Journal of the House - 32nd Day - Monday, April 8, 2013 - Top of Page 1781

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

 

 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH SESSION - 2013

 

_____________________

 

THIRTY-SECOND DAY

 

Saint Paul, Minnesota, Monday, April 8, 2013

 

 

      The House of Representatives convened at 3:00 p.m. and was called to order by Paul Thissen, Speaker of the House.

 

      Prayer was offered by the Reverend Rick Walston, Marion Church of Christ, Rochester, Minnesota.

 

      The members of the House gave the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

 

      The roll was called and the following members were present:

 


Abeler

Albright

Allen

Anderson, M.

Anderson, P.

Anderson, S.

Anzelc

Atkins

Barrett

Beard

Benson, J.

Benson, M.

Bernardy

Bly

Brynaert

Carlson

Clark

Cornish

Daudt

Davids

Davnie

Dean, M.

Dehn, R.

Dettmer

Dill

Dorholt

Drazkowski

Erhardt

Erickson, R.

Erickson, S.

Fabian

Falk

Faust

Fischer

FitzSimmons

Franson

Freiberg

Fritz

Green

Gruenhagen

Gunther

Hackbarth

Halverson

Hamilton

Hansen

Hausman

Hertaus

Hilstrom

Holberg

Hoppe

Hornstein

Hortman

Howe

Huntley

Isaacson

Johnson, B.

Johnson, C.

Johnson, S.

Kahn

Kelly

Kieffer

Kiel

Kresha

Laine

Leidiger

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lien

Lillie

Loeffler

Lohmer

Loon

Mack

Mahoney

Mariani

Marquart

Masin

McDonald

McNamar

McNamara

Melin

Metsa

Moran

Morgan

Mullery

Murphy, E.

Murphy, M.

Myhra

Nelson

Newberger

Newton

Nornes

Norton

O'Driscoll

O'Neill

Paymar

Pelowski

Peppin

Persell

Petersburg

Poppe

Pugh

Quam

Radinovich

Rosenthal

Runbeck

Sanders

Savick

Sawatzky

Schoen

Schomacker

Scott

Selcer

Simon

Simonson

Slocum

Sundin

Swedzinski

Theis

Torkelson

Uglem

Urdahl

Wagenius

Ward, J.A.

Ward, J.E.

Wills

Winkler

Woodard

Yarusso

Zellers

Zerwas

Spk.Thissen


 

      A quorum was present.

 

      Garofalo was excused.

 

      The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding day.  There being no objection, further reading of the Journal was dispensed with and the Journal was approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk.


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REPORTS OF CHIEF CLERK

 

      S. F. No. 166 and H. F. No. 201, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical.

 

      Schoen moved that S. F. No. 166 be substituted for H. F. No. 201 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 319 and H. F. No. 525, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Erhardt moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 319 be substituted for H. F. No. 525 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 521 and H. F. No. 623, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Melin moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 521 be substituted for H. F. No. 623 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 716 and H. F. No. 1205, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Anderson, S., moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 716 be substituted for H. F. No. 1205 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

 

 

Dill from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 128, A bill for an act relating to solid waste; amending process for cities to implement organized collection of solid waste; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 115A.94, subdivisions 2, 5, by adding subdivisions; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 115A.94, subdivision 4.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.

 

      The report was adopted.


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Paymar from the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 285, A bill for an act relating to public safety; modifying the lawful possession of firearms; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 624.712, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision; 624.713, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 253B.24, is amended to read:

 

253B.24 TRANSMITTAL OF DATA TO NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM.

 

(a) When a court:

 

(1) commits a person under this chapter as being mentally ill, developmentally disabled, mentally ill and dangerous, or chemically dependent;

 

(2) determines in a criminal case that a person is incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of mental illness; or

 

(3) restores a person's ability to possess a firearm under section 609.165, subdivision 1d, or 624.713, subdivision 4,

 

the court shall ensure that this information is electronically transmitted as soon as practicable within three business days to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

 

(b) No later than January 1, 2014, the state court administrator must transfer to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, in electronic data format, the name and type of commitment for persons who were civilly committed under this chapter since August 1, 2005.

 

(c) No later than July 1, 2015, the state court administrator must transfer to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, in electronic data format, the name and type of commitment for persons who were civilly committed under this chapter since August 1, 1994.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 299C.17, is amended to read:

 

299C.17 REPORT BY COURT ADMINISTRATOR.

 

The superintendent shall have power to require the court administrator of any county of every court which sentences a defendant for a felony, gross misdemeanor, or targeted misdemeanor to file with the department, at such time as the superintendent may designate, electronically transmit within three business days of the disposition of the case a report, upon such in a form as prescribed by the superintendent may prescribe, furnishing such providing information as required by the superintendent may require with regard to the prosecution and disposition of criminal cases.  A copy of the report shall be kept on file in the office of the court administrator.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 624.712, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Crime of violence.  "Crime of violence" means:  felony convictions of the following offenses:  sections 609.185 (murder in the first degree); 609.19 (murder in the second degree); 609.195 (murder in the third degree); 609.20 (manslaughter in the first degree); 609.205 (manslaughter in the second degree); 609.215 (aiding


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suicide and aiding attempted suicide); 609.221 (assault in the first degree); 609.222 (assault in the second degree); 609.223 (assault in the third degree); 609.2231 (assault in the fourth degree); 609.224, subdivision 4 (felony assault in the fifth degree); 609.2242, subdivision 4 (felony domestic assault); 609.2247 (domestic assault by strangulation); 609.229 (crimes committed for the benefit of a gang); 609.235 (use of drugs to injure or facilitate crime); 609.24 (simple robbery); 609.245 (aggravated robbery); 609.25 (kidnapping); 609.255 (false imprisonment); 609.322 (solicitation, inducement, and promotion of prostitution; sex trafficking); 609.342 (criminal sexual conduct in the first degree); 609.343 (criminal sexual conduct in the second degree); 609.344 (criminal sexual conduct in the third degree); 609.345 (criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree); 609.377 (malicious punishment of a child); 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of a child); 609.486 (commission of crime while wearing or possessing a bullet-resistant vest); 609.52 (involving theft of a firearm, theft involving the intentional taking or driving of a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner or authorized agent of the owner, theft involving the taking of property from a burning, abandoned, or vacant building, or from an area of destruction caused by civil disaster, riot, bombing, or the proximity of battle, and theft involving the theft of a controlled substance, an explosive, or an incendiary device); 609.561 (arson in the first degree); 609.562 (arson in the second degree); 609.582, subdivision 1, 2, or 3 (burglary in the first through third degrees); 609.66, subdivision 1e (drive-by shooting); 609.67 (unlawfully owning, possessing, operating a machine gun or short-barreled shotgun); 609.71 (riot); 609.713 (terroristic threats); 609.749 (stalking); 609.855, subdivision 5 (shooting at a public transit vehicle or facility); and chapter 152 (drugs, controlled substances); and an attempt to commit any of these offenses.  The term also includes a second or subsequent conviction or delinquency adjudication for a violation of section 624.713, subdivision 2, paragraph (a) (certain juveniles not to possess firearms).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2013, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 624.712, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 12.  Ammunition.  "Ammunition" means ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or propellent powder designed for use in any firearm.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2013, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 624.713, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Ineligible persons.  The following persons shall not be entitled to possess ammunition or a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon or, except for clause (1), any other firearm:

 

(1) a person under the age of 18 years except that a person under 18 may possess ammunition designed for use in a firearm that the person may lawfully possess and may carry or possess a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon (i) in the actual presence or under the direct supervision of the person's parent or guardian, (ii) for the purpose of military drill under the auspices of a legally recognized military organization and under competent supervision, (iii) for the purpose of instruction, competition, or target practice on a firing range approved by the chief of police or county sheriff in whose jurisdiction the range is located and under direct supervision; or (iv) if the person has successfully completed a course designed to teach marksmanship and safety with a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon and approved by the commissioner of natural resources;

 

(2) except as otherwise provided in clause (9), a person who has been convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent or convicted as an extended jurisdiction juvenile for committing, in this state or elsewhere, a crime of violence.  For purposes of this section, crime of violence includes crimes in other states or jurisdictions which would have been crimes of violence as herein defined if they had been committed in this state;

 

(3) a person who is or has ever been ordered committed in Minnesota or elsewhere by a judicial determination that the person is mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or mentally ill and dangerous to the public, as defined in section 253B.02, to a treatment facility, whether or not the order was stayed, or who has ever been found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of mental illness, unless the person's ability to possess a firearm and ammunition has been restored under subdivision 4;


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(4) a person who has been convicted in Minnesota or elsewhere of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor violation of chapter 152, unless three years have elapsed since the date of conviction and, during that time, the person has not been convicted of any other such violation of chapter 152 or a similar law of another state; or a person who is or has ever been committed by a judicial determination for treatment for the habitual use of a controlled substance or marijuana, as defined in sections 152.01 and 152.02, unless the person's ability to possess a firearm and ammunition has been restored under subdivision 4;

 

(5) a person who is or has ever been committed to a treatment facility in Minnesota or elsewhere by a judicial determination that the person is chemically dependent as defined in section 253B.02, unless the person has completed treatment or the person's ability to possess a firearm and ammunition has been restored under subdivision 4.  Property rights may not be abated but access may be restricted by the courts;

 

(6) a peace officer who is informally admitted to a treatment facility pursuant to section 253B.04 for chemical dependency, unless the officer possesses a certificate from the head of the treatment facility discharging or provisionally discharging the officer from the treatment facility.  Property rights may not be abated but access may be restricted by the courts;

 

(7) a person, including a person under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, who has been charged with committing a crime of violence and has been placed in a pretrial diversion program by the court before disposition, until the person has completed the diversion program and the charge of committing the crime of violence has been dismissed;

 

(8) except as otherwise provided in clause (9), a person who has been convicted in another state of committing an offense similar to the offense described in section 609.224, subdivision 3, against a family or household member or section 609.2242, subdivision 3, unless three years have elapsed since the date of conviction and, during that time, the person has not been convicted of any other violation of section 609.224, subdivision 3, or 609.2242, subdivision 3, or a similar law of another state;

 

(9) a person who has been convicted in this state or elsewhere of assaulting a family or household member and who was found by the court to have used a firearm in any way during commission of the assault is prohibited from possessing any type of firearm or ammunition for the period determined by the sentencing court;

 

(10) a person who:

 

(i) has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;

 

(ii) is a fugitive from justice as a result of having fled from any state to avoid prosecution for a crime or to avoid giving testimony in any criminal proceeding;

 

(iii) is an unlawful user of any controlled substance as defined in chapter 152;

 

(iv) has been judicially committed to a treatment facility in Minnesota or elsewhere as a person who is mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or mentally ill and dangerous to the public, as defined in section 253B.02;

 

(v) is an alien who is illegally or unlawfully in the United States;

 

(vi) has been discharged from the armed forces of the United States under dishonorable conditions; or

 

(vii) has renounced the person's citizenship having been a citizen of the United States;

 

or

 

(11) a person who has been convicted of the following offenses at the gross misdemeanor level, unless three years have elapsed since the date of conviction and, during that time, the person has not been convicted of any other violation of these sections:  section 609.229 (crimes committed for the benefit of a gang); 609.2231, subdivision 4


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(assaults motivated by bias); 609.255 (false imprisonment); 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of a child); 609.582, subdivision 4 (burglary in the fourth degree); 609.665 (setting a spring gun); 609.71 (riot); or 609.749 (stalking).  For purposes of this paragraph, the specified gross misdemeanor convictions include crimes committed in other states or jurisdictions which would have been gross misdemeanors if conviction occurred in this state.

 

A person who issues a certificate pursuant to this section in good faith is not liable for damages resulting or arising from the actions or misconduct with a firearm or ammunition committed by the individual who is the subject of the certificate.

 

The prohibition in this subdivision relating to the possession of firearms other than pistols and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons does not apply retroactively to persons who are prohibited from possessing a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon under this subdivision before August 1, 1994.

 

The lifetime prohibition on possessing, receiving, shipping, or transporting firearms and ammunition for persons convicted or adjudicated delinquent of a crime of violence in clause (2), applies only to offenders who are discharged from sentence or court supervision for a crime of violence on or after August 1, 1993.

 

For purposes of this section, "judicial determination" means a court proceeding pursuant to sections 253B.07 to 253B.09 or a comparable law from another state.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2013, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 624.713, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Penalties.  (a) A person named in subdivision 1, clause (1), who possesses ammunition, or a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

 

(b) A person named in subdivision 1, clause (2), who possesses any type of firearm or ammunition is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 15 years or to payment of a fine of not more than $30,000, or both.  This paragraph does not apply to any person who has received a relief of disability under United States Code, title 18, section 925, or whose ability to possess firearms and ammunition has been restored under section 609.165, subdivision 1d.

 

(c) A person named in any other clause of subdivision 1 who possesses any type of firearm or ammunition is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

 

(d) A person is criminally liable for a crime committed by another under this section if the person intentionally assists, advises, hires, counsels, commands, or otherwise procures the other to commit the crime.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2013, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 7.  [624.7133] GUN SHOWS; TRANSFERS OF PISTOLS AND SEMIAUTOMATIC MILITARY-STYLE ASSAULT WEAPONS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  For the purposes of this section, "gun show" means the entire premises open to the public for an event or function, that is sponsored and has the primary purpose of facilitating the purchase, sale, or offer for sale, of firearms at which 25 or more firearms are offered for transfer, and ten or more persons are offering one or more firearms for transfer.  The "entire premises" includes, but is not limited to, parking areas and areas open to the public that are used by attendees during the event or function.


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Subd. 2.  Transfers; proof of eligibility required.  (a) No person shall transfer a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon at a gun show unless the transferor or the transferee is a federally licensed firearms dealer except as provided in this section.

 

(b) When two parties, neither of whom is a federally licensed firearms dealer, desire to transfer a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon at a gun show, the transferee must present the transferor a valid permit to purchase issued under section 624.7131 or a valid permit to carry a pistol issued under section 624.714 prior to completing the transfer.

 

Subd. 3.  Exclusion.  This section does not apply to transfers of antique firearms as defined in section 624.712, subdivision 3.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2013."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to public safety; providing for the transfer of civil commitment data to a federal background check system; modifying the lawful possession and transfer of firearms; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 253B.24; 299C.17; 624.712, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision; 624.713, subdivisions 1, 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 624."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Wagenius from the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 641, A bill for an act relating to clean water; appropriating money for public water access site design and best management practices.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

CLEAN WATER FUND

 

Section 1.  CLEAN WATER FUND APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the clean water fund and are available for the fiscal years indicated for allowable activities under the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 15.  The figures "2014" and "2015" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, or June 30, 2015, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2014.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2015.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2014 and 2015.  The appropriations in this article are onetime.

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2014

2015

 

Sec. 2.  CLEAN WATER

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$95,145,000

 

$96,032,000


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

 

Subd. 2.  Availability of Appropriation

 

 

 

 

 

Money appropriated in this article may not be spent on activities unless they are directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation and the recipient retains documentation sufficient to justify the use of the funds.  Money appropriated in this article must be spent in accordance with Minnesota Management and Budget's Guidance to Agencies on Legacy Fund Expenditure.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, and unless otherwise specified in this article, fiscal year 2014 appropriations are available until June 30, 2015, and fiscal year 2015 appropriations are available until June 30, 2016.  If a project receives federal funds, the time period of the appropriation is extended to equal the availability of federal funding.

 

Sec. 3.  DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 

$7,895,000

 

$7,895,000

 

(a) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the second year are to accelerate monitoring for pesticides and pesticide degradates in surface water and groundwater in areas vulnerable to surface water impairments and groundwater degradation and to use data collected to improve pesticide use practices.

 

(b) $3,110,000 the first year and $3,110,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrates in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation, including a substantial increase of monitoring of private wells in cooperation with the commissioner of health, monitoring for pesticides when nitrates are detected, and promoting and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices to protect groundwater from degradation.  Of this amount, $75,000 is for accelerating the update for the commercial manure applicator manual.  This amount is to be matched with general funds.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016, when the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture and environment and natural resources policy and finance on the expenditure of these funds, including the progress in preventing groundwater degradation and recommendations.  By October 15, 2014, the commissioner shall submit an interim report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture and environment and natural resources policy and finance on the expenditure of these funds, including recommendations.

 

(c) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are for transfer to the clean water agricultural best management practices loan account and are available for pass-through to local governments


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and lenders for low-interest septic system loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.117.  Any unencumbered balance that is not used for pass-through to local governments does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

(d) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are for technical assistance, including but not limited to small watershed evaluation, edge of field monitoring, assessment of stream channel characteristics, terrain analysis, corn stalk testing, sediment fingerprinting, and agronomic assessments, all designed to establish advanced practices for protecting lakes, rivers, and streams and for protecting groundwater from degradation.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.

 

(e) $1,050,000 the first year and $1,050,000 the second year are for research that could pass peer review to protect water resources from agricultural related contaminants, including:  pilot projects, including the use of cover crops; development of best management practices; and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices to protect and restore surface water and protect groundwater from degradation.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.

 

(f) $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the second year are for a research inventory database containing water-related research activities.  Any information technology development or support or costs necessary for this research inventory database will be incorporated into the agency's service level agreement with and paid to the Office of Enterprise Technology.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.

 

(g) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are to implement a Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.

 

(h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the second year are for a regional irrigation water quality specialist through the University of Minnesota Extension Service to accelerate efforts to provide guidance on managing water and nitrogen fertilizer and to provide assistance complying with permit requirements, regulations, and other related laws.  By January 15, 2016, the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture and environment and natural resources policy and finance on the expenditure of these funds, including recommendations.

 

Sec. 4.  PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY

 

$11,000,000

 

$11,000,000

 

(a) $9,000,000 the first year and $9,000,000 the second year are for the total maximum daily load grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 446A.073.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.


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(b) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year are for small community wastewater treatment grants and loans under Minnesota Statues, section 446A.075.  By January 15, 2014, the authority shall submit recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture and environment and natural resources policy and finance on potential criteria that may be used to evaluate the option to buy out properties if it is more cost-effective than a proposed wastewater treatment system project.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.

 

(c) If there are any uncommitted funds at the end of each fiscal year under paragraph (a) or (b), the Public Facilities Authority may transfer the remaining funds to eligible projects under any of the programs listed in this section based on their priority rank on the Pollution Control Agency's project priority list.

 

Sec. 5.  POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

 

$30,315,000

 

$30,265,000

 

(a) $7,000,000 the first year and $7,000,000 the second year are for completion of 20 percent of the needed statewide assessments of surface water quality and trends.

 

(b) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are to monitor and assess unregulated contaminants in surface water.  By January 1, 2014, the commissioner shall submit an initial report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy and finance on unregulated contaminants, including steps that should be taken to reduce the most problematic contaminants.

 

(c) $10,200,000 the first year and $10,200,000 the second year are to develop watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS), which include:  total maximum daily load (TMDL) studies; TMDL implementation plans for waters listed on the United States Environmental Protection Agency approved impaired waters list in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, chapter 114D; and setting reduction and protection goals and a schedule for meeting the goals.  The agency shall complete an average of ten percent of the TMDL's each year over the biennium.  Of this amount, $800,000 each year is for conducting interim assessments of impaired waters five years after the completion of a TMDL to determine the progress made in achieving water quality improvements.  Following completion of each interim assessment conducted with this appropriation, the commissioner shall submit the assessment to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources policy and finance.


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(d) $1,250,000 the first year and $1,250,000 the second year are for groundwater assessment, including enhancing the ambient monitoring network, modeling, and evaluating trends, including the reassessment of groundwater that was assessed ten to 15 years ago and found to be contaminated.  By January 15, 2016, the commissioner shall submit a report with recommendations for reducing or preventing groundwater degradation from contaminants to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy and finance.

 

(e) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the second year are for water quality improvements in the lower St. Louis River and Duluth harbor within the St. Louis River System Area of Concern.  This appropriation must be matched at a rate of 65 percent nonstate money to 35 percent state money.

 

(f) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are for the clean water partnership program to provide grants to protect and improve the lakes, basins, and watersheds of the state and provide financial and technical assistance.  Priority shall be given to projects preventing impairments and degradation of lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.20, subdivision 2, clause (4).  Any balance remaining in the first year does not cancel and is available for the second year.

 

(g) $1,150,000 the first year and $1,150,000 the second year are for TMDL research and database development.

 

(h) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are to initiate development of a multiagency watershed database reporting portal.  Of this amount, $....... is for transfer to the Minnesota Geospatial Office for compiling and distributing surface water and groundwater quality and quantity data.

 

(i) $900,000 the first year and $900,000 the second year are for national pollutant discharge elimination system wastewater and storm water TMDL implementation efforts.

 

(j) $3,450,000 the first year and $3,450,000 the second year are for grants to counties with specific plans to significantly reduce water pollution by reducing the number of subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS) that are an imminent threat to public health or safety or are otherwise failing.  Counties with an ordinance in place that requires an SSTS to be compliant with existing standards upon property transfer and as a condition of obtaining a building permit shall be given priority for grants under this paragraph.  Of this amount, $750,000 each year is available to counties for grants to low-income landowners in riparian areas to address systems that pose an immediate threat to public health or safety.  A grant awarded under this paragraph may not exceed $500,000.  A county receiving a grant under this paragraph must submit a report to the agency listing the projects funded, including an account of the expenditures.


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(k) $550,000 the first year and $550,000 the second year are for water quality monitoring in watersheds with participants in the agricultural water quality certification program and watersheds targeted by the Board of Water and Soil Resources in order to develop baseline surface water quality information, including water quality data from areas located downstream from impacted areas.

 

(l) $375,000 the first year and $375,000 the second year are for developing wastewater treatment system designs and practices and providing technical assistance.  Of this amount, $145,000 each year is for transfer to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to provide ongoing support for design teams with scientific and technical expertise pertaining to wastewater management and treatment that will include representatives from the University of Minnesota, Pollution Control Agency, and municipal wastewater utilities and other wastewater engineering experts.  The design teams shall promote the use of new technology, designs, and practices to address existing and emerging wastewater treatment challenges, including the treatment of wastewater for reuse and the emergence of new and other unregulated contaminants.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.

 

(m) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are for grants to the Red River Watershed Management Board to enhance and expand the existing water quality and watershed monitoring river watch activities, including groundwater, in the schools in the Red River of the North Watershed.  The Red River Watershed Management Board shall provide a report to the commissioner and the chair and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance and policy and the clean water fund by February 15, 2015, on the expenditure of these funds.

 

(n) $50,000 the first year is for providing technical assistance to local units of government to address the impacts on water quality from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons resulting from the use of coal tar products.

 

(o) $40,000 the first year and $40,000 the second year are to support activities of the Clean Water Council according to Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.30, subdivision 1.

 

(p) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2015, as grants or contracts in this section are available until June 30, 2018.

 

Sec. 6.  DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

$14,460,000

 

$14,075,000

 

(a) $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the second year are for stream flow monitoring, including the installation of additional monitoring gauges, and monitoring necessary to determine the relationship between stream flow and groundwater.


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(b) $1,300,000 the first year and $1,300,000 the second year are for lake Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) assessments.

 

(c) $135,000 the first year and $135,000 the second year are for assessing mercury contamination of fish, including monitoring to track the status of waters impaired by mercury and mercury reduction efforts over time.

 

(d) $1,850,000 the first year and $1,850,000 the second year are for developing targeted, science-based watershed restoration and protection strategies, including regional technical assistance for TMDL plans and development of a watershed assessment tool, in cooperation with the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency.  By January 15, 2016, the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy and finance providing the outcomes to lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater achieved with this appropriation and recommendations.

 

(e) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are for water supply planning, aquifer protection, and monitoring activities.

 

(f) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are for technical assistance to support local implementation of nonpoint source restoration and protection activities, including water quality protection in forested watersheds.

 

(g) $675,000 the first year and $675,000 the second year are for applied research and tools, including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries, streams, and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality; and developing an ecological monitoring database.

 

(h) $615,000 the first year and $615,000 the second year are for developing county geologic atlases.

 

(i) $85,000 the first year is to develop design standards and best management practices for public water access sites to maintain and improve water quality by avoiding shoreline erosion and runoff.

 

(j) $3,500,000 the first year and $3,500,000 the second year are for beginning to develop and designate groundwater management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.287, subdivision 4.  The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency, health, and agriculture, shall establish a uniform statewide hydrogeologic mapping system that will include designated groundwater management areas.  The mapping system must include wellhead protection areas, special well construction


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areas, groundwater provinces, groundwater recharge areas, and other designated or geographical areas related to groundwater.  This mapping system shall be used to implement all groundwater-related laws and for reporting and evaluations.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017.

