Minnesota Session Laws - 2007, Regular Session

CHAPTER 135--H.F.No. 122

An act

relating to state government; appropriating money for jobs, economic development, and housing; establishing and modifying certain programs; providing for regulation of certain activities and practices; providing for accounts, assessments, and fees; changing codes and licensing provisions; providing penalties;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.7931, by adding a subdivision; 16B.61, subdivision 1a; 16B.63, subdivision 5; 16B.65, subdivisions 1, 5a; 16B.70, subdivision 2; 116J.551, subdivision 1; 116J.554, subdivision 2; 116J.555, subdivision 1; 116J.575, subdivisions 1, 1a; 116J.966, subdivision 1; 116L.01, by adding a subdivision; 116L.04, subdivision 1a; 116L.17, subdivision 1; 116L.20, subdivision 1; 116L.666, subdivision 1; 116M.18, subdivision 6a; 154.003; 177.27, subdivisions 1, 4, 8, 9, 10; 177.28, subdivision 1; 177.30; 177.43, subdivisions 3, 4, 6, by adding a subdivision; 178.01; 178.02; 178.03, subdivision 3; 178.041, subdivision 1; 179A.04, subdivision 3; 181.932, subdivision 1; 181.935; 182.65, subdivision 2; 190.096; 268.196, by adding a subdivision; 268A.01, subdivision 13, by adding a subdivision; 268A.085, subdivision 1; 268A.15, by adding a subdivision; 298.227; 325E.37, subdivision 6; 326.01, subdivision 6g; 326.242, subdivisions 3d, 5, 8, 11, by adding a subdivision; 326.2441; 326.37, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 326.38; 326.40, subdivision 1; 326.401, subdivision 2; 326.405; 326.42, subdivision 1; 326.46; 326.47, subdivision 2; 326.48, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 326.50; 326.975, subdivision 1; 326.992; 327.33, subdivisions 2, 6; 327B.04, subdivision 7; 341.21, by adding a subdivision; 341.22; 341.25; 341.27; 341.28, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 341.32, subdivision 2; 341.321; 462.39, by adding a subdivision; 462A.21, subdivision 8b; 462A.33, subdivision 3; 469.021; 469.334; 471.471, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 116O; 154; 179; 181; 181A; 182; 325E; 326; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 326B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.747, subdivision 4; 16C.18, subdivision 2; 176.042; 183.375, subdivision 5; 183.545, subdivision 9; 268.035, subdivision 9; 326.241; 326.44; 326.45; 326.52; 326.64; 326.975.

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

ARTICLE 1

JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING AND MINNESOTA HERITAGE APPROPRIATIONS SUMMARY

Section 1. SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS.

The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made in this act.

		2008		2009		Total
General	$	198,398,000	$	140,661,000	$	339,059,000
Workforce Development		17,259,000		17,274,000		34,533,000
Remediation		700,000		700,000		1,400,000
Workers' Compensation		22,736,000		23,074,000		45,810,000
Total	$	239,093,000	$	181,709,000	$	420,802,000

Sec. 2. JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS.

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

			APPROPRIATIONS
			Available for the Year
			Ending June 30
				2008		2009

Sec. 3. EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

93,700,000

$

61,514,000

Appropriations by Fund
	2008	2009
General	76,505,000	44,319,000
Remediation	700,000	700,000
Workforce Development	16,495,000	16,495,000

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

Subd. 2. Business and Community Development

40,667,000

8,639,000

Appropriations by Fund
General	39,967,000	7,939,000
Remediation	700,000	700,000

(a) (1) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the general fund for a grant under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.421, to the Rural Policy and Development Center at St. Peter, Minnesota. The grant shall be used for research and policy analysis on emerging economic and social issues in rural Minnesota, to serve as a policy resource center for rural Minnesota communities, to encourage collaboration across higher education institutions to provide interdisciplinary team approaches to research and problem-solving in rural communities, and to administer overall operations of the center.

(2) The grant shall be provided upon the condition that each state-appropriated dollar be matched with a nonstate dollar. Acceptable matching funds are nonstate contributions that the center has received and have not been used to match previous state grants. Any unencumbered balance in the first year is available for the second year.

(b) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the general fund for a grant to WomenVenture for women's business development programs.

(c) $250,000 the first year is for a grant to University Enterprise Laboratories (UEL) for its direct and indirect expenses to support efforts to encourage the growth of early-stage and emerging bioscience companies. UEL must provide a report by June 30 each year to the commissioner on the expenditures until the appropriation is expended. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(d) $2,000,000 the first year is for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.571, for the redevelopment grant program. This is a onetime appropriation.

(e) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are to help small businesses access federal funds through the federal Small Business Innovation Research Program and the federal Small Business Technology Transfer Program. Department services must include maintaining connections to 11 federal programs, assessment of specific funding opportunities, review of funding proposals, referral to specific consulting services, and training workshops throughout the state. Unless prohibited by federal law, the department must implement fees for services that help companies seek federal Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grants. The recommended fee schedule must be reported to the chairs of the house of representatives finance committee and senate budget division with jurisdiction over economic development by February 1, 2008.

(f) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are appropriated to the Public Facilities Authority for the small community wastewater treatment program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 446A.

(g) $255,000 the first year and $155,000 the second year are from the general fund for a grant to the Metropolitan Economic Development Association for continuing minority business development programs in the metropolitan area.

(h) $85,000 the first year and $85,000 the second year are for grants to the Minnesota Inventors Congress. Of this amount, $10,000 each year is for the Student Inventors Congress.

(i) $151,000 the first year is for a onetime grant to the city of Faribault to design, construct, furnish, and equip renovations to accommodate handicapped accessibility at the Paradise Center for the Arts.

(j) $750,000 the first year is to Minnesota Technology, Inc. for the small business growth acceleration program established under Minnesota Statutes, section 116O.115. This is a onetime appropriation.

(k) $300,000 the first year is for a onetime grant to the city of Northome for the construction of a new municipal building to replace the structures damaged by fire on July 22, 2006. This appropriation is available when the commissioner determines that a sufficient match is available from nonstate sources to complete the project.

(l) $300,000 the first year is for a grant to the city of Worthington for an agricultural-based bioscience training and testing center. Funds appropriated under this section must be used to provide a training and testing facility for incubator firms developing new agricultural processes and products. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(m) $1,750,000 the first year is for a onetime grant to BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota for bioscience business development programs to promote and position the state as a global leader in bioscience business activities. These funds may be used for:

(1) completion and periodic updating of a statewide bioscience business industry assessment of business technology enterprises and Minnesota's competitive position employing annual updates to federal industry classification data;

(2) long-term strategic planning that includes projections of market changes resulting from developments in biotechnology and the development of 20-year goals, strategies, and identified objectives for renewable energy, medical devices, biopharma, and biologics business development in Minnesota;

(3) the design and construction of a Minnesota focused bioscience business model to test competing strategies and scenarios, evaluate options, and forecast outcomes; and

(4) creation of a bioscience business resources network that includes development of a statewide bioscience business economic development framework to encourage bioscience business development and encourage spin-off activities, attract bioscience business location or expansion in Minnesota, and establish a local capability to support strategic system level planning for industry, government, and academia.

This appropriation is available until June 30, 2009.

(n) $125,000 the first year is to develop and operate a bioscience business marketing program to market Minnesota bioscience businesses and business opportunities to other states and other countries. The bioscience business marketing program must emphasize bioscience business location and expansion opportunities in communities outside of the seven-county metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, that have established collaborative plans among two or more municipal units for bioscience business activities, and that are within 15 miles of a four-year, baccalaureate degree granting institution or a two-year technical or community college that offers bioscience curricula. The commissioner must report to the committees of the senate and house of representatives having jurisdiction over bioscience and technology issues by February 1 of each year on the expenditures of these funds and the promotional activities undertaken to market the Minnesota bioscience industry to persons outside of the state. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(o) $325,000 is for a grant to the Walker Area Community Center, Inc., to construct, furnish, and equip the Walker Area Community Center. This appropriation is not available until the commissioner has determined that an amount sufficient to complete the project has been committed from nonstate sources. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(p) $100,000 the first year is for a grant to the Pine Island Economic Development Authority for predesign to upgrade and extend utilities to serve Elk Run Bioscience Research Park and The Falls - Healthy Living By Nature, an integrated medicine facility. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(q) $350,000 the first year is for a grant to Thomson Township for infrastructure improvements for the industrial park. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(r) $75,000 the first year is for a grant to Le Sueur County for the cost of cleaning up debris from lakes in Le Sueur County, caused by the August 24, 2006, tornado in southern Le Sueur County. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(s) $400,000 the first year is for a grant to the city of Rogers to be used for relief from damages caused by the September 16, 2006, tornado.

(t) $75,000 the first year is for a grant to the city of Warroad for new public facilities to replace those damaged or destroyed by the August 2006 tornado, including approximately 28 new street lights and underground electrical circuits and a new fish cleaning house. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended. If an appropriation for this purpose is enacted more than once in the 2007 session, the appropriation is effective only once.

(u) $500,000 the first year is for a grant to the Upper Sioux Community to improve the current water system to ensure continuity of service to the entire population of the community and to meet the demands of the community expansion over the next 20 years. The is a onetime appropriation and is not available until the Public Facilities Authority has determined that at least $1,000,000 has been committed from nonstate sources. This appropriation is available until expended. * (The preceding text beginning "(u) $500,000 the first year is for" was indicated as vetoed by the governor.)

(v) $755,000 the first year is for the urban challenge grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116M.18. This is a onetime appropriation.

(w) $1,100,000 is for a grant to the Neighborhood Development Center for assistance necessary to retain minority business enterprises at the Global Market. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(x) $350,000 the first year is for a onetime grant to the city of Inver Grove Heights to reduce debt on the Inver Grove Heights Veterans Memorial Community Center. * (The preceding text beginning "(x) $350,000 the first year is for" was indicated as vetoed by the governor.)

(y) $14,900,000 the first year is for the Minnesota minerals 21st century fund created in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.423, to partially restore the money unallotted by the commissioner of finance in 2003 pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.152. This appropriation may be used as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.423, subdivision 2. This appropriation is available until expended.

(z) $2,500,000 the first year is for a grant to the city of St. Paul to be used to pay, redeem, or refund debt service costs incurred for the River Centre Campus. * (The preceding text beginning "(z) $2,500,000 the first year is for" was indicated as vetoed by the governor.)

(aa) $147,000 each year is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for grants of $49,000 to eligible organizations each year and for the purposes of this paragraph. Each state grant dollar must be matched with $1 of nonstate funds. Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. The base for these grants in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 is $189,000 each year, with each eligible organization receiving a $63,000 grant each year.

The commissioner of employment and economic development must make grants to organizations to assist in the development of entrepreneurs and small businesses. Three grants must be awarded to continue or to develop a program. One grant must be awarded to the Riverbend Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation in Blue Earth County, and two to other organizations serving Faribault and Martin Counties. Grant recipients must report to the commissioner by February 1 of each year that the organization receives a grant with the number of customers served; the number of businesses started, stabilized, or expanded; the number of jobs created and retained; and business success rates. The commissioner must report to the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over economic development finance on the effectiveness of these programs for assisting in the development of entrepreneurs and small businesses.

(bb) $5,000,000 the first year is for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8731, for the Minnesota investment fund program. Of this amount, up to $3,000,000 may be used for a legal reference office and data center facility, provided that the total capital investment in the facility is at least $60,000,000. This grant is not subject to grant limitations under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8731, subdivision 5. This is a onetime appropriation.

Subd. 3. Workforce Development

50,024,000

49,833,000

Appropriations by Fund
General	33,529,000	33,338,000
Workforce Development	16,495,000	16,495,000

(a) $6,785,000 the first year and $6,785,000 the second year are from the general fund for the Minnesota job skills partnership program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.01 to 116L.17. If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it. This appropriation does not cancel.

(b) $455,000 the first year and $455,000 the second year are from the general fund for a grant under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8747, to Twin Cities RISE! to provide training to hard-to-train individuals.

(c) $1,375,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for Opportunities Industrialization Center programs.

(d) $5,614,000 each year is from the general fund and $6,920,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for extended employment services for persons with severe disabilities or related conditions under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.15. Of this, $125,000 each year and in the base for fiscal years 2010 and 2011 is to supplement funds paid for wage incentives for the community support fund established in Minnesota Rules, part 3300.2045.

(e) $1,650,000 the first year and $1,650,000 the second year are from the general fund for grants for programs that provide employment support services to persons with mental illness under Minnesota Statutes, sections 268A.13 and 268A.14. Up to $77,000 each year may be used for administrative and salary expenses.

(f) $2,440,000 the first year and $2,440,000 the second year are from the general fund for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.11, for the eight centers for independent living. The base for this program is $2,440,000 each year in fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Money not expended the first year is available the second year.

The commissioner must:

(1) transfer $115,000 of federal independent living Part B rehabilitation services funds to the Minnesota Centers for Independent Living each year contingent upon the availability of federal funds under Title VII, Part B, of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended under United States Code, title 29, section 711(c), and approved by the Statewide Independent Living Council;

(2) replace federal Part B funds in the State Independent Living Council budget transferred under clause (1) with $115,000 of Social Security Administration program income funds each year; and

(3) provide an additional $185,000 each year from the Social Security Administration program income to the Minnesota Centers for Independent Living to be allocated equally among the eight centers.

Additional funding for centers for independent living under clauses (1) and (3) must be used for core independent living services by the Centers for Independent Living. The Statewide Independent Living Council framework for statewide distribution of state and federal funding to the Minnesota Centers for Independent Living does not apply to the funds under clauses (1) and (3). The commissioner must report on the transfers in clauses (1), (2), and (3), and any other effort to pursue additional funding for the Centers for Independent Living to the standing committees of the senate and house of representatives having jurisdiction over Centers for Independent Living by March 15 each year.

(g) $5,940,000 the first year and $5,940,000 the second year are from the general fund for state services for the blind activities.

(h) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are from the general fund and $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the second year are from the workforce development fund for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.03, to Rise, Inc. for the Minnesota Employment Center for People Who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. Money not expended the first year is available the second year.

(i) $9,021,000 the first year and $9,021,000 the second year are from the general fund for the state's vocational rehabilitation program for people with significant disabilities to assist with employment, under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268A.

(j) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the second year are from the workforce development fund for grants to provide interpreters for a regional transition program that specializes in providing culturally appropriate transition services leading to employment for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind students. This amount must be added to the department's base.

(k) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are for a grant to Advocating Change Together for training, technical assistance, and resources materials to persons with developmental and mental illness disabilities.

(l) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the workforce development fund and $150,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are from the general fund for a grant to Lifetrack Resources for its immigrant and refugee collaborative programs, including those related to job-seeking skills and workplace orientation, intensive job development, functional work English, and on-site job coaching. $50,000 of the first year general fund appropriation is for a onetime pilot Lifetrack project in Rochester.

(m) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are from the general fund and $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are from the workforce development fund for the youthbuild program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.361 to 116L.366. This appropriation may be used for:

(1) restoring the three youthbuild programs that were eliminated due to budget reductions and adding seven more youthbuild programs statewide;

(2) restoring funding levels for all youthbuild programs plus an inflationary increase for each program;

(3) increasing the number of at-risk youth served by the youthbuild programs from 260 youth per year to 500 youth per year; and

(4) restoring the youthbuild focus on careers in technology and adding a youthbuild focus on careers in the medical field.

(n) $1,325,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for grants to fund summer youth employment in Minneapolis. The grants shall be used to fund up to 500 jobs for youth each summer. Of this appropriation, $325,000 each year is for a grant to the learn-to-earn summer youth employment program. The commissioner shall establish criteria for awarding the grants. This appropriation is available in either year of the biennium and is available until spent.

(o) $600,000 the first year and $600,000 the second year are from the workforce development fund for a grant to the city of St. Paul for grants to fund summer youth employment in St. Paul. The grants shall be used to fund up to 500 jobs for youth each summer. The commissioner shall establish criteria for awarding the grants within the city of St. Paul. This appropriation is available in either year of the biennium and is available until spent.

(p) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the general fund for grants to Northern Connections in Perham to implement and operate a pilot workforce program that provides one-stop supportive services to individuals as they transition into the workforce.

(q) $100,000 each year is for a grant to Ramsey County Workforce Investment Board for the development of the building lives program. This is a onetime appropriation. * (The preceding text beginning "(q) $100,000 each year is for" was indicated as vetoed by the governor.)

(r) $150,000 each year is for a grant to the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to coordinate with the Partners for Progress Regional Skills Consortium to provide employment and training as demonstrated by the Twin Cities regional health care training partnership project. * (The preceding text beginning "(r) $150,000 each year is for" was indicated as vetoed by the governor.)

(s) $160,000 the first year is for a onetime grant to Workforce Development, Inc., for a pilot project to provide demand-driven employment and training services to welfare recipients and other economically disadvantaged populations in Mower, Freeborn, Dodge, and Steele Counties.

(t) $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year are from the general fund for a grant to HIRED to operate its industry sector training initiatives, which provide employee training developed in collaboration with employers in specific, high-demand industries. * (The preceding text beginning "(t) $200,000 the first year" was indicated as vetoed by the governor.)

(u) $100,000 the first year is for a onetime grant to a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit organization must work on behalf of all licensed vendors to coordinate their efforts to respond to solicitations or other requests from private and governmental units as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 471.59, subdivision 1, in order to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

(v) $3,500,000 each year from the workforce development fund is for the Minnesota youth program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.56 and 116L.561.

(w) $1,000,000 each year from the workforce development fund is for a grant to the Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs to administer a statewide project of youth job skills development. This project, which may have career guidance components, including health and life skills, is to encourage, train, and assist youth in job-seeking skills, workplace orientation, and job site knowledge through coaching. This grant requires a 25 percent match from nonstate resources.

(x) $10,000 the first year is for a study on ways to promote employment opportunities for minorities, with a particular focus on opportunities for African Americans, in the state of Minnesota. The study should focus on how to significantly expand the job training available to minorities and promote substantial increases in the wages paid to minorities, at least to a rate well above living wage, and within several years, to equality. The commissioner must report on the study to the governor and the chair of the finance committee in each house of the legislature that has jurisdiction over employment by January 15, 2008, with recommendations for implementing the findings.

(y) The commissioner must provide funding for the Minnesota Conservation Corps to provide learning stipends for deaf students and wages for interpreters participating in the MCC summer youth program.

Subd. 4. State-Funded Administration

3,009,000

3,042,000

The first $1,450,000 deposited in each year of the biennium and in each year of subsequent bienniums into the contingent account created under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.196, subdivision 3, shall be transferred by June 30 of each fiscal year to the workforce development fund created under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.20. Deposits in excess of $1,450,000 shall be transferred by June 30 of each fiscal year to the general fund.

Sec. 4. EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM

$

11,178,000

$

11,130,000

(a) To develop maximum private sector involvement in tourism, $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year must be matched by Explore Minnesota Tourism from nonstate sources. Each $1 of state incentive must be matched with $3 of private sector funding. Cash match is defined as revenue to the state or documented cash expenditures directly expended to support Explore Minnesota Tourism programs. Up to one-half of the private sector contribution may be in-kind or soft match. The incentive in the first year shall be based on fiscal year 2007 private sector contributions as prescribed in Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 6. The incentive increase in the second year will be based on fiscal year 2008 private sector contributions. This incentive is ongoing.

Funding for the marketing grants is available either year of the biennium. Unexpended grant funds from the first year are available in the second year.

Any unexpended money from the general fund appropriations made under this section does not cancel but must be placed in a special marketing account for use by Explore Minnesota Tourism for additional marketing activities.

(b) $325,000 the first year and $325,000 the second year are for the Minnesota Film and TV Board. The appropriation in each year is available only upon receipt by the board of $1 in matching contributions of money or in-kind contributions from nonstate sources for every $3 provided by this appropriation.

(c) $650,000 the first year and $650,000 the second year are appropriated for a grant to the Minnesota Film and TV Board for the film jobs production program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116U.26. These appropriations are available in either year of the biennium and are available until expended.

(d) $150,000 the first year is for a onetime grant to St. Louis County to be used for feasibility studies and planning activities concerning additional uses for the St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center at the Duluth depot. The studies and planning activities must include:

(1) examining the costs and benefits of relocating the Northeast Minnesota Office of Tourism to the Duluth depot;

(2) establishing a heritage tourism center at the Duluth depot;

(3) developing a multimodal operational plan integrating railroad and bus service; and

(4) identifying additional services and activities that would contribute toward returning the Duluth depot to being a working railroad station and cultural gateway to Duluth and St. Louis County.

This appropriation is available until expended.

Sec. 5. HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

69,323,000

$

45,234,000

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

This appropriation is for transfer to the housing development fund for the programs specified. Except as otherwise indicated, this transfer is part of the agency's permanent budget base.

Subd. 2. Challenge Program

24,622,000

9,622,000

For the economic development and housing challenge program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.33, for housing that:

(1) conserves energy and utilizes sustainable, healthy building materials;

(2) preserves sensitive natural areas and open spaces and minimizes the need for new infrastructure;

(3) is accessible to jobs and services through integration with transportation or transit systems; and

(4) expands the mix of housing choices in a community by diversifying the levels of housing affordability.

The agency may fund demonstration projects that have unique approaches to achieving the housing described in clauses (1) to (4).

Subd. 3. Housing Trust Fund

13,555,000

8,555,000

For deposit in the housing trust fund account created under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.201, and used for the purposes provided in that section.

Subd. 4. Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill

2,638,000

2,638,000

For a rental housing assistance program for persons with a mental illness or families with an adult member with a mental illness under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.2097. The agency must not reduce the funding under this subdivision.

Subd. 5. Family Homeless Prevention

7,465,000

7,465,000

For family homeless prevention and assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.204. Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

Subd. 6. Home Ownership Assistance Fund

885,000

885,000

For the home ownership assistance program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 8.

Subd. 7. Affordable Rental Investment Fund

11,496,000

8,996,000

For the affordable rental investment fund program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 8b.

This appropriation is to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and debt restructuring of federally assisted rental property and for making equity take-out loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivision 39.

The owner of the federally assisted rental property must agree to participate in the applicable federally assisted housing program and to extend any existing low-income affordability restrictions on the housing for the maximum term permitted. The owner must also enter into an agreement that gives local units of government, housing and redevelopment authorities, and nonprofit housing organizations the right of first refusal if the rental property is offered for sale. Priority must be given among comparable federally assisted rental properties to properties with the longest remaining term under an agreement for federal rental assistance. Priority must also be given among comparable rental housing developments to developments that are or will be owned by local government units, a housing and redevelopment authority, or a nonprofit housing organization.

This appropriation also may be used to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and debt restructuring of existing supportive housing properties. For purposes of this subdivision, "supportive housing" means affordable rental housing with links to services necessary for individuals, youth, and families with children to maintain housing stability.

Of this amount, $2,500,000 is appropriated for the purposes of financing the rehabilitation and operating costs to preserve public housing. For purposes of this subdivision, "public housing" is housing for low-income persons and households financed by the federal government and owned and operated by public housing authorities and agencies. Eligible public housing authorities must have a public housing assessment system rating of standard or above. Priority among comparable proposals must be given to proposals that maximize federal or local resources to finance the capital and operating costs.

Subd. 8. Housing Rehabilitation and Accessibility

5,587,000

4,287,000

For the housing rehabilitation and accessibility program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivisions 14a and 15a.

Subd. 9. Urban Indian Housing Program

187,000

187,000

For the urban Indian housing program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.07, subdivision 15. The base is reduced by $7,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011.

Subd. 10. Tribal Indian Housing Program

1,683,000

1,394,000

For the tribal Indian housing program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.07, subdivision 14. The base is reduced by $179,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011.

Subd. 11. Home Ownership Education, Counseling, and Training

865,000

865,000

For the home ownership education, counseling, and training program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.209.

Subd. 12. Capacity Building Grants

340,000

340,000

For nonprofit capacity building grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 3b. The base is reduced by $90,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011.

Sec. 6. LABOR AND INDUSTRY

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

22,909,000

$

23,174,000

Appropriations by Fund
	2008	2009
General	1,069,000	1,024,000
Workers' Compensation	21,076,000	21,371,000
Workforce Development	764,000	779,000

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

Subd. 2. Workers' Compensation

10,360,000

10,617,000

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

Up to $200,000 the first year and up to $200,000 the second year are for grants to the Vinland Center for rehabilitation services. The grants shall be distributed as the department refers injured workers to the Vinland Center to receive rehabilitation services.

Subd. 3. Safety Codes and Services

4,685,000

4,773,000

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are from the workers' compensation fund for patient safe handling grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 182.6553. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended. * (The preceding text "and $500,000 the second year" was indicated as vetoed by the governor.)

Subd. 4. Labor Standards/Apprenticeship

1,833,000

1,803,000

Appropriations by Fund
General	1,069,000	1,024,000
Workforce Development	764,000	779,000

The appropriation from the workforce development fund is for the apprenticeship program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 178, and includes $100,000 each year for labor education and advancement program grants.

$360,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year from the general fund are for prevailing wage enforcement of which $60,000 in the first year is for outreach and survey participation improvements.

