HF 2710

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/24/2025 03:03 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; providing test and professional licensure
preparation services; requiring reports; appropriating money; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [116J.9927] PREPARE MINNESOTA.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must establish and administer a
comprehensive test and professional licensure program that must be provided at no cost to
students at public higher education institutions and dislocated workers as defined in section
116L.17.
new text end

new text begin (b) The program must, at a minimum, offer students and dislocated workers test
preparation services for the Medical College Admission Test, Law School Admission Test,
Graduate Record Examination, Graduate Management Admission Test, and other preparation
programs for professional exams, including but not limited to the areas of nursing, teaching,
real estate, securities, and law. The program must, at a minimum, also provide preparation
for the Securities Industry Essentials exam, a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional
exam, and a Wealth Management Specialist exam.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Vendors. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must procure and contract with a vendor to provide
comprehensive test and professional licensure preparation services.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Priority of recipients. new text end

new text begin If money is insufficient to provide comprehensive test
and professional licensure preparation to all students or dislocated workers seeking to
participate in the program, the commissioner may prioritize offering the services to recipients
of a state grant under section 136A.121.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin (a) By February 15 of each year, the commissioner must submit a
report on the details of the program under this section to the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over higher education finance and policy. The report must include the following
information:
new text end

new text begin (1) research and analysis on the effectiveness and impact of the program that considers
the following:
new text end

new text begin (i) recruitment and retention of students at eligible institutions;
new text end

new text begin (ii) the number of students who remain in Minnesota after graduating; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) the long-term value the program offers to students;
new text end

new text begin (2) the number of students who participated in the program in the prior academic year;
and
new text end

new text begin (3) updated spending projections for the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) Institutions with students participating in the program must provide information to
the commissioner annually to facilitate reporting.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from
the workforce development fund to the commissioner of employment and economic
development to establish and administer a comprehensive test and professional licensure
preparation program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.9927.
new text end