 

(k) $1,100,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are for grants to counties and other local units of government that have adopted advanced shoreland protection measures.  The grants awarded under this paragraph shall be for $100,000 and must be used to restore and enhance riparian areas to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams.  Grant recipients must submit a report to the commissioner on the outcomes achieved with the grant.  To be eligible for a grant under this paragraph, a county or other local unit of government must have adopted an ordinance for the subdivision, use, redevelopment, and development of shoreland that has been certified by the commissioner of natural resources as having advanced shoreland protection measures.  The commissioner shall only certify an ordinance that meets or exceeds the following standards:

 

(1) requires new sewage treatment systems to be set back at least 100 feet from the ordinary high water level for recreational development shorelands and 75 feet for general development lake shorelands;

 

(2) requires redevelopment and new development on shoreland to have at least a 50-foot vegetative buffer.  An access path and recreational use area may be allowed;

 

(3) requires mitigation when any variance to standards designed to protect lakes, rivers, and streams is granted;

 

(4) requires best management practices to be used to control storm water and sediment when 3,000 or more square feet are disturbed as part of a land alteration;

 

(5) includes other criteria developed by the commissioner; and

 

(6) has been adopted by July 1, 2015.

 

The commissioner may certify an ordinance that does not exceed all the standards in clauses (1) to (5) if the commissioner determines that the ordinance provides significantly greater protection for both waters and shoreland than those standards.

 

The commissioner of natural resources may develop additional criteria for the grants awarded under this paragraph.  In developing the criteria, the commissioner shall consider the proposed changes to the department's shoreland rules discussed during the rulemaking process authorized under Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 1, section 4, subdivision 3.  This appropriation is available until spent.


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(l) $100,000 the first year is for preparing and hosting groundwater management workshops to provide an update on scientific, technical, and other information regarding groundwater sustainability, use, and best management practices to groundwater management professionals and mayors or their designees in greater Minnesota.

 

(m) $100,000 the first year is for preparing and hosting, in consultation with the Metropolitan Council, groundwater management workshops to provide an update on scientific, technical, and other information regarding groundwater sustainability, use, and best management practices to groundwater management professionals and mayors or their designees in the metropolitan area.

 

(n) $25,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to evaluate the water quality impacts of hard rock aggregate mining on the headwaters of the Minnesota River.  The commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and local government by February 15, 2014.  Until the commissioner reports to the legislature the results of the commissioner's evaluation, no new hard rock aggregate mining permit may be issued for mining activity near the headwaters of the Minnesota River.  This paragraph is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 7.  BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES

$22,648,000

 

$24,470,000

 

(a) $5,000,000 the first year and $5,000,000 the second year are for grants to soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, and other joint powers organizations organized for the management of water in a watershed or subwatershed that have multiyear plans that will result in a significant reduction in water pollution in a selected subwatershed.  The grants may be used for the following purposes:  establishment of riparian buffers; practices to store water for natural treatment and infiltration, including rain gardens; capturing storm water for reuse; stream bank, shoreland, and ravine stabilization; enforcement activities; and implementation of best management practices for feedlots within riparian areas and other practices demonstrated to be most effective in protecting, enhancing, and restoring water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and protecting groundwater from degradation.  Grant recipients must provide a nonstate cash match of at least 25 percent of the total eligible project costs.  Grant recipients may use other legacy funds to supplement projects funded under this paragraph.  Prairie restorations conducted with funds awarded under this paragraph must include a diversity of species, including species selected to provide habitat for pollinators throughout the growing season, and protect existing native prairies from genetic contamination.  Grants awarded under this paragraph are available for four years and priority shall be given to the three to six best designed plans each


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year.  By January 15, 2016, the board shall submit an interim report on the outcomes achieved with this appropriation, including recommendations, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy and finance.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.

 

(b) $2,853,000 the first year and $4,675,000 the second year are for grants for the following purposes:  establishment of riparian buffers; practices to store water for natural treatment and infiltration, including rain gardens; capturing storm water for reuse; stream bank, shoreland, and ravine stabilization; enforcement activities; and implementation of best management practices for feedlots within riparian areas and other practices demonstrated to be most effective in protecting, enhancing, and restoring water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and protecting groundwater from degradation.

 

(c) $4,000,000 the first year and $4,000,000 the second year are for targeted local resource protection and enhancement grants for projects and practices that exceed current state standards for protection, enhancement, and restoration of water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or that protect groundwater from degradation.

 

(d) $900,000 the first year and $900,000 the second year are to provide state oversight and accountability, evaluate results, and measure the value of conservation program implementation by local governments, including submission to the legislature by March 1 each year an annual report prepared by the board, in consultation with the commissioners of natural resources, health, agriculture, and the Pollution Control Agency, detailing the recipients, projects funded under this section, and the amount of pollution reduced.

 

(e) $1,700,000 the first year and $1,700,000 the second year are for grants to local units of government to ensure compliance with Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103E, and sections 103F.401 to 103F.455, including enforcement efforts.  Of this amount, $235,000 the first year is to update the Minnesota Public Drainage Manual and the Minnesota Public Drainage Law Overview for Decision Makers and to provide outreach to users.

 

(f) $6,500,000 the first year and $6,500,000 the second year are to purchase and restore permanent conservation easements on riparian buffers adjacent to lakes, rivers, streams, and tributaries with a high risk of becoming impaired or that are currently impaired, to keep water on the land in order to decrease sediment, pollutant, and nutrient transport; reduce hydrologic impacts to surface waters; and increase infiltration for groundwater recharge.  This appropriation may be used for restoration of riparian buffers protected by easements purchased with this appropriation and for


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stream bank restorations when the riparian buffers have been restored.  Prairie restorations conducted with funds awarded under this paragraph must include a diversity of species, including species selected to provide habitat for pollinators throughout the growing season, and protect existing native prairies from genetic contamination.

 

(g) $1,400,000 the first year and $1,400,000 the second year are for permanent conservation easements on wellhead protection areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, subdivision 2, paragraph (d).  Priority must be placed on land that is located where the vulnerability of the drinking water supply is designated as high or very high by the commissioner of health.

 

(h) $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the second year are for a technical evaluation panel to conduct at least 20 restoration evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.50, subdivision 6.

 

(i) $120,000 the first year and $120,000 the second year are for grants to Area II Minnesota River Basin projects for floodplain management.

 

(j) The board shall contract for services with Conservation Corps Minnesota for restoration, maintenance, and other activities under this section for $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year.

 

(k) The board may adjust the technical and administrative assistance portion of the funds to leverage federal or other nonstate funds or to address oversight responsibilities or high-priority needs identified in local water management plans.

 

(l) The board shall require grantees to specify the outcomes that will be achieved by the grants prior to any grant awards and the board shall track the cumulative impacts and include those impacts in reports on the expenditure of clean water funds submitted to the legislature.

 

(m) The appropriations in this section are available until June 30, 2018.  Returned grant funds are available until expended and shall be regranted consistent with the purposes of this section.

 

Sec. 8.  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

 

$6,198,000

 

$6,198,000

 

(a) $1,300,000 the first year and $1,300,000 the second year are for addressing public health concerns related to contaminants found in Minnesota drinking water for which no health-based drinking water standards exist, including accelerating the development of health risk limits, including triclosan, and improving the capacity of the department's laboratory to analyze unregulated contaminants.


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(b) $1,615,000 the first year and $1,615,000 the second year are for protection of groundwater and surface water drinking water sources, including protection from viruses.

 

(c) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for cost share assistance to public and private well owners for up to 50 percent of the cost of sealing unused wells.

 

(d) $390,000 the first year and $390,000 the second year are to update and expand the County Well Index, in cooperation with the commissioner of natural resources.

 

(e) $325,000 the first year and $325,000 the second year are for studying the occurrence and magnitude of contaminants in private wells and developing guidance to ensure that new well placement minimizes the potential for risks, in cooperation with the commissioner of agriculture.

 

(f) $105,000 the first year and $105,000 the second year are for monitoring recreational beaches on Lake Superior for pollutants that may pose a public health risk and mitigating sources of bacterial contamination that are identified.

 

(g) $980,000 the first year and $980,000 the second year are for a biomonitoring program that will focus on children and disadvantaged communities to provide data on disparities in pollutant exposure and other measures necessary to assist with water quality management and protection decision making.

 

(h) $1,233,000 the first year and $1,233,000 the second year are for the development and implementation of a groundwater virus monitoring plan, including an epidemiological study to determine the association between groundwater virus concentration and community illness rates.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017.

 

(i) Unless otherwise specified, the appropriations in this section are available until June 30, 2016.

 

Sec. 9.  METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

 

$2,000,000

 

$1,500,000

 

(a) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for grants or loans for local inflow and infiltration reduction programs addressing high priority areas in the metropolitan area, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2.  This appropriation is available until expended.

 

(b) $500,000 the first year is for an agreement with the United States Geological Survey to investigate groundwater and surface water interaction in and around White Bear Lake and surrounding northeast metropolitan lakes, including seepage rate determinations,


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water quality of groundwater and surface water, isotope analyses, lake level analyses, water balance determination, and creation of a calibrated groundwater flow model.  The council shall use the results to prepare guidance for other areas to use in addressing groundwater and surface water interaction issues.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2016.

 

(c) $1,250,000 the first year and $1,250,000 the second year are for metropolitan regional groundwater planning to achieve water supply reliability and sustainability, including determination of a sustainable regional balance of surface water and groundwater, a feasibility assessment of potential solutions to rebalance regional water use and identify potential solutions to address emerging subregional water supply issues such as the northeast metro, and development of an implementation plan that addresses regional targets and timelines and defines short- and medium-term milestones for achieving the desirable surface water and groundwater regional balance.  By January 15, 2014, the commissioner shall submit an interim report on the expenditure of this appropriation to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance and policy and the clean water fund.

 

Sec. 10.  UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

 

$615,000

 

$615,000

 

$615,000 the first year and $615,000 the second year are for developing county geologic atlases.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.

 

Sec. 11.  LEGISLATURE

 

$14,000

 

$14,000

 

$14,000 the first year and $14,000 the second year are for the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the Web site required in Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10, including detailed mapping.

 

Sec. 12.  [17.9891] PURPOSE.

 

The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, may implement a Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program whereby a producer who demonstrates practices and management sufficient to protect water quality is certified for up to ten years and presumed to be contributing the producer's share of any targeted reduction of water pollutants during the certification period.  The program is voluntary.  The program will first be piloted in selected watersheds across the state, until such time as the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, determines the program is ready for expansion.

 

Sec. 13.  [17.9892] DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Application.  The definitions in this section apply to sections 17.9891 to 17.993.


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Subd. 2.  Technical assistance.  "Technical assistance" means professional, advisory, or cost share assistance provided to individuals in order to achieve certification.

 

Subd. 3.  Certifying agent.  "Certifying agent" means a person who is authorized by the commissioner to assess producers to determine whether a producer satisfies the standards of the program.

 

Subd. 4.  Certification.  "Certification" means a producer has demonstrated compliance with all applicable environmental rules and statutes for all of the producer's owned and rented agricultural land and has achieved a satisfactory score through the certification instrument as verified by a certifying agent.

 

Subd. 5.  Eligible land.  "Eligible land" means all acres of a producer's agricultural operation, whether contiguous or not, that are under the effective control of the producer at the time the producer enters into the program and that the producer operates with equipment, labor, and management.

 

Subd. 6.  Effective control.  "Effective control" means possession of land by ownership, written lease, or other legal agreement and authority to act as decision maker for the day-to-day management of the operation at the time the producer achieves certification and for the required certification period.

 

Subd. 7.  Program.  "Program" means the Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program.

 

Sec. 14.  [17.9893] CERTIFICATION INSTRUMENT.

 

The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, shall develop an analytical instrument to assess the water quality practices and management of agricultural operations.  This instrument shall be used to certify that the water quality practices and management of an agricultural operation are consistent with state water quality goals and standards.  The commissioner shall define a satisfactory score for certification purposes.  The certification instrument tool shall:

 

(1) integrate applicable existing regulatory requirements;

 

(2) utilize technology and prioritize ease of use;

 

(3) utilize a water quality index or score applicable to the landscape;

 

(4) incorporate a process for updates and revisions as practices, management, and technology changes become established and approved; and

 

(5) comprehensively address water quality impacts.

 

Sec. 15.  [17.9894] CERTIFYING AGENT LICENSE.

 

Subdivision 1.  License.  A person who offers certification services to producers as part of the program must satisfy all criteria in subdivision 2 and be licensed by the commissioner.  A certifying agent is ineligible to provide certification services to any producer to whom the certifying agent has also provided technical assistance.  Notwithstanding section 16A.1283, the commissioner may set license fees.

 

Subd. 2.  Certifying agent requirements.  In order to be licensed as a certifying agent, a person must:

 

(1) be an agricultural conservation professional employed by the state of Minnesota, a soil and water conservation district, or the Natural Resources Conservation Service or a Minnesota certified crop advisor as recognized by the American Society of Agronomy;


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(2) have passed a comprehensive exam, as set by the commissioner, evaluating knowledge of water quality, soil health, best farm management techniques, and the certification instrument; and

 

(3) maintain continuing education requirements as set by the commissioner.

 

Sec. 16.  [17.9895] DUTIES OF A CERTIFYING AGENT.

 

Subdivision 1.  Duties.  A certifying agent shall conduct a formal certification assessment utilizing the certification instrument to determine whether a producer meets program criteria.  If a producer satisfies all requirements, the certifying agent shall notify the commissioner of the producer's eligibility and request that the commissioner issue a certificate.  All records and documents used in the assessment shall be compiled by the certifying agent and submitted to the commissioner.

 

Subd. 2.  Violations.  (a) In the event a certifying agent violates any provision of sections 17.9891 to 17.993 or an order of the commissioner, the commissioner may issue a written warning or a correction order and may suspend or revoke a license.

 

(b) If the commissioner suspends or revokes a license, the certifying agent has ten days from the date of suspension or revocation to appeal.  If a certifying agent appeals, the commissioner shall hold an administrative hearing within 30 days of the suspension or revocation of the license, or longer by agreement of the parties, to determine whether the license is revoked or suspended.  The commissioner shall issue an opinion within 30 days.  If a person notifies the commissioner that the person intends to contest the commissioner's opinion, the Office of Administrative Hearings shall conduct a hearing in accordance with the applicable provisions of chapter 14 for hearings in contested cases.

 

Sec. 17.  [17.9896] CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES.

 

Subdivision 1.  Producer duties.  A producer who seeks certification of eligible land shall conduct an initial assessment using the certification instrument, obtain technical assistance if necessary to achieve a satisfactory score on the certification instrument, and apply for certification from a licensed certifying agent.

 

Subd. 2.  Additional land.  Once certified, if a producer obtains effective control of additional agricultural land, the producer must notify a certifying agent and obtain certification of the additional land within one year in order to retain the producer's original certification.

 

Subd. 3.  Violations.  (a) The commissioner may revoke a certification if the producer fails to obtain certification on any additional land for which the producer obtains effective control.

 

(b) The commissioner may revoke a certification and seek reimbursement of any monetary benefit a producer may have received due to certification from a producer who fails to maintain certification criteria.

 

(c) If the commissioner revokes a certification, the producer has ten days from the date of suspension or revocation to appeal.  If a producer appeals, the commissioner shall hold an administrative hearing within 30 days of the suspension or revocation of the certification, or longer by agreement of the parties, to determine whether the certification is revoked or suspended.  The commissioner shall issue an opinion within 30 days.  If the producer notifies the commissioner that the producer intends to contest the commissioner's opinion, the Office of Administrative Hearings shall conduct a hearing in accordance with the applicable provisions of chapter 14 for hearings in contested cases.


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Sec. 18.  [17.9897] CERTIFICATION CERTAINTY.

 

(a) Once a producer is certified, the producer:

 

(1) retains certification for up to ten years from the date of certification if the producer complies with the certification agreement, even if the producer does not comply with new state water protection laws or rules that take effect during the certification period;

 

(2) is presumed to be meeting the producer's contribution to any targeted reduction of pollutants during the certification period;

 

(3) is required to continue implementation of practices that maintain the producer's certification; and

 

(4) is required to retain all records pertaining to certification.

 

(b) Paragraph (a) does not preclude enforcement of a local ordinance or rule by a local unit of government.

 

Sec. 19.  [17.9898] AUDITS.

 

The commissioner shall perform random audits of producers and certifying agents to ensure compliance with the program.  All producers and certifying agents shall cooperate with the commissioner during these audits and provide all relevant documents to the commissioner for inspection and copying.  Any delay, obstruction, or refusal to cooperate with the commissioner's audit or falsification of or failure to provide required data or information is a violation subject to the provisions of section 17.9895, subdivision 2, or 17.9896, subdivision 3.

 

Sec. 20.  [17.9899] DATA.

 

All data collected under the program that identifies a producer or a producer's location are considered nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 9, or private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12.  The commissioner shall make available summary data of program outcomes on data classified as private or nonpublic under this section.

 

Sec. 21.  [17.991] RULEMAKING.

 

The commissioner may adopt rules to implement the program.

 

Sec. 22.  [17.992] REPORTS.

 

The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, shall issue a biennial report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agricultural policy on the status of the program.

 

Sec. 23.  [17.993] FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

 

The commissioner may use contributions from gifts or other state accounts, provided that the purpose of the expenditure is consistent with the purpose of the accounts, for grants, loans, or other financial assistance.

 

Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 114D.50, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Restoration evaluations.  The Board of Water and Soil Resources may convene a technical evaluation panel comprised of five members, including one technical representative from the Board of Water and Soil Resources, one technical representative from the Department of Natural Resources, one technical expert from the


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University of Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and two representatives with expertise related to the project being evaluated.  The board may add a technical representative from a unit of federal or local government.  The members of the technical evaluation panel may not be associated with the restoration, may vary depending upon the projects being reviewed, and shall avoid any potential conflicts of interest.  Each year, the board may assign a coordinator to identify a sample of up to ten habitat restoration projects completed with clean water funding.  The coordinator shall secure the restoration plans for the projects specified and direct the technical evaluation panel to evaluate the restorations relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan and, when applicable, to the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation establishment and enhancement guidelines.  The coordinator shall summarize the findings of the panel and provide a report to the chairs of the respective house of representatives and senate policy and finance committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and spending from the clean water fund.  The report shall determine if the restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations.  The report shall be focused on improving future restorations.  Up to one-tenth of one percent of forecasted receipts from the clean water fund may be used for restoration evaluations under this section.

 

Sec. 25.  PUBLIC WATER ACCESS SITE DESIGN AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

 

Beginning March 1, 2014, the commissioner of natural resources shall utilize the applicable design standards and best management practices developed under this article when designing and constructing new public water access sites and renovating existing sites.  The commissioner shall make the design standards and best management practices developed under this article available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site and notify local units of government of the standards and practices.

 

ARTICLE 2

PARKS AND TRAILS FUND

 

Section 1.  PARKS AND TRAILS FUND APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the parks and trails fund and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2014" and "2015" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, or June 30, 2015, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2014.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2015.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2014 and 2015.  All appropriations in this article are onetime.

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2014

2015

 

Sec. 2.  PARKS AND TRAILS

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$41,611,000

 

$41,880,000

 

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

 

Subd. 2.  Availability of Appropriation

 

 

 

 

 

Money appropriated in this article may not be spent on activities unless they are directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation and the recipient retains documentation sufficient to


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justify the use of the funds.  Money appropriated in this article must be spent in accordance with Minnesota Management and Budget's Guidance to Agencies on Legacy Fund Expenditure.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, and unless otherwise specified in this article, fiscal year 2014 appropriations are available until June 30, 2015, and fiscal year 2015 appropriations are available until June 30, 2016.  If a project receives federal funds, the time period of the appropriation is extended to equal the availability of federal funding.

 

Sec. 3.  DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

$23,851,000

 

$23,787,000

 

(a) $7,975,000 the first year and $5,695,000 the second year are for state parks and trails projects.  Of this amount:

 

(1) $400,000 is for the Rat River Bridge on the Arrowhead State Trail;

 

(2) $250,000 is for the Brown's Creek State Trail, including interpretive signs, invasive species control, and regional trail connections;

 

(3) $300,000 is for a segment of the Central Lakes State Trail from Fergus Falls to Ashby/Lake Christina;

 

(4) $500,000 is for the Hadley Bridge on the Gateway State Trail;

 

(5) $750,000 is for a segment of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail from Beaver Bay to West Road;

 

(6) $850,000 is for the Steamboat Loop on the Heartland State Trail;

 

(7) $750,000 is for the Steamboat River Bridge on the Heartland State Trail;

 

(8) $400,000 is for the Fish Hook River Red Bridge in Park Rapids on the Heartland State Trail;

 

(9) $20,000 is for a trail in Itasca State Park;

 

(10) $200,000 is for a trail from Park Rapids to Itasca State Park;

 

(11) $300,000 is for acquisition of a trail segment from Faribault to Dundas for the Mill Towns State Trail;

 

(12) $800,000 is for a bridge building over the Cannon River in Faribault for the Mills Town State Trail;

 

(13) $300,000 is for a segment of the Minnesota Valley State Trail from Shakopee Memorial Park to Bloomington Ferry Bridge;


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(14) $2,500,000 is for a segment of the Minnesota Valley State Trail from Bloomington Ferry Bridge to Fort Snelling State Park;

 

(15) $300,000 is for the Moose Horn River Bridge No. 1 on the Willard Munger State Trail;

 

(16) $75,000 is for the Paul Bunyan State Trail near Clausen Avenue;

 

(17) $500,000 is for a segment of the Paul Bunyan State Trail from Crow Wing State Park;

 

(18) $75,000 is for interpretive signs on the Root River State Trail;

 

(19) $1,750,000 is for a segment of the Root River State Trail from Whalen to Rushford;

 

(20) $2,250,000 is for a segment of the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail from Waterville to Mankato; and

 

(21) $400,000 is for a segment of the Shooting Star State Trail from Rose Creek to Austin.

 

(b) $1,549,000 the first year and $1,549,000 the second year are for education and interpretive services at state parks, recreation areas, and trails.

 

(c) $643,000 the first year and $643,000 the second year are for outreach, including enhanced, integrated, and accessible Web-based information for park and trail users; joint marketing and promotional efforts for all parks and trails of regional or statewide significance; and support of activities of a parks and trails legacy advisory committee.

 

(d) $1,500,000 the first year is for acquisition of land for Lake Bronson State Park, Sibley State Park, and Minneopa State Park.

 

(e) $1,000,000 the first year and $2,140,000 the second year are for improvements at state parks and state recreation areas, including a new visitor center at Tettegouche State Park, renewable energy improvements, and new camper cabins.

 

(f) $720,000 the second year is for campground upgrades at Whitewater State Park.

 

(g) $1,933,000 the first year and $3,934,000 the second year are for improvements at state parks and state recreation areas, including conversion of facilities to rental facilities, replacement of vault toilets and fishing piers, renewable energy improvements, and accessibility improvements.


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(h) $829,000 the first year and $830,000 the second year are for restoration and enhancement activities at state parks and state recreation areas, including invasive species management on approximately 13,800 acres, native plant restorations on approximately 1,800 acres, and implementation of best management practices at approximately 50 public water access sites.

 

(i) $4,925,000 the first year and $4,938,000 the second year are for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.535, to acquire, develop, improve, and restore parks and trails of regional or statewide significance outside of the metropolitan area, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2.  Up to 2.5 percent of the total appropriation may be used for administering the grants.

 

(j) $3,497,000 the first year and $3,338,000 the second year are for grants for parks and trails of regional or statewide significance outside of the metropolitan area.  Of this amount:

 

(1) $1,338,000 is for development of the Swedish Immigrant Trail, including amenities in Taylors Falls connecting the trail to Interstate State Park;

 

(2) $75,000 is for rehabilitation of Sunrise Prairie Trail;

 

(3) $500,000 is for construction of the Lowell to Lakewalk Trail in Duluth;

 

(4) $250,000 is for the Mesabi Trail;

 

(5) $920,000 is for extensions and connections to the Rocori Trail;

 

(6) $1,000,000 is for extensions and connections to the Lake Wobegon Trail;

 

(7) $100,000 is for the Beaver Bay Trail, including trailhead amenities;

 

(8) $468,000 is for extension of the Dakota Rail Trail to Lester Prairie;

 

(9) $1,000,000 is for the Red Wing Riverfront;

 

(10) $184,000 is for trail connections and camping facilities in Aitkin County for the Mississippi River parks and water trail project; and

 

(11) $1,000,000 is for trail enhancement, land acquisition, and other improvements at Sauk River Regional Park.


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(k) The commissioner shall contract for services with Conservation Corps Minnesota for restoration, maintenance, and other activities under this section for at least $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year.  A recipient of a grant awarded under this section must give consideration to and make timely written contact with Conservation Corps Minnesota for possible use of the corps' services to contract for restoration and enhancement services.  For projects with the potential to need historic preservation services, the commissioner or a recipient of a grant awarded under this section must give consideration to and make timely written contact with the Northern Bedrock Conservation Corps for possible use of the corps' services.

 

Sec. 4.  METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

 

$17,755,000

 

$18,088,000

 

(a) $17,755,000 the first year and $18,088,000 the second year are for parks and trails of regional or statewide significance in the metropolitan area, distributed according to paragraphs (b) to (k).

