of 
71.6 	determinations of the commissioner under section 179A.12, subdivision 11, are classified 
71.7 	as protected nonpublic data or confidential data prior to being admitted into evidence at a 
71.8 	hearing conducted pursuant to section 179A.13. Data that are admitted into evidence at a 
71.9 	hearing conducted pursuant to section 179A.13 are public unless subject to a protective 
71.10 	order as determined by the board or a hearing officer.
71.11 	(b) Statements by individuals that are provided to the board are private data on 
71.12 	individuals, as defined by section 13.02, subdivision 12, prior to being admitted into evidence 
71.13 	at a hearing conducted pursuant to section 179A.13, and become public once admitted into 
71.14 	evidence.
71.15 	(c) The following data are public at all times:
71.16 	(1) the filing date of unfair labor practice charges;
71.17 	(2) the status of unfair labor practice charges as an original or amended charge;
71.18 	(3) the names and job classifications of charging parties and charged parties;
71.19 	(4) the provisions of law alleged to have been violated in unfair labor practice charges;
71.20 	(5) the complaint issued by the board; and
71.21 	(6) unless subject to a protective order:
71.22 	(i) the full and complete record of an evidentiary hearing before a hearing officer, 
71.23 	including the hearing transcript, exhibits admitted into evidence, and posthearing briefs;
71.24 	(ii) recommended decisions and orders of hearing officers pursuant to section 179A.13, 
71.25 	subdivision 1, paragraph (i);
71.26 	(iii) exceptions to the hearing officer's recommended decision and order filed with the 
71.27 	board pursuant to section 179A.13, subdivision 1, paragraph (k);
71.28 	(iv) party and nonparty briefs filed with the board; and
71.29 	(v) decisions and orders issued by the board.
71.30 	(d) The board may make any data classified as private, protected nonpublic, or 
71.31 	confidential pursuant to this subdivision accessible to any person or party if the access will 
72.1 	aid the implementation of chapters 179 and 179A or ensure due process protection of the 
72.2 	parties.

72.3 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.041, is amended by adding a subdivision 
72.4 	to read:
72.5 		Subd. 10.Open Meeting Law; exceptions. Chapter 13D does not apply to meetings of 
72.6 	the board when it is deliberating on the merits of unfair labor practice charges under sections 
72.7 	179.11, 179.12, and 179A.13; reviewing a recommended decision and order of a hearing 
72.8 	officer under section 179A.13; or reviewing decisions of the commissioner of the Bureau 
72.9 	of Mediation Services relating to unfair labor practices under section 179A.12, subdivision 
72.10 	11.

72.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

72.12 	ARTICLE 9
72.13 	WAREHOUSE WORKERS

72.14 	Section 1. [182.6526] WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION WORKER SAFETY.
72.15 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) The terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings 
72.16 	given.
72.17 	(b) "Aggregated employee work speed data" means a compilation of employee work 
72.18 	speed data for multiple employees, in summary form, assembled in full or in another form 
72.19 	such that the data cannot be identified with any individual.
72.20 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of labor and industry.
72.21 	(d)(1) Except as provided in clause (2), "employee" means an employee who works at 
72.22 	a warehouse distribution center.
72.23 	(2) For the purposes of subdivisions 2, 3, and 4 only, "employee" means a nonexempt 
72.24 	employee performing warehouse work occurring on the property of a warehouse distribution 
72.25 	center and does not include a nonexempt employee performing solely manufacturing, 
72.26 	administrative, sales, accounting, human resources, or driving work at or to and from a 
72.27 	warehouse distribution center.
72.28 	(e) "Employee work speed data" means information an employer collects, stores, analyzes, 
72.29 	or interprets relating to an individual employee's performance of a quota, including but not 
72.30 	limited to quantities of tasks performed, quantities of items or materials handled or produced, 
72.31 	rates or speeds of tasks performed, measurements or metrics of employee performance in 
73.1 	relation to a quota, and time categorized as performing tasks or not performing tasks. 
73.2 	Employee work speed data does not include itemized earnings statements pursuant to chapter 
73.3 	181, except for any content of those records that includes employee work speed data as 
73.4 	defined in this paragraph.
73.5 	(f) "Employer" means a person who directly or indirectly, or through an agent or any 
73.6 	other person, including through the services of a third-party employer, temporary service, 
73.7 	or staffing agency or similar entity, employs or exercises control over the wages, hours, or 
73.8 	working conditions of 250 or more employees at a single warehouse distribution center or 
73.9 	1,000 or more employees at one or more warehouse distribution centers in the state. For 
73.10 	purposes of this paragraph, all employees of an employer's unitary business, as defined in 
73.11 	section 290.17, subdivision 4, shall be counted in determining the number of employees 
73.12 	employed at a single warehouse distribution center or at one or more warehouse distribution 
73.13 	centers in the state.
73.14 	(g) "Warehouse distribution center" means an establishment as defined by any of the 
73.15 	following North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes:
73.16 	(1) 493110 for General Warehousing and Storage;
73.17 	(2) 423 for Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods;
73.18 	(3) 424 for Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods;
73.19 	(4) 454110 for Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses; and
73.20 	(5) 492110 for Couriers and Express Delivery Services.
73.21 	(h) "Quota" means a work standard under which:
73.22 	(1) an employee or group of employees is assigned or required to perform at a specified 
73.23 	productivity speed, or perform a quantified number of tasks, or handle or produce a quantified 
73.24 	amount of material, or perform without a certain number of errors or defects, as measured 
73.25 	at the individual or group level within a defined time period; or
73.26 	(2) an employee's actions are categorized and measured between time performing tasks 
73.27 	and not performing tasks, and the employee's failure to complete a task performance standard  
73.28 	may have an adverse impact on the employee's continued employment.
73.29 		Subd. 2.Written description required. (a) Each employer shall provide to each 
73.30 	employee a written description of each quota to which the employee is subject and how it 
73.31 	is measured, including the quantified number of tasks to be performed or materials to be 
73.32 	produced or handled or the limit on time categorized as not performing tasks, within the 
74.1 	defined time period, and any potential adverse employment action that could result from 
74.2 	failure to meet the quota.
74.3 	(b) The written description must be understandable in plain language and in the language 
74.4 	identified by each employee as the primary language of that employee.
74.5 	(c) The written description must be provided:
74.6 	(1) upon hire or within 30 days of the effective date of this section; and
74.7 	(2) no fewer than one working day prior to the effective date of any increase of an 
74.8 	existing quota and no later than the time of implementation for any decrease of an existing 
74.9 	quota.
74.10 	(d) An employer shall not take adverse employment action against an employee for 
74.11 	failure to meet a quota that has not been disclosed to the employee.
74.12 		Subd. 3.Breaks. An employee shall not be required to meet a quota that prevents 
74.13 	compliance with meal or rest or prayer periods; use of restroom facilities, including 
74.14 	reasonable travel time to and from restroom facilities as provided under section 177.253, 
74.15 	subdivision 1; or occupational health and safety standards under this chapter or Minnesota 
74.16 	Rules, chapter 5205. An employer shall not take adverse employment action against an 
74.17 	employee for failure to meet a quota that does not allow a worker to comply with meal or 
74.18 	rest or prayer periods or occupational health and safety standards under this chapter.
74.19 		Subd. 4.Employee work speed data. (a) Employees have the right to request orally or 
74.20 	in writing from their direct supervisor or another representative designated by the employer, 
74.21 	and the employer shall provide within four business days: (1) a written description of each 
74.22 	quota to which the employee is subject; (2) a copy of the most recent 90 days of the 
74.23 	employee's own personal employee work speed data; and (3) a copy of the most recent 90 
74.24 	days of aggregated employee work speed data for similar employees at the same work site.
74.25 	The written description of each quota must meet the requirements of subdivision 2, paragraph 
74.26 	(b), and the employee work speed data must be provided in a manner understandable to the 
74.27 	employee. An employee may make a request under this paragraph no more than four times 
74.28 	per year.
74.29 	(b) If an employer disciplines an employee for failure to meet a quota, the employer 
74.30 	must, at the time of discipline, provide the employee with a written copy of the most recent 
74.31 	90 days of the employee's own personal employee work speed data. If an employer dismisses 
74.32 	an employee for any reason, they must, at the time of firing, provide the employee with a 
74.33 	written copy of the most recent 90 days of the employee's own personal employee work 
75.1 	speed data. An employer shall not retaliate against an employee for requesting data under 
75.2 	this subdivision. Discipline means taking a formal action, documented in writing, and does 
75.3 	not mean conversations surrounding performance improvement or training. An employer 
75.4 	must formally document any disciplinary action.
75.5 		Subd. 5.High rates of injury. If a particular work site or employer is found to have an 
75.6 	employee incidence rate in a given year, based on data reported to the federal Occupational 
75.7 	Safety and Health Administration, of at least 30 percent higher than that year's average 
75.8 	incidence rate for the relevant NAICS codes, the commissioner shall open an investigation 
75.9 	of violations under this section. The employer must also hold its safety committee meetings 
75.10 	as provided under section 182.676 monthly until, for two consecutive years, the work site 
75.11 	or employer does not have an employee incidence rate 30 percent higher than the average 
75.12 	yearly incidence rate for the relevant NAICS code.
75.13 		Subd. 6.Enforcement. (a) Subdivisions 2, paragraphs (a) to (c), 4, and 5 shall be enforced 
75.14 	by the commissioner under sections 182.66, 182.661, and 182.669. A violation of this section 
75.15 	is subject to the penalties provided under sections 182.666 and 182.669.
75.16 	(b) A current or former employee aggrieved by a violation of this section may bring a 
75.17 	civil cause of action for damages and injunctive relief to obtain compliance with this section; 
75.18 	may receive other equitable relief as determined by a court, including reinstatement with 
75.19 	back pay; and may, upon prevailing in the action, recover costs and reasonable attorney 
75.20 	fees in that action. A cause of action under this section must be commenced within one year 
75.21 	of the date of the violation.
75.22 	(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent local enforcement of occupational 
75.23 	health and safety standards that are more restrictive than this section.

75.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2023.

75.25 	ARTICLE 10
75.26 	CONSTRUCTION WORKER WAGE PROTECTIONS

75.27 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
75.28 		Subdivision 1.Examination of records. The commissioner may enter during reasonable 
75.29 	office hours or upon request and inspect the place of business or employment of any employer 
75.30 	of employees working in the state, to examine and inspect books, registers, payrolls, and 
75.31 	other records of any employer that in any way relate to wages, hours, and other conditions 
75.32 	of employment of any employees. The commissioner may transcribe any or all of the books, 
75.33 	registers, payrolls, and other records as the commissioner deems necessary or appropriate 
76.1 	and may question the employees to ascertain compliance with sections 177.21 to 177.435
76.2 	and 181.165. The commissioner may investigate wage claims or complaints by an employee 
76.3 	against an employer if the failure to pay a wage may violate Minnesota law or an order or 
76.4 	rule of the department.

76.5 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
76.6 		Subd. 4.Compliance orders. The commissioner may issue an order requiring an 
76.7 	employer to comply with sections 177.21 to 177.435, 181.02, 181.03, 181.031, 181.032, 
76.8 	181.101, 181.11, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, 181.165, 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), 
76.9 	181.275, subdivision 2a, 181.722, 181.79, and 181.939 to 181.943, or with any rule 
76.10 	promulgated under section 177.28. The commissioner shall issue an order requiring an 
76.11 	employer to comply with sections 177.41 to 177.435or 181.165 if the violation is repeated. 
76.12 	For purposes of this subdivision only, a violation is repeated if at any time during the two 
76.13 	years that preceded the date of violation, the commissioner issued an order to the employer 
76.14 	for violation of sections 177.41 to 177.435 or 181.165 and the order is final or the 
76.15 	commissioner and the employer have entered into a settlement agreement that required the 
76.16 	employer to pay back wages that were required by sections 177.41 to 177.435. The 
76.17 	department shall serve the order upon the employer or the employer's authorized 
76.18 	representative in person or by certified mail at the employer's place of business. An employer 
76.19 	who wishes to contest the order must file written notice of objection to the order with the 
76.20 	commissioner within 15 calendar days after being served with the order. A contested case 
76.21 	proceeding must then be held in accordance with sections 14.57 to 14.69 or 181.165. If, 
76.22 	within 15 calendar days after being served with the order, the employer fails to file a written 
76.23 	notice of objection with the commissioner, the order becomes a final order of the 
76.24 	commissioner. For the purposes of this subdivision, an employer includes a contractor that 
76.25 	has assumed a subcontractor's liability within the meaning of section 181.165.

76.26 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
76.27 		Subd. 8.Court actions; suits brought by private parties. An employee may bring a 
76.28 	civil action seeking redress for a violation or violations of sections 177.21 to 177.44and 
76.29 	181.165 directly to district court. An employer who pays an employee less than the wages 
76.30 	and overtime compensation to which the employee is entitled under sections 177.21 to 
76.31 	177.44 or a contractor that has assumed a subcontractor's liability as required by section 
76.32 	181.165, is liable to the employee for the full amount of the wages, gratuities, and overtime 
76.33 	compensation, less any amount the employer or contractor is able to establish was actually 
76.34 	paid to the employee and for an additional equal amount as liquidated damages. In addition, 
77.1 	in an action under this subdivision the employee may seek damages and other appropriate 
77.2 	relief provided by subdivision 7 and otherwise provided by law. An agreement between the 
77.3 	employee and the employer to work for less than the applicable wage is not a defense to 
77.4 	the action.

77.5 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
77.6 		Subd. 9.District court jurisdiction. Any action brought under subdivision 8 may be 
77.7 	filed in the district court of the county wherein a violation or violations of sections 177.21
77.8 	to 177.44 or 181.165 are alleged to have been committed, where the respondent resides or 
77.9 	has a principal place of business, or any other court of competent jurisdiction. The action 
77.10 	may be brought by one or more employees.

77.11 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
77.12 		Subd. 10.Attorney fees and costs. In any action brought pursuant to subdivision 8, the 
77.13 	court shall order an employer who is found to have committed a violation or violations of 
77.14 	sections 177.21 to 177.44or 181.165 to pay to the employee or employees reasonable costs, 
77.15 	disbursements, witness fees, and attorney fees.

77.16 	Sec. 6. [181.165] WAGE PROTECTION; CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.
77.17 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
77.18 	the meanings given.
77.19 	(b) "Claimant" means any person claiming unpaid wages, fringe benefits, penalties, or 
77.20 	resulting liquidated damages that are owed as required by law, including any applicable 
77.21 	statute, regulation, rule, ordinance, government resolution or policy, contract, or other legal 
77.22 	authority.
77.23 	(c) "Commissioner" refers to the commissioner of labor and industry.
77.24 	(d) "Construction contract" means a written or oral agreement for the construction, 
77.25 	reconstruction, erection, alteration, remodeling, repairing, maintenance, moving, or 
77.26 	demolition of any building, structure, or improvement, or relating to the excavation of or 
77.27 	development or improvement to land. For purposes of this section, a construction contract 
77.28 	shall not include a home improvement contract for the performance of a home improvement 
77.29 	between a home improvement contractor and the owner of an owner-occupied dwelling, 
77.30 	and a home construction contract for one- or two-family dwelling units except where such 
77.31 	contract or contracts results in the construction of more than ten one- or two-family 
77.32 	owner-occupied dwellings at one project site annually.
78.1 	(e) "Contractor" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association, company, 
78.2 	organization, or other entity, including a construction manager, general or prime contractor, 
78.3 	joint venture, or any combination thereof, along with their successors, heirs, and assigns, 
78.4 	which enters into a construction contract with an owner. An owner shall be deemed a 
78.5 	contractor and liable as such under this section if said owner has entered into a construction 
78.6 	contract with more than one contractor or subcontractor on any construction site.
78.7 	(f) "Owner" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association, company, 
78.8 	organization, or other entity, or a combination of any thereof, with an ownership interest, 
78.9 	whether the interest or estate is in fee, as vendee under a contract to purchase, as lessee or 
78.10 	another interest or estate less than fee that causes a building, structure, or improvement, 
78.11 	new or existing, to be constructed, reconstructed, erected, altered, remodeled, repaired, 
78.12 	maintained, moved, or demolished or that causes land to be excavated or otherwise developed 
78.13 	or improved.
78.14 	(g) "Subcontractor" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, company, 
78.15 	association, organization or other entity, or any combination thereof, that is a party to a 
78.16 	contract with a contractor or party to a contract with the contractor's subcontractors at any 
78.17 	tier to perform any portion of work within the scope of the contractor's construction contract 
78.18 	with the owner, including where the subcontractor has no direct privity of contract with the 
78.19 	contractor. When the owner is deemed a contractor, subcontractor also includes the owner's 
78.20 	contractors.
78.21 		Subd. 2.Assumption of liability. (a) A contractor entering into a construction contract 
78.22 	shall assume and is liable for any unpaid wages, fringe benefits, penalties, and resulting 
78.23 	liquidated damages owed to a claimant or third party acting on the claimant's behalf by a 
78.24 	subcontractor at any tier acting under, by, or for the contractor or its subcontractors for the 
78.25 	claimant's performance of labor.
78.26 	(b) A contractor or any other person shall not evade or commit any act that negates the 
78.27 	requirements of this section. No agreement by an employee or subcontractor to indemnify 
78.28 	a contractor or otherwise release or transfer liability assigned to a contractor under this 
78.29 	section shall be valid. However, if a contractor has satisfied unpaid wage claims of an 
78.30 	employee and incurred fees and costs in doing so, such contractor may then pursue actual 
78.31 	and liquidated damages from any subcontractor who caused the contractor to incur those 
78.32 	damages.
79.1 	(c) A contractor shall not evade liability under this section by claiming that a person is 
79.2 	an independent contractor rather than an employee of a subcontractor unless the person 
79.3 	meets the criteria required by section 181.723, subdivision 4.
79.4 		Subd. 3.Enforcement. (a) In the case of a complaint filed with the commissioner under 
79.5 	section 177.27, subdivision 1, or a private civil action by an employee under section 177.27, 
79.6 	subdivision 8, such employee may designate any person, organization, or collective 
79.7 	bargaining agent authorized to file a complaint with the commissioner or in court pursuant 
79.8 	to this section to make a wage claim on the claimant's behalf.
79.9 	(b) In the case of an action against a subcontractor, the contractor shall be jointly and 
79.10 	severally liable for any unpaid wages, benefits, penalties, and any other remedies available 
79.11 	pursuant to this section.
79.12 	(c) Claims shall be brought consistent with section 541.07, clause (5), for the initiation 
79.13 	of such claim under this section in a court of competent jurisdiction or the filing of a 
79.14 	complaint with the commissioner or attorney general. The provisions of this section do not 
79.15 	diminish, impair, or otherwise infringe on any other right of an employee to bring an action 
79.16 	or file a complaint against any employer.
79.17 		Subd. 4.Payroll records; data. (a) Within 15 days of a request by a contractor to a 
79.18 	subcontractor, the subcontractor, and any other subcontractors hired under contract to the 
79.19 	subcontractor shall provide payroll records, which, at minimum, contain all lawfully required 
79.20 	information for all workers providing labor on the project. The payroll records shall contain 
79.21 	sufficient information to apprise the contractor or subcontractor of such subcontractor's 
79.22 	payment of wages and fringe benefit contributions to a third party on the workers' behalf. 
79.23 	Payroll records shall be marked or redacted to an extent only to prevent disclosure of the 
79.24 	employee's Social Security number.
79.25 	(b) Within 15 days of a request of a contractor or a contractor's subcontractor, any 
79.26 	subcontractor that performs any portion of work within the scope of the contractor's 
79.27 	construction contract with an owner shall provide:
79.28 	(1) the names of all employees and independent contractors of the subcontractor on the 
79.29 	project, including the names of all those designated as independent contractors and, when 
79.30 	applicable, the name of the contractor's subcontractor with whom the subcontractor is under 
79.31 	contract;
79.32 	(2) the anticipated contract start date;
79.33 	(3) the scheduled duration of work;
80.1 	(4) when applicable, local unions with which such subcontractor is a signatory contractor; 
80.2 	and
80.3 	(5) the name and telephone number of a contact for the subcontractor.
80.4 	(c) Unless otherwise required by law, a contractor or subcontractor shall not disclose an 
80.5 	individual's personal identifying information to the general public, except that the contractor 
80.6 	or subcontractor can confirm that the individual works for them and provide the individual's 
80.7 	full name.
80.8 		Subd. 5.Payments to contractors and subcontractors. Nothing in this section shall 
80.9 	alter the owner's obligation to pay a contractor, or a contractor's obligation to pay a 
80.10 	subcontractor as set forth in section 337.10, except as expressly permitted by this section.
80.11 		Subd. 6.Exemptions.  (a) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to diminish the rights, 
80.12 	privileges, or remedies of any employee under any collective bargaining agreement. This 
80.13 	section shall not apply to any contractor or subcontractor that is a signatory to a bona fide 
80.14 	collective bargaining agreement with a building and construction trade labor organization 
80.15 	that: (1) contains a grievance procedure that may be used to recover unpaid wages on behalf 
80.16 	of employees covered by the agreement; and (2) provides for collection of unpaid 
80.17 	contributions to fringe benefit trust funds established pursuant to United States Code, title 
80.18 	29, section 186(c)(5)-(6), by or on behalf of such trust funds.
80.19 	(b) This section does not apply to work for which prevailing wage rates apply under 
80.20 	sections 177.41 to 177.44.

80.21 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.171, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
80.22 		Subd. 4.Employer; definition. "Employer" means any person having one or more 
80.23 	employees in Minnesota and includes the state or a contractor that has assumed a 
80.24 	subcontractor's liability within the meaning of section 181.165 and any political subdivision 
80.25 	of the state. This definition applies to this section and sections 181.02, 181.03, 181.031, 
80.26 	181.032, 181.06, 181.063, 181.10, 181.101, 181.13, 181.14, and 181.16.

80.27 	Sec. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 80.28 	Sections 1 to 7 are effective August 1, 2023, and apply to contracts or agreements entered 
80.29 	into, renewed, modified, or amended on or after that date.

81.1 	ARTICLE 11
81.2 	MISCELLANEOUS

81.3 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 13.43, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
81.4 		Subd. 6.Access by labor organizations. (a) Personnel data may must be disseminated 
81.5 	to labor organizations to the extent that the responsible authority determines that the 
81.6 	dissemination is necessary to conduct elections, notify employees of fair share fee 
81.7 	assessments, investigate and process grievances, and implement the provisions of chapters 
81.8 	179 and 179A. Personnel data shall be disseminated to labor organizations and to the Bureau 
81.9 	of Mediation Services to the extent the dissemination is ordered or authorized by the 
81.10 	commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services. Employee Social Security numbers are 
81.11 	not necessary to implement the provisions of chapters 179 and 179A.
81.12 	(b) Personnel data described under section 179A.07, subdivision 8, must be disseminated 
81.13 	to an exclusive representative under the terms of that subdivision.
81.14 	(c) An employer who disseminates personnel data to a labor organization pursuant to 
81.15 	this subdivision shall not be subject to liability under section 13.08.  Nothing in this paragraph 
81.16 	shall impair or limit any remedies available under section 325E.61.
81.17 	(d) The home addresses, nonemployer issued phone numbers and email addresses, dates 
81.18 	of birth, and emails or other communications between exclusive representatives and their 
81.19 	members, prospective members, and nonmembers are private data on individuals.

81.20 	Sec. 2. [16A.1335] EMPLOYEE SALARIES AND BENEFITS IN EVENT OF STATE 
81.21 	GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.
81.22 		Subdivision 1.Definition. As used in this section, "government shutdown" means that, 
81.23 	as of July 1 of an odd-numbered year, legislation appropriating money for the general 
81.24 	operations of (1) an executive agency, (2) an office or department of the legislature, including 
81.25 	each house of the legislature and the Legislative Coordinating Commission, or (3) a judicial 
81.26 	branch agency or department, including a court, has not been enacted for the biennium 
81.27 	beginning July 1 of that year.
81.28 		Subd. 2.Payment required. Notwithstanding section 16A.17, subdivision 8, state 
81.29 	employees must be provided payment for lost salary and benefits resulting from their absence 
81.30 	from work during a government shutdown. An employee is eligible for a payment under 
81.31 	this section only upon the employee's return to work.
82.1 		Subd. 3.Appropriation; limitation. (a) In the event of a government shutdown, the 
82.2 	amount necessary to pay the salary and benefits of employees of any impacted agency, 
82.3 	office, or department is appropriated beginning on that July 1 to that agency, office, or 
82.4 	department. The appropriation is made from the fund or funds from which an appropriation 
82.5 	was made in the previous fiscal year for salary and benefits paid to each affected employee.
82.6 	(b) Amounts appropriated under this subdivision may not exceed the amount or amounts 
82.7 	appropriated for general operations of the affected agency, office, or department in the 
82.8 	previous fiscal year.
82.9 		Subd. 4.Certification of amount for employees in the legislative and judicial 
82.10 	branches. By June 25 of an odd-numbered year, if a government shutdown appears 
82.11 	imminent, the director of the Legislative Coordinating Commission, the chief clerk of the 
82.12 	house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, and the chief clerk of the supreme court 
82.13 	must each certify to the commissioner of management and budget the amount needed for 
82.14 	salaries and benefits for each fiscal year of the next biennium, and the commissioner of 
82.15 	management and budget shall make the certified amount available on July 1 of that year or 
82.16 	on another schedule that permits payment of all salary and benefit obligations required by 
82.17 	this section in a timely manner.
82.18 		Subd. 5.Subsequent appropriations. A subsequent appropriation to the agency, office, 
82.19 	or department for regular operations for a biennium in which this section has been applied 
82.20 	may only supersede and replace the appropriation provided by subdivision 3 by express 
82.21 	reference to this section.

82.22 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 120A.414, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
82.23 		Subd. 2.Plan. A school board, including the board of a charter school, may adopt an 
82.24 	e-learning day plan after consulting meeting and negotiating with the exclusive representative 
82.25 	of the teachers. A If a charter school's teachers are not represented by an exclusive 
82.26 	representative, the charter school may adopt an e-learning day plan after consulting with 
82.27 	its teachers. The plan must include accommodations for students without Internet access at 
82.28 	home and for digital device access for families without the technology or an insufficient 
82.29 	amount of technology for the number of children in the household. A school's e-learning 
82.30 	day plan must provide accessible options for students with disabilities under chapter 125A.

83.1 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 122A.181, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
83.2 		Subd. 5.Limitations on license. (a) A Tier 1 license is limited to the content matter 
83.3 	indicated on the application for the initial Tier 1 license under subdivision 1, clause (2), and 
83.4 	limited to the district or charter school that requested the initial Tier 1 license.
83.5 	(b) A Tier 1 license does not bring an individual within the definition of a teacher for 
83.6 	purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or 122A.41, subdivision 1, clause (a).
83.7 	(c) A Tier 1 license does not bring an individual within the definition of a teacher under 
83.8 	section 179A.03, subdivision 18.

83.9 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 122A.26, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
83.10 		Subd. 2.Exceptions. (a) A person who teaches in a community education program 
83.11 	which that qualifies for aid pursuant to section 124D.52 shall continue to meet licensure 
83.12 	requirements as a teacher. A person who teaches in an early childhood and family education 
83.13 	program which that is offered through a community education program and which qualifies 
83.14 	for community education aid pursuant to section 124D.20 or early childhood and family 
83.15 	education aid pursuant to section 124D.135 shall continue to meet licensure requirements 
83.16 	as a teacher. A person who teaches in a community education course which that is offered 
83.17 	for credit for graduation to persons under 18 years of age shall continue to meet licensure 
83.18 	requirements as a teacher.
83.19 	(b) A person who teaches a driver training course which that is offered through a 
83.20 	community education program to persons under 18 years of age shall be licensed by the 
83.21 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board or be subject to section 171.35. A 
83.22 	license which that is required for an instructor in a community education program pursuant 
83.23 	to this subdivision paragraph shall not be construed to bring an individual within the 
83.24 	definition of a teacher for purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or 122A.41, 
83.25 	subdivision 1, clause paragraph (a).

83.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for the 2023-2024 school year and later.

83.27 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 122A.40, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
83.28 		Subd. 5.Probationary period. (a) The first three consecutive years of a teacher's first 
83.29 	teaching experience in Minnesota in a single district is deemed to be a probationary period 
83.30 	of employment, and, the probationary period in each district in which the teacher is thereafter 
83.31 	employed shall be one year. The school board must adopt a plan for written evaluation of 
83.32 	teachers during the probationary period that is consistent with subdivision 8. Evaluation 
84.1 	must occur at least three times periodically throughout each school year for a teacher 
84.2 	performing services during that school year; the first evaluation must occur within the first 
84.3 	90 days of teaching service. Days devoted to parent-teacher conferences, teachers' workshops, 
84.4 	and other staff development opportunities and days on which a teacher is absent from school 
84.5 	must not be included in determining the number of school days on which a teacher performs 
84.6 	services. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), during the probationary period any 
84.7 	annual contract with any teacher may or may not be renewed as the school board shall see 
84.8 	fit. However, the board must give any such teacher whose contract it declines to renew for 
84.9 	the following school year written notice to that effect before July 1. If the teacher requests 
84.10 	reasons for any nonrenewal of a teaching contract, the board must give the teacher its reason 
84.11 	in writing, including a statement that appropriate supervision was furnished describing the 
84.12 	nature and the extent of such supervision furnished the teacher during the employment by 
84.13 	the board, within ten days after receiving such request. The school board may, after a hearing 
84.14 	held upon due notice, discharge a teacher during the probationary period for cause, effective 
84.15 	immediately, under section 122A.44.
84.16 	(b) A board must discharge a probationary teacher, effective immediately, upon receipt 
84.17 	of notice under section 122A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), that the teacher's license has 
84.18 	been revoked due to a conviction for child abuse or sexual abuse.
84.19 	(c) A probationary teacher whose first three years of consecutive employment are 
84.20 	interrupted for active military service and who promptly resumes teaching consistent with 
84.21 	federal reemployment timelines for uniformed service personnel under United States Code, 
84.22 	title 38, section 4312(e), is considered to have a consecutive teaching experience for purposes 
84.23 	of paragraph (a).
84.24 	(d) A probationary teacher whose first three years of consecutive employment are 
84.25 	interrupted for maternity, paternity, or medical leave and who resumes teaching within 12 
84.26 	months of when the leave began is considered to have a consecutive teaching experience 
84.27 	for purposes of paragraph (a) if the probationary teacher completes a combined total of 
84.28 	three years of teaching service immediately before and after the leave.
84.29 	(e) A probationary teacher must complete at least 120 90 days of teaching service each 
84.30 	year during the probationary period. Days devoted to parent-teacher conferences, teachers' 
84.31 	workshops, and other staff development opportunities and days on which a teacher is absent 
84.32 	from school do not count as days of teaching service under this paragraph.

85.1 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 122A.41, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
85.2 		Subd. 2.Probationary period; discharge or demotion. (a) All teachers in the public 
85.3 	schools in cities of the first class during the first three years of consecutive employment 
85.4 	shall be deemed to be in a probationary period of employment during which period any 
85.5 	annual contract with any teacher may, or may not, be renewed as the school board, after 
85.6 	consulting with the peer review committee charged with evaluating the probationary teachers 
85.7 	under subdivision 3, shall see fit. The first three consecutive years of a teacher's first teaching 
85.8 	experience in Minnesota in a single district is deemed to be a probationary period of 
85.9 	employment, and the probationary period in each district in which the teacher is thereafter 
85.10 	employed shall be one year. The school site management team or the school board if there 
85.11 	is no school site management team, shall adopt a plan for a written evaluation of teachers 
85.12 	during the probationary period according to subdivisions 3 and 5. Evaluation by the peer 
85.13 	review committee charged with evaluating probationary teachers under subdivision 3 shall 
85.14 	occur at least three times periodically throughout each school year for a teacher performing 
85.15 	services during that school year; the first evaluation must occur within the first 90 days of 
85.16 	teaching service. Days devoted to parent-teacher conferences, teachers' workshops, and 
85.17 	other staff development opportunities and days on which a teacher is absent from school 
85.18 	shall not be included in determining the number of school days on which a teacher performs 
85.19 	services. The school board may, during such probationary period, discharge or demote a 
85.20 	teacher for any of the causes as specified in this code. A written statement of the cause of 
85.21 	such discharge or demotion shall be given to the teacher by the school board at least 30 
85.22 	days before such removal or demotion shall become effective, and the teacher so notified 
85.23 	shall have no right of appeal therefrom.
85.24 	(b) A probationary teacher whose first three years of consecutive employment are 
85.25 	interrupted for active military service and who promptly resumes teaching consistent with 
85.26 	federal reemployment timelines for uniformed service personnel under United States Code, 
85.27 	title 38, section 4312(e), is considered to have a consecutive teaching experience for purposes 
85.28 	of paragraph (a).
85.29 	(c) A probationary teacher whose first three years of consecutive employment are 
85.30 	interrupted for maternity, paternity, or medical leave and who resumes teaching within 12 
85.31 	months of when the leave began is considered to have a consecutive teaching experience 
85.32 	for purposes of paragraph (a) if the probationary teacher completes a combined total of 
85.33 	three years of teaching service immediately before and after the leave.
85.34 	(d) A probationary teacher must complete at least 120 90 days of teaching service each 
85.35 	year during the probationary period. Days devoted to parent-teacher conferences, teachers' 
86.1 	workshops, and other staff development opportunities and days on which a teacher is absent 
86.2 	from school do not count as days of teaching service under this paragraph.

86.3 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 2023, 
86.4 	chapter 30, section 1, is amended to read:
86.5 		Subd. 4.Compliance orders. The commissioner may issue an order requiring an 
86.6 	employer to comply with sections 177.21 to 177.435, 181.02, 181.03, 181.031, 181.032, 
86.7 	181.101, 181.11, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), 181.275, 
86.8 	subdivision 2a, 181.722, 181.79, 181.939 to 181.943, and181.987, or181.991, and with 
86.9 	any rule promulgated under section 177.28. The commissioner shall issue an order requiring 
86.10 	an employer to comply with sections 177.41 to 177.435 or 181.987 if the violation is repeated. 
86.11 	For purposes of this subdivision only, a violation is repeated if at any time during the two 
86.12 	years that preceded the date of violation, the commissioner issued an order to the employer 
86.13 	for violation of sections 177.41 to 177.435 or 181.987 and the order is final or the 
86.14 	commissioner and the employer have entered into a settlement agreement that required the 
86.15 	employer to pay back wages that were required by sections 177.41 to 177.435. The 
86.16 	department shall serve the order upon the employer or the employer's authorized 
86.17 	representative in person or by certified mail at the employer's place of business. An employer 
86.18 	who wishes to contest the order must file written notice of objection to the order with the 
86.19 	commissioner within 15 calendar days after being served with the order. A contested case 
86.20 	proceeding must then be held in accordance with sections 14.57 to 14.69. If, within 15 
86.21 	calendar days after being served with the order, the employer fails to file a written notice 
86.22 	of objection with the commissioner, the order becomes a final order of the commissioner.

86.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
86.24 	applies to franchise agreements entered into or amended on or after that date.

86.25 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.42, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
86.26 		Subd. 2.Project. "Project" means demolition, erection, construction, remodeling, or 
86.27 	repairing of a public building, facility, or other public work financed in whole or part by 
86.28 	state funds. Project also includes demolition, erection, construction, remodeling, or repairing 
86.29 	of a building, facility, or public work when the acquisition of property, predesign, design, 
86.30 	or demolition is financed in whole or part by state funds.

86.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

87.1 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.03, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
87.2 		Subd. 14.Public employee or employee. (a) "Public employee" or "employee" means 
87.3 	any person appointed or employed by a public employer except:
87.4 	(1) elected public officials;
87.5 	(2) election officers;
87.6 	(3) commissioned or enlisted personnel of the Minnesota National Guard;
87.7 	(4) emergency employees who are employed for emergency work caused by natural 
87.8 	disaster;
87.9 	(5) part-time employees whose service does not exceed the lesser of 14 hours per week 
87.10 	or 35 percent of the normal work week in the employee's appropriate unit;
87.11 	(6) employees whose positions are basically temporary or seasonal in character and: (i) 
87.12 	are not for more than 67 working days in any calendar year; or (ii) are not working for a 
87.13 	Minnesota school district or charter school; or (iii) are not for more than 100 working days 
87.14 	in any calendar year and the employees are under the age of 22, are full-time students 
87.15 	enrolled in a nonprofit or public educational institution prior to being hired by the employer, 
87.16 	and have indicated, either in an application for employment or by being enrolled at an 
87.17 	educational institution for the next academic year or term, an intention to continue as students 
87.18 	during or after their temporary employment;
87.19 	(7) employees providing services for not more than two consecutive quarters to the 
87.20 	Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities under the terms of a 
87.21 	professional or technical services contract as defined in section 16C.08, subdivision 1;
87.22 	(8) employees of charitable hospitals as defined by section 179.35, subdivision 3, except 
87.23 	that employees of charitable hospitals as defined by section 179.35, subdivision 3, are public 
87.24 	employees for purposes of sections 179A.051, 179A.052, and 179A.13;
87.25 	(9) full-time undergraduate students employed by the school which they attend under a 
87.26 	work-study program or in connection with the receipt of financial aid, irrespective of number 
87.27 	of hours of service per week;
87.28 	(10) an individual who is employed for less than 300 hours in a fiscal year as an instructor 
87.29 	in an adult vocational education program;
87.30 	(11) an individual hired by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and 
87.31 	Universities to teach one course for three or fewer credits for one semester in a year;
87.32 	(12) (11) with respect to court employees:
88.1 	(i) personal secretaries to judges;
88.2 	(ii) law clerks;
88.3 	(iii) managerial employees;
88.4 	(iv) confidential employees; and
88.5 	(v) supervisory employees; or
88.6 	(13) (12) with respect to employees of Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., managerial, 
88.7 	supervisory, and confidential employees.
88.8 	(b) The following individuals are public employees regardless of the exclusions of 
88.9 	paragraph (a), clauses (5) and (6) to (7):
88.10 	(1) an employee hired by a school district or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota 
88.11 	State Colleges and Universities except at the university established in the Twin Cities 
88.12 	metropolitan area under section 136F.10 or for community services or community education 
88.13 	instruction offered on a noncredit basis: (i) to replace an absent teacher or faculty member 
88.14 	who is a public employee, where the replacement employee is employed more than 30 
88.15 	working days as a replacement for that teacher or faculty member; or (ii) to take a teaching 
88.16 	position created due to increased enrollment, curriculum expansion, courses which are a 
88.17 	part of the curriculum whether offered annually or not, or other appropriate reasons;
88.18 	(2) an employee hired for a position under paragraph (a), clause (6), item (i), if that same 
88.19 	position has already been filled under paragraph (a), clause (6), item (i), in the same calendar 
88.20 	year and the cumulative number of days worked in that same position by all employees 
88.21 	exceeds 67 calendar days in that year. For the purpose of this paragraph, "same position" 
88.22 	includes a substantially equivalent position if it is not the same position solely due to a 
88.23 	change in the classification or title of the position; and
88.24 	(3) an early childhood family education teacher employed by a school district.; and
88.25 	(4) an individual hired by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and 
88.26 	Universities as the instructor of record to teach (i) one class for more than three credits in 
88.27 	a fiscal year, or (ii) two or more credit-bearing classes in a fiscal year.

88.28 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.03, subdivision 18, is amended to read:
88.29 		Subd. 18.Teacher. "Teacher" means any public employee other than a superintendent 
88.30 	or assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, or a supervisory or confidential 
88.31 	employee, employed by a school district:
89.1 	(1) in a position for which the person must be licensed by the Professional Educator 
89.2 	Licensing and Standards Board or the commissioner of education; or
89.3 	(2) in a position as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, art therapist, music 
89.4 	therapist, or audiologist.; or
89.5 	(3) in a position creating and delivering instruction to children in a preschool, school 
89.6 	readiness, school readiness plus, or prekindergarten program or other school district or 
89.7 	charter school-based early education program, except that an employee in a bargaining unit 
89.8 	certified before January 1, 2023, may remain in a bargaining unit that does not include 
89.9 	teachers unless an exclusive representative files a petition for a unit clarification or to transfer 
89.10 	exclusive representative status.

89.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

89.12 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.03, subdivision 19, is amended to read:
89.13 		Subd. 19.Terms and conditions of employment. "Terms and conditions of employment" 
89.14 	means the hours of employment, the compensation therefor including fringe benefits except 
89.15 	retirement contributions or benefits other than employer payment of, or contributions to, 
89.16 	premiums for group insurance coverage of retired employees or severance pay, staffing 
89.17 	ratios, and the employer's personnel policies affecting the working conditions of the 
89.18 	employees. In the case of professional employees the term does not mean educational 
89.19 	policies of a school district. "Terms and conditions of employment" is subject to section 
89.20 	179A.07. In the case of school employees, "terms and conditions of employment" includes 
89.21 	adult-to-student ratios in classrooms, student testing, and student-to-personnel ratios.

89.22 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.06, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
89.23 		Subd. 6.Dues checkoff Payroll deduction, authorization, and remittance. (a) Public 
89.24 	employees have the right to request and be allowed dues checkoff payroll deduction for the 
89.25 	exclusive representative. In the absence of an exclusive representative, public employees 
89.26 	have the right to request and be allowed dues checkoff for the organization of their choice.
89.27 	and the political fund associated with the exclusive representative and registered pursuant 
89.28 	to section 10A.12. A public employer must rely on a certification from any exclusive 
89.29 	representative requesting remittance of a deduction that the organization has and will maintain 
89.30 	an authorization, signed by the public employee from whose salary or wages the deduction 
89.31 	is to be made, which may include an electronic signature by the public employee as defined 
89.32 	in section 325L.02, paragraph (h). An exclusive representative making such certification 
89.33 	must not be required to provide the public employer a copy of the authorization unless a 
90.1 	dispute arises about the existence or terms of the authorization. The exclusive representative 
90.2 	must indemnify the public employer for any successful claims made by the employee for 
90.3 	unauthorized deductions in reliance on the certification.
90.4 	(b) A dues deduction authorization remains in effect until the employer receives notice 
90.5 	from the exclusive representative that a public employee has changed or canceled their 
90.6 	authorization in writing in accordance with the terms of the original authorizing document, 
90.7 	and a public employer must rely on information from the exclusive representative receiving 
90.8 	remittance of the deduction regarding whether the deductions have been properly changed 
90.9 	or canceled. The exclusive representative must indemnify the public employer, including 
90.10 	any reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs, for any successful claims made by the 
90.11 	employee for unauthorized deductions made in reliance on such information.
90.12 	(c) Deduction authorization under this section is independent from the public employee's 
90.13 	membership status in the organization to which payment is remitted and is effective regardless 
90.14 	of whether a collective bargaining agreement authorizes the deduction.
90.15 	(d) Employers must commence deductions within 30 days of notice of authorization 
90.16 	from the exclusive representative and must remit the deductions to the exclusive 
90.17 	representative within 30 days of the deduction. The failure of an employer to comply with 
90.18 	the provisions of this paragraph shall be an unfair labor practice under section 179A.13, the 
90.19 	relief for which shall be reimbursement by the employer of deductions that should have 
90.20 	been made or remitted based on a valid authorization given by the employee or employees.
90.21 	(e) In the absence of an exclusive representative, public employees have the right to 
90.22 	request and be allowed payroll deduction for the organization of their choice.
90.23 	(f) Any dispute under this subdivision must be resolved through an unfair labor practice 
90.24 	proceeding under section 179A.13.

90.25 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
90.26 		Subdivision 1.Inherent managerial policy. A public employer is not required to meet 
90.27 	and negotiate on matters of inherent managerial policy. Matters of inherent managerial 
90.28 	policy include, but are not limited to, such areas of discretion or policy as the functions and 
90.29 	programs of the employer, its overall budget, utilization of technology, the organizational 
90.30 	structure, selection of personnel, and direction and the number of personnel. No public 
90.31 	employer shall sign an agreement which limits its right to select persons to serve as 
90.32 	supervisory employees or state managers under section 43A.18, subdivision 3, or requires 
90.33 	the use of seniority in their selection.

91.1 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.07, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
91.2 		Subd. 6.Time off. A public employer must afford reasonable time off to elected officers 
91.3 	or appointed representatives of the exclusive representative to conduct the duties of the 
91.4 	exclusive representative and must, upon request, provide for leaves of absence to elected 
91.5 	or appointed officials of the exclusive representative, to elected or appointed officials of an 
91.6 	affiliate of an exclusive representative, or to a full-time appointed official of an exclusive 
91.7 	representative of teachers in another Minnesota school district.

91.8 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.07, is amended by adding a subdivision 
91.9 	to read:
91.10 		Subd. 8.Bargaining unit information. (a) Within 20 calendar days from the date of 
91.11 	hire of a bargaining unit employee, a public employer must provide the following contact 
91.12 	information to an exclusive representative in an Excel file format or other format agreed to 
91.13 	by the exclusive representative: name; job title; worksite location, including location within 
91.14 	a facility when appropriate; home address; work telephone number; home and personal cell 
91.15 	phone numbers on file with the public employer; date of hire; and work email address and 
91.16 	personal email address on file with the public employer.
91.17 	(b) Every 120 calendar days beginning on January 1, 2024, a public employer must 
91.18 	provide to an exclusive representative in an Excel file or similar format agreed to by the 
91.19 	exclusive representative the following information for all bargaining unit employees: name; 
91.20 	job title; worksite location, including location within a facility when appropriate; home 
91.21 	address; work telephone number; home and personal cell phone numbers on file with the 
91.22 	public employer; date of hire; and work email address and personal email address on file 
91.23 	with the public employer.
91.24 	(c) A public employer must notify an exclusive representative within 20 calendar days 
91.25 	of the separation of employment or transfer out of the bargaining unit of a bargaining unit 
91.26 	employee.

91.27 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.07, is amended by adding a subdivision 
91.28 	to read:
91.29 		Subd. 9.Access. (a) A public employer must allow an exclusive representative to meet 
91.30 	in person with newly hired employees, without charge to the pay or leave time of the 
91.31 	employees, for 30 minutes, within 30 calendar days from the date of hire, during new 
91.32 	employee orientations or, if the employer does not conduct new employee orientations, at 
91.33 	individual or group meetings. An exclusive representative shall receive no less than ten 
92.1 	days' notice in advance of an orientation, except that a shorter notice may be provided where 
92.2 	there is an urgent need critical to the operations of the public employer that was not 
92.3 	reasonably foreseeable. Notice of and attendance at new employee orientations and other 
92.4 	meetings under this paragraph must be limited to the public employer, the employees, the 
92.5 	exclusive representative, and any vendor contracted to provide a service for purposes of the 
92.6 	meeting. Meetings may be held virtually or for longer than 30 minutes only by mutual 
92.7 	agreement of the public employer and exclusive representative.
92.8 	(b) A public employer must allow an exclusive representative to communicate with 
92.9 	bargaining unit members using their employer-issued email addresses regarding collective 
92.10 	bargaining, the administration of collective bargaining agreements, the investigation of 
92.11 	grievances, other workplace-related complaints and issues, and internal matters involving 
92.12 	the governance or business of the exclusive representative, consistent with the employer's 
92.13 	generally applicable technology use policies.
92.14 	(c) A public employer must allow an exclusive representative to meet with bargaining 
92.15 	unit members in facilities owned or leased by the public employer regarding collective 
92.16 	bargaining, the administration of collective bargaining agreements, grievances and other 
92.17 	workplace-related complaints and issues, and internal matters involving the governance or 
92.18 	business of the exclusive representative, provided the use does not interfere with 
92.19 	governmental operations and the exclusive representative complies with worksite security 
92.20 	protocols established by the public employer. Meetings conducted in government buildings 
92.21 	pursuant to this paragraph must not be for the purpose of supporting or opposing any 
92.22 	candidate for partisan political office or for the purpose of distributing literature or 
92.23 	information regarding partisan elections. An exclusive representative conducting a meeting 
92.24 	in a government building or other government facility pursuant to this subdivision may be 
92.25 	charged for maintenance, security, and other costs related to the use of the government 
92.26 	building or facility that would not otherwise be incurred by the government entity.

92.27 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision 
92.28 	to read:
92.29 		Subd. 2a.Majority verification procedure. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision 
92.30 	of this section, an employee organization may file a petition with the commissioner requesting 
92.31 	certification as the exclusive representative of an appropriate unit based on a verification 
92.32 	that over 50 percent of the employees in the proposed appropriate unit wish to be represented 
92.33 	by the petitioner. The commissioner shall require dated representation authorization 
93.1 	signatures of affected employees as verification of the employee organization's claim of 
93.2 	majority status.
93.3 	(b) Upon receipt of an employee organization's petition, accompanied by employee 
93.4 	authorization signatures under this subdivision, the commissioner shall investigate the 
93.5 	petition. If the commissioner determines that over 50 percent of the employees in an 
93.6 	appropriate unit have provided authorization signatures designating the employee 
93.7 	organization specified in the petition as their exclusive representative, the commissioner 
93.8 	shall not order an election but shall certify the employee organization.

93.9 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.12, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
93.10 		Subd. 6.Authorization signatures. In determining the numerical status of an employee 
93.11 	organization for purposes of this section, the commissioner shall require dated representation 
93.12 	authorization signatures of affected employees as verification of the statements contained 
93.13 	in the joint request or petitions. These authorization signatures shall be privileged and 
93.14 	confidential information available to the commissioner only. Electronic signatures, as defined 
93.15 	in section 325L.02, paragraph (h), shall be valid as authorization signatures. Authorization 
93.16 	signatures shall be valid for a period of one year following the date of signature.