Subd. 5. General Support

6,031,000

5,981,000

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

Sec. 7. BUREAU OF MEDIATION SERVICES

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

1,864,000

$

1,904,000

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

Subd. 2. Mediation Services

1,714,000

1,754,000

Subd. 3. Labor Management Cooperation Grants

150,000

150,000

$150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are for grants to area labor-management committees. Grants may be awarded for a 12-month period beginning July 1 of each year. Any unencumbered balance remaining at the end of the first year does not cancel but is available for the second year.

Sec. 8. WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT OF APPEALS

$

1,660,000

$

1,703,000

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

Sec. 9. MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

25,819,000

$

24,504,000

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. Of the appropriations, $325,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year and each fiscal year thereafter are for increased building lease costs.

Subd. 2. Education and Outreach

14,787,000

13,862,000

(a) Of this amount, $750,000 the first year is a onetime appropriation for the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission. Of this appropriation, $325,000 is for competitive matching grants for local events and projects; $325,000 is for planning and support of statewide activities, and up to $100,000 may be used for administration.

The Minnesota Historical Society, the State Arts Board, and Explore Minnesota Tourism may assist the commission in designing and implementing the grants program.

The commission shall encourage private contributions to match the state funds to the greatest extent possible. Any gifts, pledges, membership fees, or contributions received by the commission are appropriated to the commission.

(b) $500,000 the first year is for a grant-in-aid program for county and local historical societies. The Minnesota Historical Society shall establish program guidelines and grant evaluation and award criteria for the program. Each dollar of state funds awarded to a grantee must be matched with nonstate funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis by a grantee. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 138.668, the Minnesota Historical Society may not charge a fee for its general tours at the Capitol, but may charge fees for special programs other than general tours.

Subd. 3. Preservation and Access

10,520,000

10,396,000

(a) $250,000 the first year is to conduct a conservation survey and for restoration, treatment, moving, and storage of the 1905 historic furnishings and works of art in the Minnesota State Capitol. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(b) $150,000 the first year is for the preservation of battle flags. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(c) Funds may be reallocated between paragraphs (a) and (b) for the purpose of maximizing federal funds.

Subd. 4. Fiscal Agent

(a) Minnesota International Center

43,000

43,000

(b) Minnesota Air National Guard Museum

16,000

-0-

(c) Minnesota Military Museum

100,000

-0-

(d) Farmamerica

128,000

128,000

(e) Balances Forward

Any unencumbered balance remaining in this subdivision the first year does not cancel but is available for the second year of the biennium.

(f) $75,000 the first year is for a onetime grant to the Nicollet County Historical Society for renovation of the center exhibit gallery in the Treaty Site History Center in St. Peter, including additions to the center's infrastructure and state-of-the-art interpretive elements. This appropriation is available until expended.

(g) $75,000 the first year is for a grant to the Hmong Studies Center at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, to be used for preservation of Hmong historical artifacts and documents. Any part of the appropriation not used in fiscal year 2008 is available for use in fiscal year 2009. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

(h) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are for a grant to the city of Eveleth to be used for the support of the Hockey Hall of Fame Museum provided that it continues to operate in the city. This grant is in addition to and must not be used to supplant funding under Minnesota Statutes, section 298.28, subdivision 9c. This appropriation is added to the society's base budget. * (The preceding text "and $75,000 the second year" and "This appropriation is added to the society's base budget." were indicated as vetoed by the governor.)

Subd. 5. Fund Transfer

The Minnesota Historical Society may reallocate funds appropriated in and between subdivisions 2 and 3 for any program purposes and the appropriations are available in either year of the biennium.

Subd. 6. Minnesota River Valley Study Group

The Minnesota Historical Society in cooperation with Explore Minnesota Tourism shall establish and coordinate a Minnesota River Valley study group. The Minnesota River Valley study group shall be comprised of representatives of the Minnesota Valley Scenic Byway Alliance, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Region 6 West, Region 6 East, Region 8 and Region 9 Regional Development Commissions, the Minnesota Historical Society, Explore Minnesota Tourism, State Arts Board, and other interested parties. The study group must develop a plan for coordinated activities among organizations represented on the study group to enhance and promote historic sites, and historic, scenic, and natural features of the Minnesota River Valley area. Study topics shall include, but are not limited to, historic sites related to the Dakota Conflict of 1862 and the state and local preparations for the sesquicentennial of this event. The Minnesota Historical Society and Explore Minnesota Tourism shall report on the findings and recommendations of the Minnesota River Valley study group to the standing committees of the house of representatives and senate with jurisdiction over historic sites and tourism by March 1, 2008. The Minnesota River Valley study group shall serve without compensation.

Sec. 10. BOARD OF THE ARTS

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

10,215,000

$

10,227,000

If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available.

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

Subd. 2. Operations and Services

641,000

651,000

Subd. 3. Grants Program

6,617,000

6,617,000

The base for this program is $6,727,000 each year in the 2010-2011 biennium.

Subd. 4. Regional Arts Councils

2,957,000

2,959,000

Sec. 11. BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY

$

496,000

$

505,000

Sec. 12. BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, LAND SURVEYING, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, GEOSCIENCE, AND INTERIOR DESIGN

$

800,000

$

815,000

Sec. 13. BOARD OF BARBER AND COSMETOLOGIST EXAMINERS

$

829,000

$

749,000

Sec. 14. MINNESOTA BOXING COMMISSION

$

50,000

$

-0-

This is a onetime appropriation to transition the commission to being a self-funded entity.

Sec. 15. MINNESOTA HUMANITIES COMMISSION

$

250,000

$

250,000

Of this amount, ten percent each year is for lifelong learning programs in greater Minnesota communities that do not receive financial support from other large educational institutions. The base budget for the Minnesota Humanities Commission is $250,000 each year in the 2010-2011 biennium.

Sec. 16. TRANSFERS

The commissioner of labor and industry shall transfer $1,627,000 by June 30, 2008, and $1,515,000 by June 30, 2009, and each year thereafter, from the construction code fund to the general fund.

Of the balance remaining in Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 2, subdivision 2, for the methamphetamine laboratory cleanup revolving loan fund, $100,000 is for transfer to the small community wastewater treatment account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 446A.075, subdivision 1.

ARTICLE 2

EMPLOYMENT AND DEVELOPMENT-RELATED PROVISIONS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.7931, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5.

Data from safety and education programs for loggers.

The following data collected from persons who attend safety and education programs or seminars for loggers established or approved by the commissioner under section 176.130, subdivision 11, is public data:

(1) the names of the individuals attending the program or seminar;

(2) the names of each attendee's employer;

(3) the city where the employer is located;

(4) the date the program or seminar was held; and

(5) a description of the seminar or program.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.61, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Administration by commissioner.

The commissioner shall administer and enforce the State Building Code as a municipality with respect to public buildings and state licensed facilities in the state. The commissioner shall establish appropriate permit, plan review, and inspection fees, and surcharges for public buildings and state licensed facilities. Fees and surcharges for public buildings and state licensed facilities must be remitted to the commissioner, who shall deposit them in the state treasury for credit to the special revenue fund.

Municipalities other than the state having an agreement with the commissioner for code administration and enforcement service for public buildings and state licensed facilities shall charge their customary fees, including surcharge, to be paid directly to the jurisdiction by the applicant seeking authorization to construct a public building or a state licensed facility. The commissioner shall sign an agreement with a municipality other than the state for plan review, code administration, and code enforcement service for public buildings and state licensed facilities in the jurisdiction if the building officials of the municipality meet the requirements of section 16B.65 and wish to provide those services and if the commissioner determines that the municipality has enough adequately trained and qualified building inspectors to provide those services for the construction project.

The commissioner may direct the state building official to assist a community that has been affected by a natural disaster with building evaluation and other activities related to building codes.

Administration and enforcement in a municipality under this section must apply any optional provisions of the State Building Code adopted by the municipality. A municipality adopting any optional code provision shall notify the state building official within 30 days of its adoption.

The commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of the code relating to elevators statewide, except as provided for under section 16B.747, subdivision 3.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.65, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Designation.

By January 1, 2002, Each municipality shall designate a building official to administer the code. A municipality may designate no more than one building official responsible for code administration defined by each certification category established in rule. Two or more municipalities may combine in the designation of a building official for the purpose of administering the provisions of the code within their communities. In those municipalities for which no building officials have been designated, the state building official may use whichever state employees are necessary to perform the duties of the building official until the municipality makes a temporary or permanent designation. All costs incurred by virtue of these services rendered by state employees must be borne by the involved municipality and receipts arising from these services must be paid into the state treasury and credited to the special revenue fund to the commissioner.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.65, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

Subd. 5a.

Administrative action and penalties.

The commissioner shall, by rule, establish a graduated schedule of administrative actions for violations of sections 16B.59 to 16B.75 and rules adopted under those sections. The schedule must be based on and reflect the culpability, frequency, and severity of the violator's actions. The commissioner may impose a penalty from the schedule on a certification holder for a violation of sections 16B.59 to 16B.75 and rules adopted under those sections. The penalty is in addition to any criminal penalty imposed for the same violation. Administrative monetary penalties imposed by the commissioner must be paid to the special revenue fund.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.70, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Collection and reports.

All permit surcharges must be collected by each municipality and a portion of them remitted to the state. Each municipality having a population greater than 20,000 people shall prepare and submit to the commissioner once a month a report of fees and surcharges on fees collected during the previous month but shall retain the greater of two percent or that amount collected up to $25 to apply against the administrative expenses the municipality incurs in collecting the surcharges. All other municipalities shall submit the report and surcharges on fees once a quarter but shall retain the greater of four percent or that amount collected up to $25 to apply against the administrative expenses the municipalities incur in collecting the surcharges. The report, which must be in a form prescribed by the commissioner, must be submitted together with a remittance covering the surcharges collected by the 15th day following the month or quarter in which the surcharges are collected. All money collected by the commissioner through surcharges and other fees prescribed by sections 16B.59 to 16B.75 shall be deposited in the state government special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner for the purpose of administering and enforcing the State Building Code under sections 16B.59 to 16B.75.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.551, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Grant account.

A contaminated site cleanup and development grant account is created in the general fund. Money in the account may be used, as appropriated by law, to make grants as provided in section 116J.554 and to pay for the commissioner's costs in reviewing applications and making grants. Notwithstanding section 16A.28, money appropriated to the account for this program from any source is available for four years until spent.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.554, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Qualifying sites.

A site qualifies for a grant under this section, if the following criteria are met:

(1) the site is not scheduled for funding during the current or next fiscal year under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, United States Code, title 42, section 9601, et seq. or under the Environmental Response, and Liability Act under sections 115B.01 to 115B.20;

(2) the appraised value of the site after adjusting for the effect on the value of the presence or possible presence of contaminants using accepted appraisal methodology, or the current market value of the site as issued under section 273.121, separately taking into account the effect of the contaminants on the market value, (i) is less than 75 percent of the estimated project costs for the site or (ii) is less than or equal to the estimated cleanup costs for the site and the cleanup costs equal or exceed $3 per square foot for the site; and

(3) (2) if the proposed cleanup is completed, it is expected that the site will be improved with buildings or other improvements and these improvements will provide a substantial increase in the property tax base within a reasonable period of time or the site will be used for an important publicly owned or tax-exempt facility.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.555, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Priorities.

(a) The legislature expects that applications for grants will exceed the available appropriations and the agency will be able to provide grants to only some of the applicant development authorities.

(b) If applications for grants for qualified sites exceed the available appropriations, the agency shall make grants for sites that, in the commissioner's judgment, provide the highest return in public benefits for the public costs incurred and that meet all the requirements provided by law. In making this judgment, the commissioner shall consider the following factors:

(1) the recommendations or ranking of projects by the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency regarding the potential threat to public health and the environment that would be reduced or eliminated by completion of each of the response action plans;

(2) the potential increase in the property tax base of the local taxing jurisdictions, considered relative to the fiscal needs of the jurisdictions, that will result from developments that will occur because of completion of each of the response action plans;

(3) the social value to the community of the cleanup and redevelopment of the site, including the importance of development of the proposed public facilities on each of the sites;

(4) the probability that each site will be cleaned up without use of government money in the reasonably foreseeable future by considering but not limited to the current market value of the site versus the cleanup cost;

(5) the amount of cleanup costs for each site; and

(6) the amount of the commitment of municipal or other local resources to pay for the cleanup costs.

The factors are not listed in a rank order of priority; rather the commissioner may weigh each factor, depending upon the facts and circumstances, as the commissioner considers appropriate. The commissioner may consider other factors that affect the net return of public benefits for completion of the response action plan. The commissioner, notwithstanding the listing of priorities and the goal of maximizing the return of public benefits, shall make grants that distribute available money to sites both within and outside of the metropolitan area. The commissioner shall provide a written statement of the supporting reasons for each grant. Unless sufficient applications are not received for qualifying sites outside of the metropolitan area, at least 25 percent of the money provided as grants must be made for sites located outside of the metropolitan area.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.575, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Commissioner discretion.

The commissioner may make a grant for up to 50 percent of the eligible costs of a project. The determination of whether to make a grant for a site is within the discretion of the commissioner, subject to this section and sections 116J.571 to 116J.574 and available unencumbered money in the redevelopment account. If the commissioner determines that the applications for grants for projects in greater Minnesota are less than the amount of grant funds available, the commissioner may make grants for projects anywhere in Minnesota. The commissioner's decisions and application of the priorities under this section are not subject to judicial review, except for abuse of discretion.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.575, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Priorities.

(a) If applications for grants exceed the available appropriations, grants shall be made for sites that, in the commissioner's judgment, provide the highest return in public benefits for the public costs incurred. "Public benefits" include job creation, bioscience development, environmental benefits to the state and region, efficient use of public transportation, efficient use of existing infrastructure, provision of affordable housing, multiuse development that constitutes community rebuilding rather than single-use development, crime reduction, blight reduction, community stabilization, and property tax base maintenance or improvement. In making this judgment, the commissioner shall give priority to redevelopment projects with one or more of the following characteristics:

(1) the need for redevelopment in conjunction with contamination remediation needs;

(2) the redevelopment project meets current tax increment financing requirements for a redevelopment district and tax increments will contribute to the project;

(3) the redevelopment potential within the municipality;

(4) proximity to public transit if located in the metropolitan area; and

(5) redevelopment costs related to expansion of a bioscience business in Minnesota; and

(5) (6) multijurisdictional projects that take into account the need for affordable housing, transportation, and environmental impact.

(b) The factors in paragraph (a) are not listed in a rank order of priority; rather, the commissioner may weigh each factor, depending upon the facts and circumstances, as the commissioner considers appropriate. The commissioner may consider other factors that affect the net return of public benefits for completion of the redevelopment plan. The commissioner, notwithstanding the listing of priorities and the goal of maximizing the return of public benefits, shall make grants that distribute available money to sites both within and outside of the metropolitan area. Unless sufficient applications are not received for qualifying sites outside of the metropolitan area, at least 50 percent of the money provided as grants must be made for sites located outside of the metropolitan area.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.966, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Generally.

(a) The commissioner shall promote, develop, and facilitate trade and foreign investment in Minnesota. In furtherance of these goals, and in addition to the powers granted by section 116J.035, the commissioner may:

(1) locate, develop, and promote international markets for Minnesota products and services;

(2) arrange and lead trade missions to countries with promising international markets for Minnesota goods, technology, services, and agricultural products;

(3) promote Minnesota products and services at domestic and international trade shows;

(4) organize, promote, and present domestic and international trade shows featuring Minnesota products and services;

(5) host trade delegations and assist foreign traders in contacting appropriate Minnesota businesses and investments;

(6) develop contacts with Minnesota businesses and gather and provide information to assist them in locating and communicating with international trading or joint venture counterparts;

(7) provide information, education, and counseling services to Minnesota businesses regarding the economic, commercial, legal, and cultural contexts of international trade;

(8) provide Minnesota businesses with international trade leads and information about the availability and sources of services relating to international trade, such as export financing, licensing, freight forwarding, international advertising, translation, and custom brokering;

(9) locate, attract, and promote foreign direct investment and business development in Minnesota to enhance employment opportunities in Minnesota;

(10) provide foreign businesses and investors desiring to locate facilities in Minnesota information regarding sources of governmental, legal, real estate, financial, and business services;

(11) enter into contracts or other agreements with private persons and public entities, including agreements to establish and maintain offices and other types of representation in foreign countries, to carry out the purposes of promoting international trade and attracting investment from foreign countries to Minnesota and to carry out this section, without regard to section 16C.06; and

(12) market trade-related materials to businesses and organizations, and the proceeds of which must be placed in a special revolving account and are appropriated to the commissioner to prepare and distribute trade-related materials.

(b) The programs and activities of the commissioner of employment and economic development and the Minnesota Trade Division may not duplicate programs and activities of the commissioner of agriculture.

(c) The commissioner shall notify the chairs of the senate Finance and house Ways and Means Committees of each agreement under this subdivision to establish and maintain an office or other type of representation in a foreign country.

(d) The Minnesota Trade Office shall serve as the state's office of protocol providing assistance to official visits by foreign government representatives and shall serve as liaison to the foreign diplomatic corps in Minnesota.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4.

Workforce development intermediaries.

"Workforce development intermediaries" means public, private, or nonprofit entities that provide employment services to low-income individuals and have a demonstrated track record bringing together employers and workers, private and public funding streams, and other stakeholders to implement pathways to career advancement for low-income individuals. Entities may include, but are not limited to, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or the administrative entity of a local workforce service area.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.04, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Pathways program.

The pathways program may provide grants-in-aid for developing programs which assist in the transition of persons from welfare to work and assist individuals at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The program is to be operated by the board. The board shall consult and coordinate with program administrators at the Department of Employment and Economic Development to design and provide services for temporary assistance for needy families recipients.

Pathways grants-in-aid may be awarded to educational or other nonprofit training institutions or to workforce development intermediaries for education and training programs and services supporting education and training programs that serve eligible recipients.

Preference shall be given to projects that:

(1) provide employment with benefits paid to employees;

(2) provide employment where there are defined career paths for trainees;

(3) pilot the development of an educational pathway that can be used on a continuing basis for transitioning persons from welfare to work; and

(4) demonstrate the active participation of Department of Employment and Economic Development workforce centers, Minnesota State College and University institutions and other educational institutions, and local welfare agencies.

Pathways projects must demonstrate the active involvement and financial commitment of private business. Pathways projects must be matched with cash or in-kind contributions on at least a one-to-one one-half-to-one ratio by participating private business.

A single grant to any one institution shall not exceed $400,000. A portion of a grant may be used for preemployment training.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them in this subdivision.

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

(c) "Dislocated worker" means an individual who is a resident of Minnesota at the time employment ceased or was working in the state at the time employment ceased and:

(1) has been permanently separated or has received a notice of permanent separation from public or private sector employment and is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment benefits, and is unlikely to return to the previous industry or occupation;

(2) has been long-term unemployed and has limited opportunities for employment or reemployment in the same or a similar occupation in the area in which the individual resides, including older individuals who may have substantial barriers to employment by reason of age;

(3) has been terminated or has received a notice of termination of employment as a result of a plant closing or a substantial layoff at a plant, facility, or enterprise;

(4) has been self-employed, including farmers and ranchers, and is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of natural disasters; or

(4) (5) is a displaced homemaker. A "displaced homemaker" is an individual who has spent a substantial number of years in the home providing homemaking service and (i) has been dependent upon the financial support of another; and now due to divorce, separation, death, or disability of that person, must find employment to self support; or (ii) derived the substantial share of support from public assistance on account of dependents in the home and no longer receives such support.

To be eligible under this clause, the support must have ceased while the worker resided in Minnesota.

(d) "Eligible organization" means a state or local government unit, nonprofit organization, community action agency, business organization or association, or labor organization.

(e) "Plant closing" means the announced or actual permanent shutdown of a single site of employment, or one or more facilities or operating units within a single site of employment.

(f) "Substantial layoff" means a permanent reduction in the workforce, which is not a result of a plant closing, and which results in an employment loss at a single site of employment during any 30-day period for at least 50 employees excluding those employees that work less than 20 hours per week.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Determination and collection of special assessment.

(a) In addition to amounts due from an employer under the Minnesota unemployment insurance program, each employer, except an employer making reimbursements is liable for a special assessment levied at the rate of .10 percent per year for calendar years 2006 and 2007 on all taxable wages, as defined in section 268.035, subdivision 24. Beginning January 1, 2008, the special assessment shall be levied at a rate of .085 percent per year on all taxable wages. The assessment shall become due and be paid by each employer on the same schedule and in the same manner as other amounts due from an employer under section 268.051, subdivision 1.

(b) The special assessment levied under this section shall be subject to the same requirements and collection procedures as any amounts due from an employer under the Minnesota unemployment insurance program.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.666, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Designation of workforce service areas.

For the purpose of administering federal, state, and local employment and training services, the commissioner shall designate the geographic boundaries for workforce service areas in Minnesota.

The commissioner shall approve a request to be a workforce service area from:

(1) a home rule charter or statutory city with a population of 200,000 or more or a county with a population of 200,000 or more; or

(2) a consortium of contiguous home rule charter or statutory cities or counties with an aggregate population of 200,000 or more that serves a substantial part of one or more labor markets.

The commissioner may approve a request to be a workforce service area from a home rule charter or statutory city or a county or a consortium of contiguous home rule charter or statutory cities or counties, without regard to population, that serves a substantial portion of a labor market area.

The commissioner shall make a final designation of workforce service areas within the state after consulting with local elected officials and the governor's Workforce Development Council. Existing service delivery areas designated under the federal Job Training Partnership Act shall be initially designated as workforce service areas providing that no other petitions are submitted by local elected officials.

The commissioner may redesignate workforce service areas, upon the advice of the affected local elected officials, no more frequently than every two years. These redesignations must be made not later than four months before the beginning of a program year.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116M.18, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

Subd. 6a.

Nonprofit corporation loans.

The board may make loans to a nonprofit corporation with which it has entered into an agreement under subdivision 1. These loans must be used to support a new or expanding business. This support may include such forms of financing as the sale of goods to the business on installment or deferred payments, lease purchase agreements, or royalty investments in the business. The interest rate charged by a nonprofit corporation for a loan under this subdivision must not exceed the Wall Street Journal prime rate plus four percent. For a loan under this subdivision, the nonprofit corporation may charge a loan origination fee equal to or less than one percent of the loan value. The nonprofit corporation may retain the amount of the origination fee. The nonprofit corporation must provide at least an equal match to the loan received by the board. The maximum loan available to the nonprofit corporation under this subdivision is $50,000. Loans made to the nonprofit corporation under this subdivision may be made without interest. Repayments made by the nonprofit corporation must be deposited in the revolving fund created for urban initiative grants.

Sec. 18.

[116O.115] SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH ACCELERATION PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment; purpose.

The small business growth acceleration program is established. The purpose of the program is to (1) help qualified companies implement technology and business improvements; and (2) bridge the gap between standard market pricing for technology and business improvements and what qualified companies can afford to pay.

Subd. 2.

Qualified company.

A company is qualified to receive assistance under the small business growth acceleration program if it is a manufacturing company or a manufacturing-related service company that employs 100 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.

Subd. 3.

Applications for assistance.

A company seeking assistance under the small business growth acceleration program must file an application according to the requirements of the corporation. A company's application for small business growth acceleration program assistance must include documentation of the company's overall plan for technology and business improvement and prioritize the components of the overall plan. The application must also document the company's need for small business growth acceleration program funds in order to carry forward the highest priority components of the plan.

Subd. 4.

Fund awards; use of funds.

(a) The corporation shall establish procedures for determining which applicants for assistance under the small business growth acceleration program will receive program funding. Funding shall be awarded only to accelerate a qualified company's adoption of needed technology or business improvements when the corporation concludes that it is unlikely the improvements could be accomplished in any other way.

(b) The maximum amount of funds awarded to a qualified company under the small business growth acceleration program for a particular project must not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of a project and must not under any circumstances exceed $25,000 during a calendar year. The corporation shall not award to a qualified company small business growth acceleration program funds in excess of $50,000 per year.

(c) Any funds awarded to a qualified company under the small business growth acceleration program must be used for business services and products that will enhance the operation of the company. These business services and products must come either directly from the corporation or from a network of expert providers identified and approved by the corporation. No company receiving small business growth acceleration program funds may use the funds for refinancing, overhead costs, new construction, renovation, equipment, or computer hardware.

(d) Any funds awarded must be disbursed to the qualified company as reimbursement documented according to requirements of the corporation.

Subd. 5.

Service agreements.

The corporation shall enter a written service agreement with each company awarded funds under the small business growth acceleration program. Each service agreement shall clearly articulate the company's need for service, state the cost of the service, identify who will provide the service, and define the scope of the service that will be provided. The service agreement must also include an estimate of the financial impact of the service on the company and require the company to report the actual financial impact of the service to the corporation 24 months after the service is provided.

Subd. 6.

Reporting.

The corporation shall report annually to the legislative committees with fiscal jurisdiction over the Department of Employment and Economic Development:

(1) the funds awarded under the small business growth acceleration program during the past 12 months;

(2) the estimated financial impact of the funds awarded to each company receiving service under the program; and

(3) the actual financial impact of funds awarded during the past 24 months.

Sec. 19.

[179.86] PACKINGHOUSE WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS.

Subdivision 1.

Definition.