 

(b) $1,490,000 the first year and $1,541,000 the second year are for grants to Anoka County for:

 

(1) a trail connection for Bunker Hills Regional Park from Avocet Street;

 

(2) restoration, including erosion repair, along Pleasure Creek and the Mississippi River Regional Trail at the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park;

 

(3) a new playground and surfacing at Lake George Regional Park;

 

(4) land acquisition for the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve;

 

(5) improvements at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, including maintenance shop rehabilitation, road and parking construction, fencing, beach improvements, and roof repairs;

 

(6) trail reconstruction under East River Road on the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve;

 

(7) contracts with Conservation Corps Minnesota;

 

(8) a volunteer or resource coordinator position;

 

(9) a landscape designer or architect;

 

(10) design, engineering, and construction of the Central Anoka County Regional Trail;

 

(11) road rehabilitation at Lake George Regional Park;


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(12) reconstruction of a retaining wall on the Mississippi River Regional Trail;

 

(13) a trail connection on the Mississippi River Regional Trail to connect Mississippi West Regional Park to the city of Ramsey;

 

(14) improvements of the Heritage Laboratory/Day Camp at the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve; and

 

(15) trail reconstruction on the Rice Creek North Regional Trail from Lexington Avenue to Golden Lake Elementary School.

 

(c) $273,000 the first year and $283,000 the second year are for grants to the city of Bloomington to reconstruct parking lots at the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve.

 

(d) $347,000 the first year and $361,000 the second year are for grants to Carver County to connect the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail and Southwest Regional Trail and for trail and bridge construction on the Minnesota River Bluff Regional Trail.

 

(e) $1,235,000 the first year and $1,277,000 the second year are for grants to Dakota County for:

 

(1) engineering to extend the Mississippi River Regional Trail and Big Rivers Regional Trails, including extensions to St. Paul, and to provide a connection to Lilydale Regional Trail;

 

(2) a trail connection for the Mississippi River Regional Trail to connect St. Paul and to construct a bridge over railroad tracks;

 

(3) engineering and construction of regional trail segments throughout the county;

 

(4) engineering and construction of a bridge and trails through the Minnesota Zoological Garden on the North Creek Regional Greenway; and

 

(5) resource management of the county's park and trail system.

 

(f) $5,595,000 the first year and $5,256,000 the second are for grants to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for:

 

(1) design and construction of trail loops, river access areas, landscapes, and storm water management improvements at Above the Falls Regional Park;

 

(2) land acquisition at Above the Falls Regional Park;

 

(3) a master plan and trail design for Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park;


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(4) design and construction of outdoor adventure recreational facilities in the Central Riverfront;

 

(5) trail, path, and shoreline improvements and play area rehabilitation at Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park;

 

(6) trail, shoreline, water access, picnic, sail boat facility, and concession improvements at Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park;

 

(7) a bird sanctuary, trail stabilization, habitat restoration, accessibility improvements, and construction of new entrances at Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park; and

 

(8) a trail connection for the Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail below Lyndale Avenue.

 

(g) $1,228,000 the first year and $1,523,000 the second year are for grants to Ramsey County for:

 

(1) wayfinding for cross-country ski trails at Battle Creek Regional Park, Tamarack Nature Center, and Grass-Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park;

 

(2) contracts with Conservation Corps Minnesota;

 

(3) design and construction of an early learning center at Tamarack Nature Center and pedestrian connections, landscape restoration, signage, and other site amenities at Bald Eagle-Otter Lakes Regional Park;

 

(4) improvements to Tamarack Nature Center;

 

(5) building and supporting a volunteer corps for Tamarack Nature Center and Discovery Hollow;

 

(6) trail development to connect Tamarack Nature Center to the Otter Lake boat launch;

 

(7) a trail on Vadnais Lake, storm water management improvements, and site amenities at Grass-Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park;

 

(8) trail development and connection, storm water management improvements, and site amenities at Rice Creek North Regional Trail; and

 

(9) the Bruce Vento Regional Trail.

 

(h) $2,424,000 the first year and $2,507,000 the second year are for grants to the city of Saint Paul for:

 

(1) an education coordinator;


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(2) a volunteer coordinator;

 

(3) Como Regional Park shuttle operation;

 

(4) a trail connection to connect Harriet Island to the Mississippi Regional Trail;

 

(5) Estabrook Road reconstruction and lighting upgrades at Como Regional Park; and

 

(6) a trail connection and railroad bridge reconstruction at Lilydale Regional Park.

 

(i) $620,000 the first year and $640,000 the second year are for grants to Scott County for an entrance road, parking, and trails at Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park.

 

(j) $3,667,000 the first year and $3,796,000 the second year are for grants to Three Rivers Park District for:

 

(1) a trail connection to connect Grand Rounds to Nine Mile Creek Trail;

 

(2) a trail bridge over County State-Aid Highway 19 for the Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail;

 

(3) trail construction on the Crystal Lake Regional Trail;

 

(4) trail construction on the Bassett Creek Regional Trail;

 

(5) trail construction on the Twin Lakes Regional Trail; and

 

(6) trail construction on the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail.

 

(k) $876,000 the first year and $904,000 the second year are for grants to Washington County for:

 

(1) parking, buildings, and other improvements at Swim Pond;

 

(2) a trail connection that connects the Point Douglas Regional Trail to Wisconsin; and

 

(3) improvements to Hardwood Creek Regional Trail, including extending the trail towards Bald Eagle Regional Park.

 

(l) A recipient of a grant awarded under this section must give consideration to and make timely written contact with Conservation Corps Minnesota for possible use of corps services to contract for restoration and enhancement services.  For projects with the potential to need historic preservation services, a recipient of a grant awarded under this section must give consideration to and make timely written contact with the Northern Bedrock Conservation Corps for possible use of the corps' services.


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Sec. 5.  LEGISLATURE

 

$5,000

 

$5,000

 

$5,000 the first year and $5,000 the second year are for the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the Web site required in Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10, including detailed mapping.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 35, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 35.  Public official.  "Public official" means any:

 

(1) member of the legislature;

 

(2) individual employed by the legislature as secretary of the senate, legislative auditor, chief clerk of the house of representatives, revisor of statutes, or researcher, legislative analyst, or attorney in the Office of Senate Counsel and Research or House Research;

 

(3) constitutional officer in the executive branch and the officer's chief administrative deputy;

 

(4) solicitor general or deputy, assistant, or special assistant attorney general;

 

(5) commissioner, deputy commissioner, or assistant commissioner of any state department or agency as listed in section 15.01 or 15.06, or the state chief information officer;

 

(6) member, chief administrative officer, or deputy chief administrative officer of a state board or commission that has either the power to adopt, amend, or repeal rules under chapter 14, or the power to adjudicate contested cases or appeals under chapter 14;

 

(7) individual employed in the executive branch who is authorized to adopt, amend, or repeal rules under chapter 14 or adjudicate contested cases under chapter 14;

 

(8) executive director of the State Board of Investment;

 

(9) deputy of any official listed in clauses (7) and (8);

 

(10) judge of the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals;

 

(11) administrative law judge or compensation judge in the State Office of Administrative Hearings or unemployment law judge in the Department of Employment and Economic Development;

 

(12) member, regional administrator, division director, general counsel, or operations manager of the Metropolitan Council;

 

(13) member or chief administrator of a metropolitan agency;

 

(14) director of the Division of Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement in the Department of Public Safety;

 

(15) member or executive director of the Higher Education Facilities Authority;

 

(16) member of the board of directors or president of Enterprise Minnesota, Inc.;


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(17) member of the board of directors or executive director of the Minnesota State High School League;

 

(18) member of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority established in section 473.755;

 

(19) citizen member of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources;

 

(20) manager of a watershed district, or member of a watershed management organization as defined under section 103B.205, subdivision 13;

 

(21) supervisor of a soil and water conservation district;

 

(22) director of Explore Minnesota Tourism;

 

(23) citizen member of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council established in section 97A.056;

 

(24) citizen member of the Clean Water Council established in section 114D.30; or

 

(25) member or chief executive of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority established in section 473J.07; or

 

(26) member of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission.

 

Sec. 7.  [85.536] GREATER MINNESOTA REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION.

 

Subdivision 1.  Establishment; purpose.  The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission is created to undertake system planning and provide recommendations to the legislature for grants funded by the parks and trails fund to counties and cities outside of the seven-county metropolitan area for parks and trails of regional significance.

 

Subd. 2.  Commission.  The commission shall include 12 members appointed by the governor representing each of the regional parks and trails districts determined under subdivision 3.  Membership terms, compensation, removal of members, and filling of vacancies are as provided in section 15.0575.

 

Subd. 3.  Districts; plans and hearings.  (a) The commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Coalition, shall establish 12 regional parks and trails districts in the state encompassing the area outside the seven-county metropolitan area.  The commissioner shall establish districts by combining counties and may not assign a county to more than one district.

 

(b) Counties within each district may jointly prepare, after consultation with all affected municipalities, and submit to the commission, and from time to time revise and resubmit to the commission, a master plan for the acquisition and development of parks and trails of regional significance located within the district.  The counties, after consultation with the commission, shall jointly hold a public hearing on the proposed plan and budget at a time and place determined by the counties.  Not less than 15 days before the hearing, the counties shall provide notice of the hearing stating the date, time, and place of the hearing, and the place where the proposed plan and budget may be examined by any interested person.  At any hearing, interested persons shall be permitted to present their views on the plan and budget.

 

(c) The commission shall review each master plan to determine whether it meets the conditions of subdivision 4.  If it does not, the commission shall return the plan with its comments to the district for revision and resubmittal.


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Subd. 4.  Regional significance.  For a park or trail to be considered of regional significance under this section:

 

(1) the park or trail must be natural resource-based;

 

(2) at least 30 percent of the park or trail user visits in a calendar year must be from users who do not reside within the area of jurisdiction of the governmental unit that has the financial and legal responsibility to own, operate, and maintain the park or trail;

 

(3) the total usage of the park or trail must exceed 20,000 visitors in a one-year period.  Park or trail attendance may be demonstrated by validated survey methods, actual user data statistics, or another objective and quantifiable measure that is accurate and reliable;

 

(4) for parks, the park must be at least 100 acres in size; and

 

(5) for trails, the trail connects or will connect to existing state or regional trails as demonstrated by the applicant.

 

Subd. 5.  Recommendations.  (a) The commission shall submit biennial recommendations on appropriations of money from the parks and trails fund to the legislature no later than January 15 each odd-numbered year.  The commission may submit supplemental recommendations by January 15 in even-numbered years.

 

(b) In recommending grants under this section, the commission shall make recommendations consistent with master plans.

 

(c) The commission shall determine recommended grant amounts through an adopted merit-based evaluation process that includes the level of local financial support.  The evaluation process is not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.

 

(d) When recommending grants, the commission shall consider balance of the grant benefits across greater Minnesota.  Grant requests offering a nonstate match of at least 25 percent of the total eligible project costs shall be preferred.

 

(e) Grants may be recommended only for:

 

(1) parks and trails included in a plan approved by the commission under subdivision 3; and

 

(2) trails that connect or will connect to existing state or regional trails as demonstrated by the applicant.

 

Subd. 6.  Administration.  The Department of Natural Resources shall provide administrative support for the commission.

 

Subd. 7.  Chair.  The commission shall annually elect from among its members a chair and other officers necessary for the performance of its duties.

 

Subd. 8.  Meetings.  The commission shall meet at least twice each year.  Commission meetings are subject to chapter 13D.

 

Subd. 9.  Conflict of interest.  A member of the commission may not participate in or vote on a decision of the commission relating to an organization in which the member has either a direct or indirect financial interest.

 

Subd. 10.  Definition.  For purposes of this section, "commission" means the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under this section.


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Sec. 8.  MISSISSIPPI WHITEWATER PARK.

 

The appropriation in Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 1, section 5, subdivision 6, from the water recreation account in the natural resources fund for a cooperative project with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to develop the Mississippi Whitewater Park is available until June 30, 2018."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to natural resources; appropriating money from clean water fund and parks and trails fund; providing for agricultural water quality certification; modifying provisions for restoration evaluations; requiring use of certain standards for public water access sites; establishing Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission; extending previous appropriation; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 10A.01, subdivision 35; 114D.50, subdivision 6; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 17; 85."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Legacy.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Mahoney from the Committee on Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 729, A bill for an act relating to state government; proposing the governor's budget for jobs and economic development; increasing certain fees; streamlining construction inspections; creating the Minnesota job creation fund; expanding the Minnesota Trade Offices; creating STEP grants; reducing the unemployment insurance tax; creating the transportation economic development assistance program; repealing the Minnesota Science and Technology Authority; requiring reports; appropriating money to various departments, agencies, and boards; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 116J.8731, subdivisions 2, 3; 326B.184, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 326B.37, by adding a subdivision; 326B.49, subdivisions 2, 3; 341.321; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 116W.01; 116W.02; 116W.03; 116W.035; 116W.04; 116W.05; 116W.06; 116W.20; 116W.21; 116W.23; 116W.24; 116W.25; 116W.26; 116W.27; 116W.28; 116W.29; 116W.30; 116W.31; 116W.32; 116W.33; 116W.34; Minnesota Rules, part 1307.0032.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS

 

Section 1.  JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

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

 

 

 

2014

 

2015

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

 

$77,899,000

 

$75,301,000

 

$153,200,000

Workforce Development

 

17,476,000

 

17,476,000

 

34,952,000

Remediation

 

700,000

 

700,000

 

1,400,000

Workers' Compensation

 

22,784,000

 

22,574,000

 

45,358,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$118,859,000

 

$116,051,000

 

$234,910,000


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Sec. 2.  JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2014" and "2015" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, or June 30, 2015, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2014.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2015.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2014

2015

 

Sec. 3.  DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$87,788,000

 

$86,255,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2014

2015

 

 

 

General

70,641,000

69,108,000

Remediation

700,000

700,000

Workforce Development

16,447,000

16,447,000

 

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

 

Subd. 2.  Business and Community Development

 

36,590,000

 

35,610,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

35,890,000

34,910,000

Remediation

700,000

700,000

 

(a)(1) $10,000,000 each year is for the Minnesota investment fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8731.  This appropriation is available until spent.  The base funding for this appropriation is $13,750,000 each year in the fiscal year 2016-2017 biennium.

 

(2) Of the amount available under clause (1), up to $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2014 is for a loan to facilitate initial investment in the purchase and operation of a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility.  This loan is not subject to the loan limitations under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8731, and shall be forgiven by the commissioner of employment and economic development upon verification of meeting performance goals.  Purchases related to and for the purposes of this loan award must be made between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2015.  The amount under this clause is available until expended.


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(3) Of the amount available under clause (1), up to $2,000,000 is available for subsequent investment in the biopharmaceutical facility project in clause (2).  The amount under this clause is available until expended.  Loan thresholds under clause (2) must be achieved and maintained to receive funding.  Loans are not subject to the loan limitations under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8731, and shall be forgiven by the commissioner of employment and economic development upon verification of meeting performance goals.  Purchases related to and for the purposes of loan awards must be made during the biennium the loan was received.

 

(4) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in this paragraph shall be deemed eligible for the Minnesota job creation fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8748. 

 

(5) For purposes of clauses (1) to (4), "biopharmaceutical" and "biologics" are interchangeable and mean medical drugs or medicinal preparations produced using technology that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives of living organisms, to make or modify products or processes for specific use.  The medical drugs or medicinal preparations include but are not limited to proteins, antibodies, nucleic acids, and vaccines.

 

(b) $6,000,000 the first year and $12,500,000 the second year are for the Minnesota job creation fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8748.  Of this amount, the commissioner of employment and economic development may use up to three percent for administrative expenses.  This appropriation is available until spent.

 

(c) $1,272,000 the first year and $1,272,000 the second year are from the general fund for contaminated site cleanup and development grants under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116J.551 to 116J.558.

 

(d) $700,000 the first year and $700,000 the second year are from the remediation fund for contaminated site cleanup and development grants under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116J.551 to 116J.558.  This appropriation is available until expended.

 

(e) $1,425,000 the first year and $1,425,000 the second year are from the general fund for the business development competitive grant program.  Of this amount, up to five percent is for administration and monitoring of the business development competitive grant program.  All grant awards shall be for two consecutive years.  Grants shall be awarded in the first year.

 

(f) $5,320,000 each year is 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. 


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This appropriation is available until spent.  The general fund base for this program is $4,195,000 each year in the fiscal year 2016-2017 biennium.

 

(g) $5,580,000 the first year is from the general fund for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.571, for the redevelopment program.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until spent.

 

(h) $1,900,000 the first year is from the general fund for a onetime grant to the Minnesota Film and TV Board for the film production jobs program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116U.26.  This appropriation is available until expended.

 

(i) $375,000 each year is from the general fund for a grant to Enterprise Minnesota, Inc., for the small business growth acceleration program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116O.115.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(j) $200,000 each year is from the general fund for a grant to develop and implement a southern and southwestern Minnesota initiative foundation collaborative pilot project.  Funds available under this paragraph must be used to support and develop entrepreneurs in diverse populations in southern and southwestern Minnesota.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended. 

 

(k) $100,000 each year is from the general fund for the Center for Rural Policy and Development.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

Subd. 3.  Workforce Development

 

14,726,000

 

14,108,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

5,134,000

4,516,000

Workforce Development

9,592,000

9,592,000

 

(a) $1,039,000 each year from the general fund and $2,244,000 each year from the workforce development fund are for the adult workforce development competitive grant program.  Of this amount, up to five percent is for administration and monitoring of the adult workforce development competitive grant program.  All grant awards shall be for two consecutive years.  Grants shall be awarded in the first year.

 

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

 

(c) $1,000,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for the youthbuild program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.361 to 116L.366.


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(d) $570,000 each year is from the general fund and $2,848,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for the youth workforce development competitive grant program.  Of this amount, up to five percent is for administration and monitoring of the youth workforce development competitive grant program.  All grant awards shall be for two consecutive years.  Grants shall be awarded in the first year.

 

(e) $2,500,000 each year is from the general fund for a grant to the Minnesota FastTRAC program.  Up to ten percent of this appropriation may be used to provide leadership, oversight, and technical assistance services.  The base funding for this program shall be $2,225,000 each year in the fiscal year 2016-2017 biennium.

 

(f) $507,000 the first year and $407,000 the second year are from the general fund for a grant to the Minnesota High Tech Association to support SciTechsperience, a program that supports science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) internship opportunities for two- and four-year college and university students in their field of study.  The internship opportunities must match students with paid internships within STEM disciplines at small, for-profit companies located in the seven-county metropolitan area, with fewer than 150 total employees, or at small or medium, for-profit companies located outside of the seven-county metropolitan area, with fewer than 250 total employees.  At least 125 students must be matched in the first year and at least 175 students must be matched in the second year.  Selected hiring companies shall receive from the grant 50 percent of the wages paid to the intern, capped at $2,500 per intern.  Of this appropriation, at least 50 percent of the student interns must be women or other underserved populations.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

(g) $450,000 the first year is from the general fund for the foreign-trained health care professionals grant program modeled after the pilot program conducted under Laws 2006, chapter 282, article 11, section 2, subdivision 12, to encourage state licensure of foreign-trained health care professionals, including:  physicians, with preference given to primary care physicians who commit to practicing for at least five years after licensure in underserved areas of the state; nurses; dentists; pharmacists; mental health professionals; and other allied health care professionals.  The commissioner must collaborate with health-related licensing boards and Minnesota workforce centers to award grants to foreign-trained health care professionals sufficient to cover the actual costs of taking a course to prepare health care professionals for required licensing examinations and the fee for the state licensing examinations.  When awarding grants, the commissioner must consider the following factors:

 

(1) whether the recipient's training involves a medical specialty that is in high demand in one or more communities in the state;


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(2) whether the recipient commits to practicing in a designated rural area or an underserved urban community, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 144.1501;

 

(3) whether the recipient's language skills provide an opportunity for needed health care access for underserved Minnesotans; and

 

(4) any additional criteria established by the commissioner.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

(h) $68,000 the first year from the general fund is for a grant to Olmsted County for employment supports and independent living services to county residents diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Asperger's syndrome, nonverbal learning disorders, and pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified, and for education, outreach, and support services to area employers to encourage the hiring and promotion of workers with high-functioning autism, Asperger's syndrome, nonverbal learning disorders, and pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

Subd. 4.  General Support Services

 

1,509,000

 

1,604,000

 

(a) $150,000 each year is from the general fund for the cost-of-living study required under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.013.

 

(b) $250,000 each year is from the general fund for the publication, dissemination, and use of labor market information under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.4011.

 

Subd. 5.  Minnesota Trade Office

 

2,322,000

 

2,292,000

 

(a) $330,000 in fiscal year 2014 and $300,000 in fiscal year 2015 are for the STEP grants in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.979.  Of the fiscal year 2014 appropriation, $30,000 is for establishing trade and export relations between the state of Minnesota and east African nations.

 

(b) $180,000 in fiscal year 2014 and $180,000 in fiscal year 2015 are for the Invest Minnesota marketing initiative in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.9801.  Notwithstanding any other law, this provision does not expire.

 

(c) $270,000 each year is from the general fund for the expansion of Minnesota Trade Offices under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.978.

 

(d) $50,000 each year is from the general fund for the trade policy advisory group under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.9661.


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(e) The commissioner of employment and economic development, in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture, shall identify and increase export opportunities for Minnesota agricultural products.

 

Subd. 6.  Vocational Rehabilitation

 

26,716,000

 

26,716,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

19,861,000

19,861,000

Workforce Development

6,855,000

6,855,000

 

(a) $10,800,000 each year is from the general fund for the state's vocational rehabilitation program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268A.

 

(b) $2,261,000 each year is from the general fund for grants to centers for independent living under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.11.

 

(c) $5,245,000 each year from the general fund and $6,830,000 each year from the workforce development fund are for extended employment services for persons with severe disabilities under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.15.

 

(d) $1,555,000 each year is from the general fund for grants to programs that provide employment support services to persons with mental illness under Minnesota Statutes, sections 268A.13 and 268A.14.

 

(e) $25,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for grants to programs that provide employment support services to persons with mental illness under Minnesota Statutes, sections 268A.13 and 268A.14.  At least 50 percent of the funding must be used for projects that use the evidence-based practice of individual placement and supports.  Grants may be used for special projects for young people with mental illness transitioning from school to work or experiencing a first psychotic episode.

 

Subd. 7.  Services for the Blind

 

5,925,000

 

5,925,000

 

Subd. 8.  Competitive grant limitations. 

 

 

 

 

 

An organization that receives a direct appropriation under this section is not eligible to participate in competitive grant programs under this section during the fiscal years in which the direct appropriations are received.


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Sec. 4.  DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$23,859,000

 

$22,948,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2014

2015

 

 

 

General

1,959,000

1,048,000

Workers' Compensation

20,871,000

20,871,000

Workforce Development

1,029,000

1,029,000

 

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

 

Subd. 2.  Workers' Compensation

 

10,678,000

 

10,678,000

 

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

 

$200,000 each year is for grants to the Vinland Center for rehabilitation services.  Grants shall be distributed as the department refers injured workers to the Vinland Center for rehabilitation services.

 

Subd. 3.  Labor Standards and Apprenticeship

 

2,988,000

 

2,077,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

1,959,000

1,048,000

Workforce Development

1,029,000

1,029,000

 

(a) $816,000 each year is from the general fund for the labor standards and apprenticeship program.

 

(b) $150,000 each year is from the general fund for a child labor initiative for expanding education and outreach to high schools and targeted industries to ensure minors entering the workforce are safe.

 

(c) $879,000 each year is appropriated from the workforce development fund for the apprenticeship program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 178, and includes $100,000 for labor education and advancement program grants and to expand and promote registered apprenticeship training in nonconstruction trade programs.

 

(d) $150,000 each year is appropriated from the workforce development fund for prevailing wage enforcement.

 

(e) $70,000 in the second year is from the general fund for implementing and administering a minimum wage inflation adjustment.  This appropriation is available only if a law is enacted in 2013 that includes an automatic inflation adjustment to the state minimum wage.  The availability of this appropriation is effective in the same fiscal year that the inflation adjustment is first effective.


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(f) $987,000 in fiscal year 2014 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of labor and industry for the purposes of the job-based education and apprenticeship program (JEAP) for manufacturing industries under article 2.  This appropriation is available until spent.  Of this appropriation:

 

(1) $330,000 is for the commissioner of labor and industry to implement JEAP; and

 

(2) $657,000 is for transfer to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for grants to administer the JEAP related instruction component, to be dispersed as follows:

 

(i) $187,000 is for Alexandria Technical and Community College's Customized Training Center;

 

(ii) $380,000 is for Century College;

 

(iii) $45,000 is for Hennepin Technical College; and

 

(iv) $45,000 is for Central Lakes College.

 

Subd. 4.  Workplace Safety

 

4,154,000

 

4,154,000

 

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

 

Subd. 5.  General Support

 

6,039,000

 

6,039,000

 

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

 

Sec. 5.  BUREAU OF MEDIATION SERVICES

 

$2,140,000

 

$2,056,000

 

(a) $68,000 each year is for grants to area labor management committees.  Grants may be awarded for a 12-month period beginning July 1 each year.  Any unencumbered balance remaining at the end of the first year does not cancel but is available for the second year.

 

(b) $100,000 in fiscal year 2014 is appropriated from the general fund to the Bureau of Mediation Services for transfer to the Office of Enterprise Technology to develop a new business management system for case and document management.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available for spending until June 30, 2015.  Any ongoing information technology support or costs for this application will be incorporated into the service level agreement and will be paid to the Office of Enterprise Technology by the Bureau of Mediation Services under the rates and mechanism specified in that agreement.