93.17 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.12, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
93.18 		Subd. 11.Unfair labor practices. If the commissioner finds that an unfair labor practice 
93.19 	was committed by an employer or representative candidate or an employee or group of 
93.20 	employees, and that the unfair labor practice affected the result of an election or majority 
93.21 	verification procedure pursuant to subdivision 2a, or that procedural or other irregularities 
93.22 	in the conduct of the election or majority verification procedure may have substantially 
93.23 	affected its results, the commissioner may void the election result and order a new election
93.24 	or majority verification procedure.

93.25 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.03, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
93.26 		Subd. 6.Retaliation. An employer must shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, interfere 
93.27 	with, threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an employee 
93.28 	for asserting rights or remedies under this section, sections 177.21 to 177.44, 181.01 to 
93.29 	181.723, or 181.79, including, but not limited to, filing a complaint with the department or 
93.30 	telling the employer of the employee's intention to file a complaint. In addition to any other 
93.31 	remedies provided by law, an employer who violates this subdivision is liable for a civil 
93.32 	penalty of not less than $700 nor more than $3,000 per violation.

94.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

94.2 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
94.3 		Subd. 2.Payroll deductions. A written contract may be entered into between an employer 
94.4 	and an employee wherein the employee authorizes the employer to make payroll deductions 
94.5 	for the purpose of paying union dues, premiums of any life insurance, hospitalization and 
94.6 	surgical insurance, group accident and health insurance, group term life insurance, group 
94.7 	annuities or contributions to credit unions or a community chest fund, a local arts council, 
94.8 	a local science council or a local arts and science council, or Minnesota benefit association, 
94.9 	a federally or state registered political action committee, membership dues of a relief 
94.10 	association governed by sections 424A.091 to 424A.096 or Laws 2013, chapter 111, article 
94.11 	5, sections 31 to 42, contributions to a nonprofit organization that is tax exempt under section 
94.12 	501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, or participation in any employee stock purchase plan 
94.13 	or savings plan for periods longer than 60 days, including gopher state bonds established 
94.14 	under section 16A.645. A private sector employer must make payroll deductions to a nonlabor 
94.15 	organization under this subdivision when requested by five or more employees.

94.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

94.17 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.172, is amended to read:
94.18 	181.172 WAGE DISCLOSURE PROTECTION.
94.19 	(a) An employer shall not:
94.20 	(1) require nondisclosure by an employee of his or her wages as a condition of 
94.21 	employment;
94.22 	(2) require an employee to sign a waiver or other document which purports to deny an 
94.23 	employee the right to disclose the employee's wages; or
94.24 	(3) take any adverse employment action against an employee for disclosing the employee's 
94.25 	own wages or discussing another employee's wages which have been disclosed voluntarily.
94.26 	(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
94.27 	(1) create an obligation on any employer or employee to disclose wages;
94.28 	(2) permit an employee, without the written consent of the employer, to disclose 
94.29 	proprietary information, trade secret information, or information that is otherwise subject 
94.30 	to a legal privilege or protected by law;
95.1 	(3) diminish any existing rights under the National Labor Relations Act under United 
95.2 	States Code, title 29; or
95.3 	(4) permit the employee to disclose wage information of other employees to a competitor 
95.4 	of their employer.
95.5 	(c) An employer that provides an employee handbook to its employees must include in 
95.6 	the handbook notice of employee rights and remedies under this section.
95.7 	(d) An employer may shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, interfere with, threaten, 
95.8 	restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an employee for asserting 
95.9 	rights or remedies under this section.
95.10 	(e) An employee may bring a civil action against an employer for a violation of paragraph 
95.11 	(a) or (d). If a court finds that an employer has violated paragraph (a) or (d), the court may 
95.12 	order reinstatement, back pay, restoration of lost service credit, if appropriate, and the 
95.13 	expungement of any related adverse records of an employee who was the subject of the 
95.14 	violation.

95.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

95.16 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.275, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
95.17 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the 
95.18 	meanings given them:
95.19 	(1) "emergency" means a period when replacement staff are not able to report for duty 
95.20 	for the next shift or increased patient need, because of unusual, unpredictable, or unforeseen 
95.21 	circumstances such as, but not limited to, an act of terrorism, a disease outbreak, adverse 
95.22 	weather conditions, or natural disasters which impact continuity of patient care;
95.23 	(2) "normal work period" means 12 or fewer consecutive hours consistent with a 
95.24 	predetermined work shift;
95.25 	(3) "nurse" has the meaning given in section 148.171, subdivision 9, and includes nurses 
95.26 	employed by the state of Minnesota; and
95.27 	(4) "taking action against" means discharging; disciplining; penalizing; interfering with;
95.28 	threatening; restraining; coercing; reporting to the Board of Nursing; or otherwise retaliating 
95.29 	or discriminating against; or penalizing regarding compensation, terms, conditions, location, 
95.30 	or privileges of employment.

95.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

96.1 	Sec. 25. [181.531] EMPLOYER-SPONSORED MEETINGS OR COMMUNICATION.
96.2 		Subdivision 1.Prohibition. An employer or the employer's agent, representative, or 
96.3 	designee must not discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize or threaten to discharge, 
96.4 	discipline, or otherwise penalize or take any adverse employment action against an employee:
96.5 	(1) because the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored 
96.6 	meeting or declines to receive or listen to communications from the employer or the agent, 
96.7 	representative, or designee of the employer if the meeting or communication is to 
96.8 	communicate the opinion of the employer about religious or political matters;
96.9 	(2) as a means of inducing an employee to attend or participate in meetings or receive 
96.10 	or listen to communications described in  clause (1); or
96.11 	(3) because the employee, or a person acting on behalf of the employee, makes a 
96.12 	good-faith report, orally or in writing, of a violation or a suspected violation of this section.
96.13 		Subd. 2.Remedies. An aggrieved employee may bring a civil action to enforce this 
96.14 	section no later than 90 days after the date of the alleged violation in the district court where 
96.15 	the violation is alleged to have occurred or where the principal office of the employer is 
96.16 	located. The court may award a prevailing employee all appropriate relief, including 
96.17 	injunctive relief, reinstatement to the employee's former position or an equivalent position, 
96.18 	back pay and reestablishment of any employee benefits, including seniority, to which the 
96.19 	employee would otherwise have been eligible if the violation had not occurred and any 
96.20 	other appropriate relief as deemed necessary by the court to make the employee whole. The 
96.21 	court shall award a prevailing employee reasonable attorney fees and costs.
96.22 		Subd. 3.Notice. Within 30 days of the effective date of this section, an employer subject 
96.23 	to this section shall post and keep posted, a notice of employee rights under this section 
96.24 	where employee notices are customarily placed.
96.25 		Subd. 4.Scope. This section does not:
96.26 	(1) prohibit communications of information that the employer is required by law to 
96.27 	communicate, but only to the extent of the lawful requirement;
96.28 	(2) limit the rights of an employer or its agent, representative, or designee to conduct 
96.29 	meetings involving religious or political matters so long as attendance is wholly voluntary 
96.30 	or to engage in communications so long as receipt or listening is wholly voluntary; or
96.31 	(3) limit the rights of an employer or its agent, representative, or designee from 
96.32 	communicating to its employees any information, or requiring employee attendance at 
97.1 	meetings and other events, that is necessary for the employees to perform their lawfully 
97.2 	required job duties.
97.3 		Subd. 5.Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
97.4 	(1) "political matters" means matters relating to elections for political office, political 
97.5 	parties, proposals to change legislation, proposals to change regulations, proposals to change 
97.6 	public policy, and the decision to join or support any political party or political, civic, 
97.7 	community, fraternal, or labor organization; and
97.8 	(2) "religious matters" means matters relating to religious belief, affiliation, and practice 
97.9 	and the decision to join or support any religious organization or association.

97.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2023, and applies to causes 
97.11 	of action accruing on or after that date.

97.12 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.932, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
97.13 		Subdivision 1.Prohibited action. An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, 
97.14 	interfere with, threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against, or 
97.15 	penalize an employee regarding the employee's compensation, terms, conditions, location, 
97.16 	or privileges of employment because:
97.17 	(1) the employee, or a person acting on behalf of an employee, in good faith, reports a 
97.18 	violation, suspected violation, or planned violation of any federal or state law or common 
97.19 	law or rule adopted pursuant to law to an employer or to any governmental body or law 
97.20 	enforcement official;
97.21 	(2) the employee is requested by a public body or office to participate in an investigation, 
97.22 	hearing, inquiry;
97.23 	(3) the employee refuses an employer's order to perform an action that the employee 
97.24 	has an objective basis in fact to believe violates any state or federal law or rule or regulation 
97.25 	adopted pursuant to law, and the employee informs the employer that the order is being 
97.26 	refused for that reason;
97.27 	(4) the employee, in good faith, reports a situation in which the quality of health care 
97.28 	services provided by a health care facility, organization, or health care provider violates a 
97.29 	standard established by federal or state law or a professionally recognized national clinical 
97.30 	or ethical standard and potentially places the public at risk of harm;
98.1 	(5) a public employee communicates the findings of a scientific or technical study that 
98.2 	the employee, in good faith, believes to be truthful and accurate, including reports to a 
98.3 	governmental body or law enforcement official; or
98.4 	(6) an employee in the classified service of state government communicates information 
98.5 	that the employee, in good faith, believes to be truthful and accurate, and that relates to state 
98.6 	services, including the financing of state services, to:
98.7 	(i) a legislator or the legislative auditor; or
98.8 	(ii) a constitutional officer.
98.9 	The disclosures protected pursuant to this section do not authorize the disclosure of data 
98.10 	otherwise protected by law.

98.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

98.12 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.939, is amended to read:
98.13 	181.939 NURSING MOTHERS, LACTATING EMPLOYEES, AND PREGNANCY 
98.14 	ACCOMMODATIONS.
98.15 		Subdivision 1.Nursing mothers and lactating employees. (a) An employer must 
98.16 	provide reasonable break times each day to an employee who needs to express breast milk 
98.17 	for her infant child during the twelve months following the birth of the child. The break 
98.18 	times must, if possible, may run concurrently with any break times already provided to the 
98.19 	employee. An employer is not required to provide break times under this section if to do so 
98.20 	would unduly disrupt the operations of the employer. An employer shall not reduce an 
98.21 	employee's compensation for time used for the purpose of expressing milk.
98.22 	(b) The employer must make reasonable efforts to provide a clean, private, and secure
98.23 	room or other location, in close proximity to the work area, other than a bathroom or a toilet 
98.24 	stall, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public and 
98.25 	that includes access to an electrical outlet, where the employee can express milk in privacy. 
98.26 	The employer would be held harmless if reasonable effort has been made.
98.27 	(c) For the purposes of this subdivision, "employer" means a person or entity that employs 
98.28 	one or more employees and includes the state and its political subdivisions.
98.29 	(d) An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, interfere with, threaten, restrain, 
98.30 	coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an employee for asserting rights or 
98.31 	remedies under this subdivision.
99.1 		Subd. 2.Pregnancy accommodations. (a) An employer must provide reasonable 
99.2 	accommodations to an employee for health conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth 
99.3 	upon request, with the advice of a licensed health care provider or certified doula, unless 
99.4 	the employer demonstrates that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on 
99.5 	the operation of the employer's business. A pregnant employee shall not be required to 
99.6 	obtain the advice of a licensed health care provider or certified doula, nor may an employer 
99.7 	claim undue hardship for the following accommodations: (1) more frequent or longer
99.8 	restroom, food, and water breaks; (2) seating; and (3) limits on lifting over 20 pounds. The 
99.9 	employee and employer shall engage in an interactive process with respect to an employee's 
99.10 	request for a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation may include but is 
99.11 	not limited to temporary transfer to a less strenuous or hazardous position, temporary leave 
99.12 	of absence, modification in work schedule or job assignments, seating, more frequent 
99.13 	restroom breaks or longer break periods, and limits to heavy lifting. Notwithstanding any 
99.14 	other provision of this subdivision, an employer shall not be required to create a new or 
99.15 	additional position in order to accommodate an employee pursuant to this subdivision and 
99.16 	shall not be required to discharge an employee, transfer another employee with greater 
99.17 	seniority, or promote an employee.
99.18 	(b) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to affect any other provision of law 
99.19 	relating to sex discrimination or pregnancy or in any way diminish the coverage of pregnancy, 
99.20 	childbirth, or health conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth under any other provisions 
99.21 	of any other law.
99.22 	(c) An employer shall not require an employee to take a leave or accept an 
99.23 	accommodation.
99.24 	(d) An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, interfere with, threaten, restrain, 
99.25 	coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an employee for asserting rights or 
99.26 	remedies under this subdivision.
99.27 	(e) For the purposes of this subdivision, "employer" means a person or entity that employs 
99.28 	fifteen one or more employees and includes the state and its political subdivisions.
99.29 		Subd. 3.Notice to employees. An employer shall inform employees of their rights under 
99.30 	this section at the time of hire and when an employee makes an inquiry about or requests 
99.31 	parental leave. Information must be provided in English and the primary language of the 
99.32 	employee as identified by the employee. An employer that provides an employee handbook 
99.33 	to its employees must include in the handbook notice of employee rights and remedies under 
99.34 	this section. The commissioner shall make available to employers the text to be included 
100.1 	in the notice required by this section in English and the five most common languages spoken 
100.2 	in Minnesota.

100.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

100.4 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.940, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
100.5 		Subd. 2.Employee. "Employee" means a person who performs services for hire for an 
100.6 	employer from whom a leave is requested under sections 181.940 to 181.944for:.
100.7 	(1) at least 12 months preceding the request; and
100.8 	(2) for an average number of hours per week equal to one-half the full-time equivalent 
100.9 	position in the employee's job classification as defined by the employer's personnel policies 
100.10 	or practices or pursuant to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement, during the 
100.11 	12-month period immediately preceding the leave.
100.12 	Employee includes all individuals employed at any site owned or operated by the 
100.13 	employer but does not include an independent contractor.

100.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

100.15 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.940, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
100.16 		Subd. 3.Employer. "Employer" means a person or entity that employs 21 one or more 
100.17 	employees at at least one site, except that, for purposes of the school leave allowed under 
100.18 	section 181.9412, employer means a person or entity that employs one or more employees 
100.19 	in Minnesota. The term and includes an individual, corporation, partnership, association,
100.20 	business, trust, nonprofit organization, group of persons, state, county, town, city, school 
100.21 	district, or other governmental subdivision.

100.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

100.23 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.941, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
100.24 		Subd. 3.No employer retribution. An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, 
100.25 	interfere with, threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an 
100.26 	employee for requesting or obtaining a leave of absence as provided by this section.

100.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

101.1 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.9413, is amended to read:
101.2 	181.9413 SICK LEAVE BENEFITS; CARE OF RELATIVES.
101.3 	(a) An employee may use personal sick leave benefits provided by the employer for 
101.4 	absences due to an illness of or injury to the employee's child, as defined in section 181.940, 
101.5 	subdivision 4, adult child, spouse, sibling, parent, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandchild, 
101.6 	grandparent, or stepparent, for reasonable periods of time as the employee's attendance may 
101.7 	be necessary, on the same terms upon which the employee is able to use sick leave benefits 
101.8 	for the employee's own illness or injury. This section applies only to personal sick leave 
101.9 	benefits payable to the employee from the employer's general assets.
101.10 	(b) An employee may use sick leave as allowed under this section for safety leave, 
101.11 	whether or not the employee's employer allows use of sick leave for that purpose for such 
101.12 	reasonable periods of time as may be necessary. Safety leave may be used for assistance to 
101.13 	the employee or assistance to the relatives described in paragraph (a). For the purpose of 
101.14 	this section, "safety leave" is leave for the purpose of providing or receiving assistance 
101.15 	because of sexual assault, domestic abuse, or harassment or stalking. For the purpose of 
101.16 	this paragraph:
101.17 	(1) "domestic abuse" has the meaning given in section 518B.01;
101.18 	(2) "sexual assault" means an act that constitutes a violation under sections 609.342 to 
101.19 	609.3453 or 609.352; and
101.20 	(3) "harass" and "stalking" have the meanings given in section 609.749.
101.21 	(c) An employer may limit the use of safety leave as described in paragraph (b) or 
101.22 	personal sick leave benefits provided by the employer for absences due to an illness of or 
101.23 	injury to the employee's adult child, spouse, sibling, parent, mother-in-law, father-in-law, 
101.24 	grandchild, grandparent, or stepparent to no less than 160 hours in any 12-month period. 
101.25 	This paragraph does not apply to absences due to the illness or injury of a child, as defined 
101.26 	in section 181.940, subdivision 4.
101.27 	(d) For purposes of this section, "personal sick leave benefits" means time accrued and 
101.28 	available to an employee to be used as a result of absence from work due to personal illness 
101.29 	or injury, but does not include short-term or long-term disability or other salary continuation 
101.30 	benefits.
101.31 	(e) For the purpose of this section, "child" includes a stepchild and a biological, adopted, 
101.32 	and foster child.
102.1 	(f) For the purpose of this section, "grandchild" includes a step-grandchild, and a 
102.2 	biological, adopted, and foster grandchild.
102.3 	(g) This section does not prevent an employer from providing greater sick leave benefits 
102.4 	than are provided for under this section.
102.5 	(h) An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, interfere with, threaten, restrain, 
102.6 	coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an employee for requesting or obtaining 
102.7 	a leave of absence under this section.

102.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

102.9 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.942, is amended to read:
102.10 	181.942 REINSTATEMENT AFTER LEAVE.
102.11 		Subdivision 1.Comparable position. (a) An employee returning from a leave of absence 
102.12 	under section 181.939 or181.941 is entitled to return to employment in the employee's 
102.13 	former position or in a position of comparable duties, number of hours, and pay. An employee 
102.14 	returning from a leave of absence longer than one month must notify a supervisor at least 
102.15 	two weeks prior to return from leave. An employee returning from a leave under section 
102.16 	181.9412 or 181.9413 is entitled to return to employment in the employee's former position.
102.17 	(b) If, during a leave under sections 181.940 181.939 to 181.944, the employer 
102.18 	experiences a layoff and the employee would have lost a position had the employee not 
102.19 	been on leave, pursuant to the good faith operation of a bona fide layoff and recall system, 
102.20 	including a system under a collective bargaining agreement, the employee is not entitled to 
102.21 	reinstatement in the former or comparable position. In such circumstances, the employee 
102.22 	retains all rights under the layoff and recall system, including a system under a collective 
102.23 	bargaining agreement, as if the employee had not taken the leave.
102.24 		Subd. 2.Pay; benefits; on return. An employee returning from a leave of absence 
102.25 	under sections 181.940 181.939 to 181.944 is entitled to return to employment at the same 
102.26 	rate of pay the employee had been receiving when the leave commenced, plus any automatic 
102.27 	adjustments in the employee's pay scale that occurred during leave period. The employee 
102.28 	returning from a leave is entitled to retain all accrued preleave benefits of employment and 
102.29 	seniority, as if there had been no interruption in service; provided that nothing in sections 
102.30 	181.940 181.939 to 181.944 prevents the accrual of benefits or seniority during the leave 
102.31 	pursuant to a collective bargaining or other agreement between the employer and employees.
103.1 		Subd. 3.Part-time return. An employee, by agreement with the employer, may return 
103.2 	to work part time during the leave period without forfeiting the right to return to employment 
103.3 	at the end of the leave period, as provided in sections 181.940 181.939 to 181.944.

103.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

103.5 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.9436, is amended to read:
103.6 	181.9436 POSTING OF LAW.
103.7 	The Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship shall develop, with the assistance 
103.8 	of interested business and community organizations, an educational poster stating employees' 
103.9 	rights under sections 181.940 181.939 to 181.9436. The department shall make the poster 
103.10 	available, upon request, to employers for posting on the employer's premises.

103.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

103.12 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.945, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
103.13 		Subd. 3.No employer sanctions. An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, 
103.14 	interfere with, threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an 
103.15 	employee for requesting or obtaining a leave of absence as provided by this section.

103.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

103.17 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.9456, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
103.18 		Subd. 3.No employer sanctions. An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, 
103.19 	interfere with, threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an 
103.20 	employee for requesting or obtaining a leave of absence as provided by this section.

103.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

103.22 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.956, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
103.23 		Subd. 5.Retaliation prohibited. An employer may shall not discharge, discipline, 
103.24 	penalize, interfere with, threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate
103.25 	against an employee for asserting rights and remedies provided in sections 181.950 to 
103.26 	181.954.

103.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

104.1 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.964, is amended to read:
104.2 	181.964 RETALIATION PROHIBITED.
104.3 	An employer may shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, interfere with, threaten, 
104.4 	restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an employee for asserting 
104.5 	rights or remedies provided in sections 181.960 to 181.965.

104.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

104.7 	Sec. 38. [181.991] RESTRICTIVE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS PROHIBITED.
104.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
104.9 	the meanings given them.
104.10 	(b) "Employee" means an individual employed by an employer and includes independent 
104.11 	contractors.
104.12 	(c) "Employer" has the meaning given in section 177.23, subdivision 6.
104.13 	(d) "Franchise," "franchisee," and "franchisor" have the meanings given in section 
104.14 	80C.01, subdivisions 4 to 6.
104.15 		Subd. 2.Prohibition on restrictive franchise agreements. (a) No franchisor may 
104.16 	restrict, restrain, or prohibit in any way a franchisee from soliciting or hiring an employee 
104.17 	of a franchisee of the same franchisor.
104.18 	(b) No franchisor may restrict, restrain, or prohibit in any way a franchisee from soliciting 
104.19 	or hiring an employee of the franchisor.
104.20 	(c) Any provision of an existing contract that violates paragraph (a) or (b) is void and 
104.21 	unenforceable. When a provision in an existing contract violates this section, the franchisee 
104.22 	must provide notice to their employees of this law.
104.23 		Subd. 3.Franchise agreement amendment. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, 
104.24 	no later than one year from the effective date of this section, franchisors shall:
104.25 	(1) amend existing franchise agreements to remove any restrictive employment provision 
104.26 	that violates subdivision 2; or
104.27 	(2) sign a memorandum of understanding with each franchisee that provides that any 
104.28 	contract provisions that violate subdivision 2 in any way are void and unenforceable, and 
104.29 	provides notice to the franchisee of their rights and obligations under this section.

104.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

105.1 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.659, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
105.2 		Subdivision 1.Authority to inspect. In order to carry out the purposes of this chapter, 
105.3 	the commissioner, upon presenting appropriate credentials to the owner, operator, or agent 
105.4 	in charge, is authorized to enter without delay and at reasonable times any place of 
105.5 	employment; and to inspect and investigate during regular working hours and at other 
105.6 	reasonable times, and within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner, any such place 
105.7 	of employment and all pertinent conditions, structures, machines, apparatus, devices, 
105.8 	equipment, and materials therein, and to question privately any such employer, owner, 
105.9 	operator, agent or employee. An employer or its representatives, including but not limited 
105.10 	to its management, attorneys, or consultants, may not be present for any employee interview.

105.11 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.659, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
105.12 		Subd. 8.Protection from subpoena; data. Neither the commissioner nor any current 
105.13 	or former employee of the department, including those employees of the Department of 
105.14 	Health providing services to the Department of Labor and Industry, pursuant to section 
105.15 	182.67, subdivision 1, is subject to subpoena for purposes of inquiry into any occupational 
105.16 	safety and health inspection except in enforcement proceedings brought under this chapter. 
105.17 	Data that identify individuals who provide data to the department as part of an investigation 
105.18 	conducted under this chapter shall be private.

105.19 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.66, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
105.20 	read:
105.21 		Subd. 4.Classification of citation data. Notwithstanding section 13.39, subdivision 2, 
105.22 	the data in a written citation is classified as public data 20 days after the employer has 
105.23 	received the citation. All data in the citation is public, including but not limited to the 
105.24 	employer's name, the employer's business address, and the address of the worksite; the date 
105.25 	or dates of inspection; the date the citation was issued; the provision of the act, standard, 
105.26 	rule, or order alleged to have been violated; the severity level of the citation; the description 
105.27 	of the nature of the violation; the proposed abatement date; the proposed penalty; and any 
105.28 	abatement guidelines. If a notice of contest is filed contesting any part of a citation pursuant 
105.29 	to section 182.661, subdivision 3, the date that the notice was filed shall also be classified 
105.30 	as public data 20 days after the employer has received the citation. When citation data is 
105.31 	requested, the department must also provide any final settlement agreement or order 
105.32 	amending or withdrawing the citation.

106.1 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.661, is amended by adding a subdivision 
106.2 	to read:
106.3 		Subd. 3c.Contestation of time for correction of a violation. (a) Where an employer 
106.4 	contests the period of time fixed for correction of a violation that is not a serious, willful, 
106.5 	or repeat violation, the period of time shall not run until the order of the commissioner 
106.6 	becomes final.
106.7 	(b) Where an employer or employee contests the period of time fixed for correction of 
106.8 	a violation that is a serious, willful, or repeat violation, the commissioner may refer the 
106.9 	matter to the office of administrative hearings for an expedited contested case hearing solely 
106.10 	on the reasonableness of the time fixed for correction. The administrative law judge may 
106.11 	order the employer to correct the violation pending final resolution of the cited violations 
106.12 	on the merits.

106.13 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 182.676, is amended to read:
106.14 	182.676 SAFETY COMMITTEES.
106.15 	(a) Every public or private employer of more than 25 employees shall establish and 
106.16 	administer a joint labor-management safety committee.
106.17 	(b) Every public or private employer of 25 or fewer employees shall establish and 
106.18 	administer a safety committee if: it is subject to the requirements of section 182.653, 
106.19 	subdivision 8.
106.20 	(1) the employer has a lost workday cases incidence rate in the top ten percent of all 
106.21 	rates for employers in the same industry; or
106.22 	(2) the workers' compensation premium classification assigned to the greatest portion 
106.23 	of the payroll for the employer has a pure premium rate as reported by the Workers' 
106.24 	Compensation Rating Association in the top 25 percent of premium rates for all classes.
106.25 	(c) A safety committee must hold regularly scheduled meetings unless otherwise provided 
106.26 	in a collective bargaining agreement.
106.27 	(d) Employee safety committee members must be selected by employees. An employer 
106.28 	that fails to establish or administer a safety committee as required by this section may be 
106.29 	cited by the commissioner. A citation is punishable as a serious violation under section 
106.30 	182.666.
106.31 	The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to implement this section.

107.1 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.093, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
107.2 		Subd. 4.Examination results. If the applicant receives a passing score on the 
107.3 	examination and meets all other requirements for licensure, the commissioner must approve 
107.4 	the application and notify the applicant of the approval within 60 days of the date of the 
107.5 	passing score. The applicant must, within 180 days after the notification of approval, pay 
107.6 	the license fee. Upon receipt of the license fee, the commissioner must issue the license. If 
107.7 	the applicant does not pay the license fee within 180 days after the notification of approval, 
107.8 	the commissioner will rescind the approval and must deny the application. If the applicant 
107.9 	does not receive a passing score on the examination, the commissioner must deny the 
107.10 	application. If the application is denied because of the applicant's failure to receive a passing 
107.11 	score on the examination, then the applicant cannot submit a new application for the license 
107.12 	until at least 30 days after the notification date of denial the failed examination.

107.13 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.106, is amended by adding a subdivision 
107.14 	to read:
107.15 		Subd. 16.Refrigerants designated as acceptable for use. No provision of the code or 
107.16 	appendix chapter of the code may prohibit or otherwise limit the use of a refrigerant 
107.17 	designated as acceptable for use in accordance with United States Code, title 42, section 
107.18 	7671k, provided any equipment containing the refrigerant is listed and installed in full 
107.19 	compliance with all applicable requirements, safety standards, and use conditions imposed 
107.20 	pursuant to such a designation or as otherwise required by law.

107.21 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.163, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
107.22 		Subd. 5.Elevator. As used in this chapter, "elevator" means moving walks and vertical 
107.23 	transportation devices such as escalators, passenger elevators, freight elevators, dumbwaiters, 
107.24 	hand-powered elevators, endless belt lifts, and wheelchair platform lifts. Elevator does not 
107.25 	include external temporary material lifts or temporary construction personnel elevators at 
107.26 	sites of construction of new or remodeled buildings.

107.27 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision 
107.28 	to read:
107.29 		Subd. 5a.Platform lift. As used in this chapter, "platform lift" means a powered hoisting 
107.30 	and lowering device designed to transport mobility-impaired persons on a guided platform.

108.1 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.164, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
108.2 		Subd. 13.Exemption from licensing. (a) Employees of a licensed elevator contractor 
108.3 	or licensed limited elevator contractor are not required to hold or obtain a license under this 
108.4 	section or be provided with direct supervision by a licensed master elevator constructor, 
108.5 	licensed limited master elevator constructor, licensed elevator constructor, or licensed limited 
108.6 	elevator constructor to install, maintain, or repair platform lifts and stairway chairlifts. 
108.7 	Unlicensed employees performing elevator work under this exemption must comply with 
108.8 	subdivision 5. This exemption does not include the installation, maintenance, repair, or 
108.9 	replacement of electrical wiring for elevator equipment.
108.10 	(b) Contractors or individuals shall not be required to hold or obtain a license under this 
108.11 	section when performing work on:
108.12 	(1) conveyors, excluding vertical reciprocating conveyors;
108.13 	(2) platform lifts not covered under section 326B.163, subdivision 5a; or
108.14 	(3) dock levelers.

108.15 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.31, subdivision 30, is amended to read:
108.16 		Subd. 30.Technology system contractor. "Technology system contractor" means a 
108.17 	licensed contractor whose responsible licensed individual is a licensed power limited 
108.18 	technician or licensed master electrician.

108.19 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
108.20 		Subdivision 1.Composition. (a) The Board of Electricity shall consist of 12 members. 
108.21 	Eleven members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the 
108.22 	senate and shall be voting members. Appointments of members by the governor shall be 
108.23 	made in accordance with section 15.066. If the senate votes to refuse to consent to an 
108.24 	appointment of a member made by the governor, the governor shall appoint a new member 
108.25 	with the advice and consent of the senate. One member shall be the commissioner of labor 
108.26 	and industry or the commissioner's designee, who shall be a voting member. Of the 11 
108.27 	appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:
108.28 	(1) one member shall be an electrical inspector;
108.29 	(2) two members shall be representatives of the electrical suppliers in rural areas;
108.30 	(3) two members shall be master electricians, who shall be contractors;
108.31 	(4) two members shall be journeyworker electricians;
109.1 	(5) one member shall be a registered consulting electrical engineer;
109.2 	(6) two membersone member shall be a power limited technicians technician, who shall 
109.3 	be a technology system contractors primarily engaged in the business of installing technology 
109.4 	circuits or systems contractor; and
109.5 	(7) one member shall be a power limited technician; and
109.6 	(7) (8) one member shall be a public member as defined by section 214.02.
109.7 	The electrical inspector shall be appointed to a term to end December 31, 2011. One of 
109.8 	the rural electrical suppliers shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011. The 
109.9 	other rural electrical supplier shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010. The 
109.10 	consulting electrical engineer shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011. One 
109.11 	of the master electrician contractors shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011. 
109.12 	The other master electrician contractor shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 
109.13 	2010. One of the journeyworker electricians shall be appointed for a term to end December 
109.14 	31, 2011. The other journeyworker electrician shall be appointed for a term to end December 
109.15 	31, 2010. One of the power limited technicians shall be appointed for a term to end December 
109.16 	31, 2011. The other power limited technician shall be appointed for a term to end December 
109.17 	31, 2010. The public member shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010.
109.18 	(b) The consulting electrical engineer must possess a current Minnesota professional 
109.19 	engineering license and maintain the license for the duration of the term on the board. All 
109.20 	other appointed members, except for the public member and the representatives of electrical 
109.21 	suppliers in rural areas, must possess a current electrical license issued by the Department 
109.22 	of Labor and Industry and maintain that license for the duration of their terms. All appointed 
109.23 	members must be residents of Minnesota at the time of and throughout the member's 
109.24 	appointment. The term of any appointed member that does not maintain membership 
109.25 	qualification status shall end on the date of the status change and the governor shall appoint 
109.26 	a new member. It is the responsibility of the member to notify the board of their status 
109.27 	change.
109.28 	(c) For appointed members, except the initial terms designated in paragraph (a), each 
109.29 	term shall be three years with the terms ending on December 31. Members appointed by 
109.30 	the governor shall be limited to three consecutive terms. The governor shall, all or in part, 
109.31 	reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members with the advice and consent 
109.32 	of the senate. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. 
109.33 	Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for 
109.34 	the existing term and the following three-year term. Members may serve until their successors 
110.1 	are appointed but in no case later than July 1 in a year in which the term expires unless 
110.2 	reappointed.

110.3 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.36, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
110.4 		Subd. 7.Exemptions from inspections. Installations, materials, or equipment shall not 
110.5 	be subject to inspection under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399:
110.6 	(1) when owned or leased, operated and maintained by any employer whose maintenance 
110.7 	electricians are exempt from licensing under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399, while performing 
110.8 	electrical maintenance work only as defined by rule;
110.9 	(2) when owned or leased, and operated and maintained by any electrical, 
110.10 	communications, or railway utility, cable communications company as defined in section 
110.11 	238.02, or telephone company as defined under section 237.01, in the exercise of its utility, 
110.12 	antenna, or telephone function; and
110.13 	(i) are used exclusively for the generations, transformation, distribution, transmission, 
110.14 	load control, or metering of electric current, or the operation of railway signals, or the 
110.15 	transmission of intelligence, and do not have as a principal function the consumption or use 
110.16 	of electric current by or for the benefit of any person other than such utility, cable 
110.17 	communications company, or telephone company; and
110.18 	(ii) are generally accessible only to employees of such utility, cable communications 
110.19 	company, or telephone company or persons acting under its control or direction; and
110.20 	(iii) are not on the load side of the service point or point of entrance for communication 
110.21 	systems;
110.22 	(3) when used in the street lighting operations of an electrical utility;
110.23 	(4) when used as outdoor area lights which are owned and operated by an electrical 
110.24 	utility and which are connected directly to its distribution system and located upon the 
110.25 	utility's distribution poles, and which are generally accessible only to employees of such 
110.26 	utility or persons acting under its control or direction;
110.27 	(5) when the installation, material, and equipment are in facilities subject to the 
110.28 	jurisdiction of the federal Mine Safety and Health Act; or
110.29 	(6) when the installation, material, and equipment is part of an elevator installation for 
110.30 	which the elevator contractor, licensed under section 326B.164, is required to obtain a permit 
110.31 	from the authority having jurisdiction as provided by section 326B.184, and the inspection 
110.32 	has been or will be performed by an elevator inspector certified and licensed by the 
111.1 	department. This exemption shall apply only to installations, material, and equipment 
111.2 	permitted or required to be connected on the load side of the disconnecting means required 
111.3 	for elevator equipment under National Electrical Code Article 620, and elevator 
111.4 	communications and alarm systems within the machine room, car, hoistway, or elevator 
111.5 	lobby.

111.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

111.7 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.36, is amended by adding a subdivision 
111.8 	to read:
111.9 		Subd. 8.Electric utility exemptions; additional requirements. For exemptions to 
111.10 	inspections exclusively for load control allowed for electrical utilities under subdivision 7, 
111.11 	clause (2), item (i), the exempted work must be:
111.12 	(1) performed by a licensed electrician employed by a class A electrical contractor 
111.13 	licensed under section 326B.33;
111.14 	(2) for replacement or repair of existing equipment for an electric utility other than a 
111.15 	public utility as defined in section 216B.02, subdivision 4, only; and
111.16 	(3) completed on or before December 31, 2028.

111.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

111.18 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.805, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
111.19 		Subd. 6.Exemptions. The license requirement does not apply to:
111.20 	(1) an employee of a licensee performing work for the licensee;
111.21 	(2) a material person, manufacturer, or retailer furnishing finished products, materials, 
111.22 	or articles of merchandise who does not install or attach the items;
111.23 	(3) an owner of residential real estate who builds or improves any structure on residential 
111.24 	real estate, if the building or improving is performed by the owner's bona fide employees 
111.25 	or by individual owners personally. owner occupies or will occupy the residential real estate 
111.26 	for residential purposes, or will retain ownership for rental purposes upon completion of 
111.27 	the building or improvement. This exemption does not apply to an owner who constructs 
111.28 	or improves property residential real estate for purposes of resale or speculation if the 
111.29 	building or improving is performed by the owner's bona fide employees or by individual 
111.30 	owners personally. A. An owner of residential building contractor or residential remodeler
111.31 	real estate will be presumed to be building or improving for purposes of speculation if the 
112.1 	contractor or remodeler owner constructs or improves more than one property within any 
112.2 	24-month period, unless the properties will be retained by the owner for rental purposes;
112.3 	(4) an architect or professional engineer engaging in professional practice as defined by 
112.4 	section 326.02, subdivisions 2 and 3;
112.5 	(5) a person whose total gross annual receipts for performing specialty skills for which 
112.6 	licensure would be required under this section do not exceed $15,000;
112.7 	(6) a mechanical contractor;
112.8 	(7) a plumber, electrician, or other person whose profession is otherwise subject to 
112.9 	statewide licensing, when engaged in the activity which is the subject of that licensure;
112.10 	(8) specialty contractors who provide only one special skill as defined in section 
112.11 	326B.802;
112.12 	(9) a school district, or a technical college governed under chapter 136F; and
112.13 	(10) Habitat for Humanity and Builders Outreach Foundation, and their individual 
112.14 	volunteers when engaged in activities on their behalf.
112.15 	To qualify for the exemption in clause (5), a person must obtain a certificate of exemption 
112.16 	from licensure from the commissioner. A certificate of exemption will be issued upon the 
112.17 	applicant's filing with the commissioner, an affidavit stating that the applicant does not 
112.18 	expect to exceed $15,000 in gross annual receipts derived from performing services which 
112.19 	require licensure under this section during the calendar year in which the affidavit is received. 
112.20 	For the purposes of calculating fees under section 326B.092, a certificate of exemption is 
112.21 	an entry level license. To renew the exemption in clause (5), the applicant must file an 
112.22 	affidavit stating that the applicant did not exceed $15,000 in gross annual receipts during 
112.23 	the past calendar year. If a person, operating under the exemption in clause (5), exceeds 
112.24 	$15,000 in gross receipts during any calendar year, the person must immediately surrender 
112.25 	the certificate of exemption and apply for the appropriate license. The person must remain 
112.26 	licensed until such time as the person's gross annual receipts during a calendar year fall 
112.27 	below $15,000. The person may then apply for an exemption for the next calendar year.

112.28 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.921, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
112.29 		Subd. 8.Reciprocity with other states. The commissioner may issue a temporary license 
112.30 	without examination, upon payment of the required fee, to nonresident applicants who are 
112.31 	licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing which the commissioner 
112.32 	determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants 
113.1 	similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. Applicants who receive 
113.2 	a temporary license under this section may acquire an aggregate of 24 months of experience 
113.3 	before they have to apply and pass the licensing examination. Applicants must register with 
113.4 	the commissioner of labor and industry and the commissioner shall set a fee for a temporary 
113.5 	license. Applicants have five years in which to comply with this section.
113.6 	(a) The commissioner may enter into reciprocity agreements for personal licenses with 
113.7 	another state if approved by the board. Once approved by the board, the commissioner may 
113.8 	issue a personal license without requiring the applicant to pass an examination provided the 
113.9 	applicant:
113.10 	(1) submits an application under this section;
113.11 	(2) pays the application and examination fee and license fee required under section 
113.12 	326B.092; and
113.13 	(3) holds a valid comparable license in the state participating in the agreement.
113.14 	(b) Reciprocity agreements are subject to the following:
113.15 	(1) the parties to the agreement must administer a statewide licensing program that 
113.16 	includes examination and qualifying experience or training comparable to Minnesota's 
113.17 	licensing program;
113.18 	(2) the experience and training requirements under which an individual applicant qualified 
113.19 	for examination in the qualifying state must be deemed equal to or greater than required for 
113.20 	an applicant making application in Minnesota at the time the applicant acquired the license 
113.21 	in the qualifying state;
113.22 	(3) the applicant must have acquired the license in the qualifying state through an 
113.23 	examination deemed equivalent to the same class of license examination in Minnesota;
113.24 	(4) at the time of application, the applicant must hold a valid license in the qualifying 
113.25 	state and have held the license continuously for at least one year before making application 
113.26 	in Minnesota;
113.27 	(5) an applicant is not eligible for a license under this subdivision if the applicant has 
113.28 	failed the same or greater class of license examination in Minnesota, or if the applicant's 
113.29 	license of the same or greater class has been revoked or suspended; and
113.30 	(6) an applicant who has failed to renew a personal license for two years or more after 
113.31 	its expiration is not eligible for a license under this subdivision.

114.1 	Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.925, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
114.2 		Subdivision 1.Composition. (a) The Board of High Pressure Piping Systems shall 
114.3 	consist of 13 members. Twelve members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice 
114.4 	and consent of the senate and shall be voting members. Appointments of members by the 
114.5 	governor shall be made in accordance with section 15.066. If the senate votes to refuse to 
114.6 	consent to an appointment of a member made by the governor, the governor shall appoint 
114.7 	a new member with the advice and consent of the senate. One member shall be the 
114.8 	commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner of labor and industry's designee, 
114.9 	who shall be a voting member. Of the 12 appointed members, the composition shall be as 
114.10 	follows:
114.11 	(1) one member shall be a high pressure piping inspector;
114.12 	(2) one member shall be a licensed mechanical engineer;
114.13 	(3) one member shall be a representative of the high pressure piping industry;
114.14 	(4) four members shall be master high pressure pipefitters engaged in the business of 
114.15 	high pressure piping, two from the metropolitan area and two from greater Minnesota;
114.16 	(5) two members shall be journeyworker high pressure pipefitters engaged in the business 
114.17 	of high pressure piping systems installation, one from the metropolitan area and one from 
114.18 	greater Minnesota;
114.19 	(6) one member shall be a representative of industrial companies that use high pressure 
114.20 	piping systems in their industrial process;
114.21 	(7) one member shall be a representative from utility companies in Minnesota; and
114.22 	(8) one member shall be a public member as defined by section 214.02.
114.23 	The high pressure piping inspector shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 
114.24 	2011. The professional mechanical engineer shall be appointed for a term to end December 
114.25 	31, 2010. The representative of the high pressure piping industry shall be appointed for a 
114.26 	term to end December 31, 2011. Two of the master high pressure pipefitters shall be 
114.27 	appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011. The other two master high pressure 
114.28 	pipefitters shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010. One of the journeyworker 
114.29 	high pressure pipefitters shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011. The other 
114.30 	journeyworker high pressure pipefitter shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 
114.31 	2010. The one representative of industrial companies that use high pressure piping systems 
114.32 	in their industrial process shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010. The one 
114.33 	representative of a utility company in Minnesota shall be appointed for a term to end 
115.1 	December 31, 2010. The public member shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 
115.2 	2010.
115.3 	(b) The licensed professional mechanical engineer must possess a current Minnesota 
115.4 	professional engineering license and maintain the license for the duration of their term. All 
115.5 	other appointed members, except for the representative of the piping industry, the 
115.6 	representative of industrial companies that use high pressure piping systems, the public 
115.7 	member, and the representative of public utility companies in Minnesota, must possess a 
115.8 	current high pressure piping license issued by the Department of Labor and Industry and 
115.9 	maintain that license for the duration of their term. All appointed members must be residents 
115.10 	of Minnesota at the time of and throughout the member's appointment. The term of any 
115.11 	appointed member that does not maintain membership qualification status shall end on the 
115.12 	date of status change and the governor shall appoint a new member. It is the responsibility 
115.13 	of the member to notify the board of the member's status change.
115.14 	(c) For appointed members, except the initial terms designated in paragraph (a), each 
115.15 	term shall be three years with the terms ending on December 31. Members appointed by 
115.16 	the governor shall be limited to three consecutive terms. The governor shall, all or in part, 
115.17 	reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members with the advice and consent 
115.18 	of the senate. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. 
115.19 	Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for 
115.20 	the existing term and the following three-year term. Members may serve until their successors 
115.21 	are appointed but in no case later than July 1 in a year in which the term expires unless 
115.22 	reappointed.

115.23 	Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.988, is amended to read:
115.24 	326B.988 EXCEPTIONS.
115.25 	(a) The provisions of sections 326B.95 to 326B.998 shall not apply to:
115.26 	(1) boilers and pressure vessels in buildings occupied solely for residence purposes with 
115.27 	accommodations for not more than five families;
115.28 	(2) railroad locomotives operated by railroad companies for transportation purposes;
115.29 	(3) air tanks installed on the right-of-way of railroads and used directly in the operation 
115.30 	of trains;
115.31 	(4) boilers and pressure vessels under the direct jurisdiction of the United States;
116.1 	(5) unfired pressure vessels having an internal or external working pressure not exceeding 
116.2 	15 psig with no limit on size;
116.3 	(6) pressure vessels used for storage of compressed air not exceeding five cubic feet in 
116.4 	volume and equipped with an ASME code stamped safety valve set at a maximum of 100 
116.5 	psig;
116.6 	(7) pressure vessels having an inside diameter not exceeding six inches;
116.7 	(8) every vessel that contains water under pressure, including those containing air that 
116.8 	serves only as a cushion, whose design pressure does not exceed 300 psig and whose design 
116.9 	temperature does not exceed 210 degrees Fahrenheit;
116.10 	(9) boiler or pressure vessels located on farms used solely for agricultural or horticultural 
116.11 	purposes; for purposes of this section, boilers used for mint oil extraction are considered 
116.12 	used for agricultural or horticultural purposes, provided that the owner or lessee complies 
116.13 	with the inspection requirements contained in section 326B.958;
116.14 	(10) tanks or cylinders used for storage or transfer of liquefied petroleum gases;
116.15 	(11) unfired pressure vessels in petroleum refineries;
116.16 	(12) an air tank or pressure vessel which is an integral part of a passenger motor bus, 
116.17 	truck, or trailer;
116.18 	(13) hot water heating and other hot liquid boilers not exceeding a heat input of 750,000 
116.19 	BTU per hour;
116.20 	(14) hot water supply boilers (water heaters) not exceeding a heat input of 500,000
116.21 	200,000 BTU per hour, a water temperature of 210 degrees Fahrenheit, or potable water 
116.22 	heaters not exceeding a heat input of 200,000 BTU per hour or a nominal water capacity 
116.23 	of 120 gallons, or a pressure of 160 psig;
116.24 	(15) a laundry and dry cleaning press not exceeding five cubic feet of steam volume;
116.25 	(16) pressure vessels operated full of water or other liquid not materially more hazardous 
116.26 	than water, if the vessel's contents' temperature does not exceed 210 degrees Fahrenheit or 
116.27 	a pressure of 200 psig;
116.28 	(17) steam-powered turbines at papermaking facilities which are powered by steam 
116.29 	generated by steam facilities at a remote location;
116.30 	(18) manually fired boilers for model locomotive, boat, tractor, stationary engine, or 
116.31 	antique motor vehicles constructed or maintained only as a hobby for exhibition, educational 
116.32 	or historical purposes and not for commercial use, if the boilers have an inside diameter of 
117.1 	12 inches or less, or a grate area of two square feet or less, and are equipped with an ASME 
117.2 	stamped safety valve of adequate size, a water level indicator, and a pressure gauge;
117.3 	(19) any pressure vessel used as an integral part of an electrical circuit breaker;
117.4 	(20) pressure vessels used for the storage of refrigerant if they are built to ASME code 
117.5 	specifications, registered with the national board, and equipped with an ASME code-stamped 
117.6 	pressure-relieving device set no higher than the maximum allowable working pressure of 
117.7 	the vessel. This does not include pressure vessels used in ammonia refrigeration systems;
117.8 	(21) pressure vessels used for the storage of oxygen, nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, 
117.9 	argon, nitrous oxide, or other medical gas, provided the vessel is constructed to ASME or 
117.10 	Minnesota Department of Transportation specifications and equipped with an ASME 
117.11 	code-stamped pressure-relieving device. The owner of the vessels shall perform annual 
117.12 	visual inspections and planned maintenance on these vessels to ensure vessel integrity;
117.13 	(22) pressure vessels used for the storage of compressed air for self-contained breathing 
117.14 	apparatuses;
117.15 	(23) hot water heating or other hot liquid boilers vented directly to the atmosphere; and
117.16 	(24) pressure vessels used for the storage of compressed air not exceeding 1.5 cubic feet 
117.17 	(11.22 gallons) in volume with a maximum allowable working pressure of 600 psi or less.
117.18 	(b) An engineer's license is not required for hot water supply boilers.
117.19 	(c) An engineer's license and annual inspection by the department is not required for 
117.20 	boilers, steam cookers, steam kettles, steam sterilizers or other steam generators not exceeding 
117.21 	100,000 BTU per hour input, 25 kilowatt, and a pressure of 15 psig.
117.22 	(d) Electric boilers not exceeding a maximum working pressure of 50 psig, maximum 
117.23 	of 30 kilowatt input or three horsepower rating shall be inspected as pressure vessels and 
117.24 	shall not require an engineer license to operate.