For the purpose of this section, "employer" means an employer in the meatpacking industry.

Subd. 2.

Right to adequate equipment.

An employer must furnish its employees with equipment to safely perform their jobs under OSHA standards.

Subd. 3.

Information provided to employee by employer.

(a) An employer must provide an explanation in an employee's native language of the employee's rights and duties as an employee either person to person or through written materials that, at a minimum, include:

(1) a complete description of the salary and benefits plans as they relate to the employee;

(2) a job description for the employee's position;

(3) a description of leave policies;

(4) a description of the work hours and work hours policy; and

(5) a description of the occupational hazards known to exist for the position.

(b) The explanation must also include information on the following employee rights as protected by state or federal law and a description of where additional information about those rights may be obtained:

(1) the right to organize and bargain collectively and refrain from organizing and bargaining collectively;

(2) the right to a safe workplace; and

(3) the right to be free from discrimination.

Subd. 4.

Commissioner duties.

The commissioner of labor and industry in consultation with the commissioner of human rights must develop and implement a strategy to assist employers in providing adequate notice and education to employees of their rights under this section. The commissioner shall assign the duty to implement the strategy to a specific identified position in the department. The position, along with contact information, must be included on printed materials the department prepares and distributes to carry out the commissioner's duties under this section.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 179A.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Other duties.

(a) The commissioner shall:

(1) provide mediation services as requested by the parties until the parties reach agreement, and may continue to assist parties after they have submitted their final positions for interest arbitration;

(2) issue notices, subpoenas, and orders required by law to carry out duties under sections 179A.01 to 179A.25;

(3) assist the parties in formulating petitions, notices, and other papers required to be filed with the commissioner;

(4) conduct elections;

(5) certify the final results of any election or other voting procedure conducted under sections 179A.01 to 179A.25;

(6) adopt rules relating to the administration of this chapter and the conduct of hearings and elections;

(7) receive, catalogue, file, and make available to the public all decisions of arbitrators and panels authorized by sections 179A.01 to 179A.25, all grievance arbitration decisions, and the commissioner's orders and decisions;

(8) adopt, subject to chapter 14, a grievance procedure that fulfills the purposes of section 179A.20, subdivision 4, that is available to any employee in a unit not covered by a contractual grievance procedure;

(9) maintain a schedule of state employee classifications or positions assigned to each unit established in section 179A.10, subdivision 2;

(10) collect fees established by rule for empanelment of persons on the labor arbitrator roster maintained by the commissioner or in conjunction with fair share fee challenges. Arbitrator application fees will be $100 per year for initial applications and renewals effective July 1, 2007;

(11) provide technical support and assistance to voluntary joint labor-management committees established for the purpose of improving relationships between exclusive representatives and employers, at the discretion of the commissioner;

(12) provide to the parties a list of arbitrators as required by section 179A.16, subdivision 4; and

(13) maintain a list of up to 60 arbitrators for referral to employers and exclusive representatives for the resolution of grievance or interest disputes. Each person on the list must be knowledgeable about collective bargaining and labor relations in the public sector, well versed in state and federal labor law, and experienced in and knowledgeable about labor arbitration. To the extent practicable, the commissioner shall appoint members to the list so that the list is gender and racially diverse.

(b) From the names provided by representative organizations, the commissioner shall maintain a list of arbitrators to conduct teacher discharge or termination hearings according to section 122A.40 or 122A.41. The persons on the list must meet at least one of the following requirements:

(1) be a former or retired judge;

(2) be a qualified arbitrator on the list maintained by the bureau;

(3) be a present, former, or retired administrative law judge; or

(4) be a neutral individual who is learned in the law and admitted to practice in Minnesota, who is qualified by experience to conduct these hearings, and who is without bias to either party.

Each year, education Minnesota shall provide a list of up to 14 names and the Minnesota School Boards Association a list of up to 14 names of persons to be on the list. The commissioner may adopt rules about maintaining and updating the list.

Sec. 21.

[181A.115] PROHIBITED EMPLOYMENT RELATING TO THE PRESENCE OF LIQUOR.

No minor under the age of 18 shall be employed in any rooms constituting the place in which intoxicating liquors or 3.2 percent malt liquors are served or consumed or in any tasks involving the serving, dispensing, or handling of such liquors that are consumed on the premises except that:

(1) minors who have reached the age of 16 may be employed to perform busing, dishwashing, or hosting services in those rooms or areas of a restaurant, hotel, motel, or resort where the presence of intoxicating liquor is incidental to food service or preparation;

(2) minors who have reached the age of 16 may be employed to perform busing, dishwashing, or hosting services or to provide waiter or waitress service in rooms or areas where the presence of 3.2 percent malt liquor is incidental to food service or preparation;

(3) minors who have reached the age of 16 may be employed to provide musical entertainment in those rooms or areas where the presence of intoxicating liquor and 3.2 percent malt liquor is incidental to food service or preparation; and

(4) minors are not prevented from working at tasks which are not prohibited by law in establishments where liquor is sold, served, dispensed, or handled in those rooms or areas where no liquor is consumed or served.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 182.65, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Legislative findings and purpose.

The legislature finds that the burden on employers and employees of this state resulting from personal injuries and illnesses arising out of work situations is substantial; that the prevention of these injuries and illnesses is an important objective of the government of this state; that the greatest hope of attaining this objective lies in programs of research and education, and in the earnest cooperation of government, employers and employees; and that a program of regulation and enforcement is a necessary supplement to these more basic programs.

The legislature declares it to be its purpose and policy through the exercise of its powers to assure so far as possible every worker in the state of Minnesota safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources by:

(a) authorizing the Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Council to advise, consult with or recommend on any matters relating to the Minnesota occupational safety and health plan to the commissioner of labor and industry and by authorizing the commissioner of labor and industry to promulgate and enforce mandatory occupational safety and health standards applicable to employers and employees in the state of Minnesota;

(b) encouraging employers and employees to increase their efforts to reduce the number of occupational safety and health hazards at their places of employment, and to stimulate employers and employees to institute new and to perfect existing programs for providing safe and healthful working conditions;

(c) providing that employers and employees have separate but dependent responsibilities and rights with respect to achieving safe and healthful working conditions;

(d) providing for research in the field of occupational safety and health; including the psychological factors involved, and by developing innovative methods, techniques, and approaches for dealing with occupational safety and health problems;

(e) exploring ways to discover latent diseases, establishing causal connections between diseases and work in environmental conditions, and conducting other research relating to health problems, in recognition of the fact that occupational health standards present problems often different from those involved in occupational safety;

(f) utilizing advances already made by federal laws and regulations providing safe and healthful working conditions;

(g) providing criteria which will assure insofar as practicable that no employee will suffer diminished health, functional capacity, or life expectancy as a result of work experience;

(h) providing an effective enforcement program which shall include locating enforcement personnel in areas of the state with a higher incidence of workplace fatalities, injuries, and complaints and a prohibition against giving advance notice of an inspection and sanctions for any individual violating this prohibition;

(i) providing for appropriate reporting procedures with respect to occupational safety and health, which procedures will help achieve the objectives of this chapter and accurately describe the nature of the occupational safety and health problem;

(j) encouraging joint labor-management efforts to reduce injuries and diseases arising out of employment;

(k) providing consultation to employees and employers which will aid them in complying with their responsibilities under this chapter where such consultation does not interfere with the effective enforcement of this chapter; and

(l) providing for training programs to increase the number and competence of personnel engaged in the field of occupational safety and health.

Sec. 23.

[182.6551] CITATION.

Sections 182.6551 to 182.6553 may be cited as the "Safe Patient Handling Act."

Sec. 24.

[182.6552] DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1.

Direct patient care worker.

"Direct patient care worker" means an individual doing the job of directly providing physical care to patients including nurses, as defined by section 148.171, who provide physical care to patients.

Subd. 2.

Health care facility.

"Health care facility" means a hospital as defined in section 144.50, subdivision 2; an outpatient surgical center as defined in section 144.55, subdivision 2; and a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 5.

Subd. 3.

Safe patient handling.

"Safe patient handling" means a process, based on scientific evidence on causes of injuries, that uses safe patient handling equipment rather than people to transfer, move, and reposition patients in all health care facilities to reduce workplace injuries. This process also reduces the risk of injury to patients.

Subd. 4.

Safe patient handling equipment.

"Safe patient handling equipment" means engineering controls, lifting and transfer aids, or mechanical assistive devices used by nurses and other direct patient care workers instead of manual lifting to perform the acts of lifting, transferring, and repositioning health care facility patients and residents.

Sec. 25.

[182.6553] SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Safe patient handling program required.

(a) By July 1, 2008, every licensed health care facility in the state shall adopt a written safe patient handling policy establishing the facility's plan to achieve by January 1, 2011, the goal of minimizing manual lifting of patients by nurses and other direct patient care workers by utilizing safe patient handling equipment.

(b) The program shall address:

(1) assessment of hazards with regard to patient handling;

(2) the acquisition of an adequate supply of appropriate safe patient handling equipment;

(3) initial and ongoing training of nurses and other direct patient care workers on the use of this equipment;

(4) procedures to ensure that physical plant modifications and major construction projects are consistent with program goals; and

(5) periodic evaluations of the safe patient handling program.

Subd. 2.

Safe patient handling committee.

(a) By July 1, 2008, every licensed health care facility in the state shall establish a safe patient handling committee either by creating a new committee or assigning the functions of a safe patient handling committee to an existing committee.

(b) Membership of a safe patient handling committee or an existing committee must meet the following requirements:

(1) at least half the members shall be nonmanagerial nurses and other direct patient care workers; and

(2) in a health care facility where nurses and other direct patient care workers are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the union shall select the committee members proportionate to its representation of nonmanagerial workers, nurses, and other direct patient care workers.

(c) A health care organization with more than one covered health care facility may establish a committee at each facility or one committee to serve this function for all the facilities. If the organization chooses to have one overall committee for multiple facilities, at least half of the members of the overall committee must be nonmanagerial nurses and other direct patient care workers and each facility must be represented on the committee.

(d) Employees who serve on a safe patient handling committee must be compensated by their employer for all hours spent on committee business.

Subd. 3.

Facilities with existing programs.

A facility that has already adopted a safe patient handling policy that satisfies the requirements of subdivision 1, and established a safe patient handling committee by July 1, 2008, is considered to be in compliance with those requirements. The committee must continue to satisfy the requirements of subdivision 2, paragraph (b), on an ongoing basis.

Subd. 4.

Committee duties.

A safe patient handling committee shall:

(1) complete a patient handling hazard assessment that:

(i) considers patient handling tasks, types of nursing units, patient populations, and the physical environment of patient care areas;

(ii) identifies problems and solutions;

(iii) identifies areas of highest risk for lifting injuries; and

(iv) recommends a mechanism to report, track, and analyze injury trends;

(2) make recommendations on the purchase, use, and maintenance of an adequate supply of appropriate safe patient handling equipment;

(3) make recommendations on training of nurses and other direct patient care workers on use of safe patient handling equipment, initially when the equipment arrives at the facility and periodically afterwards;

(4) conduct annual evaluations of the safe patient handling implementation plan and progress toward goals established in the safe patient handling policy; and

(5) recommend procedures to ensure that, when remodeling of patient care areas occurs, the plans incorporate safe patient handling equipment or the physical space and construction design needed to accommodate safe patient handling equipment at a later date.

Subd. 5.

Training materials.

The commissioner shall make training materials on implementation of this section available to all health care facilities at no cost as part of the training and education duties of the commissioner under section 182.673.

Subd. 6.

Enforcement.

This section shall be enforced by the commissioner under section 182.661. A violation of this section is subject to the penalties provided under section 182.666.

Subd. 7.

Grant program.

The commissioner may make grants to health care facilities to acquire safe patient handling equipment and for training on safe patient handling and safe patient handling equipment. Grants to any one facility may not exceed $40,000. A grant must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the grantee. The commissioner shall establish a grant application process. The commissioner may give priority for grants to facilities that demonstrate that acquiring safe patient handling equipment will impose a financial hardship on the facility. For health care facilities that provide evidence of hardship, the commissioner may waive the 50 percent match requirement and may grant such a facility more than $40,000. Health care facilities that the commissioner determines are experiencing hardship shall not be required to meet the safe patient handling requirements until July 1, 2012.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268.196, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4.

Unemployment insurance benefits telephone system.

The commissioner must ensure that the telephone system used for unemployment insurance benefits provides an option for any caller to speak to an unemployment insurance specialist. An individual who calls any of the publicized telephone numbers seeking information about applying for benefits or on the status of a claim must have the option to speak on the telephone to a specialist who can provide direct assistance or can direct the caller to the person or office that is able to respond to the caller's needs.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.01, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Supported employment.

(a) "Supported employment" means employment of a person with a disability so severe that the person needs ongoing training and support to get and keep a job in which:

(1) the person engages in paid work in a position removed from the service vendor's site where individuals without disabilities who do not require public subsidies also may be employed;

(2) public funds are necessary to provide ongoing training and support services throughout the period of the person's employment; and

(3) the person has the opportunity for social interaction with individuals who do not have disabilities and who are not paid caregivers.

(b) If the commissioner has certified a rehabilitation facility setting as integrated, then employment at that site may be considered supported employment.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 14.

Affirmative business enterprise employment.

"Affirmative business enterprise employment" means employment which provides paid work on the premises of an affirmative business enterprise as certified by the commissioner.

Affirmative business enterprise employment is considered community employment for purposes of funding under Minnesota Rules, parts 3300.1000 to 3300.2055, provided that the wages for individuals reported must be at or above customary wages for the same employer. The employer must also provide one benefit package that is available to all employees.

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.085, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Appointment; membership.

Every city, town, county, nonprofit corporation, or combination thereof establishing a rehabilitation facility shall appoint a rehabilitation facility board of no fewer than nine seven voting members before becoming eligible for the assistance provided by sections 268A.06 to 268A.15. When any city, town, or county singly establishes such a rehabilitation facility, the board shall be appointed by the chief executive officer of the city or the chair of the governing board of the county or town. When any combination of cities, towns, counties, or nonprofit corporations establishes a rehabilitation facility, the chief executive officers of the cities, nonprofit corporations, and the chairs of the governing bodies of the counties or towns shall appoint the board. If a nonprofit corporation singly establishes a rehabilitation facility, the corporation shall appoint the board of directors. Membership on a board shall be representative of the community served and shall include a person with a disability. One-third to one-half of the board shall be representative of industry or business. The remaining members should be representative of lay associations for persons with a disability, labor, the general public, and education, welfare, medical, and health professions. Nothing in sections 268A.06 to 268A.15 shall be construed to preclude the appointment of elected or appointed public officials or members of the board of directors of the sponsoring nonprofit corporation to the board, so long as the representation described above is preserved. If a county establishes an extended employment program and manages the program with county employees, the governing board shall be the county board of commissioners, and other provisions of this chapter pertaining to membership on the governing board do not apply.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 9.

Integrated setting.

At the commissioner's discretion, paid work on the premises of a rehabilitation facility may be certified as an integrated setting after a site review by the department.

Sec. 31.

[325E.60] RESTROOM ACCESS.

Subdivision 1.

Short title.

This section may be cited as the Restroom Access Act.

Subd. 2.

Definitions.

For purposes of this section:

(a) "Customer" means an individual who is lawfully on the premises of a retail establishment.

(b) "Eligible medical condition" means Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, any other inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or any other medical condition that requires immediate access to a restroom facility.

(c) "Retail establishment" means a place of business open to the general public for the sale of goods or services. Retail establishment does not include a filling station or service station with a structure of 800 square feet or less that has an employee restroom facility located within that structure.

Subd. 3.

Retail establishment; customer access to restroom facilities.

A retail establishment that has a restroom facility for its employees shall allow a customer to use that facility during normal business hours if the restroom facility is reasonably safe and all of the following conditions are met:

(1) the customer requesting the use of the employee restroom facility suffers from an eligible medical condition or uses an ostomy device, provided that the existence of the condition or device is documented in writing by the customer's physician or a nonprofit organization whose purpose includes serving individuals who suffer from the condition;

(2) three or more employees of the retail establishment are working at the time the customer requests use of the employee restroom facility;

(3) the retail establishment does not normally make a restroom available to the public;

(4) the employee restroom facility is not located in an area where providing access would create an obvious health or safety risk to the customer or an obvious security risk to the establishment; and

(5) a public restroom is not immediately accessible to the customer.

Subd. 4.

Liability.

(a) A retail establishment or an employee of a retail establishment is not civilly liable for an act or omission in allowing a customer who claims to have an eligible medical condition to use an employee restroom facility that is not a public restroom if the act or omission:

(1) is not negligent;

(2) occurs in an area of the retail establishment that is not accessible to the public; and

(3) results in an injury to or death of the customer or an individual other than an employee accompanying the customer.

(b) This section does not require a retail establishment to make any physical changes to an employee restroom facility.

Subd. 5.

Violation.

For a first violation of this section, the city or county attorney shall issue a warning letter to the retail establishment or employee informing the establishment or employee of the requirements of this section. A retail establishment or an employee of a retail establishment that violates this section after receiving a warning letter is guilty of a petty misdemeanor. The fine for a first offense must not exceed $50.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462.39, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5.

Local planning assistance.

A regional development commission or, in regions not served by regional development commissions, a regional organization selected by the commissioner of employment and economic development, may develop a program to support planning on behalf of local units of government. The local planning must be related to issues of regional or statewide significance and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) local planning and development assistance, which may include local zoning ordinances and land use plans;

(2) community or economic development plans, which may include workforce development plans, housing development plans and market analysis, JOBZ administration, grant writing assistance, and grant administration;

(3) environment and natural resources plans, which may include solid waste management plans, wastewater management plans, and renewable energy development plans;

(4) rural community health services; and

(5) development of geographical information systems to serve regional needs, including hardware and software purchases and related labor costs.

Each regional development commission or organization shall submit to the commissioner of employment and economic development an annual work program that outlines the work items for the upcoming year and establishes the relationship of the work items to development issues of regional or statewide significance. The entity completing the annual work program and identifying the statewide development issues shall consider input from the Departments of Employment and Economic Development, Natural Resources, Transportation, Agriculture, Commerce, and other state agencies as appropriate to the issues.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 469.334, is amended to read:

469.334 DESIGNATION OF ZONE.

Subdivision 1.

Commissioner to designate.

(a) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of revenue and the director of the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning, shall may designate one or more biotechnology and health sciences industry zones. Priority must be given to applicants with a development plan that links a higher education/research institution with a biotechnology and health sciences industry facility.

(b) The commissioner may consult with the applicant prior to the designation of the zone. The commissioner may modify the development plan, including the boundaries of the zone or subzones, if in the commissioner's opinion a modified plan would better meet the objectives of the biotechnology and health sciences industry zone program. The commissioner shall notify the applicant of the modifications and provide a statement of the reasons for the modifications.

Subd. 2.

Need indicators.

(a) In evaluating applications to determine the need for designation of a biotechnology and health sciences industry zone, the commissioner shall consider the following factors as indicators of need:

(1) the extent to which land in proximity to a significant scientific research institution could be developed as a higher and better use for biotechnology and health sciences industry facilities;

(2) the amount of property in or near the zone that is deteriorated or underutilized; and

(3) the extent to which property in the area would remain underdeveloped or nonperforming due to physical characteristics.

(b) The commissioner may require applicants to provide data to demonstrate how the area meets one or more of the indicators of need.

Subd. 3.

Success indicators.

In determining the likelihood of success of a proposed zone, the commissioner shall consider:

(1) applicants that show a viable link between a higher education/research institution, the biotechnology and/or medical devices business sectors, and one or more units of local government with a development plan;

(2) the extent to which the area has substantial real property with adequate infrastructure and energy to support new or expanded development;

(3) the strength and viability of the proposed development goals, objectives, and strategies in the development plan;

(4) whether the development plan is creative and innovative in comparison to other applications;

(5) local public and private commitment to development of a biotechnology and health sciences industry facility or facilities in the proposed zone and the potential cooperation of surrounding communities;

(6) existing resources available to the proposed zone;

(7) how the designation of the zone would relate to other economic and community development projects and to regional initiatives or programs;

(8) how the regulatory burden will be eased for biotechnology and health sciences industry facilities located in the proposed zone;

(9) proposals to establish and link job creation and job training in the biotechnology and health sciences industry with research/educational institutions; and

(10) the extent to which the development is directed at encouraging, and that designation of the zone is likely to result in, the creation of high-paying jobs.

Subd. 4.

Designation schedule.

(a) The schedule in paragraphs (b) to (e) applies to the designation of the first biotechnology and health sciences industry zone.

(b) The commissioner shall publish the form for applications and any procedural, form, or content requirements for applications by no later than August 1, 2003. The commissioner may publish these requirements on the Internet, in the State Register, or by any other means the commissioner determines appropriate to disseminate the information to potential applicants for designation.

(c) Applications must be submitted by October 15, 2003.

(d) The commissioner shall designate the zones by no later than December 31, 2003.

(e) The designation of the zones takes effect January 1, 2004.

(f) Additional zones may be designated in later years, following substantially the same application and designation process as provided in paragraphs (b) to (e) only after the commissioner of employment and economic development has established criteria for expanding the number of zones. The criteria must limit designating a new zone to a community that has adequate resources and infrastructure to support bioindustry, including postsecondary institutions, strong health care systems, and existing bioscience companies. It must also require that a new zone be located on a transportation corridor.

Sec. 34.

WORKFORCE ENHANCEMENT FEE.

If the commissioner of employment and economic development determines that the need for services under the dislocated worker program substantially exceeds the resources that will be available for the program, the commissioner may increase the special assessment levied under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.20, subdivision 1, to no more than .12 percent of taxable wages.

Sec. 35.

WORKING GROUP ON STATE ROLE IN TRADE POLICY.

Subdivision 1.

Work group members.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development must convene a working group to develop recommendations for establishing policies and procedures regarding the role of the state in federal trade policy and trade agreements. The working group must be comprised of 17 members as follows:

(1) the governor or his designee;

(2) the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development or his designee;

(3) the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture or his designee;

(4) the commissioner of the Department of Administration or his designee;

(5) the attorney general or her designee;

(6) two members of the Minnesota senate one of whom is appointed by the senate majority leader and one appointed by the minority leader;

(7) two members of the Minnesota house of representatives, one of whom is appointed by the speaker and one appointed by the minority leader;

(8) two members designated by the Minnesota AFL-CIO;

(9) two members representing labor organizations other than the AFL-CIO with one to be appointed by the speaker of the Minnesota house of representatives and one to be appointed by the majority leader of the Minnesota senate;

(10) two members designated by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; and

(11) two members representing business organizations other than the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce appointed by the governor.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development must provide administrative support to the working group.

Subd. 2.

Duties; responsibilities.

The working group may obtain input from other state and federal agencies as appropriate and may conduct public hearings to allow input from interested stakeholders. The working group must:

(1) determine the state's jurisdiction regarding federal trade policy and trade agreements;

(2) assess the state's current policies, procedures, roles and responsibilities for providing advice and consent on federal trade policy and trade agreements;

(3) review the current means through which the state interacts with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and Congress regarding trade policy and trade agreements;

(4) inventory the federal trade policies and trade agreements that the state of Minnesota has formally approved or signed on to;

(5) examine trade policy models established by other states;

(6) develop recommendations for defining responsibilities and procedures for the state's role in federal trade policy and trade agreements; and

(7) prepare legislative recommendations to implement the recommendations of the working group.

The working group must report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature by December 1, 2007.

Sec. 36.

STUDY; SAFE PATIENT HANDLING.

(a) The commissioner of labor and industry shall study ways to require workers' compensation insurers to recognize compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 182.6553, in the workers' compensation premiums of health care and long-term care facilities. The commissioner shall report by January 15, 2008, the results of the study to the chairs of the policy committees of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over workers' compensation issues.

(b) By January 15, 2008, the commissioner must make recommendations to the legislature regarding funding sources available to health care facilities for safe patient handling programs and equipment, including, but not limited to, low interest loans, interest free loans, and federal, state, or county grants.

Sec. 37.

WORK GROUP; SAFE PATIENT HANDLING.

The Minnesota State Council on Disability shall convene a work group comprised of representatives from the Minnesota Medical Association and other organizations representing clinics, disability advocates, and direct care workers, to do the following:

(1) assess the current options for and use of safe patient handling equipment in unlicensed outpatient clinics, physician offices, and dental settings;

(2) identify barriers to the use of safe patient handling equipment in these settings; and

(3) define clinical settings that move patients to determine applicability of the Safe Patient Handling Act.

The work group must report to the legislature by January 15, 2008, including reports to the chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees on workforce development.

Sec. 38.

EFFECT ON RULES.

The commissioner of labor and industry shall amend Minnesota Rules, part 5200.0910, to conform to Minnesota Statutes, section 181A.115. The commissioner may use the good cause exemption in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, in adopting the amendment required by this section.

Sec. 39.

PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY FUNDING.

To the greatest practical extent, projects on the Public Facilities Authority's 2007 intended use plan, the listings for which were based on the Pollution Control Agency's 2006 project priority list, shall be carried over to the 2008 intended use plan. Projects that qualified for funding from the Public Facilities Authority under Laws 2006, chapter 258, section 21, that could not be certified by the Pollution Control Agency by the applicable deadline shall have until May 1, 2008, or six months after the Minnesota Supreme Court issues an opinion in the cities of Maple Lake and Annandale matter, whichever is later, to obtain the required certification from the Pollution Control Agency.