 

(c) $256,000 each year is from the general fund for the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution under Minnesota Statutes, section 179.90.  Of this amount, $160,000 each year is for grants


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under Minnesota Statutes, section 179.91, and $96,000 each year is for intergovernmental and public policy collaboration and operation of the office.

 

(d) The bureau's general fund base is $2,085,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $2,089,000 in fiscal year 2017.

 

Sec. 6.  BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY

 

$708,000

 

$624,000

 

Sec. 7.  BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, LAND SURVEYING, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, GEOSCIENCE, AND INTERIOR DESIGN

 

 

$778,000

 

 

 

$783,000

 

Sec. 8.  BOARD OF COSMETOLOGIST EXAMINERS

$1,354,000

 

$1,361,000

 

Sec. 9.  BOARD OF BARBER EXAMINERS

 

$319,000

 

$321,000

 

Sec. 10.  WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT OF APPEALS

 

$1,913,000

 

 

$1,703,000

 

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

 

Of this appropriation, $210,000 in the first year is onetime and is available for spending until June 30, 2015.  $110,000 in fiscal year 2014 is for a onetime transfer to the Office of Enterprise Technology to develop a paperless case management system and to ensure that services and hardware are accessible and compatible with systems with which the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals must interact.  Any ongoing information technology support or costs for this application will be incorporated into the service level agreement and will be paid to the Office of Enterprise Technology by the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals under the rates and mechanism specified in that agreement.

 

Sec. 11.  CANCELLATION.

 

Of the appropriation to the commissioner of the department of employment and economic development for the Minnesota Investment Fund in Laws 2012, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, section 5, $7,000,000 is canceled to the general fund.

 

ARTICLE 2

LABOR AND INDUSTRY

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116J.70, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2a.  License; exceptions.  "Business license" or "license" does not include the following:

 

(1) any occupational license or registration issued by a licensing board listed in section 214.01 or any occupational registration issued by the commissioner of health pursuant to section 214.13;

 

(2) any license issued by a county, home rule charter city, statutory city, township, or other political subdivision;


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(3) any license required to practice the following occupation regulated by the following sections:

 

(i) abstracters regulated pursuant to chapter 386;

 

(ii) accountants regulated pursuant to chapter 326A;

 

(iii) adjusters regulated pursuant to chapter 72B;

 

(iv) architects regulated pursuant to chapter 326;

 

(v) assessors regulated pursuant to chapter 270;

 

(vi) athletic trainers regulated pursuant to chapter 148;

 

(vii) attorneys regulated pursuant to chapter 481;

 

(viii) auctioneers regulated pursuant to chapter 330;

 

(ix) barbers and cosmetologists regulated pursuant to chapter 154;

 

(x) boiler operators regulated pursuant to chapter 183 326B;

 

(xi) chiropractors regulated pursuant to chapter 148;

 

(xii) collection agencies regulated pursuant to chapter 332;

 

(xiii) dentists, registered dental assistants, and dental hygienists regulated pursuant to chapter 150A;

 

(xiv) detectives regulated pursuant to chapter 326;

 

(xv) electricians regulated pursuant to chapter 326 326B;

 

(xvi) mortuary science practitioners regulated pursuant to chapter 149A;

 

(xvii) engineers regulated pursuant to chapter 326;

 

(xviii) insurance brokers and salespersons regulated pursuant to chapter 60A;

 

(xix) certified interior designers regulated pursuant to chapter 326;

 

(xx) midwives regulated pursuant to chapter 147D;

 

(xxi) nursing home administrators regulated pursuant to chapter 144A;

 

(xxii) optometrists regulated pursuant to chapter 148;

 

(xxiii) osteopathic physicians regulated pursuant to chapter 147;

 

(xxiv) pharmacists regulated pursuant to chapter 151;

 

(xxv) physical therapists regulated pursuant to chapter 148;


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(xxvi) physician assistants regulated pursuant to chapter 147A;

 

(xxvii) physicians and surgeons regulated pursuant to chapter 147;

 

(xxviii) plumbers regulated pursuant to chapter 326 326B;

 

(xxix) podiatrists regulated pursuant to chapter 153;

 

(xxx) practical nurses regulated pursuant to chapter 148;

 

(xxxi) professional fund-raisers regulated pursuant to chapter 309;

 

(xxxii) psychologists regulated pursuant to chapter 148;

 

(xxxiii) real estate brokers, salespersons, and others regulated pursuant to chapters 82 and 83;

 

(xxxiv) registered nurses regulated pursuant to chapter 148;

 

(xxxv) securities brokers, dealers, agents, and investment advisers regulated pursuant to chapter 80A;

 

(xxxvi) steamfitters regulated pursuant to chapter 326 326B;

 

(xxxvii) teachers and supervisory and support personnel regulated pursuant to chapter 125;

 

(xxxviii) veterinarians regulated pursuant to chapter 156;

 

(xxxix) water conditioning contractors and installers regulated pursuant to chapter 326 326B;

 

(xl) water well contractors regulated pursuant to chapter 103I;

 

(xli) water and waste treatment operators regulated pursuant to chapter 115;

 

(xlii) motor carriers regulated pursuant to chapter 221;

 

(xliii) professional firms regulated under chapter 319B;

 

(xliv) real estate appraisers regulated pursuant to chapter 82B;

 

(xlv) residential building contractors, residential remodelers, residential roofers, manufactured home installers, and specialty contractors regulated pursuant to chapter 326 326B;

 

(xlvi) licensed professional counselors regulated pursuant to chapter 148B;

 

(4) any driver's license required pursuant to chapter 171;

 

(5) any aircraft license required pursuant to chapter 360;

 

(6) any watercraft license required pursuant to chapter 86B;


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(7) any license, permit, registration, certification, or other approval pertaining to a regulatory or management program related to the protection, conservation, or use of or interference with the resources of land, air, or water, which is required to be obtained from a state agency or instrumentality; and

 

(8) any pollution control rule or standard established by the Pollution Control Agency or any health rule or standard established by the commissioner of health or any licensing rule or standard established by the commissioner of human services.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, 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 177.435, 181.02, 181.03, 181.031, 181.032, 181.101, 181.11, 181.12, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, 181.275, subdivision 2a, 181.722, and 181.79, or with any rule promulgated under section 177.28.  The commissioner shall issue an order requiring an employer to comply with sections 177.41 to 177.435 if the violation is repeated.  For purposes of this subdivision only, a violation is repeated if at any time during the two years that preceded the date of violation, the commissioner issued an order to the employer for violation of sections 177.41 to 177.435 and the order is final or the commissioner and the employer have entered into a settlement agreement that required the employer to pay back wages that were required by sections 177.41 to 177.435.  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. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326.02, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Limitation.  The provisions of sections 326.02 to 326.15 shall not apply to the preparation of plans and specifications for the erection, enlargement, or alteration of any building or other structure by any person, for that person's exclusive occupancy or use, unless such occupancy or use involves the public health or safety or the health or safety of the employees of said person, or of the buildings listed in section 326.03, subdivision 2, nor to any detailed or shop plans required to be furnished by a contractor to a registered engineer, landscape architect, architect, or certified interior designer, nor to any standardized manufactured product, nor to any construction superintendent supervising the execution of work designed by an architect, landscape architect, engineer, or certified interior designer licensed or certified in accordance with section 326.03, nor to the planning for and supervision of the construction and installation of work by an electrical or elevator contractor or master plumber as defined in and licensed pursuant to chapter 326B, where such work is within the scope of such licensed activity and not within the practice of professional engineering, or architecture, or where the person does not claim to be a certified interior designer as defined in subdivision 2, 3, or 4b.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.081, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Applicable law.  "Applicable law" means the provisions of sections 181.723, 325E.66, 327.31 to 327.36, and this chapter, and chapter 341, and all rules, orders, stipulation agreements, settlements, compliance agreements, licenses, registrations, certificates, and permits adopted, issued, or enforced by the department under sections 181.723, 325E.66, 327.31 to 327.36, or this chapter, or chapter 341.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.082, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 11.  Licensing orders; grounds; reapplication.  (a) The commissioner may deny an application for a permit, license, registration, or certificate if the applicant does not meet or fails to maintain the minimum qualifications for holding the permit, license, registration, or certificate, or has any unresolved violations or unpaid fees or monetary penalties related to the activity for which the permit, license, registration, or certificate has been applied for or was issued.


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(b) The commissioner may deny, suspend, limit, place conditions on, or revoke a person's permit, license, registration, or certificate, or censure the person holding the permit, license, registration, or certificate, if the commissioner finds that the person:

 

(1) committed one or more violations of the applicable law;

 

(2) submitted false or misleading information to the state in connection with activities for which the permit, license, registration, or certificate was issued, or in connection with the application for the permit, license, registration, or certificate;

 

(3) allowed the alteration or use of the person's own permit, license, registration, or certificate by another person;

 

(4) within the previous five years, was convicted of a crime in connection with activities for which the permit, license, registration, or certificate was issued;

 

(5) violated:  (i) a final administrative order issued under subdivision 7 or, (ii) a final stop order issued under subdivision 10, or (iii) injunctive relief issued under subdivision 9, or (iv) a consent order or final order of the commissioner;

 

(6) failed to cooperate with a commissioner's request to give testimony, to produce documents, things, apparatus, devices, equipment, or materials, or to access property under subdivision 2;

 

(7) retaliated in any manner against any employee or person who is questioned by, cooperates with, or provides information to the commissioner or an employee or agent authorized by the commissioner who seeks access to property or things under subdivision 2;

 

(8) engaged in any fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest act or practice; or

 

(9) performed work in connection with the permit, license, registration, or certificate or conducted the person's affairs in a manner that demonstrates incompetence, untrustworthiness, or financial irresponsibility.

 

(c) If the commissioner revokes or denies a person's permit, license, registration, or certificate under paragraph (b), the person is prohibited from reapplying for the same type of permit, license, registration, or certificate for at least two years after the effective date of the revocation or denial.  The commissioner may, as a condition of reapplication, require the person to obtain a bond or comply with additional reasonable conditions the commissioner considers necessary to protect the public.

 

(d) If a permit, license, registration, or certificate expires, or is surrendered, withdrawn, or terminated, or otherwise becomes ineffective, the commissioner may institute a proceeding under this subdivision within two years after the permit, license, registration, or certificate was last effective and enter a revocation or suspension order as of the last date on which the permit, license, registration, or certificate was in effect.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.093, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Examination results.  If the applicant receives a passing score on the examination and meets all other requirements for licensure, the commissioner must approve the application and notify the applicant of the approval within 60 days of the date of the passing score.  The applicant must, within 90 180 days after the notification of approval, pay the license fee.  Upon receipt of the license fee, the commissioner must issue the license.  If the applicant does not pay the license fee within 90 180 days after the notification of approval, the commissioner will rescind the approval and must deny the application.  If the applicant does not receive a passing score on the examination, the commissioner must deny the application.  If the application is denied because of the applicant's failure to receive a passing score on the examination, then the applicant cannot submit a new application for the license until at least 30 days after the notification of denial.


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Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.101, is amended to read:

 

326B.101 POLICY AND PURPOSE.

 

The State Building Code governs the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair, and use of buildings and other structures to which the code is applicable.  The commissioner shall administer and amend a state code of building construction which will provide basic and uniform performance standards, establish reasonable safeguards for health, safety, welfare, comfort, and security of the residents of this state and provide for the use of modern methods, devices, materials, and techniques which will in part tend to lower construction costs.  The construction of buildings should be permitted at the least possible cost consistent with recognized standards of health and safety.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.103, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 11.  Public building.  "Public building" means a building and its grounds the cost of which is paid for by the state or a state agency regardless of its cost, and a school district building project or charter school building project the cost of which is $100,000 or more.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.121, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Application.  (a) The State Building Code is the standard that applies statewide for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the code.

 

(b) The State Building Code supersedes the building code of any municipality.

 

(c) The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except:

 

(1) with respect to state inspections required or rulemaking authorized by sections 103F.141; 216C.19, subdivision 9; and 326B.36; and

 

(2) translucent panels or other skylights without raised curbs shall be supported to have equivalent load-bearing capacity as the surrounding roof.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 9.  Direct supervision.  "Direct supervision" means:

 

(1) an unlicensed individual is being directly supervised by an individual licensed to perform the elevator work being supervised during the entire time the unlicensed individual is performing elevator work;

 

(2) the licensed individual is physically present at the location where the unlicensed individual is performing elevator work and immediately available to the unlicensed individual at all times for assistance and direction;

 

(3) the licensed individual shall review the elevator work performed by the unlicensed individual before the elevator work is operated; and

 

(4) the licensed individual is able to and does determine that all elevator work performed by the unlicensed individual is performed in compliance with the elevator code.


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Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 10.  Elevator contractor.  "Elevator contractor" means a licensed contractor whose responsible licensed individual is a master elevator constructor.  An elevator contractor license does not itself qualify its holder to perform or supervise elevator work authorized by holding a personal license issued by the commissioner.

 

Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 11.  Limited elevator contractor.  "Limited elevator contractor" means a licensed contractor whose responsible licensed individual is a limited master elevator constructor.  A limited elevator contractor or its employees may only install, test, or alter residential elevators, platform lifts, stairway chairlifts, dumbwaiters, material lifts, limited use or limited application elevator equipment, conveyors, and special purpose personnel elevators. 

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 11a.  Limited elevator work.  "Limited elevator work" means the installing, maintaining, altering, repairing, testing, planning, or laying out of residential elevators, platform lifts, stairway chairlifts, dumbwaiters, material lifts, limited use or limited application elevator equipment, conveyors, and special purpose personnel elevators as covered by Minnesota Rules, chapters 1307 and 1315.  Limited elevator work also includes electrical wiring on the load side of the elevator equipment disconnect and the decommissioning of elevator equipment to enable safe removal.

 

Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 12.  Elevator work.  "Elevator work" means the installing, maintaining, altering, repairing, testing, planning, or laying out of elevator apparatus or equipment as covered by Minnesota Rules, chapters 1307 and 1315.  Elevator work also includes the disconnection of electrical wiring on the load side of the elevator equipment disconnect and the decommissioning of elevator equipment to enable safe removal.

 

Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 13.  Master elevator constructor.  "Master elevator constructor" means an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to properly plan, lay out, supervise, and perform the installation, maintenance, altering, testing, wiring, and repair of apparatus and equipment for elevators, including electrical wiring on the load side of the elevator equipment disconnect and who is licensed as a master elevator constructor by the commissioner.

 

Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 14.  Limited master elevator constructor.  "Limited master elevator constructor" means an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to properly plan, lay out, supervise, and perform the testing, altering, installation, maintenance, and repair of wiring, apparatus, and equipment for residential elevators, platform lifts, stairway chairlifts, dumbwaiters, material lifts, limited use or limited application elevator equipment, conveyors, and special purpose personnel elevators, including wiring on the load side of the elevator equipment disconnect and who is licensed as a limited master elevator constructor by the commissioner.

 

Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 14a.  Limited journeyman elevator constructor.  "Limited journeyman elevator constructor" means an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to install, maintain, alter, test, and repair apparatus and equipment for residential elevators, platform lifts, stairway chairlifts,


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dumbwaiters, material lifts, limited use or limited application elevator equipment, conveyors, and special purpose personnel elevators, including electrical wiring on the load side of the elevator equipment disconnect and who is licensed as a limited journeyman elevator constructor by the commissioner.

 

Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 15.  Journeyman elevator constructor.  "Journeyman elevator constructor" means an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to install, maintain, alter, test, and repair apparatus and equipment for elevators, including electrical wiring on the load side of the elevator equipment disconnect and who is licensed as a journeyman elevator constructor by the commissioner.

 

Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 16.  Registered unlicensed elevator constructor.  "Registered unlicensed elevator constructor" means an individual who has registered with the department but is not licensed by the commissioner to perform elevator work.

 

Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 17.  Residential dwelling.  "Residential dwelling" is a single dwelling unit that is contained in a one-family, two-family, or multifamily dwelling.  A residential dwelling also includes outdoor space at a one-family dwelling.

 

Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 18.  Responsible licensed individual.  "Responsible licensed individual" means an individual licensed as a master elevator constructor or limited master elevator constructor who is identified as the responsible licensed individual on an elevator contractor license application.

 

Sec. 22.  [326B.164] LICENSES.

 

Subdivision 1.  Master elevator constructor.  (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no individual shall perform or supervise elevator work, unless:

 

(1) the individual is licensed by the commissioner as a master elevator constructor; and

 

(2) the elevator work is for a licensed elevator contractor and the individual is an employee, partner, or officer of, or is the licensed contractor.

 

(b) An applicant for a master elevator constructor license shall:

 

(1) have at least one year of experience, acceptable to the commissioner, as a licensed journeyman elevator constructor; or

 

(2) have at least six years' experience, acceptable to the commissioner, in planning for, laying out, supervising, and installing apparatus, equipment, and wiring for elevators.

 

(c) Individuals licensed as master elevator constructors under section 326B.33, subdivision 11, as of December 31, 2013, shall not be required to pass an examination under this section but, effective January 1, 2014, shall be subject to the requirements of sections 326B.163 to 326B.191.

 

(d) Except for the initial license term, as a condition of license renewal, master elevator constructors must attain a minimum of 16 hours of continuing education credit approved by the commissioner every renewal period.  Not less than 12 hours shall be based on the Minnesota Elevator Code or elevator technology, and not less than four hours shall be based on the National Electrical Code.


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Subd. 2.  Limited master elevator constructor.  (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no individual shall perform or supervise elevator work on residential elevators, platform lifts, stairway chairlifts, dumbwaiters, material lifts, limited use or limited application elevator equipment, conveyors, and special purpose personnel elevators, unless:

 

(1) the individual is licensed by the commissioner as a limited master elevator constructor; and

 

(2) the elevator work is for a limited elevator contractor and the individual is an employee, partner, or officer of, or is the licensed contractor.

 

(b) An applicant for a limited master elevator constructor license shall have at least three years of experience, acceptable to the commissioner, in installing apparatus, equipment, and wiring for elevators.

 

(c) Except for the initial license term, as a condition of license renewal, limited master elevator constructors must attain a minimum of eight hours of continuing education credit approved by the commissioner every renewal period.  Not less than six hours shall be based on the Minnesota Elevator Code or elevator technology, and not less than two hours on the National Electrical Code.

 

Subd. 3.  Journeyman elevator constructor.  (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no individual shall perform and supervise elevator work except for planning or laying out of elevator work, unless:

 

(1) the individual is licensed by the commissioner as a journeyman elevator constructor; and

 

(2) the elevator work is for an elevator contractor, and the individual is an employee, partner, or officer of the licensed elevator contractor.

 

(b) An applicant for a journeyman elevator constructor license shall have completed a four-year elevator mechanics apprenticeship registered with the United States Department of Labor or worked at least 9,000 hours in five consecutive years for a licensed elevator contractor, acceptable to the commissioner, installing, maintaining, modernizing, testing, wiring, and repairing elevators.

 

(c) Individuals licensed as journeyman elevator constructors under section 326B.33, subdivision 8, as of December 31, 2013, shall not be required to pass an examination under this section but, effective January 1, 2014, shall be subject to the requirements of sections 326B.163 to 326B.191.

 

(d) As a condition of license renewal, journeyman elevator constructors must attain a minimum of 16 hours of continuing education credit approved by the commissioner every renewal period.  Not less than 12 hours shall be based on the Minnesota Elevator Code or elevator technology, and not less than four hours shall be based on the National Electrical Code.

 

Subd. 3a.  Limited journeyman elevator constructor.  (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no individual shall perform or supervise elevator work on residential elevators, platform lifts, stairway chairlifts, dumbwaiters, material lifts, limited use or limited application elevator equipment, conveyors, and special purpose personnel elevators, except for planning or laying out of elevator work, unless:

 

(1) the individual is licensed by the commissioner as a limited journeyman elevator constructor; and

 

(2) the elevator work is for a limited elevator contractor or an elevator contractor, and the individual is an employee, partner, or officer of the licensed limited elevator contractor or licensed elevator contractor.

 

(b) An applicant for a limited journeyman elevator constructor license shall have at least two years of experience, acceptable to the commissioner, in installing apparatus, equipment, and wiring for elevators.


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(c) Except for the initial license term, as a condition of license renewal, limited journeyman elevator constructors must attain a minimum of eight hours of continuing education credit approved by the commissioner every renewal period.  Not less than six hours shall be based on the Minnesota Elevator Code or elevator technology, and not less than two hours on the National Electrical Code.

 

Subd. 4.  Registered unlicensed elevator constructor.  (a) An unlicensed individual shall not perform elevator work, unless the individual has first registered with the department as an unlicensed elevator constructor.  Except as allowed by subdivision 12, a registered unlicensed elevator constructor shall not perform elevator work unless the work is performed under the direct supervision of an individual actually licensed to perform such work.  The licensed elevator constructor and the registered unlicensed elevator constructor must be employed by the same employer.  Unlicensed individuals shall not supervise the performance of elevator work or make assignments of elevator work to unlicensed individuals.  Licensed elevator constructors shall provide direct supervision for no more than two registered unlicensed elevator constructors.

 

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no individual other than a master elevator constructor or limited master elevator constructor shall plan or lay out elevator wiring, apparatus, or equipment.

 

(c) Contractors employing registered unlicensed elevator constructors performing elevator work shall maintain records establishing compliance with this subdivision that shall identify all unlicensed individuals performing elevator work and shall permit the department to examine and copy all such records.

 

(d) When a licensed elevator constructor supervises the elevator work of an unlicensed individual, the licensed elevator constructor is responsible for ensuring that the elevator work complies with this section and the Minnesota Elevator Code.

 

(e) A registered unlicensed elevator constructor with a minimum of one year experience may perform the following maintenance tasks for elevator equipment without being provided with direct supervision:  oiling, cleaning, greasing, painting, relamping, and replacing of escalator and moving walk comb teeth.

 

Subd. 5.  Registration of unlicensed individuals.  (a) Unlicensed individuals performing elevator work for a contractor shall register with the department in the manner prescribed by the commissioner.  Experience credit for elevator work performed in Minnesota after January 1, 2009, by an applicant for a license identified in this section shall not be granted where the applicant has not registered with the department or is not licensed by the department.

 

(b) As a condition of renewal of registration, unlicensed individuals shall attain a minimum of two hours of continuing education credit, approved by the commissioner, every renewal period.  The continuing education course shall be based on the Minnesota Elevator Code or elevator technology.

 

(c) Individuals registered under section 326B.33, subdivision 13, whose registration expires after July 31, 2013, shall be subject to the registration requirements of this subdivision and the requirements of sections 326B.163 to 326B.191.

 

Subd. 6.  Contractor's license required.  (a) No individual, other than an employee, partner, or officer of a licensed contractor, as defined by section 326B.163, subdivision 10, shall perform or offer to perform elevator work with or without compensation, unless the individual obtains a contractor's license.  A contractor's license does not of itself qualify its holder to perform or supervise the elevator work authorized by holding any class of personal license.

 

(b) Companies licensed under section 326B.33, subdivision 14, as of July 31, 2013, shall not be required to comply with this subdivision.


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Subd. 7.  Bond required.  As a condition of licensing, each contractor shall give and maintain bond to the state in the sum of $25,000, conditioned upon the faithful and lawful performance of all work contracted for or performed by the contractor within the state of Minnesota, and such bond shall be for the benefit of persons injured or suffering financial loss by reason of failure of such performance.  The bond shall be filed with the commissioner and shall be in lieu of all other license bonds to any other political subdivision.  The bond shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota.

 

Subd. 8.  Insurance required.  Each elevator contractor shall have and maintain in effect general liability insurance, which includes premises and operations insurance and products and completed operations insurance, with limits of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate limit for bodily injury, and property damage insurance with limits of at least $50,000, or a policy with a single limit for bodily injury and property damage of $300,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate limits.  The insurance shall be written by an insurer licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota, and each contractor shall maintain on file with the commissioner a certificate evidencing such insurance.  In the event of a policy cancellation, the insurer shall send written notice to the commissioner at the same time that a cancellation request is received from or a notice is sent to the insured.

 

Subd. 9.  Employment of responsible individual.  (a) Each elevator contractor must designate a responsible master elevator constructor or limited master elevator constructor who shall be the responsible individual for the performance of all elevator work in accordance with the requirements of sections 326B.163 to 326B.191, all rules adopted under these sections, and all orders issued under section 326B.082.  The classes of work that a licensed contractor is authorized to perform shall be limited to the classes of work that the responsible individual is allowed to perform.

 

(b) When a contractor's license is held by an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, and the individual, proprietor, one of the partners, one of the members, or an officer of the corporation, respectively, is not the responsible master elevator constructor or limited master elevator constructor, all elevator permits shall be submitted by the responsible master elevator constructor or limited master elevator constructor.  If the contractor is an individual or a sole proprietorship, the responsible master or limited master elevator constructor must be the individual, proprietor, or managing employee.  If the contractor is a partnership, the responsible master or limited master elevator constructor must be a general partner or managing employee.  If the licensed contractor is a limited liability company, the responsible master or limited master elevator constructor must be a chief manager or managing employee.  If the contractor is a corporation, the responsible master or limited master elevator constructor must be an officer or managing employee.  If the responsible master or limited master elevator constructor is a managing employee, the responsible individual must be actively engaged in performing elevator work on behalf of the contractor and cannot be employed in any capacity performing elevator work for any other elevator contractor or employer.  An individual may be the responsible individual for only one contractor.