117.25 	Sec. 57. [327.30] SACRED COMMUNITIES AND MICRO-UNIT DWELLINGS.
117.26 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
117.27 	the meanings given.
117.28 	(b) Chronically homeless" means an individual who:
117.29 	(1) is homeless and lives or resides in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe 
117.30 	haven, or in an emergency shelter;
118.1 	(2) has been homeless and living or residing in a place not meant for human habitation, 
118.2 	a safe haven, or in an emergency shelter continuously for at least one year or on at least 
118.3 	four separate occasions in the last three years; and
118.4 	(3) has an adult head of household, or a minor head-of-household if no adult is present 
118.5 	in the household, with a diagnosable substance use disorder, serious mental illness, 
118.6 	developmental disability, post-traumatic stress disorder, cognitive impairments resulting 
118.7 	from a brain injury, or chronic physical illness or disability, including the co-occurrence of 
118.8 	two or more of those conditions.
118.9 	(c) "Designated volunteers" means persons who have not experienced homelessness and 
118.10 	have been approved by the religious institution to live in a sacred community as their sole 
118.11 	form of housing.
118.12 	(d) "Extremely low income" means an income that is equal to or less than 30 percent of 
118.13 	the area median income, adjusted for family size, as estimated by the Department of Housing 
118.14 	and Urban Development.
118.15 	(e) "Micro unit" means a mobile residential dwelling providing permanent housing 
118.16 	within a sacred community that meets the requirements of subdivision 4.
118.17 	(f) "Religious institution" means a church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious 
118.18 	organization organized under chapter 315.
118.19 	(g) "Sacred community" means a residential settlement established on or contiguous to 
118.20 	the grounds of a religious institution's primary worship location primarily for the purpose 
118.21 	of providing permanent housing for chronically homeless persons, extremely low-income 
118.22 	persons, and designated volunteers that meets the requirements of subdivision 3.
118.23 		Subd. 2.Dwelling in micro units in sacred communities authorized. Religious 
118.24 	institutions are authorized to provide permanent housing to people who are chronically 
118.25 	homeless, extremely low-income, or designated volunteers, in sacred communities composed 
118.26 	of micro units subject to the provisions of this section. Each religious institution that has 
118.27 	sited a sacred community must annually certify to the local unit of government that it has 
118.28 	complied with the eligibility requirements for residents of a sacred community in this section.
118.29 		Subd. 3.Sacred community requirements. (a) A sacred community must provide 
118.30 	residents of micro units access to water and electric utilities either by connecting the micro 
118.31 	units to the utilities that are serving the principal building on the lot or by other comparable 
118.32 	means, or by providing the residents access to permanent common kitchen facilities and 
118.33 	common facilities for toilet, bathing, and laundry with the number and type of fixtures 
119.1 	required for an R-2 boarding house under Minnesota Rules, part 1305.2902. Any units that 
119.2 	are plumbed shall not be included in determining the minimum number of fixtures required 
119.3 	for the common facilities.
119.4 	(b) A sacred community under this section must:
119.5 	(1) be appropriately insured;
119.6 	(2) have between one-third and 40 percent of the micro units occupied by designated 
119.7 	volunteers; and
119.8 	(3) provide the municipality with a written plan approved by the religious institution's 
119.9 	governing board that outlines:
119.10 	(i) disposal of water and sewage from micro units if not plumbed;
119.11 	(ii) septic tank drainage if plumbed units are not hooked up to the primary worship 
119.12 	location's system;
119.13 	(iii) adequate parking, lighting, and access to units by emergency vehicles;
119.14 	(iv) protocols for security and addressing conduct within the settlement; and
119.15 	(v) safety protocols for severe weather.
119.16 	(c) Unless the municipality has designated sacred communities meeting the requirements 
119.17 	of this section as permitted uses, a sacred community meeting the requirements of this 
119.18 	section shall be approved and regulated as a conditional use without the application of 
119.19 	additional standards not included in this section. When approved, additional permitting is 
119.20 	not required for individual micro units.
119.21 	(d) Sacred communities are subject to the laws governing landlords and tenants under 
119.22 	chapter 504B.
119.23 		Subd. 4.Micro unit requirements. (a) In order to be eligible to be placed within a 
119.24 	sacred community, a micro unit must be built to the requirements of the American National 
119.25 	Standards Institute (ANSI) Code 119.5, which includes standards for heating, electrical 
119.26 	systems, and fire and life safety. A micro unit must also meet the following technical 
119.27 	requirements:
119.28 	(1) be no more than 400 gross square feet;
119.29 	(2) be built on a permanent chassis and anchored to pin foundations with engineered 
119.30 	fasteners;
120.1 	(3) have exterior materials that are compatible in composition, appearance, and durability 
120.2 	to the exterior materials used in standard residential construction;
120.3 	(4) have a minimum insulation rating of R-20 in walls, R-30 in floors, and R-38 in 
120.4 	ceilings, as well as residential grade insulated doors and windows;
120.5 	(5) have a dry, compostable, or plumbed toilet or other system meeting the requirements 
120.6 	of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Chapters 7035, 7040, 7049, and 7080, or other 
120.7 	applicable rules;
120.8 	(6) have either an electrical system that meets NFPA 70 NEC, section 551 or 552 as 
120.9 	applicable or a low voltage electrical system that meets ANSI/RVIA Low Voltage Standard, 
120.10 	current edition;
120.11 	(7) have minimum wall framing with two inch by four inch wood or metal studs with 
120.12 	framing of 16 inches to 24 inches on center, or the equivalent in structural insulated panels, 
120.13 	with a floor load of 40 pounds per square foot and a roof live load of 42 pounds per square 
120.14 	foot; and
120.15 	(8) have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed.
120.16 	(b) All micro units, including their anchoring, must be inspected and certified for 
120.17 	compliance with these requirements by a licensed Minnesota professional engineer or 
120.18 	qualified third-party inspector for ANSI compliance accredited pursuant to either the 
120.19 	American Society for Testing and Materials Appendix E541 or ISO/IEC 17020.
120.20 	(c) Micro units that connect to utilities such as water, sewer, gas, or electric, must obtain 
120.21 	any permits or inspections required by the municipality or utility company for that connection.
120.22 	(d) Micro units must comply with municipal setback requirements established by 
120.23 	ordinance for manufactured homes. If a municipality does not have such an ordinance, micro 
120.24 	units must be set back on all sides by at least ten feet.

120.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

120.26 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 572B.17, is amended to read:
120.27 	572B.17 WITNESSES; SUBPOENAS; DEPOSITIONS; DISCOVERY.
120.28 	(a) An arbitrator may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness and for the 
120.29 	production of records and other evidence at any hearing and may administer oaths. A 
120.30 	subpoena must be served in the manner for service of subpoenas in a civil action and, upon 
120.31 	motion to the court by a party to the arbitration proceeding or the arbitrator, enforced in the 
120.32 	manner for enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action.
121.1 	(b) On request of a party to or a witness in an arbitration proceeding, an arbitrator may 
121.2 	permit a deposition of any witness to provide testimony at the arbitration hearing, including 
121.3 	a witness who cannot be subpoenaed for or is unable to attend a hearing, to be taken under 
121.4 	conditions determined by the arbitrator for use as evidence in order to make the proceeding 
121.5 	fair, expeditious, and cost-effective.
121.6 	(c) An arbitrator may permit such discovery as the arbitrator decides is appropriate in 
121.7 	the circumstances, taking into account the needs of the parties to the arbitration proceeding 
121.8 	and other affected persons and the desirability of making the proceeding fair, expeditious, 
121.9 	and cost-effective.
121.10 	(d) If an arbitrator permits discovery under subsection (c), the arbitrator may order a 
121.11 	party to the arbitration proceeding to comply with the arbitrator's discovery-related orders, 
121.12 	including the issuance of a subpoena for the attendance of a witness and for the production 
121.13 	of records and other evidence at a discovery proceeding, and may take action against a party 
121.14 	to the arbitration proceeding who does not comply to the extent permitted by law as if the 
121.15 	controversy were the subject of a civil action in this state.
121.16 	(e) An arbitrator may issue a protective order to prevent the disclosure of privileged 
121.17 	information, confidential information, trade secrets, data classified as nonpublic or private 
121.18 	pursuant to chapter 13, and other information protected from disclosure as if the controversy 
121.19 	were the subject of a civil action in this state.
121.20 	(f) All laws compelling a person under subpoena to testify and all fees for attending a 
121.21 	judicial proceeding, a deposition, or a discovery proceeding as a witness apply to an 
121.22 	arbitration proceeding as if the controversy were the subject of a civil action under the laws 
121.23 	and rules of civil procedure of this state.
121.24 	(g) The court may enforce a subpoena or discovery-related order for the attendance of 
121.25 	a witness within this state and for the production of records and other evidence issued by 
121.26 	an arbitrator in connection with an arbitration proceeding in another state upon conditions 
121.27 	determined by the court in order to make the arbitration proceeding fair, expeditious, and 
121.28 	cost-effective. A subpoena or discovery-related order issued by an arbitrator must be served 
121.29 	in the manner provided by law for service of subpoenas in a civil action in this state and, 
121.30 	upon motion to the court by a party to the arbitration proceeding or the arbitrator, enforced 
121.31 	in the manner provided by law for enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action in this state.

121.32 	Sec. 59. REPEALER.
 121.33 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.12, subdivision 2, is repealed.

122.1 	ARTICLE 12
122.2 	EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME

122.3 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.032, is amended to read:
122.4 	181.032 REQUIRED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS BY EMPLOYER; NOTICE 
122.5 	TO EMPLOYEE.
122.6 	(a) At the end of each pay period, the employer shall provide each employee an earnings 
122.7 	statement, either in writing or by electronic means, covering that pay period. An employer 
122.8 	who chooses to provide an earnings statement by electronic means must provide employee 
122.9 	access to an employer-owned computer during an employee's regular working hours to 
122.10 	review and print earnings statements.
122.11 	(b) The earnings statement may be in any form determined by the employer but must 
122.12 	include:
122.13 	(1) the name of the employee;
122.14 	(2) the rate or rates of pay and basis thereof, including whether the employee is paid by 
122.15 	hour, shift, day, week, salary, piece, commission, or other method;
122.16 	(3) allowances, if any, claimed pursuant to permitted meals and lodging;
122.17 	(4) the total number of hours worked by the employee unless exempt from chapter 177;
122.18 	(5) the total number of earned sick and safe time hours accrued and available for use 
122.19 	under section 181.9446;
122.20 	(6) the total number of earned sick and safe time hours used during the pay period under 
122.21 	section 181.9447;
122.22 	(7) the total amount of gross pay earned by the employee during that period;
122.23 	(6) (8) a list of deductions made from the employee's pay;
122.24 	(7) (9) the net amount of pay after all deductions are made;
122.25 	(8) (10) the date on which the pay period ends;
122.26 	(9) (11) the legal name of the employer and the operating name of the employer if 
122.27 	different from the legal name;
122.28 	(10) (12) the physical address of the employer's main office or principal place of business, 
122.29 	and a mailing address if different; and
122.30 	(11) (13) the telephone number of the employer.
123.1 	(c) An employer must provide earnings statements to an employee in writing, rather 
123.2 	than by electronic means, if the employer has received at least 24 hours notice from an 
123.3 	employee that the employee would like to receive earnings statements in written form. Once 
123.4 	an employer has received notice from an employee that the employee would like to receive 
123.5 	earnings statements in written form, the employer must comply with that request on an 
123.6 	ongoing basis.
123.7 	(d) At the start of employment, an employer shall provide each employee a written notice 
123.8 	containing the following information:
123.9 	(1) the rate or rates of pay and basis thereof, including whether the employee is paid by 
123.10 	the hour, shift, day, week, salary, piece, commission, or other method, and the specific 
123.11 	application of any additional rates;
123.12 	(2) allowances, if any, claimed pursuant to permitted meals and lodging;
123.13 	(3) paid vacation, sick time, or other paid time-off accruals and terms of use;
123.14 	(4) the employee's employment status and whether the employee is exempt from minimum 
123.15 	wage, overtime, and other provisions of chapter 177, and on what basis;
123.16 	(5) a list of deductions that may be made from the employee's pay;
123.17 	(6) the number of days in the pay period, the regularly scheduled pay day, and the pay 
123.18 	day on which the employee will receive the first payment of wages earned;
123.19 	(7) the legal name of the employer and the operating name of the employer if different 
123.20 	from the legal name;
123.21 	(8) the physical address of the employer's main office or principal place of business, and 
123.22 	a mailing address if different; and
123.23 	(9) the telephone number of the employer.
123.24 	(e) The employer must keep a copy of the notice under paragraph (d) signed by each 
123.25 	employee acknowledging receipt of the notice. The notice must be provided to each employee 
123.26 	in English. The English version of the notice must include text provided by the commissioner 
123.27 	that informs employees that they may request, by indicating on the form, the notice be 
123.28 	provided in a particular language. If requested, the employer shall provide the notice in the 
123.29 	language requested by the employee. The commissioner shall make available to employers 
123.30 	the text to be included in the English version of the notice required by this section and assist 
123.31 	employers with translation of the notice in the languages requested by their employees.
124.1 	(f) An employer must provide the employee any written changes to the information 
124.2 	contained in the notice under paragraph (d) prior to the date the changes take effect.

124.3 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.942, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
124.4 		Subdivision 1.Comparable position. (a) An employee returning from a leave of absence 
124.5 	under section 181.941 is entitled to return to employment in the employee's former position 
124.6 	or in a position of comparable duties, number of hours, and pay. An employee returning 
124.7 	from a leave of absence longer than one month must notify a supervisor at least two weeks 
124.8 	prior to return from leave. An employee returning from a leave under section 181.9412 or 
124.9 	181.9413 sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 is entitled to return to employment in the employee's 
124.10 	former position.
124.11 	(b) If, during a leave under sections 181.940 to 181.944, the employer experiences a 
124.12 	layoff and the employee would have lost a position had the employee not been on leave, 
124.13 	pursuant to the good faith operation of a bona fide layoff and recall system, including a 
124.14 	system under a collective bargaining agreement, the employee is not entitled to reinstatement 
124.15 	in the former or comparable position. In such circumstances, the employee retains all rights 
124.16 	under the layoff and recall system, including a system under a collective bargaining 
124.17 	agreement, as if the employee had not taken the leave.

124.18 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.9436, is amended to read:
124.19 	181.9436 POSTING OF LAW.
124.20 	The Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship shall develop, with the assistance 
124.21 	of interested business and community organizations, an educational poster stating employees' 
124.22 	rights under sections 181.940 to 181.9436 181.9448. The department shall make the poster 
124.23 	available, upon request, to employers for posting on the employer's premises.

124.24 	Sec. 4. [181.9445] DEFINITIONS.
124.25 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For the purposes of section 177.50 and sections 181.9445 
124.26 	to 181.9448, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.
124.27 		Subd. 2.Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of labor and industry 
124.28 	or authorized designee or representative.
124.29 		Subd. 3.Domestic abuse. "Domestic abuse" has the meaning given in section 518B.01.
124.30 		Subd. 4.Earned sick and safe time. "Earned sick and safe time" means leave, including 
124.31 	paid time off and other paid leave systems, that is paid at the same hourly rate as an employee 
125.1 	earns from employment that may be used for the same purposes and under the same 
125.2 	conditions as provided under section 181.9447, but in no case shall this hourly rate be less 
125.3 	than that provided under section 177.24 or an applicable local minimum wage.
125.4 		Subd. 5.Employee. "Employee" means any person who is employed by an employer, 
125.5 	including temporary and part-time employees, who performs work for at least 80 hours in 
125.6 	a year for that employer in Minnesota. Employee does not include:
125.7 	(1) an independent contractor; or
125.8 	(2) an individual employed by an air carrier as a flight deck or cabin crew member who:
125.9 	(i) is subject to United States Code, title 45, sections 181 to 188;
125.10 	(ii) works less than a majority of their hours in Minnesota in a calendar year; and
125.11 	(iii) is provided with paid leave equal to or exceeding the amounts in section 181.9446.
125.12 		Subd. 6.Employer. "Employer" means a person who has one or more employees. 
125.13 	Employer includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a business 
125.14 	trust, a nonprofit organization, a group of persons, the state of Minnesota, a county, town, 
125.15 	city, school district, or other governmental subdivision. In the case of an employee leasing 
125.16 	company or professional employer organization, the taxpaying employer, as described in 
125.17 	section 268.046, subdivision 1, remains the employer. In the case of an individual provider 
125.18 	within the meaning of section 256B.0711, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), the employer includes 
125.19 	any participant within the meaning of section 256B.0711, subdivision 1, paragraph (e), or 
125.20 	participant's representative within the meaning of section 256B.0711, subdivision 1, 
125.21 	paragraph (f). In the event that a temporary employee is supplied by a staffing agency, 
125.22 	absent a contractual agreement stating otherwise, that individual shall be an employee of 
125.23 	the staffing agency for all purposes of section 177.50 and sections 181.9445 to 181.9448. 
125.24 	Employer does not include the United States government.
125.25 		Subd. 7.Family member. "Family member" means:
125.26 	(1) an employee's:
125.27 	(i) child, foster child, adult child, legal ward, child for whom the employee is legal 
125.28 	guardian, or child to whom the employee stands or stood in loco parentis;
125.29 	(ii) spouse or registered domestic partner;
125.30 	(iii) sibling, stepsibling, or foster sibling;
125.31 	(iv) biological, adoptive, or foster parent, stepparent, or a person who stood in loco 
125.32 	parentis when the employee was a minor child;
126.1 	(v) grandchild, foster grandchild, or stepgrandchild;
126.2 	(vi) grandparent or stepgrandparent;
126.3 	(vii) a child of a sibling of the employee;
126.4 	(viii) a sibling of the parents of the employee; or
126.5 	(ix) a child-in-law or sibling-in-law;
126.6 	(2) any of the family members listed in clause (1) of a spouse or registered domestic 
126.7 	partner;
126.8 	(3) any other individual related by blood or whose close association with the employee 
126.9 	is the equivalent of a family relationship; and
126.10 	(4) up to one individual annually designated by the employee.
126.11 		Subd. 8.Health care professional. "Health care professional" means any person licensed, 
126.12 	certified, or otherwise authorized under federal or state law to provide medical or emergency 
126.13 	services, including doctors, physician assistants, nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, 
126.14 	mental health professionals, and emergency room personnel.
126.15 		Subd. 9.Sexual assault. "Sexual assault" means an act that constitutes a violation under 
126.16 	sections 609.342 to 609.3453 or 609.352.
126.17 		Subd. 10.Stalking. "Stalking" has the meaning given in section 609.749.
126.18 		Subd. 11.Year. "Year" means a regular and consecutive 12-month period, as determined 
126.19 	by an employer and clearly communicated to each employee of that employer.

126.20 	Sec. 5. [181.9446] ACCRUAL OF EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME.
126.21 	(a) An employee accrues a minimum of one hour of earned sick and safe time for every 
126.22 	30 hours worked up to a maximum of 48 hours of earned sick and safe time in a year. 
126.23 	Employees may not accrue more than 48 hours of earned sick and safe time in a year unless 
126.24 	the employer agrees to a higher amount.
126.25 	(b)(1) Except as provided in clause (2), employers must permit an employee to carry 
126.26 	over accrued but unused sick and safe time into the following year. The total amount of 
126.27 	accrued but unused earned sick and safe time for an employee must not exceed 80 hours at 
126.28 	any time, unless an employer agrees to a higher amount.
126.29 	(2) In lieu of permitting the carryover of accrued but unused sick and safe time into the 
126.30 	following year as provided under clause (1), an employer may provide an employee with 
126.31 	earned sick and safe time for the year that meets or exceeds the requirements of this section 
127.1 	that is available for the employee's immediate use at the beginning of the subsequent year 
127.2 	as follows: (i) 48 hours, if an employer pays an employee for accrued but unused sick and 
127.3 	safe time at the end of a year at the same hourly rate as an employee earns from employment; 
127.4 	or (ii) 80 hours, if an employer does not pay an employee for accrued but unused sick and 
127.5 	safe time at the end of a year at the same or greater hourly rate as an employee earns from 
127.6 	employment. In no case shall this hourly rate be less than that provided under section 177.24, 
127.7 	or an applicable local minimum wage.
127.8 	(c) Employees who are exempt from overtime requirements under United States Code, 
127.9 	title 29, section 213(a)(1), as amended through the effective date of this section, are deemed 
127.10 	to work 40 hours in each workweek for purposes of accruing earned sick and safe time, 
127.11 	except that an employee whose normal workweek is less than 40 hours will accrue earned 
127.12 	sick and safe time based on the normal workweek.
127.13 	(d) Earned sick and safe time under this section begins to accrue at the commencement 
127.14 	of employment of the employee.
127.15 	(e) Employees may use earned sick and safe time as it is accrued.

127.16 	Sec. 6. [181.9447] USE OF EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME.
127.17 		Subdivision 1.Eligible use. An employee may use accrued earned sick and safe time 
127.18 	for:
127.19 	(1) an employee's:
127.20 	(i) mental or physical illness, injury, or other health condition;
127.21 	(ii) need for medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury, 
127.22 	or health condition; or
127.23 	(iii) need for preventive medical or health care;
127.24 	(2) care of a family member:
127.25 	(i) with a mental or physical illness, injury, or other health condition;
127.26 	(ii) who needs medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, 
127.27 	injury, or other health condition; or
127.28 	(iii) who needs preventive medical or health care;
127.29 	(3) absence due to domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking of the employee or 
127.30 	employee's family member, provided the absence is to:
128.1 	(i) seek medical attention related to physical or psychological injury or disability caused 
128.2 	by domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking;
128.3 	(ii) obtain services from a victim services organization;
128.4 	(iii) obtain psychological or other counseling;
128.5 	(iv) seek relocation or take steps to secure an existing home due to domestic abuse, 
128.6 	sexual assault, or stalking; or
128.7 	(v) seek legal advice or take legal action, including preparing for or participating in any 
128.8 	civil or criminal legal proceeding related to or resulting from domestic abuse, sexual assault, 
128.9 	or stalking;
128.10 	(4) closure of the employee's place of business due to weather or other public emergency 
128.11 	or an employee's need to care for a family member whose school or place of care has been 
128.12 	closed due to weather or other public emergency;
128.13 	(5) the employee's inability to work or telework because the employee is: (i) prohibited 
128.14 	from working by the employer due to health concerns related to the potential transmission 
128.15 	of a communicable illness related to a public emergency; or (ii) seeking or awaiting the 
128.16 	results of a diagnostic test for, or a medical diagnosis of, a communicable disease related 
128.17 	to a public emergency and such employee has been exposed to a communicable disease or 
128.18 	the employee's employer has requested a test or diagnosis; and
128.19 	(6) when it has been determined by the health authorities having jurisdiction or by a 
128.20 	health care professional that the presence of the employee or family member of the employee 
128.21 	in the community would jeopardize the health of others because of the exposure of the 
128.22 	employee or family member of the employee to a communicable disease, whether or not 
128.23 	the employee or family member has actually contracted the communicable disease.
128.24 	For the purposes of this subdivision, a public emergency shall include a declared 
128.25 	emergency as defined in section 12.03 or a declared local emergency under section 12.29.
128.26 		Subd. 2.Notice. An employer may require notice of the need for use of earned sick and 
128.27 	safe time as provided in this paragraph. If the need for use is foreseeable, an employer may 
128.28 	require advance notice of the intention to use earned sick and safe time but must not require 
128.29 	more than seven days' advance notice. If the need is unforeseeable, an employer may require 
128.30 	an employee to give notice of the need for earned sick and safe time as soon as practicable. 
128.31 	An employer that requires notice of the need to use earned sick and safe time in accordance 
128.32 	with this subdivision shall have a written policy containing reasonable procedures for 
128.33 	employees to provide notice of the need to use earned sick and safe time, and shall provide 
129.1 	a written copy of such policy to employees. If a copy of the written policy has not been 
129.2 	provided to an employee, an employer shall not deny the use of earned sick and safe time 
129.3 	to the employee on that basis.
129.4 		Subd. 3.Documentation. (a) When an employee uses earned sick and safe time for 
129.5 	more than three consecutive days, an employer may require reasonable documentation that 
129.6 	the earned sick and safe time is covered by subdivision 1.
129.7 	(b) For earned sick and safe time under subdivision 1, clauses (1), (2), (5), and (6), 
129.8 	reasonable documentation may include a signed statement by a health care professional 
129.9 	indicating the need for use of earned sick and safe time. However, if the employee or 
129.10 	employee's family member did not receive services from a health care professional, or if 
129.11 	documentation cannot be obtained from a health care professional in a reasonable time or 
129.12 	without added expense, then reasonable documentation for the purposes of this paragraph 
129.13 	may include a written statement from the employee indicating that the employee is using 
129.14 	or used earned sick and safe time for a qualifying purpose covered by subdivision 1, clause 
129.15 	(1), (2), (5), or (6).
129.16 	(c) For earned sick and safe time under subdivision 1, clause (3), an employer must 
129.17 	accept a court record or documentation signed by a volunteer or employee of a victims 
129.18 	services organization, an attorney, a police officer, or an antiviolence counselor as reasonable 
129.19 	documentation.
129.20 	(d) For earned sick and safe time to care for a family member under subdivision 1, clause 
129.21 	(4), an employer must accept as reasonable documentation a written statement from the 
129.22 	employee indicating that the employee is using or used earned sick and safe time for a 
129.23 	qualifying purpose as reasonable documentation.
129.24 	(e) An employer must not require disclosure of details relating to domestic abuse, sexual 
129.25 	assault, or stalking or the details of an employee's or an employee's family member's medical 
129.26 	condition as related to an employee's request to use earned sick and safe time under this 
129.27 	section.
129.28 	(f) Written statements by an employee may be written in the employee's first language 
129.29 	and need not be notarized or in any particular format.
129.30 		Subd. 4.Replacement worker. An employer may not require, as a condition of an 
129.31 	employee using earned sick and safe time, that the employee seek or find a replacement 
129.32 	worker to cover the hours the employee uses as earned sick and safe time.
130.1 		Subd. 5.Increment of time used. Earned sick and safe time may be used in the smallest 
130.2 	increment of time tracked by the employer's payroll system, provided such increment is not 
130.3 	more than four hours.
130.4 		Subd. 6.Retaliation prohibited. (a) An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, 
130.5 	interfere with, threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate  against a 
130.6 	person because the person has exercised or attempted to exercise rights protected under this 
130.7 	act, including but not limited to because the person requested earned sick and safe time, 
130.8 	used earned sick and safe time, requested a statement of accrued sick and safe time, informed 
130.9 	any person of his or her potential rights under sections 181.9445 to 181.9448, made a 
130.10 	complaint or filed an action to enforce a right to earned sick and safe time under this section, 
130.11 	or is or was participating in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under 
130.12 	this chapter.
130.13 	(b) It shall be unlawful for an employer's absence control policy or attendance point 
130.14 	system to count earned sick and safe time taken under this act as an absence that may lead 
130.15 	to or result in retaliation or any other adverse action.
130.16 	(c) It shall be unlawful for an employer or any other person to report or threaten to report 
130.17 	the actual or suspected citizenship or immigration status of a person or their family member 
130.18 	to a federal, state, or local agency for exercising or attempting to exercise any right protected 
130.19 	under this act.
130.20 	(d) A person need not explicitly refer to this act or the rights enumerated herein to be 
130.21 	protected from retaliation.
130.22 		Subd. 7.Pay and benefits. (a) During any use of earned sick and safe time, the employer 
130.23 	must maintain coverage under any group insurance policy, group subscriber contract, or 
130.24 	health care plan for the employee and any dependents, as if the employee was not using 
130.25 	earned sick and safe time, provided, however, that the employee must continue to pay any 
130.26 	employee share of the cost of such benefits.
130.27 	(b) An employee returning from a leave under this section is entitled to return to 
130.28 	employment at the same rate of pay the employee had been receiving when the leave 
130.29 	commenced, plus any automatic adjustments in the employee's pay scale that occurred 
130.30 	during the leave period. The employee returning from a leave is entitled to retain all accrued 
130.31 	preleave benefits of employment and seniority as if there had been no interruption in service, 
130.32 	provided that nothing under this section prevents the accrual of benefits or seniority during 
130.33 	the leave pursuant to a collective bargaining or other agreement between the employer and 
130.34 	employees.
131.1 		Subd. 8.Part-time return from leave. An employee, by agreement with the employer, 
131.2 	may return to work part time during the leave period without forfeiting the right to return 
131.3 	to employment at the end of the leave, as provided under this section.
131.4 		Subd. 9.Notice and posting by employer. (a) Employers must give notice to all 
131.5 	employees that they are entitled to earned sick and safe time, including the amount of earned 
131.6 	sick and safe time, the accrual year for the employee, the terms of its use under this section, 
131.7 	and a copy of the written policy for providing notice as provided under subdivision 2; that 
131.8 	retaliation against employees who request or use earned sick and safe time is prohibited; 
131.9 	and that each employee has the right to file a complaint or bring a civil action if earned sick 
131.10 	and safe time is denied by the employer or the employee is retaliated against for requesting 
131.11 	or using earned sick and safe time.
131.12 	(b) Employers must supply employees with a notice in English and the primary language 
131.13 	of the employee, as identified by the employee,  that contains the information required in 
131.14 	paragraph (a) at commencement of employment or the effective date of this section, 
131.15 	whichever is later.
131.16 	(c) The means used by the employer must be at least as effective as the following options 
131.17 	for providing notice:
131.18 	(1) posting a copy of the notice at each location where employees perform work and 
131.19 	where the notice must be readily observed and easily reviewed by all employees performing 
131.20 	work;
131.21 	(2) providing a paper or electronic copy of the notice to employees; or
131.22 	(3) a conspicuous posting in a web-based or app-based platform through which an 
131.23 	employee performs work.
131.24 	The notice must contain all information required under paragraph (a).
131.25 	(d) An employer that provides an employee handbook to its employees must include in 
131.26 	the handbook notice of employee rights and remedies under this section.
131.27 	(e) The Department of Labor and Industry shall prepare a uniform employee notice form 
131.28 	for employers to use that provides the notice information required under this section. The 
131.29 	commissioner shall prepare the uniform employee notice in the five most common languages 
131.30 	spoken in Minnesota. Upon the written request of an employer who is subject to this section, 
131.31 	the commissioner shall provide a copy of the uniform employee notice in any primary 
131.32 	language spoken by an employee in the employer's place of business. If the commissioner 
131.33 	does not provide the copy of the uniform employee notice in response to a request under 
132.1 	this paragraph, the employer who makes the request is not subject to a penalty for failing 
132.2 	to provide the required notice under this subdivision for violations that arise after the date 
132.3 	of the request.
132.4 		Subd. 10.Employer records. (a) Employers shall retain accurate records documenting 
132.5 	hours worked by employees and earned sick and safe time taken and comply with all 
132.6 	requirements under section 177.30.
132.7 	(b) An employer must allow an employee to inspect records required by this section and 
132.8 	relating to that employee at a reasonable time and place.
132.9 		Subd. 11.Confidentiality and nondisclosure. (a) If, in conjunction with this section, 
132.10 	an employer possesses:
132.11 	(1) health or medical information regarding an employee or an employee's family 
132.12 	member;
132.13 	(2) information pertaining to domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking;
132.14 	(3) information that the employee has requested or obtained leave under this section; or
132.15 	(4) any written or oral statement, documentation, record, or corroborating evidence 
132.16 	provided by the employee or an employee's family member, the employer must treat such 
132.17 	information as confidential.
132.18 	Information given by an employee may only be disclosed by an employer if the disclosure 
132.19 	is requested or consented to by the employee, when ordered by a court or administrative 
132.20 	agency, or when otherwise required by federal or state law.
132.21 	(b) Records and documents relating to medical certifications, recertifications, or medical 
132.22 	histories of employees or family members of employees created for purposes of section 
132.23 	177.50 or sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 must be maintained as confidential medical records 
132.24 	separate from the usual personnel files. At the request of the employee, the employer must 
132.25 	destroy or return the records required by sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 that are older than 
132.26 	three years prior to the current calendar year.
132.27 	(c) Employers may not discriminate against any employee based on records created for 
132.28 	the purposes of section 177.50 or sections 181.9445 to 181.9448.

132.29 	Sec. 7. [181.9448] EFFECT ON OTHER LAW OR POLICY.
132.30 		Subdivision 1.No effect on more generous sick and safe time policies. (a) Nothing 
132.31 	in sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 shall be construed to discourage employers from adopting 
132.32 	or retaining earned sick and safe time policies that meet or exceed, and do not otherwise 
133.1 	conflict with, the minimum standards and requirements provided in sections 181.9445 to 
133.2 	181.9448.
133.3 	(b) Nothing in sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 shall be construed to limit the right of 
133.4 	parties to a collective bargaining agreement to bargain and agree with respect to earned sick 
133.5 	and safe time policies or to diminish the obligation of an employer to comply with any 
133.6 	contract, collective bargaining agreement, or any employment benefit program or plan that 
133.7 	meets or exceeds, and does not otherwise conflict with, the minimum standards and 
133.8 	requirements provided in this section.
133.9 	(c) Nothing in sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 shall be construed to preempt, limit, or 
133.10 	otherwise affect the applicability of any other law, regulation, requirement, policy, or 
133.11 	standard that provides for a greater amount, accrual, or use by employees of paid sick and 
133.12 	safe time or that extends other protections to employees.
133.13 	(d) Nothing in sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 shall be construed or applied so as to 
133.14 	create any power or duty in conflict with federal law.
133.15 	(e) Employers who provide earned sick and safe time to their employees under a paid 
133.16 	time off policy or other paid leave policy that may be used for the same purposes and under 
133.17 	the same conditions as earned sick and safe time, and that meets or exceeds, and does not 
133.18 	otherwise conflict with, the minimum standards and requirements provided in sections 
133.19 	181.9445 to 181.9448 are not required to provide additional earned sick and safe time.
133.20 	(f) The provisions of sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 may be waived by a collective 
133.21 	bargaining agreement with a bona fide building and construction trades labor organization 
133.22 	that has established itself as the collective bargaining representative for the affected building 
133.23 	and construction industry employees, provided that for such waiver to be valid, it shall 
133.24 	explicitly reference sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 and clearly and unambiguously waive 
133.25 	application of those sections to such employees.
133.26 	(g) Sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 do not prohibit an employer from establishing a 
133.27 	policy whereby employees may donate unused accrued sick and safe time to another 
133.28 	employee.
133.29 	(h) Sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 do not prohibit an employer from advancing sick and 
133.30 	safe time to an employee before accrual by the employee.
133.31 		Subd. 2.Termination; separation; transfer. Sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 do not 
133.32 	require financial or other reimbursement to an employee from an employer upon the 
133.33 	employee's termination, resignation, retirement, or other separation from employment for 
134.1 	accrued earned sick and safe time that has not been used. If an employee is transferred to 
134.2 	a separate division, entity, or location, but remains employed by the same employer, the 
134.3 	employee is entitled to all earned sick and safe time accrued at the prior division, entity, or 
134.4 	location and is entitled to use all earned sick and safe time as provided in sections 181.9445 
134.5 	to 181.9448. When there is a separation from employment and the employee is rehired 
134.6 	within 180 days of separation by the same employer, previously accrued earned sick and 
134.7 	safe time that had not been used must be reinstated. An employee is entitled to use accrued 
134.8 	earned sick and safe time and accrue additional earned sick and safe time at the 
134.9 	commencement of reemployment.
134.10 		Subd. 3.Employer succession. (a) When a different employer succeeds or takes the 
134.11 	place of an existing employer, all employees of the original employer who remain employed 
134.12 	by the successor employer are entitled to all earned sick and safe time accrued but not used 
134.13 	when employed by the original employer, and are entitled to use all earned sick and safe 
134.14 	time previously accrued but not used.
134.15 	(b) If, at the time of transfer of the business, employees are terminated by the original 
134.16 	employer and hired within 30 days by the successor employer following the transfer, those 
134.17 	employees are entitled to all earned sick and safe time accrued but not used when employed 
134.18 	by the original employer, and are entitled to use all earned sick and safe time previously 
134.19 	accrued but not used.

134.20 	Sec. 8. REPEALER.
 134.21 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.9413, is repealed.

134.22 	Sec. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 134.23 	This article is effective January 1, 2024.

134.24 	ARTICLE 13
134.25 	EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME ENFORCEMENT

134.26 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
134.27 		Subd. 2.Submission of records; penalty. The commissioner may require the employer 
134.28 	of employees working in the state to submit to the commissioner photocopies, certified 
134.29 	copies, or, if necessary, the originals of employment records which the commissioner deems 
134.30 	necessary or appropriate. The records which may be required include full and correct 
134.31 	statements in writing, including sworn statements by the employer, containing information 
135.1 	relating to wages, hours, names, addresses, and any other information pertaining to the 
135.2 	employer's employees and the conditions of their employment as the commissioner deems 
135.3 	necessary or appropriate.
135.4 	The commissioner may require the records to be submitted by certified mail delivery 
135.5 	or, if necessary, by personal delivery by the employer or a representative of the employer, 
135.6 	as authorized by the employer in writing.
135.7 	The commissioner may fine the employer up to $1,000 $10,000 for each failure to submit 
135.8 	or deliver records as required by this section, and up to $5,000 for each repeated failure. 
135.9 	This penalty is in addition to any penalties provided under section 177.32, subdivision 1. 
135.10 	In determining the amount of a civil penalty under this subdivision, the appropriateness of 
135.11 	such penalty to the size of the employer's business and the gravity of the violation shall be 
135.12 	considered.

135.13 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 2023, 
135.14 	chapter 30, section 1, is amended to read:
135.15 		Subd. 4.Compliance orders. The commissioner may issue an order requiring an 
135.16 	employer to comply with sections 177.21 to 177.435, 181.02, 181.03, 181.031, 181.032, 
135.17 	181.101, 181.11, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), 181.275, 
135.18 	subdivision 2a, 181.722, 181.79, 181.939 to 181.943, 181.9445 to 181.9448, and 181.987, 
135.19 	or with any rule promulgated under section 177.28. The commissioner shall issue an order 
135.20 	requiring an employer to comply with sections 177.41 to 177.435 or 181.987 if the violation 
135.21 	is repeated. For purposes of this subdivision only, a violation is repeated if at any time 
135.22 	during the two years that preceded the date of violation, the commissioner issued an order 
135.23 	to the employer for violation of sections 177.41 to 177.435 or 181.987 and the order is final 
135.24 	or the commissioner and the employer have entered into a settlement agreement that required 
135.25 	the employer to pay back wages that were required by sections 177.41 to 177.435. The 
135.26 	department shall serve the order upon the employer or the employer's authorized 
135.27 	representative in person or by certified mail at the employer's place of business. An employer 
135.28 	who wishes to contest the order must file written notice of objection to the order with the 
135.29 	commissioner within 15 calendar days after being served with the order. A contested case 
135.30 	proceeding must then be held in accordance with sections 14.57 to 14.69. If, within 15 
135.31 	calendar days after being served with the order, the employer fails to file a written notice 
135.32 	of objection with the commissioner, the order becomes a final order of the commissioner.

135.33 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

136.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 177.27, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
136.2 		Subd. 7.Employer liability. If an employer is found by the commissioner to have 
136.3 	violated a section identified in subdivision 4, or any rule adopted under section 177.28, and 
136.4 	the commissioner issues an order to comply, the commissioner shall order the employer to 
136.5 	cease and desist from engaging in the violative practice and to take such affirmative steps 
136.6 	that in the judgment of the commissioner will effectuate the purposes of the section or rule 
136.7 	violated. The commissioner shall order the employer to pay to the aggrieved parties back 
136.8 	pay, gratuities, and compensatory damages, less any amount actually paid to the employee 
136.9 	by the employer, and for an additional equal amount as liquidated damages. Any employer 
136.10 	who is found by the commissioner to have repeatedly or willfully violated a section or 
136.11 	sections identified in subdivision 4 shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000  $10,000 
136.12 	for each violation for each employee. In determining the amount of a civil penalty under 
136.13 	this subdivision, the appropriateness of such penalty to the size of the employer's business 
136.14 	and the gravity of the violation shall be considered. In addition, the commissioner may order 
136.15 	the employer to reimburse the department and the attorney general for all appropriate 
136.16 	litigation and hearing costs expended in preparation for and in conducting the contested 
136.17 	case proceeding, unless payment of costs would impose extreme financial hardship on the 
136.18 	employer. If the employer is able to establish extreme financial hardship, then the 
136.19 	commissioner may order the employer to pay a percentage of the total costs that will not 
136.20 	cause extreme financial hardship. Costs include but are not limited to the costs of services 
136.21 	rendered by the attorney general, private attorneys if engaged by the department, 
136.22 	administrative law judges, court reporters, and expert witnesses as well as the cost of 
136.23 	transcripts. Interest shall accrue on, and be added to, the unpaid balance of a commissioner's 
136.24 	order from the date the order is signed by the commissioner until it is paid, at an annual rate 
136.25 	provided in section 549.09, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). The commissioner may establish 
136.26 	escrow accounts for purposes of distributing damages.

136.27 	Sec. 4. [177.50] EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME ENFORCEMENT.
136.28 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. The definitions in section 181.9445 apply to this section.
136.29 		Subd. 2.Individual remedies.  An action to recover damages under section 181.944 for 
136.30 	violation of sections 181.9445 to 181.9448 must be commenced within three years of the 
136.31 	violation that caused the injury to the employee.
136.32 		Subd. 3.Grants to community organizations. The commissioner may make grants to 
136.33 	community organizations for the purpose of outreach to and education for employees 
136.34 	regarding their rights under sections 181.9445 to 181.9448. The community-based 
137.1 	organizations must be selected based on their experience, capacity, and relationships in 
137.2 	high-violation industries. The work under such a grant may include the creation and 
137.3 	administration of a statewide worker hotline.
137.4 		Subd. 4.Report to legislature. (a) The commissioner must submit an annual report to 
137.5 	the legislature, including to the chairs and ranking minority members of any relevant 
137.6 	legislative committee. The report must include but is not limited to:
137.7 	(1) a list of all violations of sections 181.9445 to 181.9448, including the employer 
137.8 	involved, and the nature of any violations; and
137.9 	(2) an analysis of noncompliance with sections 181.9445 to 181.9448, including any 
137.10 	patterns by employer, industry, or county.
137.11 	(b) A report under this section must not include an employee's name or other identifying 
137.12 	information, any health or medical information regarding an employee or an employee's 
137.13 	family member, or any information pertaining to domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking 
137.14 	of an employee or an employee's family member.
137.15 		Subd. 5.Contract for labor or services. It is the responsibility of all employers to not 
137.16 	enter into any contract or agreement for labor or services where the employer has any actual 
137.17 	knowledge or knowledge arising from familiarity with the normal facts and circumstances 
137.18 	of the business activity engaged in, or has any additional facts or information that, taken 
137.19 	together, would make a reasonably prudent person undertake to inquire whether, taken 
137.20 	together, the contractor is not complying or has failed to comply with this section. For 
137.21 	purposes of this subdivision, "actual knowledge" means information obtained by the employer 
137.22 	that the contractor has violated this section within the past two years and has failed to present 
137.23 	the employer with credible evidence that such noncompliance has been cured going forward.

137.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024, except that the 
137.25 	grant-making process under subdivision 3 is effective the day following final enactment.

137.26 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 181.944, is amended to read:
137.27 	181.944 INDIVIDUAL REMEDIES.
137.28 	In addition to any other remedies provided by law, a person injured by a violation of 
137.29 	sections 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), and181.939 to 181.943, and 181.9445 to 181.9448
137.30 	may bring a civil action to recover any and all damages recoverable at law, together with 
137.31 	costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorney's fees, and may receive injunctive 
137.32 	and other equitable relief as determined by a court.

138.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to causes 
138.2 	of action occurring on or after that date.

138.3 	ARTICLE 14
138.4 	EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME APPROPRIATIONS

138.5 	Section 1. EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME APPROPRIATIONS.
 138.6 	(a) $1,445,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $2,209,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated 
138.7 	from the general fund to the commissioner of labor and industry for enforcement and other 
138.8 	duties regarding earned sick and safe time under Minnesota Statutes, sections 181.9445 to 
138.9 	181.9448, and chapter 177. The base for this appropriation is $1,899,000 for fiscal year 
138.10 	2026 and each year thereafter.
138.11 	(b) $300,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $300,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from 
138.12 	the general fund to the commissioner of labor and industry for grants to community 
138.13 	organizations under Minnesota Statutes, section 177.50, subdivision 4. This is a onetime 
138.14 	appropriation.

138.15 	ARTICLE 15
138.16 	EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

138.17 	Section 1. [116J.418] OFFICE OF CHILD CARE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
138.18 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms in this 
138.19 	subdivision have the meanings given them.
138.20 	(b) "Child care" means the care of children while parents or guardians are at work or 
138.21 	absent for another reason.
138.22 	(c) "Local unit of government" has the meaning given in section 116G.03, subdivision 
138.23 	3.
138.24 	(d) "Office" means the Office of Child Care Community Partnerships established in 
138.25 	subdivision 2, paragraph (a).
138.26 		Subd. 2.Office established; purpose. (a) An Office of Child Care Community 
138.27 	Partnerships is established within the Department of Employment and Economic 
138.28 	Development. The department may employ a director and staff necessary to carry out the 
138.29 	office's duties under subdivision 4.
138.30 	(b) The purpose of the office is to support child care businesses within the state in order 
138.31 	to:
139.1 	(1) increase the quantity of quality child care available; and
139.2 	(2) improve accessibility to child care for underserved communities and populations.
139.3 		Subd. 3.Organization. The office shall consist of a director of the Office of Child Care 
139.4 	Community Partnerships, as well as any staff necessary to carry out the office's duties under 
139.5 	subdivision 4.
139.6 		Subd. 4.Duties. The office shall have the power and duty to:
139.7 	(1) coordinate with state, regional, local, and private entities to promote investment in 
139.8 	increasing the quantity of quality child care in Minnesota;
139.9 	(2) coordinate with other agencies including but not limited to Minnesota Management 
139.10 	and Budget, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Education to develop, 
139.11 	recommend, and implement solutions to increase the quantity of quality child care openings;
139.12 	(3) administer the child care economic development grant program and other 
139.13 	appropriations to the department for this purpose;
139.14 	(4) monitor the child care business development efforts of other states and countries;
139.15 	(5) provide support to the governor's Children's Cabinet;
139.16 	(6) provide an annual report, as required by subdivision 5; and
139.17 	(7) perform any other activities consistent with the office's purpose.
139.18 		Subd. 5.Reporting. (a) Beginning January 15, 2024, and each year thereafter, the Office 
139.19 	of Child Care Community Partnerships shall report to the legislative committees with 
139.20 	jurisdiction over child care policy and finance on the office's activities during the previous 
139.21 	year.
139.22 	(b) The report shall contain, at a minimum:
139.23 	(1) an analysis of the current access to child care within the state;
139.24 	(2) an analysis of the current shortage of child care workers within the state;
139.25 	(3) a summary of the office's activities;
139.26 	(4) any proposed legislative and policy initiatives; and
139.27 	(5) any other information requested by the legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
139.28 	child care, or that the office deems necessary.
139.29 	(c) The report may be submitted electronically and is subject to section 3.195, subdivision 
139.30 	1.