Sec. 40.

REPEALER.

(a) Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.747, subdivision 4; 16C.18, subdivision 2; 183.375, subdivision 5; 183.545, subdivision 9; 326.241; 326.44; 326.52; and 326.64, are repealed.

(b) Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.975, is repealed effective December 1, 2007.

ARTICLE 3

LICENSING AND WAGES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.63, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Interpretative authority.

To achieve uniform and consistent application of the State Building Code, the state building official commissioner has final interpretative authority applicable to all codes adopted as part of the State Building Code except for the Plumbing Code and the Electrical Code when enforced by the State Board of Electricity. A final interpretative committee composed of seven members, consisting of three building officials, two inspectors from the affected field, and two construction industry representatives, shall review requests for final interpretations relating to that field for which the commissioner has final interpretative authority. A request The Plumbing Board has final interpretative authority applicable to the state Plumbing Code and shall review requests for final interpretation made to the board that relate to the state plumbing code. The Board of Electricity has final interpretative authority applicable to the state Electrical Code and shall review requests for final interpretation made to the board that relate to the state Electrical Code. The Board of High Pressure Piping Systems has final interpretative authority applicable to the state High Pressure Piping Code and shall review requests for final interpretation made to the board that relate to the state high pressure piping code. Except for requests for final interpretations that relate to the state plumbing code, the state Electrical Code, and the state High Pressure Piping Code, requests for final interpretation must come from a local or state level building code board of appeals. The state building official commissioner must establish procedures for membership of the final interpretative committees. The appropriate committee shall review the request and make a recommendation to the state building official commissioner for the final interpretation within 30 days of the request. The state building official commissioner must issue an a final interpretation within ten business days from after the receipt of the recommendation from the review final interpretative committee. A The Plumbing Board, the Board of Electricity, or the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems shall review a request and issue a final interpretation within 30 days of the request. Any person aggrieved by final interpretation may be appealed appeal within 30 days of its issuance to by the commissioner under section 16B.67 or the board in accordance with chapter 14. The final interpretation must be published within ten business days of its issuance and made available to the public. Municipal building officials shall administer all final interpretations issued by the state building official commissioner until the final interpretations are considered by the commissioner, the Plumbing Board, the Board of Electricity, or the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems for adoption as part of the State Building Code, state Plumbing Code, state Electrical Code, or the High Pressure Piping Code.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 154.003, is amended to read:

154.003 FEES.

(a) The fees collected, as required in this chapter, chapter 214, and the rules of the board, shall be paid to the executive secretary of the board. The executive secretary shall deposit the fees in the general fund in the state treasury.

(b) The board shall charge the following fees:

(1) examination and certificate, registered barber, $65;

(2) examination and certificate, apprentice, $60;

(3) examination, instructor, $160;

(4) certificate, instructor, $45;

(5) temporary teacher or apprentice permit, $50;

(6) renewal of license, registered barber, $50;

(7) renewal of license, apprentice, $45;

(8) renewal of license, instructor, $60;

(9) renewal of temporary teacher permit, $35;

(10) student permit, $25;

(11) initial shop registration, $60;

(12) initial school registration, $1,010;

(13) renewal shop registration, $60;

(14) renewal school registration, $260;

(15) restoration of registered barber license, $75;

(16) restoration of apprentice license, $70;

(17) restoration of shop registration, $85;

(18) change of ownership or location, $35;

(19) duplicate license, $20; and

(20) home study course, $75; and

(21) registration of hair braiders, $20 per year.

Sec. 3.

[154.465] HAIR BRAIDING.

Subdivision 1.

Registration.

Any person engaged in hair braiding solely for compensation as a profession, except persons licensed as cosmetologists, shall register with the Minnesota Board of Barber and Cosmetology Examiners in a form determined by the board.

Subd. 2.

Definition.

"Hair braiding" means a natural form of hair manipulation that results in tension on hair strands by beading, braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving, or wrapping human hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and hair extensions into a variety of shapes, patterns, and textures predominantly by hand and by only using simple braiding devices, and maintenance thereof. Hair braiding includes what is commonly known as "African-style hair braiding" or "natural hair care" but is not limited to any particular cultural, ethnic, racial, or religious forms of hair styles. Hair braiding includes the making of customized wigs from natural hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and hair extensions. Hair braiding includes the use of topical agents such as conditioners, gels, moisturizers, oils, pomades, and shampoos. Hair braiding does not involve the use of penetrating chemical hair treatments, chemical hair coloring agents, chemical hair straightening agents, chemical hair joining agents, permanent wave styles, or chemical hair bleaching agents applied to growing human hair. For purposes of this section, "simple hair braiding devices" means clips, combs, curlers, curling irons, hairpins, rollers, scissors, needles, thread, and hair binders including adhesives, if necessary, that are required solely for hair braiding.

Subd. 3.

Requirements.

In order to qualify for initial registration, any person engaged in hair braiding solely for compensation as a profession, except persons licensed as cosmetologists, shall satisfactorily complete instruction at either an accredited school, professional association, or by an individual approved by the board. Instruction includes coursework covering the topics of health, safety, sanitation, and state laws related to cosmetology not to exceed 30 hours. The coursework is encouraged to be provided in a foreign language format and such availability shall be reported to and posted by the Minnesota Board of Barber and Cosmetology Examiners.

Subd. 4.

Curriculum.

An accredited school, professional association, or an individual approved by the board desiring to provide the coursework required under subdivision 3 shall have curriculum in place by January 1, 2008.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2008, except subdivision 4 is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Examination of records.

The commissioner may enter during reasonable office hours or upon request and inspect the place of business or employment of any employer of employees working in the state, to examine and inspect books, registers, payrolls, and other records of any employer that in any way relate to wages, hours, and other conditions of employment of any employees. The commissioner may transcribe any or all of the books, registers, payrolls, and other records as the commissioner deems necessary or appropriate and may question the employees to ascertain compliance with sections 177.21 to . The commissioner may investigate wage claims or complaints by an employee against an employer if the failure to pay a wage may violate Minnesota law or an order or rule of the department.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Compliance orders.

The commissioner may issue an order requiring an employer to comply with sections 177.21 to , 181.02, 181.03, 181.031, 181.032, 181.101, 181.11, 181.12, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, and 181.79, or with any rule promulgated under section 177.28. The department shall serve the order upon the employer or the employer's authorized representative in person or by certified mail at the employer's place of business. An employer who wishes to contest the order must file written notice of objection to the order with the commissioner within 15 calendar days after being served with the order. A contested case proceeding must then be held in accordance with sections 14.57 to 14.69. If, within 15 calendar days after being served with the order, the employer fails to file a written notice of objection with the commissioner, the order becomes a final order of the commissioner.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Court actions; suits brought by private parties.

An employee may bring a civil action seeking redress for a violation or violations of sections 177.21 to 177.44 directly to district court. An employer who pays an employee less than the wages and overtime compensation to which the employee is entitled under sections 177.21 to 177.44 is liable to the employee for the full amount of the wages, gratuities, and overtime compensation, less any amount the employer is able to establish was actually paid to the employee and for an additional equal amount as liquidated damages. In addition, in an action under this subdivision the employee may seek damages and other appropriate relief provided by subdivision 7 and otherwise provided by law. An agreement between the employee and the employer to work for less than the applicable wage is not a defense to the action.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

District court jurisdiction.

Any action brought under subdivision 8 may be filed in the district court of the county wherein a violation or violations of sections 177.21 to 177.44 are alleged to have been committed, where the respondent resides or has a principal place of business, or any other court of competent jurisdiction. The action may be brought by one or more employees.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Attorney fees and costs.

In any action brought pursuant to subdivision 8, the court shall order an employer who is found to have committed a violation or violations of sections 177.21 to 177.44 to pay to the employee or employees reasonable costs, disbursements, witness fees, and attorney fees.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General authority.

The commissioner may adopt rules, including definitions of terms, to carry out the purposes of sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.44, to prevent the circumvention or evasion of those sections, and to safeguard the minimum wage and overtime rates established by sections 177.24 and 177.25.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.30, is amended to read:

177.30 KEEPING RECORDS; PENALTY.

Every employer subject to sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.44 must make and keep a record of:

(1) the name, address, and occupation of each employee;

(2) the rate of pay, and the amount paid each pay period to each employee;

(3) the hours worked each day and each workweek by the employee; and

(4) for each employer subject to sections 177.41 to 177.44, and while performing work on public works projects funded in whole or in part with state funds, the prevailing wage master job classification of each employee working on the project for each hour worked; and

(4) (5) other information the commissioner finds necessary and appropriate to enforce sections 177.21 to 177.35. The records must be kept for three years in or near the premises where an employee works except each employer subject to sections 177.41 to 177.44, and while performing work on public works projects funded in whole or in part with state funds, the records must be kept for three years after the contracting authority has made final payment on the public works project.

The commissioner may fine an employer up to $1,000 for each failure to maintain records as required by this section. This penalty is in addition to any penalties provided under section 177.32, subdivision 1. In determining the amount of a civil penalty under this subdivision, the appropriateness of such penalty to the size of the employer's business and the gravity of the violation shall be considered.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.43, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Contract requirements.

The contract must specifically state the prevailing wage rates, prevailing hours of labor, and hourly basic rates of pay. The contract must also provide that the contracting agency shall demand, and the contractor and subcontractor shall furnish to the contracting agency, copies of any or all payrolls not more than 14 days after the end of each pay period. The payrolls must contain all the data required by section 177.30. The contracting authority may examine all records relating to wages paid laborers or mechanics on work to which sections 177.41 to 177.44 apply.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.43, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Determination by commissioner; posting; petition for reconsideration.

The prevailing wage rates, prevailing hours of labor, and hourly basic rates of pay for all trades and occupations required in any project must be ascertained before the state asks for bids. The commissioner of labor and industry shall investigate as necessary to ascertain the information. The commissioner Each contractor and subcontractor performing work on a public project shall keep the information posted on the project in at least one conspicuous place for the information of the employees working on the project. A person aggrieved by a final determination of the commissioner may petition the commissioner for reconsideration of findings. A person aggrieved by a decision of the commissioner after reconsideration may, within 20 days after the decision, petition the commissioner for a public hearing in the manner of a contested case under sections 14.57 to 14.61.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.43, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Examination of records; investigation by the department.

The Department of Labor and Industry shall enforce this section. The department may demand, and the contractor and subcontractor shall furnish to the department, copies of any or all payrolls. The department may examine all records relating to wages paid laborers or mechanics on work to which sections 177.41 to 177.44 apply. The department shall employ at least three investigators to perform on-site project reviews, receive and investigate complaints of violations of this section, and conduct training and outreach to contractors and contracting authorities for public works projects financed in whole or in part with state funds.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.43, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6a.

Prevailing wage violations.

Upon issuing a compliance order to an employer pursuant to section 177.27, subdivision 4, for violation of sections 177.41 to 177.44, the commissioner shall issue a withholding order to the contracting authority ordering the contracting authority to withhold payment of sufficient sum to the prime or general contractor on the project to satisfy the back wages assessed or otherwise cure the violation, and the contracting authority must withhold the sum ordered until the compliance order has become a final order of the commissioner and has been fully paid or otherwise resolved by the employer.

During an investigation of a violation of sections 177.41 to 177.44 which the commissioner reasonably determines is likely to result in the finding of a violation of sections 177.41 to 177.44 and the issuance of a compliance order pursuant to section 177.27, subdivision 4, the commissioner may notify the contracting authority of the determination and the amount expected to be assessed and the contracting authority shall give the commissioner 90 days' prior notice of the date the contracting authority intends to make final payment.

Sec. 15.

[181.723] INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

(a) "Person" means any individual, limited liability corporation, corporation, partnership, incorporated or unincorporated association, sole proprietorship, joint stock company, or any other legal or commercial entity.

(b) "Department" means the Department of Labor and Industry.

(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of labor and industry or a duly designated representative of the commissioner who is either an employee of the Department of Labor and Industry or person working under contract with the Department of Labor and Industry.

(d) "Individual" means a human being.

(e) "Day" means calendar day unless otherwise provided.

(f) "Knowingly" means knew or could have known with the exercise of reasonable diligence.

(g) "Document" or "documents" includes papers; books; records; memoranda; data; contracts; drawings; graphs; charts; photographs; digital, video, and audio recordings; records; accounts; files; statements; letters; e-mails; invoices; bills; notes; and calendars maintained in any form or manner.

Subd. 2.

Limited application.

This section only applies to individuals performing public or private sector commercial or residential building construction or improvement services, as defined in section 326.83.

Subd. 3.

Employee-employer relationship.

Except as provided in subdivision 4, for purposes of chapters 176, 177, 181A, 182, and 268, as of January 1, 2009, an individual who performs services for a person that are in the course of the person's trade, business, profession, or occupation is an employee of that person and that person is an employer of the individual.

Subd. 4.

Independent contractor.

An individual is an independent contractor and not an employee of the person for whom the individual is performing services in the course of the person's trade, business, profession, or occupation only if (1) the individual holds a current independent contractor exemption certificate issued by the commissioner; and (2) the individual is performing services for the person under the independent contractor exemption certificate as provided in subdivision 6. The requirements in clauses (1) and (2) must be met in order to qualify as an independent contractor and not as an employee of the person for whom the individual is performing services in the course of the person's trade, business, profession, or occupation.

Subd. 5.

Application.

To obtain an independent contractor exemption certificate, the individual must submit, in the manner prescribed by the commissioner, a complete application and the certificate fee required under subdivision 14.

(a) A complete application must include all of the following information:

(1) the individual's full name;

(2) the individual's residence address and telephone number;

(3) the individual's business name, address, and telephone number;

(4) the services for which the individual is seeking an independent contractor exemption certificate;

(5) the individual's Social Security number;

(6) the individual's or the individual's business federal employer identification number, if a number has been issued to the individual or the individual's business;

(7) any information or documentation that the commissioner requires by rule that will assist the department in determining whether to grant or deny the individual's application; and

(8) the individual's sworn statement that the individual meets all of the following conditions:

(i) maintains a separate business with the individual's own office, equipment, materials, and other facilities;

(ii) holds or has applied for a federal employer identification number or has filed business or self-employment income tax returns with the federal Internal Revenue Service if the person has performed services in the previous year for which the individual is seeking the independent contractor exemption certificate;

(iii) operates under contracts to perform specific services for specific amounts of money and under which the individual controls the means of performing the services;

(iv) incurs the main expenses related to the service that the individual performs under contract;

(v) is responsible for the satisfactory completion of services that the individual contracts to perform and is liable for a failure to complete the service;

(vi) receives compensation for service performed under a contract on a commission or per-job or competitive bid basis and not on any other basis;

(vii) may realize a profit or suffer a loss under contracts to perform service;

(viii) has continuing or recurring business liabilities or obligations; and

(ix) the success or failure of the individual's business depends on the relationship of business receipts to expenditures.

(b) Individuals who are applying for or renewing a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license under sections 326.83 to 326.992 and any rules promulgated pursuant thereto may simultaneously apply for or renew an independent contractor exemption certificate. The commissioner shall create an application form that allows for the simultaneous application for both a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license and an independent contractor exemption certificate. If individuals simultaneously apply for or renew a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license and an independent contractor exemption certificate using the form created by the commissioner, individuals shall only be required to provide, in addition to the information required by section 326.89 and rules promulgated pursuant thereto, the sworn statement required by paragraph (a), clause (8), and any additional information required by this subdivision that is not also required by section 326.89 and any rules promulgated thereto. When individuals submit a simultaneous application on the form created by the commissioner for both a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license and an independent contractor exemption certificate, the application fee shall be $150. An independent contractor exemption certificate that is in effect before March 1, 2009, shall remain in effect until March 1, 2011, unless revoked by the commissioner or cancelled by the individual.

(c) Within 30 days of receiving a complete application and the certificate fee, the commissioner must either grant or deny the application. The commissioner may deny an application for an independent contractor exemption certificate if the individual has not submitted a complete application and certificate fee or if the individual does not meet all of the conditions for holding the independent contractor exemption certificate. The commissioner may revoke an independent contractor exemption certificate if the commissioner determines that the individual no longer meets all of the conditions for holding the independent contractor exemption certificate, commits any of the actions set out in subdivision 7, or fails to cooperate with a department investigation into the continued validity of the individual's certificate. Once issued, an independent contractor exemption certificate remains in effect for two years unless:

(1) revoked by the commissioner; or

(2) canceled by the individual.

(d) If the department denies an individual's original or renewal application for an independent contractor exemption certificate or revokes an independent contractor exemption certificate, the commissioner shall issue to the individual an order denying or revoking the certificate. The commissioner may issue an administrative penalty order to an individual or person who commits any of the actions set out in subdivision 7.

(e) An individual or person to whom the commissioner issues an order under paragraph (d) shall have 30 days after service of the order to request a hearing. The request for hearing must be in writing and must be served on or faxed to the commissioner at the address or facsimile number specified in the order by the 30th day after service of the order. If the individual does not request a hearing or if the individual's request for a hearing is not served on or faxed to the commissioner by the 30th day after service of the order, the order shall become a final order of the commissioner and will not be subject to review by any court or agency. The date on which a request for hearing is served by mail shall be the postmark date on the envelope in which the request for hearing is mailed. If the individual serves or faxes a timely request for hearing, the hearing shall be a contested case hearing and shall be held in accordance with chapter 14.

Subd. 6.

Performing services under exemption certificate.

An individual is performing services for a person under an independent contractor exemption certificate if:

(a) the individual is performing services listed on the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate; and

(b) at the time the individual is performing services listed on the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate, the individual meets all of the following conditions:

(1) maintains a separate business with the individual's own office, equipment, materials, and other facilities;

(2) holds or has applied for a federal employer identification number or has filed business or self-employment income tax returns with the federal Internal Revenue Service if the individual performed services in the previous year for which the individual has the independent contractor exemption certificate;

(3) is operating under contract to perform the specific services for the person for specific amounts of money and under which the individual controls the means of performing the services;

(4) is incurring the main expenses related to the services that the individual is performing for the person under the contract;

(5) is responsible for the satisfactory completion of the services that the individual has contracted to perform for the person and is liable for a failure to complete the services;

(6) receives compensation from the person for the services performed under the contract on a commission or per-job or competitive bid basis and not on any other basis;

(7) may realize a profit or suffers a loss under the contract to perform services for the person;

(8) has continuing or recurring business liabilities or obligations; and

(9) the success or failure of the individual's business depends on the relationship of business receipts to expenditures.

Subd. 7.

Prohibited activities.

(a) An individual shall not:

(1) perform work as an independent contractor who meets the qualifications under subdivision 6 without first obtaining from the department an independent contractor exemption certificate;

(2) perform work as an independent contractor when the department has denied or revoked the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate;

(3) transfer to another individual or allow another individual to use the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate;

(4) alter or falsify an independent contractor exemption certificate;

(5) misrepresent the individual's status as an independent contractor; or

(6) make a false material statement, representation, or certification; omit material information; or alter, conceal, or fail to file a document required by this section or any rule promulgated by the commissioner under rulemaking authority set out in this section.

(b) A person shall not:

(1) require an individual through coercion, misrepresentation, or fraudulent means to adopt independent contractor status;

(2) knowingly misrepresent that an individual who has not been issued an independent contractor exemption certificate or is not performing services for the person under an independent contractor exemption certificate is an independent contractor; or

(3) make a false material statement, representation, or certification; omit material information; or alter, conceal, or fail to file a document required by this section or any rule promulgated by the commissioner under rulemaking authority set out in this section.

(c) A person for whom an individual is performing services must obtain a copy of the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate before services may commence. A copy of the independent contractor exemption certificate must be retained for five years from the date of receipt by the person for whom an individual is performing services.

Subd. 8.

Remedies.

An individual or person who violates any provision of subdivision 7 is subject to a penalty to be assessed by the department of up to $5,000 for each violation. The department shall deposit penalties in the assigned risk safety account.

Subd. 9.

Commissioner's powers.

(a) In order to carry out the purposes of this section, the commissioner may:

(1) administer oaths and affirmations, certify official acts, interview, question, take oral or written statements, and take depositions;

(2) request, examine, take possession of, photograph, record, and copy any documents, equipment, or materials;

(3) at a time and place indicated by the commissioner, request persons to appear before the commissioner to give testimony and produce documents, equipment, or materials;

(4) issue subpoenas to compel persons to appear before the commissioner to give testimony and produce documents, equipment, or materials; and

(5) subject to paragraph (c), with or without notice, enter without delay upon any property, public or private, for the purpose of taking any action authorized under this subdivision or the applicable law, including obtaining information or conducting inspections or investigations.

(b) Persons requested by the commissioner to give testimony or produce documents, equipment, or materials shall respond within the time and in the manner specified by the commissioner. If no time to respond is specified in the request, then a response shall be submitted within 30 days of the commissioner's service of the request.

(c) Upon the refusal or anticipated refusal of a property owner, lessee, property owner's representative, or lessee's representative to permit the commissioner's entry onto property as provided in paragraph (a), the commissioner may apply for an administrative inspection order in the Ramsey County District Court or, at the commissioner's discretion, in the district court in the county in which the property is located. The commissioner may anticipate that a property owner or lessee will refuse entry if the property owner, lessee, property owner's representative, or lessee's representative has refused to permit entry on a prior occasion or has informed the commissioner that entry will be refused. Upon showing of administrative probable cause by the commissioner, the district court shall issue an administrative inspection order that compels the property owner or lessee to permit the commissioner to enter the property for the purposes specified in paragraph (a).

(d) Upon the application of the commissioner, a district court shall treat the failure of any person to obey a subpoena lawfully issued by the commissioner under this subdivision as a contempt of court.

Subd. 10.

Notice requirements.

Unless otherwise specified, service of a document on a person under this section may be by mail, by personal service, or in accordance with any consent to service filed with the commissioner. Service by mail shall be accomplished in the manner provided in Minnesota Rules, part 1400.5550, subpart 2. Personal service shall be accomplished in the manner provided in Minnesota Rules, part 1400.5550, subpart 3.

Subd. 11.

Facsimile; timely service.

When this section permits a request for hearing to be served by facsimile on the commissioner, the facsimile shall not exceed 15 pages in length. The request shall be considered timely served if the facsimile is received by the commissioner, at the facsimile number identified by the commissioner in the order, no later than 4:30 p.m. central time on the last day permitted for faxing the request. Where the quality or authenticity of the faxed request is at issue, the commissioner may require the original request to be filed. Where the commissioner has not identified quality or authenticity of the faxed request as an issue and the request has been faxed in accordance with this subdivision, the person faxing the request does not need to file the original request with the commissioner.

Subd. 12.

Time period computation.

In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by this section, the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

Subd. 13.

Rulemaking.

The commissioner may, in consultation with the commissioner of revenue and the commissioner of employment and economic development, adopt, amend, suspend, and repeal rules under the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 that relate to the commissioner's responsibilities under this section. This subdivision is effective the day following final enactment.

Subd. 14.

Fee.

The certificate fee for the original application and for the renewal of an independent contractor exemption certificate shall be $150.

Subd. 15.

Notice to commissioner; review by commissioner of revenue.

When the commissioner has reason to believe that an individual who holds a certificate has failed to maintain all the conditions required by subdivision 6 or is not performing services for a person under the independent contractor exemption certificate, the commissioner must notify the commissioner of revenue and the commissioner of employment and economic development. Upon receipt of notification from the commissioner that an individual who holds a certificate has failed to maintain all the conditions required by subdivision 6 or is not performing services for a person under the independent contractor exemption certificate, the commissioner of revenue must review the information returns required under section 6041A of the Internal Revenue Code. The commissioner of revenue shall also review the submitted certification that is applicable to returns audited or investigated under section 289A.35.

Subd. 16.

Data classified.

Data in applications for an independent contractor exemption certificate and any required documentation submitted to the commissioner are private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02. Data in exemption certificates issued by the commissioner are public data. Data that document a revocation or cancellation of an exemption certificate are public data. Upon request of the Department of Revenue or Department of Employment and Economic Development, the commissioner may release to the requesting department data classified as private under this subdivision or investigative data that are not public under section 13.39 that relate to the issuance or denial of applications or revocations of certificates.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2008.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 181.932, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Prohibited action.

An employer shall not discharge, discipline, threaten, otherwise discriminate against, or penalize an employee regarding the employee's compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges of employment because:

(a) the employee, or a person acting on behalf of an employee, in good faith, reports a violation or suspected violation of any federal or state law or rule adopted pursuant to law to an employer or to any governmental body or law enforcement official;

(b) the employee is requested by a public body or office to participate in an investigation, hearing, inquiry;

(c) the employee refuses an employer's order to perform an action that the employee has an objective basis in fact to believe violates any state or federal law or rule or regulation adopted pursuant to law, and the employee informs the employer that the order is being refused for that reason; or

(d) the employee, in good faith, reports a situation in which the quality of health care services provided by a health care facility, organization, or health care provider violates a standard established by federal or state law or a professionally recognized national clinical or ethical standard and potentially places the public at risk of harm.; or

(e) a public employee communicates the findings of a scientific or technical study that the employee, in good faith, believes to be truthful and accurate, including reports to a governmental body or law enforcement official.