 

(c) All applications and renewals for contractor licenses shall include a verified statement that the applicant and responsible individual are in compliance with this subdivision.

 

Subd. 10.  Examination.  In addition to the other requirements described in this section and sections 326B.091 to 326B.098, as a precondition to issuance of a personal license, each applicant must pass a written or oral examination developed and administered by the commissioner to ensure the competence of each applicant for license.  An oral examination shall be administered only to an applicant who furnishes a written statement from a certified teacher or other professional, trained in the area of reading disabilities, stating that the applicant has a specific reading disability that would prevent the applicant from performing satisfactorily on a written test.  The oral examination shall be structured so that an applicant who passes the examination will not impair the applicant's own safety or that of others while acting as a licensed individual.

 

Subd. 11.  License, registration, and renewal fees; expiration.  (a) Unless revoked or suspended under this chapter, all licenses issued or renewed under this section expire on the following schedule:

 

(1) master licenses expire March 1 of each odd-numbered year after issuance or renewal;


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(2) elevator contractor licenses expire March 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal;

 

(3) journeyman elevator constructor licenses expire two years from the date of original issuance and every two years thereafter; and

 

(4) registrations of unlicensed individuals expire one year from the date of original issuance and every year thereafter.

 

(b) For purposes of calculating license fees and renewal license fees required under section 326B.092:

 

(1) the registration of an unlicensed individual under subdivision 5 shall be considered an entry-level license;

 

(2) the journeyman elevator constructor shall be considered a journeyman license;

 

(3) the master elevator constructor and limited master elevator constructor licenses shall be considered master licenses; and

 

(4) an elevator contractor license shall be considered a business license.

 

Subd. 12.  Exemption from licensing.  Employees of a licensed elevator contractor or licensed limited elevator contractor are not required to hold or obtain a license under this section or be provided with direct supervision by a licensed master elevator constructor, licensed limited master elevator constructor, licensed elevator constructor, or licensed limited elevator constructor to install, maintain, or repair platform lifts and stairway chairlifts.  Unlicensed employees performing elevator work under this exemption must comply with subdivision 5.  This exemption does not include the installation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of electrical wiring for elevator equipment.

 

Subd. 13.  Reciprocity.  (a) The commissioner may enter into reciprocity agreements for personal licenses with another state and issue a personal license without requiring the applicant to pass an examination provided the applicant:

 

(1) submits an application under this section;

 

(2) pays the application and examination fee and license fee required under section 326B.092; and

 

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

 

(b) Reciprocity 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;


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(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; and

 

(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. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.184, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Permits.  No person may construct, install, alter, repair, or remove an elevator without first filing an application for a permit with the department or a municipality authorized by subdivision 4 to inspect elevators.  A permit issued by the department is valid for work commenced within 12 months of application and completed within two years of application.  Where no work is commenced within 12 months of application, an applicant may cancel the permit and request a refund of inspection fees.

 

Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.184, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 1a.  Department permit and inspection fees.  (a) The department permit and inspection fees to construct, install, alter, repair, or remove an elevator are as follows:

 

(1) the permit fee is $100;

 

(2) the inspection fee is 0.015 of the total cost of the permitted work for labor and materials, including related electrical and mechanical equipment.  The inspection fee covers two inspections.  The inspection fee for additional inspections is $80 per hour;

 

(3) when inspections scheduled by the permit submitter are not able to be completed because the work is not complete, a fee equal to two hours at the hourly rate of $80 must be paid by the permit submitter; and

 

(4) when the owner or permit holder requests inspections be performed outside of normal work hours or on weekends or holidays, an hourly rate of $120 in addition to the inspection fee must be paid.

 

(b) The department fees for inspection of existing elevators when requested by the elevator owner or as a result of an accident resulting in personal injury are at an hourly rate of $80 during normal work hours or $120 outside of normal work hours or on weekends or holidays, with a one-hour minimum.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2014.

 

Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.184, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Operating permits and fees; periodic inspections.  (a) No person may operate an elevator without first obtaining an annual operating permit from the department or a municipality authorized by subdivision 4 to issue annual operating permits.  A $100 annual operating permit fee must be paid to the department for each annual operating permit issued by the department, except that the original annual operating permit must be included in the permit fee for the initial installation of the elevator.  Annual operating permits must be issued at 12-month intervals from the date of the initial annual operating permit.  For each subsequent year, an owner must be granted an annual operating permit for the elevator upon the owner's or owner's agent's submission of a form prescribed by the commissioner and payment of the $100 fee.  Each form must include the location of the elevator, the results of any periodic test required by the code, and any other criteria established by rule.  An annual operating permit may be revoked by the commissioner upon an audit of the periodic testing results submitted with the application or a failure to comply with elevator code requirements, inspections, or any other law related to elevators.  Except for an initial operating permit fee, hand-powered manlifts and electric endless belt manlifts, and vertical reciprocating conveyors are not subject to a subsequent operating permit fee.


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(b) All elevators are subject to periodic inspections by the department or a municipality authorized by subdivision 4 to perform periodic inspections, except that hand-powered manlifts and electric endless belt manlifts are exempt from periodic inspections.  Periodic inspections by the department shall be performed at the following intervals:

 

(1) a special purpose personnel elevator is subject to inspection not more than once every five years;

 

(2) an elevator located within a house of worship that does not have attached school facilities is subject to inspection not more than once every three years; and

 

(3) all other elevators are subject to inspection not more than once each year.

 

Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.187, is amended to read:

 

326B.187 RULES.

 

The commissioner may adopt rules for the following purposes:

 

(1) to establish minimum qualifications for elevator inspectors that must include possession of a current elevator constructor electrician's license issued by the department and proof of successful completion of the national elevator industry education program examination or equivalent experience;

 

(2) to establish minimum qualifications for limited elevator inspectors;

 

(3) to establish criteria for the qualifications of elevator contractors;

 

(4) to establish elevator standards under sections 326B.106, subdivisions 1 and 3, and 326B.13;

 

(5) to establish procedures for appeals of decisions of the commissioner under chapter 14 and procedures allowing the commissioner, before issuing a decision, to seek advice from the elevator trade, building owners or managers, and others knowledgeable in the installation, construction, and repair of elevators; and

 

(6) to establish requirements for the registration of all elevators.

 

Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.31, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 26a.  Request for inspection.  "Request for inspection" means the application for and issuance of a permit for an electrical installation that is required to be inspected under section 326B.36.

 

Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.33, subdivision 19, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 19.  License, registration, and renewal fees; expiration.  (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 and satellite 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) For purposes of calculating license fees and renewal license fees required under section 326B.092:

 

(1) the registration of an unlicensed individual under subdivision 12 shall be considered an entry level license;


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(2) the following licenses shall be considered journeyman licenses:  Class A journeyman electrician, Class B journeyman electrician, Class A installer, Class B installer, elevator constructor, lineman, maintenance electrician, satellite system installer, and power limited technician;

 

(3) the following licenses shall be considered master licenses:  Class A master electrician, and Class B master electrician, and master elevator constructor; and

 

(4) the following licenses shall be considered business licenses:  Class A electrical contractor, Class B electrical contractor, elevator contractor, satellite system contractor, and technology systems contractor.

 

(c) For each filing of a certificate of responsible person by an employer, the fee is $100.

 

Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.33, subdivision 21, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 21.  Exemptions from licensing.  (a) An individual who is a maintenance electrician is not required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399 if:

 

(1) the individual is engaged in the maintenance and repair of electrical equipment, apparatus, and facilities that are owned or leased by the individual's employer and that are located within the limits of property operated, maintained, and either owned or leased by the individual's employer;

 

(2) the individual is supervised by:

 

(i) the responsible master electrician for a contractor who has contracted with the individual's employer to provide services for which a contractor's license is required; or

 

(ii) a licensed master electrician, a licensed maintenance electrician, an electrical engineer, or, if the maintenance and repair work is limited to technology circuits or systems work, a licensed power limited technician; and

 

(3) the individual's employer has on file with the commissioner a current certificate of responsible person, signed by the responsible master electrician of the contractor, the licensed master electrician, the licensed maintenance electrician, the electrical engineer, or the licensed power limited technician, and stating that the person signing the certificate is responsible for ensuring that the maintenance and repair work performed by the employer's employees complies with the Minnesota Electrical Act and the rules adopted under that act.  The employer must pay a filing fee to file a certificate of responsible person with the commissioner.  The certificate shall expire two years from the date of filing.  In order to maintain a current certificate of responsible person, the employer must resubmit a certificate of responsible person, with a filing fee, no later than two years from the date of the previous submittal.

 

(b) Employees of a licensed electrical or technology systems contractor or other employer where provided with supervision by a master electrician in accordance with subdivision 1, or power limited technician in accordance with subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clause (1), are not required to hold a license under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399 for the planning, laying out, installing, altering, and repairing of technology circuits or systems except planning, laying out, or installing:

 

(1) in other than residential dwellings, class 2 or class 3 remote control circuits that control circuits or systems other than class 2 or class 3, except circuits that interconnect these systems through communication, alarm, and security systems are exempted from this paragraph;

 

(2) class 2 or class 3 circuits in electrical cabinets, enclosures, or devices containing physically unprotected circuits other than class 2 or class 3; or


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(3) technology circuits or systems in hazardous classified locations as covered by chapter 5 of the National Electrical Code.

 

(c) Companies and their employees that plan, lay out, install, alter, or repair class 2 and class 3 remote control wiring associated with plug or cord and plug connected appliances other than security or fire alarm systems installed in a residential dwelling are not required to hold a license under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399.

 

(d) Heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors and their employees are not required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399 when performing heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or refrigeration work as described in section 326B.38.

 

(e) Employees of any electrical, communications, or railway utility, cable communications company as defined in section 238.02, or a telephone company as defined under section 237.01 or its employees, or of any independent contractor performing work on behalf of any such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company, shall not be required to hold a license under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399:

 

(1) while performing work on installations, materials, or equipment which are owned or leased, and operated and maintained by such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company in the exercise of its utility, antenna, or telephone function, and which

 

(i) are used exclusively for the generation, transformation, distribution, transmission, or metering of electric current, or the operation of railway signals, or the transmission of intelligence and do not have as a principal function the consumption or use of electric current or provided service by or for the benefit of any person other than such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company, and

 

(ii) are generally accessible only to employees of such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company or persons acting under its control or direction, and

 

(iii) are not on the load side of the service point or point of entrance for communication systems;

 

(2) while performing work on installations, materials, or equipment which are a part of the street lighting operations of such utility; or

 

(3) while installing or performing work on outdoor area lights which are directly connected to a utility's distribution system and located upon the utility's distribution poles, and which are generally accessible only to employees of such utility or persons acting under its control or direction.

 

(f) An owner shall not be required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399.

 

(g) Companies and their employees licensed under section 326B.164 shall not be required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399.

 

Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.36, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Exemptions from inspections.  Installations, materials, or equipment shall not be subject to inspection under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399:

 

(1) when owned or leased, operated and maintained by any employer whose maintenance electricians are exempt from licensing under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399, while performing electrical maintenance work only as defined by rule;


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(2) when owned or leased, and operated and maintained by any electrical, communications, or railway utility, cable communications company as defined in section 238.02, or telephone company as defined under section 237.01, in the exercise of its utility, antenna, or telephone function; and

 

(i) are used exclusively for the generations, transformation, distribution, transmission, or metering of electric current, or the operation of railway signals, or the transmission of intelligence, and do not have as a principal function the consumption or use of electric current by or for the benefit of any person other than such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company; and

 

(ii) are generally accessible only to employees of such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company or persons acting under its control or direction; and

 

(iii) are not on the load side of the service point or point of entrance for communication systems;

 

(3) when used in the street lighting operations of an electrical utility;

 

(4) when used as outdoor area lights which are owned and operated by an electrical utility and which are connected directly to its distribution system and located upon the utility's distribution poles, and which are generally accessible only to employees of such utility or persons acting under its control or direction;

 

(5) when the installation, material, and equipment are in facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the federal Mine Safety and Health Act; or

 

(6) when the installation, material, and equipment is part of an elevator installation for which the elevator contractor, licensed under section 326B.33 326B.164, is required to obtain a permit from the authority having jurisdiction as provided by section 326B.184, and the inspection has been or will be performed by an elevator inspector certified and licensed by the department.  This exemption shall apply only to installations, material, and equipment permitted or required to be connected on the load side of the disconnecting means required for elevator equipment under National Electrical Code Article 620, and elevator communications and alarm systems within the machine room, car, hoistway, or elevator lobby.

 

Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.37, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 15.  Utility interconnected wind generation installations.  (a) Fees associated with utility interconnected generation installations consisting of one or more generator sources interconnected with a utility power system and not supplying other premises loads are calculated according to paragraph (b) or (c).

 

(b) The inspection fee is calculated according to subdivisions 2, 3, 4, and 6, paragraphs (d), (f), (j), and (k).  A fee must be included for the generators and utility interconnect feeders, but not for a utility service.

 

(c) There is a plan review fee and an inspection fee for the entire electrical installation.  The plan review fee is based on the valuation of the electrical installation related to one of the generator systems that is part of the overall installation, not to include the supporting tower or other nonelectrical equipment or structures, calculated according to section 326B.153, subdivision 2.  The inspection fee is $80 for each individual tower, including any voltage matching transformers located at the tower, and the fee for the feeders interconnecting the individual towers to the utility power system is calculated according to subdivisions 4 and 6, paragraph (k).


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Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.43, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Agreement with municipality.  The commissioner may enter into an agreement with a municipality, in which the municipality agrees to perform plan and specification reviews required to be performed by the commissioner under Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130, if:

 

(a) the municipality has adopted:

 

(1) the plumbing code;

 

(2) an ordinance that requires plumbing plans and specifications to be submitted to, reviewed, and approved by the municipality, except as provided in paragraph (n);

 

(3) an ordinance that authorizes the municipality to perform inspections required by the plumbing code; and

 

(4) an ordinance that authorizes the municipality to enforce the plumbing code in its entirety, except as provided in paragraph (p);

 

(b) the municipality agrees to review plumbing plans and specifications for all construction for which the plumbing code requires the review of plumbing plans and specifications, except as provided in paragraph (n);

 

(c) the municipality agrees that, when it reviews plumbing plans and specifications under paragraph (b), the review will:

 

(1) reflect the degree to which the plans and specifications affect the public health and conform to the provisions of the plumbing code;

 

(2) ensure that there is no physical connection between water supply systems that are safe for domestic use and those that are unsafe for domestic use; and

 

(3) ensure that there is no apparatus through which unsafe water may be discharged or drawn into a safe water supply system;

 

(d) the municipality agrees to perform all inspections required by the plumbing code in connection with projects for which the municipality reviews plumbing plans and specifications under paragraph (b);

 

(e) the commissioner determines that the individuals who will conduct the inspections and the plumbing plan and specification reviews for the municipality do not have any conflict of interest in conducting the inspections and the plan and specification reviews;

 

(f) individuals who will conduct the plumbing plan and specification reviews for the municipality are:

 

(1) licensed master plumbers;

 

(2) licensed professional engineers; or

 

(3) individuals who are working under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer or licensed master plumber and who are licensed master or journeyman plumbers or hold a postsecondary degree in engineering;


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(g) individuals who will conduct the plumbing plan and specification reviews for the municipality have passed a competency assessment required by the commissioner to assess the individual's competency at reviewing plumbing plans and specifications;

 

(h) individuals who will conduct the plumbing inspections for the municipality are licensed master or journeyman plumbers, or inspectors meeting the competency requirements established in rules adopted under section 326B.135;

 

(i) the municipality agrees to enforce in its entirety the plumbing code on all projects, except as provided in paragraph (p);

 

(j) the municipality agrees to keep official records of all documents received, including plans, specifications, surveys, and plot plans, and of all plan reviews, permits and certificates issued, reports of inspections, and notices issued in connection with plumbing inspections and the review of plumbing plans and specifications;

 

(k) the municipality agrees to maintain the records described in paragraph (j) in the official records of the municipality for the period required for the retention of public records under section 138.17, and shall make these records readily available for review at the request of the commissioner;

 

(l) the municipality and the commissioner agree that if at any time during the agreement the municipality does not have in effect the plumbing code or any of ordinances described in paragraph (a), or if the commissioner determines that the municipality is not properly administering and enforcing the plumbing code or is otherwise not complying with the agreement:

 

(1) the commissioner may, effective 14 days after the municipality's receipt of written notice, terminate the agreement;

 

(2) the municipality may challenge the termination in a contested case before the commissioner pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act; and

 

(3) while any challenge is pending under clause (2), the commissioner shall perform plan and specification reviews within the municipality under Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130;

 

(m) the municipality and the commissioner agree that the municipality may terminate the agreement with or without cause on 90 days' written notice to the commissioner;

 

(n) the municipality and the commissioner agree that the municipality shall forward to the state for review all plumbing plans and specifications for the following types of projects within the municipality:

 

(1) hospitals, nursing homes, supervised living facilities licensed for eight or more individuals, and similar health-care-related facilities regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health state-licensed facilities as defined in section 326B.103, subdivision 13;

 

(2) buildings owned by the federal or state government public buildings as defined in section 326B.103, subdivision 11; and

 

(3) projects of a special nature for which department review is requested by either the municipality or the state;

 

(o) where the municipality forwards to the state for review plumbing plans and specifications, as provided in paragraph (n), the municipality shall not collect any fee for plan review, and the commissioner shall collect all applicable fees for plan review; and

 

(p) no municipality shall revoke, suspend, or place restrictions on any plumbing license issued by the state.


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Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.49, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Fees for plan reviews and audits.  Plumbing system plans and specifications that are submitted to the commissioner for review shall be accompanied by the appropriate plan examination fees.  If the commissioner determines, upon review of the plans, that inadequate fees were paid, the necessary additional fees shall be paid prior to plan approval.  The commissioner shall charge the following fees for plan reviews and audits of plumbing installations for public, commercial, and industrial buildings:

 

(1) systems with both water distribution and drain, waste, and vent systems and having:

 

(i) 25 or fewer drainage fixture units, $150;

 

(ii) 26 to 50 drainage fixture units, $250;

 

(iii) 51 to 150 drainage fixture units, $350;

 

(iv) 151 to 249 drainage fixture units, $500;

 

(v) 250 or more drainage fixture units, $3 per drainage fixture unit to a maximum of $4,000; and

 

(vi) interceptors, separators, or catch basins, $70 per interceptor, separator, or catch basin design;

 

(2) building sewer service only, $150;

 

(3) building water service only, $150;

 

(4) building water distribution system only, no drainage system, $5 per supply fixture unit or $150, whichever is greater;

 

(5) storm drainage system, a minimum fee of $150 or:

 

(i) $50 per drain opening, up to a maximum of $500; and

 

(ii) $70 per interceptor, separator, or catch basin design;

 

(6) manufactured home park or campground, one to 25 sites, $300;

 

(7) manufactured home park or campground, 26 to 50 sites, $350;

 

(8) manufactured home park or campground, 51 to 125 sites, $400;

 

(9) manufactured home park or campground, more than 125 sites, $500; and

 

(10) accelerated review, double the regular fee, one-half to be refunded if no response from the commissioner within 15 business days; and

 

(11) (10) revision to previously reviewed or incomplete plans:

 

(i) review of plans for which the commissioner has issued two or more requests for additional information, per review, $100 or ten percent of the original fee, whichever is greater;


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(ii) proposer-requested revision with no increase in project scope, $50 or ten percent of original fee, whichever is greater; and

 

(iii) proposer-requested revision with an increase in project scope, $50 plus the difference between the original project fee and the revised project fee.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2014.

 

Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.49, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Inspection Permits; fees.  The commissioner shall charge the following fees for inspections under sections 326B.42 to 326B.49:

 

Residential inspection fee (each visit)

 

 

$50

 

Public, Commercial, and Industrial Inspections

 

Inspection Fee

 

25 or fewer drainage fixture units

 

 

$300

 

26 to 50 drainage fixture units

 

 

$900

 

51 to 150 drainage fixture units

 

 

$1,200

 

151 to 249 drainage fixture units

 

 

$1,500

 

250 or more drainage fixture units

 

 

$1,800

 

Callback fee (each visit)

 

 

$100

 

 

(a) The permit fee is $100.

 

(b) The residential inspection fee is $50 for each inspection trip.

 

(c) The public, commercial, and industrial inspection fees are as follows:

 

(1) for systems with water distribution, drain, waste, and vent system connection:

 

(i) $25 for each fixture, permanently connected appliance, floor drain, or other appurtenance;

 

(ii) $25 for each water conditioning, water treatment, or water filtration system; and

 

(iii) $25 for each interceptor, separator, catch basin, or manhole;

 

(2) roof drains, $25 for each drain;

 

(3) building sewer service only, $100;

 

(4) building water service only, $100;

 

(5) building water distribution system only, no drainage system, $5 for each fixture supplied;

 

(6) storm drainage system, a minimum fee of $25 for each drain opening, interceptor, separator, or catch basin;

 

(7) manufactured home park or campground, $25 for each site;

 

(8) reinspection fee to verify corrections, regardless of the total fee submitted, $100 for each reinspection; and

 

(9) each $100 in fees paid covers one inspection trip.


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(d) In addition to the fees in paragraph (c), the fee submitter must pay an hourly rate of $80 during regular business hours, or $120 when inspections are requested to be performed outside of normal work hours or on weekends and holidays, with a two-hour minimum where the fee submitter requests inspections of installations as systems are being installed.

 

(e) The fee submitter must pay a fee equal to two hours at the hourly rate of $80 when inspections scheduled by the submitter are not able to be completed because the work is not complete.

 

Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.89, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

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.

 

(f) "Owner" when used in connection with real property, means a person who has any legal or equitable interest in real property and includes a condominium or townhome association that owns common property located in a condominium building or townhome building or an associated detached garage.  Owner does not include any real estate developer or any owner using, or intending to use, the property for a business purpose and not as owner-occupied residential real estate.

 

Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 327B.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  License prerequisites.  No application shall be granted nor license issued until the applicant proves to the commissioner that:

 

(a) the applicant has a permanent, established place of business at each licensed location.  An "established place of business" means a permanent enclosed building other than a residence, or a commercial office space, either owned by the applicant or leased by the applicant for a term of at least one year, located in an area where zoning regulations allow commercial activity, and where the books, records and files necessary to conduct the business are kept and maintained.  The owner of a licensed manufactured home park who resides in or adjacent to the park may use the residence as the established place of business required by this subdivision, unless prohibited by local zoning ordinance.

 

If a license is granted, the licensee may use unimproved lots and premises for sale, storage, and display of manufactured homes, if the licensee first notifies the commissioner in writing;

 

(b) if the applicant desires to sell, solicit or advertise the sale of new manufactured homes, it has a bona fide contract or franchise in effect with a manufacturer or distributor of the new manufactured home it proposes to deal in;

 

(c) the applicant has secured:  (1) a surety bond in the amount of $20,000 for each agency and each subagency location that bears the applicant's name and the name under which the applicant will be licensed and do business in this state.  Each bond is for the protection of consumer customers, and must be executed by the applicant as


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principal and issued by a surety company admitted to do business in this state.  Each bond shall be exclusively for the purpose of reimbursing consumer customers and shall be conditioned upon the faithful compliance by the applicant with all of the laws and rules of this state pertaining to the applicant's business as a dealer or manufacturer, including sections 325D.44, 325F.67 and 325F.69, and upon the applicant's faithful performance of all its legal obligations to consumer customers; and (2) a certificate of liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 that provides aggregate coverage for the agency and each subagency location.  In the event of a policy cancellation, the insurer shall send written notice to the commissioner at the same time that a cancellation request is received from or a notice is sent to the insured;

 

(d) the applicant has established a trust account as required by section 327B.08, subdivision 3, unless the applicant states in writing its intention to limit its business to selling, offering for sale, soliciting or advertising the sale of new manufactured homes; and

 

(e) the applicant has provided evidence of having had at least two years' prior experience in the sale of manufactured homes, working for a licensed dealer.  The applicant does not have to satisfy the two-year prior experience requirement if:

 

(1) the applicant sells or brokers used manufactured homes as permitted under section 327B.01, subdivision 7; or

 

(2) the applicant:

 

(i) has met all other licensing requirements;

 

(ii) is the owner of a manufactured home park; and

 

(iii) is selling new manufactured homes installed in the manufactured home park that the applicant owns.

 

Sec. 37.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 341.21, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3a.  Commissioner.  "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 a person working under contract with the department.

 

Sec. 38.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 341.221, is amended to read:

 

341.221 ADVISORY COUNCIL.

 

(a) The commissioner must appoint a Combative Sports Advisory Council to advise the commissioner on the administration of duties under this chapter.

 

(b) The council shall have nine members appointed by the commissioner.  One member 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.  At least four members must have knowledge of the boxing industry.  At least four members must have knowledge of the mixed martial arts industry.  The commissioner shall make serious efforts to appoint qualified women to serve on the council.

 

(c) Council members shall serve terms of four years with the terms ending on the first Monday in January.

 

(d) The council shall annually elect from its membership a chair.


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(e) The commissioner shall convene the first meeting of the council by July 1, 2012.  The council shall elect a chair at its first meeting.  Thereafter, Meetings shall be convened by the commissioner, or by the chair with the approval of the commissioner.