140.1 	Sec. 2. [116J.4231] OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS.
140.2 		Subdivision 1.Office established; purpose. (a) The Office of New Americans is 
140.3 	established within the Department of Employment and Economic Development. The governor 
140.4 	must appoint an assistant commissioner who serves in the unclassified service. The assistant 
140.5 	commissioner must hire a program manager, an office assistant, and any staff necessary to 
140.6 	carry out the office's duties under subdivision 2.
140.7 	(b) The purpose of the office is to foster immigrant and refugee inclusion through an 
140.8 	intentional process to improve economic mobility, enhance civic participation, and improve 
140.9 	receiving communities' openness to immigrants and refugees by incorporating the needs 
140.10 	and aspirations of immigrants and refugees, their families, and their communities for the 
140.11 	benefit of all by fulfilling the duties outlined in subdivision 2.
140.12 		Subd. 2.Duties. The Office of New Americans has the following duties:
140.13 	(1) create and implement a statewide strategy and programming to foster and promote 
140.14 	immigrant and refugee inclusion in Minnesota so as to improve economic mobility, enhance 
140.15 	civic participation, and improve receiving communities' openness to immigrants and refugees;
140.16 	(2) address the state's workforce needs by connecting employers and job seekers within 
140.17 	the immigrant and refugee community;
140.18 	(3) identify and support implementation of programs and strategies to reduce employment 
140.19 	barriers for immigrants and refugees, including the creation of alternative employment 
140.20 	pathways;
140.21 	(4) support programs and activities designed to ensure equitable access to the workforce 
140.22 	for immigrants and refugees, including those who are disabled;
140.23 	(5) support equitable opportunities for immigrants and refugees to access state government 
140.24 	services and grants, including collaborating with Minnesota's ethnic councils as created by 
140.25 	section 15.0145;
140.26 	(6) work with state agencies, Minnesota's ethnic councils, and community and foundation 
140.27 	partners to undertake studies and research and analyze economic and demographic trends 
140.28 	to better understand and serve the state's immigrant and refugee communities;
140.29 	(7) coordinate and establish best practices for language access initiatives to all state 
140.30 	agencies after soliciting input from Minnesota's ethnic councils;
140.31 	(8) convene stakeholders to further the objectives identified in subdivision 1;
141.1 	(9) make policy recommendations to the governor on issues impacting immigrants and 
141.2 	refugees after soliciting input from Minnesota's ethnic councils;
141.3 	(10) engage all stakeholders to further the objectives identified in subdivision 1 within 
141.4 	the context of workforce access and workforce readiness, including in the areas of 
141.5 	employment, housing, legal services, health care, and education and communicate the 
141.6 	importance of immigrant and refugee inclusion in the success of immigrants, refugees, their 
141.7 	children, and the communities in which they settle;
141.8 	(11) engage with and support existing municipal and county offices that promote and 
141.9 	foster immigrant and refugee inclusion and encourage the development of new municipal 
141.10 	and county offices dedicated to immigrant and refugee inclusion;
141.11 	(12) serve as the point of contact for immigrants and refugees accessing resources both 
141.12 	within the department and with boards charged with oversight of a profession;
141.13 	(13) promulgate rules necessary to implement and effectuate this section;
141.14 	(14) provide an annual report, as required by subdivision 3;
141.15 	(15) perform any other activities consistent with the office's purpose; and
141.16 	(16) administer any grant program or other appropriation to the office.
141.17 		Subd. 3.Reporting. (a) Beginning January 15, 2025, and each year thereafter, the Office 
141.18 	of New Americans shall report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the 
141.19 	office's activities during the previous year.
141.20 	(b) The report shall contain, at a minimum:
141.21 	(1) a summary of the office's activities;
141.22 	(2) suggested policies, incentives, and legislation designed to accelerate the achievement 
141.23 	of the duties under subdivision 2;
141.24 	(3) any proposed legislative and policy initiatives;
141.25 	(4) the amount and types of grants awarded under subdivision 6; and
141.26 	(5) any other information deemed necessary and requested by the legislative committees 
141.27 	with jurisdiction over the office.
141.28 	(c) The report may be submitted electronically and is subject to section 3.195, subdivision 
141.29 	1.
142.1 		Subd. 4.Interdepartmental Coordinating Council on Immigrant and Refugee 
142.2 	Affairs. (a) An Interdepartmental Coordinating Council on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs 
142.3 	is established to advise the Office of New Americans.
142.4 	(b) The purpose of the council is to identify and establish ways in which state 
142.5 	departments, agencies, and Minnesota's ethnic councils can work together to deliver state 
142.6 	programs and services effectively and efficiently to Minnesota's immigrant and refugee 
142.7 	populations. The council shall implement policies, procedures, and programs requested by 
142.8 	the governor through the state departments and offices.
142.9 	(c) The council shall be chaired by the assistant commissioner of the Office of New 
142.10 	Americans and shall include the commissioners, department directors, or designees from 
142.11 	the following:
142.12 	(1) the governor's office;
142.13 	(2) the Department of Administration;
142.14 	(3) the Department of Employment and Economic Development;
142.15 	(4) the Department of Human Services;
142.16 	(5) the Department of Human Services Refugee Resettlement Programs Office;
142.17 	(6) the Department of Labor and Industry;
142.18 	(7) the Department of Health;
142.19 	(8) the Department of Education;
142.20 	(9) the Office of Higher Education;
142.21 	(10) the Department of Public Safety;
142.22 	(11) the Department of Corrections;
142.23 	(12) the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans;
142.24 	(13) the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage; and
142.25 	(14) the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs.
142.26 	(d) Each department or office specified in paragraph (c) shall designate one staff member 
142.27 	as an immigrant and refugee services liaison. The liaison's responsibilities shall include:
142.28 	(1) preparation and dissemination of information and services available to immigrants 
142.29 	and refugees; and
143.1 	(2) interfacing with the Office of New Americans on issues that impact immigrants and 
143.2 	refugees.
143.3 		Subd. 5.No right of action. Nothing in this section shall be construed to create any 
143.4 	right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party 
143.5 	against the state; its departments, agencies, or entities; its officers, employees, or agents; 
143.6 	or any other person.
143.7 		Subd. 6.Grants. The Office of New Americans may apply for grants for interested state 
143.8 	agencies, community partners, and stakeholders under this section to carry out the duties 
143.9 	under subdivision 2.

143.10 	Sec. 3. [116J.545] GETTING TO WORK GRANT PROGRAM.
143.11 		Subdivision 1.Creation. The commissioner of employment and economic development 
143.12 	shall make grants to nonprofit organizations to establish and operate programs under this 
143.13 	section that provide, repair, or maintain motor vehicles to assist eligible individuals to obtain 
143.14 	or maintain employment. All grants shall be for two years.
143.15 		Subd. 2.Qualified grantee. A grantee must:
143.16 	(1) qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
143.17 	(2) at the time of application, offer or have the demonstrated capacity to offer a motor 
143.18 	vehicle program that provides the services required under subdivision 3.
143.19 		Subd. 3.Program requirements. (a) A program must offer one or more of the following 
143.20 	services:
143.21 	(1) provision of new or used motor vehicles by gift, sale, or lease;
143.22 	(2) motor vehicle repair and maintenance services; or
143.23 	(3) motor vehicle loans.
143.24 	(b) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (a), a program must offer one or more 
143.25 	of the following services:
143.26 	(1) financial literacy education;
143.27 	(2) education on budgeting for vehicle ownership;
143.28 	(3) car maintenance and repair instruction;
143.29 	(4) credit counseling; or
143.30 	(5) job training related to motor vehicle maintenance and repair.
144.1 		Subd. 4.Application. Applications for a grant must be on a form provided by the 
144.2 	commissioner and on a schedule set by the commissioner. Applications must, in addition 
144.3 	to any other information required by the commissioner, include the following:
144.4 	(1) a detailed description of all services to be offered;
144.5 	(2) the area to be served;
144.6 	(3) the estimated number of program participants to be served by the grant; and
144.7 	(4) a plan for leveraging resources from partners that may include but are not limited 
144.8 	to:
144.9 	(i) automobile dealers;
144.10 	(ii) automobile parts dealers;
144.11 	(iii) independent local mechanics and automobile repair facilities;
144.12 	(iv) banks and credit unions;
144.13 	(v) employers;
144.14 	(vi) employment and training agencies;
144.15 	(vii) insurance companies and agents;
144.16 	(viii) local workforce centers; and
144.17 	(ix) educational institutions, including vocational institutions and jobs or skills training 
144.18 	programs.
144.19 		Subd. 5.Participant eligibility. (a) To be eligible to receive program services, a person 
144.20 	must:
144.21 	(1) have a household income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level;
144.22 	(2) be at least 18 years of age;
144.23 	(3) have a valid driver's license;
144.24 	(4) provide the grantee with proof of motor vehicle insurance; and
144.25 	(5) demonstrate to the grantee that a motor vehicle is required by the person to obtain 
144.26 	or maintain employment.
144.27 	(b) This subdivision does not preclude a grantee from imposing additional requirements, 
144.28 	not inconsistent with paragraph (a), for the receipt of program services.
145.1 		Subd. 6.Report to legislature. By January 15, 2026, and each January 15 in an 
145.2 	even-numbered year thereafter, the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs of the 
145.3 	house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over workforce and 
145.4 	economic development on program outcomes. At a minimum, the report must include:
145.5 	(1) the total number of program participants;
145.6 	(2) the number of program participants who received each of the following:
145.7 	(i) provision of a motor vehicle;
145.8 	(ii) motor vehicle repair services; and
145.9 	(iii) motor vehicle loans;
145.10 	(3) the number of program participants who report that they or their children were able 
145.11 	to increase their participation in community activities such as after school programs, other 
145.12 	youth programs, church or civic groups, or library services as a result of participation in the 
145.13 	program; and
145.14 	(4) an analysis of the impact of the getting to work grant program on the employment 
145.15 	rate and wages of program participants.

145.16 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.5492, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
145.17 		Subd. 8.Meetings. The advisory committee must meet monthly until the energy transition 
145.18 	plan is submitted quarterly and submit an updated energy transition plan annually to the 
145.19 	governor and the legislature. Once submitted, the committee shall develop a regular meeting 
145.20 	schedule as needed. The chair may call additional meetings as necessary.

145.21 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.5492, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
145.22 		Subd. 10.Expiration. This section expires the day after the Minnesota energy transition 
145.23 	plan required under section 116J.5493 is submitted to the legislature and the governor on 
145.24 	June 30, 2027.

145.25 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.55, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
145.26 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For the purposes of this section, "eligible community" means 
145.27 	a county, municipality, or tribal government located in Minnesota in which an electric 
145.28 	generating plant owned by a public utility, as defined in section 216B.02, that is powered 
145.29 	by coal, nuclear energy, or natural gas:
146.1 	(1) is currently operating and (i) is scheduled to cease operations or, (ii) whose cessation 
146.2 	of operations has been proposed in an integrated resource plan filed with the commission 
146.3 	under section 216B.2422, or (iii) whose current operating license expires within 15 years 
146.4 	of the effective date of this section; or
146.5 	(2) ceased operations or was removed from the local property tax base no earlier than 
146.6 	five years before the date an application is made for a grant under this section.

146.7 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.55, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
146.8 		Subd. 5.Grant awards; limitations. (a) The commissioner must award grants under 
146.9 	this section to eligible communities through a competitive grant process.
146.10 	(b)(a) A grant awarded to an eligible community under this section must not exceed 
146.11 	$500,000 $1,000,000 in any calendar year. The commissioner may accept grant applications 
146.12 	on an ongoing or rolling basis.
146.13 	(c) (b) Grants funded with revenues from the renewable development account established 
146.14 	in section 116C.779 must be awarded to an eligible community located within the retail 
146.15 	electric service territory of the public utility that is subject to section 116C.779 or to an 
146.16 	eligible community in which an electric generating plant owned by that public utility is 
146.17 	located.

146.18 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.55, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
146.19 		Subd. 6.Eligible expenditures. (a) Money in the account established in subdivision 3 
146.20 	must be used only to:
146.21 	(1) award grants to eligible communities under this section; and
146.22 	(2) reimburse the department's reasonable costs to administer this section, up to a 
146.23 	maximum of five percent of the appropriation made to the commissioner under this section.
146.24 	The commissioner may transfer part of the allowable administrative portion of this 
146.25 	appropriation to the Environmental Quality Board to assist communities with regulatory 
146.26 	coordination and dedicated technical assistance on conversion for these communities.
146.27 	(b) An eligible community awarded a grant under this section may use the grant to plan 
146.28 	for or address the economic and social impacts on the eligible community of the electric 
146.29 	generating plant's cessation of operations, including but not limited to land use studies, 
146.30 	economic planning, researching, planning, and implementing activities, capital costs of 
146.31 	public infrastructure necessary for economic development, and impact studies and other 
146.32 	planning activities enabling communities to become shovel-ready and support the transition 
147.1 	from power plants to other economic activities to minimize the negative impacts of power 
147.2 	plant closures on tax revenues and jobs designed to:
147.3 	(1) assist workers at the plant find new employment, including worker retraining and 
147.4 	developing small business start-up skills;
147.5 	(2) increase the eligible community's property tax base; and
147.6 	(3) develop alternative economic development strategies to attract new employers to the 
147.7 	eligible community.

147.8 	Sec. 9. [116J.682] SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM.
147.9 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms in this 
147.10 	subdivision have the meanings given.
147.11 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
147.12 	(c) "Partner organizations" or "partners" means:
147.13 	(1) nonprofit organizations or public entities, including higher education institutions, 
147.14 	engaged in business development or economic development;
147.15 	(2) community development financial institutions; or
147.16 	(3) community development corporations.
147.17 	(d) "Small business" has the meaning given in section 3 of the Small Business Act, 
147.18 	United States Code, title 15, section 632.
147.19 	(e) "Underserved populations and geographies" means individuals who are Black, 
147.20 	Indigenous, people of color, veterans, people with disabilities, people who are LGBTQ+, 
147.21 	and low-income individuals and includes people from rural Minnesota.
147.22 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The commissioner shall establish the small business assistance 
147.23 	partnerships program to make grants to local and regional community-based organizations 
147.24 	to provide small business development and technical assistance services to entrepreneurs 
147.25 	and small business owners.
147.26 		Subd. 3.Small business assistance partnerships grants. (a) The commissioner shall 
147.27 	make small business assistance partnerships grants to local and regional community-based 
147.28 	organizations to provide small business development and technical assistance services to 
147.29 	entrepreneurs and small business owners. The commissioner must prioritize applications 
147.30 	that provide services to underserved populations and geographies.
148.1 	(b) Grantees shall use the grant funds to provide high-quality, free or low-cost 
148.2 	professional business development and technical assistance services that support the start-up, 
148.3 	growth, and success of Minnesota's entrepreneurs and small business owners.
148.4 		Subd. 4.Report. By January 31 of each year, partner organizations participating in the 
148.5 	program must provide a report to the commissioner on the outcomes of the program, 
148.6 	including but not limited to the number of entrepreneurs and small businesses served, number 
148.7 	of hours of business assistance services provided, number of new businesses started, number 
148.8 	of full-time equivalent jobs created and retained, and demographic and geographic details 
148.9 	of the individuals being served.

148.10 	Sec. 10. [116J.8733] MINNESOTA EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY FUND 
148.11 	PROGRAM.
148.12 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund Program 
148.13 	is established to capitalize Minnesota nonprofit corporations to increase lending activities 
148.14 	with Minnesota small businesses.
148.15 		Subd. 2.Long-term loans. The department may make long-term loans of ten to 12 years 
148.16 	at 0.5 percent or lower interest rates to nonprofit corporations to enable nonprofit corporations 
148.17 	to make more loans to Minnesota small businesses. The department may use the interest 
148.18 	received to offset the cost of administering small business lending programs.
148.19 		Subd. 3.Loan eligibility; nonprofit corporation. (a) The eligible nonprofit corporation 
148.20 	must not meet the definition of recipient under section 116J.993, subdivision 6.
148.21 	(b) The commissioner may enter into loan agreements with Minnesota nonprofit 
148.22 	corporations that apply to participate in the Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund Program. 
148.23 	The commissioner shall evaluate applications from applicant nonprofit corporations. In 
148.24 	evaluating applications, the department must consider, among other things, whether the 
148.25 	nonprofit corporation:
148.26 	(1) meets the statutory definition of a community development financial institution as 
148.27 	defined in section 103 of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement 
148.28 	Act of 1994, United States Code, title 12, section 4702;
148.29 	(2) has a board of directors or loan or credit committee that includes citizens experienced 
148.30 	in small business services and community development;
148.31 	(3) has the technical skills to analyze small business loan requests;
149.1 	(4) is familiar with other available public and private funding sources and economic 
149.2 	development programs;
149.3 	(5) is enrolled in one or more eligible federally funded state programs; and
149.4 	(6) has the administrative capacity to manage a loan portfolio.
149.5 		Subd. 4.Revolving loan fund. (a) The commissioner shall establish a revolving loan 
149.6 	fund to make loans to nonprofit corporations for the purpose of increasing nonprofit 
149.7 	corporation capital and lending activities with Minnesota small businesses.
149.8 	(b) Nonprofit corporations that receive loans from the commissioner under the program 
149.9 	must establish appropriate accounting practices for the purpose of tracking eligible loans.
149.10 		Subd. 5.Loan portfolio administration. (a) The interest rate charged by a nonprofit 
149.11 	corporation for a loan under this subdivision must not exceed the Wall Street Journal prime 
149.12 	rate plus two percent. A nonprofit corporation participating in the Minnesota Expanding 
149.13 	Opportunity Fund Program may charge a loan closing fee equal to or less than two percent 
149.14 	of the loan value.
149.15 	(b) The nonprofit corporation may retain all earnings from fees and interest from loans 
149.16 	to small businesses.
149.17 		Subd. 6.Cooperation. A nonprofit corporation that receives a program loan shall 
149.18 	cooperate with other organizations, including but not limited to community development 
149.19 	corporations, community action agencies, and the Minnesota small business development 
149.20 	centers.
149.21 		Subd. 7.Reporting requirements. (a) A nonprofit corporation that receives a program 
149.22 	loan must submit an annual report to the commissioner by February 15 of each year that 
149.23 	includes:
149.24 	(1) the number of businesses to which a loan was made;
149.25 	(2) a description of businesses supported by the program;
149.26 	(3) demographic information, as specified by the commissioner, regarding each borrower;
149.27 	(4) an account of loans made during the calendar year;
149.28 	(5) the program's impact on job creation and retention;
149.29 	(6) the source and amount of money collected and distributed by the program;
149.30 	(7) the program's assets and liabilities; and
149.31 	(8) an explanation of administrative expenses.
150.1 	(b) A nonprofit corporation that receives a program loan must provide for an independent 
150.2 	annual audit to be performed in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices 
150.3 	and auditing standards and submit a copy of each annual audit report to the commissioner.

150.4 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.8748, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
150.5 		Subd. 3.Minnesota job creation fund business designation; requirements. (a) To 
150.6 	receive designation as a Minnesota job creation fund business, a business must satisfy all 
150.7 	of the following conditions:
150.8 	(1) the business is or will be engaged in, within Minnesota, one of the following as its 
150.9 	primary business activity:
150.10 	(i) manufacturing;
150.11 	(ii) warehousing;
150.12 	(iii) distribution;
150.13 	(iv) information technology;
150.14 	(v) finance;
150.15 	(vi) insurance; or
150.16 	(vii) professional or technical services;
150.17 	(2) the business must not be primarily engaged in lobbying; gambling; entertainment; 
150.18 	professional sports; political consulting; leisure; hospitality; or professional services provided 
150.19 	by attorneys, accountants, business consultants, physicians, or health care consultants, or 
150.20 	primarily engaged in making retail sales to purchasers who are physically present at the 
150.21 	business's location;
150.22 	(3) the business must enter into a binding construction and job creation business subsidy 
150.23 	agreement with the commissioner to expend directly, or ensure expenditure by or in 
150.24 	partnership with a third party constructing or managing the project, at least $500,000 in 
150.25 	capital investment in a capital investment project that includes a new, expanded, or remodeled 
150.26 	facility within one year following designation as a Minnesota job creation fund business or 
150.27 	$250,000 if the project is located outside the metropolitan area as defined in section 200.02, 
150.28 	subdivision 24, or if 51 percent of the business is cumulatively owned by minorities, veterans, 
150.29 	women, or persons with a disability; and:
150.30 	(i) create at least ten new full-time employee positions within two years of the benefit 
150.31 	date following the designation as a Minnesota job creation fund business or five new full-time 
151.1 	employee positions within two years of the benefit date if the project is located outside the 
151.2 	metropolitan area as defined in section 200.02, subdivision 24, or if 51 percent of the business 
151.3 	is cumulatively owned by minorities, veterans, women, or persons with a disability; or
151.4 	(ii) expend at least $25,000,000, which may include the installation and purchase of 
151.5 	machinery and equipment, in capital investment and retain at least 200 100 employees for 
151.6 	projects located in the metropolitan area as defined in section 200.02, subdivision 24, and 
151.7 	75 or expend at least $10,000,000, which may include the installation and purchase of 
151.8 	machinery and equipment, in capital investment and retain at least 50 employees for projects 
151.9 	located outside the metropolitan area;
151.10 	(4) positions or employees moved or relocated from another Minnesota location of the 
151.11 	Minnesota job creation fund business must not be included in any calculation or determination 
151.12 	of job creation or new positions under this paragraph; and
151.13 	(5) a Minnesota job creation fund business must not terminate, lay off, or reduce the 
151.14 	working hours of an employee for the purpose of hiring an individual to satisfy job creation 
151.15 	goals under this subdivision.
151.16 	(b) Prior to approving the proposed designation of a business under this subdivision, the 
151.17 	commissioner shall consider the following:
151.18 	(1) the economic outlook of the industry in which the business engages;
151.19 	(2) the projected sales of the business that will be generated from outside the state of 
151.20 	Minnesota;
151.21 	(3) how the business will build on existing regional, national, and international strengths 
151.22 	to diversify the state's economy;
151.23 	(4) whether the business activity would occur without financial assistance;
151.24 	(5) whether the business is unable to expand at an existing Minnesota operation due to 
151.25 	facility or land limitations;
151.26 	(6) whether the business has viable location options outside Minnesota;
151.27 	(7) the effect of financial assistance on industry competitors in Minnesota;
151.28 	(8) financial contributions to the project made by local governments; and
151.29 	(9) any other criteria the commissioner deems necessary.
151.30 	(c) Upon receiving notification of local approval under subdivision 2, the commissioner 
151.31 	shall review the determination by the local government and consider the conditions listed 
152.1 	in paragraphs (a) and (b) to determine whether it is in the best interests of the state and local 
152.2 	area to designate a business as a Minnesota job creation fund business.
152.3 	(d) If the commissioner designates a business as a Minnesota job creation fund business, 
152.4 	the business subsidy agreement shall include the performance outcome commitments and 
152.5 	the expected financial value of any Minnesota job creation fund benefits.
152.6 	(e) The commissioner may amend an agreement once, upon request of a local government 
152.7 	on behalf of a business, only if the performance is expected to exceed thresholds stated in 
152.8 	the original agreement.
152.9 	(f) A business may apply to be designated as a Minnesota job creation fund business at 
152.10 	the same location more than once only if all goals under a previous Minnesota job creation 
152.11 	fund agreement have been met and the agreement is completed.

152.12 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.8748, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
152.13 		Subd. 4.Certification; benefits. (a) The commissioner may certify a Minnesota job 
152.14 	creation fund business as eligible to receive a specific value of benefit under paragraphs (b) 
152.15 	and (c) when the business has achieved its job creation and capital investment goals noted 
152.16 	in its agreement under subdivision 3.
152.17 	(b) A qualified Minnesota job creation fund business may be certified eligible for the 
152.18 	benefits in this paragraph for up to five years for projects located in the metropolitan area 
152.19 	as defined in section 200.02, subdivision 24, and seven years for projects located outside 
152.20 	the metropolitan area, as determined by the commissioner when considering the best interests 
152.21 	of the state and local area. Notwithstanding section 16B.98, subdivision 5, paragraph (a), 
152.22 	clause (3), or 16B.98, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), grant agreements for projects located 
152.23 	outside the metropolitan area may be for up to seven years in length. The eligibility for the 
152.24 	following benefits begins the date the commissioner certifies the business as a qualified 
152.25 	Minnesota job creation fund business under this subdivision:
152.26 	(1) up to five percent rebate for projects located in the metropolitan area as defined in 
152.27 	section 200.02, subdivision 24, and 7.5 percent for projects located outside the metropolitan 
152.28 	area, on capital investment on qualifying purchases as provided in subdivision 5 with the 
152.29 	total rebate for a project not to exceed $500,000;
152.30 	(2) an award of up to $500,000 based on full-time job creation and wages paid as provided 
152.31 	in subdivision 6 with the total award not to exceed $500,000;
152.32 	(3) up to $1,000,000 in capital investment rebates and $1,000,000 in job creation awards 
152.33 	are allowable for projects that have at least $25,000,000 in capital investment and 200 100
153.1 	new employees in the metropolitan area as defined in section 200.02, subdivision 24, or at 
153.2 	least $10,000,000 in capital investment and 75 50 new employees for projects located outside 
153.3 	the metropolitan area;
153.4 	(4) up to $1,000,000 in capital investment rebates and up to $1,000,000 in job creation 
153.5 	awards are allowable for projects that have at least $25,000,000 in capital investment, which 
153.6 	may include the installation and purchase of machinery and equipment, and 200 100 retained 
153.7 	employees for projects located in the metropolitan area as defined in section 200.02, 
153.8 	subdivision 24, and 75or at least $10,000,000 in capital investment, which may include the 
153.9 	installation and purchase of machinery and equipment, and 50 retained employees for 
153.10 	projects located outside the metropolitan area; and
153.11 	(5) for clauses (3) and (4) only, the capital investment expenditure requirements may 
153.12 	include the installation and purchases of machinery and equipment. These expenditures are 
153.13 	not eligible for the capital investment rebate provided under subdivision 5.
153.14 	(c) The job creation award may be provided in multiple years as long as the qualified 
153.15 	Minnesota job creation fund business continues to meet the job creation goals provided for 
153.16 	in its agreement under subdivision 3 and the total award does not exceed $500,000 except 
153.17 	as provided under paragraph (b), clauses (3) and (4). Under paragraph (b) clause (4), a job 
153.18 	creation award of $2,000 per retained job may be provided one time if the qualified Minnesota 
153.19 	job creation fund business meets the minimum capital investment and retained employee 
153.20 	requirement as provided in paragraph (b), clause (4), for at least two years.
153.21 	(d) No rebates or award may be provided until the Minnesota job creation fund business 
153.22 	or a third party constructing or managing the project has at least $500,000 in capital 
153.23 	investment in the project and at least ten full-time jobs have been created and maintained 
153.24 	for at least one year or the retained employees, as provided in paragraph (b), clause (4), 
153.25 	remain for at least one year. The agreement may require additional performance outcomes 
153.26 	that need to be achieved before rebates and awards are provided. If fewer retained jobs are 
153.27 	maintained, but still above the minimum under this subdivision, the capital investment 
153.28 	award shall be reduced on a proportionate basis.
153.29 	(e) The forms needed to be submitted to document performance by the Minnesota job 
153.30 	creation fund business must be in the form and be made under the procedures specified by 
153.31 	the commissioner. The forms shall include documentation and certification by the business 
153.32 	that it is in compliance with the business subsidy agreement, sections 116J.871 and 116L.66, 
153.33 	and other provisions as specified by the commissioner.
154.1 	(f) Minnesota job creation fund businesses must pay each new full-time employee added 
154.2 	pursuant to the agreement total compensation, including benefits not mandated by law, that 
154.3 	on an annualized basis is equal to at least 110 percent of the federal poverty level for a 
154.4 	family of four.
154.5 	(g) A Minnesota job creation fund business must demonstrate reasonable progress on 
154.6 	capital investment expenditures within six months following designation as a Minnesota 
154.7 	job creation fund business to ensure that the capital investment goal in the agreement under 
154.8 	subdivision 1 will be met. Businesses not making reasonable progress will not be eligible 
154.9 	for benefits under the submitted application and will need to work with the local government 
154.10 	unit to resubmit a new application and request to be a Minnesota job creation fund business. 
154.11 	Notwithstanding the goals noted in its agreement under subdivision 1, this action shall not 
154.12 	be considered a default of the business subsidy agreement.

154.13 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.8748, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
154.14 		Subd. 6.Job creation award. (a) A qualified Minnesota job creation fund business is 
154.15 	eligible for an annual award for each new job created and maintained under subdivision 4, 
154.16 	paragraph (b), clauses (2) and (3), by the business using the following schedule: $1,000 for 
154.17 	each job position paying annual wages at least $26,000 but less than $35,000; $2,000 for 
154.18 	each job position paying at least $35,000 but less than $45,000; and $3,000 for each job 
154.19 	position paying at least $45,000 but less than $55,000; and $4,000 for each job position 
154.20 	paying at least $55,000; and as noted in the goals under the agreement provided under 
154.21 	subdivision 1. These awards are increased by $1,000 if the business is located outside the 
154.22 	metropolitan area as defined in section 200.02, subdivision 24, or if 51 percent of the business 
154.23 	is cumulatively owned by minorities, veterans, women, or persons with a disability.
154.24 	(b) A qualified Minnesota job creation fund business is eligible for a onetime $2,000 
154.25 	award for each job retained and maintained under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (4), 
154.26 	provided that each retained job pays total compensation, including benefits not mandated 
154.27 	by law, that on an annualized basis is equal to at least 150 percent of the federal poverty 
154.28 	level for a family of four.
154.29 	(b) (c) The job creation award schedule must be adjusted annually using the percentage 
154.30 	increase in the federal poverty level for a family of four.
154.31 	(c) (d) Minnesota job creation fund businesses seeking an award credit provided under 
154.32 	subdivision 4 must submit forms and applications to the Department of Employment and 
154.33 	Economic Development as prescribed by the commissioner.

155.1 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.8748, is amended by adding a subdivision 
155.2 	to read:
155.3 		Subd. 6a.Transfer. The commissioner may transfer up to $2,000,000 of a fiscal year 
155.4 	appropriation between the Minnesota job creation fund program and the redevelopment 
155.5 	grant program to meet business demand.

155.6 	Sec. 15. [116J.8751] LAUNCH MINNESOTA.
155.7 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. Launch Minnesota is established within the Business 
155.8 	and Community Development Division of the Department of Employment and Economic 
155.9 	Development to encourage and support the development of new private sector technologies 
155.10 	and support the science and technology policies under section 3.222. Launch Minnesota 
155.11 	must provide entrepreneurs and emerging technology-based companies business development 
155.12 	assistance and financial assistance to spur growth.
155.13 		Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision 
155.14 	have the meanings given.
155.15 	(b) "Advisory board" means the board established under subdivision 10.
155.16 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
155.17 	(d) "Department" means the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
155.18 	(e) "Entrepreneur" means a Minnesota resident who is involved in establishing a business 
155.19 	entity and secures resources directed to its growth while bearing the risk of loss.
155.20 	(f) "Greater Minnesota" means the area of Minnesota located outside of the metropolitan 
155.21 	area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2.
155.22 	(g) "Innovative technology and business" means a new novel business model or product; 
155.23 	a derivative product incorporating new elements into an existing product; a new use for a 
155.24 	product; or a new process or method for the manufacture, use, or assessment of any product 
155.25 	or activity, patentability, or scalability. Innovative technology or business model does not 
155.26 	include locally based retail, lifestyle, or business services. The business must not be primarily 
155.27 	engaged in real estate development, insurance, banking, lending, lobbying, political 
155.28 	consulting, information technology consulting, wholesale or retail trade, leisure, hospitality, 
155.29 	transportation, construction, ethanol production from corn, or professional services provided 
155.30 	by attorneys, accountants, business consultants, physicians, or health care consultants.
155.31 	(h) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning given in section 136A.28, 
155.32 	subdivision 6.
156.1 	(i) "Minority group member" means a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident 
156.2 	who is Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, or Native American.
156.3 	(j) "Research and development" means any activity that is:
156.4 	(1) a systematic, intensive study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding 
156.5 	of the subject studies;
156.6 	(2) a systematic study directed specifically toward applying new knowledge to meet a 
156.7 	recognized need; or
156.8 	(3) a systematic application of knowledge toward the production of useful materials, 
156.9 	devices, systems and methods, including design, development and improvement of prototypes 
156.10 	and new processes to meet specific requirements.
156.11 	(k) "Start-up" means a business entity that has been in operation for less than ten years, 
156.12 	has operations in Minnesota, and is in the development stage defined as devoting substantially 
156.13 	all of its efforts to establishing a new business and either of the following conditions exists:
156.14 	(1) planned principal operations have not commenced; or
156.15 	(2) planned principal operations have commenced, but have raised less than $1,000,000 
156.16 	in equity financing.
156.17 	(l) "Technology-related assistance" means the application and utilization of 
156.18 	technological-information and technologies to assist in the development and production of 
156.19 	new technology-related products or services or to increase the productivity or otherwise 
156.20 	enhance the production or delivery of existing products or services.
156.21 	(m) "Trade association" means a nonprofit membership organization organized to promote 
156.22 	businesses and business conditions and having an election under Internal Revenue Code 
156.23 	section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6).
156.24 	(n) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447.
156.25 		Subd. 3.Duties. The commissioner, by and through Launch Minnesota, shall:
156.26 	(1) support innovation and initiatives designed to accelerate the growth of innovative 
156.27 	technology and business start-ups in Minnesota;
156.28 	(2) in partnership with other organizations, offer classes and instructional sessions on 
156.29 	how to start an innovative technology and business start-up;
156.30 	(3) promote activities for entrepreneurs and investors regarding the state's growing 
156.31 	innovation economy;
157.1 	(4) hold events and meetings that gather key stakeholders in the state's innovation sector;
157.2 	(5) conduct outreach and education on innovation activities and related financial programs 
157.3 	available from the department and other organizations, particularly for underserved 
157.4 	communities;
157.5 	(6) interact and collaborate with statewide partners including but not limited to businesses, 
157.6 	nonprofits, trade associations, and higher education institutions;
157.7 	(7) administer an advisory board to assist with direction, grant application review, 
157.8 	program evaluation, report development, and partnerships;
157.9 	(8) accept grant applications under subdivisions 5, 6, and 7 and work with the advisory 
157.10 	board to review and prioritize the applications and provide recommendations to the 
157.11 	commissioner; and
157.12 	(9) perform other duties at the commissioner's discretion.
157.13 		Subd. 4.Administration. (a) The director shall:
157.14 	(1) assist the commissioner and the advisory board in performing the duties of Launch 
157.15 	Minnesota; and
157.16 	(2) comply with all state and federal program requirements, and all state and federal 
157.17 	securities and tax laws and regulations.
157.18 	(b) Launch Minnesota may occupy and lease physical space in a private coworking 
157.19 	facility that includes office space for staff and space for community engagement for training 
157.20 	entrepreneurs. The physical space leased under this paragraph is exempt from the 
157.21 	requirements in section 16B.24, subdivision 6.
157.22 	(c) At least three times per month, Launch Minnesota staff shall communicate with 
157.23 	organizations in greater Minnesota that have received a grant under subdivision 7. To the 
157.24 	extent possible, Launch Minnesota shall form partnerships with organizations located 
157.25 	throughout the state.
157.26 	(d) Launch Minnesota must accept grant applications under this section and provide 
157.27 	funding recommendations to the commissioner and the commissioner shall distribute grants 
157.28 	based in part on the recommendations.
157.29 		Subd. 5.Application process. (a) The commissioner shall establish the application form 
157.30 	and procedures for grants.
158.1 	(b) Upon receiving recommendations from Launch Minnesota, the commissioner is 
158.2 	responsible for evaluating all applications using evaluation criteria which shall be developed 
158.3 	by Launch Minnesota in consultation with the advisory board.
158.4 	(c) For grants under subdivision 6, priority shall be given if the applicant is:
158.5 	(1) a business or entrepreneur located in greater Minnesota; or
158.6 	(2) a business owner, individual with a disability, or entrepreneur who is a woman, 
158.7 	veteran, or minority group member.
158.8 	(d) For grants under subdivision 7, priority shall be given if the applicant is planning to 
158.9 	serve:
158.10 	(1) businesses or entrepreneurs located in greater Minnesota; or
158.11 	(2) business owners, individuals with disabilities, or entrepreneurs who are women, 
158.12 	veterans, or minority group members.
158.13 	(e) The department staff, and not Launch Minnesota staff, are responsible for awarding 
158.14 	funding, disbursing funds, and monitoring grantee performance for all grants awarded under 
158.15 	this section.
158.16 	(f) Grantees must provide matching funds by equal expenditures and grant payments 
158.17 	must be provided on a reimbursement basis after review of submitted receipts by the 
158.18 	department.
158.19 	(g) Grant applications must be accepted on a regular periodic basis by Launch Minnesota 
158.20 	and must be reviewed by Launch Minnesota and the advisory board before being submitted 
158.21 	to the commissioner with their recommendations.
158.22 		Subd. 6.Innovation grants. (a) The commissioner shall distribute innovation grants 
158.23 	under this subdivision.
158.24 	(b) The commissioner shall provide a grant of up to $35,000 to an eligible business or 
158.25 	entrepreneur for research and development expenses, direct business expenses, and the 
158.26 	purchase of technical assistance or services from public higher education institutions and 
158.27 	nonprofit entities. Research and development expenditures may include but are not limited 
158.28 	to proof of concept activities, intellectual property protection, prototype designs and 
158.29 	production, and commercial feasibility. Expenditures funded under this subdivision are not 
158.30 	eligible for the research and development tax credit under section 290.068. Direct business 
158.31 	expenses may include rent, equipment purchases, and supplier invoices. Taxes imposed by 
158.32 	federal, state, or local government entities may not be reimbursed under this paragraph. 
159.1 	Technical assistance or services must be purchased to assist in the development or 
159.2 	commercialization of a product or service to be eligible. Each business or entrepreneur may 
159.3 	receive only one grant under this paragraph.
159.4 	(c) The commissioner shall provide a grant of up to $35,000 in Phase 1 or $50,000 in 
159.5 	Phase 2 to an eligible business or entrepreneur that, as a registered client of the Small 
159.6 	Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, has been awarded a first time Phase 1 or 
159.7 	Phase 2 award pursuant to the SBIR or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) 
159.8 	programs after July 1, 2022. Each business or entrepreneur may receive only one grant per 
159.9 	biennium under this paragraph. Grants under this paragraph are not subject to the 
159.10 	requirements of subdivision 2, paragraph (k).
159.11 		Subd. 7.Entrepreneur education grants. (a) The commissioner shall make entrepreneur 
159.12 	education grants to institutions of higher education and other organizations to provide 
159.13 	educational programming to entrepreneurs and provide outreach to and collaboration with 
159.14 	businesses, federal and state agencies, institutions of higher education, trade associations, 
159.15 	and other organizations working to advance innovative technology businesses throughout 
159.16 	Minnesota.
159.17 	(b) Applications for entrepreneur education grants under this subdivision must be 
159.18 	submitted to the commissioner and evaluated by department staff other than Launch 
159.19 	Minnesota. The evaluation criteria must be developed by Launch Minnesota, in consultation 
159.20 	with the advisory board, and the commissioner, and priority must be given to an applicant 
159.21 	who demonstrates activity assisting business owners or entrepreneurs residing in greater 
159.22 	Minnesota or who are women, veterans, or minority group members.
159.23 	(c) Department staff other than Launch Minnesota staff are responsible for awarding 
159.24 	funding, disbursing funds, and monitoring grantee performance under this subdivision.
159.25 	(d) Grantees may use the grant funds to deliver the following services:
159.26 	(1) development and delivery to innovative technology businesses of industry specific 
159.27 	or innovative product or process specific counseling on issues of business formation, market 
159.28 	structure, market research and strategies, securing first mover advantage or overcoming 
159.29 	barriers to entry, protecting intellectual property, and securing debt or equity capital. This 
159.30 	counseling is to be delivered in a classroom setting or using distance media presentations;
159.31 	(2) outreach and education to businesses and organizations on the small business 
159.32 	investment tax credit program under section 116J.8737, the MNvest crowd-funding program 
159.33 	under section 80A.461, and other state programs that support innovative technology business 
159.34 	creation especially in underserved communities;
160.1 	(3) collaboration with institutions of higher education, local organizations, federal and 
160.2 	state agencies, the Small Business Development Center, and the Small Business Assistance 
160.3 	Office to create and offer educational programming and ongoing counseling in greater 
160.4 	Minnesota that is consistent with those services offered in the metropolitan area; and
160.5 	(4) events and meetings with other innovation-related organizations to inform 
160.6 	entrepreneurs and potential investors about Minnesota's growing innovation economy.
160.7 		Subd. 8.Report. Launch Minnesota shall annually report by December 31 to the chairs 
160.8 	and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of representatives and senate 
160.9 	having jurisdiction over economic development policy and finance. Each report shall include 
160.10 	information on the work completed, including awards made by the department under this 
160.11 	section and progress toward transferring the activities of Launch Minnesota to an entity 
160.12 	outside of state government.
160.13 		Subd. 9.Advisory board. (a) The commissioner shall establish an advisory board to 
160.14 	advise the director regarding the activities of Launch Minnesota, make the recommendations 
160.15 	described in this section, and develop and initiate a strategic plan for transferring some 
160.16 	activities of Launch Minnesota to a new or existing public-private partnership or nonprofit 
160.17 	organization outside of state government.
160.18 	(b) The advisory board shall consist of ten members and is governed by section 15.059. 
160.19 	A minimum of seven members must be from the private sector representing business and 
160.20 	at least two members but no more than three members must be from government and higher 
160.21 	education. At least three of the members of the advisory board shall be from greater 
160.22 	Minnesota and at least three members shall be minority group members. Appointees shall 
160.23 	represent a range of interests, including entrepreneurs, large businesses, industry 
160.24 	organizations, investors, and both public and private small business service providers.
160.25 	(c) The advisory board shall select a chair from its private sector members. The director 
160.26 	shall provide administrative support to the committee.
160.27 	(d) The commissioner, or a designee, shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of 
160.28 	the advisory board.

160.29 	Sec. 16. [116J.9926] EMERGING DEVELOPER FUND PROGRAM.
160.30 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
160.31 	the meanings given.
160.32 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
161.1 	(c) "Disadvantaged community" means a community where the median household 
161.2 	income is less than 80 percent of the area median income.
161.3 	(d) "Eligible project" means a project that is based in Minnesota and meets one or more 
161.4 	of the following criteria:
161.5 	(1) it will stimulate community stabilization or revitalization;
161.6 	(2) it will be located within a census tract identified as a disadvantaged community or 
161.7 	low-income community;
161.8 	(3) it will directly benefit residents of a low-income household;
161.9 	(4) it will increase the supply and improve the condition of affordable housing and 
161.10 	homeownership;
161.11 	(5) it will support the growth needs of new and existing community-based enterprises 
161.12 	that promote economic stability or improve the supply or quality of job opportunities; or
161.13 	(6) it will promote wealth creation, including by being a project in a neighborhood 
161.14 	traditionally not served by real estate developers.
161.15 	(e) "Emerging developer" means a developer who:
161.16 	(1) has limited access to loans from traditional financial institutions; or
161.17 	(2) is a new or smaller developer who has engaged in educational training in real estate 
161.18 	development; and
161.19 	(3) is either a:
161.20 	(i) minority as defined in section 116M.14, subdivision 6;
161.21 	(ii) woman;
161.22 	(iii) person with a disability, as defined in section 116M.14, subdivision 9; or
161.23 	(iv) low-income person.
161.24 	(f) "Low-income person" means a person who:
161.25 	(1) has a household income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level; or
161.26 	(2) has a family income that does not exceed 60 percent of the area median income as 
161.27 	determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
161.28 	(g) "Partner organization" means a community development financial institution or a 
161.29 	similarly qualified nonprofit corporation, as determined by the commissioner.
162.1 	(h) "Program" means the emerging developer fund program created under this section.
162.2 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The commissioner shall establish an emerging developer fund 
162.3 	program to make grants to partner organizations to make grants and loans to emerging 
162.4 	developers for eligible projects to transform neighborhoods statewide and promote economic 
162.5 	development and the creation and retention of jobs in Minnesota. The program must also 
162.6 	reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities by growing the financial capacity of emerging 
162.7 	developers.
162.8 		Subd. 3.Grants to partner organizations. (a) The commissioner shall design a 
162.9 	competitive process to award grants to partner organizations to make grants and loans to 
162.10 	emerging developers under subdivision 4.
162.11 	(b) A partner organization may use up to ten percent of grant funds for the administrative 
162.12 	costs of the program.
162.13 		Subd. 4.Grants and loans to emerging developers. (a) Through the program, partner 
162.14 	organizations shall offer emerging developers predevelopment grants and predevelopment, 
162.15 	construction, and bridge loans for eligible projects according to a plan submitted to and 
162.16 	approved by the commissioner.
162.17 	(b) Predevelopment grants must be for no more than $100,000. All loans must be for no 
162.18 	more than $1,000,000.
162.19 	(c) Loans must be for a term set by the partner organization and approved by the 
162.20 	commissioner of no less than six months and no more than eight years, depending on the 
162.21 	use of loan proceeds.
162.22 	(d) Loans must be for zero interest or an interest rate of no more than the Wall Street 
162.23 	Journal prime rate, as determined by the partner organization and approved by the 
162.24 	commissioner based on the individual project risk and type of loan sought.
162.25 	(e) Loans must have flexible collateral requirements compared to traditional loans, but 
162.26 	may require a personal guaranty from the emerging developer and may be largely unsecured 
162.27 	when the appraised value of the real estate is low.
162.28 	(f) Loans must have no prepayment penalties and are expected to be repaid from 
162.29 	permanent financing or a conventional loan, once that is secured.
162.30 	(g) Loans must have the ability to bridge many types of receivables, such as tax credits, 
162.31 	grants, developer fees, and other forms of long-term financing.
163.1 	(h) At the partner organization's request and the commissioner's discretion, an emerging 
163.2 	developer may be required to work with an experienced developer or professional services 
163.3 	consultant who can offer expertise and advice throughout the development of the project.
163.4 	(i) All loan repayments must be paid into the emerging developer fund account created 
163.5 	in this section to fund additional loans.
163.6 		Subd. 5.Eligible expenses. (a) The following are eligible expenses for a predevelopment 
163.7 	grant or loan under the program:
163.8 	(1) earnest money or purchase deposit;
163.9 	(2) building inspection fees and environmental reviews;
163.10 	(3) appraisal and surveying;
163.11 	(4) design and tax credit application fees;
163.12 	(5) title and recording fees;
163.13 	(6) site preparation, demolition, and stabilization;
163.14 	(7) interim maintenance and project overhead;
163.15 	(8) property taxes and insurance;
163.16 	(9) construction bonds or letters of credit;
163.17 	(10) market and feasibility studies; and
163.18 	(11) professional fees.
163.19 	(b) The following are eligible expenses for a construction or bridge loan under the 
163.20 	program:
163.21 	(1) land or building acquisition;
163.22 	(2) construction-related expenses;
163.23 	(3) developer and contractor fees;
163.24 	(4) site preparation, environmental cleanup, and demolition;
163.25 	(5) financing fees, including title and recording;
163.26 	(6) professional fees;
163.27 	(7) carrying costs;
163.28 	(8) construction period interest;
164.1 	(9) project reserves; and
164.2 	(10) leasehold improvements and equipment purchase.
164.3 		Subd. 6.Emerging developer fund account. An emerging developer fund account is 
164.4 	created in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. Money in the account is appropriated 
164.5 	to the commissioner for grants to partner organizations to make loans under this section.
164.6 		Subd. 7.Reports to the legislature. (a) By January 15 of each year, beginning in 2025, 
164.7 	each partner organization shall submit a report to the commissioner on the use of program 
164.8 	funds and program outcomes.
164.9 	(b) By March 15 of each year, beginning in 2025, the commissioner shall submit a report 
164.10 	to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over 
164.11 	economic development on the use of program funds and program outcomes.

164.12 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116L.361, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
164.13 		Subd. 7.Very Low income. "Very Low income" means incomes that are at or less than 
164.14 	50 80 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size, as estimated by the 
164.15 	Department of Housing and Urban Development.

164.16 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116L.362, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
164.17 		Subdivision 1.Generally. (a) The commissioner shall make grants to eligible 
164.18 	organizations for programs to provide education and training services to targeted youth. 
164.19 	The purpose of these programs is to provide specialized training and work experience for 
164.20 	targeted youth who have not been served effectively by the current educational system. The 
164.21 	programs are to include a work experience component with work projects that result in the 
164.22 	rehabilitation, improvement, or construction of (1) residential units for the homeless; (2) 
164.23 	improvements to the energy efficiency and environmental health of residential units and 
164.24 	other green jobs purposes; (3) facilities to support community garden projects; or (4) 
164.25 	education, social service, or health facilities which are owned by a public agency or a private 
164.26 	nonprofit organization.
164.27 	(b) Eligible facilities must principally provide services to homeless or very low income 
164.28 	individuals and families, and include the following:
164.29 	(1) Head Start or day care centers, including playhouses or similar incidental structures;
164.30 	(2) homeless, battered women, or other shelters;
164.31 	(3) transitional housing and tiny houses;
165.1 	(4) youth or senior citizen centers;
165.2 	(5) community health centers; and
165.3 	(6) community garden facilities.
165.4 	Two or more eligible organizations may jointly apply for a grant. The commissioner 
165.5 	shall administer the grant program.

165.6 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116L.364, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
165.7 		Subd. 3.Work experience component. A work experience component must be included 
165.8 	in each program. The work experience component must provide vocational skills training 
165.9 	in an industry where there is a viable expectation of job opportunities. A training subsidy, 
165.10 	living allowance, or stipend, not to exceed an amount equal to 100 percent of the poverty 
165.11 	line for a family of two as defined in United States Code, title 42, section 673, paragraph 
165.12 	(2) the final rules and regulations of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, may 
165.13 	be provided to program participants. The wage or stipend must be provided to participants 
165.14 	who are recipients of public assistance in a manner or amount which will not reduce public 
165.15 	assistance benefits. The work experience component must be designed so that work projects 
165.16 	result in (1) the expansion or improvement of residential units for homeless persons and 
165.17 	very low income families; (2) improvements to the energy efficiency and environmental 
165.18 	health of residential units; (3) facilities to support community garden projects; or (4) 
165.19 	rehabilitation, improvement, or construction of eligible education, social service, or health 
165.20 	facilities that principally serve homeless or very low income individuals and families. Any 
165.21 	work project must include direct supervision by individuals skilled in each specific vocation. 
165.22 	Program participants may earn credits toward the completion of their secondary education 
165.23 	from their participation in the work experience component.

165.24 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116L.365, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
165.25 		Subdivision 1.Priority for housing. Any residential or transitional housing units that 
165.26 	become available through a work project that is part of the program described in section 
165.27 	116L.364 must be allocated in the following order:
165.28 	(1) homeless targeted youth who have participated in constructing, rehabilitating, or 
165.29 	improving the unit;
165.30 	(2) homeless families with at least one dependent;
165.31 	(3) other homeless individuals;
166.1 	(4) other very low income families and individuals; and
166.2 	(5) families or individuals that receive public assistance and that do not qualify in any 
166.3 	other priority group.