The disclosures protected pursuant to this section do not authorize the disclosure of data otherwise protected by law.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 181.935, is amended to read:

181.935 INDIVIDUAL REMEDIES; PENALTY.

(a) In addition to any remedies otherwise provided by law, an employee injured by a violation of section 181.932 may bring a civil action to recover any and all damages recoverable at law, together with costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorney's fees, and may receive such injunctive and other equitable relief as determined by the court.

(b) An employer who failed to notify, as required under section 181.933 or 181.934, an employee injured by a violation of section 181.932 is subject to a civil penalty of $25 per day per injured employee not to exceed $750 per injured employee.

(c) If the district court determines that a violation of section 181.932 occurred, the court may order any appropriate relief, including but not limited to reinstatement, back-pay, restoration of lost service credit, if appropriate, compensatory damages, and the expungement of any adverse records of an employee who was the subject of the alleged acts of misconduct.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 325E.37, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Scope; limitations.

(a) This section applies to a sales representative who, during some part of the period of the sales representative agreement:

(1) is a resident of Minnesota or maintains that person's principal place of business in Minnesota; or

(2) whose geographical territory specified in the sales representative agreement includes part or all of Minnesota.

(b) To be effective, any demand for arbitration under subdivision 5 must be made in writing and delivered to the principal on or before one year after the effective date of the termination of the agreement.

(c) A provision in any contract between a sales representative dealing in plumbing equipment or supplies and a principal purporting to waive any provision of this act, whether by express waiver or by a provision stipulating that the contract is subject to the laws of another state, shall be void.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.37, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Rules.

The state commissioner of health Plumbing Board may, by rule, prescribe minimum standards which shall be uniform, and which standards shall thereafter be effective for all new plumbing installations, including additions, extensions, alterations, and replacements connected with any water or sewage disposal system owned or operated by or for any municipality, institution, factory, office building, hotel, apartment building, or any other place of business regardless of location or the population of the city or town in which the installation is to be located. Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130, as they apply to review of plans and specifications, the commissioner may allow plumbing construction, alteration, or extension to proceed without approval of the plans or specifications by the commissioner.

Except for powers granted to the Plumbing Board, the commissioner of labor and industry shall administer the provisions of sections 326.37 to 326.45 and for such purposes may employ plumbing inspectors and other assistants.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.37, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4.

Air admittance valves and water-free urinals prohibited.

(a) Mechanical devices and fittings with internal moving parts are prohibited from installation in plumbing venting systems.

(b) All urinals covered under the jurisdiction of the state Plumbing Code must have a water flush device with a volume of not more than one gallon per use.

Sec. 21.

[326.372] PLUMBING BOARD.

Subdivision 1.

Composition.

(a) The Plumbing Board shall consist of 13 members. Eleven members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate and shall be voting members. Appointments of members by the governor shall be made in accordance with section 15.066. If the senate votes to refuse to consent to an appointment of a member made by the governor, the governor shall appoint a new member with the advice and consent of the senate. One member shall be the commissioner of labor and industry or the designee, who shall be a voting member. One member shall be the commissioner of health or the designee, who shall not be a voting member. Of the 11 appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:

(1) two members shall be municipal plumbing inspectors, one from the metropolitan area and one from greater Minnesota;

(2) one member shall a be licensed professional engineer specializing in plumbing designs or systems;

(3) two members shall be commercial/industrial plumbing contractors, one from the metropolitan area and one from greater Minnesota;

(4) one member shall be a residential plumbing contractor;

(5) two members shall be commercial/industrial journeymen, one from the metropolitan area and one from greater Minnesota;

(6) one member shall be a residential plumbing journeyman;

(7) one member shall be a water conditioning contractor; and

(8) one member shall be a municipal public water supply system operator or superintendent.

One of the municipal plumbing inspectors shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2010, and one municipal plumbing inspector shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2011. The professional engineer shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2011. One of the commercial/industrial plumbing contractors shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2010, and one commercial/industrial plumbing contractor shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2011. The residential plumbing contractor shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2010. One of the commercial/industrial plumbing journeymen shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2011, and one commercial/industrial plumbing journeyman shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2010. The residential plumbing journeyman shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2011. The water conditioning contractor shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2010. The municipal public water supply system operator or superintendent shall be appointed for an initial term to end on December 31, 2011.

(b) The licensed professional engineer must possess a current Minnesota professional engineering license and maintain the license for the duration of the term served on the board. All other appointed members, except the water conditioning contractor and the municipal public water supply system operator or superintendent, must possess a current plumbing license issued by the Department of Labor and Industry and maintain that license for the duration of their terms. The water conditioning contractor must be licensed as a water conditioning contractor by the department and maintain the license for the duration of the term served on the board. All appointed members must be residents of Minnesota at the time of and throughout their terms. The term of any appointed member who does not maintain membership qualification status shall end on the date of status change and the governor shall appoint a replacement member. It is the responsibility of the member to notify the board of a change in the member's status.

(c) For appointed members, except the initial terms designated in paragraph (a), each term shall be three years with the terms ending on the first Monday in January. Members appointed by the governor shall be limited to three consecutive terms. The governor shall, all or in part, reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members with the advice and consent of the senate. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Members may serve until successors are appointed but in no case later than July 1 in a year in which the term expires unless reappointed.

Subd. 2.

Powers; duties; administrative support.

(a) The board shall have the power to:

(1) elect its chair, vice-chair, and secretary;

(2) adopt bylaws that specify the duties of its officers, the meeting dates of the board, and contain such other provisions as may be useful and necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the board;

(3) adopt the Plumbing Code that must be followed in this state and any Plumbing Code amendments thereto. The board shall adopt the Plumbing Code and any amendments thereto pursuant to chapter 14, and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraphs (b), (c), and (d);

(4) review requests for final interpretations and issue final interpretations as provided in section 16B.63, subdivision 5;

(5) except for rules regulating continuing education, adopt rules that regulate the licensure or registration of plumbing contractors, journeymen, apprentices, master plumbers, restricted master plumbers, and restricted journeymen and other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of plumbing systems, except for those individuals licensed under section 326.02, subdivisions 2 and 3. The board shall adopt these rules pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraphs (e) and (f);

(6) advise the commissioner regarding educational requirements for plumbing inspectors;

(7) refer complaints or other communications, whether oral or written, that allege or imply a violation of a statute, rule, or order that the commissioner has the authority to enforce pertaining to code compliance, licensure, or an offering to perform or performance of unlicensed plumbing services to the commissioner under subdivision 8;

(8) approve per diem and expenses deemed necessary for its members as provided in subdivision 3;

(9) approve license reciprocity agreements;

(10) select from its members individuals to serve on any other state advisory council, board, or committee; and

(11) recommend the fees for licenses and certifications.

Except for the powers granted to the Plumbing Board, the commissioner of labor and industry shall administer and enforce the provisions of sections 326.37 to 326.45 and any rules promulgated pursuant thereto.

(b) The board shall comply with section 15.0597, subdivisions 2 and 4.

(c) The commissioner shall coordinate the board's rulemaking and recommendations with the recommendations and rulemaking conducted by the other boards. The commissioner shall provide staff support to the board. The support includes professional, legal, technical, and clerical staff necessary to perform rulemaking and other duties assigned to the board. The commissioner of labor and industry shall supply necessary office space and supplies to assist the board in its duties.

Subd. 3.

Compensation.

(a) Members of the board may be compensated at the rate of $55 a day spent on board activities, when authorized by the board, plus expenses in the same manner and amount as authorized by the commissioner's plan adopted under section 43A.18, subdivision 2. Members who, as a result of time spent attending board meetings, incur child care expenses that would not otherwise have been incurred, may be reimbursed for those expenses upon board authorization.

(b) Members who are state employees or employees of the political subdivisions of the state must not receive the daily payment for activities that occur during working hours for which they are compensated by the state or political subdivision. However, a state or political subdivision employee may receive the daily payment if the employee uses vacation time or compensatory time accumulated in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement or compensation plan for board activities. Members who are state employees or employees of the political subdivisions of the state may receive the expenses provided for in this subdivision unless the expenses are reimbursed by another source. Members who are state employees or employees of political subdivisions of the state may be reimbursed for child care expenses only for time spent on board activities that are outside their working hours.

(c) The board shall adopt internal standards prescribing what constitutes a day spent on board activities for purposes of making daily payments under this subdivision.

Subd. 4.

Removal; vacancies.

(a) An appointed member of the board may be removed by the governor at any time (1) for cause, after notice and hearing, or (2) after missing three consecutive meetings. The chair of the board shall inform the governor of an appointed member missing three consecutive meetings. After the second consecutive missed meeting and before the next meeting, the secretary of the board shall notify the appointed member in writing that the member may be removed for missing the next meeting. In the case of a vacancy on the board, the governor shall, with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(b) Vacancies shall be filled pursuant to section 15.0597, subdivisions 5 and 6.

Subd. 5.

Membership vacancies within three months of appointment.

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a seat on the board becomes vacant within three months after being filled through the appointment process, the governor may, upon notification to the Office of the Secretary of State, choose a new member from the applications on hand and need not repeat the process.

Subd. 6.

Officers, quorum, voting.

(a) The board shall elect annually from its members a chair, vice-chair, and secretary. A quorum of the board shall consist of a majority of members of the board qualified to vote on the matter in question. All questions concerning the manner in which a meeting is conducted or called that are not covered by statute shall be determined by Robert's Rules of Order (revised) unless otherwise specified by the bylaws.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), each Plumbing Code amendment considered by the board that receives an affirmative two-thirds or more majority vote of all of the voting members of the board shall be included in the next Plumbing Code rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board. If a Plumbing Code amendment considered, or reconsidered, by the board receives less than a two-thirds majority vote of all of the voting members of the board, the Plumbing Code amendment shall not be included in the next Plumbing Code rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board.

(c) If the Plumbing Code amendment considered by the board is to replace the Minnesota Plumbing Code with a model Plumbing Code, then the amendment may only be included in the next Plumbing Code rulemaking proceeding if it receives an affirmative two-thirds or more majority vote of all of the voting members of the board.

(d) The board may reconsider Plumbing Code amendments during an active Plumbing Code rulemaking proceeding in which the amendment previously failed to receive a two-thirds majority vote or more of all of the voting members of the board only if new or updated information that affects the Plumbing Code amendment is presented to the board. The board may also reconsider failed Plumbing Code amendments in subsequent Plumbing Code rulemaking proceedings.

(e) Except as provided in paragraph (f), each proposed rule and rule amendment considered by the board pursuant to the rulemaking authority specified in subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (5) and (6), that receives an affirmative majority vote of all of the voting members of the board shall be included in the next rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board. If a proposed rule or rule amendment considered, or reconsidered, by the board receives less than an affirmative majority vote of all of the voting members of the board, the proposed rule or rule amendment shall not be included in the next rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board.

(f) The board may reconsider a proposed rule or rule amendment during an active rulemaking proceeding in which the amendment previously failed to receive an affirmative majority vote of all of the voting members of the board only if new or updated information that affects the proposed rule or rule amendment is presented to the board. The board may also reconsider a failed proposed rule or rule amendment in subsequent rulemaking proceedings.

Subd. 7.

Board meetings.

(a) The board shall hold meetings at such times as the board shall specify. Notice and conduct of all meetings shall be pursuant to chapter 13D and in such a manner as the bylaws may provide.

(b) If compliance with section 13D.02 is impractical, the board may conduct a meeting of its members by telephone or other electronic means so long as the following conditions are met:

(1) all members of the board participating in the meeting, wherever their physical location, can hear one another and can hear all discussion and testimony;

(2) members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the board can hear clearly all discussion and testimony and all votes of members of the board and, if needed, receive those services required by sections 15.44 and 15.441;

(3) at least one member of the board is physically present at the regular meeting location; and

(4) all votes are conducted by roll call, so each member's vote on each issue can be identified and recorded.

Each member of the board participating in a meeting by telephone or other electronic means is considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and participating in all proceedings.

If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or emergency meeting, the board, to the extent practical, shall allow a person to monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. The board may require the person making such a connection to pay for documented costs that the board incurs as a result of the additional connection.

If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or emergency meeting, the board shall provide notice of the regular meeting location, of the fact that some members may participate by telephone or other electronic means, and that a person may monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. The timing and method of providing notice is governed by section 13D.04.

Subd. 8.

Complaints.

(a) The board shall promptly forward to the commissioner the substance of any complaint or communication it receives, whether written or oral, that alleges or implies a violation of a statute, rule, or order that the commissioner has the authority to enforce pertaining to the license or registration of any person authorized by the department to provide plumbing services, the performance or offering to perform plumbing services requiring licensure by an unlicensed person, or Plumbing Code compliance. Each complaint or communication that is forwarded to the commissioner shall be submitted on a form provided by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner shall advise the board of the status of a complaint within 90 days after the board's written submission is received, or within 90 days after the board is provided with a written request for additional information or documentation from the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, whichever is later. The commissioner shall advise the board of the disposition of a complaint referred by the board within 180 days after the board's written submission is received. The commissioner shall annually report to the board a summary of the actions taken in response to complaints referred by the board.

Subd. 9.

Data Practices Act.

The board is subject to chapter 13, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and shall protect from unlawful disclosure data classified as not public.

Subd. 10.

Official records.

The board shall make and preserve all records necessary to a full and accurate knowledge of its official activities in accordance with section 15.17.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.38, is amended to read:

326.38 LOCAL REGULATIONS.

Any city having a system of waterworks or sewerage, or any town in which reside over 5,000 people exclusive of any statutory cities located therein, or the metropolitan airports commission, Any of the following entities may, by ordinance, adopt local regulations providing for plumbing permits, bonds, approval of plans and specifications, and inspections of plumbing, which regulations are not in conflict with the plumbing standards on the same subject prescribed by the state commissioner of health. code: any city having a system of waterworks or sewerage, regardless of population; any town having a population of 5,000 or more according to the last federal census, exclusive of any statutory cities located therein; and the Metropolitan Airports Commission. No city or such town such entity shall prohibit plumbers licensed by the state commissioner of health from engaging in or working at the business of plumbing, except cities and statutory cities which, prior to April 21, 1933, by ordinance required the licensing of plumbers. No such entity shall require any person who engages in the business of plumbing to post a bond as a prerequisite for engaging in the business of plumbing, except the bond to the state required under section 326.40 and except any performance bond required under a contract with the person for the performance of plumbing work for the entity. No such entity shall require any person who engages in the business of plumbing to maintain public liability insurance as a prerequisite for engaging in the business of plumbing, except the insurance required under section 326.40 and except any public liability insurance required under a contract with the person for the performance of plumbing work for the entity. No city or town may require a license for persons performing building sewer or water service installation who have completed pipe laying training as prescribed by the commissioner of labor and industry. Any city by ordinance may prescribe regulations, reasonable standards, and inspections and grant permits to any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of installing water softeners, who is not licensed as a master plumber or journeyman plumber by the state commissioner of health, to connect water softening and water filtering equipment to private residence water distribution systems, where provision has been previously made therefor and openings left for that purpose or by use of cold water connections to a domestic water heater; where it is not necessary to rearrange, make any extension or alteration of, or addition to any pipe, fixture or plumbing connected with the water system except to connect the water softener, and provided the connections so made comply with minimum standards prescribed by the state commissioner of health Plumbing Board.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

License required; master and journeyman plumbers.

In any city now or hereafter having 5,000 or more population, according to the last federal census, and having a system of waterworks or sewerage, (a) No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in or work at the business of a master plumber or, restricted master plumber, journeyman plumber, and restricted journeyman plumber unless licensed to do so by the state commissioner of health. A license is not required for individuals performing building sewer or water service installation who have completed pipe laying training as prescribed by the commissioner of labor and industry. A master plumber may also work as a journeyman plumber, a restricted journeyman plumber, and a restricted master plumber. A journeyman plumber may also work as a restricted journeyman plumber. Anyone not so licensed may do plumbing work which complies with the provisions of the minimum standard standards prescribed by the state commissioner of health Plumbing Board on premises or that part of premises owned and actually occupied by the worker as a residence, unless otherwise forbidden to do so by a local ordinance.

In any such city (b) No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in the business of planning, superintending, or installing plumbing nor or shall install plumbing in connection with the dealing in and selling of plumbing material and supplies unless at all times a licensed master plumber, or in cities and towns with a population of fewer than 5,000 according to the federal census, a restricted master plumber, who shall be responsible for proper installation, is in charge of the plumbing work of the person, firm, or corporation.

The Department of Health shall prescribe rules, not inconsistent herewith, for the examination and licensing of plumbers.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.401, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Journeyman exam.

A plumber's apprentice who has completed four years of practical plumbing experience is eligible to take the journeyman plumbing examination. Up to 24 months of practical plumbing experience prior to registration as an apprentice becoming a plumber's apprentice may be applied to the four-year experience requirement. However, none of this practical plumbing experience may be applied if the person individual did not have any practical plumbing experience in the 12-month period immediately prior to registration becoming a plumber's apprentice. The commissioner Plumbing Board may adopt rules to evaluate whether the person's individual's past practical plumbing experience is applicable in preparing for the journeyman's examination. If two years after completing the training the person individual has not taken the examination, the four years of experience shall be forfeited.

The commissioner may allow an extension of the two-year period for taking the exam for cases of hardship or other appropriate circumstances.

Sec. 25.

[326.402] RESTRICTED PLUMBER LICENSE.

Subdivision 1.

Licensure.

The commissioner of labor and industry shall grant a restricted journeyman or restricted master plumber license to an individual if:

(1) the individual completes an application with information required by the commissioner of labor and industry;

(2) the completed application is accompanied by a fee of $30;

(3) the commissioner of labor and industry receives the completed application and fee before January 1, 2008;

(4) the completed application demonstrates that the applicant has had at least two years for a restricted journeyman plumber license or four years for a restricted master plumber license of practical plumbing experience in the plumbing trade prior to the application; and

(5) during the entire time for which the applicant is claiming experience in contracting for plumbing work under clause (4), the applicant was in compliance with all applicable requirements of section 326.40.

Subd. 2.

Use of license.

A restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber may engage in the plumbing trade in all areas of the state except in cities and towns with a population of more than 5,000 according to the federal census.

Subd. 3.

Application period.

Applications for restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber licenses must be submitted to the commissioner prior to January 1, 2008.

Subd. 4.

Renewal; use period for license.

A restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license must be renewed annually for as long as that licensee engages in the plumbing trade. Failure to renew a restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license within 12 months after the expiration date will result in permanent forfeiture of the restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license.

Subd. 5.

Prohibition of transference.

A restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license may not be transferred or sold to any other person.

Subd. 6.

Bond; insurance.

A restricted master plumber licensee is subject to the bond and insurance requirements of section 326.40, subdivision 2, unless the exemption provided by section 326.40, subdivision 3, applies.

Subd. 7.

Fee.

The annual fee for the restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber licenses is the same fee as for a master or journeyman plumber license, respectively.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.405, is amended to read:

326.405 RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES.

The commissioner of health may license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing plumbers which the commissioner determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. The commissioner may enter into reciprocity agreements for personal licenses with another state if approved by the board. Once approved by the board, the commissioner may issue a plumber's license without requiring the applicant to pass an examination provided the applicant:

(a) submits an application under section 326.42;

(b) pays the fee required under section 326.42; and

(c) holds a valid comparable license in the state participating in the agreement.

Agreements are subject to the following:

(1) The parties to the agreement must administer a statewide licensing program that includes examination and qualifying experience or training comparable to Minnesota's.

(2) The experience and training requirements under which an individual applicant qualified for examination in the qualifying state must be deemed equal to or greater than required for an applicant making application in Minnesota at the time the applicant acquired the license in the qualifying state.

(3) The applicant must have acquired the license in the qualifying state through an examination deemed equivalent to the same class of license examination in Minnesota. A lesser class of license may be granted where the applicant has acquired a greater class of license in the qualifying state and the applicant otherwise meets the conditions of this subdivision.

(4) At the time of application, the applicant must hold a valid license in the qualifying state and have held the license continuously for at least one year before making application in Minnesota.

(5) An applicant is not eligible for a license under this subdivision if the applicant has failed the same or greater class of license examination in Minnesota, or if the applicant's license of the same or greater class has been revoked or suspended.

(6) An applicant who has failed to renew a plumber's license for two years or more after its expiration is not eligible for a license under this subdivision.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.42, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Application.

Applications for plumber's license shall be made to the state commissioner of health, with fee. Unless the applicant is entitled to a renewal, the applicant shall be licensed by the state commissioner of health only after passing a satisfactory examination developed and administered by the examiners commissioner, based upon rules adopted by the Plumbing Board, showing fitness. Examination fees for both journeyman and master plumbers shall be in an amount prescribed by the state commissioner of health pursuant to section 144.122 $50 for each examination. Upon being notified that of having successfully passed the examination for original license the applicant shall submit an application, with the license fee herein provided. License fees shall be in an amount prescribed by the state commissioner of health pursuant to section 144.122. Licenses shall expire and be renewed as prescribed by the commissioner pursuant to section 144.122. The license fee for each initial and renewal master plumber's license shall be $120. The license fee for each initial and renewal journeyman plumber's license shall be $55. The commissioner may by rule prescribe for the expiration and renewal of licenses. Any licensee who does not renew a license within two years after the license expires is no longer eligible for renewal. Such an individual must retake and pass the examination before a new license will be issued. A journeyman or master plumber who submits a license renewal application after the time specified in rule but within two years after the license expired must pay all past due renewal fees plus a late fee of $25.

Sec. 28.

[326B.04] DEPOSIT OF MONEY.

Subdivision 1.

Construction code fund.

There is created in the state treasury a construction code fund as a special revenue fund for the purpose of administering this chapter, sections 327.31 to 327.36, and chapter 327B. All money collected under those sections, except penalties, is credited to the construction code fund unless otherwise specifically designated by law. Any interest or profit accruing from investment of these sums is credited to the construction code fund. All money collected in the construction code fund is appropriated to the commissioner of labor and industry to administer and enforce the provisions of the laws identified in this section.

Unless otherwise provided by law, all penalties assessed under this chapter, section 327.35, and chapter 327B are credited to the assigned risk safety account established by section 79.253.

Subd. 2.

Deposits.

All remaining balances as of June 30, 2007, in the state government special revenue fund and special revenue fund accounts maintained for the Building Codes and Standards Division, Board of Electricity, and plumbing and engineering unit are transferred to the construction code fund. Unless otherwise specifically designated by law: (1) all money collected under chapter 183 and sections 16B.59 to 16B.76; 144.122, paragraph (f); 181.723; 326.241 to 326.248; 326.37 to 326.521; 326.57 to 326.65; 326.83 to 326.992; 327.31 to 327.36; and 327B.01 to 327B.12, except penalties, is credited to the construction code fund; (2) all fees collected under section 45.23 in connection with continuing education for residential contractors, residential remodelers, and residential roofers are credited to the construction code fund; and (3) all penalties assessed under the sections set forth in clauses (1) and (2) and all penalties assessed under sections 144.99 to 144.993 in connection with any violation of sections 326.37 to 326.45 or 326.57 to 327.65 or the rules adopted under those sections are credited to the assigned risk safety account established by section 79.253.

Sec. 29.

[326B.89] CONTRACTOR RECOVERY FUND.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

(b) "Gross annual receipts" means the total amount derived from residential contracting or residential remodeling activities, regardless of where the activities are performed, and must not be reduced by costs of goods sold, expenses, losses, or any other amount.

(c) "Licensee" means a person licensed as a residential contractor or residential remodeler.

(d) "Residential real estate" means a new or existing building constructed for habitation by one to four families, and includes detached garages.

(e) "Fund" means the contractor recovery fund.

Subd. 2.

Generally.

The contractor recovery fund is created in the state treasury and shall be administered by the commissioner for the purposes described in this section. Any interest or profit accruing from investment of money in the fund shall be credited to the contractor recovery fund.

Subd. 3.

Fund fees.

In addition to any other fees, a person who applies for or renews a license under sections 326.83 to 326.98 shall pay a fee to the fund. The person shall pay, in addition to the appropriate application or renewal fee, the following additional fee that shall be deposited in the fund. The amount of the fee shall be based on the person's gross annual receipts for the person's most recent fiscal year preceding the application or renewal, on the following scale:

	Fee	Gross Annual Receipts
	$160	under $1,000,000
	$210	$1,000,000 to $5,000,000
	$260	over $5,000,000

Subd. 4.

Purpose of fund.

The purpose of this fund is to:

(1) compensate owners or lessees of residential real estate who meet the requirements of this section;

(2) reimburse the department for all legal and administrative expenses, disbursements, and costs, including staffing costs, incurred in administering and defending the fund;

(3) pay for educational or research projects in the field of residential contracting to further the purposes of sections 326B.801 to 326B.825; and

(4) provide information to the public on residential contracting issues.

Subd. 5.

Payment limitations.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner shall not pay compensation from the fund to an owner or a lessee in an amount greater than $75,000. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner shall not pay compensation from the fund to owners and lessees in an amount that totals more than $150,000 per licensee. The commissioner shall not pay compensation from the fund for a final judgment based on a cause of action that arose before the commissioner's receipt of the licensee's fee required by subdivision 3.