 

(f) For the first appointments to the council, the commissioner shall appoint the members currently serving on the Combative Sports Commission established under section 341.22, to the council.  The commissioner shall designate two of the members to serve until the first Monday in January 2013; two members to serve until the first Monday in January 2014; two members to serve until the first Monday in January 2015; and three members to serve until the first Monday in January 2016.

 

(g) Removal of members, filling of vacancies, and compensation of members shall be as provided in section 15.059.

 

Sec. 39.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 341.27, is amended to read:

 

341.27 COMMISSIONER DUTIES.

 

The commissioner 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 council open to inspection at all reasonable times;

 

(4) develop rules to be implemented under this chapter;

 

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

 

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

 

(7) immediately suspend an individual license for a medical condition, including but not limited to a medical condition resulting from an injury sustained during a match, bout, or contest that has been confirmed by the ringside physician.  The medical suspension must be lifted after the commissioner receives written information from a physician licensed in the home state of the licensee indicating that the combatant may resume competition, and any other information that the commissioner may by rule require.  Medical suspensions are not subject to section 214.10.  326B.082 or the contested case procedures provided in sections 14.57 to 14.69; and

 

(8) immediately suspend an individual combatant license for a mandatory rest period, which must commence at the conclusion of every combative sports contest in which the license holder competes and does not receive a medical suspension.  A rest suspension must automatically lift after seven calendar days from the date the combative sports contest passed without notice or additional proceedings.  Rest suspensions are not subject to section 326B.082 or the contested case procedures provided in sections 14.57 to 14.69.

 

Sec. 40.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 341.29, is amended to read:

 

341.29 JURISDICTION OF COMMISSIONER.

 

The commissioner shall:

 

(1) have sole direction, supervision, regulation, control, and jurisdiction over all combative sport contests that are held within this state unless a contest is exempt from the application of this chapter under federal law;


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(2) have sole control, authority, and jurisdiction over all licenses required by this chapter; and

 

(3) grant a license to an applicant if, in the judgment of the commissioner, the financial responsibility, experience, character, and general fitness of the applicant are consistent with the public interest, convenience, or necessity and the best interests of combative sports and conforms with this chapter and the commissioner's rules.; and

 

(4) deny, suspend, or revoke a license using the enforcement provisions of section 326B.082.

 

Sec. 41.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 341.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Prelicensure requirements.  (a) Before the commissioner issues a license to a promoter, corporation, or other business entity, the applicant shall:

 

(1) provide the commissioner with a copy of any agreement between a combatant and the applicant that binds the applicant to pay the combatant a certain fixed fee or percentage of the gate receipts;

 

(2) show on the application the owner or owners of the applicant entity and the percentage of interest held by each owner holding a 25 percent or more interest in the applicant;

 

(3) provide the commissioner with a copy of the latest financial statement of the entity; and

 

(4) provide the commissioner with a copy or other proof acceptable to the commissioner of the insurance contract or policy required by this chapter.

 

(b) Before the commissioner issues a license to a promoter, the applicant shall deposit with the commissioner a cash bond or surety bond in an amount set by the commissioner, which must not be less than $10,000.  The bond shall be executed in favor of this state and shall be conditioned on the faithful performance by the promoter of the promoter's obligations under this chapter and the rules adopted under it.  An applicant for a license as a promoter and licensed promoters shall submit an application for each event a minimum of six weeks before the combative sport contest is scheduled to occur.

 

(c) Before the commissioner issues a license to a combatant, the applicant shall submit to the commissioner:

 

(1) a mixed martial arts combatant national identification number or federal boxing identification number that is unique to the applicant, or both; and

 

(2) the results of a current medical examination on forms furnished or approved by the commissioner.  The medical examination must include an ophthalmological and neurological examination, and documentation of test results for HBV, HCV, and HIV, and any other blood test as the commissioner by rule may require.  The ophthalmological examination must be designed to detect any retinal defects or other damage or condition of the eye that could be aggravated by combative sports.  The neurological examination must include an electroencephalogram or medically superior test if the combatant has been knocked unconscious in a previous contest.  The commissioner may also order an electroencephalogram or other appropriate neurological or physical examination before any contest if it determines that the examination is desirable to protect the health of the combatant.  The commissioner shall not issue a license to an applicant submitting positive test results for HBV, HCV, or HIV.

 

Sec. 42.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 341.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Expiration and renewal.  A license issued after July 1, 2007, is valid for one year from the date it is issued and Licenses expire annually on December 31, and may be renewed by filing an application for renewal with the commissioner and payment of the license fees established in section 341.321.  An application for a license and


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renewal of a license must be on a form provided by the commissioner.  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 commissioner has renewed the license.  If the licensee fails to apply to the commissioner within the 30-day grace period, the licensee must apply for a new license under subdivision 1.

 

Sec. 43.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 341.321, is amended to read:

 

341.321 FEE SCHEDULE.

 

(a) The fee schedule for professional licenses issued by the commissioner is as follows:

 

(1) referees, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(2) promoters, $400 $700 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(3) judges and knockdown judges, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(4) trainers, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(5) ring announcers, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(6) seconds, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(7) timekeepers, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(8) combatants, $45 $120 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(9) managers, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal; and

 

(10) ringside physicians, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal.

 

In addition to the license fee and the late filing penalty fee in section 341.32, subdivision 2, if applicable, an individual who applies for a professional license on the same day the combative sporting event is held shall pay a late fee of $100 plus the original license fee of $45 $120 at the time the application is submitted.

 

(b) The fee schedule for amateur licenses issued by the commissioner is as follows:

 

(1) referees, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(2) promoters, $400 $700 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(3) judges and knockdown judges, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(4) trainers, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(5) ring announcers, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(6) seconds, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(7) timekeepers, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal;


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(8) combatant, $25 $60 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(9) managers, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal; and

 

(10) ringside physicians, $45 $80 for each initial license and each renewal.

 

(c) The commissioner shall establish a contest fee for each combative sport contest.  The professional combative sport contest fee is $1,500 per event or not more than four percent of the gross ticket sales, whichever is greater, as determined by the commissioner when the combative sport contest is scheduled, except that the amateur combative sport contest fee shall be $500 $1,500 or not more than four percent of the gross ticket sales, whichever is greater.  The commissioner shall consider the size and type of venue when establishing a contest fee.  The commissioner may establish the maximum number of complimentary tickets allowed for each event by rule.  A professional or amateur combative sport contest fee is nonrefundable.

 

(d) All fees and penalties collected by the commissioner must be deposited in the commissioner account in the special revenue fund.

 

Sec. 44.  JOB-BASED EDUCATION AND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (JEAP) FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

 

Subdivision 1.  Creation.  The commissioner of labor and industry, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) and employers, shall develop JEAP for manufacturing industries that integrates academic instruction and job-related learning in the workplace and through MnSCU institutions.  The commissioner shall actively recruit participants in JEAP, through the Web-based hub created in subdivision 4 and other means, from the following groups:  secondary and postsecondary school systems; individuals with disabilities; dislocated workers; retired and disabled veterans; individuals enrolled in MFIP under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J; minorities; previously incarcerated individuals; individuals residing in labor surplus areas as defined by the United States Department of Labor; and any other disadvantaged group as determined by the commissioner.

 

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

 

(b) "Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.01.

 

(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of labor and industry.

 

(d) "Employer" means a skilled manufacturing employer within the state who enters into the agreements with MnSCU and the commissioner of labor under subdivisions 4 to 6.

 

(e) "Hub" or "the hub" means the Web-based listing of skilled manufacturing jobs under subdivision 3.

 

(f) "MnSCU institution" means the local college or university providing instruction to the participant.

 

(g) "Participant" means an employee who:

 

(1) enters into a JEAP participation agreement under subdivision 6; and

 

(2) is successfully admitted to a MnSCU institution, if applicable.


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(h) "Related instruction" means classroom instruction or technical or vocational training required to perform the duties of the skilled manufacturing job.

 

(i) "Skilled manufacturing" means occupations in manufacturing industry sectors 31 to 33 as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

 

Subd. 3.  Job-seekers hub.  (a) The commissioner shall develop a centralized Web-based skilled manufacturing job-seekers hub that matches the needs of employers with job seekers.

 

(b) An employer may advertise a JEAP or other job opportunity on the hub if the employer:

 

(1) collaborates with a MnSCU institution to assist with the development of any necessary classroom instruction or technical or vocational training that may be required to perform the duties of the skilled manufacturing job;

 

(2) collaborates with the commissioner of labor and industry to create a JEAP under subdivision 4;

 

(3) abides by the terms of the JEAP employer agreement under subdivision 4; and

 

(4) employs the participant under the terms of a JEAP participation agreement under subdivision 5 for the duration of the modified apprenticeship program and, assuming successful completion, makes reasonable efforts to continue to employ the participant as a regular employee.

 

(c) Job seekers seeking skilled manufacturing jobs advertised on the hub agree to abide by the terms of the JEAP participation agreement under subdivision 5.

 

(d) The Board of Trustees of MnSCU and MnSCU institutions shall provide information for the hub describing the related instruction component of JEAP through data exchange.

 

Subd. 4.  JEAP employer agreement.  (a) The commissioner, eligible employer, and MnSCU institution shall enter into a JEAP employer agreement that is specific to the identified manufacturing training needs of an employer.

 

(b) The agreement must contain the following:

 

(1) the name of the employer;

 

(2) a statement showing the number of hours to be spent by a participant in work and the number of hours to be spent, if any, in concurrent, supplementary instruction in related subjects.  The maximum number of hours of work per week, not including time spent in related instruction, for any participant shall not exceed either the number prescribed by law or the customary regular number of hours per week for the employees of the company by which the participant is employed.  A participant may be allowed to work overtime provided that the overtime work does not conflict with supplementary instruction course attendance.  All time spent by the participant in excess of the number of hours of work per week as specified in the JEAP participation agreement shall be considered overtime;

 

(3) a statement showing the schedule of wages that a participant will earn, including a probationary period, if any;

 

(4) an explanation of how the employer agreement or participant agreement may be terminated;

 

(5) a statement setting forth a schedule of the processes in the occupation in which the participant is to be trained and the approximate time to be spent at each process;


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(6) a statement by the MnSCU institution and the employer describing the related instruction that will be offered, if any, under subdivision 6, paragraph (c); and

 

(7) any other provision the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

 

Subd. 5.  JEAP participation agreement.  (a) The commissioner, the prospective participant, and the employer shall enter into a JEAP participation agreement that is specific to the manufacturing training to be provided to the participant.

 

(b) The participation agreement must contain the following:

 

(1) the name of the employer;

 

(2) the name of the participant;

 

(3) a statement setting forth a schedule of the processes of the occupation in which the participant is to be trained and the approximate time to be spent at each process;

 

(4) a description of any related instruction;

 

(5) a statement showing the number of hours to be spent by a participant in work and the number of hours to be spent, if any, in concurrent, supplementary instruction in related subjects.  The maximum number of hours of work per week, not including time spent in related instruction, for any participant shall not exceed either the number prescribed by law or the customary regular number of hours per week for the employees of the company by which the participant is employed.  A participant may be allowed to work overtime provided that the overtime work does not conflict with supplementary instruction course attendance.  All time spent by the participant in excess of the number of hours of work per week as specified in the JEAP participation agreement shall be considered overtime;

 

(6) a statement showing the schedule of wages that a participant will earn, including a probationary period, if any; and

 

(7) an explanation of how the parties may terminate the participation agreement.

 

(c) If a JEAP participation agreement meets the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 178.07, the commissioner may approve the participation agreement as an apprenticeship agreement.

 

(d) The commissioner may periodically review the adherence to the terms of the JEAP participation agreement.  If the commissioner determines that an employer or participant has failed to comply with the terms of a participation agreement, the commissioner shall terminate the participation agreement.

 

Subd. 6.  MnSCU instruction.  (a) MnSCU institutions shall collaborate with employers to provide related instruction which the employer deems necessary to instruct participants of JEAP.  The related instruction provided must be, for the purposes of this section, career-level, as negotiated by the commissioner and the MnSCU institution.  The related instruction may be for credit or noncredit, and credit earned may be transferable to a degree program, as determined by the MnSCU institution.

 

(b) The commissioner, in conjunction with the MnSCU institution, shall issue a certificate of completion to a participant who completes all required components of the JEAP participation agreement.

 

(c) As part of the JEAP, an employer shall collaborate with a MnSCU institution for any related instruction required to perform the skilled manufacturing job.  The employer agreement shall include:


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(1) a detailed explanation of the related instruction; and

 

(2) the number of hours of related instruction needed to receive a certificate of completion.

 

(d) Before entering into a JEAP participation agreement under subdivision 6, a prospective participant must enroll in the MnSCU institution at which the required instruction will occur.  Acceptance into JEAP does not guarantee enrollment as a degree-seeking student in good standing at a MnSCU institution.  The MnSCU institution may modify admission procedures and requirements for participants applying for JEAP under this section.

 

Subd. 7.  Expiration.  JEAP does not expire unless jointly agreed to by both the Board of Trustees of MnSCU and the commissioner.

 

Sec. 45.  IMPLEMENTATION; REPORT.

 

The commissioner shall implement JEAP for manufacturing industries under Minnesota Statutes, section 178A.10, at Century College, Alexandria Technical and Community College, Hennepin Technical College, and Central Lakes College.  By January 15, 2015, the commissioner and the Board of Trustees of MnSCU, in conjunction with each MnSCU institution listed in this section, shall report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over jobs.  The report must address the progress and success of the implementation of JEAP at each individual MnSCU institution listed in this section.  The report must give recommendations on where JEAP should next be implemented, taking into consideration all current and potential manufacturing training providers available.

 

Sec. 46.  REPEALER.

 

(a) Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 326B.31, subdivisions 18, 19, and 22; and 326B.978, subdivision 4, are repealed.

 

(b) Minnesota Rules, parts 1307.0032; 3800.3520, subpart 5, items C and D; and 3800.3602, subpart 2, item B, subitems (5) and (6), are repealed.

 

ARTICLE 3

EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

 

Section 1.  [116J.013] COST-OF-LIVING STUDY; ANNUAL REPORT.

 

(a) The commissioner shall conduct an annual cost-of-living study in Minnesota.  The study shall include:

 

(1) a calculation of the statewide basic needs cost of living, adjusted for family size;

 

(2) a calculation of the basic needs cost of living, adjusted for family size, for each county;

 

(3) an analysis of statewide and county cost-of-living data, employment data, and job vacancy data; and

 

(4) recommendations to aid in the assessment of employment and economic development planning needs throughout the state.

 

(b) The commissioner shall report on the cost-of-living study and recommendations by February 1 of each year to the governor and to the chairs of the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over employment and economic development issues.


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Sec. 2.  [116J.4011] LABOR MARKET INFORMATION DATA PRODUCTION REQUIREMENT.

 

(a) As part of the commissioner's obligation under section 116J.401, the commissioner must, in collaboration with the Office of Higher Education and local workforce center boards, publish labor market analysis supply and demand reports, statewide and by region.  The supply and demand reports must:

 

(1) identify the state and regional industry sectors and occupations with the highest current and projected job growth;

 

(2) identify top job vacancies by state and regional industry sectors and occupations;

 

(3) provide information on the education attainment of the current state and regional workforce;

 

(4) identify the expected number of graduates in industry-recognized credential and degree programs by career field;

 

(5) identify the completion rate and average debt per student of industry-recognized credential and degree programs by career field;

 

(6) identify higher education institutions offering industry-recognized credential and degree programs in high job-growth career fields;

 

(7) make projections on future state and regional job growth by education level; and

 

(8) utilize employer surveys to identify the credentials and skills needed for employment in high job-growth occupations.

 

(b) The statewide report and regional reports shall each present side-by-side comparisons of:

 

(1) new job growth and total job openings by education level compared with educational attainment levels of current workforce;

 

(2) current and projected top high-growth, high-pay industries by number of new jobs and median salaries compared with top annual graduates by major or credential; and

 

(3) top job vacancies requiring some postsecondary credential.  Each of these vacancies should be directly linked to information about what credentials are required, where in the state and region those credentials can be obtained, the completion and credential attainment rate of each of those credential programs, the average debt per student who attains each credential, and median wages for the job vacancy.

 

(c) Reports required by this section must be regularly reviewed by regional employers and educators to ensure accuracy.

 

(d) Reports required by this section must be easily accessible, easily readable, and prominently presented on the Department of Employment and Economic Development Web site and Web sites of workforce centers.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116J.8731, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Administration.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner shall administer the fund as part of the Small Cities Development Block Grant Program. and funds shall be made available to local communities and recognized Indian tribal governments in accordance with the rules adopted for economic development grants in the small cities community development block grant program, except that.  All units of general purpose local government are eligible applicants for Minnesota investment funds.  The commissioner may provide forgivable loans directly to a private enterprise and not require a local community or recognized Indian


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tribal government application other than a resolution supporting the assistance.  Eligible applicants for the state-funded portion of the fund also include development authorities as defined in section 116J.552, subdivision 4, provided that the governing body of the municipality approves, by resolution, the application of the development authority.  The commissioner may also make funds available within the department for eligible expenditures under subdivision 3, clause (2).  A home rule charter or statutory city, county, or town may loan or grant money received from repayment of funds awarded under this section to a regional development commission, other regional entity, or statewide community capital fund as determined by the commissioner, to capitalize or to provide the local match required for capitalization of a regional or statewide revolving loan fund.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116J.8731, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Eligible expenditures.  The money appropriated for this section may be used to:

 

(1) fund loans or grants for infrastructure, loans, loan guarantees, interest buy-downs, and other forms of participation with private sources of financing, provided that a loan to a private enterprise must be for a principal amount not to exceed one-half of the cost of the project for which financing is sought;

 

(2) fund strategic investments in renewable energy market development, such as low interest loans for renewable energy equipment manufacturing, training grants to support renewable energy workforce, development of a renewable energy supply chain that represents and strengthens the industry throughout the state, and external marketing to garner more national and international investment into Minnesota's renewable sector.  Expenditures in external marketing for renewable energy market development are not subject to the limitations in clause (1); and

 

(3) provide private entrepreneurs with training, other technical assistance, and financial assistance, as provided in the small cities development block grant program.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116J.8731, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8.  Disaster contingency account; repayments.  There is created a Minnesota investment fund disaster contingency account in the special revenue fund.  Repayment of loan amounts to the local government unit or development authority under this section shall be forwarded to the commissioner and deposited in the disaster contingency account in the Minnesota investment fund to be appropriated by law for future disaster relief.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116J.8731, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9.  Requirements for assistance.  (a) All awards under section 12A.07 are subject to the following requirements in this subdivision.

 

(a) Eligible applicants include the following:

 

(b) Eligible applicants are subject to the following requirements:

 

(1) Applicants may be any business or nonprofit organization in the area included in the disaster declaration that was directly and adversely affected by the disaster.  This includes:  businesses, cooperatives, utilities, industrial, commercial, retail, and nonprofit organizations, including those nonprofits that provide residential, health care, child care, social, or other services on behalf of the Department of Human Services to residents included in the disaster area.

 

(2) Business applicants must be organized as a proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or a corporation.

 

(3) Applicants must have been in operation before the date of the disaster.


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(b) Eligible activities.  (c) Loan funds may be used to assist businesses only in their recovery efforts but are not available to provide relief from economic losses.

 

(c) Eligible costs.  (d) Eligible costs may include the following:  repair of buildings, leasehold improvements, fixtures and/or equipment, loss of inventory, and cleanup costs.

 

(d) (e) Ineligible activities include all of the following:

 

(1) Ineligible applicants.  Any applicants not meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in this subdivision are ineligible to receive recovery loan funds.

 

(2) Ineligible activities.  Funds may not be used for lending or investment operations, land speculation, or any activity deemed illegal by federal, state, or local law or ordinance.

 

(3) Ineligible costs.  Ineligible costs include but are not limited to:  economic injury losses, relocation, management fees, financing costs, franchise fees, debt consolidation, moving costs, refinancing debt existing prior to the date of the disaster, and operating costs.

 

(e) (f) Loan application:

 

(1) Application process.  All parties seeking recovery loan funds must file an application with the local unit of government or development authority.  Small Business Administration (SBA) application forms may be used.  Applications must be transmitted in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.

 

(f) Application information.  (g) Only completed applications will be reviewed for consideration.  Submittal of the following information constitutes a complete application:

 

(1) Minnesota investment fund recovery loan fund application;

 

(2) business SBA disaster application, if applicable;

 

(3) regional development organization or responsible local government application, if applicable;

 

(4) administrative contact;

 

(5) business release for local government to review SBA damage assessment/loss verification, if applicable;

 

(6) proof of loss statement from insurer;

 

(7) construction cost estimates;

 

(8) invoices for work completed;

 

(9) quotes for equipment;

 

(10) proposed security;

 

(11) company historical financial statements for the 24 months immediately prior to the application date;

 

(12) credit check release;


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(13) number of jobs to be retained;

 

(14) wages paid;

 

(15) amount of loan request;

 

(16) documentation of damages incurred;

 

(17) property taxes paid and current;

 

(18) judgments, liens, agreements, consent decrees, stipulations for settlements, or other such actions which would prevent the applicant from participating in any program administered by the responsible local, state, or regional government;

 

(19) compliance with all applicable local ordinances and plans;

 

(20) documentation through financial and tax records that the business was a viable operating entity at the time of the flood;

 

(21) business tax identification number; and

 

(22) other documentation as requested.

 

(g) (h) Incomplete applications will be assigned pending status and the applicant will be informed in writing of the missing documentation.

 

(h) Determination of eligibility. (i) Applicant eligibility will be determined using criteria enumerated in paragraph (a) (b).  A credit check for the company and each of its principal owners may be conducted.  An owner's encumbrance report will be completed by the Recorder's Office.

 

(j) A grant recipient is eligible for assistance provided under this section only after the recipient has claimed all applicable private insurance and the recipient has utilized all other sources of applicable assistance available under the act appropriating funding for the grant.

 

Sec. 7.  [116J.8748] MINNESOTA JOB CREATION FUND.

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

 

(b) "Agreement" or "business subsidy agreement" means a business subsidy agreement under section 116J.994 that must include, but is not limited to:  specification of the duration of the agreement, job goals and a timeline for achieving those goals over the duration of the agreement, construction and other investment goals and a timeline for achieving those goals over the duration of the agreement, and the value of benefits the firm may receive following achievement of construction and employment goals.  The local government and business must report to the commissioner on the business performance using the forms developed by the commissioner. 

 

(c) "Business" means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, or other entity.

 

(d) "Capital investment" means money that is expended for the purpose of building or improving real fixed property where employees under paragraphs (g) and (h) are or will be employed and also includes construction materials, services, and supplies.


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

 

(f) "Minnesota job creation fund business" means a business that is designated by the commissioner under subdivision 3.

 

(g) "New full-time employee" means an employee who:

 

(1) begins work at a Minnesota job creation fund business facility noted in a business subsidy agreement and following the designation as a job creation fund business; and

 

(2) has expected work hours of at least 2,080 hours annually.

 

(h) "Retained job" means a full-time position:

 

(1) that existed at the facility prior to the designation as a job creation fund business; and

 

(2) has expected work hours of at least 2,080 hours annually.

 

(i) "Wages" has the meaning given in section 290.92, subdivision 1, clause (1).

 

Subd. 2.  Application.  (a) In order to qualify for designation as a Minnesota job creation fund business under subdivision 3, a business must submit an application to the local government entity where the facility is or will be located.

 

(b) A local government must submit the business application along with other application materials to the commissioner for approval.

 

(c) The applications required under paragraphs (a) and (b) must be in the form and be made under the procedures specified by the commissioner. 

 

Subd. 3.  Minnesota job creation fund business designation; requirements.  (a) To receive designation as a Minnesota job creation fund business, a business must satisfy all of the following conditions:

 

(1) the business is or will be engaged in, within Minnesota, one of the following as its primary business activity:

 

(i) manufacturing;

 

(ii) warehousing;

 

(iii) distribution;

 

(iv) information technology;

 

(v) finance;

 

(vi) insurance; or

 

(vii) professional or technical services;

 

(2) the business must not be primarily engaged in lobbying, gambling, entertainment, professional sports, political consulting, leisure, hospitality, or professional services provided by attorneys, accountants, business consultants, physicians, or health care consultants, or primarily engaged in making retail sales to purchasers who are physically present at the business's location;


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(3) the business must enter into a binding construction and job creation business subsidy agreement with the commissioner to expend at least $500,000 in capital investment in a construction project that includes a new, expanded, or remodeled facility within one year following designation as a Minnesota job creation fund business and:

 

(i) create at least ten new full-time employee positions within two years of the benefit date following the designation as a Minnesota job creation fund business; or

 

(ii) expend at least $25,000,000 in capital investment and retain at least 50 employees;

 

(4) positions or employees moved or relocated from another Minnesota location of the Minnesota job creation fund business must not be included in any calculation or determination of job creation or new positions under this paragraph; and

 

(5) a Minnesota job creation fund business must not terminate, lay off, or reduce the working hours of an employee for the purpose of hiring an individual to satisfy job creation goals under this subdivision.