166.4 	Sec. 21. [116L.43] TARGETED POPULATIONS WORKFORCE GRANTS.
166.5 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
166.6 	the meanings given.
166.7 	(b) "Community-based organization" means a nonprofit organization that:
166.8 	(1) provides workforce development programming or services;
166.9 	(2) has an annual organizational budget of no more than $1,000,000;
166.10 	(3) has its primary office located in a historically underserved community of color or 
166.11 	low-income community; and
166.12 	(4) serves a population that generally reflects the demographics of that local community.
166.13 	(c) "Entry level jobs" means part-time or full-time jobs that an individual can perform 
166.14 	without any prior education or experience.
166.15 	(d) "High wage" means the income needed for a family to cover minimum necessary 
166.16 	expenses in a given geographic area, including food, child care, health care, housing, and 
166.17 	transportation.
166.18 	(e) "Industry specific certification" means a credential an individual can earn to show 
166.19 	proficiency in a particular area or skill.
166.20 	(f) "Remedial training" means additional training provided to staff following the 
166.21 	identification of a need and intended to increase proficiency in performing job tasks.
166.22 	(g) "Small business" has the same meaning as section 645.445.
166.23 		Subd. 2.Job and entrepreneurial skills training grants. (a) The commissioner shall 
166.24 	establish a job and entrepreneurial skills training grant program that must provide competitive 
166.25 	funding to community-based organizations to provide skills training that leads to employment 
166.26 	or business development in high-growth industries.
166.27 	(b) Eligible forms of skills training include:
166.28 	(1) student tutoring and testing support services;
166.29 	(2) training and employment placement in high-wage and high-growth employment;
166.30 	(3) assistance in obtaining industry specific certifications;
167.1 	(4) remedial training leading to enrollment in further training or education;
167.2 	(5) real-time work experience or on-the-job training;
167.3 	(6) career and educational counseling;
167.4 	(7) work experience and internships;
167.5 	(8) supportive services;
167.6 	(9) tuition reimbursement for new entrants into public sector careers;
167.7 	(10) career mentorship;
167.8 	(11) postprogram case management services;
167.9 	(12) job placement services; and
167.10 	(13) the cost of corporate board of director training for people of color.
167.11 	(c) Grant awards must not exceed $750,000 per year per organization and all funding 
167.12 	awards must be made for the duration of a biennium. An organization may partner with 
167.13 	another organization to utilize grant awards, provided that the organizations must not be 
167.14 	funded to deliver the same services. Grants related to entrepreneurial skills training awarded 
167.15 	under this subdivision are not subject to section 116L.98.
167.16 		Subd. 3.Diversity and inclusion training for small employers. (a) The commissioner 
167.17 	shall establish a diversity and inclusion training grant program which shall provide 
167.18 	competitive grants to small businesses for diversity and inclusion training, including the 
167.19 	creation and implementation of a plan to actively engage, hire, and retain people of color 
167.20 	for both entry level and high-wage opportunities, including management and board of 
167.21 	director positions.
167.22 	(b) Grant awards must not exceed $30,000 per business. A business may only receive 
167.23 	one grant for diversity and inclusion training per biennium.
167.24 	(c) Applicants are required to submit a plan for use of the funds. Grant recipients are 
167.25 	required to submit a diversity and inclusion implementation plan after training is completed.
167.26 	(d) Grants awarded under this subdivision are not subject to section 116L.98.
167.27 	(e) Sections 116J.993 to 116J.995 do not apply to assistance under this subdivision.
167.28 		Subd. 4.Capacity building. (a) The commissioner shall establish a capacity building 
167.29 	grant program to provide training services and funding for capacity building to 
167.30 	community-based organizations.
168.1 	(b) Eligible uses of grant awards include covering the cost of workforce program delivery 
168.2 	staff, program infrastructure costs, and workforce training related service model development.
168.3 	(c) Grant awards must not exceed $50,000 per organization and are limited to one grant 
168.4 	per community-based organization.
168.5 	(d) Grants awarded under this subdivision are not subject to section 116L.98.
168.6 	(e) Grant recipients must submit a report to the commissioner outlining the use of grant 
168.7 	funds and the impact of that funding on the community-based organization's future ability 
168.8 	to provide workforce development services.

168.9 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116L.56, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
168.10 		Subd. 2.Eligible applicant. "Eligible applicant" means an individual who is between 
168.11 	the ages of 14 and 21 24 and economically disadvantaged.
168.12 	An at-risk youth who is classified as a family of one is deemed economically 
168.13 	disadvantaged. For purposes of eligibility determination the following individuals are 
168.14 	considered at risk:
168.15 	(1) a pregnant or parenting youth;
168.16 	(2) a youth with limited English proficiency;
168.17 	(3) a potential or actual school dropout;
168.18 	(4) a youth in an offender or diversion program;
168.19 	(5) a public assistance recipient or a recipient of group home services;
168.20 	(6) a youth with disabilities including learning disabilities;
168.21 	(7) a child of drug or alcohol abusers or a youth with substance use disorder;
168.22 	(8) a homeless or runaway youth;
168.23 	(9) a youth with basic skills deficiency;
168.24 	(10) a youth with an educational attainment of one or more levels below grade level 
168.25 	appropriate to age; or
168.26 	(11) a foster child.

169.1 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116L.561, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
169.2 		Subd. 5.Allocation formula. Seventy percent of Minnesota youth program funds must 
169.3 	be allocated based on the county's share of economically disadvantaged youth. The remaining 
169.4 	30 percent must be allocated based on the county's share of population ages 14 to 21 24.

169.5 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116L.562, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
169.6 		Subd. 2.Definitions. For purposes of this section:
169.7 	(1) "eligible organization" or "eligible applicant" means a local government unit, nonprofit 
169.8 	organization, community action agency, or a public school district;
169.9 	(2) "at-risk youth" means youth classified as at-risk under section 116L.56, subdivision 
169.10 	2; and
169.11 	(3) "economically disadvantaged" means youth who are economically disadvantaged as 
169.12 	defined in United States Code, title 29, section 1503 the rules and regulations of the 
169.13 	Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

169.14 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 469.40, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
169.15 		Subd. 11.Public infrastructure project. (a) "Public infrastructure project" means a 
169.16 	project financed in part or in whole with public money in order to support the medical 
169.17 	business entity's development plans, as identified in the DMCC development plan. A public 
169.18 	infrastructure project may:
169.19 	(1) acquire real property and other assets associated with the real property;
169.20 	(2) demolish, repair, or rehabilitate buildings;
169.21 	(3) remediate land and buildings as required to prepare the property for acquisition or 
169.22 	development;
169.23 	(4) install, construct, or reconstruct elements of public infrastructure required to support 
169.24 	the overall development of the destination medical center development district including,
169.25 	but not limited to,: streets, roadways, utilities systems and related facilities,; utility relocations 
169.26 	and replacements,; network and communication systems,; streetscape improvements,;
169.27 	drainage systems,; sewer and water systems,; subgrade structures and associated 
169.28 	improvements,; landscaping,; facade construction and restoration,; design and predesign, 
169.29 	including architectural, engineering, and similar services; legal, regulatory, and other 
169.30 	compliance services; construction costs, including all materials and supplies; wayfinding 
170.1 	and signage,; community engagement; transit costs incurred on or after March 16, 2020;
170.2 	and other components of community infrastructure;
170.3 	(5) acquire, construct or reconstruct, and equip parking facilities and other facilities to 
170.4 	encourage intermodal transportation and public transit;
170.5 	(6) install, construct or reconstruct, furnish, and equip parks, cultural, and recreational 
170.6 	facilities, facilities to promote tourism and hospitality, conferencing and conventions, and 
170.7 	broadcast and related multimedia infrastructure;
170.8 	(7) make related site improvements including, without limitation, excavation, earth 
170.9 	retention, soil stabilization and correction, and site improvements to support the destination 
170.10 	medical center development district;
170.11 	(8) prepare land for private development and to sell or lease land;
170.12 	(9) provide costs of relocation benefits to occupants of acquired properties; and
170.13 	(10) construct and equip all or a portion of one or more suitable structures on land owned 
170.14 	by the city for sale or lease to private development; provided, however, that the portion of 
170.15 	any structure directly financed by the city as a public infrastructure project must not be sold 
170.16 	or leased to a medical business entity.
170.17 	(b) A public infrastructure project is not a business subsidy under section 116J.993.
170.18 	(c) Public infrastructure project includes the planning, preparation, and modification of 
170.19 	the development plan under section 469.43. The cost of that planning, preparation, and any 
170.20 	modification is a capital cost of the public infrastructure project.

170.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

170.22 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 469.47, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
170.23 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
170.24 	the meanings given them.
170.25 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
170.26 	(c) "Construction projects" means:
170.27 	(1) for expenditures by a medical business entity, construction of buildings in the city 
170.28 	for which the building permit was issued after June 30, 2013; and
170.29 	(2) for any other expenditures, construction of privately owned buildings and other 
170.30 	improvements that are undertaken pursuant to or as part of the development plan and are 
170.31 	located within a medical center development district.
171.1 	(d) "Expenditures" means expenditures made by a medical business entity or by an 
171.2 	individual or private entity on construction projects for the capital cost of the project 
171.3 	including, but not limited to:
171.4 	(1) design and predesign, including architectural, engineering, and similar services;
171.5 	(2) legal, regulatory, and other compliance costs of the project;
171.6 	(3) land acquisition, demolition of existing improvements, and other site preparation 
171.7 	costs;
171.8 	(4) construction costs, including all materials and supplies of the project; and
171.9 	(5) equipment and furnishings that are attached to or become part of the real property.
171.10 	Expenditures excludes supplies and other items with a useful life of less than a year that 
171.11 	are not used or consumed in constructing improvements to real property or are otherwise 
171.12 	chargeable to capital costs.
171.13 	(e) "Qualified expenditures for the year" means the total certified expenditures since 
171.14 	June 30, 2013, through the end of the preceding year, minus $200,000,000.
171.15 	(f) "Transit costs" means the portions of a public infrastructure project that are for public 
171.16 	transit intended primarily to serve the district, such as including but not limited to buses 
171.17 	and other means of transit, transit stations, equipment, bus charging stations or bus charging 
171.18 	equipment, rights-of-way, and similar costs permitted under section 469.40, subdivision 
171.19 	11. This provision includes transit costs incurred on or after March 16, 2020.

171.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

171.21 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 469.47, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
171.22 		Subd. 5.State transit aid. (a) The city qualifies for state transit aid under this section 
171.23 	if the county contributes the required local matching contribution under subdivision 6 or 
171.24 	the city or county has agreed to make an equivalent contribution out of other funds for the 
171.25 	year.
171.26 	(b) If the city qualifies for aid under paragraph (a), the commissioner must pay the city 
171.27 	the state transit aid in the amount calculated under this paragraph. The amount of the state 
171.28 	transit aid for a year equals the qualified expenditures for the year, as certified by the 
171.29 	commissioner, multiplied by 0.75 percent, reduced bysubject to the amount of the required 
171.30 	local contribution under subdivision 6. City or county contributions that are in excess of 
171.31 	this ratio carry forward and are credited toward subsequent years. The maximum amount 
171.32 	of state transit aid payable in any year is limited to no more than $7,500,000. If the 
172.1 	commissioner determines that the city or county has not made the full required matching 
172.2 	local contribution for the year, the commissioner must pay state transit aid only in proportion 
172.3 	to the amount offor the matching contribution made for the year and any unpaid amount 
172.4 	is a carryover aid. The carryover aid must be paid in the first year after the required matching 
172.5 	contribution for that prior year is made and in which the aid entitlement for the current year 
172.6 	is less than the maximum annual limit, but only to the extent the carryover, when added to 
172.7 	the current year aid, is less than the maximum annual limit.
172.8 	(c) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of management and budget, 
172.9 	and representatives of the city and the corporation, must establish a total limit on the amount 
172.10 	of state aid payable under this subdivision that will be adequate to finance, in combination 
172.11 	with the local contribution, $116,000,000 of transit costs.
172.12 	(d) The city must use state transit aid it receives under this subdivision for transit costs. 
172.13 	The city must maintain appropriate records to document the use of the funds under this 
172.14 	requirement.

172.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

172.16 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 469.47, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
172.17 		Subd. 6.Transit aid; local matching contribution. (a) The required local matching 
172.18 	contribution for state transit aid equals the lesser of:
172.19 	(1) 40 percent of the state transit aid subject to the $7,500,000 limit under subdivision 
172.20 	5; or
172.21 	(2) the amount that would be raised by a 0.15 percent sales tax imposed by the county 
172.22 	in the preceding year.
172.23 	The county may impose the sales tax or the wheelage tax under section 469.46 to meet 
172.24 	this obligation.
172.25 	(b) If the county elects not to impose any of the taxes authorized under section 469.46, 
172.26 	the county, or city, or both, may agree to make the local contribution out of other available 
172.27 	funds, other than state aid payable under this section. The commissioner of revenue must 
172.28 	estimate the required amount and certify it to the commissioner, city, and county.

172.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

173.1 	Sec. 29. Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 4, article 8, section 30, is amended to 
173.2 	read:
173.3 	Sec. 30. CLEAN ENERGY CAREERS PILOT PROJECT.
 173.4 	(a) The commissioner of employment and economic development must issue a grant for 
173.5 	a pilot project to provide training pathways into careers in the clean energy sector for students 
173.6 	and young adults in underserved communities.
173.7 	(b) The pilot project must develop skills in program participants, short of the level 
173.8 	required for licensing under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 326, that are relevant to designing, 
173.9 	constructing, operating, or maintaining:
173.10 	(1) systems that produce renewable solar or wind energy;
173.11 	(2) improvements in energy efficiency, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 
173.12 	216B.241, subdivision 1;
173.13 	(3) energy storage systems, including battery technology, connected to renewable energy 
173.14 	facilities;
173.15 	(4) infrastructure for charging all-electric or electric hybrid motor vehicles; or
173.16 	(5) grid technologies that manage load and provide services to the distribution grid that 
173.17 	reduce energy consumption or shift demand to off-peak periods.
173.18 	(c) Training must be designed to create pathways to (1) a postsecondary degree, industry 
173.19 	certification, or a registered apprenticeship program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 178, 
173.20 	that is related to the fields in paragraph (b), and (2) stable career employment at a living 
173.21 	wage.
173.22 	(d) Money from a grant under this section may be used for all expenses related to the 
173.23 	training program, including curriculum, instructors, equipment, materials, and leasing and 
173.24 	improving space for use by the pilot program.
173.25 	(e) No later than January 15, 2022, and by January 15 of 2023 and, 2024, and 2025, 
173.26 	Northgate Development, LLC, shall submit an annual report to the commissioner of 
173.27 	employment and economic development that must include, at a minimum, information on:
173.28 	(1) program expenditures, including but not limited to amounts spent on curriculum, 
173.29 	instructors, equipment, materials, and leasing and improving space for use by the program;
173.30 	(2) other public or private funding sources, including in-kind donations, supporting the 
173.31 	pilot program;
174.1 	(3) the number of program participants;
174.2 	(4) demographic information on program participants including but not limited to race, 
174.3 	age, gender, and income; and
174.4 	(5) the number of program participants placed in a postsecondary program, industry 
174.5 	certification program, or registered apprenticeship program under Minnesota Statutes, 
174.6 	chapter 178.

174.7 	Sec. 30. Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 10, article 2, section 24, is amended to 
174.8 	read:
174.9 	Sec. 24. FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM FOR REMOTE RECREATIONAL 
174.10 	BUSINESSES.
 174.11 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. Lake of the Woods County shall establish a loan program 
174.12 	to make forgivable loans to eligible remote recreational businesses that experienced a loss 
174.13 	in revenue that is greater than 30 percent during the period between March 15, 2020 2021, 
174.14 	and March 15, 2021 2022, as compared with the previous year March 15, 2019, and March 
174.15 	15, 2020.
174.16 		Subd. 2.Definition. For the purposes of this section, "remote recreational business" 
174.17 	means a business in the contiguous United States that is:
174.18 	(1) a small business concern as defined under section 3 of the Small Business Act, United 
174.19 	States Code, title 15, section 632, operating in the recreational industry;
174.20 	(2) located within 75 miles of the United States and Canadian border; and
174.21 	(3) only accessible by land via Canada.
174.22 		Subd. 3.Eligibility. To be eligible for a forgivable loan, a remote recreational business 
174.23 	must:
174.24 	(1) have been in operation on March 15, 2020 2021;
174.25 	(2) show that the closure and ongoing COVID-19-related requirements of the United 
174.26 	States and Canadian border restricted the ability of American customers to access the location 
174.27 	of the remote recreational business; and
174.28 	(3) not have received a grant under the Main Street COVID-19 relief grant program.
174.29 		Subd. 4.Application. (a) Lake of the Woods County shall develop forms and procedures 
174.30 	for soliciting and reviewing applications for loans under this section.
175.1 	(b) Loans shall be made before April 1, 2022 December 30, 2023. Any funds not spent 
175.2 	by April 1December 30, 2022 2024, must be returned to the state general fund.
175.3 	(c) If there are insufficient funds to pay all claims in full, the county shall distribute 
175.4 	funds on a prorated basis.
175.5 		Subd. 5.Maximum loan amount. The maximum loan amount shall be equal to 75 
175.6 	percent of the remote recreational business's gross annual receipts for fiscal year 2020 2021, 
175.7 	not to exceed $500,000 per eligible remote recreational business.
175.8 		Subd. 6.Forgiveness. Loans are forgiven for a remote recreational business if the 
175.9 	business remains in operation for at least one year after the date of the loan. Lake of the 
175.10 	Woods County shall forgive 100 percent of the value of a loan received less the amount the 
175.11 	borrower received from:
175.12 	(1) any other loan forgiveness program, including any program established under the 
175.13 	CARES Act, Public Law 116-136; and
175.14 	(2) an advance received under section 1110 of the CARES Act, United States Code, title 
175.15 	15, section 9009.
175.16 		Subd. 7.Report to legislature. By January 15, 2023 April 30, 2024, Lake of the Woods 
175.17 	County shall report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over economic 
175.18 	development policy and finance on the loans provided to remote recreational businesses 
175.19 	under this section.

175.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

175.21 	Sec. 31. MINNESOTA EMPLOYER REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FUND.
 175.22 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in this 
175.23 	subdivision have the meanings given.
175.24 	(b) "Applicant" means any person, whether employed or unemployed, seeking or entering 
175.25 	into any arrangement for employment or change of employment with an eligible employer.
175.26 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
175.27 	(d) "Eligible employer" means an employer domiciled within the legal boundaries of 
175.28 	Minnesota and having its principal place of business as identified in its certificate of 
175.29 	incorporation in the state of Minnesota who:
175.30 	(1) employs not more than 500 employees on any business day during the preceding 
175.31 	calendar year; and
176.1 	(2) generates $5,000,000 or less in gross annual revenue.
176.2 	(e) "Employee" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 363A.03, 
176.3 	subdivision 15.
176.4 	(f) "Individual with a disability" has the meaning given to "qualified disabled person" 
176.5 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 363A.03, subdivision 36.
176.6 	(g) "Reasonable accommodation" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 
176.7 	363A.08, subdivision 6.
176.8 		Subd. 2.Reimbursement grant program established. The commissioner shall establish 
176.9 	a reasonable accommodation reimbursement grant program that reimburses eligible 
176.10 	employers for the cost of expenses incurred in providing reasonable accommodations for 
176.11 	individuals with a disability who are either applicants or employees of the eligible employer.
176.12 		Subd. 3.Application. (a) The commissioner must develop forms and procedures for 
176.13 	soliciting and reviewing applications for reimbursement under this section.
176.14 	(b) The program shall award reimbursements to eligible employers to the extent that 
176.15 	funds are available in the account established under subdivision 5 for this purpose.
176.16 	(c) Applications shall be processed on a first-received, first-processed basis within each 
176.17 	fiscal year until funding is exhausted. Applications received after funding has been exhausted 
176.18 	in a fiscal year are not eligible for reimbursement.
176.19 	(d) Documentation for reimbursement shall be provided by eligible employers in a form 
176.20 	approved by the commissioner.
176.21 		Subd. 4.Reimbursement awards. The maximum total reimbursement per eligible 
176.22 	employer in a fiscal year is $30,000 and:
176.23 	(1) submissions for onetime reasonable accommodation expenses must be no less than 
176.24 	$250 and no more than $15,000 per individual with a disability; and
176.25 	(2) submissions for ongoing reasonable accommodation expenses have no minimum or 
176.26 	maximum requirements.
176.27 		Subd. 5.Employer reasonable accommodation fund account established. The 
176.28 	employer reasonable accommodation fund account is created as an account in the special 
176.29 	revenue fund. Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes 
176.30 	of reimbursing eligible employers under this section.
176.31 		Subd. 6.Technical assistance and consultation. The commissioner may provide 
176.32 	technical assistance regarding requests for reasonable accommodations.
177.1 		Subd. 7.Administration and marketing costs. The commissioner may use up to 20 
177.2 	percent of the biennial appropriation for administration and marketing of this section.
177.3 		Subd. 8.Notification. By September 1, 2023, or within 60 days following final enactment, 
177.4 	whichever is later, and each year thereafter by June 30, the commissioner shall make publicly 
177.5 	available information regarding the availability of funds for reasonable accommodation 
177.6 	reimbursement and the procedure for requesting reimbursement under this section.
177.7 		Subd. 9.Reports to the legislature. By January 15, 2024, and each January 15 thereafter 
177.8 	until expiration, the commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority 
177.9 	members of the house of representatives and the senate committees with jurisdiction over 
177.10 	workforce development that details the use of grant funds. This report must include data on 
177.11 	the number of employer reimbursements the program made in the preceding calendar year. 
177.12 	The report must include:
177.13 	(1) the number and type of accommodations requested;
177.14 	(2) the cost of accommodations requested;
177.15 	(3) the employers from which the requests were made;
177.16 	(4) the number and type of accommodations that were denied and why;
177.17 	(5) any remaining balance left in the account; and
177.18 	(6) if the account was depleted, the date on which funds were exhausted and the number, 
177.19 	type, and cost of accommodations that were not reimbursed to employers.
177.20 		Subd. 10.Expiration. This section expires June 30, 2025, or when money appropriated 
177.21 	for its purpose expires, whichever is later.

177.22 	Sec. 32. CANADIAN BORDER COUNTIES ECONOMIC RELIEF PROGRAM.
 177.23 		Subdivision 1.Relief program established. The Northland Foundation must develop 
177.24 	and implement a Canadian border counties economic relief program to assist businesses 
177.25 	adversely affected by the 2021 closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or 
177.26 	the closures of the Canadian border since 2020.
177.27 		Subd. 2.Available relief. (a) The economic relief program established under this section 
177.28 	may include grants provided in this section to the extent that funds are available. Before 
177.29 	awarding a grant to the Northland Foundation for the relief program under this section:
177.30 	(1) the Northland Foundation must develop criteria, procedures, and requirements for:
177.31 	(i) determining eligibility for assistance;
178.1 	(ii) evaluating applications for assistance;
178.2 	(iii) awarding assistance; and
178.3 	(iv) administering the grant program authorized under this section;
178.4 	(2) the Northland Foundation must submit its criteria, procedures, and requirements 
178.5 	developed under clause (1) to the commissioner of employment and economic development 
178.6 	for review; and
178.7 	(3) the commissioner must approve the criteria, procedures, and requirements submitted 
178.8 	under clause (2).
178.9 	(b) The maximum grant to a business under this section is $50,000 per business.
178.10 		Subd. 3.Qualification requirements. To qualify for assistance under this section, a 
178.11 	business must:
178.12 	(1) be located within a county that shares a border with Canada;
178.13 	(2) document a reduction of at least ten percent in gross receipts in 2021 compared to 
178.14 	2019; and
178.15 	(3) provide a written explanation for how the 2021 closure of the Boundary Waters 
178.16 	Canoe Area Wilderness or the closures of the Canadian border since 2020 resulted in the 
178.17 	reduction in gross receipts documented under clause (2).
178.18 		Subd. 4.Monitoring. (a) The Northland Foundation must establish performance 
178.19 	measures, including but not limited to the following components:
178.20 	(1) the number of grants awarded and award amounts for each grant;
178.21 	(2) the number of jobs created or retained as a result of the assistance, including 
178.22 	information on the wages and benefit levels, the status of the jobs as full time or part time, 
178.23 	and the status of the jobs as temporary or permanent;
178.24 	(3) the amount of business activity and changes in gross revenues of the grant recipient 
178.25 	as a result of the assistance; and
178.26 	(4) the new tax revenue generated as a result of the assistance.
178.27 	(b) The commissioner of employment and economic development must monitor the 
178.28 	Northland Foundation's compliance with this section and the performance measures 
178.29 	developed under paragraph (a).
178.30 	(c) The Northland Foundation must comply with all requests made by the commissioner 
178.31 	under this section.
179.1 		Subd. 5.Business subsidy requirements. Minnesota Statutes, sections 116J.993 to 
179.2 	116J.995, do not apply to assistance under this section. Businesses in receipt of assistance 
179.3 	under this section must provide for job creation and retention goals, and wage and benefit 
179.4 	goals.
179.5 		Subd. 6.Administrative costs. The commissioner of employment and economic 
179.6 	development may use up to one percent of the appropriation made for this section for 
179.7 	administrative expenses of the department.

179.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023, and expires June 30, 2024.

179.9 	Sec. 33. COMMUNITY WEALTH-BUILDING GRANT PROGRAM PILOT 
179.10 	PROJECT.
179.11 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
179.12 	the meanings given.
179.13 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
179.14 	(c) "Community business" means a cooperative, an employee-owned business, or a 
179.15 	commercial land trust that is at least 51 percent owned by individuals from targeted groups.
179.16 	(d) "Partner organization" means a community development financial institution or 
179.17 	nonprofit corporation.
179.18 	(e) "Program" means the community wealth-building grant program created under this 
179.19 	section.
179.20 	(f) "Targeted groups" means persons who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, 
179.21 	immigrants, low-income, women, veterans, or persons with disabilities.
179.22 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The commissioner shall establish a community wealth-building 
179.23 	grant program to award grants to partner organizations to fund low-interest loans to 
179.24 	community businesses. The program must encourage tax-base revitalization, private 
179.25 	investment, job creation for targeted groups, creation and strengthening of business 
179.26 	enterprises, assistance to displaced businesses, and promotion of economic development in 
179.27 	low-income areas.
179.28 		Subd. 3.Administration. (a) The commissioner shall ensure that loans through the 
179.29 	program will fund community businesses statewide and shall make reasonable attempts to 
179.30 	balance the amount of funding available to community businesses inside and outside of the 
179.31 	metropolitan area as defined under section 473.121, subdivision 2.
180.1 	(b) Partner organizations that receive grants under this subdivision shall use up to ten 
180.2 	percent of their award to provide specialized technical and legal assistance, either directly 
180.3 	or through a partnership with organizations with expertise in shared ownership structures, 
180.4 	to community businesses and businesses in the process of transitioning to community 
180.5 	ownership.
180.6 		Subd. 4.Loans to community businesses. (a) A partner organization that receives a 
180.7 	grant under subdivision 3 shall establish a plan for making low-interest loans to community 
180.8 	businesses. The plan requires approval by the commissioner.
180.9 	(b) Under the plan:
180.10 	(1) the state contribution to each loan shall be no less than $50,000 and no more than 
180.11 	$500,000;
180.12 	(2) loans shall be made for projects that are unlikely to be undertaken unless a loan is 
180.13 	received under the program;
180.14 	(3) priority shall be given to loans to businesses in the lowest income areas;
180.15 	(4) the interest rate on a loan shall not be higher than the Wall Street Journal prime rate;
180.16 	(5) 50 percent of all repayments of principal on a loan under the program shall be used 
180.17 	to fund additional lending. The partner organization may retain the remainder of loan 
180.18 	repayments to service loans and provide further technical assistance;
180.19 	(6) the partner organization may charge a loan origination fee of no more than one 
180.20 	percent of the loan value and may retain that origination fee; and
180.21 	(7) a partner organization may not make a loan to a project in which it has an ownership 
180.22 	interest.
180.23 		Subd. 5.Reports. (a) The partner organization shall submit a report to the commissioner 
180.24 	by January 31 of 2024, 2025, and 2026. The report shall include:
180.25 	(1) an account of all loans made through the program the preceding calendar year and 
180.26 	the impact of those loans on community businesses and job creation for targeted groups;
180.27 	(2) information on the source and amount of money collected and distributed under the 
180.28 	program, its assets and liabilities, and an explanation of administrative expenses; and
180.29 	(3) an independent audit of grant funds performed in accordance with generally accepted 
180.30 	accounting practices and auditing standards.
181.1 	(b) By February 15 of 2024, 2025, and 2026, the commissioner shall submit a report to 
181.2 	the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
181.3 	over workforce and economic development on program outcomes, including copies of all 
181.4 	reports received under paragraph (a).

181.5 	Sec. 34. REPEALER.
 181.6 	Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 7, article 2, section 8, as amended by Laws 
181.7 	2021, First Special Session chapter 10, article 2, section 19, is repealed.

181.8 	ARTICLE 16
181.9 	EXPLORE MINNESOTA

181.10 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116U.05, is amended to read:
181.11 	116U.05 EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM.
181.12 	Explore Minnesota Tourism is created as an office in the executive branch with a director 
181.13 	appointed by the governor. The director is under the supervision of the commissioner of 
181.14 	employment and economic development and oversees Explore Minnesota Tourism and 
181.15 	Explore Minnesota for Business divisions. The director serves in the unclassified service 
181.16 	and must be qualified by experience and training in travel and tourism related fields.

181.17 	Sec. 2. [116U.06] EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM.
181.18 	Explore Minnesota Tourism is a division of Explore Minnesota and exists to support 
181.19 	Minnesota's economy through promotion and facilitation of travel to and within the state 
181.20 	of Minnesota.

181.21 	Sec. 3. [116U.07] EXPLORE MINNESOTA FOR BUSINESS.
181.22 	Explore Minnesota for Business is a division of Explore Minnesota. Its mission is to 
181.23 	promote overall livability and workforce and economic opportunity in Minnesota. Explore 
181.24 	Minnesota for Business works in conjunction with the department of employment and 
181.25 	economic development to establish and meet statewide goals in these areas.

181.26 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116U.10, is amended to read:
181.27 	116U.10 DEFINITIONS.
181.28 		Subdivision 1.Scope. As used in For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in 
181.29 	this section have the meanings given them.
182.1 		Subd. 2.Director. "Director" means the executive director of Explore Minnesota 
182.2 	Tourism.
182.3 		Subd. 3.Office. "Office" means Explore Minnesota Tourism.

182.4 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116U.15, is amended to read:
182.5 	116U.15 MISSION.
182.6 	(a) The mission of Explore Minnesota Tourism is to promote and facilitate increased 
182.7 	travel to and within the state of Minnesota, promote overall livability, and promote workforce 
182.8 	and economic opportunity in Minnesota. To further the mission of Explore Minnesota, the 
182.9 	office is advised by councils focused on tourism and talent attraction and business marketing. 
182.10 	Its goals are to:
182.11 	(1) expand public and private partnerships through increased interagency efforts and 
182.12 	increased tourism and business industry participation;
182.13 	(2) increase productivity through enhanced flexibility and options; and
182.14 	(3) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to manage the state's resources 
182.15 	and operate the office as efficiently as possible.
182.16 	(b) The director shall report to the legislature on the performance of the office's operations 
182.17 	and the accomplishment of its goals in the office's biennial budget according to section 
182.18 	16A.10, subdivision 1.

182.19 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116U.20, is amended to read:
182.20 	116U.20 ORGANIZATION.
182.21 	The director shall:
182.22 	(1) employ assistants and other officers, employees, and agents that the director considers 
182.23 	necessary to discharge the functions of the office; and
182.24 	(2) define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents, and delegate to them any of 
182.25 	the director's powers, duties, and responsibilities, subject to the director's control and under 
182.26 	conditions prescribed by the director.;
182.27 	(3) oversee the overall strategy and budgets of the Tourism and Business divisions; and
182.28 	(4) chair or cochair and oversee the Tourism and Business councils.

183.1 	Sec. 7. [116U.24] EXPLORE MINNESOTA COUNCILS.
183.2 	(a) The director shall be advised by the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council and Explore 
183.3 	Minnesota for Business Council, each consisting of voting members appointed by the 
183.4 	governor for four-year terms. The director of Explore Minnesota serves as the chair or 
183.5 	cochair of each council. The director may assign employees of the office to participate in 
183.6 	oversight of council operations.
183.7 	(b) Each council shall act to serve the broader interests of the council's divisions by 
183.8 	promoting activities and programs of the office that support, maintain, and expand the state's 
183.9 	domestic and international travel and trade markets, thereby generating increased visitor 
183.10 	expenditures, revenue, and employment.
183.11 	(c) Filling of membership vacancies is as provided in section 15.059. The terms of 
183.12 	one-half of the members shall be coterminous with the governor, and the terms of the 
183.13 	remaining one-half of the members shall end on the first Monday in January one year after 
183.14 	the terms of the other members. Members may serve until their successors are appointed 
183.15 	and qualify. Members are not compensated. A member may be reappointed.
183.16 	(d) The council shall meet at least four times per year and at other times determined by 
183.17 	each council.
183.18 	(e) If compliance with section 13D.02 is impractical, the Explore Minnesota councils 
183.19 	may conduct a meeting of their members by telephone or other electronic means so long as 
183.20 	the following conditions are met:
183.21 	(1) all members of each council participating in the meeting, wherever their physical 
183.22 	location, can hear one another and can hear all discussion and testimony;
183.23 	(2) members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the council can hear 
183.24 	clearly all discussion and testimony and all votes of members of each council and, if needed, 
183.25 	receive those services required by sections 15.44 and 15.441;
183.26 	(3) at least one member of each council is physically present at the regular meeting 
183.27 	location; and
183.28 	(4) all votes are conducted by roll call, so each member's vote on each issue can be 
183.29 	identified and recorded.
183.30 	(f) Each member of each council participating in a meeting by telephone or other 
183.31 	electronic means is considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum 
183.32 	and participating in all proceedings.
184.1 	(g) If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a meeting, each council, to 
184.2 	the extent practicable, shall allow a person to monitor the meeting electronically from a 
184.3 	remote location. Each council may require the person making such a connection to pay for 
184.4 	documented marginal costs that each council incurs as a result of the additional connection.
184.5 	(h) If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or 
184.6 	emergency meeting, the council shall provide notice of the regular meeting location, of the 
184.7 	fact that some members may participate by telephone or other electronic means, and whether 
184.8 	a cost will be incurred under paragraph (f). The timing and method of providing notice is 
184.9 	governed by section 13D.04.

184.10 	Sec. 8. [116U.242] EXPLORE MINNESOTA FOR BUSINESS COUNCIL.
184.11 	(a) The director shall be advised by the Explore Minnesota for Business Council 
184.12 	consisting of up to 14 voting members appointed by the governor for four-year terms, 
184.13 	including:
184.14 	(1) the director of Explore Minnesota and the commissioner of employment and economic 
184.15 	development, who serve as cochairs;
184.16 	(2) three representatives in marketing, human resources, or executive leadership from 
184.17 	Minnesota-based companies with more than 100 employees representing Minnesota's key 
184.18 	industries, including health care, technology, food and agriculture, manufacturing, retail, 
184.19 	energy, and support services;
184.20 	(3) two representatives from statewide or regional marketing or business association 
184.21 	leadership, the Iron Range, and nonprofits focused on economic development or human 
184.22 	resource management;
184.23 	(4) one representative from a Minnesota college or university staff, faculty, leadership, 
184.24 	student leadership, or alumni association;
184.25 	(5) one member representing Minnesota's start-up and entrepreneurial industry who has 
184.26 	started at least one Minnesota-based business in the last five years and has at least 20 
184.27 	employees;
184.28 	(6) two representatives from the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and Minnesota Tribal 
184.29 	leadership, including casino management;
184.30 	(7) two representatives from Minnesota's Ethnic Chambers of Commerce Leadership 
184.31 	and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; and
185.1 	(8) one at-large representative in the field of general marketing, talent attraction, or 
185.2 	economic development.
185.3 	(b) The council shall act to serve the broader interest of promoting overall livability and 
185.4 	workforce and economic opportunity in Minnesota. Members shall advise Explore Minnesota 
185.5 	for Business' marketing efforts by emphasizing and prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, 
185.6 	and accessibility and providing professional marketing insights.

185.7 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116U.30, is amended to read:
185.8 	116U.30 DUTIES OF DIRECTOR.
185.9 	(a) The director shall:
185.10 	(1) publish, disseminate, and distribute informational and promotional materials;
185.11 	(2) promote and encourage the coordination of Minnesota travel, tourism, overall 
185.12 	livability, and workforce and economic opportunity promotion efforts with other state 
185.13 	agencies and develop multiagency marketing strategies when appropriate;
185.14 	(3) promote and encourage the expansion and development of international tourism, 
185.15 	trade, and Minnesota livability marketing;
185.16 	(4) advertise and disseminate information about Minnesota travel, tourism, and workforce 
185.17 	and economic development opportunities;
185.18 	(5) aid various local communities to improve their travel, tourism, and overall livability
185.19 	marketing programs;
185.20 	(6) coordinate and implement a comprehensive state travel, tourism, workforce and 
185.21 	economic development, and overall livability marketing program programs that takes take
185.22 	into consideration public and private businesses and attractions;
185.23 	(7) contract, in accordance with section 16C.08, for professional services if the work or 
185.24 	services cannot be satisfactorily performed by employees of the agency or by any other 
185.25 	state agency;
185.26 	(8) provide local, regional, and statewide tourism organizations with information, 
185.27 	technical assistance, training, and advice on using state tourism and livability information 
185.28 	and programs; and
185.29 	(9) generally gather, compile, and make available statistical information relating to 
185.30 	Minnesota travel, tourism, workforce and economic development, overall livability, and 
185.31 	related areas in this state, with. The director has the authority to call upon other state agencies 
186.1 	for statistical data and results obtained by them and to arrange and compile that statistical 
186.2 	information.
186.3 	(b) The director may:
186.4 	(1) apply for, receive, and spend money for travel, tourism, workforce and economic 
186.5 	development, and overall livability development and marketing from other agencies and 
186.6 	tourism, organizations, and businesses;
186.7 	(2) apply for, accept, and disburse grants and other aids for tourism development and 
186.8 	marketing from the federal government and other sources;
186.9 	(3) enter into joint powers or cooperative agreements with agencies of the federal 
186.10 	government, local governmental units, regional development commissions, other state 
186.11 	agencies, the University of Minnesota and other educational institutions, other states, 
186.12 	Canadian provinces, and local, statewide, and regional tourism organizations as necessary 
186.13 	to perform the director's duties;
186.14 	(4) enter into interagency agreements and agree to share net revenues with the contributing 
186.15 	agencies;
186.16 	(5) make grants;
186.17 	(6) conduct market research and analysis to improve marketing techniques in the area 
186.18 	of travel, tourism, workforce and economic development, and overall livability;
186.19 	(7) monitor and study trends in the tourism industry related industries and provide 
186.20 	resources and training to address change;
186.21 	(8) annually convene conferences of Minnesota tourism providers for the purposes of 
186.22 	exchanging information on tourism development, coordinating marketing activities, and 
186.23 	formulating tourism, overall livability, and workforce and economic opportunity promotion
186.24 	development strategies; and
186.25 	(9) enter into tourism promotion contracts or other agreements with private persons and 
186.26 	public entities, including agreements to establish and maintain offices and other types of 
186.27 	representation in foreign countries, to promote international travel and to implement this 
186.28 	chapter.
186.29 	(c) Contracts for goods and nonprofessional technical services made under paragraph 
186.30 	(b), clauses (3) and (9), are not subject to the provisions of sections 16C.03, subdivision 3, 
186.31 	and 16C.06 concerning competitive bidding and section 16C.055 concerning barter 
186.32 	arrangements. Unless otherwise determined by the commissioner of administration, all other 
187.1 	provisions of chapter 16C apply to this section, including section 16C.08, relating to 
187.2 	professional and technical services. Contracts may be negotiated and are not subject to the 
187.3 	provisions of chapter 16C relating to competitive bidding.

187.4 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116U.35, is amended to read:
187.5 	116U.35 PROMOTIONAL EXPENSES.
187.6 	To promote travel, tourism, workforce and economic development, and overall livability
187.7 	of the state, the director may expend money appropriated by the legislature for these purposes 
187.8 	in the same manner as private persons, firms, corporations, and associations make 
187.9 	expenditures for these purposes. Policies on promotional expenses must be approved by the 
187.10 	Explore Minnesota Tourism Council and the commissioner of administration. A policy for 
187.11 	expenditures on food, lodging, and travel must be approved by the commissioner of 
187.12 	management and budget. No money may be expended for the appearance in radio or 
187.13 	television broadcasts by an elected public official.

187.14 	ARTICLE 17
187.15 	CAPITOL AREA

187.16 	Section 1. CAPITOL AREA COMMUNITY VITALITY TASK FORCE; 
187.17 	APPROPRIATION.
 187.18 		Subdivision 1.Task force established; membership. (a) A Capitol Area Community 
187.19 	Vitality Task Force is established. The task force consists of the following members:
187.20 	(1) the executive secretary of the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board;
187.21 	(2) one member of the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, appointed by the 
187.22 	board;
187.23 	(3) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house, 
187.24 	of whom one must be a member of the majority caucus of the house, and one must be a 
187.25 	member of the minority caucus of the house;
187.26 	(4) two members of the senate appointed by the majority leader of the senate, of whom 
187.27 	one must be a member of the majority caucus of the senate, and one must be a member of 
187.28 	the minority caucus of the senate;
187.29 	(5) four members who are residents, businesspeople, or members of local organizations 
187.30 	in the Capitol Area, appointed by the mayor of St. Paul; and
187.31 	(6) one member of the public appointed by the governor.
188.1 	(b) The task force must elect a chair and other officers from among its members. 
188.2 	Appointments to the task force must be made no later than July 15, 2023. The executive 
188.3 	secretary of the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board must convene the first 
188.4 	meeting of the task force no later than August 15, 2023.
188.5 	(c) As used in this section, "Capitol Area" includes that part of the city of St. Paul within 
188.6 	the boundaries described in Minnesota Statutes, section 15B.02.
188.7 		Subd. 2.Terms; compensation. The terms and compensation of members of the task 
188.8 	force are governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6.
188.9 		Subd. 3.Administrative support. The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board 
188.10 	must provide administrative support to assist the task force in its work.
188.11 		Subd. 4.Duties; report. The task force must consider and develop recommendations 
188.12 	for the administration, program plan, and oversight of the Capitol Area community vitality 
188.13 	account established by this act. The task force must submit its recommendations to the 
188.14 	Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board for approval. A report including the approved 
188.15 	recommendations must be submitted by the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board 
188.16 	to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the legislature with 
188.17 	jurisdiction over the board no later than February 1, 2024.
188.18 		Subd. 5.Expiration. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 
188.19 	6, the task force expires upon submission of the report required by subdivision 4.
188.20 		Subd. 6.Appropriation. $150,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general 
188.21 	fund to the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board to support the work of the task 
188.22 	force, including but not limited to payment of fees and other expenses necessary to retain 
188.23 	appropriate professional consultants, conduct public meetings, and facilitate other activities 
188.24 	as requested by the task force.

188.25 	Sec. 2. CAPITOL AREA COMMUNITY VITALITY ACCOUNT.
 188.26 		Subdivision 1.Account established; appropriation. (a) A Capitol Area community 
188.27 	vitality account is established in the special revenue fund. Money in the account is 
188.28 	appropriated to the commissioner of administration to improve the livability, economic 
188.29 	health, and safety of communities within the Capitol Area, provided that no funds may be 
188.30 	expended until a detailed program and oversight plan to govern their use, in accordance 
188.31 	with the spending recommendations of the Capitol Area Community Vitality Task Force 
188.32 	as approved by the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, has been further approved 
188.33 	by law.
189.1 	(b) As used in this section, "Capitol Area" includes that part of the city of St. Paul within 
189.2 	the boundaries described in Minnesota Statutes, section 15B.02.
189.3 		Subd. 2.Appropriation. $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is transferred from the general 
189.4 	fund to the Capitol Area community vitality account.

189.5 	ARTICLE 18
189.6 	PROMISE ACT

189.7 	Section 1. TITLE.
 189.8 	This article shall be known as the "Providing Resources and Opportunity and Maximizing 
189.9 	Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs (PROMISE) Act."

189.10 	Sec. 2. PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM.
 189.11 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
189.12 	the meanings given.
189.13 	(b) "Business" means both for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations that earn 
189.14 	revenue in ways similar to businesses.
189.15 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
189.16 	(d) "Partner organization" or "partner" means the Minnesota Initiative Foundations and 
189.17 	nonprofit corporations receiving grants to provide grants to businesses under this section.
189.18 	(e) "Program" means the PROMISE grant program under this section.
189.19 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The commissioner shall establish the PROMISE grant program 
189.20 	to make grants to partner organizations to make grants to businesses in communities that 
189.21 	have been adversely affected by structural racial discrimination, civil unrest, lack of access 
189.22 	to capital, loss of population or an aging population, or lack of regional economic 
189.23 	diversification.
189.24 		Subd. 3.Grants to partner organizations. (a) The commissioner shall make grants to 
189.25 	partner organizations to provide grants to businesses under subdivision 4 using criteria, 
189.26 	forms, applications, and reporting requirements developed by the commissioner.
189.27 	(b) Up to five percent of a grant under this subdivision may be used by the partner 
189.28 	organization for administration and monitoring of the program, and three percent of a grant 
189.29 	shall be used by the partner organization for technical assistance to grantees for help with 
189.30 	language, culture, and technology.
190.1 	(c) Any money not spent by partner organizations by June 30, 2027, must be returned 
190.2 	to the commissioner and canceled back to the general fund.
190.3 		Subd. 4.Grants to businesses. (a) Partners shall make grants to businesses using criteria, 
190.4 	forms, applications, and reporting requirements developed by the partner organization and 
190.5 	approved by the commissioner.
190.6 	(b) To be eligible for a grant under this subdivision, a business must:
190.7 	(1) have primary business operations located in the state of Minnesota;
190.8 	(2) be located in a community that has been adversely affected by structural racial 
190.9 	discrimination, civil unrest, lack of access to capital, a loss of population or an aging 
190.10 	population, or a lack of regional economic diversification; and
190.11 	(3) have a gross annual revenue of $750,000 or less based on 2021 taxes.
190.12 	(c) Preference shall be given to businesses that did not receive previous assistance of 
190.13 	more than $10,000 cumulatively from the state under:
190.14 	(1) the governor's Executive Order No. 20-15;
190.15 	(2) Laws 2020, First Special Session chapter 1, section 4;
190.16 	(3) Laws 2020, Seventh Special Session chapter 2, article 4 or 5; or
190.17 	(4) Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 10, article 2, section 22.
190.18 	(d) Preference shall be given to businesses that are able to demonstrate financial hardship.
190.19 	(e) Grants under this subdivision must not exceed:
190.20 	(1) $10,000 for businesses with a gross revenue in the prior year of $100,000 or less;
190.21 	(2) $25,000 for businesses with a gross revenue in the prior year of more than $100,000 
190.22 	but no more than $350,000; and
190.23 	(3) $50,000 for businesses with a gross revenue in the prior year of more than $350,000 
190.24 	but no more than $750,000.
190.25 	(f) No business or individual may receive more than one grant under this section.
190.26 	(g) Grant money may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent or 
190.27 	mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other similar expenses that occur in the 
190.28 	regular course of business.
190.29 		Subd. 5.Grant requirements. All grants to businesses under this section are subject to 
190.30 	the grant-making requirements in sections 16B.97, 16B.98, and 16B.991.
191.1 		Subd. 6.Reports. (a) By January 31, 2026, partner organizations participating in the 
191.2 	program must provide a report to the commissioner that includes descriptions of the 
191.3 	businesses supported by the program, the amounts granted, and an explanation of 
191.4 	administrative expenses.
191.5 	(b) By March 15, 2026, the commissioner must report to the legislative committees in 
191.6 	the house of representatives and senate with jurisdiction over economic development about 
191.7 	grants made under this section based on the information received under paragraph (a).
191.8 		Subd. 7.Expiration. This section expires December 31, 2027.

191.9 	Sec. 3. PROMISE LOAN PROGRAM.
 191.10 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
191.11 	the meanings given.
191.12 	(b) "Borrower" means an eligible recipient receiving a loan under this section.
191.13 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
191.14 	(d) "Eligible project" means the development, redevelopment, demolition, site preparation, 
191.15 	predesign, design, engineering, repair, land acquisition, relocation, or renovation of real 
191.16 	property or capital improvements. Eligible project includes but is not limited to construction 
191.17 	of buildings, infrastructure, related site amenities, landscaping, and street-scaping.
191.18 	(e) "Eligible recipient" means a:
191.19 	(1) business;
191.20 	(2) nonprofit organization; or
191.21 	(3) developer that is seeking funding to complete an eligible project. Eligible recipient 
191.22 	does not include a partner organization or a local unit of government.
191.23 	Eligible recipients must: (i) have primary operations located in the state of Minnesota; (ii) 
191.24 	have gross annual revenue of less than $1,000,000 based on 2021 taxes; and (iii) be located 
191.25 	in a community that has been adversely affected by structural racial discrimination, civil 
191.26 	unrest, lack of access to capital, a loss of population or an aging population, or a lack of 
191.27 	regional economic diversification.
191.28 	(f) "Partner organization" or "Partner" means the Minnesota Initiative Foundations and 
191.29 	nonprofit corporations receiving grants to provide loans under this section.
191.30 	(g) "Program" means the PROMISE loan program under this section.
192.1 	(h) "Redevelopment" means the acquisition of real property; site preparation; predesign, 
192.2 	design, engineering, repair, or renovation of facilities faÃ§ade improvements, and construction 
192.3 	of buildings, infrastructure, and related site amenities; landscaping; street-scaping; 
192.4 	land-banking for future development or redevelopment; or financing any of these activities 
192.5 	taken on by a private party pursuant to an agreement with the city. Redevelopment does not 
192.6 	include project costs that have received compensation or assistance available through 
192.7 	insurance policies or from other organizations or government agencies.
192.8 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The commissioner shall establish the PROMISE loan program 
192.9 	to make grants to partner organizations to make loans to eligible recipients in communities 
192.10 	that have been adversely affected by structural racial discrimination, civil unrest, lack of 
192.11 	access to capital, a loss of population or an aging population, or a lack of regional economic 
192.12 	diversification.
192.13 		Subd. 3.Grants to partner organizations. (a) The commissioner shall make grants to 
192.14 	partner organizations to provide loans to eligible recipients as specified under this section.
192.15 	(b) Up to five percent of a grant under this subdivision may be used by the partner 
192.16 	organization for administration and monitoring of the program, and up to three percent of 
192.17 	a grant may be used by the partner organization for technical assistance to borrowers.
192.18 	(c) Any funds from the original appropriation that remain unspent by partner organizations 
192.19 	by June 30, 2027, must be returned to the commissioner and canceled back to the general 
192.20 	fund.
192.21 		Subd. 4.Loans to eligible recipients. (a) A partner organization may make loans to 
192.22 	eligible recipients for eligible projects. A loan to an eligible recipient for an eligible project 
192.23 	must:
192.24 	(1) be for no more than $1,000,000;
192.25 	(2) be for a term of no more than ten years; and
192.26 	(3) not charge an interest rate of more than three percent.
192.27 	(b) Loans must not be used for working capital or inventory; consolidating, repaying, 
192.28 	or refinancing debt; or speculation or investment in rental real estate.
192.29 	(c) All payments of interest on a loan under this section are the property of the partner 
192.30 	organization and shall be used for its administrative and operating expenses under the 
192.31 	program.
192.32 	(d) A partner organization may:
193.1 	(1) charge a loan origination fee of no more than one percent per loan; and
193.2 	(2) charge a monthly fee in lieu of interest.
193.3 		Subd. 5.Revolving loan fund. Partner organizations that receive grants from the 
193.4 	commissioner under the program must establish a commissioner-certified revolving loan 
193.5 	fund for the purpose of making eligible loans. All loan payments shall be deposited in the 
193.6 	partner organization's revolving loan fund.
193.7 		Subd. 6.Preference. (a) Priority shall be given to those eligible recipients that have not 
193.8 	received more than $10,000 cumulatively from a grant under a Main Street COVID-19 
193.9 	relief grant program or a loan from the Main Street Economic Revitalization Loan Program.
193.10 	(b) Priority may also be given to projects that involve developers who are Black, 
193.11 	Indigenous, or People of Color; veterans; or women.
193.12 		Subd. 7.Oversight. Grants and any loans to borrowers under this section are subject to 
193.13 	the grant-making requirements in sections 16B.97, 16B.98, and 16B.991.
193.14 		Subd. 8.Reports. (a) By January 31, 2026, partner organizations participating in the 
193.15 	program must provide a report to the commissioner that includes descriptions of the eligible 
193.16 	recipients supported by the program, the amounts loaned, and an explanation of administrative 
193.17 	expenses.
193.18 	(b) By March 15, 2026, the commissioner must report to the legislative committees in 
193.19 	the house of representatives and senate with jurisdiction over economic development about 
193.20 	loans made under this section based on the information received under paragraph (a).
193.21 		Subd. 9.Expiration. This section expires December 31, 2033.