Subd. 6.

Verified application.

To be eligible for compensation from the fund, an owner or lessee shall serve on the commissioner a verified application for compensation on a form approved by the commissioner. The application shall verify the following information:

(1) the specific grounds upon which the owner or lessee seeks to recover from the fund:

(2) that the owner or the lessee has obtained a final judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction against a licensee licensed under section 326B.803;

(3) that the final judgment was obtained against the licensee on the grounds of fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest practices, conversion of funds, or failure of performance that arose directly out of a transaction that occurred when the licensee was licensed and performing any of the special skills enumerated under section 326B.802, subdivision 19;

(4) the amount of the owner's or the lessee's actual and direct out-of-pocket loss on the owner's residential real estate, on residential real estate leased by the lessee, or on new residential real estate that has never been occupied or that was occupied by the licensee for less than one year prior to purchase by the owner;

(5) that the residential real estate is located in Minnesota;

(6) that the owner or the lessee is not the spouse of the licensee or the personal representative of the licensee;

(7) the amount of the final judgment, any amount paid in satisfaction of the final judgment, and the amount owing on the final judgment as of the date of the verified application; and

(8) that the verified application is being served within two years after the judgment became final.

The owner's and the lessee's actual and direct out-of-pocket loss shall not include attorney fees, interest on the loss, and interest on the final judgment obtained as a result of the loss. An owner or lessee may serve a verified application regardless of whether the final judgment has been discharged by a bankruptcy court. A judgment issued by a court is final if all proceedings on the judgment have either been pursued and concluded or been forgone, including all reviews and appeals. For purposes of this section, owners who are joint tenants or tenants in common are deemed to be a single owner. For purposes of this section, owners and lessees eligible for payment of compensation from the fund shall not include government agencies, political subdivisions, financial institutions, and any other entity that purchases, guarantees, or insures a loan secured by real estate.

Subd. 7.

Commissioner review.

The commissioner shall within 120 days after receipt of the verified application:

(1) enter into an agreement with an owner or a lessee that resolves the verified application for compensation from the fund; or

(2) issue an order to the owner or the lessee accepting, modifying, or denying the verified application for compensation from the fund.

Upon receipt of an order issued under clause (2), the owner or the lessee shall have 30 days to serve upon the commissioner a written request for a hearing. If the owner or the lessee does not serve upon the commissioner a timely written request for hearing, the order issued under clause (2) shall become a final order of the commissioner that may not be reviewed by any court or agency. The commissioner shall order compensation from the fund only if the owner or the lessee has filed a verified application that complies with subdivision 6 and if the commissioner determines based on review of the application that compensation should be paid from the fund. The commissioner shall not be bound by any prior settlement, compromise, or stipulation between the owner or the lessee and the licensee.

Subd. 8.

Administrative hearing.

If an owner or a lessee timely serves a request for hearing under subdivision 7, the commissioner shall request that an administrative law judge be assigned and that a hearing be conducted under the contested case provisions of chapter 14 within 30 days after the service of the request for hearing upon the commissioner. Upon petition of the commissioner, the administrative law judge shall continue the hearing up to 60 days and upon a showing of good cause may continue the hearing for such additional period as the administrative law judge deems appropriate. At the hearing the owner or the lessee shall have the burden of proving by substantial evidence under subdivision 6, clauses (1) to (8). The administrative law judge shall issue findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order. If the administrative law judge finds that compensation should be paid to the owner or the lessee, the administrative law judge shall order the commissioner to make payment from the fund of the amount it finds to be payable pursuant to the provisions of and in accordance with the limitations contained in this section. The order of the administrative law judge shall constitute the final decision of the agency in the contested case. Judicial review of the administrative law judge's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order shall be in accordance with sections 14.63 to 14.69.

Subd. 9.

Satisfaction of applications for compensation.

The commissioner shall pay compensation from the fund to an owner or a lessee pursuant to the terms of an agreement that has been entered into under subdivision 7, clause (1), or pursuant to a final order that has been issued under subdivision 7, clause (2), or subdivision 8 by December 1 of the fiscal year following the fiscal year during which the agreement was entered into or during which the order became final, subject to the limitations of this section. At the end of each fiscal year the commissioner shall calculate the amount of compensation to be paid from the fund pursuant to agreements that have been entered into under subdivision 7, clause (1), and final orders that have been issued under subdivision 7, clause (2), or subdivision 8. If the calculated amount exceeds the amount available for payment, then the commissioner shall allocate the amount available among the owners and the lessees in the ratio that the amount agreed to or ordered to be paid to each owner or lessee bears to the amount calculated. The commissioner shall mail notice of the allocation to all owners and lessees not less than 45 days following the end of the fiscal year. Any compensation paid by the commissioner in accordance with this subdivision shall be deemed to satisfy and extinguish any right to compensation from the fund based upon the verified application of the owner or lessee.

Subd. 10.

Right of subrogation.

If the commissioner pays compensation from the fund to an owner or a lessee pursuant to an agreement under subdivision 7, clause (1), or a final order issued under subdivision 7, clause (2), or subdivision 8, then the commissioner shall be subrogated to all of the rights, title, and interest in the owner's or lessee's final judgment in the amount of compensation paid from the fund and the owner or the lessee shall assign to the commissioner all rights, title, and interest in the final judgment in the amount of compensation paid. The commissioner shall deposit in the fund money recovered under this subdivision.

Subd. 11.

Effect of section on commissioner's authority.

Nothing contained in this section shall limit the authority of the commissioner to take disciplinary action against a licensee under the provisions of this chapter. A licensee's repayment in full of obligations to the fund shall not nullify or modify the effect of any other disciplinary proceeding brought under the provisions of this chapter.

Subd. 12.

Limitation.

Nothing may obligate the fund to compensate:

(1) insurers or sureties under subrogation or similar theories; or

(2) owner of residential property for final judgments against a prior owner of the residential property unless the claim is brought and judgment is rendered for breach of the statutory warranty set forth in chapter 327A.

Subd. 13.

Condominiums or townhouses.

For purposes of this section, the owner or the lessee of a condominium or townhouse is considered an owner or a lessee of residential property regardless of the number of residential units per building.

Subd. 14.

Accelerated compensation.

(a) Payments made from the fund to compensate owners and lessees that do not exceed the jurisdiction limits for conciliation court matters as specified in section 491A.01 may be paid on an accelerated basis if all of the requirements in paragraphs (b) and (c) have been satisfied.

(b) The owner or the lessee has served upon the commissioner a verified application for compensation that complies with the requirements set out in subdivision 6 and the commissioner determines based on review of the application that compensation should be paid from the fund. The commissioner shall calculate the actual and direct out-of-pocket loss in the transaction, minus attorney fees, interest on the loss and on the judgment obtained as a result of the loss, and any satisfaction of the judgment, and make payment to the owner or the lessee up to the conciliation court jurisdiction limits within 15 days after the owner or lessee serves the verified application.

(c) The commissioner may pay compensation to owners or lessees that totals not more than $50,000 per licensee per fiscal year under this accelerated process. The commissioner may prorate the amount of compensation paid to owners or lessees under this subdivision if applications submitted by owners and lessees seek compensation in excess of $50,000 against a licensee. Any unpaid portion of a verified application that has been prorated under this subdivision shall be satisfied in the manner set forth in subdivision 9.

Subd. 15.

Appropriation.

Money in the fund is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this section.

Subd. 16.

Additional assessment.

If the balance in the fund is at any time less than the commissioner determines is necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, every licensee, when renewing a license, shall pay, in addition to the annual renewal fee and the fee set forth in subdivision 3 an assessment not to exceed $100. The commissioner shall set the amount of assessment based on a reasonable determination of the amount that is necessary to restore a balance in the fund that is adequate to carry out the purposes of this section.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

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

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 8.

Mixed martial arts.

"Mixed martial arts" means any combination of boxing, kick boxing, wrestling, grappling, or other recognized martial arts.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.22, is amended to read:

341.22 BOXING COMMISSION.

There is hereby created the Minnesota Boxing Commission consisting of five nine members who are citizens of this state. The members must be appointed by the governor. One member of the commission must be a retired judge of the Minnesota district court, Minnesota Court of Appeals, Minnesota Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, or the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and at least three members must have knowledge of the boxing industry. At least four members must have knowledge of the mixed martial arts industry. The governor shall make serious efforts to appoint qualified women to serve on the commission. Membership terms, compensation of members, removal of members, the filling of membership vacancies, and fiscal year and reporting requirements must be as provided in sections 214.07 to 214.09. The provision of staff, administrative services, and office space; the review and processing of complaints; the setting of fees; and other provisions relating to commission operations must be as provided in chapter 214. The purpose of the commission is to protect health, promote safety, and ensure fair events.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.25, is amended to read:

341.25 RULES.

(a) The commission may adopt rules that include standards for the physical examination and condition of boxers and referees.

(b) The commission may adopt other rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the conduct of boxing exhibitions, bouts, and fights, and their manner, supervision, time, and place.

(c) The commission must adopt unified rules for mixed martial arts.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.27, is amended to read:

341.27 COMMISSION DUTIES.

The commission shall:

(1) issue, deny, renew, suspend, or revoke licenses;

(2) make and maintain records of its acts and proceedings including the issuance, denial, renewal, suspension, or revocation of licenses;

(3) keep public records of the commission open to inspection at all reasonable times;

(4) assist the director in the development of rules to be implemented under this chapter; and

(5) conform to the rules adopted under this chapter; and

(6) develop policies and procedures for regulating mixed martial arts.

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Regulatory authority; tough person contests.

All tough person contests, including amateur tough person contests, are subject to this chapter. All tough person contests are subject to American Boxing Commission (ABC) rules. Every contestant in a tough person contest shall have a physical examination prior to their bouts. Every contestant in a tough person contest shall wear padded gloves that weigh at least 12 ounces. All tough person bouts are limited to two-minute rounds and a maximum of four total rounds. Officials at tough person bouts shall be licensed under this chapter.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.28, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3.

Regulatory authority; similar sporting events.

All mixed martial arts, ultimate fight contests, and similar sporting events are subject to this chapter.

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Expiration and renewal.

A license expires December 31 at midnight in the year of its issuance issued after the effective date of this act is valid for one year from the date it is issued and may be renewed by filing an application for renewal with the commission and payment of the license fee. An application for a license and renewal of a license must be on a form provided by the commission. There is a 30-day grace period during which a license may be renewed if a late filing penalty fee equal to the license fee is submitted with the regular license fee. A licensee that files late shall not conduct any activity regulated by this chapter until the commission has renewed the license. If the licensee fails to apply to the commission within the 30-day grace period, the licensee must apply for a new license under subdivision 1.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.321, is amended to read:

341.321 FEE SCHEDULE.

(a) The fee schedule for licenses issued by the Minnesota Boxing Commission is as follows:

(1) referees, $35 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

(2) promoters, $400 for each initial license and each renewal;

(3) judges and knockdown judges, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

(4) trainers, $35 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

(5) ring announcers, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

(6) boxers' seconds, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

(7) timekeepers, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal; and

(8) boxers, $35 $45 for each initial license and each renewal.;

(9) managers, $45 for each initial license and each renewal; and

(10) ringside physicians, $45 for each initial license and each renewal.

(b) The commission shall establish and assess an event fee for each sporting event. The event fee is set at a minimum of $1,500 per event or a percentage of the ticket sales as determined by the commission when the sporting event is scheduled.

(c) All fees collected by the Minnesota Boxing Commission must be deposited in the Boxing Commission account in the special revenue fund.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 471.471, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Application process.

A person seeking a waiver shall apply to the Building Code and Standards Division of the Department of Administration Labor and Industry on a form prescribed by the board and pay a $70 fee to the construction code fund. The division shall review the application to determine whether it appears to be meritorious, using the standards set out in subdivision 3. The division shall forward applications it considers meritorious to the board, along with a list and summary of applications considered not to be meritorious. The board may require the division to forward to it an application the division has considered not to be meritorious. The board shall issue a decision on an application within 90 days of its receipt. A board decision to approve an application must be unanimous. An application that contains false or misleading information must be rejected.

Sec. 39.

WHISTLE-BLOWER PROTECTION ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES.

By January 15, 2008, the commissioner of labor and industry shall report to the legislature its recommendations for implementing an administrative review procedure to address whistle-blower protection complaints under section 181.932.

Sec. 40.

TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY; PLUMBING BOARD.

The commissioner of administration may not use the authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.37, to modify the transfers of authority in this act.

Sec. 41.

FIRST MEETING; APPOINTMENTS FOR PLUMBING BOARD.

The governor must complete the appointments required by Minnesota Statutes, section 326.372, no later than July 1, 2007. The commissioner of labor and industry shall convene the first meeting of the Plumbing Board no later than September 1, 2007.

Sec. 42.

REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 176.042; 268.035, subdivision 9; and 326.45, are repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

Sections 176.042 and 268.035, subdivision 9, are repealed effective January 1, 2009.

ARTICLE 4

HIGH PRESSURE PIPING

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.46, is amended to read:

326.46 SUPERVISION OF DEPARTMENT TO SUPERVISE HIGH PRESSURE PIPING.

The department of Labor and Industry shall supervise all high pressure piping used on all projects in this state, and may prescribe minimum standards which shall be uniform.

The department shall employ inspectors and other assistants to carry out the provisions of sections 326.46 to 326.52.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.47, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Permissive municipal regulation.

A municipality may, by ordinance, provide for the inspection of high pressure piping system materials and construction, and provide that it shall not be constructed or installed except in accordance with minimum state standards. The authority designated by the ordinance for issuing high pressure piping permits and assuring compliance with state standards must report to the Department of Labor and Industry all violations of state high pressure piping standards.

A municipality may not adopt an ordinance with high pressure piping standards that does not conform to the uniform standards prescribed by the Department of Labor and Industry board. The Department of Labor and Industry board shall specify by rule the minimum qualifications for municipal inspectors.

Sec. 3.

[326.471] BOARD OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING SYSTEMS.

Subdivision 1.

Composition.

(a) The Board of High Pressure Piping Systems shall consist of 12 members. Eleven members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate and shall be voting members. Appointments of members by the governor shall be made in accordance with section 15.066. If the senate votes to refuse to consent to an appointment of a member made by the governor, the governor shall appoint a new member with the advice and consent of the senate. One member shall be the commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner's designee, who shall be a voting member. Of the 11 appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:

(1) one member shall be a high pressure piping inspector;

(2) one member shall be a licensed professional mechanical engineer;

(3) one member shall be a representative of the high pressure piping industry;

(4) four members shall be high pressure piping contractors engaged in the scope of high pressure piping, two from the metropolitan area and two from greater Minnesota;

(5) two members shall be high pressure piping journeymen engaged in the scope of high pressure piping systems installation, one from the metropolitan area and one from greater Minnesota; and

(6) two members shall be representatives of industrial companies which use high pressure piping systems in their industrial processes.

(b) The high pressure piping inspector shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011. The professional mechanical engineer shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010. The representative of the high pressure piping industry shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011. Two of the high pressure piping contractors shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011, and two high pressure piping contractors shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010. One of the high pressure piping journeymen shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011, and one high pressure piping journeyman shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010. The two representatives of industrial companies that use high pressure piping systems in their industrial process shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010.

(c) The licensed professional mechanical engineer must possess a current Minnesota professional engineering license and maintain the license for the duration of the term served on the board. All other appointed members, except for the representative of the piping industry and the representatives of industrial companies that use high pressure piping systems in their industrial processes must possess a current high pressure piping license issued by the Department of Labor and Industry and maintain that license for the duration of their terms. All appointed members must be residents of Minnesota at the time of and throughout their terms. The term of any appointed member who does not maintain membership qualification status shall end on the date of status change and the governor shall appoint a replacement member. It is the responsibility of the member to notify the board of a change in the member's status.

(d) For appointed members, except for the initial terms designated in paragraph (a), each term shall be three years with the terms ending on the first Monday in January. Members appointed by the governor shall be limited to three consecutive terms. The governor shall, all or in part, reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members with the advice and consent of the senate. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Members may serve until their successors are appointed but in no case later than July 1 in a year in which the term expires unless reappointed.

Subd. 2.

Powers; duties; administrative support.

(a) The board shall have the power to:

(1) elect its chair, vice-chair, and secretary;

(2) adopt bylaws that specify the duties of its officers, the meeting dates of the board, and contain such other provisions as may be useful and necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the board;

(3) adopt the High Pressure Piping Code that must be followed in this state and any High Pressure Piping Code amendments thereto pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraphs (b), (c), and (d);

(4) review requests for final interpretations and issue final interpretations as provided in section 16B.63, subdivision 5;

(5) adopt rules that regulate the licensure or registration of high pressure piping contractors, journeymen, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of high pressure piping systems, except for those individuals licensed under section 326.02, subdivisions 2 and 3. The board shall adopt these rules pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraph (e);

(6) adopt rules that regulate continuing education for individuals licensed or registered as high pressure piping contractors, journeymen, or other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of high pressure piping systems. The board shall adopt these rules pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraph (e);

(7) advise the commissioner regarding educational requirements for high pressure piping inspectors;

(8) refer complaints or other communications, whether orally or in writing, that allege or imply a violation of a statute, rule, or order that the commissioner has the authority to enforce pertaining to code compliance, licensure, or an offering to perform or performance of unlicensed high pressure piping services to the commissioner under subdivision 8;

(9) approve per diem and expenses deemed necessary for its members as provided in subdivision 3;

(10) select from its members individuals to serve on any other state advisory council, board, or committee; and

(11) recommend the fees for licenses and certifications.

Except for the powers granted to the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems, the commissioner of labor and industry shall administer and enforce the provisions of sections 326.46 to 326.521 and any rules promulgated pursuant thereto.

(b) The board shall comply with section 15.0597, subdivisions 2 and 4.

(c) The commissioner shall coordinate the board's rulemaking and recommendations with the recommendations and rulemaking conducted by the other boards. The commissioner shall provide staff support to the board. The support includes professional, legal, technical, and clerical staff necessary to perform rulemaking and other duties assigned to the board. The commissioner of labor and industry shall supply necessary office space and supplies to assist the board in its duties.

Subd. 3.

Compensation.

(a) Members of the board may be compensated at the rate of $55 per day spent on board activities, when authorized by the board, plus expenses in the same manner and amount as authorized by the commissioner's plan adopted under section 43A.18, subdivision 2. Members who, as a result of time spent attending board meetings, incur child care expenses that would not otherwise have been incurred, may be reimbursed for those expenses upon board authorization.

(b) Members who are state employees or employees of political subdivisions of the state must not receive the daily payment for activities that occur during working hours for which they are compensated by the state or political subdivision. However, a state or political subdivision employee may receive the daily payment if the employee uses vacation time or compensatory time accumulated in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement or compensation plan for board activities. Members who are state employees or employees of the political subdivisions of the state may receive the expenses provided for in this subdivision unless the expenses are reimbursed by another source. Members who are state employees or employees of political subdivisions of the state may be reimbursed for child care expenses only for time spent on board activities that are outside their working hours.

(c) The board shall adopt internal standards prescribing what constitutes a day spent on board activities for purposes of making daily payments under this subdivision.

Subd. 4.

Removal; vacancies.

(a) An appointed member of the board may be removed by the governor at any time (1) for cause, after notice and hearing, or (2) after missing three consecutive meetings. The chair of the board shall inform the governor of an appointed member missing three consecutive meetings. After the second consecutive missed meeting and before the next meeting, the secretary of the board shall notify the appointed member in writing that the member may be removed for missing the next meeting. In the case of a vacancy on the board, the governor shall, with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(b) Vacancies shall be filled pursuant to section 15.0597, subdivisions 5 and 6.

Subd. 5.

Membership vacancies within three months of appointment.

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a seat on the board becomes vacant within three months after being filled through the appointment process, the governor may, upon notification to the Office of the Secretary of State, choose a new member from the applications on hand and need not repeat the process.

Subd. 6.

Officers, quorum, voting.

(a) The board shall elect annually from its members a chair, vice-chair, and secretary. A quorum of the board shall consist of a majority of members of the board qualified to vote on the matter in question. All questions concerning the manner in which a meeting is conducted or called that are not covered by statute shall be determined by Robert's Rules of Order (revised) unless otherwise specified by the bylaws.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), each High Pressure Piping Code amendment considered by the board that receives an affirmative two-thirds or more majority vote of all of the voting members of the board shall be included in the next High Pressure Piping Code rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board. If a High Pressure Piping Code amendment considered, or reconsidered, by the board receives less than a two-thirds majority vote of all of the voting members of the board, the High Pressure Piping Code amendment shall not be included in the next High Pressure Piping Code rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board.

(c) If the High Pressure Piping Code amendment considered by the board is to replace the Minnesota High Pressure Piping Code with a model High Pressure Piping Code, then the amendment may only be included in the next High Pressure Piping Code rulemaking proceeding if it receives an affirmative two-thirds or more majority vote of all of the voting members of the board.

(d) The board may reconsider High Pressure Piping Code amendments during an active High Pressure Piping Code rulemaking proceeding in which the amendment previously failed to receive a two-thirds or more majority vote of all of the voting members of the board only if new or updated information that affects the High Pressure Piping Code amendment is presented to the board. The board may also reconsider failed High Pressure Piping Code amendments in subsequent High Pressure Piping Code rulemaking proceedings.

(e) Except as provided in paragraph (f), each proposed rule and rule amendment considered by the board pursuant to the rulemaking authority specified in subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (5) and (6), that receives an affirmative majority vote of all of the voting members of the board shall be included in the next rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board. If a proposed rule or rule amendment considered, or reconsidered, by the board receives less than an affirmative majority vote of all of the voting members of the board, the proposed rule or rule amendment shall not be included in the next rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board.

(f) The board may reconsider a proposed rule or rule amendment during an active rulemaking proceeding in which the amendment previously failed to receive an affirmative majority vote of all of the voting members of the board only if new or updated information that affects the proposed rule or rule amendment is presented to the board. The board may also reconsider a failed proposed rule or rule amendment in subsequent rulemaking proceedings.

Subd. 7.

Board meetings.

(a) The board shall hold meetings at such times as the board shall specify. Notice and conduct of all meetings shall be pursuant to chapter 13D and in such a manner as the bylaws may provide.

(b) If compliance with section 13D.02 is impractical, the board may conduct a meeting of its members by telephone or other electronic means so long as the following conditions are met:

(1) all members of the board participating in the meeting, wherever their physical location, can hear one another and can hear all discussion and testimony;

(2) members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the board can hear clearly all discussion and testimony and all votes of members of the board and, if needed, receive those services required by sections 15.44 and 15.441;

(3) at least one member of the board is physically present at the regular meeting location; and

(4) all votes are conducted by roll call, so each member's vote on each issue can be identified and recorded.

Each member of the board participating in a meeting by telephone or other electronic means is considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and participating in all proceedings.

If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or emergency meeting, the board, to the extent practical, shall allow a person to monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. The board may require the person making such a connection to pay for documented costs that the board incurs as a result of the additional connection.

If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or emergency meeting, the board shall provide notice of the regular meeting location, of the fact that some members may participate by telephone or other electronic means, and that a person may monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. The timing and method of providing notice is governed by section 13D.04.

Subd. 8.

Complaints.

(a) The board shall promptly forward to the commissioner the substance of any complaint or communication it receives, whether in writing or orally, that alleges or implies a violation of a statute, rule, or order that the commissioner has the authority to enforce pertaining to the license or registration of any person authorized by the department to provide high pressure piping services, the performance or offering to perform high pressure piping services requiring licensure by an unlicensed person, or high pressure code compliance. Each complaint or communication that is forwarded to the commissioner shall be submitted on a form provided by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner shall advise the board of the status of a complaint within 90 days after the board's written submission is received, or within 90 days after the board is provided with a written request for additional information or documentation from the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, whichever is later. The commissioner shall advise the board of the disposition of a complaint referred by the board within 180 days after the board's written submission is received. The commissioner shall annually report to the board a summary of the actions taken in response to complaints referred by the board.

Subd. 9.

Data Practices Act.

The board is subject to chapter 13, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and shall protect from unlawful disclosure data classified as not public.

Subd. 10.

Official records.

The board shall make and preserve all records necessary to a full and accurate knowledge of its official activities in accordance with section 15.17.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.48, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

License required; rules; time credit.

No person individual shall engage in or work at the business of a contracting high pressure pipefitter unless issued an individual contracting pipefitter license to do so by the department of Labor and Industry under rules adopted by the board. No license shall be required for repairs on existing installations. No person individual shall engage in or work at the business of journeyman high pressure pipefitter unless issued an individual journeyman pipefitter competency license to do so by the department of Labor and Industry under rules adopted by the board. A person possessing an individual contracting pipefitter competency license may also work as a journeyman high pressure pipefitter.

No person, partnership, firm, or corporation shall construct or install high pressure piping, nor install high pressure piping in connection with the dealing in and selling of high pressure pipe material and supplies, unless, at all times, a person individual possessing a contracting high pressure pipefitter individual competency license or a journeyman high pressure pipefitter individual competency license is responsible for ensuring that the high pressure pipefitting work conducted by the person, partnership, firm, or corporation being is in conformity with Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules.