 

(b) Prior to approving the proposed designation of a business under this subdivision, the commissioner shall consider the following:

 

(1) the economic outlook of the industry in which the business engages;

 

(2) the projected sales of the business that will be generated from outside the state of Minnesota;

 

(3) how the business will build on existing regional, national, and international strengths to diversify the state's economy;

 

(4) whether the business activity would occur without financial assistance;

 

(5) whether the business is unable to expand at an existing Minnesota operation due to facility or land limitations;

 

(6) whether the business has viable location options outside Minnesota;

 

(7) the effect of financial assistance on industry competitors in Minnesota;

 

(8) financial contributions to the project made by local governments; and

 

(9) any other criteria the commissioner deems necessary.

 

(c) Upon receiving notification of local approval under subdivision 2, the commissioner shall review the determination by the local government and consider the conditions listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) to determine whether it is in the best interests of the state and local area to designate a business as a Minnesota job creation fund business. 

 

(d) If the commissioner designates a business as a Minnesota job creation fund business, the business subsidy agreement shall include the performance outcome commitments and the expected financial value of any Minnesota job creation fund benefits.

 

(e) The commissioner may amend an agreement once, upon request of a local government on behalf of a business, only if the performance is expected to exceed thresholds stated in the original agreement.


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(f) A business may apply to be designated as a Minnesota job creation fund business at the same location more than once only if all goals under a previous Minnesota job creation fund agreement have been met and the agreement is completed.

 

Subd. 4.  Certification; benefits.  (a) The commissioner may certify a Minnesota job creation fund business as eligible to receive a specific value of benefit under paragraphs (b) and (c) when the business has achieved its job creation and construction goals noted in its agreement under subdivision 3.

 

(b) A qualified Minnesota job creation fund business may be certified eligible for the benefits in this paragraph for up to five years for projects located in the metropolitan area as defined in section 200.02, subdivision 24, and seven years for projects located outside the metropolitan area, as determined by the commissioner when considering the best interests of the state and local area.  The eligibility for the following benefits begins the date the commissioner certifies the business as a qualified Minnesota job creation fund business under this subdivision:

 

(1) up to five percent rebate for projects located in the metropolitan area as defined in section 200.02, subdivision 24, and 7.5 percent for projects located outside the metropolitan area, on capital investment on qualifying purchases as provided in subdivision 5 with the total rebate for a project not to exceed $500,000;

 

(2) an award of up to $500,000 based on full-time job creation and wages paid as provided in subdivision 6 with the total award not to exceed $500,000;

 

(3) up to $1,000,000 in capital investment rebates and $1,000,000 in job creation awards for projects that have at least $25,000,000 in capital investment and 200 new employees; and

 

(4) up to $1,000,000 in capital investment rebates for projects that have at least $25,000,000 in capital investment and 50 retained employees.

 

(c) The job creation award may be provided in multiple years as long as the qualified Minnesota job creation fund business continues to meet the job creation goals provided for in its agreement under subdivision 3 and the total award does not exceed $500,000 except as provided under paragraph (b), clauses (3) and (4).

 

(d) No rebates or award may be provided until the Minnesota job creation fund business has at least $500,000 in capital investment in the project and at least ten full-time jobs have been created and maintained for at least one year or the retained employees, as provided in paragraph (b), clause (4), remain for at least one year.  The agreement may require additional performance outcomes that need to be achieved before rebates and awards are provided.  If fewer retained jobs are maintained, but still above the minimum under this subdivision, the capital investment award shall be reduced on a proportionate basis.

 

(e) The forms needed to be submitted to document performance by the Minnesota job creation fund business must be in the form and be made under the procedures specified by the commissioner.  The forms shall include documentation and certification by the business that it is in compliance with the business subsidy agreement, sections 116J.871 and 116L.66, and other provisions as specified by the commissioner.

 

(f) Minnesota job creation fund businesses must pay each new full-time employee added pursuant to the agreement total compensation, including benefits not mandated by law, that on an annualized basis is equal to at least 110 percent of the federal poverty level for a family of four.

 

(g) A Minnesota job creation fund business must demonstrate reasonable progress on its capital investment expenditures within six months following designation as a Minnesota job creation fund business to ensure that the capital investment goal in the agreement under subdivision 1 will be met.  The commissioner may determine that a business not making reasonable progress will not be eligible for benefits under the submitted application and will need to work with the local government unit to submit a new application and request to be a Minnesota job creation fund business.  Notwithstanding any six-month goals noted in its agreement under subdivision 1, this action shall not be considered a default of the business subsidy agreement.


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Subd. 5.  Capital investment rebate.  (a) A qualified Minnesota job creation fund business is eligible for a rebate on the purchase and use of construction materials, services, and supplies used for or consumed in the construction project as described in the goals under the agreement provided under subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

 

(b) The rebate under this subdivision applies regardless of whether the purchases are made by the qualified Minnesota job creation fund business or a contractor hired to perform work or provide services at the qualified Minnesota job creation fund business location.

 

(c) Minnesota job creation fund businesses seeking the rebate for capital investment provided under subdivision 4 must submit forms and applications to the Department of Employment and Economic Development as prescribed by the commissioner of each department.

 

Subd. 6.  Job creation award.  (a) A qualified Minnesota job creation fund business is eligible for an annual award for each new job created and maintained by the business using the following schedule:  $1,000 for each job position paying annual wages at least $26,000 but less than $35,000; $2,000 for each job position paying at least $35,000 but less than $45,000; and $3,000 for each job position paying at least $45,000; and as noted in the goals under the agreement provided under subdivision 1.

 

(b) The job creation award schedule must be adjusted annually using the percentage increase in the federal poverty level for a family of four.

 

(c) Minnesota job creation fund businesses seeking an award credit provided under subdivision 4 must submit forms and applications to the Department of Employment and Economic Development as prescribed by the commissioner.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2014.

 

Sec. 8.  [116J.9661] TRADE POLICY ADVISORY GROUP.

 

Subdivision 1.  Establishment.  A trade policy advisory group is established to advise and assist the governor and the legislature regarding government procurement agreements of United States trade agreements.

 

Subd. 2.  Membership.  (a) The trade policy advisory group shall be appointed by the governor and comprised of 12 members as follows:

 

(1) two representatives of organized labor;

 

(2) a representative of an organization representing environmental interests;

 

(3) a representative of organizations representing family farmers;

 

(4) two representatives from business and industry;

 

(5) a representative of a nonprofit organization focused on international trade and development;

 

(6) the commissioner of employment and economic development or the commissioner's designee;

 

(7) two senators, including one member from the majority party and one member from the minority party, appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the senate; and

 

(8) two members of the house of representatives, including one member appointed by the speaker of the house and one member appointed by the minority leader.


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(b) Members of the trade policy advisory group shall serve for a term of two years and may be reappointed.  Members shall serve until their successors have been appointed.

 

(c) The trade policy advisory group may invite representatives from other state agencies, industries, trade and labor organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and local governments to join the group as nonvoting ex officio members.

 

Subd. 3.  Administration.  (a) The commissioner of employment and economic development or the commissioner's designee shall:

 

(1) coordinate with the other appointing authorities to designate their representatives; and

 

(2) provide meeting space and administrative services for the group.

 

(b) The members shall elect a chair from the legislative members of the working group.  The chair will assume responsibility for convening future meetings of the group.

 

(c) Public members of the advisory group serve without compensation or payment of expenses.

 

Subd. 4.  Duties.  The trade policy advisory group shall:

 

(1) serve as an advisory group to the governor and the legislature on matters relating to government procurement agreements of United States trade agreements;

 

(2) assess the potential impact of government procurement agreements on the state's economy;

 

(3) advise the governor and the legislature of the group's findings and make recommendations, including any draft legislation necessary to implement the recommendations, to the governor and the legislature;

 

(4) determine, on a case-by-case basis, the impact of a specific government procurement agreement by requesting input from state agencies, seeking expert advice, convening public hearings, and taking other reasonable and appropriate actions;

 

(5) provide advice on other issues related to trade agreements other than government procurement agreements when specifically requested by the governor or the legislature;

 

(6) request information from the Office of the United States Trade Representative necessary to conduct an appropriate review of government procurement agreements or other trade issues as directed by the governor or the legislature; and

 

(7) receive information obtained by the United States Trade Representative's single point of contact for Minnesota.

 

Subd. 5.  Report.  The trade policy advisory group shall issue a report to the legislature with its findings and recommendations no less than once per fiscal year.

 

Sec. 9.  [116J.978] MINNESOTA TRADE OFFICES IN FOREIGN MARKETS.

 

(a) The commissioner of employment and economic development shall establish three new Minnesota Trade Offices in key foreign markets selected for their potential to increase Minnesota exports and attract foreign direct investment.


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(b) The commissioner shall establish a performance rating system for the new offices established under this section and create specific annual goals for the offices to meet.  The commissioner shall monitor activities of the office, including, but not limited to, the number of inquiries and projects received and completed, meetings arranged between Minnesota companies and potential investors, distributors, or customers, and agreements signed.

 

Sec. 10.  [116J.979] MINNESOTA STEP GRANTS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Establishment.  The commissioner of employment and economic development shall create a State Trade and Export Promotion grants program, hereafter STEP grants, to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets.

 

Subd. 2.  Grants.  Recipients may apply, on an application devised by the commissioner, for up to $7,500 in reimbursement for approved export-development activities, including, but not limited to:

 

(1) participation in trade missions;

 

(2) export training;

 

(3) exhibition at trade shows or industry-specific events;

 

(4) translation of marketing materials;

 

(5) development of foreign language Web sites, Gold Key, or other business matchmaking services;

 

(6) company-specific international sales activities; and

 

(7) testing and certification required to sell products in foreign markets.

 

Sec. 11.  [116J.9801] INVEST MINNESOTA.

 

The commissioner shall establish the Invest Minnesota marketing initiative.  This initiative must focus on branding the state's economic development initiatives and promoting Minnesota business opportunities.  The initiative may include measures to communicate the benefits of doing business in Minnesota to companies considering relocating, establishing a United States presence, or expanding.

 

Sec. 12.  [116L.191] WORKFORCE CENTER; CREDENTIAL ASSISTANCE.

 

(a) The commissioner shall provide at local workforce centers services that assist individuals in identifying and obtaining industry-recognized credentials for jobs, particularly jobs in high demand.  The workforce centers must consult and cooperate with training institutions, particularly postsecondary institutions, to identify credential programs to individuals.

 

(b) Each workforce center shall provide information under section 116J.4011, paragraph (b), clause (3), linked as a shortcut from the desktop of each workforce center computer and available in hard copy.  Prominent signs should be posted in workforce centers directing individuals to where they can find a list of top job vacancies and related credential information.

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116U.26, is amended to read:

 

116U.26 FILM PRODUCTION JOBS PROGRAM.

 

(a) The film production jobs program is created.  The program shall be operated by the Minnesota Film and TV Board with administrative oversight and control by the commissioner of administration employment and economic development.  The program shall make payment to producers of feature films, national television or Internet programs,


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documentaries, music videos, and commercials that directly create new film jobs in Minnesota.  To be eligible for a payment, a producer must submit documentation to the Minnesota Film and TV Board of expenditures for production costs incurred in Minnesota that are directly attributable to the production in Minnesota of a film product.

 

The Minnesota Film and TV Board shall make recommendations to the commissioner of administration employment and economic development about program payment, but the commissioner has the authority to make the final determination on payments.  The commissioner's determination must be based on proper documentation of eligible production costs submitted for payments.  No more than five percent of the funds appropriated for the program in any year may be expended for administration, including costs for independent audits and financial reviews of projects.

 

(b) For the purposes of this section:

 

(1) "production costs" means the cost of the following:

 

(i) a story and scenario to be used for a film;

 

(ii) salaries of talent, management, and labor, including payments to personal services corporations for the services of a performing artist;

 

(iii) set construction and operations, wardrobe, accessories, and related services;

 

(iv) photography, sound synchronization, lighting, and related services;

 

(v) editing and related services;

 

(vi) rental of facilities and equipment; or

 

(vii) other direct costs of producing the film in accordance with generally accepted entertainment industry practice; and

 

(viii) above-the-line talent fees for nonresident talent; or

 

(ix) costs incurred during postproduction; and

 

(2) "film" means a feature film, television or Internet show, pilot, program, series, documentary, music video, or television commercial, whether on film, video, or digital media.  Film does not include news, current events, public programming, or a program that includes weather or market reports; a talk show; a production with respect to a questionnaire or contest; a sports event or sports activity; a gala presentation or awards show; a finished production that solicits funds; or a production for which the production company is required under United States Code, title 18, section 2257, to maintain records with respect to a performer portrayed in a single-media or multimedia program.

 

(c) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Minnesota Film and TV Board may make reimbursements of:  (1) up to 20 25 percent of film production costs for films that locate production outside the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, or that incur production costs in excess of $5,000,000 in the metropolitan area within a 12-month period; or (2) up to 15 20 percent of film production costs for films that incur production costs of $5,000,000 or less in the metropolitan area within a 12-month period.

 

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


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Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 136F.37, is amended to read:

 

136F.37 JOB PLACEMENT IMPACT ON PROGRAM REVIEW; INFORMATION TO STUDENTS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Colleges; technical occupational program.  The board must assess labor market data when conducting college program reviews.  Colleges must provide prospective students with the job placement rate for graduates of technical and occupational programs offered at the colleges.

 

Subd. 2.  DEED labor market survey; MnSCU usage and disclosure.  The data assessed under subdivision 1 must include labor market data compiled by the Department of Employment and Economic Development under section 116J.4011.  The board and its colleges and universities must use this market data when deciding upon course and program offerings.  The board must provide a link to this labor market data on its Internet portal.

 

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

 

Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 245.4712, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Availability of community support services.  (a) County boards must provide or contract for sufficient community support services within the county to meet the needs of adults with serious and persistent mental illness who are residents of the county.  Adults may be required to pay a fee according to section 245.481.  The community support services program must be designed to improve the ability of adults with serious and persistent mental illness to:

 

(1) work in a regular or supported work environment find and maintain competitive employment;

 

(2) handle basic activities of daily living;

 

(3) participate in leisure time activities;

 

(4) set goals and plans; and

 

(5) obtain and maintain appropriate living arrangements.

 

The community support services program must also be designed to reduce the need for and use of more intensive, costly, or restrictive placements both in number of admissions and length of stay.

 

(b) Community support services are those services that are supportive in nature and not necessarily treatment oriented, and include:

 

(1) conducting outreach activities such as home visits, health and wellness checks, and problem solving;

 

(2) connecting people to resources to meet their basic needs;

 

(3) finding, securing, and supporting people in their housing;

 

(4) attaining and maintaining health insurance benefits;

 

(5) assisting with job applications, finding and maintaining employment, and securing a stable financial situation;


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(6) fostering social support, including support groups, mentoring, peer support, and other efforts to prevent isolation and promote recovery; and

 

(7) educating about mental illness, treatment, and recovery.

 

(c) Community support services shall use all available funding streams.  The county shall maintain the level of expenditures for this program, as required under section 245.4835.  County boards must continue to provide funds for those services not covered by other funding streams and to maintain an infrastructure to carry out these services.  The county is encouraged to fund evidence-based practices such as individual placement and support supported employment and illness management and recovery.

 

(d) The commissioner shall collect data on community support services programs, including, but not limited to, demographic information such as age, sex, race, the number of people served, and information related to housing, employment, hospitalization, symptoms, and satisfaction with services.

 

Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268A.13, is amended to read:

 

268A.13 EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

 

The commissioner of employment and economic development, in cooperation with the commissioner of human services, shall develop a statewide program of grants as outlined in section 268A.14 to provide services for persons with mental illness who want to work in supported employment.  Projects funded under this section must:  (1) assist persons with mental illness in obtaining and retaining competitive employment; (2) emphasize individual community placements for clients client preferences; (3) ensure interagency collaboration at the local level between vocational rehabilitation field offices, county service agencies, community support programs operating under the authority of section 245.4712, and community rehabilitation providers, in assisting clients; (4) ensure services are integrated with mental health treatment; (5) provide benefits counseling; (6) conduct rapid job search; and (4) (7) involve clients in the planning, development, oversight, and delivery of support services.  Project funds may not be used to provide services in segregated settings such as the center-based employment subprograms as defined in section 268A.01.

 

The commissioner of employment and economic development, in consultation with the commissioner of human services, shall develop a request for proposals which is consistent with the requirements of this section and section 268A.14 and which specifies the types of services that must be provided by grantees.  Priority for funding shall be given to organizations with experience in developing innovative employment support services for persons with mental illness carrying out evidence-based practices.  Each applicant for funds under this section shall submit an evaluation protocol as part of the grant application.

 

Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268A.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Employment support services and programs.  The commissioner of employment and economic development, in cooperation with the commissioner of human services, shall operate a statewide system to reimburse providers for employment support services for persons with mental illness.  The system shall be operated to support employment programs and services where:

 

(1) services provided are readily accessible to all persons with mental illness who want to work, including rapid competitive job search, so they can make progress toward economic self-sufficiency;

 

(2) services provided are made an integral part of all mental health treatment and rehabilitation programs for persons with mental illness to ensure that they have the ability and opportunity to consider a variety of work options;


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(3) programs help persons with mental illness form long-range plans for employment that fit their skills and abilities by ensuring that ongoing time-unlimited support, crisis management, placement, and career planning services are available;

 

(4) services provided give persons with mental illness the information needed to make informed choices about employment expectations and options, including information on the types of employment available in the local community, the types of employment services available, the impact of employment on eligibility for governmental benefits, and career options;

 

(5) programs assess whether persons with mental illness being serviced are satisfied with the services and outcomes.  Satisfaction assessments shall address at least whether persons like their jobs, whether quality of life is improved, whether potential for advancement exists, and whether there are adequate support services in place;

 

(6) programs encourage persons with mental illness being served to be involved in employment support services issues by allowing them to participate in the development of individual rehabilitation plans and to serve on boards, committees, task forces, and review bodies that shape employment services policies and that award grants, and by encouraging and helping them to establish and participate in self-help and consumer advocacy groups;

 

(7) programs encourage employers to expand employment opportunities for persons with mental illness and, to maximize the hiring of persons with mental illness, educate employers about the needs and abilities of persons with mental illness and the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act;

 

(8) programs encourage persons with mental illness, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and mental health professionals to learn more about current work incentive provisions in governmental benefits programs;

 

(9) programs establish and maintain linkages with a wide range of other programs and services, including educational programs, housing programs, economic assistance services, community support services, and clinical services to ensure that persons with mental illness can obtain and maintain employment;

 

(10) programs participate in ongoing training across agencies and service delivery systems so that providers in human services systems understand their respective roles, rules, and responsibilities and understand the options that exist for providing employment and community support services to persons with mental illness; and

 

(11) programs work with local communities to expand system capacity to provide access to employment services to all persons with mental illness who want them.

 

Sec. 18.  [383D.412] DAKOTA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY; MINNESOTA INVESTMENT FUND.

 

Subdivision 1.  Treatment.  As long as the conditions set forth in subdivision 2 are met and notwithstanding the provisions of section 116J.8731, the Dakota County Community Development Agency will be treated as if it were a general purpose local governmental unit and may apply for and receive state-funded money from the Minnesota investment fund. 

 

Subd. 2.  Conditions precedent.  Conditions precedent to the treatment of the Dakota County Community Development Agency as a general purpose local governmental unit as described in subdivision 1 are:

 

(a) the board of commissioners of Dakota County shall have adopted a resolution approving such treatment of the Dakota County Community Development Agency, and such resolution shall be in full force and effect and shall not have been revoked by Dakota County; and


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(b) the members of the board of commissioners of Dakota County shall be the same persons as the members of the board of commissioners of the Dakota County Community Development Agency.

 

Sec. 19.  EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM, ASPERGER'S SYNDROME, NONVERBAL LEARNING DISORDERS, AND PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENT DISORDER, NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED; PILOT PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

 

(b) "Communication" means the ability to effectively give and receive information through spoken words, writing, speaking, listening, or other means of communication, including but not limited to nonverbal expressions, gestures, or other adaptive methods.

 

(c) "Functional areas" means communication, interpersonal skills, mobility, self-care, self-direction, preemployment skills, work tolerance, and independent living skills.

 

(d) "Independent living assessment" means an active, performance-based skill assessment in the functional areas of communication, interpersonal skills, mobility, self-care, self-direction, preemployment skills, and independent living skills, that provides an analysis of the individual's ability to independently achieve certain skills and which is performed through direct observation.

 

(e) "Interpersonal skills" means the ability to establish and maintain personal, family, work, and community relationships.

 

(f) "Mobility" means the physical and psychological ability to move about from place to place, including travel to and from destinations in the community for activities of daily living, training, or work.

 

(g) "Natural supports" means the process of assisting an employer to expand its capacity for training, supervising, and supporting workers with disabilities.

 

(h) "Ongoing employment support services" means any of the following services:

 

(1) facilitation of natural supports at the work site;

 

(2) disability awareness training for the worker, the worker's employer, supervisor, or coworkers;

 

(3) services necessary to increase the worker's inclusion at the work site;

 

(4) job skills training at the work site;

 

(5) regular observation or supervision of the worker;

 

(6) coordination of support services;

 

(7) job-related safety training;

 

(8) job-related advocacy skills training to advance employment;


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(9) training in independent living skills and support including self-advocacy, money management and organization, grooming and personal care, communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving, orientation and mobility, and using public transportation or driver's training;

 

(10) follow-up services necessary to reinforce and stabilize employment, including regular contact with the worker's employer, supervisor or coworkers, parents, family members, advocates, legal representatives, other suitable professionals, and informed advisors;

 

(11) training in job seeking skills; and

 

(12) internships or career planning to assist the individual's advancement in meaningful employment.

 

(i) "Preemployment skills" means the abilities and skills to successfully apply for, secure, and maintain competitive employment.

 

(j) "Self-care" means skills needed to manage one's self or living environment, including but not limited to money management, personal health care, personal hygiene, and safety needs, including medication management.

 

(k) "Self-direction" means the ability to plan, initiate, organize, or carry out goal-directed activities or solve problems related to self-care, socialization, recreation, and working independently.

 

(l) "Severe impairment to employment" means limitations experienced by persons diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Asperger's syndrome, nonverbal learning disorders, or pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified, due to an extended history of unemployment or underemployment; limited education, training, or job skills; and physical, intellectual, or emotional characteristics that seriously impair the individual's ability to obtain and retain permanent employment.

 

(m) "Work tolerance" means the ability to effectively and efficiently perform jobs with various levels of sensory and environmental components including scent, noise, visual stimuli, physical space, and psychological demands.

 

Subd. 2.  Employment support plan and outcomes.  An individual participating in the program under this section must develop an employment support plan that includes:

 

(1) employment goals;

 

(2) ongoing support services;

 

(3) program outcomes that focus on competitive employment in the community; and

 

(4) ongoing independent living services and employment supports necessary for the individual to secure, maintain, and advance in employment that best fits the individual's strengths and career goals.

 

ARTICLE 4

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116L.17, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Use of funds.  Funds granted by the board under this section may be used for any combination of the following, except as otherwise provided in this section:

 

(1) employment transition services such as developing readjustment plans for individuals; outreach and intake; early readjustment; job or career counseling; testing; orientation; assessment of skills and aptitudes; provision of occupational and labor market information; job placement assistance; job search; job development; prelayoff


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assistance; relocation assistance; and programs provided in cooperation with employers or labor organizations to provide early intervention in the event of plant closings or substantial layoffs; and entrepreneurial training and business consulting;

 

(2) support services, including assistance to help the participant relocate to employ existing skills; out-of-area job search assistance; family care assistance, including child care; commuting assistance; emergency housing and rental assistance; counseling assistance, including personal and financial; health care; emergency health assistance; emergency financial assistance; work-related tools and clothing; and other appropriate support services that enable a person to participate in an employment and training program with the goal of reemployment;

 

(3) specific, short-term training to help the participant enhance current skills in a similar occupation or industry; entrepreneurial training, customized training, or on-the-job training; basic and remedial education to enhance current skills; and literacy and work-related English training for non-English speakers; and

 

(4) long-term training in a new occupation or industry, including occupational skills training or customized training in an accredited program recognized by one or more relevant industries.  Long-term training shall only be provided to dislocated workers whose skills are obsolete and who have no other transferable skills likely to result in employment at a comparable wage rate.  Training shall only be provided for occupations or industries with reasonable expectations of job availability based on the service provider's thorough assessment of local labor market information where the individual currently resides or is willing to relocate.  This clause shall not restrict training in personal services or other such industries.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116L.17, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 11.  Converting layoffs into Minnesota businesses (CLIMB).  Converting layoffs into Minnesota businesses (CLIMB) is created to assist dislocated workers in starting or growing a business.  CLIMB must offer entrepreneurial training, business consulting, and technical assistance to dislocated workers seeking to start or grow a business.  The commissioner, in cooperation with local workforce councils, must provide the assistance in this subdivision by:

 

(1) encouraging closer ties between the Small Business Development Center network, Small Business Development Center training providers, and workforce centers, as well as other dislocated worker program service providers; and

 

(2) eliminating grantee performance data disincentives that would otherwise prevent enrollment of dislocated workers in entrepreneurship-related training.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268.051, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Tax rate for new employers.  (a) Each new taxpaying employer that does not qualify for an experience rating under subdivision 3, except new employers in a high experience rating industry, must be assigned, for a calendar year, a tax rate the higher of (1) one percent, or (2) the tax rate computed, to the nearest 1/100 of a percent, by dividing the total amount of unemployment benefits paid all applicants during the 48 calendar months ending on June 30 of the prior calendar year by the total taxable wages of all taxpaying employers during the same period, plus the applicable base tax rate and any additional assessments under subdivision 2, paragraph (c).