193.22 	ARTICLE 19
193.23 	APPROPRIATIONS; LABOR

193.24	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
193.25 	(a) The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the 
193.26 	agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the 
193.27 	general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for 
193.28 	each purpose. The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations 
193.29 	listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, 
193.30 	respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The 
193.31 	biennium" is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
194.1 	(b) If an appropriation in this article is enacted more than once in the 2023 regular or 
194.2 	special legislative session, the appropriation must be given effect only once.

194.3				APPROPRIATIONS
	
194.4				Available for the Year
	
194.5				Ending June 30
	
194.6					2024
		2025

194.7
194.8	Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND 
INDUSTRY

194.9	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	47,710,000
	$
	44,044,000

194.10	Appropriations by Fund
	
194.11		2024
	2025
	
194.12	General
	7,200,000
	4,889,000
	
194.13
194.14	Workers' 
Compensation
	30,599,000
	32,390,000
	
194.15
194.16	Workforce 
Development
	9,911,000
	6,765,000
	
194.17 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
194.18 	purpose are specified in the following 
194.19 	subdivisions. The general fund base for this 
194.20 	appropriation is $4,936,000 in fiscal year 2026 
194.21 	and $4,958,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each 
194.22 	year thereafter. The workers compensation 
194.23 	fund base is $32,749,000 in fiscal year 2026 
194.24 	and $32,458,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each 
194.25 	year thereafter.  The workforce development 
194.26 	fund base is $6,765,000 in fiscal year 2026 
194.27 	and each year thereafter.

194.28	Subd. 2.General Support
 		8,765,000
		9,106,000
	
194.29 	This appropriation is from the workers' 
194.30 	compensation fund.

194.31	Subd. 3.Labor Standards
 		6,520,000
		6,270,000

194.32	Appropriations by Fund
	
194.33	General
	4,957,000
	4,635,000
	
194.34
194.35	Workforce 
Development
	1,563,000
	1,635,000
	
195.1 	The general fund base for this appropriation 
195.2 	is $4,682,000 in fiscal year 2026 and 
195.3 	$4,704,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each year 
195.4 	thereafter.
195.5 	(a) $2,046,000 each year is for wage theft 
195.6 	prevention.
195.7 	(b) $1,563,000 the first year and $1,635,000 
195.8 	the second year are from the workforce 
195.9 	development fund for prevailing wage 
195.10 	enforcement.
195.11 	(c) $134,000 the first year and $134,000 the 
195.12 	second year are for outreach and enforcement 
195.13 	efforts related to changes to the nursing 
195.14 	mothers, lactating employees, and pregnancy 
195.15 	accommodations law.
195.16 	(d) $661,000 the first year and $357,000 the 
195.17 	second year are to perform work for the 
195.18 	Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. 
195.19 	The base for this appropriation is $404,000 in 
195.20 	fiscal year 2026 and $357,000 in fiscal year 
195.21 	2027.
195.22 	(e) $225,000 the first year and $169,000 the 
195.23 	second year are for the purposes of the Safe 
195.24 	Workplaces for Meat and Poultry Processing 
195.25 	Workers Act.
195.26 	(f) $27,000 the first year is for the creation 
195.27 	and distribution of a veterans' benefits and 
195.28 	services poster under Minnesota Statutes, 
195.29 	section 181.536.

195.30	Subd. 4.Workers' Compensation
 		15,190,000
		15,725,000
	
195.31 	This appropriation is from the workers' 
195.32 	compensation fund.

195.33	Subd. 5.Workplace Safety
 		8,644,000
		7,559,000

196.1	Appropriations by Fund
	
196.2	General
	2,000,000
	-0-
	
196.3
196.4	Workers' 
Compensation
	6,644,000
	7,559,000
	
196.5 	The workers compensation fund base for this 
196.6 	appropriation is $7,918,000 in fiscal year 2026 
196.7 	and $7,627,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each 
196.8 	year thereafter.
196.9 	$2,000,000 the first year is for the ergonomics 
196.10 	safety grant program. This appropriation is 
196.11 	available until June 30, 2026. This is a onetime 
196.12 	appropriation.

196.13	Subd. 6.Workforce Development Initiatives
 		2,359,000
		2,371,000
	
196.14 	(a) This appropriation is from the workforce 
196.15 	development fund.
196.16 	(b) $300,000 each year is from the workforce 
196.17 	development fund for the pipeline program.
196.18 	(c) $200,000 each year is from the workforce 
196.19 	development fund for identification of 
196.20 	competency standards under Minnesota 
196.21 	Statutes, section 175.45.
196.22 	(d) $1,500,000 each year is from the 
196.23 	workforce development fund for youth skills 
196.24 	training grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
196.25 	section 175.46.
196.26 	(e) $359,000 the first year and $371,000 the 
196.27 	second year are from the workforce 
196.28 	development fund for administration of the 
196.29 	youth skills training grants under Minnesota 
196.30 	Statutes, section 175.46.

196.31	Subd. 7.Combative Sports
 		243,000
		254,000

196.32	Subd. 8.Apprenticeship
 		5,989,000
		2,759,000
	
197.1 	(a) This appropriation is from the workforce 
197.2 	development fund. The base for this 
197.3 	appropriation is $2,759,000 in fiscal year 2026 
197.4 	and each year thereafter.
197.5 	(b) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
197.6 	the second year are from the workforce 
197.7 	development fund for labor education and 
197.8 	advancement program grants under Minnesota 
197.9 	Statutes, section 178.11.
197.10 	(c) $3,000,000 the first year is from the 
197.11 	workforce development fund for grants to 
197.12 	registered apprenticeship programs for clean 
197.13 	economy occupations. Of this amount, up to 
197.14 	five percent is for administration and 
197.15 	monitoring of the program. This appropriation 
197.16 	is onetime and available until June 30, 2026. 
197.17 	Grants may be used to:
197.18 	(1) purchase equipment or training materials 
197.19 	in clean technologies;
197.20 	(2) fund instructor professional development 
197.21 	in clean technologies;
197.22 	(3) design and refine curriculum in clean 
197.23 	technologies; and
197.24 	(4) train apprentices and upskill incumbent 
197.25 	workers in clean technologies.
197.26 	(d) $300,000 the first year is from the 
197.27 	workforce development fund for a grant to 
197.28 	Independent School District No. 294, Houston, 
197.29 	for the Minnesota Virtual Academy's career 
197.30 	pathways program with Operating Engineers 
197.31 	Local 49. This appropriation does not cancel 
197.32 	and is available until June 30, 2025. The 
197.33 	following requirements apply:
198.1 	(1) the career pathways program must 
198.2 	encourage, support, and provide continuity for 
198.3 	student participation in structured career 
198.4 	pathways. The program may include up to five 
198.5 	semesters of coursework and must lead to 
198.6 	eligibility for the Operating Engineers Local 
198.7 	49 apprenticeship program. The career 
198.8 	pathways program must provide outreach to 
198.9 	and encourage participation in the program by 
198.10 	students of color, Indigenous students, 
198.11 	students from low-income families, students 
198.12 	located throughout Minnesota, and 
198.13 	underserved students;
198.14 	(2) the grant may be used to encourage and 
198.15 	support student participation in the career 
198.16 	pathways program through additional 
198.17 	academic, counseling, and other support 
198.18 	services provided by the student's enrolling 
198.19 	school district. The Minnesota Virtual 
198.20 	Academy may contract with a student's 
198.21 	enrolling school district to provide these 
198.22 	services; and
198.23 	(3) on January 15 of each year following the 
198.24 	receipt of a grant, Independent School District 
198.25 	No. 294, Houston, must submit a written 
198.26 	report to the legislative committees having 
198.27 	jurisdiction over education and workforce 
198.28 	development. A grant award and report must 
198.29 	be in accordance with the provisions of 
198.30 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 3.195 and 
198.31 	127A.20. The report must describe students' 
198.32 	experiences with the program; document the 
198.33 	program's spending and the number of students 
198.34 	participating in the program and entering into 
198.35 	the apprenticeship program; include 
199.1 	geographic and demographic information on 
199.2 	the program participants; make 
199.3 	recommendations to improve the support of 
199.4 	career pathways programs statewide; and make 
199.5 	recommendations to improve student 
199.6 	participation in career pathways programs.
199.7 	(e) $225,000 the first year and $225,000 the 
199.8 	second year are from the workforce 
199.9 	development fund for grants to Building 
199.10 	Strong Communities for the Helmets to 
199.11 	Hardhats Minnesota initiative. Grant money 
199.12 	must be used to recruit, retain, assist, and 
199.13 	support National Guard, reserve, and active 
199.14 	duty military members' and veterans' 
199.15 	participation in apprenticeship programs 
199.16 	registered with the Department of Labor and 
199.17 	Industry and connect service members and 
199.18 	veterans with career training and employment 
199.19 	in the building and construction industry. The 
199.20 	recruitment, selection, employment, and 
199.21 	training must be without discrimination due 
199.22 	to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, 
199.23 	sex, sexual orientation, marital status, physical 
199.24 	or mental disability, receipt of public 
199.25 	assistance, or age.

199.26
199.27	Sec. 3. WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT 
OF APPEALS
 	$
	2,583,000
	$
	2,563,000
	
199.28 	This appropriation is from the workers' 
199.29 	compensation fund.

199.30	Sec. 4. BUREAU OF MEDIATION SERVICES
 	$
	3,707,000
	$
	3,789,000
	
199.31 	(a) $750,000 each year is for purposes of the 
199.32 	Public Employment Relations Board under 
199.33 	Minnesota Statutes, section 179A.041.
199.34 	(b) $68,000 each year is for grants to area 
199.35 	labor management committees. Grants may 
200.1 	be awarded for a 12-month period beginning 
200.2 	July 1 each year. Any unencumbered balance 
200.3 	remaining at the end of the first year does not 
200.4 	cancel but is available for the second year.
200.5 	(c) $47,000 each year is for rulemaking, 
200.6 	staffing, and other costs associated with peace 
200.7 	officer grievance procedures.

200.8 	ARTICLE 20
200.9 	APPROPRIATIONS; JOBS

200.10	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
200.11 	(a) The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the 
200.12 	agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the 
200.13 	general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for 
200.14 	each purpose. The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations 
200.15 	listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, 
200.16 	respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The 
200.17 	biennium" is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
200.18 	(b) If an appropriation in this article is enacted more than once in the 2023 regular or 
200.19 	special legislative session, the appropriation must be given effect only once.

200.20				APPROPRIATIONS
	
200.21				Available for the Year
	
200.22				Ending June 30
	
200.23					2024
		2025

200.24
200.25	Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT 
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

200.26	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	382,802,000
	$
	310,131,000

200.27	Appropriations by Fund
	
200.28		2024
	2025
	
200.29	General
	352,525,000
	279,854,000
	
200.30	Remediation
	700,000
	700,000
	
200.31
200.32	Workforce 
Development
	30,277,000
	30,277,000
	
201.1 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
201.2 	purpose are specified in the following 
201.3 	subdivisions.

201.4	Subd. 2.Business and Community Development
 		195,061,000
		139,929,000

201.5	Appropriations by Fund
	
201.6	General
	193,011,000
	137,879,000
	
201.7	Remediation
	700,000
	700,000
	
201.8
201.9	Workforce 
Development
	1,350,000
	1,350,000
	
201.10 	(a) $2,287,000 each year is for the greater 
201.11 	Minnesota business development public 
201.12 	infrastructure grant program under Minnesota 
201.13 	Statutes, section 116J.431. This appropriation 
201.14 	is available until June 30, 2027.
201.15 	(b) $500,000 each year is for grants to small 
201.16 	business development centers under Minnesota 
201.17 	Statutes, section 116J.68. Money made 
201.18 	available under this paragraph may be used to 
201.19 	match funds under the federal Small Business 
201.20 	Development Center (SBDC) program under 
201.21 	United States Code, title 15, section 648, to 
201.22 	provide consulting and technical services or 
201.23 	to build additional SBDC network capacity to 
201.24 	serve entrepreneurs and small businesses.
201.25 	(c) $2,500,000 each year is for Launch 
201.26 	Minnesota. These are onetime appropriations. 
201.27 	Of this amount:
201.28 	(1) $1,500,000 each year is for innovation 
201.29 	grants to eligible Minnesota entrepreneurs or 
201.30 	start-up businesses to assist with their 
201.31 	operating needs;
201.32 	(2) $500,000 each year is for administration 
201.33 	of Launch Minnesota; and
202.1 	(3) $500,000 each year is for grantee activities 
202.2 	at Launch Minnesota.
202.3 	(d)(1) $500,000 each year is for grants to 
202.4 	MNSBIR, Inc., to support moving scientific 
202.5 	excellence and technological innovation from 
202.6 	the lab to the market for start-ups and small 
202.7 	businesses by securing federal research and 
202.8 	development funding. The purpose of the grant 
202.9 	is to build a strong Minnesota economy and 
202.10 	stimulate the creation of novel products, 
202.11 	services, and solutions in the private sector; 
202.12 	strengthen the role of small business in 
202.13 	meeting federal research and development 
202.14 	needs; increase the commercial application of 
202.15 	federally supported research results; and 
202.16 	develop and increase the Minnesota 
202.17 	workforce, especially by fostering and 
202.18 	encouraging participation by small businesses 
202.19 	owned by women and people who are Black, 
202.20 	Indigenous, or people of color. This is a 
202.21 	onetime appropriation.
202.22 	(2) MNSBIR, Inc., shall use the grant money 
202.23 	to be the dedicated resource for federal 
202.24 	research and development for small businesses 
202.25 	of up to 500 employees statewide to support 
202.26 	research and commercialization of novel ideas, 
202.27 	concepts, and projects into cutting-edge 
202.28 	products and services for worldwide economic 
202.29 	impact. MNSBIR, Inc., shall use grant money 
202.30 	to:
202.31 	(i) assist small businesses in securing federal 
202.32 	research and development funding, including 
202.33 	the Small Business Innovation Research and 
202.34 	Small Business Technology Transfer programs 
203.1 	and other federal research and development 
203.2 	funding opportunities;
203.3 	(ii) support technology transfer and 
203.4 	commercialization from the University of 
203.5 	Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and federal 
203.6 	laboratories;
203.7 	(iii) partner with large businesses;
203.8 	(iv) conduct statewide outreach, education, 
203.9 	and training on federal rules, regulations, and 
203.10 	requirements;
203.11 	(v) assist with scientific and technical writing;
203.12 	(vi) help manage federal grants and contracts; 
203.13 	and
203.14 	(vii) support cost accounting and sole-source 
203.15 	procurement opportunities.
203.16 	(e) $10,000,000 the first year is for the 
203.17 	Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund 
203.18 	Program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
203.19 	116J.8733. This is a onetime appropriation 
203.20 	and is available until June 30, 2025.
203.21 	(f) $6,425,000 each year is for the small 
203.22 	business assistance partnerships program 
203.23 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.682. 
203.24 	All grant awards shall be for two consecutive 
203.25 	years. Grants shall be awarded in the first year. 
203.26 	The department may use up to five percent of 
203.27 	the appropriation for administrative purposes. 
203.28 	The base for this appropriation is $2,725,000 
203.29 	in fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter.
203.30 	(g) $350,000 each year is for administration 
203.31 	of the community energy transition office.
203.32 	(h) $5,000,000 each year is transferred from 
203.33 	the general fund to the community energy 
204.1 	transition account for grants under Minnesota 
204.2 	Statutes, section 116J.55. This is a onetime 
204.3 	transfer.
204.4 	(i) $1,772,000 each year is for contaminated 
204.5 	site cleanup and development grants under 
204.6 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 116J.551 to 
204.7 	116J.558. This appropriation is available until 
204.8 	expended.
204.9 	(j) $700,000 each year is from the remediation 
204.10 	fund for contaminated site cleanup and 
204.11 	development grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
204.12 	sections 116J.551 to 116J.558. This 
204.13 	appropriation is available until expended.
204.14 	(k) $389,000 each year is for the Center for 
204.15 	Rural Policy and Development. The base for 
204.16 	this appropriation is $139,000 in fiscal year 
204.17 	2026 and each year thereafter.
204.18 	(l) $25,000 each year is for the administration 
204.19 	of state aid for the Destination Medical Center 
204.20 	under Minnesota Statutes, sections 469.40 to 
204.21 	469.47.
204.22 	(m) $875,000 each year is for the host 
204.23 	community economic development program 
204.24 	established in Minnesota Statutes, section 
204.25 	116J.548.
204.26 	(n) $6,500,000 each year is for grants to local 
204.27 	communities to increase the number of quality 
204.28 	child care providers to support economic 
204.29 	development. Fifty percent of grant money 
204.30 	must go to communities located outside the 
204.31 	seven-county metropolitan area as defined in 
204.32 	Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, 
204.33 	subdivision 2. The base for this appropriation 
205.1 	is $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year 
205.2 	thereafter.
205.3 	Grant recipients must obtain a 50 percent 
205.4 	nonstate match to grant money in either cash 
205.5 	or in-kind contribution, unless the 
205.6 	commissioner waives the requirement. Grant 
205.7 	money available under this subdivision must 
205.8 	be used to implement projects to reduce the 
205.9 	child care shortage in the state, including but 
205.10 	not limited to funding for child care business 
205.11 	start-ups or expansion, training, facility 
205.12 	modifications, direct subsidies or incentives 
205.13 	to retain employees, or improvements required 
205.14 	for licensing, and assistance with licensing 
205.15 	and other regulatory requirements. In awarding 
205.16 	grants, the commissioner must give priority 
205.17 	to communities that have demonstrated a 
205.18 	shortage of child care providers.
205.19 	Within one year of receiving grant money, 
205.20 	grant recipients must report to the 
205.21 	commissioner on the outcomes of the grant 
205.22 	program, including but not limited to the 
205.23 	number of new providers, the number of 
205.24 	additional child care provider jobs created, the 
205.25 	number of additional child care openings, and 
205.26 	the amount of cash and in-kind local money 
205.27 	invested. Within one month of all grant 
205.28 	recipients reporting on program outcomes, the 
205.29 	commissioner must report the grant recipients' 
205.30 	outcomes to the chairs and ranking members 
205.31 	of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
205.32 	over early learning and child care and 
205.33 	economic development.
206.1 	(o) $500,000 each year is for the Office of 
206.2 	Child Care Community Partnerships. Of this 
206.3 	amount:
206.4 	(1) $450,000 each year is for administration 
206.5 	of the Office of Child Care Community 
206.6 	Partnerships; and
206.7 	(2) $50,000 each year is for the Labor Market 
206.8 	Information Office to conduct research and 
206.9 	analysis related to the child care industry.
206.10 	(p) $3,500,000 each year is for grants in equal 
206.11 	amounts to each of the Minnesota Initiative 
206.12 	Foundations. This appropriation is available 
206.13 	until June 30, 2027. The base for this 
206.14 	appropriation is $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 
206.15 	and each year thereafter. The Minnesota 
206.16 	Initiative Foundations must use grant money 
206.17 	under this section to:
206.18 	(1) facilitate planning processes for rural 
206.19 	communities resulting in a community solution 
206.20 	action plan that guides decision making to 
206.21 	sustain and increase the supply of quality child 
206.22 	care in the region to support economic 
206.23 	development;
206.24 	(2) engage the private sector to invest local 
206.25 	resources to support the community solution 
206.26 	action plan and ensure quality child care is a 
206.27 	vital component of additional regional 
206.28 	economic development planning processes;
206.29 	(3) provide locally based training and technical 
206.30 	assistance to rural business owners 
206.31 	individually or through a learning cohort. 
206.32 	Access to financial and business development 
206.33 	assistance must prepare child care businesses 
206.34 	for quality engagement and improvement by 
207.1 	stabilizing operations, leveraging funding from 
207.2 	other sources, and fostering business acumen 
207.3 	that allows child care businesses to plan for 
207.4 	and afford the cost of providing quality child 
207.5 	care; and
207.6 	(4) recruit child care programs to participate 
207.7 	in quality rating and improvement 
207.8 	measurement programs. The Minnesota 
207.9 	Initiative Foundations must work with local 
207.10 	partners to provide low-cost training, 
207.11 	professional development opportunities, and 
207.12 	continuing education curricula. The Minnesota 
207.13 	Initiative Foundations must fund, through local 
207.14 	partners, an enhanced level of coaching to 
207.15 	rural child care providers to obtain a quality 
207.16 	rating through measurement programs.
207.17 	(q) $8,000,000 each year is for the Minnesota 
207.18 	job creation fund under Minnesota Statutes, 
207.19 	section 116J.8748. Of this amount, the 
207.20 	commissioner of employment and economic 
207.21 	development may use up to three percent for 
207.22 	administrative expenses. This appropriation 
207.23 	is available until expended. Notwithstanding 
207.24 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8748, money 
207.25 	appropriated for the job creation fund may be 
207.26 	used for redevelopment under Minnesota 
207.27 	Statutes, sections 116J.575 and 116J.5761, at 
207.28 	the discretion of the commissioner.
207.29 	(r) $12,370,000 each year is for the Minnesota 
207.30 	investment fund under Minnesota Statutes, 
207.31 	section 116J.8731. Of this amount, the 
207.32 	commissioner of employment and economic 
207.33 	development may use up to three percent for 
207.34 	administration and monitoring of the program. 
207.35 	This appropriation is available until expended. 
208.1 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
208.2 	116J.8731, money appropriated to the 
208.3 	commissioner for the Minnesota investment 
208.4 	fund may be used for the redevelopment 
208.5 	program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
208.6 	116J.575 and 116J.5761, at the discretion of 
208.7 	the commissioner. Grants under this paragraph 
208.8 	are not subject to the grant amount limitation 
208.9 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8731.
208.10 	(s) $4,246,000 each year is for the 
208.11 	redevelopment program under Minnesota 
208.12 	Statutes, sections 116J.575 and 116J.5761. 
208.13 	The base for this appropriation is $2,246,000 
208.14 	in fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter. 
208.15 	This appropriation is available until expended.
208.16 	(t) $1,000,000 each year is for the Minnesota 
208.17 	emerging entrepreneur loan program under 
208.18 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116M.18. Money 
208.19 	available under this paragraph is for transfer 
208.20 	into the emerging entrepreneur program 
208.21 	special revenue fund account created under 
208.22 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116M, and are 
208.23 	available until expended. Of this amount, up 
208.24 	to four percent is for administration and 
208.25 	monitoring of the program.
208.26 	(u) $325,000 each year is for the Minnesota 
208.27 	Film and TV Board. The appropriation each 
208.28 	year is available only upon receipt by the 
208.29 	board of $1 in matching contributions of 
208.30 	money or in-kind contributions from nonstate 
208.31 	sources for every $3 provided by this 
208.32 	appropriation, except that each year up to 
208.33 	$50,000 is available on July 1 even if the 
208.34 	required matching contribution has not been 
208.35 	received by that date.
209.1 	(v) $12,000 each year is for a grant to the 
209.2 	Upper Minnesota Film Office.
209.3 	(w) $500,000 each year is for a grant to the 
209.4 	Minnesota Film and TV Board for the film 
209.5 	production jobs program under Minnesota 
209.6 	Statutes, section 116U.26. This appropriation 
209.7 	is available until June 30, 2027.
209.8 	(x) $4,195,000 each year is for the Minnesota 
209.9 	job skills partnership program under 
209.10 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.01 to 
209.11 	116L.17. If the appropriation for either year 
209.12 	is insufficient, the appropriation for the other 
209.13 	year is available. This appropriation is 
209.14 	available until expended.
209.15 	(y) $1,350,000 each year from the workforce 
209.16 	development fund is for jobs training grants 
209.17 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.41.
209.18 	(z) $47,475,000 each year is for the PROMISE 
209.19 	grant program. This is a onetime appropriation 
209.20 	and is available until June 30, 2027. Of this 
209.21 	amount:
209.22 	(1) $475,000 each year is for administration 
209.23 	of the PROMISE grant program;
209.24 	(2) $7,500,000 each year is for grants in equal 
209.25 	amounts to each of the Minnesota Initiative 
209.26 	Foundations to serve businesses in greater 
209.27 	Minnesota. Of this amount, $600,000 each 
209.28 	year is for grants to businesses with less than 
209.29 	$100,000 in revenue in the prior year; and
209.30 	(3) $39,500,000 each year is for grants to the 
209.31 	Neighborhood Development Center. Of this 
209.32 	amount, the following amounts are designated 
209.33 	for the following areas:
210.1 	(i) $16,000,000 each year is for North 
210.2 	Minneapolis' West Broadway, Camden, or 
210.3 	other Northside neighborhoods. Of this 
210.4 	amount, $1,000,000 each year is for grants to 
210.5 	businesses with less than $100,000 in revenue 
210.6 	in the prior year;
210.7 	(ii) $13,500,000 each year is for South 
210.8 	Minneapolis' Lake Street, 38th and Chicago, 
210.9 	Franklin, Nicollet, and Riverside corridors. 
210.10 	Of this amount, $750,000 each year is for 
210.11 	grants to businesses with less than $100,000 
210.12 	in revenue in the prior year; and
210.13 	(iii) $10,000,000 each year is for St. Paul's 
210.14 	University Avenue, Midway, Eastside, or other 
210.15 	St. Paul neighborhoods. Of this amount, 
210.16 	$750,000 each year is for grants to businesses 
210.17 	with less than $100,000 in revenue in the prior 
210.18 	year.
210.19 	(aa) $15,150,000 each year is for the 
210.20 	PROMISE loan program. This is a onetime 
210.21 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
210.22 	2027. Of this amount:
210.23 	(1) $150,000 each year is for administration 
210.24 	of the PROMISE loan program;
210.25 	(2) $3,000,000 each year is for grants in equal 
210.26 	amounts to each of the Minnesota Initiative 
210.27 	Foundations to serve businesses in greater 
210.28 	Minnesota; and
210.29 	(3) $12,000,000 each year is for grants to the 
210.30 	Metropolitan Economic Development 
210.31 	Association (MEDA). Of this amount, the 
210.32 	following amounts are designated for the 
210.33 	following areas:
211.1 	(i) $4,500,000 each year is for North 
211.2 	Minneapolis' West Broadway, Camden, or 
211.3 	other Northside neighborhoods;
211.4 	(ii) $4,500,000 each year is for South 
211.5 	Minneapolis' Lake Street, 38th and Chicago, 
211.6 	Franklin, Nicollet, and Riverside corridors; 
211.7 	and
211.8 	(iii) $3,000,000 each year is for St. Paul's 
211.9 	University Avenue, Midway, Eastside, or other 
211.10 	St. Paul neighborhoods.
211.11 	(bb) $1,500,000 each year is for a grant to the 
211.12 	Metropolitan Consortium of Community 
211.13 	Developers for the community wealth-building 
211.14 	grant program pilot project. Of this amount, 
211.15 	up to two percent is for administration and 
211.16 	monitoring of the community wealth-building 
211.17 	grant program pilot project. This is a onetime 
211.18 	appropriation.
211.19 	(cc) $250,000 each year is for the publication, 
211.20 	dissemination, and use of labor market 
211.21 	information under Minnesota Statutes, section 
211.22 	116J.401.
211.23 	(dd) $5,000,000 the first year is for a grant to 
211.24 	the Bloomington Port Authority to provide 
211.25 	funding for the Expo 2027 host organization. 
211.26 	The Bloomington Port Authority must enter 
211.27 	into an agreement with the host organization 
211.28 	over the use of money, which may be used for 
211.29 	activities, including but not limited to 
211.30 	finalizing the community dossier and staffing 
211.31 	the host organization and for infrastructure 
211.32 	design and planning, financial modeling, 
211.33 	development planning and coordination of 
211.34 	both real estate and public private partnerships, 
212.1 	and reimbursement of costs the Bloomington 
212.2 	Port Authority incurred. In selecting vendors 
212.3 	and exhibitors for Expo 2027, the host 
212.4 	organization shall prioritize outreach to, 
212.5 	collaboration with, and inclusion of businesses 
212.6 	that are majority owned by people of color, 
212.7 	women, and people with disabilities. The host 
212.8 	organization and Bloomington Port Authority 
212.9 	may be reimbursed for expenses 90 days prior 
212.10 	to encumbrance. This appropriation is 
212.11 	contingent on approval of the project by the 
212.12 	Bureau International des Expositions. If the 
212.13 	project is not approved by the Bureau 
212.14 	International des Expositions, the money shall 
212.15 	transfer to the Minnesota investment fund 
212.16 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8731. 
212.17 	Any unencumbered balance remaining at the 
212.18 	end of the first year does not cancel but is 
212.19 	available for the second year.
212.20 	(ee) $5,000,000 the first year is for a grant to 
212.21 	the Neighborhood Development Center for 
212.22 	small business programs, including training, 
212.23 	lending, business services, and real estate 
212.24 	programming; small business incubator 
212.25 	development in the Twin Cities and outside 
212.26 	the seven-county metropolitan area; and 
212.27 	technical assistance activities for partners 
212.28 	outside the seven-county metropolitan area; 
212.29 	and for high-risk, character-based loan capital 
212.30 	for nonrecourse loans. This is a onetime 
212.31 	appropriation. Any unencumbered balance 
212.32 	remaining at the end of the first year does not 
212.33 	cancel but is available for the second year.
212.34 	(ff) $5,000,000 the first year is for transfer to 
212.35 	the emerging developer fund account in the 
213.1 	special revenue fund. Of this amount, up to 
213.2 	five percent is for administration and 
213.3 	monitoring of the emerging developer fund 
213.4 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
213.5 	116J.9926, and the remainder is for a grant to 
213.6 	the Local Initiatives Support Corporation - 
213.7 	Twin Cities to serve as a partner organization 
213.8 	under the program. This is a onetime 
213.9 	appropriation.
213.10 	(gg) $5,000,000 the first year is for the 
213.11 	Canadian border counties economic relief 
213.12 	program under article 5. Of this amount, up 
213.13 	to $1,000,000 is for Tribal economic 
213.14 	development and $2,100,000 is for a grant to 
213.15 	Lake of the Woods County for the forgivable 
213.16 	loan program for remote recreational 
213.17 	businesses. This is a onetime appropriation 
213.18 	and is available until June 30, 2026.
213.19 	(hh) $1,000,000 each year is for a grant to 
213.20 	African Economic Development Solutions. 
213.21 	This is a onetime appropriation and is 
213.22 	available until June 30, 2026. Of this amount:
213.23 	(1) $500,000 each year is for a loan fund that 
213.24 	must address pervasive economic inequities 
213.25 	by supporting business ventures of 
213.26 	entrepreneurs in the African immigrant 
213.27 	community; and
213.28 	(2) $250,000 each year is for workforce 
213.29 	development and technical assistance, 
213.30 	including but not limited to business 
213.31 	development, entrepreneur training, business 
213.32 	technical assistance, loan packing, and 
213.33 	community development services.
214.1 	(ii) $1,500,000 each year is for a grant to the 
214.2 	Latino Economic Development Center. This 
214.3 	is a onetime appropriation and is available 
214.4 	until June 30, 2025. Of this amount:
214.5 	(1) $750,000 each year is to assist, support, 
214.6 	finance, and launch microentrepreneurs by 
214.7 	delivering training, workshops, and 
214.8 	one-on-one consultations to businesses; and
214.9 	(2) $750,000 each year is to guide prospective 
214.10 	entrepreneurs in their start-up process by 
214.11 	introducing them to key business concepts, 
214.12 	including business start-up readiness. Grant 
214.13 	proceeds must be used to offer workshops on 
214.14 	a variety of topics throughout the year, 
214.15 	including finance, customer service, 
214.16 	food-handler training, and food-safety 
214.17 	certification. Grant proceeds may also be used 
214.18 	to provide lending to business startups.
214.19 	(jj) $627,000 the first year is for a grant to 
214.20 	Community and Economic Development 
214.21 	Associates (CEDA) to provide funding for 
214.22 	economic development technical assistance 
214.23 	and economic development project grants to 
214.24 	small communities across rural Minnesota and 
214.25 	for CEDA to design, implement, market, and 
214.26 	administer specific types of basic community 
214.27 	and economic development programs tailored 
214.28 	to individual community needs. Technical 
214.29 	assistance grants shall be based on need and 
214.30 	given to communities that are otherwise 
214.31 	unable to afford these services. Of the amount 
214.32 	appropriated, up to $270,000 may be used for 
214.33 	economic development project implementation 
214.34 	in conjunction with the technical assistance 
214.35 	received. This is a onetime appropriation. Any 
215.1 	unencumbered balance remaining at the end 
215.2 	of the first year does not cancel but is available 
215.3 	the second year.
215.4 	(kk) $2,000,000 the first year is for a grant to 
215.5 	WomenVenture to:
215.6 	(1) support child care providers through 
215.7 	business training and shared services programs 
215.8 	and to create materials that could be used, free 
215.9 	of charge, for start-up, expansion, and 
215.10 	operation of child care businesses statewide, 
215.11 	with the goal of helping new and existing child 
215.12 	care businesses in underserved areas of the 
215.13 	state become profitable and sustainable; and
215.14 	(2) support business expansion for women 
215.15 	food entrepreneurs throughout Minnesota's 
215.16 	food supply chain to help stabilize and 
215.17 	strengthen their business operations, create 
215.18 	distribution networks, offer technical 
215.19 	assistance and support to beginning women 
215.20 	food entrepreneurs, develop business plans, 
215.21 	develop a workforce, research expansion 
215.22 	strategies, and for other related activities.
215.23 	Eligible uses of the money include but are not 
215.24 	limited to:
215.25 	(i) leasehold improvements;
215.26 	(ii) additions, alterations, remodeling, or 
215.27 	renovations to rented space;
215.28 	(iii) inventory or supplies;
215.29 	(iv) machinery or equipment purchases;
215.30 	(v) working capital; and
215.31 	(vi) debt refinancing.
216.1 	Money distributed to entrepreneurs may be 
216.2 	loans, forgivable loans, and grants. Of this 
216.3 	amount, up to five percent may be used for 
216.4 	the WomenVenture's technical assistance and 
216.5 	administrative costs. This is a onetime 
216.6 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
216.7 	2026.
216.8 	By December 15, 2026, WomenVenture must 
216.9 	submit a report to the chairs and ranking 
216.10 	minority members of the legislative 
216.11 	committees with jurisdiction over agriculture 
216.12 	and employment and economic development. 
216.13 	The report must include a summary of the uses 
216.14 	of the appropriation, including the amount of 
216.15 	the appropriation used for administration. The 
216.16 	report must also provide a breakdown of the 
216.17 	amount of funding used for loans, forgivable 
216.18 	loans, and grants; information about the terms 
216.19 	of the loans issued; a discussion of how money 
216.20 	from repaid loans will be used; the number of 
216.21 	entrepreneurs assisted; and a breakdown of 
216.22 	how many entrepreneurs received assistance 
216.23 	in each county.
216.24 	(ll) $2,000,000 the first year is for a grant to 
216.25 	African Career, Education, and Resource, Inc., 
216.26 	for operational infrastructure and technical 
216.27 	assistance to small businesses. This 
216.28 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.
216.29 	(mm) $5,000,000 the first year is for a grant 
216.30 	to the African Development Center to provide 
216.31 	loans to purchase commercial real estate and 
216.32 	to expand organizational infrastructure. This 
216.33 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2025. 
216.34 	Of this amount:
217.1 	(1) $2,800,000 is for loans to purchase 
217.2 	commercial real estate targeted at African 
217.3 	immigrant small business owners;
217.4 	(2) $364,000 is for loan loss reserves to 
217.5 	support loan volume growth and attract 
217.6 	additional capital;
217.7 	(3) $836,000 is for increasing organizational 
217.8 	capacity;
217.9 	(4) $300,000 is for the safe 2 eat project of 
217.10 	inclusive assistance with required restaurant 
217.11 	licensing examinations; and
217.12 	(5) $700,000 is for a center for community 
217.13 	resources for language and technology 
217.14 	assistance for small businesses.
217.15 	(nn) $7,000,000 the first year is for grants to 
217.16 	the Minnesota Initiative Foundations to 
217.17 	capitalize their revolving loan funds, which 
217.18 	address unmet financing needs of for-profit 
217.19 	business start-ups, expansions, and ownership 
217.20 	transitions; nonprofit organizations; and 
217.21 	developers of housing to support the 
217.22 	construction, rehabilitation, and conversion 
217.23 	of housing units. Of the amount appropriated:
217.24 	(1) $1,000,000 is for a grant to the Southwest 
217.25 	Initiative Foundation;
217.26 	(2) $1,000,000 is for a grant to the West 
217.27 	Central Initiative Foundation;
217.28 	(3) $1,000,000 is for a grant to the Southern 
217.29 	Minnesota Initiative Foundation;
217.30 	(4) $1,000,000 is for a grant to the Northwest 
217.31 	Minnesota Foundation;
217.32 	(5) $2,000,000 is for a grant to the Initiative 
217.33 	Foundation of which $1,000,000 is for 
218.1 	redevelopment of the St. Cloud Youth and 
218.2 	Family Center; and
218.3 	(6) $1,000,000 is for a grant to the Northland 
218.4 	Foundation.
218.5 	(oo) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
218.6 	Enterprise Minnesota, Inc., to reach and 
218.7 	deliver talent, leadership, employee retention, 
218.8 	continuous improvement, strategy, quality 
218.9 	management systems, revenue growth, and 
218.10 	manufacturing peer-to-peer advisory services 
218.11 	to small manufacturing companies employing 
218.12 	35 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. 
218.13 	This is a onetime appropriation. No later than 
218.14 	February 1, 2025, and February 1, 2026, 
218.15 	Enterprise Minnesota, Inc., must provide a 
218.16 	report to the chairs and ranking minority 
218.17 	members of the legislative committees with 
218.18 	jurisdiction over economic development that 
218.19 	includes:
218.20 	(1) the grants awarded during the past 12 
218.21 	months;
218.22 	(2) the estimated financial impact of the grants 
218.23 	awarded to each company receiving services 
218.24 	under the program;
218.25 	(3) the actual financial impact of grants 
218.26 	awarded during the past 24 months; and
218.27 	(4) the total amount of federal funds leveraged 
218.28 	from the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
218.29 	at the United States Department of Commerce.
218.30 	(pp) $375,000 each year is for a grant to 
218.31 	PFund Foundation to provide grants to 
218.32 	LGBTQ+-owned small businesses and 
218.33 	entrepreneurs. Of this amount, up to five 
218.34 	percent may be used for PFund Foundation's 
219.1 	technical assistance and administrative costs. 
219.2 	This is a onetime appropriation and is 
219.3 	available until June 30, 2026. To the extent 
219.4 	practicable, money must be distributed by 
219.5 	PFund Foundation as follows:
219.6 	(1) at least 33.3 percent to businesses owned 
219.7 	by members of racial minority communities; 
219.8 	and
219.9 	(2) at least 33.3 percent to businesses outside 
219.10 	of the seven-county metropolitan area as 
219.11 	defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
219.12 	473.121, subdivision 2.
219.13 	(qq) $125,000 each year is for a grant to 
219.14 	Quorum to provide business support, training, 
219.15 	development, technical assistance, and related 
219.16 	activities for LGBTQ+-owned small 
219.17 	businesses that are recipients of a PFund 
219.18 	Foundation grant. Of this amount, up to five 
219.19 	percent may be used for Quorum's technical 
219.20 	assistance and administrative costs. This is a 
219.21 	onetime appropriation and is available until 
219.22 	June 30, 2026.
219.23 	(rr) $5,000,000 the first year is for a grant to 
219.24 	the Metropolitan Economic Development 
219.25 	Association (MEDA) for statewide business 
219.26 	development and assistance services to 
219.27 	minority-owned businesses. This is a onetime 
219.28 	appropriation. Any unencumbered balance 
219.29 	remaining at the end of the first year does not 
219.30 	cancel but is available the second year. Of this 
219.31 	amount:
219.32 	(1) $3,000,000 is for a revolving loan fund to 
219.33 	provide additional minority-owned businesses 
219.34 	with access to capital; and
220.1 	(2) $2,000,000 is for operating support 
220.2 	activities related to business development and 
220.3 	assistance services for minority business 
220.4 	enterprises.
220.5 	By February 1, 2025, MEDA shall report to 
220.6 	the commissioner and the chairs and ranking 
220.7 	minority members of the legislative 
220.8 	committees with jurisdiction over economic 
220.9 	development policy and finance on the loans 
220.10 	and operating support activities, including 
220.11 	outcomes and expenditures, supported by the 
220.12 	appropriation under this paragraph.
220.13 	(ss) $2,500,000 each year is for a grant to a 
220.14 	Minnesota-based automotive component 
220.15 	manufacturer and distributor specializing in 
220.16 	electric vehicles and sensor technology that 
220.17 	manufactures all of their parts onshore to 
220.18 	expand their manufacturing. The grant 
220.19 	recipient under this paragraph shall submit 
220.20 	reports on the uses of the money appropriated, 
220.21 	the number of jobs created due to the 
220.22 	appropriation, wage information, and the city 
220.23 	and state in which the additional 
220.24 	manufacturing activity was located to the 
220.25 	chairs and ranking minority members of the 
220.26 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
220.27 	economic development. An initial report shall 
220.28 	be submitted by December 15, 2023, and a 
220.29 	final report is due by December 15, 2025. This 
220.30 	is a onetime appropriation.
220.31 	(tt)(1) $125,000 each year is for grants to the 
220.32 	Latino Chamber of Commerce Minnesota to 
220.33 	support the growth and expansion of small 
220.34 	businesses statewide. Funds may be used for 
221.1 	the cost of programming, outreach, staffing, 
221.2 	and supplies. This is a onetime appropriation.
221.3 	(2) By January 15, 2026, the Latino Chamber 
221.4 	of Commerce Minnesota must submit a report 
221.5 	to the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
221.6 	over economic development that details the 
221.7 	use of grant funds and the grant's economic 
221.8 	impact.
221.9 	(uu) $175,000 the first year is for a grant to 
221.10 	the city of South St. Paul for repurposing the 
221.11 	1927 American Legion Memorial Library after 
221.12 	the property is no longer used as a library. This 
221.13 	appropriation is available until the project is 
221.14 	completed or abandoned, subject to Minnesota 
221.15 	Statutes, section 16A.642.
221.16 	(vv) $250,000 the first year is for a grant to 
221.17 	LatinoLEAD for organizational 
221.18 	capacity-building.
221.19 	(ww) $80,000 the first year is for a grant to 
221.20 	the Neighborhood Development Center for 
221.21 	small business competitive grants to software 
221.22 	companies working to improve employee 
221.23 	engagement and workplace culture and to 
221.24 	reduce turnover.
221.25 	(xx)(1) $3,000,000 in the first year is for a 
221.26 	grant to the Center for Economic Inclusion for 
221.27 	strategic, data-informed investments in job 
221.28 	creation strategies that respond to the needs 
221.29 	of underserved populations statewide. This 
221.30 	may include forgivable loans, revenue-based 
221.31 	financing, and equity investments for 
221.32 	entrepreneurs with barriers to growth. Of this 
221.33 	amount, up to five percent may be used for 
221.34 	the center's technical assistance and 
222.1 	administrative costs. This appropriation is 
222.2 	available until June 30, 2025.
222.3 	(2) By January 15, 2026, the Center for 
222.4 	Economic Inclusion shall submit a report on 
222.5 	the use of grant funds, including any loans 
222.6 	made, to the legislative committees with 
222.7 	jurisdiction over economic development.
222.8 	(yy) $500,000 each year is for a grant to the 
222.9 	Asian Economic Development Association 
222.10 	for asset building and financial empowerment 
222.11 	for entrepreneurs and small business owners, 
222.12 	small business development and technical 
222.13 	assistance, and cultural placemaking. This is 
222.14 	a onetime appropriation.
222.15 	(zz) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
222.16 	Isuroon to support primarily African 
222.17 	immigrant women with entrepreneurial 
222.18 	training to start, manage, and grow 
222.19 	self-sustaining microbusinesses, develop 
222.20 	incubator space for these businesses, and 
222.21 	provide support with financial and language 
222.22 	literacy, systems navigation to eliminate 
222.23 	capital access disparities, marketing, and other 
222.24 	technical assistance. This is a onetime 
222.25 	appropriation.