The Department of Labor and Industry board shall prescribe rules, not inconsistent herewith, for the examination and individual competency licensing of contracting high pressure pipefitters and journeyman high pressure pipefitters and for issuance of permits by the department and municipalities for the installation of high pressure piping.

An employee performing the duties of inspector for the Department of Labor and Industry in regulating pipefitting shall not receive time credit for the inspection duties when making an application for a license required by this section.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.48, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

High pressure pipefitting business license.

Before obtaining a permit for high pressure piping work, a person, partnership, firm, or corporation must obtain or utilize a business with a high pressure piping business license.

A person, partnership, firm, or corporation must have at all times as a full-time employee at least one individual holding an individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency license. Only full-time employees who hold individual contracting high pressure pipefitter licenses are authorized to obtain high pressure piping permits in the name of the business. The individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency license holder can be the employee of only one high pressure piping business at a time.

To retain its business license without reapplication, a person, partnership, firm, or corporation holding a high pressure piping business license that ceases to employ a person an individual holding an individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency license shall have 60 days from the last day of employment of its previous individual contracting pipefitter competency license holder to employ another license holder. The department of Labor and Industry must be notified no later than five days after the last day of employment of the previous license holder.

No high pressure pipefitting work may be performed during any period when the high pressure pipefitting business does not have an individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency license holder on staff. If a license holder is not employed within 60 days after the last day of employment of the previous license holder, the pipefitting business license shall lapse.

The Department of Labor and Industry board shall prescribe by rule procedures for application for and issuance of business licenses and fees.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.48, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6.

Reciprocity with other states.

The commissioner may issue a temporary license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing which the commissioner determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. Applicants who receive a temporary license under this section may acquire an aggregate of 24 months of experience before they have to apply and pass the licensing examination. Applicants must register with the commissioner of labor and industry and the commissioner shall set a fee for a temporary license. Applicants have five years in which to comply with this section.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.50, is amended to read:

326.50 LICENSE APPLICATION; FEES AND RENEWAL.

Application for an individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency or an individual journeyman high pressure pipefitter competency license shall be made to the department of Labor and Industry, with fees. The applicant shall be licensed only after passing an examination developed and administered by the department of Labor and Industry in accordance with rules adopted by the board. A competency license issued by the department shall expire on December 31 of each year. A renewal application must be received by the department within one year after expiration of the competency license. A license that has been expired for more than one year cannot be renewed, and can only be reissued if the applicant submits a new application for the competency license, pays a new application fee, and retakes and passes the applicable license examination.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.975, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Generally.

(a) In addition to any other fees, each applicant for a license under sections 326.83 to 326.98 shall pay a fee to the contractor's recovery fund. The contractor's recovery fund is created in the state treasury and must be administered by the commissioner in the manner and subject to all the requirements and limitations provided by section 82.43 with the following exceptions:.

(1) each licensee who renews a license shall pay in addition to the appropriate renewal fee an additional fee which shall be credited to the contractor's recovery fund. The amount of the fee shall be based on the licensee's gross annual receipts for the licensee's most recent fiscal year preceding the renewal, on the following scale:

	Fee	Gross Receipts
	$100	under $1,000,000
	$150	$1,000,000 to $5,000,000
	$200	over $5,000,000

Any person who receives a new license shall pay a fee based on the same scale;

(2) (b) The purpose of this fund is:

(i) (1) to compensate any aggrieved owner or lessee of residential property located within this state who obtains a final judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction against a licensee licensed under section 326.84, on grounds of fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest practices, conversion of funds, or failure of performance arising directly out of any transaction when the judgment debtor was licensed and performed any of the activities enumerated under section 326.83, subdivision 19, on the owner's residential property or on residential property rented by the lessee, or on new residential construction which was never occupied prior to purchase by the owner, or which was occupied by the licensee for less than one year prior to purchase by the owner, and which cause of action arose on or after April 1, 1994; and

(ii) (2) to reimburse the Department of Commerce Labor and Industry for all legal and administrative expenses, including staffing costs, incurred in administering the fund;.

(3) Nothing may obligate the fund for more than $50,000 per claimant, nor more than $75,000 per licensee; and.

(4) Nothing may obligate the fund for claims based on a cause of action that arose before the licensee paid the recovery fund fee set in clause (1), or as provided in section 326.945, subdivision 3.

(b) (c) Should the commissioner pay from the contractor's recovery fund any amount in settlement of a claim or toward satisfaction of a judgment against a licensee, the license shall be automatically suspended upon the effective date of an order by the court authorizing payment from the fund. No licensee shall be granted reinstatement until the licensee has repaid in full, plus interest at the rate of 12 percent a year, twice the amount paid from the fund on the licensee's account, and has obtained a surety bond issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in this state in the amount of at least $40,000.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.992, is amended to read:

326.992 BOND REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTORS.

(a) A person contracting to do gas, heating, ventilation, cooling, air conditioning, fuel burning, or refrigeration work must give bond to the state in the amount of $25,000 for all work entered into within the state. The bond must be for the benefit of persons suffering financial loss by reason of the contractor's failure to comply with the requirements of the State Mechanical Code. A bond given to the state must be filed with the commissioner of administration labor and industry and is in lieu of all other bonds to any political subdivision required for work covered by this section. The bond must be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state.

(b) The commissioner of administration labor and industry may charge each person giving bond under this section an annual bond filing fee of $15. The money must be deposited in a special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner to cover the cost of administering the bond program.

Sec. 10.

TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY; BOARD OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING SYSTEMS.

The commissioner of administration may not use the authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.37, to modify transfers of authority in this act.

Sec. 11.

FIRST MEETING; APPOINTMENTS FOR BOARD OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING SYSTEMS.

The governor must complete the appointments required by Minnesota Statutes, section 326.471, no later than July 1, 2007. The commissioner of labor and industry shall convene the first meeting of the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems no later than September 1, 2007.

ARTICLE 5

IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION BOARD

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 298.227, is amended to read:

298.227 TACONITE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND.

An amount equal to that distributed pursuant to each taconite producer's taxable production and qualifying sales under section 298.28, subdivision 9a, shall be held by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board in a separate taconite economic development fund for each taconite and direct reduced ore producer. Money from the fund for each producer shall be released by the commissioner after review by a joint committee consisting of an equal number of representatives of the salaried employees and the nonsalaried production and maintenance employees of that producer. The District 11 director of the United States Steelworkers of America, on advice of each local employee president, shall select the employee members. In nonorganized operations, the employee committee shall be elected by the nonsalaried production and maintenance employees. The review must be completed no later than six months after the producer presents a proposal for expenditure of the funds to the committee. The funds held pursuant to this section may be released only for acquisition of plant and stationary mining equipment and facilities for the producer or for research and development in Minnesota on new mining, or taconite, iron, or steel production technology, but only if the producer provides a matching expenditure to be used for the same purpose of at least 50 percent of the distribution based on 14.7 cents per ton beginning with distributions in 2002. Effective for proposals for expenditures of money from the fund beginning the day following final enactment, the commissioner may not release the funds before the next scheduled meeting of the board. If the board rejects a proposed expenditure, the funds must be deposited in the Taconite Environmental Protection Fund under sections 298.222 to 298.225. If a producer uses money which has been released from the fund prior to the day following final enactment to procure haulage trucks, mobile equipment, or mining shovels, and the producer removes the piece of equipment from the taconite tax relief area defined in section 273.134 within ten years from the date of receipt of the money from the fund, a portion of the money granted from the fund must be repaid to the taconite economic development fund. The portion of the money to be repaid is 100 percent of the grant if the equipment is removed from the taconite tax relief area within 12 months after receipt of the money from the fund, declining by ten percent for each of the subsequent nine years during which the equipment remains within the taconite tax relief area. If a taconite production facility is sold after operations at the facility had ceased, any money remaining in the fund for the former producer may be released to the purchaser of the facility on the terms otherwise applicable to the former producer under this section. If a producer fails to provide matching funds for a proposed expenditure within six months after the commissioner approves release of the funds, the funds are available for release to another producer in proportion to the distribution provided and under the conditions of this section. Any portion of the fund which is not released by the commissioner within two years of its deposit in the fund shall be divided between the taconite environmental protection fund created in section 298.223 and the Douglas J. Johnson economic protection trust fund created in section 298.292 for placement in their respective special accounts. Two-thirds of the unreleased funds shall be distributed to the taconite environmental protection fund and one-third to the Douglas J. Johnson economic protection trust fund.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

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

Sec. 2.

APPROPRIATION; IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION BOARD.

(a) $575,000 is appropriated from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board fund for fiscal year 2008 for allocation in this section:

(1) $225,000 is for Aitkin County Growth, Inc. to extend electric service and other infrastructure to a peat project in Spencer Township in Aitkin County;

(2) $75,000 is for a nonprofit organization for the preservation of the B'nai Abraham Synagogue in Virginia, of which $50,000 is for renovation and $25,000 is for a permanent endowment for the preservation;

(3) $150,000 is for a grant to the Iron Range youth in action program to assist the organization to employ youth for the construction of community centers;

(4) $50,000 is for a grant to the Iron Range retriever club for pond and field construction; and

(5) $75,000 is for a grant to the city of Chisholm to improve infrastructure at the city-owned baseball field.

These are onetime appropriations. * (The preceding section was indicated as vetoed by the governor.)

Sec. 3.

IRRRB BUILDING.

The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board office building in Eveleth, Minnesota is designated and named the Joe Begich Building and shall be signed as such at every entrance.

ARTICLE 6

ELECTRICAL

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6g, is amended to read:

Subd. 6g.

Personal Direct supervision.

The term "personal "Direct supervision" means that a person licensed to perform electrical work oversees and directs the electrical work performed by an unlicensed person such that:

(1) the licensed person actually reviews the electrical work performed by the unlicensed person an unlicensed individual is being supervised by an individual licensed to perform the electrical work being supervised;

(2) during the entire working day of the unlicensed individual, the licensed individual is physically present at the location where the unlicensed individual is preforming electrical work and immediately available to the unlicensed individual;

(3) the licensed person individual is physically present and immediately available to the unlicensed person individual at all times for assistance and direction; and

(4) electronic supervision does not meet the requirement of physically present and immediately available;

(5) the licensed individual shall review the electrical work performed by the unlicensed individual before the electrical work is operated; and

(3) (6) the licensed person individual is able to and does determine that all electrical work performed by the unlicensed person individual is performed in compliance with section 326.243.

The licensed person individual is responsible for the compliance with section 326.243 of all electrical work performed by the unlicensed person individual.

Sec. 2.

[326.2411] BOARD OF ELECTRICITY.

Subdivision 1.

Composition.

(a) The Board of Electricity shall consist of 12 members. Eleven members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate and shall be voting members. Appointments of members by the governor shall be made in accordance with section 15.066. If the senate votes to refuse to consent to an appointment of a member made by the governor, the governor shall appoint a new member with the advice and consent of the senate. One member shall be the commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner's designee, who shall be a voting member. Of the 11 appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:

(1) one member shall be an electrical inspector;

(2) two members shall be representatives of the electrical suppliers in rural areas;

(3) two members shall be master electricians, who shall be contractors;

(4) two members shall be journeyman electricians;

(5) one member shall be a registered consulting electrical engineer;

(6) two members shall be power limited technicians, who shall be technology system contractors primarily engaged in the business of installing technology circuits or systems; and

(7) one member shall be a public member as defined by section 214.02.

The electrical inspector shall be appointed to a term to end December 31, 2011. One of the rural electrical suppliers shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011, and one rural electrical supplier shall serve for a term to end December 31, 2010. The consulting electrical engineer shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011. One of the master electrician contractors shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011, and one master electrician contractor shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010. One of the journeyman electricians shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011, and one journeyman electrician shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010. One of the power limited technicians shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2011, and one power limited technician shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010. The public member shall be appointed for a term to end December 31, 2010.

(b) The consulting electrical engineer must possess a current Minnesota professional engineering license and maintain the license for the duration of the term served on the board. All other appointed members, except the public member and the representatives of electrical suppliers in rural areas, must possess a current electrical license issued by the Department of Labor and Industry and maintain that license for the duration of their terms. All appointed members must be residents of Minnesota at the time of and throughout their terms. The term of any appointed member who does not maintain membership qualification status shall end on the date of status change and the governor shall appoint a replacement member. It is the responsibility of the member to notify the board of a change in the member's status.

(c) For appointed members, except the initial terms designated in paragraph (a), each term shall be three years with the terms ending on the first Monday in January. Members appointed by the governor shall be limited to three consecutive terms. The governor shall, all or in part, reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members with the advice and consent of the senate. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Members may serve until their successors are appointed but in no case later than July 1 in a year in which the term expires unless reappointed.

Subd. 2.

Powers; duties; administrative support.

(a) The board shall have the power to:

(1) elect its chair, vice-chair, and secretary;

(2) adopt bylaws that specify the duties of its officers, the meeting dates of the board, and contain such other provisions as may be useful and necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the board;

(3) the Minnesota Electrical Code shall be the most current edition of the National Electrical Code upon its adoption by the board and any amendments thereto as adopted by the board. The board shall adopt the most current edition of the National Electrical Code and any amendments thereto pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraphs (b) and (c);

(4) review requests for final interpretations and issue final interpretations as provided in section 16B.63, subdivision 5;

(5) adopt rules that regulate the licensure or registration of electrical businesses, electrical contractors, master electricians, journeyman electricians, class A installer, class B installer, power limited technicians, and other persons who perform electrical work. The board shall adopt these rules pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraphs (d) and (e);

(6) adopt rules that regulate continuing education for individuals licensed or registered as electrical businesses, electrical contractors, master electricians, journeyman electricians, class A installer, class B installer, power limited technicians, and other persons who perform electrical work. The board shall adopt these rules pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraph (e);

(7) advise the commissioner regarding educational requirements for electrical inspectors;

(8) refer complaints or other communications, whether orally or in writing, that allege or imply a violation of a statute, rule, or order that the commissioner has the authority to enforce pertaining to code compliance, licensure, or an offering to perform or performance of unlicensed electrical services to the commissioner under subdivision 8;

(9) approve per diem and expenses deemed necessary for its members as provided in subdivision 3;

(10) approve license reciprocity agreements;

(11) select from its members individuals to serve on any other state advisory council, board, or committee; and

(12) recommend the fees for licenses and certifications.

Except for the powers granted to the Board of Electricity, the commissioner of labor and industry shall administer and enforce the provisions of sections 326.241 to 326.248 and any rules promulgated pursuant thereto.

(b) The board shall comply with section 15.0597, subdivisions 2 and 4.

(c) The commissioner shall coordinate the board's rulemaking and recommendations with the recommendations and rulemaking conducted by the other boards. The commissioner shall provide staff support to the board. The support includes professional, legal, technical, and clerical staff necessary to perform rulemaking and other duties assigned to the board. The commissioner of labor and industry shall supply necessary office space and supplies to assist the board in its duties.

Subd. 3.

Compensation.

(a) Members of the board may be compensated at the rate of $55 per day spent on board activities, when authorized by the board, plus expenses, in the same manner and amount as authorized by the commissioner's plan adopted under section 43A.18, subdivision 2. Members who, as a result of time spent attending board meetings, incur child care expenses that would not otherwise have been incurred, may be reimbursed for those expenses upon board authorization.

(b) Members who are state employees or employees of political subdivisions of the state must not receive the daily payment for activities that occur during working hours for which they are compensated by the state or political subdivision. However, a state or political subdivision employee may receive the daily payment if the employee uses vacation time or compensatory time accumulated in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement or compensation plan for board activities. Members who are state employees or employees of the political subdivisions of the state may receive the expenses provided for in this subdivision unless the expenses are reimbursed by another source. Members who are state employees or employees of political subdivisions of the state may be reimbursed for child care expenses only for time spent on board activities that are outside their working hours.

(c) The board shall adopt internal standards prescribing what constitutes a day spent on board activities for purposes of making daily payments under this subdivision.

Subd. 4.

Removal; vacancies.

(a) An appointed member of the board may be removed by the governor at any time (1) for cause, after notice and hearing, or (2) after missing three consecutive meetings. The chair of the board shall inform the governor of an appointed member missing three consecutive meetings. After the second consecutive missed meeting and before the next meeting, the secretary of the board shall notify the appointed member in writing that the member may be removed for missing the next meeting. In the case of a vacancy on the board, the governor shall, with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(b) Vacancies shall be filled pursuant to section 15.0597, subdivisions 5 and 6.

Subd. 5.

Membership vacancies within three months of appointment.

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a seat on the board becomes vacant within three months after being filled through the appointment process, the governor may, upon notification to the Office of the Secretary of State, choose a new member from the applications on hand and need not repeat the process.

Subd. 6.

Officers, quorum, voting.

(a) The board shall elect annually from its members a chair, vice-chair, and secretary. A quorum of the board shall consist of a majority of members of the board qualified to vote on the matter in question. All questions concerning the manner in which a meeting is conducted or called that are not covered by statute shall be determined by Robert's Rules of Order (revised) unless otherwise specified by the bylaws.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), each Electrical Code amendment considered by the board that receives an affirmative two-thirds or more majority vote of all of the voting members of the board shall be included in the next Electrical Code rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board. If an Electrical Code amendment considered, or reconsidered, by the board receives less than a two-thirds majority vote of all of the voting members of the board, the Electrical Code amendment shall not be included in the next Electrical Code rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board.

(c) The board may reconsider Electrical Code amendments during an active Electrical Code rulemaking proceeding in which the amendment previously failed to receive a two-thirds or more majority vote of all of the voting members of the board only if new or updated information that affects the Electrical Code amendment is presented to the board. The board may also reconsider failed Electrical Code amendments in subsequent Electrical Code rulemaking proceedings.

(d) Except as provided in paragraph (e), each proposed rule and rule amendment considered by the board pursuant to the rulemaking authority specified in subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (5) and (6), that receives an affirmative majority vote of the all the voting members of the board shall be included in the next rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board. If a proposed rule or rule amendment considered, or reconsidered, by the board receives less than an affirmative majority vote of all of the voting members of the board, the proposed rule or rule amendment shall not be included in the next rulemaking proceeding initiated by the board.

(e) The board may reconsider a proposed rule or rule amendment during an active rulemaking proceeding in which the amendment previously failed to receive an affirmative majority vote of all of the voting members of the board only if new or updated information that affects the proposed rule or rule amendment is presented to the board. The board may also reconsider a failed proposed rule or rule amendment in subsequent rulemaking proceedings.

Subd. 7.

Board meetings.

(a) The board shall hold meetings at such times as the board shall specify. Notice and conduct of all meetings shall be pursuant to chapter 13D and in such a manner as the bylaws may provide.

(b) If compliance with section 13D.02 is impractical, the board may conduct a meeting of its members by telephone or other electronic means so long as the following conditions are met:

(1) all members of the board participating in the meeting, wherever their physical location, can hear one another and can hear all discussion and testimony;

(2) members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the board can hear clearly all discussion and testimony and all votes of members of the board and, if needed, receive those services required by sections 15.44 and 15.441;

(3) at least one member of the board is physically present at the regular meeting location; and

(4) all votes are conducted by roll call, so each member's vote on each issue can be identified and recorded.

Each member of the board participating in a meeting by telephone or other electronic means is considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and participating in all proceedings.

If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or emergency meeting, the board, to the extent practical, shall allow a person to monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. The board may require the person making such a connection to pay for documented costs that the board incurs as a result of the additional connection.

If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or emergency meeting, the board shall provide notice of the regular meeting location, of the fact that some members may participate by telephone or other electronic means, and that a person may monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. The timing and method of providing notice is governed by section 13D.04.

Subd. 8.

Complaints.

(a) The board shall promptly forward to the commissioner the substance of any complaint or communication it receives, whether in writing or orally, that alleges or implies a violation of a statute, rule, or order that the commissioner has the authority to enforce pertaining to the license or registration of any person authorized by the department to provide electrical services, the performance or offering to perform electrical services requiring licensure by an unlicensed person, or Electrical Code compliance. Each complaint or communication that is forwarded to the commissioner shall be submitted on a form provided by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner shall advise the board of the status of a complaint within 90 days after the board's written submission is received, or within 90 days after the board is provided with a written request for additional information or documentation from the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, whichever is later. The commissioner shall advise the board of the disposition of a complaint referred by the board within 180 days after the board's written submission is received. The commissioner shall annually report to the board a summary of the actions taken in response to complaints referred by the board.

Subd. 9.

Data Practices Act.

The board is subject to chapter 13, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and shall protect from unlawful disclosure data classified as not public.

Subd. 10.

Official records.

The board shall make and preserve all records necessary to a full and accurate knowledge of its official activities in accordance with section 15.17.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, subdivision 3d, is amended to read:

Subd. 3d.

Power limited technician.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person individual shall install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, or supervise the installing, altering, or repairing, planning, or laying out of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for technology circuits or systems unless:

(1) the person individual is licensed by the board commissioner as a power limited technician; and

(2) the electrical work is:

(i) for a licensed contractor and the person individual is an employee, partner, or officer of, or is the licensed contractor; or

(ii) performed under the direct supervision of a master electrician or power limited technician also employed by the person's individual's employer on technology circuits, systems, apparatus, equipment, or facilities that are owned or leased by the employer that are located within the limits of property operated, maintained, and either owned or leased, operated, and maintained by the employer.

(b) An applicant for a power limited technician's license shall (1) be a graduate of a four-year electrical course in offered by an accredited college or university; or (2) have had at least 36 months' experience, acceptable to the board, in planning for, laying out, supervising, and installing, altering and repairing wiring, apparatus, or equipment for power limited systems, provided however, that the board may by rule provide for the allowance of up to 12 months (2,000 hours) of experience credit for successful completion of a two-year post high school electrical course or other technical training approved by the board.

(c) The board may initially set experience requirements without rulemaking, but must adopt rules before July 1, 2004.

(d) Licensees must attain eight 16 hours of continuing education acceptable to the board every renewal period.

(e) A person who has submitted an application by June 30, 2003, to take the alarm and communications examination administered by the board, and who has achieved a minimal score of 70 percent on the examination by September 30, 2003, may obtain a power limited technician license without further examination by submitting an application and a license fee of $30.

(f) (d) A company holding an alarm and communication license as of June 30, 2003, may designate one person individual who may obtain a power limited technician license without passing an examination administered by the board commissioner by submitting an application and license fee of $30.

(g) (e) A person who has submitted an application by September 30, 2005 December 31, 2007, to take the power limited technician examination administered by the board department is not required to meet the qualifications set forth in paragraph (b).

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Unlicensed persons individuals.

(a) An unlicensed person individual means an individual who has not been licensed by the department to perform specific electrical work. An unlicensed individual shall not perform electrical work required to be performed by a licensed individual unless the individual has first registered with the department as an unlicensed individual. Thereafter, an unlicensed individual shall not perform electrical work required to be performed by a licensed individual unless the work is performed under the personal direct supervision of a person an individual actually licensed to perform such work and. The licensed electrician individual and unlicensed persons are individual must be employed by the same employer. Licensed persons individuals shall not permit unlicensed persons individuals to perform electrical work except under the personal direct supervision of a person an individual actually licensed to perform such work. Unlicensed persons individuals shall not supervise the performance of electrical work or make assignments of electrical work to unlicensed persons individuals. Except for technology circuit or system work, licensed persons individuals shall supervise no more than two unlicensed persons individuals. For technology circuit or system work, licensed persons individuals shall supervise no more than three unlicensed persons individuals.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no person individual other than a master electrician or power limited technician shall plan or lay out electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for light, heat, power, or other purposes, except circuits or systems exempted from personal licensing by subdivision 12, paragraph (b).

(c) Contractors employing unlicensed persons performing individuals to perform electrical work shall maintain records establishing compliance with this subdivision, which that shall designate identify all unlicensed persons individuals performing electrical work, except for persons working on circuits or systems exempted from personal licensing by subdivision 12, paragraph (b), and shall permit the board department to examine and copy all such records as provided for in section 326.244, subdivision 6.

(d) When a licensed individual supervises the electrical work of an unlicensed individual, the licensed individual is responsible for ensuring that the electrical work complies with the Minnesota Electrical Act and rules adopted under the act.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5a.

Registration of unlicensed individuals.

Unlicensed individuals performing electrical work for a contractor or employer shall register with the department in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. Experience credit for electrical work performed in Minnesota after January 1, 2008, by an applicant for a license identified in this section shall not be granted where the applicant has not registered with or is not licensed by the department.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

License, registration, and renewal fees; expiration.

All licenses issued hereunder shall expire in a manner as provided by the board. (a) Unless revoked or suspended under this chapter, all licenses issued or renewed under this section expire on the date specified in this subdivision. Master licenses expire March 1 of each odd-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Electrical contractor licenses expire March 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Technology system contractor licenses expire August 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal. All other personal licenses expire two years from the date of original issuance and every two years thereafter. Registrations of unlicensed individuals expire one year from the date of original issuance and every year thereafter.

(b) Fees, as set by the board, shall be payable for application and examination, and for the original issuance and each subsequent renewal of the following, are:

(1) For each personal license application and examination: $35;

Class A Master.

Class B Master.