222.26	Subd. 3.Employment and Training Programs
 		112,038,000
		104,499,000

222.27	Appropriations by Fund
	
222.28		2024
	2025
	
222.29	General
	91,036,000
	83,497,000
	
222.30
222.31	Workforce 
Development
	21,002,000
	21,002,000
	
222.32 	(a) $500,000 each year from the general fund 
222.33 	and $500,000 each year from the workforce 
222.34 	development fund are for rural career 
222.35 	counseling coordinators in the workforce 
223.1 	service areas and for the purposes specified 
223.2 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.667.
223.3 	(b) $25,000,000 each year is for the targeted 
223.4 	population workforce grants under Minnesota 
223.5 	Statutes, section 116L.43. The department 
223.6 	may use up to five percent of this 
223.7 	appropriation for administration, monitoring, 
223.8 	and oversight of the program. Of this amount:
223.9 	(1) $18,500,000 each year is for job and 
223.10 	entrepreneurial skills training grants under 
223.11 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.43, 
223.12 	subdivision 2;
223.13 	(2) $1,500,000 each year is for diversity and 
223.14 	inclusion training for small employers under 
223.15 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.43, 
223.16 	subdivision 3; and
223.17 	(3) $5,000,000 each year is for capacity 
223.18 	building grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
223.19 	section 116L.43, subdivision 4.
223.20 	The base for this appropriation is $1,275,000 
223.21 	in fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter.
223.22 	(c) $750,000 each year is for the women and 
223.23 	high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional jobs 
223.24 	grant program under Minnesota Statutes, 
223.25 	section 116L.99. Of this amount, up to five 
223.26 	percent is for administration and monitoring 
223.27 	of the program.
223.28 	(d) $10,000,000 each year is for the Drive for 
223.29 	Five Initiative to conduct outreach and provide 
223.30 	job skills training, career counseling, case 
223.31 	management, and supportive services for 
223.32 	careers in (1) technology, (2) labor, (3) the 
223.33 	caring professions, (4) manufacturing, and (5) 
224.1 	educational and professional services. This is 
224.2 	a onetime appropriation.
224.3 	(e) Of the amounts appropriated in paragraph 
224.4 	(d), the commissioner must make $7,000,000 
224.5 	each year available through a competitive 
224.6 	request for proposal process. The grant awards 
224.7 	must be used to provide education and training 
224.8 	in the five industries identified in paragraph 
224.9 	(d). Education and training may include:
224.10 	(1) student tutoring and testing support 
224.11 	services;
224.12 	(2) training and employment placement in high 
224.13 	wage and high growth employment;
224.14 	(3) assistance in obtaining industry-specific 
224.15 	certifications;
224.16 	(4) remedial training leading to enrollment in 
224.17 	employment training programs or services;
224.18 	(5) real-time work experience;
224.19 	(6) career and educational counseling;
224.20 	(7) work experience and internships; and
224.21 	(8) supportive services.
224.22 	(f) Of the amount appropriated in paragraph 
224.23 	(d), $2,000,000 each year must be awarded 
224.24 	through competitive grants made to trade 
224.25 	associations or chambers of commerce for job 
224.26 	placement services. Grant awards must be used 
224.27 	to encourage workforce training efforts to 
224.28 	ensure that efforts are aligned with employer 
224.29 	demands and that graduates are connected with 
224.30 	employers that are currently hiring. Trade 
224.31 	associations or chambers must partner with 
224.32 	employers with current or anticipated 
224.33 	employment opportunities and nonprofit 
225.1 	workforce training partners participating in 
225.2 	this program. The trade associations or 
225.3 	chambers must work closely with the industry 
225.4 	sector training providers in the five industries 
225.5 	identified in paragraph (d). Grant awards may 
225.6 	be used for:
225.7 	(1) employer engagement strategies to align 
225.8 	employment opportunities for individuals 
225.9 	exiting workforce development training 
225.10 	programs. These strategies may include 
225.11 	business recruitment, job opening 
225.12 	development, employee recruitment, and job 
225.13 	matching. Trade associations must utilize the 
225.14 	state's labor exchange system;
225.15 	(2) diversity, inclusion, and retention training 
225.16 	of their members to increase the business' 
225.17 	understanding of welcoming and retaining a 
225.18 	diverse workforce; and
225.19 	(3) industry-specific training.
225.20 	(g) Of the amount appropriated in paragraph 
225.21 	(d), $1,000,000 each year is to hire, train, and 
225.22 	deploy business services representatives in 
225.23 	local workforce development areas throughout 
225.24 	the state. Business services representatives 
225.25 	must work with an assigned local workforce 
225.26 	development area to address the hiring needs 
225.27 	of Minnesota's businesses by connecting job 
225.28 	seekers and program participants in the 
225.29 	CareerForce system. Business services 
225.30 	representatives serve in the classified service 
225.31 	of the state and operate as part of the agency's 
225.32 	Employment and Training Office. The 
225.33 	commissioner shall develop and implement 
225.34 	training materials and reporting and evaluation 
225.35 	procedures for the activities of the business 
226.1 	services representatives. The business services 
226.2 	representatives must:
226.3 	(1) serve as the primary contact for businesses 
226.4 	in that area;
226.5 	(2) actively engage employers by assisting 
226.6 	with matching employers to job seekers by 
226.7 	referring candidates, convening job fairs, and 
226.8 	assisting with job announcements; and
226.9 	(3) work with the local area board and its 
226.10 	partners to identify candidates for openings in 
226.11 	small and midsize companies in the local area.
226.12 	(h) $2,546,000 each year from the general fund 
226.13 	and $4,604,000 each year from the workforce 
226.14 	development fund are for the pathways to 
226.15 	prosperity competitive grant program. Of this 
226.16 	amount, up to five percent is for administration 
226.17 	and monitoring of the program.
226.18 	(i) $500,000 each year is from the workforce 
226.19 	development fund for current Minnesota 
226.20 	affiliates of OIC of America, Inc. This 
226.21 	appropriation shall be divided equally among 
226.22 	the eligible centers.
226.23 	(j) $1,000,000 each year is for competitive 
226.24 	grants to organizations providing services to 
226.25 	relieve economic disparities in the Southeast 
226.26 	Asian community through workforce 
226.27 	recruitment, development, job creation, 
226.28 	assistance of smaller organizations to increase 
226.29 	capacity, and outreach. Of this amount, up to 
226.30 	five percent is for administration and 
226.31 	monitoring of the program.
226.32 	(k) $1,000,000 each year is for a competitive 
226.33 	grant program to provide grants to 
226.34 	organizations that provide support services for 
227.1 	individuals, such as job training, employment 
227.2 	preparation, internships, job assistance to 
227.3 	parents, financial literacy, academic and 
227.4 	behavioral interventions for low-performing 
227.5 	students, and youth intervention. Grants made 
227.6 	under this section must focus on low-income 
227.7 	communities, young adults from families with 
227.8 	a history of intergenerational poverty, and 
227.9 	communities of color. Of this amount, up to 
227.10 	five percent is for administration and 
227.11 	monitoring of the program.
227.12 	(l) $750,000 each year from the general fund 
227.13 	and $6,698,000 each year from the workforce 
227.14 	development fund are for the youth-at-work 
227.15 	competitive grant program under Minnesota 
227.16 	Statutes, section 116L.562. Of this amount, 
227.17 	up to five percent is for administration and 
227.18 	monitoring of the youth workforce 
227.19 	development competitive grant program. All 
227.20 	grant awards shall be for two consecutive 
227.21 	years. Grants shall be awarded in the first year. 
227.22 	The base for this appropriation is $750,000 
227.23 	from the general fund and $3,348,000 from 
227.24 	the workforce development fund beginning in 
227.25 	fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter.
227.26 	(m) $1,093,000 each year is from the general 
227.27 	fund and $1,000,000 each year is from the 
227.28 	workforce development fund for the 
227.29 	youthbuild program under Minnesota Statutes, 
227.30 	sections 116L.361 to 116L.366. The base for 
227.31 	this appropriation is $1,000,000 from the 
227.32 	workforce development fund in fiscal year 
227.33 	2026 and each year thereafter.
227.34 	(n) $4,511,000 each year from the general fund 
227.35 	and $4,050,000 each year from the workforce 
228.1 	development fund are for the Minnesota youth 
228.2 	program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
228.3 	116L.56 and 116L.561. The base for this 
228.4 	appropriation is $0 from the general fund and 
228.5 	$4,050,000 from the workforce development 
228.6 	fund in fiscal year 2026 and each year 
228.7 	thereafter.
228.8 	(o) $750,000 each year is for the Office of 
228.9 	New Americans under Minnesota Statutes, 
228.10 	section 116J.4231.
228.11 	(p) $1,000,000 each year from the workforce 
228.12 	development fund is for a grant to the 
228.13 	Minnesota Technology Association to support 
228.14 	the SciTech internship program, a program 
228.15 	that supports science, technology, engineering, 
228.16 	and math (STEM) internship opportunities for 
228.17 	two- and four-year college students and 
228.18 	graduate students in their fields of study. The 
228.19 	internship opportunities must match students 
228.20 	with paid internships within STEM disciplines 
228.21 	at small, for-profit companies located in 
228.22 	Minnesota having fewer than 250 employees 
228.23 	worldwide. At least 325 students must be 
228.24 	matched each year. No more than 15 percent 
228.25 	of the hires may be graduate students. Selected 
228.26 	hiring companies shall receive from the grant 
228.27 	50 percent of the wages paid to the intern, 
228.28 	capped at $3,000 per intern. The program must 
228.29 	work toward increasing the participation 
228.30 	among women or other underserved 
228.31 	populations. This is a onetime appropriation.
228.32 	(q) $750,000 each year is for grants to the 
228.33 	Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's Teen 
228.34 	Teamworks youth employment and training 
228.35 	programs. This is a onetime appropriation and 
229.1 	available until June 30, 2027. Any 
229.2 	unencumbered balance remaining at the end 
229.3 	of the first year does not cancel but is available 
229.4 	in the second year.
229.5 	(r) $900,000 each year is for a grant to Avivo 
229.6 	to provide low-income individuals with career 
229.7 	education and job skills training that is fully 
229.8 	integrated with chemical and mental health 
229.9 	services. Of this amount, up to $250,000 each 
229.10 	year is for a grant to Avivo to provide 
229.11 	resources and support services to survivors of 
229.12 	sex trafficking and domestic abuse in the 
229.13 	greater St. Cloud area as they search for 
229.14 	employment. Program resources include but 
229.15 	are not limited to costs for day care, 
229.16 	transportation, housing, legal advice, procuring 
229.17 	documents required for employment, interview 
229.18 	clothing, technology, and Internet access. The 
229.19 	program shall also include public outreach and 
229.20 	corporate training components to communicate 
229.21 	to the public and potential employers about 
229.22 	the specific struggles faced by survivors as 
229.23 	they re-enter the workforce. This is a onetime 
229.24 	appropriation.
229.25 	(s) $1,000,000 each year is for the getting to 
229.26 	work grant program under Minnesota Statutes, 
229.27 	section 116J.545. Of this amount, up to five 
229.28 	percent is for administration and monitoring 
229.29 	of the program. This is a onetime 
229.30 	appropriation.
229.31 	(t) $400,000 each year is for a grant to the 
229.32 	nonprofit 30,000 Feet to fund youth 
229.33 	apprenticeship jobs, wraparound services, 
229.34 	after-school programming, and summer 
229.35 	learning loss prevention efforts targeted at 
230.1 	African American youth. This is a onetime 
230.2 	appropriation.
230.3 	(u) $463,000 the first year is for a grant to the 
230.4 	Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota. 
230.5 	This is a onetime appropriation. Of this 
230.6 	amount:
230.7 	(1) $313,000 is to fund one year of free 
230.8 	full-service programming for a new program 
230.9 	in Waite Park that will employ part-time youth 
230.10 	development staff and provide community 
230.11 	volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. 
230.12 	Career exploration and life skills programming 
230.13 	will be a significant dimension of 
230.14 	programming at this new site; and
230.15 	(2) $150,000 is for planning and design for a 
230.16 	new multiuse facility for the Boys and Girls 
230.17 	Club of Waite Park and other community 
230.18 	partners, including the Waite Park Police 
230.19 	Department and the Whitney Senior Center.
230.20 	(v) $1,000,000 each year is for a grant to the 
230.21 	Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs 
230.22 	to administer a statewide project of youth job 
230.23 	skills and career development. This project, 
230.24 	which may have career guidance components 
230.25 	including health and life skills, must be 
230.26 	designed to encourage, train, and assist youth 
230.27 	in early access to education and job-seeking 
230.28 	skills, work-based learning experience, 
230.29 	including career pathways in STEM learning, 
230.30 	career exploration and matching, and first job 
230.31 	placement through local community 
230.32 	partnerships and on-site job opportunities. This 
230.33 	grant requires a 25 percent match from 
230.34 	nonstate resources. This is a onetime 
230.35 	appropriation.
231.1 	(w) $1,000,000 the first year is for a grant to 
231.2 	the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce 
231.3 	Foundation for the Learn and Earn Initiative 
231.4 	to help the Owatonna and Steele County 
231.5 	region grow and retain a talented workforce. 
231.6 	This is a onetime appropriation and is 
231.7 	available until June 30, 2025. Of this amount:
231.8 	(1) $900,000 is to develop an advanced 
231.9 	manufacturing career pathway program for 
231.10 	youth and adult learners with shared learning 
231.11 	spaces, state-of-the-art equipment, and 
231.12 	instructional support to grow and retain talent 
231.13 	in Owatonna; and
231.14 	(2) $100,000 is to create the Owatonna 
231.15 	Opportunity scholarship model for the Learn 
231.16 	and Earn Initiative for students and employers.
231.17 	(x) $250,000 each year from the workforce 
231.18 	development fund is for a grant to the White 
231.19 	Bear Center for the Arts for establishing a paid 
231.20 	internship program for high school students 
231.21 	to learn professional development skills 
231.22 	through an arts perspective. This is a onetime 
231.23 	appropriation.
231.24 	(y) $250,000 each year is for the Minnesota 
231.25 	Family Resiliency Partnership under 
231.26 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.96. The 
231.27 	commissioner, through the adult career 
231.28 	pathways program, shall distribute the money 
231.29 	to existing nonprofit and state displaced 
231.30 	homemaker programs. This is a onetime 
231.31 	appropriation.
231.32 	(z) $600,000 each year is for a grant to East 
231.33 	Side Neighborhood Services. This is a onetime 
231.34 	appropriation of which:
232.1 	(1) $300,000 each year is for the senior 
232.2 	community service employment program, 
232.3 	which provides work readiness training to 
232.4 	low-income adults ages 55 and older to 
232.5 	provide ongoing support and mentoring 
232.6 	services to the program participants as well as 
232.7 	the transition period from subsidized wages 
232.8 	to unsubsidized wages; and
232.9 	(2) $300,000 each year is for the nursing 
232.10 	assistant plus program to serve the increased 
232.11 	need for growth of medical talent pipelines 
232.12 	through expansion of the existing program and 
232.13 	development of in-house training.
232.14 	The amounts specified in clauses (1) and (2) 
232.15 	may also be used to enhance employment 
232.16 	programming for youth and young adults, ages 
232.17 	14 to 24, to introduce them to work culture, 
232.18 	develop essential work readiness skills, and 
232.19 	make career plans through paid internship 
232.20 	experiences and work readiness training.
232.21 	(aa) $1,500,000 each year from the workforce 
232.22 	development fund is for a grant to Ujamaa 
232.23 	Place to assist primarily African American 
232.24 	men with job training, employment 
232.25 	preparation, internships, education, vocational 
232.26 	housing, and organizational capacity building. 
232.27 	This is a onetime appropriation.
232.28 	(bb) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
232.29 	Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la 
232.30 	AcciÃ³n Latina (COPAL) for worker center 
232.31 	programming that supports primarily 
232.32 	low-income, migrant, and Latinx workers with 
232.33 	career planning, workforce training and 
232.34 	education, workers' rights advocacy, health 
233.1 	resources and navigation, and wealth creation 
233.2 	resources. This is a onetime appropriation.
233.3 	(cc) $2,000,000 each year is for a grant to 
233.4 	Propel Nonprofits to provide capacity-building 
233.5 	grants and related technical assistance to small, 
233.6 	culturally specific organizations that primarily 
233.7 	serve historically underserved cultural 
233.8 	communities. Propel Nonprofits may only 
233.9 	award grants to nonprofit organizations that 
233.10 	have an annual organizational budget of less 
233.11 	than $1,000,000. These grants may be used 
233.12 	for:
233.13 	(1) organizational infrastructure 
233.14 	improvements, including developing database 
233.15 	management systems and financial systems, 
233.16 	or other administrative needs that increase the 
233.17 	organization's ability to access new funding 
233.18 	sources;
233.19 	(2) organizational workforce development, 
233.20 	including hiring culturally competent staff, 
233.21 	training and skills development, and other 
233.22 	methods of increasing staff capacity; or
233.23 	(3) creating or expanding partnerships with 
233.24 	existing organizations that have specialized 
233.25 	expertise in order to increase capacity of the 
233.26 	grantee organization to improve services to 
233.27 	the community.
233.28 	Of this amount, up to five percent may be used 
233.29 	by Propel Nonprofits for administrative costs. 
233.30 	This is a onetime appropriation.
233.31 	(dd) $1,000,000 each year is for a grant to 
233.32 	Goodwill Easter Seals Minnesota and its 
233.33 	partners. The grant must be used to continue 
233.34 	the FATHER Project in Rochester, St. Cloud, 
234.1 	St. Paul, Minneapolis, and the surrounding 
234.2 	areas to assist fathers in overcoming barriers 
234.3 	that prevent fathers from supporting their 
234.4 	children economically and emotionally, 
234.5 	including with community re-entry following 
234.6 	confinement. This is a onetime appropriation.
234.7 	(ee) $250,000 the first year is for a grant to 
234.8 	the ProStart and Hospitality Tourism 
234.9 	Management Program for a well-established, 
234.10 	proven, and successful education program that 
234.11 	helps young people advance careers in the 
234.12 	hospitality industry and addresses critical 
234.13 	long-term workforce shortages in that industry.
234.14 	(ff) $450,000 each year is for grants to 
234.15 	Minnesota Diversified Industries to provide 
234.16 	inclusive employment opportunities and 
234.17 	services for people with disabilities. This is a 
234.18 	onetime appropriation.
234.19 	(gg) $1,000,000 the first year is for a grant to 
234.20 	Minnesota Diversified Industries to assist 
234.21 	individuals with disabilities through the 
234.22 	unified work model by offering virtual and 
234.23 	in-person career skills classes augmented with 
234.24 	virtual reality tools. Minnesota Diversified 
234.25 	Industries shall submit a report on the number 
234.26 	and demographics of individuals served, hours 
234.27 	of career skills programming delivered, 
234.28 	outreach to employers, and recommendations 
234.29 	for future career skills delivery methods to the 
234.30 	chairs and ranking minority members of the 
234.31 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
234.32 	labor and workforce development policy and 
234.33 	finance by January 15, 2026. This is a onetime 
234.34 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
234.35 	2025.
235.1 	(hh) $1,264,000 each year is for a grant to 
235.2 	Summit Academy OIC to expand employment 
235.3 	placement, GED preparation and 
235.4 	administration, and STEM programming in 
235.5 	the Twin Cities, Saint Cloud, and Bemidji. 
235.6 	This is a onetime appropriation.
235.7 	(ii) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
235.8 	Minnesota Independence College and 
235.9 	Community to provide employment 
235.10 	preparation, job placement, job retention, and 
235.11 	service coordination services to adults with 
235.12 	autism and learning differences. This is a 
235.13 	onetime appropriation.
235.14 	(jj) $1,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 
235.15 	the second year are for a clean economy 
235.16 	equitable workforce grant program. Money 
235.17 	must be used for grants to support partnership 
235.18 	development, planning, and implementation 
235.19 	of workforce readiness programs aimed at 
235.20 	workers who are Black, Indigenous, and 
235.21 	People of Color. Programs must include 
235.22 	workforce training, career development, 
235.23 	workers' rights training, employment 
235.24 	placement, and culturally appropriate job 
235.25 	readiness and must prepare workers for careers 
235.26 	in the high-demand fields of construction, 
235.27 	clean energy, and energy efficiency. Grants 
235.28 	must be given to nonprofit organizations that 
235.29 	serve historically disenfranchised 
235.30 	communities, including new Americans, with 
235.31 	preference for organizations that are new 
235.32 	providers of workforce programming or which 
235.33 	have partnership agreements with registered 
235.34 	apprenticeship programs. This is a onetime 
235.35 	appropriation.
236.1 	(kk) $350,000 the first year and $25,000 the 
236.2 	second year are for a grant to the University 
236.3 	of Minnesota Tourism Center for the creation 
236.4 	and operation of an online hospitality training 
236.5 	program in partnership with Explore 
236.6 	Minnesota Tourism. This training program 
236.7 	must be made available at no cost to 
236.8 	Minnesota residents in an effort to address 
236.9 	critical workforce shortages in the hospitality 
236.10 	and tourism industries and assist in career 
236.11 	development. The base for this appropriation 
236.12 	is $25,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year 
236.13 	thereafter for ongoing system maintenance, 
236.14 	management, and content updates.
236.15 	(ll) $3,000,000 the first year is for competitive 
236.16 	grants to support high school robotics teams 
236.17 	and prepare youth for careers in STEM fields. 
236.18 	Of this amount, $2,000,000 is for creating 
236.19 	internships for high school students to work 
236.20 	at private companies in STEM fields, 
236.21 	including the payment of student stipends. 
236.22 	This is a onetime appropriation and is 
236.23 	available until June 30, 2028.
236.24 	(mm) $750,000 each year is for grants to the 
236.25 	nonprofit Sanneh Foundation to fund 
236.26 	out-of-school summer programs focused on 
236.27 	mentoring and behavioral, social, and 
236.28 	emotional learning interventions and 
236.29 	enrichment activities directed toward 
236.30 	low-income students of color. This is a 
236.31 	onetime appropriation and available until June 
236.32 	30, 2026.
236.33 	(nn) $1,000,000 each year is for a grant to the 
236.34 	Hmong American Partnership to expand job 
236.35 	training and placement programs primarily 
237.1 	serving the Southeast Asian community. This 
237.2 	is a onetime appropriation.
237.3 	(oo) $1,000,000 each year is for a grant to 
237.4 	Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio 
237.5 	(CLUES) to address employment, economic, 
237.6 	and technology access disparities for 
237.7 	low-income unemployed or underemployed 
237.8 	individuals. Grant money must support 
237.9 	short-term certifications and transferable skills 
237.10 	in high-demand fields, workforce readiness, 
237.11 	customized financial capability, and 
237.12 	employment supports. At least 50 percent of 
237.13 	this amount must be used for programming 
237.14 	targeted at greater Minnesota. This is a 
237.15 	onetime appropriation.
237.16 	(pp) $300,000 each year is for a grant to All 
237.17 	Square. The grant must be used to support the 
237.18 	operations of All Square's Fellowship and 
237.19 	Prison to Law Pipeline programs which 
237.20 	operate in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and 
237.21 	surrounding correctional facilities to assist 
237.22 	incarcerated and formerly incarcerated 
237.23 	Minnesotans in overcoming employment 
237.24 	barriers that prevent economic and emotional 
237.25 	freedom. This is a onetime appropriation.
237.26 	(qq) $1,000,000 each year is for a grant to the 
237.27 	Redemption Project to provide employment 
237.28 	services to adults leaving incarceration, 
237.29 	including recruiting, educating, training, and 
237.30 	retaining employment mentors and partners. 
237.31 	This is a onetime appropriation.
237.32 	(rr) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
237.33 	Greater Twin Cities United Way to make 
237.34 	grants to partner organizations to provide 
237.35 	workforce training using the career pathways 
238.1 	model that helps students gain work 
238.2 	experience, earn experience in high-demand 
238.3 	fields, and transition into family-sustaining 
238.4 	careers. This is a onetime appropriation.
238.5 	(ss) $3,000,000 each year is for a grant to 
238.6 	Community Action Partnership of Hennepin 
238.7 	County. This is a onetime appropriation. Of 
238.8 	this amount:
238.9 	(1) $1,500,000 each year is for grants to 21 
238.10 	Days of Peace for social equity building and 
238.11 	community engagement activities; and
238.12 	(2) $1,500,000 each year is for grants to A 
238.13 	Mother's Love for community outreach, 
238.14 	empowerment training, and employment and 
238.15 	career exploration services.
238.16 	(tt) $750,000 each year is for a grant to Mind 
238.17 	the G.A.P.P. (Gaining Assistance to Prosperity 
238.18 	Program) to improve the quality of life of 
238.19 	unemployed and underemployed individuals 
238.20 	by improving their employment outcomes and 
238.21 	developing individual earnings potential. This 
238.22 	is a onetime appropriation. Any unencumbered 
238.23 	balance remaining at the end of the first year 
238.24 	does not cancel but is available in the second 
238.25 	year.
238.26 	(uu) $550,000 each year is for a grant to the 
238.27 	International Institute of Minnesota. Grant 
238.28 	money must be used for workforce training 
238.29 	for new Americans in industries in need of a 
238.30 	trained workforce. This is a onetime 
238.31 	appropriation.
238.32 	(vv) $400,000 each year from the workforce 
238.33 	development fund is for a grant to Hired to 
238.34 	expand their career pathway job training and 
239.1 	placement program that connects lower-skilled 
239.2 	job seekers to entry-level and gateway jobs in 
239.3 	high-growth sectors. This is a onetime 
239.4 	appropriation.
239.5 	(ww) $500,000 each year is for a grant to the 
239.6 	American Indian Opportunities and 
239.7 	Industrialization Center for workforce 
239.8 	development programming, including reducing 
239.9 	academic disparities for American Indian 
239.10 	students and adults. This is a onetime 
239.11 	appropriation.
239.12 	(xx) $500,000 each year from the workforce 
239.13 	development fund is for a grant to the Hmong 
239.14 	Chamber of Commerce to train ethnically 
239.15 	Southeast Asian business owners and 
239.16 	operators in better business practices. Of this 
239.17 	amount, up to $5,000 may be used for 
239.18 	administrative costs. This is a onetime 
239.19 	appropriation.
239.20 	(yy) $275,000 each year is for a grant to 
239.21 	Southeast Minnesota Workforce Development 
239.22 	Area 8 and Workforce Development, Inc., to 
239.23 	provide career planning, career pathway 
239.24 	training and education, wraparound support 
239.25 	services, and job skills advancement in 
239.26 	high-demand careers to individuals with 
239.27 	barriers to employment in Steele County, and 
239.28 	to help families build secure pathways out of 
239.29 	poverty and address worker shortages in the 
239.30 	Owatonna and Steele County area, as well as 
239.31 	supporting Employer Outreach Services that 
239.32 	provide solutions to workforce challenges and 
239.33 	direct connections to workforce programming. 
239.34 	Money may be used for program expenses, 
239.35 	including but not limited to hiring instructors 
240.1 	and navigators; space rental; and supportive 
240.2 	services to help participants attend classes, 
240.3 	including assistance with course fees, child 
240.4 	care, transportation, and safe and stable 
240.5 	housing. Up to five percent of grant money 
240.6 	may be used for Workforce Development, 
240.7 	Inc.'s administrative costs. This is a onetime 
240.8 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
240.9 	2027.
240.10 	(zz) $589,000 the first year and $588,000 the 
240.11 	second year are for grants to the Black 
240.12 	Women's Wealth Alliance to provide 
240.13 	low-income individuals with job skills 
240.14 	training, career counseling, and job placement 
240.15 	assistance. This is a onetime appropriation.
240.16 	(aaa) $250,000 each year is for a grant to 
240.17 	Abijahs on the Backside to provide equine 
240.18 	experiential mental health therapy to first 
240.19 	responders suffering from job-related trauma 
240.20 	and post-traumatic stress disorder. For 
240.21 	purposes of this paragraph, a "first responder" 
240.22 	is a peace officer as defined in Minnesota 
240.23 	Statutes, section 626.84, subdivision 1, 
240.24 	paragraph (c); a full-time firefighter as defined 
240.25 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 299N.03, 
240.26 	subdivision 5; or a volunteer firefighter as 
240.27 	defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
240.28 	299N.03, subdivision 7.
240.29 	Abijahs on the Backside must report to the 
240.30 	commissioner of employment and economic 
240.31 	development and the chairs and ranking 
240.32 	minority members of the legislative 
240.33 	committees with jurisdiction over employment 
240.34 	and economic development policy and finance 
240.35 	on the equine experiential mental health 
241.1 	therapy provided to first responders under this 
241.2 	paragraph. The report must include an 
241.3 	overview of the program's budget, a detailed 
241.4 	explanation of program expenditures, the 
241.5 	number of first responders served by the 
241.6 	program, and a list and explanation of the 
241.7 	services provided to and benefits received by 
241.8 	program participants. An initial report is due 
241.9 	by January 15, 2024, and a final report is due 
241.10 	by January 15, 2026. This is a onetime 
241.11 	appropriation.
241.12 	(bbb) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
241.13 	Ramsey County to provide job training and 
241.14 	workforce development for underserved 
241.15 	communities. Grant money may be subgranted 
241.16 	to Milestone Community Development for the 
241.17 	Milestone Tech program. This is a onetime 
241.18 	appropriation.
241.19 	(ccc) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
241.20 	Ramsey County for a technology training 
241.21 	pathway program focused on intergenerational 
241.22 	community tech work for residents who are 
241.23 	at least 18 years old and no more than 24 years 
241.24 	old and who live in a census tract that has a 
241.25 	poverty rate of at least 20 percent as reported 
241.26 	in the most recently completed decennial 
241.27 	census published by the United States Bureau 
241.28 	of the Census. Grant money may be used for 
241.29 	program administration, training, training 
241.30 	stipends, wages, and support services. This is 
241.31 	a onetime appropriation.
241.32 	(ddd) $200,000 each year is for a grant to 
241.33 	Project Restore Minnesota for the Social 
241.34 	Kitchen project, a pathway program for careers 
241.35 	in the culinary arts. This is a onetime 
242.1 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
242.2 	2027.
242.3 	(eee) $100,000 each year is for grants to the 
242.4 	Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation 
242.5 	for Carts to Careers, a statewide initiative to 
242.6 	promote careers, conduct outreach, provide 
242.7 	job skills training, and award scholarships for 
242.8 	students pursuing careers in the food industry. 
242.9 	This is a onetime appropriation.
242.10 	(fff) $1,200,000 each year is for a grant to 
242.11 	Twin Cities R!SE. Of this amount, $700,000 
242.12 	each year is for performance grants under 
242.13 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8747, to 
242.14 	Twin Cities R!SE to provide training to 
242.15 	individuals facing barriers to employment; 
242.16 	and $500,000 each year is to increase the 
242.17 	capacity of the Empowerment Institute through 
242.18 	employer partnerships across Minnesota and 
242.19 	expansion of the youth personal empowerment 
242.20 	curriculum. This is a onetime appropriation 
242.21 	and available until June 30, 2026.
242.22 	(ggg) $750,000 each year is for a grant to 
242.23 	Bridges to Healthcare to provide career 
242.24 	education, wraparound support services, and 
242.25 	job skills training in high-demand health care 
242.26 	fields to low-income parents, nonnative 
242.27 	speakers of English, and other hard-to-train 
242.28 	individuals, helping families build secure 
242.29 	pathways out of poverty while also addressing 
242.30 	worker shortages in one of Minnesota's most 
242.31 	innovative industries. Grants may be used for 
242.32 	program expenses, including but not limited 
242.33 	to hiring instructors and navigators; space 
242.34 	rental; and supportive services to help 
242.35 	participants attend classes, including assistance 
243.1 	with course fees, child care, transportation, 
243.2 	and safe and stable housing. In addition, up to 
243.3 	five percent of grant money may be used for 
243.4 	Bridges to Healthcare's administrative costs. 
243.5 	This is a onetime appropriation.
243.6 	(hhh) $500,000 each year is for a grant to Big 
243.7 	Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities 
243.8 	to provide disadvantaged youth ages 12 to 21 
243.9 	with job-seeking skills, connections to job 
243.10 	training and education opportunities, and 
243.11 	mentorship while exploring careers. The grant 
243.12 	shall serve youth in the Big Brothers Big 
243.13 	Sisters chapters in the Twin Cities, central 
243.14 	Minnesota, and southern Minnesota. This is a 
243.15 	onetime appropriation.
243.16 	(iii) $3,000,000 each year is for a grant to 
243.17 	Youthprise to provide economic development 
243.18 	services designed to enhance long-term 
243.19 	economic self-sufficiency in communities with 
243.20 	concentrated African populations statewide. 
243.21 	Of these amounts, 50 percent is for subgrants 
243.22 	to Ka Joog and 50 percent is for competitive 
243.23 	subgrants to community organizations. This 
243.24 	is a onetime appropriation.
243.25 	(jjj) $350,000 each year is for a grant to the 
243.26 	YWCA Minneapolis to provide training to 
243.27 	eligible individuals, including job skills 
243.28 	training, career counseling, and job placement 
243.29 	assistance necessary to secure a child 
243.30 	development associate credential and to have 
243.31 	a career path in early education. This is a 
243.32 	onetime appropriation.
243.33 	(kkk) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
243.34 	Emerge Community Development to support 
243.35 	and reinforce critical workforce training at the 
244.1 	Emerge Career and Technical Center, Cedar 
244.2 	Riverside Opportunity Center, and Emerge 
244.3 	Second Chance programs in the city of 
244.4 	Minneapolis. This is a onetime appropriation.
244.5 	(lll) $425,000 each year is for a grant to Better 
244.6 	Futures Minnesota to provide job skills 
244.7 	training to individuals who have been released 
244.8 	from incarceration for a felony-level offense 
244.9 	and are no more than 12 months from the date 
244.10 	of release. This is a onetime appropriation.
244.11 	Better Futures Minnesota shall annually report 
244.12 	to the commissioner on how the money was 
244.13 	spent and what results were achieved. The 
244.14 	report must include, at a minimum, 
244.15 	information and data about the number of 
244.16 	participants; participant homelessness, 
244.17 	employment, recidivism, and child support 
244.18 	compliance; and job skills training provided 
244.19 	to program participants.
244.20 	(mmm) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
244.21 	Pillsbury United Communities to provide job 
244.22 	training and workforce development services 
244.23 	for underserved communities. This is a 
244.24 	onetime appropriation.
244.25 	(nnn) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
244.26 	Project for Pride in Living for job training and 
244.27 	workforce development services for 
244.28 	underserved communities. This is a onetime 
244.29 	appropriation.
244.30 	(ooo) $300,000 each year is for a grant to 
244.31 	YMCA of the North to provide career 
244.32 	exploration, job training, and workforce 
244.33 	development services for underserved youth 
245.1 	and young adults. This is a onetime 
245.2 	appropriation.
245.3 	(ppp) $500,000 each year is for a grant to Al 
245.4 	Maa'uun, formerly the North at Work program, 
245.5 	for a strategic intervention program designed 
245.6 	to target and connect program participants to 
245.7 	meaningful, sustainable living wage 
245.8 	employment. This is a onetime appropriation.
245.9 	(qqq) $500,000 each year is for a grant to 
245.10 	CAIRO to provide workforce development 
245.11 	services in health care, technology, and 
245.12 	transportation (CDL) industries. This is a 
245.13 	onetime appropriation.
245.14 	(rrr) $500,000 each year is for a grant to the 
245.15 	Central Minnesota Community Empowerment 
245.16 	Organization for providing services to relieve 
245.17 	economic disparities in the African immigrant 
245.18 	community through workforce recruitment, 
245.19 	development, job creation, assistance of 
245.20 	smaller organizations to increase capacity, and 
245.21 	outreach. Of this amount, up to five percent 
245.22 	is for administration and monitoring of the 
245.23 	program. This is a onetime appropriation.
245.24 	(sss) $270,000 each year is for a grant to the 
245.25 	Stairstep Foundation for community-based 
245.26 	workforce development efforts. This is a 
245.27 	onetime appropriation.
245.28 	(ttt) $400,000 each year is for a grant to 
245.29 	Building Strong Communities, Inc, for a 
245.30 	statewide apprenticeship readiness program 
245.31 	to prepare women, BIPOC community 
245.32 	members, and veterans to enter the building 
245.33 	and construction trades. This is a onetime 
245.34 	appropriation.
246.1 	(uuu) $150,000 each year is for prevailing 
246.2 	wage staff under Minnesota Statutes, section 
246.3 	116J.871, subdivision 2.
246.4 	(vvv) $250,000 each year is for the purpose 
246.5 	of awarding a grant to Minnesota Community 
246.6 	of African People with Disabilities 
246.7 	(MNCAPD), Roots Connect, and Fortune 
246.8 	Relief and Youth Empowerment Organization 
246.9 	(FRAYEO). This is a onetime appropriation. 
246.10 	MNCAPD, Roots Connect, and FRAYEO 
246.11 	must use grant proceeds to provide funding 
246.12 	for workforce development activities for 
246.13 	at-risk youth from low-income families and 
246.14 	unengaged young adults experiencing 
246.15 	disabilities, including:
246.16 	(1) job readiness training for at-risk youth, 
246.17 	including resume building, interview skills, 
246.18 	and job search strategies;
246.19 	(2) on-the-job training opportunities with local 
246.20 	businesses;
246.21 	(3) support services such as transportation 
246.22 	assistance and child care to help youth attend 
246.23 	job training programs; and
246.24 	(4) mentorship and networking opportunities 
246.25 	to connect youth with professionals in the 
246.26 	youth's desired fields.
246.27 	(www)(1) $250,000 each year is for a grant 
246.28 	to Greater Rochester Advocates for 
246.29 	Universities and Colleges (GRAUC), a 
246.30 	collaborative organization representing health 
246.31 	care, business, workforce development, and 
246.32 	higher education institutions, for expenses 
246.33 	relating to starting up a state-of-the-art 
246.34 	simulation center for training health care 
247.1 	workers in southeast Minnesota. Once 
247.2 	established, this center must be self-sustaining 
247.3 	through user fees. Eligible expenses include 
247.4 	leasing costs, developing and providing 
247.5 	training, and operational costs. This is a 
247.6 	onetime appropriation.
247.7 	(2) By January 15, 2025, GRAUC must submit 
247.8 	a report, including an independent financial 
247.9 	audit of the use of grant money, to the chairs 
247.10 	and ranking minority members of the 
247.11 	legislative committees having jurisdiction over 
247.12 	higher education and economic development. 
247.13 	This report must include details on the training 
247.14 	provided at the simulation center, including 
247.15 	the names of all organizations that use the 
247.16 	center for training, the number of individuals 
247.17 	each organization trained, and the type of 
247.18 	training provided.
247.19 	(xxx)(1) $350,000 each year is for a grant to 
247.20 	the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers 
247.21 	for a pilot program supporting black 
247.22 	undergraduate students pursuing admission to 
247.23 	law school. This is a onetime appropriation.
247.24 	(2) The program must:
247.25 	(i) enroll an initial cohort of ten to 20 black 
247.26 	Minnesota resident students attending a 
247.27 	baccalaureate degree-granting postsecondary 
247.28 	institution in Minnesota full time;
247.29 	(ii) support each of the program's students with 
247.30 	an academic scholarship in the amount of 
247.31 	$4,000 per academic year;
247.32 	(iii) organize events and programming, 
247.33 	including but not limited to one-on-one 
248.1 	mentoring, to familiarize enrolled students 
248.2 	with law school and legal careers; and
248.3 	(iv) provide the program's students free test 
248.4 	preparation materials, academic support, and 
248.5 	registration for the Law School Admission 
248.6 	Test (LSAT) examination.
248.7 	(3) The Minnesota Association of Black 
248.8 	Lawyers may use grant funds under clause (1) 
248.9 	for costs related to:
248.10 	(i) student scholarships;
248.11 	(ii) academic events and programming, 
248.12 	including food and transportation costs for 
248.13 	students;
248.14 	(iii) LSAT preparation materials, courses, and 
248.15 	registrations; and
248.16 	(iv) hiring staff for the program.
248.17 	(4) By January 30, 2024, and again by January 
248.18 	30, 2025, the Minnesota Association of Black 
248.19 	Lawyers must submit a report to the 
248.20 	commissioner and to the chairs and ranking 
248.21 	minority members of legislative committees 
248.22 	with jurisdiction over workforce development 
248.23 	finance and policy and higher education 
248.24 	finance and policy. The report must include 
248.25 	an accurate and detailed account of the pilot 
248.26 	program, its outcomes, and its revenues and 
248.27 	expenses, including the use of all state funds 
248.28 	appropriated in clause (1).
248.29 	(yyy) $2,000,000 the first year is for a grant 
248.30 	to the Power of People Leadership Institute 
248.31 	(POPLI) to expand pre- and post-release 
248.32 	personal development and leadership training 
248.33 	and community reintegration services, to 
249.1 	reduce recidivism, and increase access to 
249.2 	employment. This is a onetime appropriation 
249.3 	and is available until June 30, 2025.
249.4 	(zzz) $500,000 the first year is to the 
249.5 	Legislative Coordinating Commission for the 
249.6 	Working Group on Youth Interventions. This 
249.7 	is a onetime appropriation.

249.8	Subd. 4.General Support Services
 		18,045,000
		8,045,000

249.9	Appropriations by Fund
	
249.10		2024
	2025
	
249.11	General Fund
	17,950,000
	7,950,000
	
249.12
249.13	Workforce 
Development
	95,000
	95,000
	
249.14 	(a) $1,269,000 each year is for transfer to the 
249.15 	Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for 
249.16 	operating the Olmstead Compliance Office.
249.17 	(b) $10,000,000 the first year is for the 
249.18 	workforce digital transformation projects. This 
249.19 	appropriation is onetime and is available until 
249.20 	June 30, 2027.

249.21	Subd. 5.Minnesota Trade Office
 		$2,242,000
		$2,242,000
	
249.22 	(a) $300,000 each year is for the STEP grants 
249.23 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.979.
249.24 	(b) $180,000 each year is for the Invest 
249.25 	Minnesota marketing initiative under 
249.26 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.9781.
249.27 	(c) $270,000 each year is for the Minnesota 
249.28 	Trade Offices under Minnesota Statutes, 
249.29 	section 116J.978.

249.30	Subd. 6.Vocational Rehabilitation
 		45,691,000
		45,691,000

249.31	Appropriations by Fund
	
249.32		2024
	2025
	
250.1	General
	37,861,000
	37,861,000
	
250.2
250.3	Workforce 
Development
	7,830,000
	7,830,000
	
250.4 	(a) $14,300,000 each year is for the state's 
250.5 	vocational rehabilitation program under 
250.6 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268A.
250.7 	(b) $11,495,000 each year from the general 
250.8 	fund and $6,830,000 each year from the 
250.9 	workforce development fund are for extended 
250.10 	employment services for persons with severe 
250.11 	disabilities under Minnesota Statutes, section 
250.12 	268A.15. Of the amounts appropriated from 
250.13 	the general fund, $4,500,000 each year is for 
250.14 	maintaining prior rate increases to providers 
250.15 	of extended employment services for persons 
250.16 	with severe disabilities under Minnesota 
250.17 	Statutes, section 268A.15.
250.18 	(c) $5,055,000 each year is for grants to 
250.19 	programs that provide employment support 
250.20 	services to persons with mental illness under 
250.21 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 268A.13 and 
250.22 	268A.14. The base for this appropriation is 
250.23 	$2,555,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year 
250.24 	thereafter.
250.25 	(d) $7,011,000 each year is for grants to 
250.26 	centers for independent living under 
250.27 	Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.11. This 
250.28 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2027. 
250.29 	The base for this appropriation is $3,011,000 
250.30 	in fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter.
250.31 	(e) $1,000,000 each year is from the workforce 
250.32 	development fund for grants under Minnesota 
250.33 	Statutes, section 268A.16, for employment 
250.34 	services for persons, including transition-age 
250.35 	youth, who are deaf, deafblind, or 
251.1 	hard-of-hearing. If the amount in the first year 
251.2 	is insufficient, the amount in the second year 
251.3 	is available in the first year.

251.4	Subd. 7.Services for the Blind
 		10,425,000
		10,425,000
	
251.5 	(a) $500,000 each year is for senior citizens 
251.6 	who are becoming blind. At least one-half of 
251.7 	the money for this purpose must be used to 
251.8 	provide training services for seniors who are 
251.9 	becoming blind. Training services must 
251.10 	provide independent living skills to seniors 
251.11 	who are becoming blind to allow them to 
251.12 	continue to live independently in their homes.
251.13 	(b) $2,000,000 each year is for the employer 
251.14 	reasonable accommodation fund. This is a 
251.15 	onetime appropriation.

251.16	Sec. 3. EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM
 	$
	40,954,000
	$
	21,369,000
	
251.17 	(a) $500,000 each year must be matched from 
251.18 	nonstate sources to develop maximum private 
251.19 	sector involvement in tourism. Each $1 of state 
251.20 	incentive must be matched with $6 of private 
251.21 	sector money. "Matched" means revenue to 
251.22 	the state or documented in-kind, soft match, 
251.23 	or cash expenditures directly expended to 
251.24 	support Explore Minnesota Tourism under 
251.25 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116U.05. The 
251.26 	incentive in fiscal year 2024 is based on fiscal 
251.27 	year 2023 private sector contributions. The 
251.28 	incentive in fiscal year 2025 is based on fiscal 
251.29 	year 2024 private sector contributions. This 
251.30 	incentive is ongoing.
251.31 	(b) $11,000,000 the first year is for the 
251.32 	development of Explore Minnesota for 
251.33 	Business under Minnesota Statutes, section 
251.34 	116U.07, to market the overall livability and 
252.1 	economic opportunities of Minnesota. This is 
252.2 	a onetime appropriation.
252.3 	(c) $5,500,000 each year is for the 
252.4 	development of new initiatives for Explore 
252.5 	Minnesota Tourism. If the amount in the first 
252.6 	year is insufficient, the amount in the second 
252.7 	year is available in the first year. This is a 
252.8 	onetime appropriation.
252.9 	(d) $6,047,000 the first year and $600,000 the 
252.10 	second year is for grants for infrastructure and 
252.11 	associated costs for cultural festivals and 
252.12 	events, including but not limited to buildout, 
252.13 	permits, sanitation and maintenance services, 
252.14 	transportation, staffing, event programming, 
252.15 	public safety, facilities and equipment rentals, 
252.16 	signage, and insurance. This is a onetime 
252.17 	appropriation. Of this amount:
252.18 	(1) $1,847,000 the first year is for a grant to 
252.19 	the Minneapolis Downtown Council for the 
252.20 	Taste of Minnesota event;
252.21 	(2) $1,200,000 the first year is for a grant to 
252.22 	the Stairstep Foundation for African American 
252.23 	cultural festivals and events;
252.24 	(3) $1,200,000 the first year is for grants for 
252.25 	Somali community and cultural festivals and 
252.26 	events, including festivals and events in 
252.27 	greater Minnesota, as follows:
252.28 	(i) $400,000 is for a grant to Ka Joog;
252.29 	(ii) $400,000 is for a grant to the Somali 
252.30 	Museum of Minnesota; and
252.31 	(iii) $400,000 is for a grant to ESHARA;
253.1 	(4) $1,200,000 the first year is for a grant to 
253.2 	West Side Boosters for Latino cultural 
253.3 	festivals and events; and
253.4 	(5) $600,000 the first year and $600,000 the 
253.5 	second year are for grants to the United 
253.6 	Hmong Family, Inc. for the Hmong 
253.7 	International Freedom Festival event.
253.8 	(e) Money for marketing grants is available 
253.9 	either year of the biennium. Unexpended grant 
253.10 	money from the first year is available in the 
253.11 	second year.
253.12 	(f) The base for Explore Minnesota is 
253.13 	$17,023,000 from the general fund in fiscal 
253.14 	year 2026 and each year thereafter.

253.15 	Sec. 4. Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 4, article 2, section 2, subdivision 1, is 
253.16 	amended to read:

253.17
253.18	Subdivision 1.Clean Energy Career Training 
Pilot Project
 					
253.19 	$2,500,000 the first year is for a grant to 
253.20 	Northgate Development, LLC, for a pilot 
253.21 	project under article 8, section 30, to provide 
253.22 	training pathways into careers in the clean 
253.23 	energy sector for students and young adults 
253.24 	in underserved communities. Any unexpended 
253.25 	funds remaining at the end of the biennium
253.26 	fiscal year 2024 cancel to the renewable 
253.27 	development account. This is a onetime 
253.28 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
253.29 	2024.

253.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from July 1, 2021.

254.1 	ARTICLE 21
254.2 	MINNESOTA FORWARD

254.3 	Section 1. [116J.8752] MINNESOTA FORWARD FUND.
254.4 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision 
254.5 	have the meanings given.
254.6 	(b) "Agreement" or "business subsidy agreement" means a business subsidy agreement 
254.7 	under section 116J.994 that must include but is not limited to the specification of the duration 
254.8 	of the agreement, job goals and a timeline for achieving those goals over the duration of 
254.9 	the agreement, construction and other investment goals and a timeline for achieving those 
254.10 	goals over the duration of the agreement, and the value of benefits the firm may receive 
254.11 	following achievement of capital investment and employment goals.
254.12 	(c) "Business" means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, 
254.13 	association, or other business entity.
254.14 	(d) "Capital investment" means money that is expended for the purpose of building or 
254.15 	improving real fixed property where employees are or will be employed, equipment and 
254.16 	machinery in the building, and operating expenses related to the building.
254.17 	(e) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
254.18 	(f) "Fund" means the Minnesota forward fund account.
254.19 		Subd. 2.Purpose. The Minnesota forward fund account is created to increase the state's 
254.20 	competitiveness by providing the state the authority and flexibility to facilitate private 
254.21 	investment. The fund serves as a closing fund to allow the authority and flexibility to 
254.22 	negotiate incentives to better compete with other states for business retention, expansion 
254.23 	and attraction of projects in existing and new industries, develop properties for business 
254.24 	use, and leverage to meet matching requirements of federal funding for resiliency in economic 
254.25 	security and economic enhancement opportunities that provide the public high-quality 
254.26 	employment opportunities.
254.27 		Subd. 3.Minnesota forward fund account. (a) The Minnesota forward fund account 
254.28 	is created as a separate account in the treasury. Except as otherwise appropriated in law, 
254.29 	money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of employment and economic 
254.30 	development for the purposes of this section. All money earned by the account, loan 
254.31 	repayments of principal, and interest must be credited to the account and remain available 
254.32 	until expended.
254.33 	(b) The commissioner shall use the fund to:
255.1 	(1) create and retain permanent private-sector jobs in order to create above-average 
255.2 	economic growth consistent with environmental protection;
255.3 	(2) stimulate or leverage private investment to ensure economic renewal and 
255.4 	competitiveness;
255.5 	(3) increase the local tax base, based on demonstrated measurable outcomes, to guarantee 
255.6 	a diversified industry mix;
255.7 	(4) improve the quality of existing jobs, based on increases in wages or improvements 
255.8 	in the job duties, training, or education associated with those jobs;
255.9 	(5) improve employment and economic opportunity for residents in the region to create 
255.10 	a reasonable standard of living, consistent with federal and state guidelines on low- to 
255.11 	moderate-income persons;
255.12 	(6) stimulate productivity growth through improved manufacturing or new technologies; 
255.13 	and
255.14 	(7) match or leverage private or public funding to increase investment and opportunity 
255.15 	in the state.
255.16 		Subd. 4.Use of fund. (a) The commissioner may use money in the Minnesota forward 
255.17 	fund account to make grants and loans to businesses that are making large private capital 
255.18 	investments in existing and new industries. The commissioner may also use money in the 
255.19 	fund to make grants to communities and higher education institutions to support such capital 
255.20 	investments and related activities to support the industries. Money may be used to address 
255.21 	capital needs of businesses for machinery and equipment purchases; building construction 
255.22 	and remodeling; land development; water and sewer lines, roads, rail lines, and natural gas 
255.23 	and electric infrastructure; working capital. Money in the fund may also be used for 
255.24 	administration and monitoring of the program and to pay for the costs of carrying out the 
255.25 	commissioner's due diligence duties under this section.
255.26 	(b) The commissioner may use money in the fund to make grants to a municipality or 
255.27 	local unit of government for public and private infrastructure needed to support an eligible 
255.28 	project under this section. Grant money may be used by the municipality or local unit of 
255.29 	government to predesign, design, construct, and equip roads and rail lines; acquire and 
255.30 	prepare land for development; and, in cooperation with municipal utilities, to predesign, 
255.31 	design, construct, and equip natural gas pipelines, electric infrastructure, water supply 
255.32 	systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems. The maximum grant award per 
256.1 	local unit of government under this section is $7,500,000 or no more than 50 percent of the 
256.2 	total infrastructure project.
256.3 		Subd. 5.Grant limits. Individual business expansion projects are limited to no more 
256.4 	than $15,000,000 in grants or loans combined. The commissioner shall not be precluded 
256.5 	from using other funding sources from the Department of Employment and Economic 
256.6 	Development to facilitate a project. Total funding per business under this section shall not 
256.7 	exceed $15,000,000, of which no more than $10,000,000 may be grants. Grants under this 
256.8 	subdivision are available until expended.
256.9 		Subd. 6.Administration. (a) Eligible applicants for the state-funded portion of the fund 
256.10 	also include development authorities as defined in section 116J.552, subdivision 4, provided 
256.11 	that the governing body of the municipality approves, by resolution, the application of the 
256.12 	development authority. Institutions of higher education also constitute eligible applicants 
256.13 	for the purpose of developing and deploying workforce training programs and for developing 
256.14 	and deploying research and development partnerships for projects eligible under this section.
256.15 	(b) The business, municipality, or local unit of government must request and submit an  
256.16 	application to the commissioner. Applications must be in the form and procedure specified 
256.17 	by the commissioner.
256.18 	(c) The commissioner must conduct due diligence, including contracting with 
256.19 	professionals as needed to assist in the due diligence.
256.20 	(d) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, grant and loan agreements through 
256.21 	the Minnesota forward fund account may exceed five years but not more than ten years.
256.22 		Subd. 7.Requirements for fund disbursements. Disbursements of loan funds pursuant 
256.23 	to a commitment may not be made until:
256.24 	(1) commitments for the remainder of a project's funding are made that are satisfactory 
256.25 	to the commissioner and disbursements made from the other commitments are sufficient to 
256.26 	protect the interests of the state in its grant or loan;
256.27 	(2) performance requirements are met, if any;
256.28 	(3) the municipality or local unit of government in which the project will be located has 
256.29 	passed a resolution of support for the project and submitted this resolution of support to the 
256.30 	department; and
256.31 	(4) all of a project's funding is satisfactory to the commissioner and disbursements made 
256.32 	from other commitments are sufficient to protect the interests of the state.
257.1 		Subd. 8.Report. The municipality, local unit of government, or business must report 
257.2 	to the commissioner on the business performance using the forms developed by the 
257.3 	commissioner.
257.4 		Subd. 9.Reporting. The commissioner shall provide the Legislative Advisory 
257.5 	Commission and the ranking members of the committees with jurisdiction over economic 
257.6 	development with an annual report on all projects that have been approved by February 15 
257.7 	of each year until this section is repealed or the funding has been exhausted.