Class A Journeyman, Class B Journeyman, Installer, Power Limited Technician, or Special Electrician.

(2) For original issuance of original license and each subsequent renewal of:

Class A Master. or master special electrician, including master elevator constructor: $40 per year;

Class B Master.: $25 per year;

Power Limited Technician.: $15 per year;

Class A Journeyman, Class B Journeyman, Installer, or Special Electrician. other than master special electrician: $15 per year;

Electrical contractor: $100 per year.

Technology Systems Contractor Unlicensed individual registration: $15 per year.

(c) If any new license is issued in accordance with this subdivision for less than two years, the fee for the license shall be prorated on an annual basis.

(d) A license fee may not be refunded after a license is issued or renewed. However, if the fee paid for a license was not prorated in accordance with this subdivision, the amount of the overpayment shall be refunded.

(e) Any contractor who seeks reissuance of a license after it has been revoked or suspended under this chapter shall submit a reissuance fee of $100 before the license is reinstated.

(f) The fee for the issuance of each duplicate license is $15.

(3) (g) An individual or contractor who fails to renew a license before 30 days after the expiration or registration of the license must submit a late fee equal to one year's license fee in addition to the full renewal fee. Fees for renewed licenses or registrations are not prorated. An individual or contractor that fails to renew a license or registration by the expiration date is unlicensed until the license or registration is renewed.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Reciprocity.

To the extent that any other state which provides for the licensing of electricians provides for similar action the board may grant licenses, without examination, of the same grade and class to an electrician who has been licensed by such other state for at least one year, upon payment by the applicant of the required fee and upon the board being furnished with proof that the required fee and upon the board being furnished with proof that the qualifications of the applicant are equal to the qualifications of holders of similar licenses in Minnesota. The commissioner may enter into reciprocity agreements for personal licenses with another state if approved by the board. Once approved by the board, the commissioner may issue a personal license without requiring the applicant to pass an examination provided the applicant:

(a) submits an application under section 326.242;

(b) pays the fee required under section 326.242; and

(c) holds a valid comparable license in the state participating in the agreement.

Agreements are subject to the following:

(1) The parties to the agreement must administer a statewide licensing program that includes examination and qualifying experience or training comparable to Minnesota's.

(2) The experience and training requirements under which an individual applicant qualified for examination in the qualifying state must be deemed equal to or greater than required for an applicant making application in Minnesota at the time the applicant acquired the license in the qualifying state.

(3) The applicant must have acquired the license in the qualifying state through an examination deemed equivalent to the same class of license examination in Minnesota. A lesser class of license may be granted where the applicant has acquired a greater class of license in the qualifying state and the applicant otherwise meets the conditions of this subdivision.

(4) At the time of application, the applicant must hold a valid license in the qualifying state and have held the license continuously for at least one year before making application in Minnesota.

(5) An applicant is not eligible for a license under this subdivision if the applicant has failed the same or greater class of license examination in Minnesota, or if the applicant's license of the same or greater class has been revoked or suspended.

(6) An applicant who has failed to renew a personal license for two years or more after its expiration is not eligible for a license under this subdivision.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.2441, is amended to read:

326.2441 INSPECTION FEE SCHEDULE.

Subdivision 1.

Schedule.

State electrical inspection fees shall be paid according to calculated in accordance with subdivisions 2 to 13 15.

Subd. 2.

Fee for each separate inspection.

The minimum fee for each separate inspection of an installation, replacement, alteration, or repair is $20. $35. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the maximum number of separate inspections allowed without payment of an additional fee is the whole number resulting from dividing by 35 the total fee calculated in accordance with this section. Where additional separate inspections are necessary, additional fees are required to result in a value equal to the total number of separate inspections multiplied by 35. The fee for any inspections needed after a "final inspection" is performed shall be calculated without consideration of any fee paid before the final inspection.

Subd. 3.

Fee for services, generators, other power supply sources, or feeders to separate structures.

The inspection fee for the installation, addition, alteration, or repair of each service, change of service, temporary service, generator, other power supply source, or feeder to a separate structure is:

(1) 0 ampere to and including 400 ampere capacity, $25 $35;

(2) 401 ampere to and including 800 ampere capacity, $50 $60; and

(3) ampere capacity above 800, $75 $100.

Where multiple disconnects are grouped at a single location and are supplied by a single set of supply conductors the cumulative rating of the overcurrent devices shall be used to determine the supply ampere capacity.

Subd. 4.

Fee for circuits, feeders, feeder taps, or sets of transformer secondary conductors.

The inspection fee for the installation, addition, alteration, or repair of each circuit, feeder, feeder tap, or set of transformer secondary conductors, including the equipment served, is:

(1) 0 ampere to and including 200 ampere capacity, $5 $6; and

(2) ampere capacity above 200, $10 $15.

Where existing feeders and circuits are reconnected to overcurrent devices installed as part of the replacement of an existing disconnect, switchboard, motor control center, or panelboard, the inspection fee for each circuit or feeder is $2.

Subd. 5.

Limitations to fees of subdivisions 3 and 4 Inspection fee for dwellings.

(a) The inspection fee for a one-family dwelling and each dwelling unit of a two-family dwelling with a supply of up to 500 amperes where a combination of ten or more sources of supply, feeders, or circuits are installed, added, altered, repaired, or extended is $80. is the following:

(1) the fee for each service or other source of power as provided in subdivision 3;

(2) $100 for up to 30 feeders and circuits; and

(3) for each additional feeder or circuit, the fee as provided in subdivision 4.

This fee applies to each separate installation for new dwellings and additions, alterations, or repairs to existing dwellings and includes not more than two inspections. where 15 or more feeders or circuits are installed or extended in connection with any addition, alteration, or repair to existing dwellings. Where existing feeders and circuits are reconnected to overcurrent devices installed as part of the replacement of an existing panelboard, the fee for each reconnected feeder or circuit is $2. The maximum number of separate inspections shall be determined in accordance with subdivision 2. The fee for additional inspections or other installations is that specified in subdivisions 2 to, 4, 6, and 8. The installer may submit fees for additional inspections when filing the request for electrical inspection. The fee for each detached accessory structure directly associated with a dwelling unit shall be calculated in accordance with subdivisions 3 and 4. When included on the same request for electrical inspection form, inspection fees for detached accessory structures directly associated with the dwelling unit may be combined with the dwelling unit fees to determine the maximum number of separate inspections in accordance with subdivision 2.

(b) The inspection fee for each dwelling unit of a multifamily dwelling with three to 12 or more dwelling units is $50 and the fee for each additional dwelling unit is $25. $70 for a combination of up to 20 feeders and circuits and $6 for each additional feeder or circuit. This fee applies to each separate installation for each new dwelling unit and where ten or more feeders or circuits are installed or extended in connection with any addition, alteration, or repair to existing dwelling units. Where existing feeders or circuits are reconnected to overcurrent devices installed as part of the replacement of an existing panelboard, the fee for each reconnected feeder or circuit is $2. The maximum number of separate inspections for each dwelling unit shall be determined in accordance with subdivision 2. The fee for additional inspections or for inspection of other installations is that specified in subdivisions 2, 4, 6, and 8. These fees include only inspection of the wiring within individual dwelling units and the final feeder to that unit. This limitation is subject to the following conditions:

(1) where the multifamily dwelling is provided with common service equipment and each dwelling unit is supplied by a separate feeder or feeders extended from common service or distribution equipment. The fee for multifamily dwelling services or other power source supplies and all other circuits is that specified in subdivisions 2 to 4; and.

(2) this limitation applies only to new installations for multifamily dwellings where the majority of the individual dwelling units are available for inspection during each inspection trip.

(c) A separate request for electrical inspection form must be filed for each dwelling unit that is supplied with an individual set of service entrance conductors. These fees are the one-family dwelling rate specified in paragraph (a).

Subd. 6.

Additions to fees of subdivisions 3 to 5.

(a) The fee for the electrical supply for each manufactured home park lot is $25 $35. This fee includes the service or feeder conductors up to and including the service equipment or disconnecting means. The fee for feeders and circuits that extend from the service or disconnecting means is that specified in subdivision 4.

(b) The fee for each recreational vehicle site electrical supply equipment is $5 $6 for each circuit originating within the equipment. The fee for recreational vehicle park services, feeders, and circuits is that specified in subdivisions 3 and 4.

(c) The fee for each street, parking lot, or outdoor area lighting standard is $1, and the fee for each traffic signal standard is $5. Circuits originating within the standard or traffic signal controller shall not be used when computing calculating the fee for each standard.

(d) The fee for transformers for light, heat, and power is $10 $15 for transformers rated up to ten kilovolt-amperes and $20 $30 for transformers rated in excess of ten kilovolt-amperes. The previous sentence does not apply to Class 1 transformers or power supplies for Class 1 power-limited circuits or to Class 2 or Class 3 transformers or power supplies.

(e) The fee for transformers and electronic power supplies for electric signs and outline lighting is $5 per unit.

(f) The fee for alarm, communication, remote control, and signaling technology circuits or systems, and circuits of less than 50 volts, is 50 75 cents for each system device or apparatus.

(g) The fee for each separate inspection of the bonding for a swimming pool, spa, fountain, an equipotential plane for an agricultural confinement area, or similar installation shall be $20 is $35. Bonding conductors and connections require an inspection before being concealed.

(h) The fee for all wiring installed on center pivot irrigation booms is $40 $35 plus $5 for each electrical drive unit.

(i) The fee for retrofit modifications to existing lighting fixtures is 25 cents per lighting fixture luminaire.

(j) When a separate inspection of a concrete-encased grounding electrode is performed, the fee is $35.

(k) The fees required by subdivisions 3 and 4 are doubled for installations over 600 volts.

Subd. 7.

Investigation fees: work without a request for electrical inspection.

(a) Whenever any work for which a request for electrical inspection is required by the board has begun without the request for electrical inspection form being filed with the board commissioner, a special investigation shall be made before a request for electrical inspection form is accepted by the board.

(b) An investigation fee, in addition to the full fee required by subdivisions 1 to 6, shall be paid before an inspection is made. The investigation fee is two times the hourly rate minimum fee specified in subdivision 10 2 or the inspection fee required by subdivisions 1 to 6, whichever is greater, not to exceed $1,000. The payment of the investigation fee does not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of the board department rules or statutes nor from any penalty prescribed by law.

Subd. 8.

Reinspection fee.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 2 and 5, when reinspection is necessary to determine whether unsafe conditions identified during a final inspection have been corrected and the conditions are not the subject of an appeal pending before the board commissioner or any court, a reinspection fee of $20 may $35 shall be assessed in writing by the inspector.

Subd. 9.

Supplemental fee.

When inspections scheduled by the installer are preempted, obstructed, prevented, or otherwise not able to be completed as scheduled due to circumstances beyond the control of the inspector, a supplemental inspection fee of $20 may $35 shall be assessed in writing by the inspector.

Subd. 10.

Special inspection.

For inspections not covered in this section, or for requested special inspections or services, the fee shall be $30 is $80 per hour, including travel time, plus 31 cents the standard mileage rate per mile traveled, plus the reasonable cost of equipment or material consumed. This provision is applicable to inspection of empty conduits and other jobs as may be determined by the board commissioner. This fee may also be assessed when installations are not accessible by roadway and require alternate forms of transportation. or are located in the Northwest Angle, or when inspections are performed outside of Minnesota. For purposes of this subdivision, the standard mileage rate is the standard mileage rate effective at the time of travel, as established by the Internal Revenue Service for computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business expense purposes.

Subd. 11.

Inspection of transitory projects.

(a) For inspection of transitory projects including, but not limited to, festivals, fairs, carnivals, circuses, shows, production sites, and portable road construction plants, the inspection procedures and fees are as specified in paragraphs (b) to (i).

(b) The fee for inspection of each generator or other source of supply is that specified in subdivision 3. A like fee is required at each engagement or setup.

(c) In addition to the fee for generators or other sources of supply, there must be an inspection of all installed feeders, circuits, and equipment at each engagement or setup at the hourly rate specified in subdivision 10, with a two-hour one-hour minimum.

(d) An owner, operator, or appointed representative of a transitory enterprise including, but not limited to, festivals, fairs, carnivals, circuses, production companies, shows, portable road construction plants, and similar enterprises shall notify the board commissioner of its itinerary or schedule and make application for initial inspection a minimum of 14 days before its first engagement or setup. An owner, operator, or appointed representative of a transitory enterprise who fails to notify the board commissioner 14 days before its first engagement or setup may be subject to the investigation fees specified in subdivision 7. The owner, operator, or appointed representative shall request inspection and pay the inspection fee for each subsequent engagement or setup at the time of the initial inspection. For subsequent engagements or setups not listed on the itinerary or schedule submitted to the board commissioner and where the board commissioner is not notified at least 48 hours in advance, a charge of $100 may be made in addition to all required fees.

(e) Amusement rides, devices, concessions, attractions, or other units must be inspected at their first appearance of the year. The inspection fee is $20 $35 per unit with a supply of up to 60 amperes and $30 $40 per unit with a supply above 60 amperes.

(f) An additional fee at the hourly rate specified in subdivision 10 must be charged for additional time spent by each inspector if equipment is not ready or available for inspection at the time and date specified on the application for initial inspection or the request for electrical inspection form.

(g) In addition to the fees specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), a fee of two hours one hour at the hourly rate specified in subdivision 10 must be charged for inspections required to be performed on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or after regular business hours.

(h) The fee for reinspection of corrections or supplemental inspections where an additional trip is necessary may be assessed as specified in subdivision 8.

(i) The board may commissioner shall retain the inspection fee when an owner, operator, or appointed representative of a transitory enterprise fails to notify the board commissioner at least 48 hours in advance of a scheduled inspection that is canceled.

Subd. 11a.

Negotiated fee.

When the fee calculated in accordance with subdivisions 2 to 11 results in a total fee that unreasonably exceeds the cost of inspection, the commissioner may negotiate a fee that more reasonably offsets the cost of inspection.

Subd. 12.

Handling fee.

The handling fee to pay the cost of printing and handling of the paper form requesting an electrical inspection is up to $1.

Subd. 13.

National Electrical Code used for interpretation of provisions.

For purposes of interpretation of this section and Minnesota Rules, chapter 3800, the most recently adopted edition of the National Electrical Code shall be prima facie evidence of the definitions, interpretations, and scope of words and terms used.

ARTICLE 7

APPRENTICESHIP BOARD

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.01, is amended to read:

178.01 PURPOSES.

The purposes of this chapter are: to open to young people regardless of race, sex, creed, color or national origin, the opportunity to obtain training that will equip them for profitable employment and citizenship; to establish as a means to this end, a program of voluntary apprenticeship under approved apprentice agreements providing facilities for their training and guidance in the arts, skills, and crafts of industry and trade, with concurrent, supplementary instruction in related subjects; to promote employment opportunities under conditions providing adequate training and reasonable earnings; to relate the supply of skilled workers to employment demands; to establish standards for apprentice training; to establish an Apprenticeship Advisory Council Board and apprenticeship committees to assist in effectuating the purposes of this chapter; to provide for a Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship within the Department of Labor and Industry; to provide for reports to the legislature regarding the status of apprentice training in the state; to establish a procedure for the determination of apprentice agreement controversies; and to accomplish related ends.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.02, is amended to read:

178.02 APPRENTICESHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL BOARD.

Subdivision 1.

Members.

The commissioner of labor and industry, hereinafter called the commissioner, shall appoint an Apprenticeship Advisory Council Board, hereinafter referred to as the council board, composed of three representatives each from employer and employee organizations, and two representatives of the general public. The director of education responsible for career and technical education or designee shall be an ex officio member of the council board and shall serve in an advisory capacity only.

Subd. 2.

Terms.

The council board shall expire and the terms, compensation, and removal of appointed members shall be as provided in section 15.059, except that the council shall not expire before June 30, 2003.

Subd. 4.

Duties.

The council board shall meet at the call of the commissioner. It shall propose occupational classifications for apprenticeship programs; propose minimum standards for apprenticeship programs and agreements; and advise on the establishment of such policies, procedures, and rules as the commissioner board deems necessary in implementing the intent of this chapter.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Duties and functions.

The director, under the supervision of the commissioner, and with the advice and consultation of the Apprenticeship Advisory Council Board, is authorized: to administer the provisions of this chapter; to promote apprenticeship and other forms of on the job training; to establish, in cooperation and consultation with the Apprenticeship Advisory Council Board and with the apprenticeship committees, conditions and training standards for the approval of apprenticeship programs and agreements, which conditions and standards shall in no case be lower than those prescribed by this chapter; to promote equal employment opportunity in apprenticeship and other on the job training and to establish a Minnesota plan for equal employment opportunity in apprenticeship which shall be consistent with standards established under Code of Federal Regulations, title 29, part 30, as amended; to issue certificates of registration to sponsors of approved apprenticeship programs; to act as secretary of the Apprenticeship Advisory Council Board; to approve, if of the opinion that approval is for the best interest of the apprentice, any apprenticeship agreement which meets the standards established hereunder; to terminate any apprenticeship agreement in accordance with the provisions of such agreement; to keep a record of apprenticeship agreements and their disposition; to issue certificates of completion of apprenticeship; and to perform such other duties as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter; provided, that the administration and supervision of supplementary instruction in related subjects for apprentices; coordination of instruction on a concurrent basis with job experiences, and the selection and training of teachers and coordinators for such instruction shall be the function of state and local boards responsible for vocational education. The director shall have the authority to make wage determinations applicable to the graduated schedule of wages and journeyman wage rate for apprenticeship agreements, giving consideration to the existing wage rates prevailing throughout the state, except that no wage determination by the director shall alter an existing wage provision for apprentices or journeymen that is contained in a bargaining agreement in effect between an employer and an organization of employees, nor shall the director make any determination for the beginning rate for an apprentice that is below the wage minimum established by federal or state law.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.041, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Rules.

The commissioner may, upon receipt of the council's board's proposals, accept, adopt, and issue them by rule with any modifications or amendments the commissioner finds appropriate. The commissioner may refer them back to the council board with recommendations for further study, consideration and revision. If the commissioner refuses to accept, adopt, and issue by rule or other appropriate action a board proposal, the commissioner must provide a written explanation of the reason for the refusal to the board within 30 days after the board submitted the proposal to the commissioner. Additional rules may be issued as the commissioner may deem necessary.

ARTICLE 8

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 190.096, is amended to read:

190.096 BATTLE FLAGS; REPAIR.

Subdivision 1.

Authority to repair.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1961, chapters 16 and 43, the adjutant general or the Minnesota Historical Society may contract for the repair, restoration, and preservation of regimental battle flags, standards, and guidons with persons or corporations skilled in such repair, restoration, and preservation, upon terms or conditions the adjutant general or the Minnesota Historical Society deems proper, subject to the approval of the commissioner of administration.

Subd. 2.

Surrender.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or section 190.09, the adjutant general or the Minnesota Historical Society may, for the purposes of this section, surrender the immediate custody and control of regimental battle flags, standards, and guidons under conditions and safeguards the adjutant general or the Minnesota Historical Society deems necessary and proper, for such time as is reasonably necessary for their restoration, after which they shall at once be again properly stored or displayed. The adjutant general or the Minnesota Historical Society shall provide adequate storage and display space for flags, standards, and guidons which have been repaired and restored.

Subd. 3.

Battle flags; care and control.

(a) The flags and colors carried by Minnesota troops in the Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War shall be preserved under the care and control of the Minnesota Historical Society. They shall be suitably encased and marked, and, so far as the historical society may deem it consistent with the safety of the flags and colors, they shall be publicly displayed in the capitol.

(b) The flags and colors carried by Minnesota troops in subsequent wars shall be preserved under the care and control of the adjutant general. They shall be suitably encased and marked, and, so far as the adjutant general may deem it consistent with the safety of the flags and colors, shall be publicly displayed.

Sec. 2.

[325E.65] SALE OF AMERICAN FLAGS.

No person in the business of offering goods at retail may sell or offer for sale in this state an American flag unless the flag was manufactured in the United States of America.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective January 1, 2008.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.33, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Fees.

The commissioner shall by rule establish reasonable fees for seals, installation seals and inspections which are sufficient to cover all costs incurred in the administration of sections 327.31 to 327.35. The commissioner shall also establish by rule a monitoring inspection fee in an amount that will comply with the secretary's fee distribution program. This monitoring inspection fee shall be an amount paid by the manufacturer for each manufactured home produced in Minnesota. The monitoring inspection fee shall be paid by the manufacturer to the secretary. The rules of the fee distribution program require the secretary to distribute the fees collected from all manufactured home manufacturers among states approved and conditionally approved based on the number of new manufactured homes whose first location after leaving the manufacturer is on the premises of a distributor, dealer or purchaser in that state. All money collected by the commissioner through fees prescribed by sections 327.31 to 327.36 shall be deposited in the state government special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner for the purpose of administering and enforcing the Manufactured Home Building Code under sections 327.31 to 327.36.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.33, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Authorization as agency.

The commissioner shall apply to the secretary for approval of the commissioner as the administrative agency for the regulation of manufactured homes under the rules of the secretary. The commissioner may make rules for the administration and enforcement of department responsibilities as a state administrative agency including, but not limited to, rules for the handling of citizen's complaints. All money received for services provided by the commissioner or the department's authorized agents as a state administrative agency shall be deposited in the general construction code fund. The commissioner is charged with the adoption, administration, and enforcement of the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, consistent with rules and regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The commissioner may adopt the rules, codes, and standards necessary to enforce the standards promulgated under this section. The commissioner is authorized to conduct hearings and presentations of views consistent with regulations adopted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and to adopt rules in order to carry out this function.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.04, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Fees; licenses; when granted.

Each application for a license or license renewal must be accompanied by a fee in an amount established by the commissioner by rule pursuant to section 327B.10. The fees shall be set in an amount which over the fiscal biennium will produce revenues approximately equal to the expenses which the commissioner expects to incur during that fiscal biennium while administering and enforcing sections 327B.01 to 327B.12. All money collected by the commissioner through fees prescribed in sections 327B.01 to 327B.12 shall be deposited in the state government special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner for purposes of administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner shall grant or deny a license application or a renewal application within 60 days of its filing. If the license is granted, the commissioner shall license the applicant as a dealer or manufacturer for the remainder of the calendar year. Upon application by the licensee, the commissioner shall renew the license for a two year period, if:

(a) the renewal application satisfies the requirements of subdivisions 3 and 4;

(b) the renewal applicant has made all listings, registrations, notices and reports required by the commissioner during the preceding year; and

(c) the renewal applicant has paid all fees owed pursuant to sections 327B.01 to 327B.12 and all taxes, arrearages, and penalties owed to the state.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462A.21, subdivision 8b, is amended to read:

Subd. 8b.

Family rental housing.

It may establish a family rental housing assistance program to provide loans or direct rental subsidies for housing for families with incomes of up to 80 percent of state median income, or to provide grants for the operating cost of public housing. Priority must be given to those developments with resident families with the lowest income. The development may be financed by the agency or other public or private lenders. Direct rental subsidies must be administered by the agency for the benefit of eligible families. Financial assistance provided under this subdivision to recipients of aid to families with dependent children must be in the form of vendor payments whenever possible. Loans, grants, and direct rental subsidies under this subdivision may be made only with specific appropriations by the legislature. The limitations on eligible mortgagors contained in section 462A.03, subdivision 13, do not apply to loans for the rehabilitation of existing housing under this subdivision.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462A.33, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Contribution requirement.

Fifty percent of the funds appropriated for this section must be used for challenge grants or loans which meet the requirements of this subdivision for housing proposals with financial or in-kind contributions from nonstate resources that reduce the need for deferred loan or grant funds from state resources. These Challenge grants or loans must be used for economically viable homeownership or rental housing proposals that:

(1) include a financial or in-kind contribution from an area employer and either a unit of local government or a private philanthropic, religious, or charitable organization; and

(2) address the housing needs of the local work force.

Among comparable proposals, preference must be given to proposals that include contributions from nonstate resources for the greatest portion of the total development cost. Comparable proposals with contributions from local units of government or private philanthropic, religious, or charitable organizations must be given preference in awarding grants or loans.

For the purpose of this subdivision, an employer a contribution may consist partially or wholly of the premium paid for federal housing tax credits.

Preference for grants and loans shall also be given to comparable proposals that include a financial or in-kind contribution from a unit of local government, an area employer, and a private philanthropic, religious, or charitable organization.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 469.021, is amended to read:

469.021 PREFERENCES.

As between applicants equally in need and eligible for occupancy of a dwelling and at the rent involved, preference shall be given to disabled veterans, persons with disabilities, and families of service persons who died in service and to families of veterans. In admitting families of low income to dwelling accommodations in any housing project an authority shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, give consideration to applications from families to which aid for dependent children is payable receiving assistance under chapter 256J, and to resident families to whom public assistance or supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and disabled is payable, when those families are otherwise eligible.

Sec. 9.

WORK GROUP.

The commissioner of employment and economic development shall convene a work group to evaluate the impact of the money appropriated for wage incentives and how the wage incentive program works. The work group is to make recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 2008.

Sec. 10.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

Unless another effective date is expressly provided, this act is effective July 1, 2007.

Presented to the governor May 22, 2007

Signed by the governor May 25, 2007, 3:20 p.m.