257.8 	Sec. 2. [216C.441] MINNESOTA CLIMATE INNOVATION FINANCE 
257.9 	AUTHORITY.
257.10 		Subdivision 1.Establishment; purpose. (a) There is created a public body corporate 
257.11 	and politic to be known as the "Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority," whose 
257.12 	purpose is to accelerate the deployment of clean energy projects, greenhouse gas emissions 
257.13 	reduction projects, and other qualified projects through the strategic deployment of public 
257.14 	funds in the form of grants, loans, credit enhancements, and other financing mechanisms 
257.15 	in order to leverage existing public and private sources of capital to reduce the upfront and 
257.16 	total cost of qualified projects and to overcome financial barriers to project adoption, 
257.17 	especially in low-income communities.
257.18 	(b) The goals of the authority include but are not limited to:
257.19 	(1) reducing Minnesota's contributions to climate change by accelerating the deployment 
257.20 	of clean energy projects;
257.21 	(2) ensuring that all Minnesotans share the benefits of clean and renewable energy and 
257.22 	the opportunity to fully participate in the clean energy economy by promoting:
257.23 	(i) the creation of clean energy jobs for Minnesota workers, particularly in environmental 
257.24 	justice communities and communities in which fossil fuel electric generating plants are 
257.25 	retiring; and
257.26 	(ii) the principles of environmental justice in the authority's operations and funding 
257.27 	decisions; and
257.28 	(3) maintaining energy reliability while reducing the economic burden of energy costs, 
257.29 	especially on low-income households.
257.30 		Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the 
257.31 	meanings given.
257.32 	(b) "Authority" means the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority.
258.1 	(c) "Board" means the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority's board of 
258.2 	directors established in subdivision 10.
258.3 	(d) "Clean energy project" has the meaning given to "qualified project" in paragraph 
258.4 	(n), clauses (1) to (7).
258.5 	(e) "Community navigator" means an organization that works to facilitate access to clean 
258.6 	energy project financing by individuals and community groups.
258.7 	(f) "Credit enhancement" means a pool of capital set aside to cover potential losses on 
258.8 	loans and other investments made by financing entities, including a pool for multistate 
258.9 	projects provided that benefits to Minnesota outweigh any contribution from the authority 
258.10 	at least two to one. Credit enhancement includes but is not limited to loan loss reserves and 
258.11 	loan guarantees.
258.12 	(g) "Energy storage system" has the meaning given in section 216B.2422, subdivision 
258.13 	1, paragraph (f).
258.14 	(h) "Environmental justice" means that:
258.15 	(1) communities of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income communities have 
258.16 	a healthy environment and are treated fairly when environmental statutes, rules, and policies 
258.17 	are developed, adopted, implemented, and enforced; and
258.18 	(2) in all decisions that have the potential to affect the environment of an environmental 
258.19 	justice community or the public health of an environmental justice community's residents, 
258.20 	due consideration is given to the history of the area's and the area's residents' cumulative 
258.21 	exposure to pollutants and to any current socioeconomic conditions that increase the physical  
258.22 	sensitivity of the area's residents to additional exposure to pollutants.
258.23 	(i) "Environmental justice community" means a community in Minnesota that:
258.24 	(1) is defined as a disadvantaged community by the federal source of funding accessed 
258.25 	by the authority under this act; or
258.26 	(2) based on the most recent data published by the United States Census Bureau, meets 
258.27 	one or more of the following criteria:
258.28 	(i) 40 percent or more of the community's total population is nonwhite;
258.29 	(ii) 35 percent or more of households in the community have an income that is at or 
258.30 	below 200 percent of the federal poverty level;
258.31 	(iii) 40 percent or more of the community's residents over the age of five have limited 
258.32 	English proficiency; or
259.1 	(iv) the community is located within Indian country, as defined in United States Code, 
259.2 	title 18, section 1151.
259.3 	(j) "Greenhouse gas emissions" means emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous 
259.4 	oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride emitted by 
259.5 	anthropogenic sources.
259.6 	(k) "Loan loss reserve" means a pool of capital set aside to reimburse a private lender 
259.7 	if a customer defaults on a loan, up to an agreed-upon percentage of loans originated by the 
259.8 	private lender.
259.9 	(l) "Microgrid system" means an electrical grid that:
259.10 	(1) serves a discrete geographical area from distributed energy resources; and
259.11 	(2) can operate independently from the central electric grid on a temporary basis.
259.12 	(m) "Project labor agreement" means a prehire collective bargaining agreement with a 
259.13 	council of building and construction trades labor organizations (1) prohibiting strikes, 
259.14 	lockouts, and similar disruptions, and (2) providing for a binding procedure to resolve labor 
259.15 	disputes on the project.
259.16 	(n) "Qualified project" means a project, technology, product, service, or measure 
259.17 	promoting energy efficiency, clean energy, electrification, or water conservation and quality 
259.18 	that:
259.19 	(1) substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions;
259.20 	(2) reduces energy use without diminishing the level of service;
259.21 	(3) increases the deployment of renewable energy projects, energy storage systems, 
259.22 	district heating, smart grid technologies, or microgrid systems;
259.23 	(4) replaces existing fossil-fuel-based technology with an end-use electric technology;
259.24 	(5) supports the development and deployment of electric vehicle charging stations and 
259.25 	associated infrastructure, electric buses, and electric fleet vehicles;
259.26 	(6) reduces water use or protects, restores, or preserves the quality of surface waters; or
259.27 	(7) incentivizes customers to shift demand in response to changes in the price of electricity 
259.28 	or when system reliability is not jeopardized.
259.29 	(o) "Renewable energy" has the meaning given in section 216B.1691, subdivision 1, 
259.30 	paragraph (c), clauses (1), (2), and (4), and includes fuel cells generated from renewable 
259.31 	energy.
260.1 	(p) "Securitization" means the conversion of an asset composed of individual loans into 
260.2 	marketable securities.
260.3 	(q) "Smart grid" means a digital technology that:
260.4 	(1) allows for two-way communication between a utility and the utility's customers; and
260.5 	(2) enables the utility to control power flow and load in real time.
260.6 		Subd. 3.General powers. (a) For the purpose of exercising the specific powers granted 
260.7 	in this section, the authority has the general powers granted in this subdivision.
260.8 	(b) The authority may:
260.9 	(1) hire an executive director and staff to conduct the authority's operations;
260.10 	(2) sue and be sued;
260.11 	(3) have a seal and alter the seal;
260.12 	(4) acquire, hold, lease, manage, and dispose of real or personal property for the 
260.13 	authority's corporate purposes;
260.14 	(5) enter into agreements, including cooperative financing agreements, contracts, or 
260.15 	other transactions, with a Tribal government, any federal or state agency, county, local unit 
260.16 	of government, regional development commission, person, domestic or foreign partnership, 
260.17 	corporation, association, or organization;
260.18 	(6) acquire by purchase real property, or an interest therein, in the authority's own name 
260.19 	where acquisition is necessary or appropriate;
260.20 	(7) provide general technical and consultative services related to the authority's purpose;
260.21 	(8) promote research and development in matters related to the authority's purpose;
260.22 	(9) conduct market analysis to determine where the market is underserved;
260.23 	(10) analyze greenhouse gas emissions reduction project financing needs in the state 
260.24 	and recommend measures to alleviate any shortage of financing capacity;
260.25 	(11) contract with any governmental or private agency or organization, legal counsel, 
260.26 	financial advisor, investment banker, or others to assist in the exercise of the authority's 
260.27 	powers;
260.28 	(12) enter into agreements with qualified lenders or others insuring or guaranteeing to 
260.29 	the state the payment of qualified loans or other financing instruments; and
261.1 	(13) accept on behalf of the state any gift, grant, or interest in money or personal property 
261.2 	tendered to the state for any purpose pertaining to the authority's activities.
261.3 		Subd. 4.Authority duties. (a) The authority must:
261.4 	(1) serve as a financial resource to reduce the upfront and total costs of implementing 
261.5 	qualified projects;
261.6 	(2) ensure that all financed projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
261.7 	(3) ensure that financing terms and conditions offered are well-suited to qualified projects;
261.8 	(4) strategically prioritize the use of the authority's funds to leverage private investment 
261.9 	in qualified projects, with the aim of achieving a high ratio of private to public money 
261.10 	invested through funding mechanisms that support, enhance, and complement private lending 
261.11 	and investment;
261.12 	(5) coordinate with existing federal, state, local, utility, and other programs to ensure 
261.13 	that the authority's resources are being used most effectively to add to and complement 
261.14 	those programs;
261.15 	(6) stimulate demand for qualified projects by:
261.16 	(i) contracting with the department to provide, including through subcontracts with 
261.17 	community navigators, information to project participants about federal, state, local, utility, 
261.18 	and other authority financial assistance for qualifying projects, and technical information 
261.19 	on energy conservation and renewable energy measures;
261.20 	(ii) forming partnerships with contractors and informing contractors about the authority's 
261.21 	financing programs;
261.22 	(iii) developing innovative marketing strategies to stimulate project owner interest, 
261.23 	especially in underserved communities; and
261.24 	(iv) incentivizing financing entities to increase activity in underserved markets;
261.25 	(7) finance projects in all regions of the state;
261.26 	(8) develop participant eligibility standards and other terms and conditions for financial 
261.27 	support provided by the authority;
261.28 	(9) develop and administer:
261.29 	(i) policies to collect reasonable fees for authority services; and
261.30 	(ii) risk management activities to support ongoing authority activities;
262.1 	(10) develop consumer protection standards governing the authority's investments to 
262.2 	ensure that financial support is provided responsibly and transparently and is in the financial 
262.3 	interest of participating project owners;
262.4 	(11) develop methods to accurately measure the impact of the authority's activities, 
262.5 	particularly on low-income communities and on greenhouse gas emissions reductions;
262.6 	(12) hire an executive director and sufficient staff with the appropriate skills and 
262.7 	qualifications to carry out the authority's programs, making an affirmative effort to recruit 
262.8 	and hire a director and staff who are from, or share the interests of, the communities the 
262.9 	authority must serve;
262.10 	(13) apply for, either as a direct or subgrantee applicant, and accept Greenhouse Gas 
262.11 	Reduction Fund grants authorized by the federal Clean Air Act, United States Code, title 
262.12 	42, section 7434, paragraph (a), clauses (1), (2), and (3). Until the Climate Innovation 
262.13 	Finance Authority is established, the commissioner shall apply for and receive funding 
262.14 	through Public Law 117-169 in order to leverage state investment, on behalf of the authority. 
262.15 	To the extent practicable, applications for these funds by or on behalf of the authority should 
262.16 	be made in coordination with other Minnesota applicants;
262.17 	(14) acting under its powers as a state energy financing institution under United States 
262.18 	Code, title 42, section 16511, collaborate with the United States Department of Energy Loan 
262.19 	Programs Office to ensure that authorities made available under the Inflation Reduction 
262.20 	Act of 2022, Public Law 117-169, maximally benefit Minnesotans. Until the Climate 
262.21 	Innovation Finance Authority is established, the commissioner may engage with the United 
262.22 	States Department of Energy Loan Progams Office on behalf of the authority; and
262.23 	(15) ensure that authority contracts with all third-party administrators, contractors, and 
262.24 	subcontractors contain required covenants, representations, and warranties specifying that 
262.25 	contracted third parties are agents of the authority and that all acts of contracted third parties 
262.26 	are considered acts of the authority, provided that the act is within the contracted scope of 
262.27 	work.
262.28 	(b) The authority may:
262.29 	(1) employ credit enhancement mechanisms that reduce financial risk for financing 
262.30 	entities by providing assurance that a limited portion of a loan or other financial instrument 
262.31 	is assumed by the authority via a loan loss reserve, loan guarantee, or other mechanism;
262.32 	(2) co-invest in a qualified project by providing senior or subordinated debt, equity, or 
262.33 	other mechanisms in conjunction with other investment, co-lending, or financing;
263.1 	(3) aggregate small and geographically dispersed qualified projects in order to diversify 
263.2 	risk or secure additional private investment through securitization or similar resale of the 
263.3 	authority's interest in a completed qualified project;
263.4 	(4) expend up to 25 percent of funds appropriated to the authority for start-up purposes, 
263.5 	which may be used for financing programs and project investments authorized under this 
263.6 	section, prior to adoption of the strategic plan required under subdivision 7 and the investment 
263.7 	strategy under subdivision 8; and
263.8 	(5) require a specific project to agree to implement a project labor agreement as a 
263.9 	condition of receiving financing from the authority.
263.10 		Subd. 5.Limitations. The authority must not provide loans to a single entity in an 
263.11 	amount less than $250,000.
263.12 		Subd. 6.Authority lending practices; labor and consumer protection standards. (a) 
263.13 	In determining the projects in which the authority will participate, the authority must give 
263.14 	preference to projects that:
263.15 	(1) maximize the creation of high-quality employment and apprenticeship opportunities 
263.16 	for local workers, consistent with the public interest, especially workers from environmental 
263.17 	justice communities, labor organizations, and Minnesota communities hosting retired or 
263.18 	retiring electric generation facilities, including workers previously employed at retiring 
263.19 	facilities;
263.20 	(2) utilize energy technologies produced domestically that received an advanced 
263.21 	manufacturing tax credit under section 45X of the Internal Revenue Code, as allowed under 
263.22 	the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Public Law 117-169;
263.23 	(3) certify, for all contractors and subcontractors, that the rights of workers to organize 
263.24 	and unionize are recognized; and
263.25 	(4) agree to implement a project labor agreement.
263.26 	(b) The authority must require, for all projects for which the authority provides financing, 
263.27 	that:
263.28 	(1) if the budget is $100,000 or more, all contractors and subcontractors:
263.29 	(i) must pay no less than the prevailing wage rate, as defined in section 177.42, 
263.30 	subdivision 6; and
263.31 	(ii) are subject to the requirements and enforcement provisions under sections 177.27, 
263.32 	177.30, 177.32, 177.41 to 177.43, and 177.45, including the posting of prevailing wage 
264.1 	rates, prevailing hours of labor, and hourly basic rates of pay for all trades on the project in 
264.2 	at least one conspicuous location at the project site;
264.3 	(2) financing is not offered without first ensuring that the participants meet the authority's 
264.4 	underwriting criteria; and
264.5 	(3) any loan made to a homeowner for a project on the homeowner's residence complies 
264.6 	with section 47.59 and the following federal laws:
264.7 	(i) the Truth in Lending Act, United States Code, title 15, section 1601 et seq.;
264.8 	(ii) the Fair Credit Reporting Act, United States Code, title 15, section 1681;
264.9 	(iii) the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, United States Code, title 15, section 1691 et seq.; 
264.10 	and
264.11 	(iv) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, United States Code, title 15, section 1692.
264.12 	(c) The authority and any third-party administrator, contractor, subcontractor, or agent 
264.13 	that conducts lending, financing, investment, marketing, administration, servicing, or 
264.14 	installation of measures in connection with a qualified project financed in whole or in part 
264.15 	with authority funds is subject to sections 325D.43 to 325D.48; 325F.67 to 325F.71; 325G.06 
264.16 	to 325G.14; 325G.29 to 325G.37; and 332.37.
264.17 	(d) For the purposes of this section, "local workers" means Minnesota residents who 
264.18 	permanently reside within 150 miles of the location of a proposed project in which the 
264.19 	authority is considering to participate.
264.20 		Subd. 7.Strategic plan. (a) By December 15, 2024, and each December 15 in 
264.21 	even-numbered years thereafter, the authority must develop and adopt a strategic plan that 
264.22 	prioritizes the authority's activities over the next two years. A strategic plan must:
264.23 	(1) identify targeted underserved markets for qualified projects in Minnesota;
264.24 	(2) develop specific programs to overcome market impediments through access to 
264.25 	authority financing and technical assistance; and
264.26 	(3) develop outreach and marketing strategies designed to make potential project 
264.27 	developers, participants, and communities aware of financing and technical assistance 
264.28 	available from the authority, including the deployment of community navigators.
264.29 	(b) Elements of the strategic plan must be informed by the authority's analysis of the 
264.30 	market for qualified projects, and by the authority's experience under the previous strategic 
264.31 	plan, including the degree to which performance targets were or were not achieved by each 
264.32 	financing program. In addition, the authority must actively seek input regarding activities 
265.1 	that should be included in the strategic plan from stakeholders, environmental justice 
265.2 	communities, the general public, and participants, including via meetings required under 
265.3 	subdivision 9.
265.4 	(c) The authority must establish annual targets in a strategic plan for each financing 
265.5 	program regarding the number of projects, level of authority investments, greenhouse gas 
265.6 	emissions reductions, and installed generating capacity or energy savings the authority 
265.7 	hopes to achieve, including separate targets for authority activities undertaken in 
265.8 	environmental justice communities.
265.9 	(d) The authority's targets and strategies must be designed to ensure that no less than 40 
265.10 	percent of the direct benefits of authority activities flow to environmental justice communities 
265.11 	as defined under subdivision 2, by the United States Department of Energy, or as modified 
265.12 	by the department.
265.13 		Subd. 8.Investment strategy; content; process. (a) No later than December 15, 2024, 
265.14 	and every four years thereafter, the authority must adopt a long-term investment strategy 
265.15 	to ensure the authority's paramount goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is reflected in 
265.16 	all of the authority's operations. The investment strategy must address:
265.17 	(1) the types of qualified projects the authority should focus on;
265.18 	(2) gaps in current qualified project financing that present the greatest opportunities for 
265.19 	successful action by the authority;
265.20 	(3) how the authority can best position itself to maximize its impact without displacing, 
265.21 	subsidizing, or assuming risk that should be shared with financing entities;
265.22 	(4) financing tools that will be most effective in achieving the authority's goals;
265.23 	(5) partnerships the authority should establish with other organizations to increase the 
265.24 	likelihood of success; and
265.25 	(6) how values of equity, environmental justice, and geographic balance can be integrated 
265.26 	into all investment operations of the authority.
265.27 	(b) In developing an investment strategy, the authority must consult, at a minimum, with 
265.28 	similar organizations in other states, lending authorities, state agencies, utilities, 
265.29 	environmental and energy policy nonprofits, labor organizations, and other organizations 
265.30 	that can provide valuable advice on the authority's activities.
265.31 	(c) The long-term investment strategy must contain provisions ensuring that:
265.32 	(1) authority investments are not made solely to reduce private risk; and
266.1 	(2) private financing entities do not unilaterally control the terms of investments to which 
266.2 	the authority is a party.
266.3 	(d) The board must submit a draft long-term investment strategy for comment to each 
266.4 	of the groups and individuals the board consults under paragraph (b) and to the chairs and 
266.5 	ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with 
266.6 	primary jurisdiction over energy finance and policy, and must post the draft strategy on the 
266.7 	authority's website. The authority must accept written comments on the draft strategy for 
266.8 	at least 30 days and must consider the comments in preparing the final long-term investment 
266.9 	strategy.
266.10 		Subd. 9.Public communications and outreach. The authority must:
266.11 	(1) maintain a public website that provides information about the authority's operations, 
266.12 	current financing programs, and practices, including rates, terms, and conditions; the number 
266.13 	and amount of investments by project type; the number of jobs created; the financing 
266.14 	application process; and other information;
266.15 	(2) periodically issue an electronic newsletter to stakeholders and the public containing 
266.16 	information on the authority's products, programs, and services and key authority events 
266.17 	and decisions; and
266.18 	(3) hold quarterly meetings accessible online to update the general public on the 
266.19 	authority's activities, report progress being made in regard to the authority's strategic plan 
266.20 	and long-term investment strategy, and invite audience questions regarding authority 
266.21 	programs.
266.22 		Subd. 10.Board of directors. (a) The Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority 
266.23 	Board of Directors shall consist of the following 13 members:
266.24 	(1) the commissioner of commerce, or the commissioner's designee;
266.25 	(2) the commissioner of labor and industry, or the commissioner's designee;
266.26 	(3) the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or the commissioner's 
266.27 	designee;
266.28 	(4) the commissioner of employment and economic development, or the commissioner's 
266.29 	designee;
266.30 	(5) the commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, or the commissioner's 
266.31 	designee;
266.32 	(6) the chair of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, or the chair's designee; and
267.1 	(7) seven additional members appointed by the governor, as follows:
267.2 	(i) one member representing either a municipal electric utility or a cooperative electric 
267.3 	association;
267.4 	(ii) one member, appointed after the governor consults with labor organizations in the 
267.5 	state, must be a representative of a labor union with experience working on clean energy 
267.6 	projects;
267.7 	(iii) one member with expertise in the impact of climate change on Minnesota 
267.8 	communities, particularly low-income communities;
267.9 	(iv) one member with expertise in financing projects at a community bank, credit union, 
267.10 	community development institution, or local government;
267.11 	(v) one member with expertise in sustainable development and energy conservation;
267.12 	(vi) one member with expertise in environmental justice; and
267.13 	(vii) one member with expertise in investment fund management or financing and 
267.14 	deploying clean energy technologies.
267.15 	(b) At least two members appointed to the board must permanently reside outside the 
267.16 	metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2. The board must collectively 
267.17 	reflect the geographic and ethnic diversity of the state.
267.18 	(c) Board members appointed under paragraph (a), clause (6), shall serve a term of four 
267.19 	years, except that the initial appointments made under clause (6), items (i) to (iii), shall be 
267.20 	for two-year terms, and the initial appointments made under clause (6), items (iv) to (vi), 
267.21 	shall be for three-year terms.
267.22 	(d) Members appointed to the board must:
267.23 	(1) provide evidence of a commitment to the authority's purposes and goals; and
267.24 	(2) not hold any personal or professional conflicts of interest related to the authority's 
267.25 	activities, including with respect to the member's financial investments and employment or 
267.26 	the financial investments and employment of the member's immediate family members.
267.27 	(e) The governor must make the appointments required under this section no later than 
267.28 	October 1, 2023.
267.29 	(f) The initial meeting of the board of directors must be held no later than November 
267.30 	17, 2023. At the initial meeting, the board shall elect a chair and vice-chair by majority vote 
267.31 	of the members present.
268.1 	(g) The authority shall contract with the department to provide administrative and 
268.2 	technical services to the board and to prospective borrowers, especially those serving or 
268.3 	located in environmental justice communities.
268.4 	(h) Compensation of board members, removal of members, and filling of vacancies are 
268.5 	governed by section 15.0575.
268.6 	(i) Board members may be reappointed for up to two full terms.
268.7 	(j) A majority of board members, excluding vacancies, constitutes a quorum for the 
268.8 	purpose of conducting business and exercising powers, and for all other purposes. Action 
268.9 	may be taken by the authority upon a vote of a majority of the quorum present.
268.10 	(k) Board members and officers are not personally liable, either jointly or severally, for 
268.11 	any debt or obligation created or incurred by the authority.
268.12 		Subd. 11.Account established. (a) The Minnesota climate innovation authority account 
268.13 	is established as a separate account in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. The 
268.14 	authority's board of directors shall credit to the account appropriations and transfers to the 
268.15 	account. Earnings, including interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from assets 
268.16 	of the account, must be credited to the account. Money remaining in the account at the end 
268.17 	of a fiscal year does not cancel to the general fund, but remains in the account until expended. 
268.18 	The authority's board of directors shall manage the account.
268.19 	(b) Money in the account is appropriated to the board of directors of the Minnesota 
268.20 	Climate Innovation Finance Authority for the purposes of this section and to reimburse the 
268.21 	reasonable costs of the authority to administer this section.
268.22 		Subd. 12.Report; audit. Beginning February 1, 2024, the authority must annually 
268.23 	submit a comprehensive report on the authority's activities during the previous year to the 
268.24 	governor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with 
268.25 	primary jurisdiction over energy policy. The report must contain, at a minimum, information 
268.26 	on:
268.27 	(1) the amount of authority capital invested, by project type;
268.28 	(2) the amount of private and public capital leveraged by authority investments, by 
268.29 	project type;
268.30 	(3) the number of qualified projects supported, by project type and location within 
268.31 	Minnesota, including in environmental justice communities;
269.1 	(4) the estimated number of jobs created for local workers and nonlocal workers, the 
269.2 	ratio of projects subject to and exempt from prevailing wage requirements under subdivision 
269.3 	6, paragraph (b), and tax revenue generated as a result of the authority's activities;
269.4 	(5) estimated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the authority's 
269.5 	activities;
269.6 	(6) the number of clean energy projects financed in low- and moderate-income 
269.7 	households;
269.8 	(7) a narrative describing the progress made toward the authority's equity, social, and 
269.9 	labor standards goals; and
269.10 	(8) a financial audit conducted by an independent party.

269.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

269.12 	Sec. 3. Laws 2023, chapter 24, section 2, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
269.13 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
269.14 	the meanings given.
269.15 	(b) "Competitive funds" means federal funds awarded to selected applicants based on 
269.16 	the grantor's evaluation of the strength of an application measured against all other 
269.17 	applications.
269.18 	(c) "Disadvantaged community" has the meaning given by the federal agency disbursing 
269.19 	federal funds.
269.20 	(d) "Eligible entity" means an entity located in Minnesota that is eligible to receive 
269.21 	federal funds, tax credits, loans, or an entity that has at least one Minnesota-based partner, 
269.22 	as determined by the grantor of the federal funds, tax credits, or loans.
269.23 	(e) "Federal funds" means federal formula or competitive funds available for award to 
269.24 	applicants for energy projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 
269.25 	117-58, or the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Public Law 117-169.
269.26 	(f) "Loans" means federal loans from loan funds authorized or funded in the Inflation 
269.27 	Reduction Act of 2022, Public Law 117-169.
269.28 	(g) "Tax credits" means federal tax credits authorized in the Inflation Reduction Act of 
269.29 	2022, Public Law 117-169.
269.30 	(f) (h) "Formula funds" means federal funds awarded to all eligible applicants on a 
269.31 	noncompetitive basis.
270.1 	(g) (i) "Match" means the amount of state money a successful grantee in Minnesota is 
270.2 	required to contribute to a project as a condition of receiving federal funds.
270.3 	(h) (j) "Political subdivision" has the meaning given in section 331A.01, subdivision 3.
270.4 	(i) (k) "Project" means the activities proposed to be undertaken by an eligible entity 
270.5 	awarded federal funds and are located in Minnesota or will directly benefit Minnesotans.
270.6 	(j) (l) "Tribal government" has the meaning given in section 116J.64, subdivision 4.

270.7 	Sec. 4. Laws 2023, chapter 24, section 2, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
270.8 		Subd. 2.Establishment of account; eligible expenditures. (a) A state competitiveness 
270.9 	fund account is created in the special revenue fund of the state treasury. The commissioner 
270.10 	must credit to the account appropriations and transfers to the account. Earnings, such as 
270.11 	interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from assets of the account, must be 
270.12 	credited to the account. Money remaining in the account at the end of a fiscal year does not 
270.13 	cancel to the general fund but remains available until June 30, 2034. The commissioner is 
270.14 	the fiscal agent and must manage the account.
270.15 	(b) Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner and must be used to:
270.16 	(1) pay all or any portion of the state match required as a condition of receiving federal 
270.17 	funds, or to otherwise reduce the cost for projects that are awarded federal funds, as described 
270.18 	under subdivision 3, paragraph (a);
270.19 	(2) award grants under subdivision 4 to obtain grant development assistance for eligible 
270.20 	entities; and
270.21 	(3) award grants that reduce the cost for projects that are awarded federal loans within 
270.22 	disadvantaged communities;
270.23 	(4) award grants that are additive to federal tax credits received by an eligible entity to 
270.24 	further reduce the cost of the technologies and activities eligible for such federal tax credits 
270.25 	in disadvantaged communities; and
270.26 	(3) (5) pay the reasonable costs incurred by the department to assist eligible entities to 
270.27 	successfully compete for available federal funds and utilize available federal tax credits or 
270.28 	loans.

270.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

271.1 	Sec. 5. Laws 2023, chapter 24, section 3, is amended to read:
271.2 	Sec. 3.APPROPRIATION.
 271.3 	(a) $115,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
271.4 	commissioner of commerce for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391. This 
271.5 	is a onetime appropriation. Of this amount:
271.6 	(1) $100,000,000 is for grant awards made under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, 
271.7 	subdivision 3, of which at least $75,000,000 is for grant awards of less than $1,000,000;
271.8 	(2) $6,000,000 is for grant awards made under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, 
271.9 	subdivision 4;
271.10 	(3) $750,000 is for the reports and audits under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, 
271.11 	subdivision 7;
271.12 	(4) $1,500,000 is for information system development improvements necessary to carry 
271.13 	out Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, and to improve digital access and reporting;
271.14 	(5) $6,750,000 is for technical assistance to applicants and administration of Minnesota 
271.15 	Statutes, section 216C.391, by the Department of Commerce; and
271.16 	(6) the commissioner may transfer money from clause (2) to clause (1) if less than 75 
271.17 	percent of the money in clause (2) has been awarded by June 30, 2028.
271.18 	(b) The commissioner, with approval from the commissioner of management and budget, 
271.19 	may transfer money between appropriations established for paragraph (a), clause (1), and 
271.20 	for money transferred under section 6, paragraph (c). This paragraph expires on June 30, 
271.21 	2028.
271.22 	(b) (c) To the extent that federal funds for energy projects under the Infrastructure 
271.23 	Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, or the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Public 
271.24 	Law 117-169, become permanently unavailable to be matched with funds appropriated 
271.25 	under this section or section 216C.391, subdivision 2, the commissioner of management 
271.26 	and budget must certify the proportional amount of unencumbered funds remaining in the 
271.27 	account established under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, and those unencumbered 
271.28 	funds cancel to the general fund.

271.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

272.1 	Sec. 6. TRANSFERS.
 272.2 	(a) In the biennium ending on June 30, 2025, the commissioner of management and 
272.3 	budget must transfer $400,000,000 from the general fund to the Minnesota forward fund 
272.4 	account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8752, subdivision 2. The base for 
272.5 	this transfer is $0.
272.6 	(b) In the biennium ending on June 30, 2025, the commissioner of management and 
272.7 	budget shall transfer $25,000,000 from the general fund to the Minnesota climate innovation 
272.8 	authority account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.441, subdivision 11. The 
272.9 	base for this transfer is $0.
272.10 	(c) In the biennium ending on June 30, 2025, the commissioner of management and 
272.11 	budget must transfer $75,000,000 from the general fund to the state competitiveness fund 
272.12 	account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, subdivision 2. Notwithstanding 
272.13 	Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, subdivision 2, the commissioner of commerce must 
272.14 	use this transfer for grants to eligible entities for projects receiving federal loans or tax 
272.15 	credits where the benefits are in disadvantaged communities. The base for this transfer is 
272.16 	$0. Up to three percent of money transferred under this paragraph is for administrative costs.
272.17 	(d) In the biennium ending on June 30, 2027, the commissioners of management and 
272.18 	budget, in consultation with the commissioners of employment and economic development 
272.19 	and commerce, may transfer money between the Minnesota forward fund account, the 
272.20 	Minnesota climate innovation authority account, and the state competitiveness fund account. 
272.21 	The commissioner of management and budget must notify the Legislative Advisory 
272.22 	Commission within 15 days of making transfers under this paragraph.

272.23 	Sec. 7. APPROPRIATIONS.
 272.24 	(a) $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the Minnesota forward fund 
272.25 	account to the commissioner of employment and economic development for providing 
272.26 	businesses with matching funds required by federal programs. Money awarded under this 
272.27 	program is made retroactive to February 1, 2023, for applications and projects. The 
272.28 	commissioner may use up to two percent of this appropriation for administration. This is a 
272.29 	onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027. Any funds that remain unspent 
272.30 	are canceled to the general fund.
272.31 	(b) $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the Minnesota forward fund 
272.32 	account to the commissioner of employment and economic development to match existing 
272.33 	federal funds made available in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Public Law 117-328. 
273.1 	This appropriation must be used to (1) construct and operate a bioindustrial manufacturing 
273.2 	pilot innovation facility, biorefinery, or commercial campus utilizing agricultural feedstocks 
273.3 	or (2) for a Minnesota aerospace center for research, development, and testing, or both (1) 
273.4 	and (2). This appropriation is not subject to the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, 
273.5 	116J.8752, subdivision 5. The commissioner may use up to two percent of this appropriation 
273.6 	for administration. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027. Any 
273.7 	funds that remain unspent are canceled to the general fund.
273.8 	(c) $250,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the Minnesota forward fund 
273.9 	account to the commissioner of employment and economic development to match federal 
273.10 	funds made available in the Chips and Science Act, Public Law 117-167. Money awarded 
273.11 	under this program is made retroactive to February 1, 2023, for applications and projects. 
273.12 	This appropriation is not subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8752, subdivision 5. 
273.13 	The commissioner may use up two percent for administration. This is a onetime appropriation 
273.14 	and is available until June 30, 2027. Any funds that remain unspent are canceled to the 
273.15 	general fund.
273.16 	(d) The commissioner may use the appropriation under paragraph (c) to allocate up to 
273.17 	15 percent of the total project cost with a maximum of $75,000,000 per project for the 
273.18 	purpose of constructing, modernizing, or expanding commercial facilities on the front- and 
273.19 	back-end fabrication of leading-edge, current-generation, and mature-node semiconductors; 
273.20 	funding semiconductor materials and manufacturing equipment facilities; and for research 
273.21 	and development facilities.
273.22 	(e) The commissioner may use the appropriation under paragraph (c) to award:
273.23 	(1) grants to institutions of higher education for developing and deploying training 
273.24 	programs and to build pipelines to serve the needs of industry; and
273.25 	(2) grants to increase the capacity of institutions of higher education to serve industrial 
273.26 	requirements for research and development that coincide with current and future requirements 
273.27 	of projects eligible under this section. Grant money may be used to construct and equip 
273.28 	facilities that serve the purpose of the industry. The maximum grant award per institution 
273.29 	of higher education under this section is $5,000,000 and may not represent more than 50 
273.30 	percent of the total project funding from other sources. Use of this funding must be supported 
273.31 	by businesses receiving funds under clause (1).
273.32 	(f) Money appropriated in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) may be transferred between 
273.33 	appropriations within the Minnesota forward fund account by the commissioner of 
273.34 	employment and economic development with approval of the commissioner of management 
274.1 	and budget. The commissioner must notify the Legislative Advisory Commission at least 
274.2 	15 days prior to changing appropriations under this paragraph.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S3035-4 

177.26 DIVISION OF LABOR STANDARDS.Subd. 3.Employees; transfer from Division of Women and Children. 
All persons employed by the department in the Division of Women and Children are transferred to the Division of Labor Standards. A transferred person does not lose rights acquired by reason of employment at the time of transfer. 

179A.12 EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION; ELECTIONS; DECERTIFICATION.Subd. 2.Certification upon joint request. 
The commissioner may certify an employee organization as an exclusive representative in an appropriate unit upon the joint request of the employer and the organization if, after investigation, the commissioner finds that no unfair labor practice was committed in initiating and submitting the joint request and that the employee organization represents over 50 percent of the employees in the appropriate unit. This subdivision does not reduce the time period or nullify any bar to the employee organization's certification existing at the time of the filing of the joint request. 

181.9413 SICK LEAVE BENEFITS; CARE OF RELATIVES.
(a) An employee may use personal sick leave benefits provided by the employer for absences due to an illness of or injury to the employee's child, as defined in section 181.940, subdivision 4, adult child, spouse, sibling, parent, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandchild, grandparent, or stepparent, for reasonable periods of time as the employee's attendance may be necessary, on the same terms upon which the employee is able to use sick leave benefits for the employee's own illness or injury. This section applies only to personal sick leave benefits payable to the employee from the employer's general assets. 

(b) An employee may use sick leave as allowed under this section for safety leave, whether or not the employee's employer allows use of sick leave for that purpose for such reasonable periods of time as may be necessary. Safety leave may be used for assistance to the employee or assistance to the relatives described in paragraph (a). For the purpose of this section, "safety leave" is leave for the purpose of providing or receiving assistance because of sexual assault, domestic abuse, or harassment or stalking. For the purpose of this paragraph: 

(1) "domestic abuse" has the meaning given in section 518B.01; 

(2) "sexual assault" means an act that constitutes a violation under sections 609.342 to 609.3453 or 609.352; and 

(3) "harass" and "stalking" have the meanings given in section 609.749. 

(c) An employer may limit the use of safety leave as described in paragraph (b) or personal sick leave benefits provided by the employer for absences due to an illness of or injury to the employee's adult child, spouse, sibling, parent, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandchild, grandparent, or stepparent to no less than 160 hours in any 12-month period. This paragraph does not apply to absences due to the illness or injury of a child, as defined in section 181.940, subdivision 4. 

(d) For purposes of this section, "personal sick leave benefits" means time accrued and available to an employee to be used as a result of absence from work due to personal illness or injury, but does not include short-term or long-term disability or other salary continuation benefits. 

(e) For the purpose of this section, "child" includes a stepchild and a biological, adopted, and foster child. 

(f) For the purpose of this section, "grandchild" includes a step-grandchild, and a biological, adopted, and foster grandchild. 

(g) This section does not prevent an employer from providing greater sick leave benefits than are provided for under this section. 

(h) An employer shall not retaliate against an employee for requesting or obtaining a leave of absence under this section. 

Repealed Minnesota Session Laws: S3035-4 

Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 7, article 2, section 8, as amended by Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 10, article 2, section 19; as amended by Laws 2023, chapter 53, article 15, section 34
Sec. 19. Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 7, article 2, section 8, is amended to read:Sec. 8. LAUNCH MINNESOTA. Subdivision 1.Establishment. 
Launch Minnesota is established within the Business and Community Development Division of the Department of Employment and Economic Development to encourage and support the development of new private sector technologies and support the science and technology policies under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.222. Launch Minnesota must provide entrepreneurs and emerging technology-based companies business development assistance and financial assistance to spur growth. 

Subd. 2.Definitions. 
(a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given. 

(b) "Advisory board" means the board established under subdivision 9. 

(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development. 

(d) "Department" means the Department of Employment and Economic Development. 

(e) "Entrepreneur" means a Minnesota resident who is involved in establishing a business entity and secures resources directed to its growth while bearing the risk of loss. 

(f) "Greater Minnesota" means the area of Minnesota located outside of the metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2. 

(g) "Innovative technology and business" means a new novel business model or product; a derivative product incorporating new elements into an existing product; a new use for a product; or a new process or method for the manufacture, use, or assessment of any product or activity, patentability, or scalability. Innovative technology or business model does not include locally based retail, lifestyle, or business services. The business must not be primarily engaged in real estate development, insurance, banking, lending, lobbying, political consulting, information technology consulting, wholesale or retail trade, leisure, hospitality, transportation, construction, ethanol production from corn, or professional services provided by attorneys, accountants, business consultants, physicians, or health care consultants. 

(h) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.28, subdivision 6. 

(i) "Minority group member" means a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident who is Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, or Native American. 

(j) "Research and development" means any activity that is:  

(1) a systematic, intensive study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the subject studies;  

(2) a systematic study directed specifically toward applying new knowledge to meet a recognized need; or  

(3) a systematic application of knowledge toward the production of useful materials, devices, systems and methods, including design, development and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific requirements. 

(k) "Start-up" means a business entity that has been in operation for less than ten years, has operations in Minnesota, and is in the development stage defined as devoting substantially all of its efforts to establishing a new business and either of the following conditions exists: 

(1) planned principal operations have not commenced; or  

(2) planned principal operations have commenced, but have generated less than $1,000,000 in revenue. 

(l) "Technology-related assistance" means the application and utilization of technological-information and technologies to assist in the development and production of new technology-related products or services or to increase the productivity or otherwise enhance the production or delivery of existing products or services. 

(m) "Trade association" means a nonprofit membership organization organized to promote businesses and business conditions and having an election under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6). 

(n) "Veteran" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 197.447. 

Subd. 3.Duties. 
The commissioner, by and through Launch Minnesota, shall: 

(1) support innovation and initiatives designed to accelerate the growth of innovative technology and business start-ups in Minnesota;  

(2) in partnership with other organizations, offer classes and instructional sessions on how to start an innovative technology and business start-up;  

(3) promote activities for entrepreneurs and investors regarding the state's growing innovation economy;  

(4) hold events and meetings that gather key stakeholders in the state's innovation sector;  

(5) conduct outreach and education on innovation activities and related financial programs available from the department and other organizations, particularly for underserved communities;  

(6) interact and collaborate with statewide partners including but not limited to businesses, nonprofits, trade associations, and higher education institutions;  

(7) administer an advisory board to assist with direction, grant application review, program evaluation, report development, and partnerships;  

(8) accept grant applications under subdivisions 5, 6, and 7 and work with the advisory board to review and prioritize the applications and provide recommendations to the commissioner; and 

(9) perform other duties at the commissioner's discretion. 

Subd. 4.Administration. 
(a) The commissioner shall employ an executive director in the unclassified service, one staff member to support Launch Minnesota, and one staff member in the business and community development division to manage grants. The executive director shall: 

(1) assist the commissioner and the advisory board in performing the duties of Launch Minnesota; and 

(2) comply with all state and federal program requirements, and all state and federal securities and tax laws and regulations. 

(b) Launch Minnesota may occupy and lease physical space in a private coworking facility that includes office space for staff and space for community engagement for training entrepreneurs. The physical space leased under this paragraph is exempt from the requirements in Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.24, subdivision 6. 

(c) At least three times per month, Launch Minnesota staff shall communicate with organizations in greater Minnesota that have received a grant under subdivision 7. To the extent possible, Launch Minnesota shall form partnerships with organizations located throughout the state. 

(d) Launch Minnesota must accept grant applications under this section and provide funding recommendations to the commissioner and the commissioner shall distribute grants based in part on the recommendations. 

Subd. 5.Application process. 
(a) The commissioner shall establish the application form and procedures for grants. 

(b) Upon receiving recommendations from Launch Minnesota, the commissioner is responsible for evaluating all applications using evaluation criteria which shall be developed by Launch Minnesota in consultation with the advisory board. 

(c) For grants under subdivision 6, priority shall be given if the applicant is: 

(1) a business or entrepreneur located in greater Minnesota; or 

(2) a business owner, individual with a disability, or entrepreneur who is a woman, veteran, or minority group member. 

(d) For grants under subdivision 7, priority shall be given if the applicant is planning to serve: 

(1) businesses or entrepreneurs located in greater Minnesota; or 

(2) business owners, individuals with disabilities, or entrepreneurs who are women, veterans, or minority group members. 

(e) The department staff, and not Launch Minnesota staff, are responsible for awarding funding, disbursing funds, and monitoring grantee performance for all grants awarded under this section. 

(f) Grantees must provide matching funds by equal expenditures and grant payments must be provided on a reimbursement basis after review of submitted receipts by the department. 

(g) Grant applications must be accepted on a regular periodic basis by Launch Minnesota and must be reviewed by Launch Minnesota and the advisory board before being submitted to the commissioner with their recommendations. 

Subd. 6.Innovation grants. 
(a) The commissioner shall distribute innovation grants under this subdivision. 

(b) The commissioner shall provide a grant of up to $35,000 to an eligible business or entrepreneur for research and development expenses, direct business expenses, and the purchase of technical assistance or services from public higher education institutions and nonprofit entities. Research and development expenditures may include but are not limited to proof of concept activities, intellectual property protection, prototype designs and production, and commercial feasibility. Expenditures funded under this subdivision are not eligible for the research and development tax credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 290.068. Direct business expenses may include rent, equipment purchases, and supplier invoices. Taxes imposed by federal, state, or local government entities may not be reimbursed under this paragraph. Technical assistance or services must be purchased to assist in the development or commercialization of a product or service to be eligible. Each business or entrepreneur may receive only one grant per biennium under this paragraph. 

(c) The commissioner shall provide a grant of up to $35,000 in Phase 1 or $50,000 in Phase 2 to an eligible business or entrepreneur that, as a registered client of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, has been awarded a first time Phase 1 or Phase 2 award pursuant to the SBIR or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs after July 1, 2019. Each business or entrepreneur may receive only one grant per biennium under this paragraph. Grants under this paragraph are not subject to the requirements of subdivision 2, paragraph (k), but do require a recommendation from the Launch Minnesota advisory board. 

Subd. 7.Entrepreneur education grants. 
(a) The commissioner shall make entrepreneur education grants to institutions of higher education and other organizations to provide educational programming to entrepreneurs and provide outreach to and collaboration with businesses, federal and state agencies, institutions of higher education, trade associations, and other organizations working to advance innovative technology businesses throughout Minnesota.  

(b) Applications for entrepreneur education grants under this subdivision must be submitted to the commissioner and evaluated by department staff other than Launch Minnesota. The evaluation criteria must be developed by Launch Minnesota, in consultation with the advisory board, and the commissioner, and priority must be given to an applicant who demonstrates activity assisting business owners or entrepreneurs residing in greater Minnesota or who are women, veterans, or minority group members. 

(c) Department staff other than Launch Minnesota staff are responsible for awarding funding, disbursing funds, and monitoring grantee performance under this subdivision. 

(d) Grantees may use the grant funds to deliver the following services:  

(1) development and delivery to innovative technology businesses of industry specific or innovative product or process specific counseling on issues of business formation, market structure, market research and strategies, securing first mover advantage or overcoming barriers to entry, protecting intellectual property, and securing debt or equity capital. This counseling is to be delivered in a classroom setting or using distance media presentations; 

(2) outreach and education to businesses and organizations on the small business investment tax credit program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8737, the MNvest crowd-funding program under Minnesota Statutes, section 80A.461, and other state programs that support innovative technology business creation especially in underserved communities; 

(3) collaboration with institutions of higher education, local organizations, federal and state agencies, the Small Business Development Center, and the Small Business Assistance Office to create and offer educational programming and ongoing counseling in greater Minnesota that is consistent with those services offered in the metropolitan area; and 

(4) events and meetings with other innovation-related organizations to inform entrepreneurs and potential investors about Minnesota's growing innovation economy. 

Subd. 8.Report. 
(a) Launch Minnesota shall report by December 31, 2022, and again by December 31, 2023, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of representatives and senate having jurisdiction over economic development policy and finance. Each report shall include information on the work completed, including awards made by the department under this section and progress toward transferring the activities of Launch Minnesota to an entity outside of state government. 

(b) By December 31, 2024, Launch Minnesota shall provide a comprehensive transition plan to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of representatives and senate having jurisdiction over economic development policy and finance. The transition plan shall include: (1) a detailed strategy for the transfer of Launch Minnesota activities to an entity outside of state government; (2) the projected date of the transfer; and (3) the role of the state, if any, in ongoing activities of Launch Minnesota or its successor entity.  

Subd. 9.Advisory board. 
(a) The commissioner shall establish an advisory board to advise the executive director regarding the activities of Launch Minnesota, make the recommendations described in this section, and develop and initiate a strategic plan for transferring some activities of Launch Minnesota to a new or existing public-private partnership or nonprofit organization outside of state government.  

(b) The advisory board shall consist of ten members and is governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059. A minimum of seven members must be from the private sector representing business and at least two members but no more than three members must be from government and higher education. At least three of the members of the advisory board shall be from greater Minnesota and at least three members shall be minority group members. Appointees shall represent a range of interests, including entrepreneurs, large businesses, industry organizations, investors, and both public and private small business service providers. 

(c) The advisory board shall select a chair from its private sector members. The executive director shall provide administrative support to the committee.  

(d) The commissioner, or a designee, shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the advisory board. 

Subd. 10.Expiration. 
This section expires January 1, 2026.