 

(b) Each new taxpaying employer in a high experience rating industry that does not qualify for an experience rating under subdivision 3, must be assigned, for a calendar year, a tax rate the higher of (1) that assigned under paragraph (a), or (2) the tax rate, computed to the nearest 1/100 of a percent, by dividing the total amount of unemployment benefits paid to all applicants from high experience rating industry employers during the 48 calendar months ending on June 30 of the prior calendar year by the total taxable wages of all high experience rating industry employers during the same period, to a maximum provided for under subdivision 3, paragraph (b), plus the applicable base tax rate and any additional assessments under subdivision 2, paragraph (c).


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(c) An employer is considered to be in a high experience rating industry if:

 

(1) the employer is engaged in residential, commercial, or industrial construction, including general contractors;

 

(2) the employer is engaged in sand, gravel, or limestone mining;

 

(3) the employer is engaged in the manufacturing of concrete, concrete products, or asphalt; or

 

(4) the employer is engaged in road building, repair, or resurfacing, including bridge and tunnels and residential and commercial driveways and parking lots.

 

(d) Regardless of any law to the contrary, a taxpaying employer must be assigned a tax rate under this subdivision if:

 

(1) the employer registers for a tax account under section 268.042 and for each of the five calendar quarters after registering files a "no wages paid" report on wage detail under section 268.044; or had no taxable wages during the experience rating period under subdivision 3.

 

(2) the employer has filed 14 consecutive quarterly "no wages paid" reports on wage detail under section 268.044.

 

(e) The commissioner must send to the new employer, by mail or electronic transmission, a determination of tax rate.  An employer may appeal the determination of tax rate in accordance with the procedures in subdivision 6, paragraph (c).

 

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

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268.07, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3b.  Limitations on applications and benefit accounts.  (a) An application for unemployment benefits is effective the Sunday of the calendar week that the application was filed.  An application for unemployment benefits may be backdated one calendar week before the Sunday of the week the application was actually filed if the applicant requests the backdating at the time the application is filed.  An application may be backdated only if the applicant had no employment was unemployed during the period of the backdating.  If an individual attempted to file an application for unemployment benefits, but was prevented from filing an application by the department, the application is effective the Sunday of the calendar week the individual first attempted to file an application.

 

(b) A benefit account established under subdivision 2 is effective the date the application for unemployment benefits was effective.

 

(c) A benefit account, once established, may later be withdrawn only if:

 

(1) the applicant has not been paid any unemployment benefits on that benefit account; and

 

(2) a new application for unemployment benefits is filed and a new benefit account is established at the time of the withdrawal.

 

A determination or amended determination of eligibility or ineligibility issued under section 268.101, that was sent before the withdrawal of the benefit account, remains in effect and is not voided by the withdrawal of the benefit account.


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(d) An application for unemployment benefits is not allowed before the Sunday following the expiration of the benefit year on a prior benefit account.  Except as allowed under paragraph (c), an applicant may establish only one benefit account each 52 calendar weeks.

 

Sec. 5.  [268.133] UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WHILE IN ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING.

 

Unemployment benefits are available to dislocated workers participating in the converting layoffs into Minnesota businesses (CLIMB) program under section 116L.17, subdivision 11.  Applicants participating in CLIMB are considered in reemployment assistance training under section 268.035, subdivision 21c.  All requirements under section 268.069, subdivision 1, must be met, except the commissioner may waive:

 

(1) the earnings deductible provisions in section 268.085, subdivision 5; and

 

(2) the 32 hours of work limitation in section 268.085, subdivision 2, clause (6).  A maximum of 500 applicants may receive a waiver at any given time.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268.136, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Shared work agreement plan requirements.  (a) An employer may submit a proposed shared work plan for an employee group to the commissioner for approval in a manner and format set by the commissioner.  The proposed agreement shared work plan must include:

 

(1) a certified statement that the normal weekly hours of work of all of the proposed participating employees were full time or regular part time but are now reduced, or will be reduced, with a corresponding reduction in pay, in order to prevent layoffs;

 

(2) the name and Social Security number of each participating employee;

 

(3) the number of layoffs that would have occurred absent the employer's ability to participate in a shared work plan;

 

(4) a certified statement of when that each participating employee was first hired by the employer, which must be at least one year before the proposed agreement shared work plan is submitted and is not a seasonal, temporary, or intermittent worker;

 

(4) (5) the hours of work each participating employee will work each week for the duration of the agreement shared work plan, which must be at least 20 one-half the normal weekly hours and but no more than 32 hours per week, except that the agreement plan may provide for a uniform vacation shutdown of up to two weeks;

 

(6) a certified statement that any health benefits and pension benefits provided by the employer to participating employees will continue to be provided under the same terms and conditions as though the participating employees' hours of work each week had not been reduced;

 

(7) a certified statement that the terms and implementation of the shared work plan is consistent with the employer's obligations under state and federal law;

 

(8) an acknowledgement that the employer understands that unemployment benefits paid under a shared work plan will be used in computing the future tax rate of a taxpaying employer or charged to the reimbursable account of a nonprofit or government employer;


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(5) (9) the proposed duration of the agreement shared work plan, which must be at least two months and not more than one year, although an agreement a plan may be extended for up to an additional year upon approval of the commissioner;

 

(6) (10) a starting date beginning on a Sunday at least 15 calendar days after the date the proposed agreement shared work plan is submitted; and

 

(7) (11) a signature of an owner or officer of the employer who is listed as an owner or officer on the employer's account under section 268.045.

 

(b) An agreement may not be approved for an employer that:

 

(1) has any unemployment tax or reimbursements, including any interest, fees, or penalties, due but unpaid; or

 

(2) has the maximum experience rating provided for under section 268.051, subdivision 3.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268.136, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Agreement Approval by commissioner.  (a) The commissioner must promptly review a proposed agreement shared work plan and notify the employer, by mail or electronic transmission, within 15 days of receipt, whether the proposal satisfies the requirements of this section and has been approved.  If the proposal does not comply with this section, the commissioner must specifically state why the proposal is not in compliance.  If a proposed agreement complies with this section shared work plan has been approved, it must be implemented according to its terms.

 

(b) The commissioner may reject an agreement not approve a proposed shared work plan if the commissioner has cause to believe the proposal is not was submitted for the a purpose of other than preventing layoffs due to lack of work.

 

(c) The commissioner may not approve a proposed shared work plan if the employer has any unemployment tax or reimbursements, including any interest, fees, or penalties, due but unpaid.

 

(d) A shared work plan that has been approved by the commissioner is considered a contract that is binding on the employer and the department.  This contract may be canceled or modified under subdivision 5.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268.136, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 2a.  Notice to participating employee.  The employer must provide written notification to each participating employee that the employer has submitted a proposed shared work plan.  The notification must be provided to the employee no later than the time the commissioner notifies the employer that a proposed shared work plan has been approved.  The notification must inform the employee of the proposed terms of the shared work plan along with notice to the employee of the employee's right to apply for unemployment benefits.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268.136, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Applicant requirements.  (a) An applicant, in order to be paid unemployment benefits under this section, must meet all of the requirements under section 268.069, subdivision 1.  The following provisions of section 268.085 do not apply to an applicant under this section in an approved shared work plan:

 

(1) the deductible earnings provision of section 268.085, under subdivision 5;


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(2) the restriction under section 268.085, subdivision 6 2, clause (6), if the applicant works exactly 32 hours in a week;

 

(3) the requirement of being available for suitable employment under subdivision 1, clause (4), but only if the applicant is (i) available for the normal hours of work per week with the shared work employer, or (ii) is in a training program when not working; and

 

(4) the requirement of actively seeking suitable employment under subdivision 1, clause (5).

 

(b) An applicant is ineligible for unemployment benefits under this section for any week, if:

 

(1) the applicant works more than 32 hours in a week in employment with one or more employer; or.

 

(2) the applicant works more hours in a week for the shared work employer than the reduced weekly hours provided for in the agreement.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268.136, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Amount of unemployment benefits available.  (a) The weekly benefit amount and maximum amount of unemployment benefits available are computed according to section 268.07, except that an applicant is paid the amount of benefits available is a reduced amount in direct proportion to the reduction in hours set out in the shared work plan from the normal weekly hours.

 

(b) Regardless of paragraph (a), if the applicant works more hours in a week for the shared work employer than the reduced weekly hours provided for in the shared work plan, the amount of unemployment benefits available is a reduced amount in direct proportion to the reduction in hours actually worked from the normal weekly hours.

 

(c) If an applicant works fewer hours in a week for the shared work employer than set out in the shared work plan, the amount of unemployment benefits are available in accordance with paragraph (a).

 

Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268.136, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Cancellation; modification.  (a) An employer may cancel an agreement a shared work plan at any time upon seven calendar days' notice to the commissioner in a manner and format prescribed by the commissioner.  The cancellation must be signed by an owner or officer of the employer.

 

(b) An employer may request that the commissioner allow modification of the shared work plan as to the hours of work each participating employee will work each week.  The request must be sent in a manner and form prescribed by the commissioner.  The request must be signed by an owner or officer of the employer.  The commissioner must notify the employer as soon as possible if the modification is allowed.

 

(b) (c) An employer that cancels an agreement or requests modification of a shared work plan must provide written notice to each participating employee in the group of the cancellation or requested modification at the time notice is sent to the commissioner.

 

(c) (d) If an employer cancels an agreement a shared work plan before the expiration date provided for in subdivision 1, a new agreement shared work plan may not be entered into with approved for that employer under this section for at least 60 calendar days.

 

(d) (e) The commissioner may immediately cancel any agreement shared work plan if the commissioner determines the agreement plan was based upon false information or the employer is in breach has failed to adhere to the terms of the contract shared work plan.  The commissioner must immediately send written notice of cancellation to the employer.  An employer that receives notice of cancellation by the commissioner must provide written notice to each participating employer in the group employee of the cancellation.


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Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268.199, is amended to read:

 

268.199 CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.

 

(a) There is created in the state treasury a special account, to be known as the contingent account, that does not lapse nor revert to any other fund or account.  This account consists of all money collected under this chapter that is required to be placed in this account and any interest earned on the account.  All money in this account is appropriated and available for administration of the Minnesota unemployment insurance program unless otherwise appropriated by session law.  The money deposited in the account is transferred to the general fund.

 

(b) All money in this account must be deposited, administered, and disbursed in the same manner and under the same conditions and requirements as is provided by law for the other special accounts in the state treasury.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2013.

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 268.23, is amended to read:

 

268.23 SEVERABLE.

 

In the event that If the United States Department of Labor determines that any provision of the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Law, or any other provision of Minnesota Statutes relating to the unemployment insurance program, is not in conformity with, or is inconsistent with, the requirements of federal law, the provision has no force or effect; but.  If only a portion of the provision, or the application to any person or circumstances, is held determined not in conformity, or determined inconsistent, the remainder of the provision and the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances are not affected.

 

Sec. 14.  Laws 2012, chapter 201, article 1, section 3, the effective date, is amended to read:

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2012, except the amendments to paragraph (d) are effective for penalties imposed credited on or after July 1, 2013.

 

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

 

Sec. 15.  UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EMPLOYER TAX REDUCTION.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 268.051, subdivision 2, if, on September 30, 2013, the balance in the Minnesota Unemployment Trust Fund is more than $800,000,000, the base tax rate for calendar year 2014 is 0.1 percent, and there will be no additional assessment assigned.  If, on September 30, 2014, the balance in the Minnesota Unemployment Trust Fund is more than $900,000,000, the base tax rate for calendar year 2015 is 0.1 percent, and there will be no additional assessment assigned.

 

(b) This section expires December 31, 2015.

 

Sec. 16.  COMMISSIONER AUTHORIZED TO REQUEST SHARED WORK FUNDS.

 

The commissioner of employment and economic development is authorized to request federal funding for Minnesota's shared work unemployment benefit program under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.136.  Federal funding is available under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Public Law 112-96.  Federal funding provided under that act for the shared work program must be immediately deposited in the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.  The exception under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.047, subdivision 2, clause (10), does not apply to the federal money.

 

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


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ARTICLE 5

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Comprehensive examination.  "Comprehensive examination" means all parts of a test administered by the board, including but not limited to written, oral, and practical components.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, 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 board.  The board 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, $85;

 

(2) retake of written examination, registered barber, $10;

 

(2) (3) examination and certificate, apprentice, $80;

 

(4) retake of written examination, apprentice, $10;

 

(3) (5) examination, instructor, $180;

 

(4) (6) certificate, instructor, $65;

 

(5) (7) temporary teacher or apprentice permit, $80;

 

(6) (8) renewal of license, registered barber, $80;

 

(7) (9) renewal of license, apprentice, $70;

 

(8) (10) renewal of license, instructor, $80;

 

(9) (11) renewal of temporary teacher permit, $65;

 

(10) (12) student permit, $45;

 

(13) renewal of student permit, $25;

 

(11) (14) initial shop registration, $85;

 

(12) (15) initial school registration, $1,030;

 

(13) (16) renewal shop registration, $85;

 

(14) (17) renewal school registration, $280;


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(15) (18) restoration of registered barber license, $95;

 

(16) (19) restoration of apprentice license, $90;

 

(17) (20) restoration of shop registration, $105;

 

(18) (21) change of ownership or location, $55;

 

(19) (22) duplicate license, $40; and

 

(20) (23) home study course, $95 $75;

 

(24) letter of license verification, $25; and

 

(25) reinspection, $100.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.02, is amended to read:

 

154.02 WHAT CONSTITUTES BARBERING.

 

Any one or any combination of the following practices when done upon the head and neck for cosmetic purposes and not for the treatment of disease or physical or mental ailments and when done for payment directly or indirectly or without payment for the public generally constitutes the practice of barbering within the meaning of sections 154.001, 154.002, 154.003, 154.01 to 154.161, 154.19 to 154.21, and 154.24 to 154.26:  to shave the face or neck, trim the beard, cut or bob the hair of any person of either sex for compensation or other reward received by the person performing such service or any other person; to give facial and scalp massage or treatments with oils, creams, lotions, or other preparations either by hand or mechanical appliances; to singe, shampoo the hair, or apply hair tonics; or to apply cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, powders, oils, clays, or lotions to hair, scalp, face, or neck.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.05, is amended to read:

 

154.05 WHO MAY RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION AS A REGISTERED BARBER.

 

A person is qualified to receive a certificate of registration as a registered barber:

 

(1) who is qualified under the provisions of section 154.06;

 

(2) who has practiced as a registered apprentice for a period of 12 months under the immediate personal supervision of a registered barber; and

 

(3) who has passed an examination conducted by the board to determine fitness to practice barbering.

 

An apprentice applicant for a certificate of registration to practice as a registered barber who fails to pass the comprehensive examination conducted by the board and who fails to pass a onetime retake of the written examination, shall continue to practice as an apprentice for an additional two months 300 hours before being again entitled to take eligible to retake the comprehensive examination for a registered barber as many times as necessary to pass.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.06, is amended to read:

 

154.06 WHO MAY RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION AS A REGISTERED APPRENTICE.

 

A person is qualified to receive a certificate of registration as a registered apprentice:

 

(1) who has completed at least ten grades of an approved school;


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(2) who has graduated from a barber school approved by the a barber board within the previous four years; and

 

(3) who has passed an examination conducted by the board to determine fitness to practice as a registered apprentice.  An applicant who graduated from a barber school approved by a barber board more than four years prior to application is required to complete a further course of study of at least 500 hours.

 

An applicant for a an initial certificate of registration to practice as an apprentice, who fails to pass the comprehensive examination conducted by the board, and who fails to pass a onetime retake of the written examination, is required to complete a further course of study of at least 500 hours, of not more than eight hours in any one working day, in a barber school approved by the board before being eligible to retake the comprehensive examination as many times as necessary to pass.

 

A certificate of registration of an apprentice shall be valid for four years from the date the certificate of registration is issued by the board and shall not be renewed for a fifth year.  During the four-year period the certificate of registration shall remain in full force and effect only if the apprentice complies with all the provisions of sections 154.001, 154.002, 154.003, 154.01 to 154.161, 154.19 to 154.21, and 154.24 to 154.26, including the payment of an annual fee, and the rules of the board.

 

If a registered apprentice, during the term in which the certificate of registration is in effect, enters full-time active duty in the armed forces of the United States of America, the expiration date of the certificate of registration shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period or periods of active duty.

 

If a registered apprentice graduates from a barber school approved by the board and is issued a certificate of registration while incarcerated by the Department of Corrections of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the expiration date of the certificate of registration shall be extended one time so that it expires four years from the date of first release from a correctional facility.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.065, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Qualifications.  A person is qualified to receive a certificate of registration as an instructor of barbering who:

 

(1) is a graduate from of an approved high school, or its equivalent, as determined by examination by the Department of Education;

 

(2) has qualified for a teacher's or instructor's vocational certificate; successfully completed vocational instructor training from a board-approved program or accredited college or university program that includes the following courses or their equivalents as determined by the board:

 

(i) introduction to career and technical education training;

 

(ii) philosophy and practice of career and technical education;

 

(iii) course development for career and technical education;

 

(iv) instructional methods for career and technical education; and

 

(v) human relations;

 

(3) is currently a registered barber and has at least three years experience as a registered barber in this state, or its equivalent as determined by the board; and


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(4) has passed an examination conducted by the board to determine fitness to instruct in barbering.

 

A certificate of registration under this section is provisional until a teacher's or instructor's vocational certificate has been issued by the Department of Education.  A provisional certificate of registration is valid for 30 days and is not renewable.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Admission requirements; course of instruction.  No barber school shall be approved by the board unless it requires, as a prerequisite to admission, ten grades of an approved school or its equivalent, as determined by an examination conducted by the commissioner of education, which shall issue a certificate that the student has passed the required examination, and unless it requires, as a prerequisite to graduation, a course of instruction of at least 1,500 hours, of not more than eight hours in any one working day.  The course of instruction must include the following subjects:  scientific fundamentals for barbering; hygiene; practical study of the hair, skin, muscles, and nerves; structure of the head, face, and neck; elementary chemistry relating to sterilization and antiseptics; diseases of the skin, hair, and glands; massaging and manipulating the muscles of the face and neck; haircutting; shaving; trimming the beard; bleaching, tinting and dyeing the hair; and the chemical waving and straightening of hair.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.08, is amended to read:

 

154.08 APPLICATION; FEE.

 

Each applicant for an examination shall:

 

(1) make application to the Board of Barber Examiners on blank forms prepared and furnished by it, the application to contain proof under the applicant's oath of the particular qualifications and identity of the applicant;

 

(2) furnish to the board two five-inch x three-inch signed photographs of the applicant, one to accompany the application and one to be returned to the applicant, to be presented to the board when the applicant appears for examination provide all documentation required in support of the application; and

 

(3) pay to the board the required fee; and

 

(4) present a government-issued photo identification as proof of identity upon application and when the applicant appears for examination.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.09, is amended to read:

 

154.09 EXAMINATIONS, CONDUCT AND SCOPE.

 

The board shall conduct examinations of applicants for certificates of registration to practice as barbers and apprentices not more than six times each year, at such time and place as the board may determine.  Additional written examinations may be scheduled by the board and conducted by board staff as designated by the board.  The proprietor of a barber school must file an affidavit shall be filed with the board by the proprietor of a barber school that of hours completed by students applying to take the apprentice examination have completed.  Students must complete 1,500 hours in a barber school registered with approved by the board.

 

The examination of applicants for certificates of registration as barbers and apprentices shall include both a practical demonstration and a written and oral test and embrace.  The examination must cover the subjects usually taught in barber schools registered with the board.


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Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Application.  Each applicant for an initial certificate of registration shall make application to the board on forms prepared and furnished by the board with proof under oath of the particular qualifications and identity of each applicant.  This application shall be accompanied by a fee prescribed by law or the rules of the board to defray the expenses of making investigation and for the examination of such applicant.

 

Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Examination of nonresidents.  A person who meets all of the requirements for barber registration in sections 154.001, 154.002, 154.003, 154.01 to 154.161, 154.19 to 154.21, and 154.24 to 154.26 and either has a license, certificate of registration, or an equivalent as a practicing barber or instructor of barbering from another state or country which in the discretion of the board has substantially the same requirements for registering barbers and instructors of barbering as required by sections 154.001, 154.002, 154.003, 154.01 to 154.161, 154.19 to 154.21, and 154.24 to 154.26 or can prove by sworn affidavits practice as a barber or instructor of barbering in another state or country for at least five years immediately prior to making application in this state, shall, upon payment of the required fee, be issued a certificate of registration without examination, provided that the other state or country grants the same privileges to holders of Minnesota certificates of registration.

 

Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.12, is amended to read:

 

154.12 EXAMINATION OF NONRESIDENT APPRENTICES.

 

A person who meets all of the requirements for registration as a barber in sections 154.001, 154.002, 154.003, 154.01 to 154.161, 154.19 to 154.21, and 154.24 to 154.26 and who has a license, a certificate of registration, or its equivalent as an apprentice in a state or country which in the discretion of the board has substantially the same requirements for registration as an apprentice as is provided by sections 154.001, 154.002, 154.003, 154.01 to 154.161, 154.19 to 154.21, and 154.24 to 154.26, shall, upon payment of the required fee, be issued a certificate of registration without examination, provided that the other state or country grants the same privileges to holders of Minnesota certificates of registration.

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.14, is amended to read:

 

154.14 CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION AND TEMPORARY PERMITS TO BE DISPLAYED.

 

Every holder of a certificate of registration as a registered barber or registered apprentice or temporary apprentice permit shall display it the certificate or permit, with a photograph of the certificate or permit holder that meets the same standards as required for a United States passport, in a conspicuous place adjacent to or near the chair where work is performed.  Every holder of a certificate of registration as an instructor of barbering or as a barber school, of a temporary permit as an instructor of barbering, shall display the certificate or permit, with a photograph of the certificate or permit holder that meets the same standards as required for a United States passport, in a conspicuous place accessible to the public.  Every holder of a certificate of registration as a barber school and of a shop registration card shall display it in a conspicuous place accessible to the public.

 

Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Effect of failure to renew.  A registered barber or a registered apprentice who has not renewed a certificate of registration may be reinstated within one year four years of such failure to renew without examination upon the payment of the required restoration fee for each year the certificate is lapsed.  A registered instructor of barbering who has not renewed a certificate of registration may be reinstated within three four years of such failure to renew without examination upon payment of the required restoration fee for each year the certificate is lapsed. 


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All registered barbers and registered apprentices who allow their certificates of registration to lapse for more than one year four years shall be required to reexamine before being issued a certificate of registration.  All registered instructors of barbering who allow their certificates of registration to lapse for more than three four years shall be required to reexamine before being issued a certificate of registration.  A barber shop owner who has not renewed the barber shop certificate for more than one year may reinstate the barber shop registration upon payment of the restoration fee for each year the shop card was lapsed.  If lapsed or unlicensed status is discovered by the barber inspector during inspection, penalties under section 154.162 shall apply.

 

Sec. 15.  [154.162] ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES.

 

The board shall impose and collect the following penalties:

 

(1) missing or lapsed shop registration discovered upon inspection; penalty imposed on shop owner:  $500;

 

(2) unlicensed or unregistered apprentice or registered barber, first occurrence discovered upon inspection; penalty imposed on shop owner and unlicensed or unregistered individual:  $500; and

 

(3) unlicensed or unregistered apprentice or registered barber, second occurrence discovered upon inspection; penalty imposed on shop owner and unlicensed or unregistered individual:  $1,000.

 

Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 154.26, is amended to read:

 

154.26 MUNICIPALITIES MAY REGULATE HOURS; REGULATION AUTHORIZED.

 

The governing body of any city of this state may regulate by ordinance the opening and closing hours of barber shops within its municipal limits in addition to all other applicable local regulations.

 

Sec. 17.  [154.27] MISREPRESENTATION.

 

No person shall represent themselves to the public, solicit business, advertise as a licensed barber or as operating a licensed barber shop, use the title or designation of barber or barber shop, or engage in any other act or practice that would create the impression to members of the public that the person is a licensed barber or is operating a licensed barber shop unless the person holds the appropriate license under this chapter.

 

Sec. 18.  [154.28] SYMBOLS; BARBER POLE.

 

No person shall place a barber pole in a location that would create or tend to create the impression to the public that the business is a barber shop unless the operator holds a valid license under this chapter.  For the purposes of this section, "barber pole" means a red and white or red, white, and blue striped vertical cylinder commonly recognized as a barber pole.

 

Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 155A.23, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Cosmetology.  "Cosmetology" is the practice of personal services, for compensation, for the cosmetic care of the hair, nails, and skin.  These services include cleaning, conditioning, shaping, reinforcing, coloring and enhancing the body surface in the areas of the head, scalp, face, arms, hands, legs, and feet, and trunk of the body, except where these services are performed by a barber under sections 154.001, 154.002, 154.003, 154.01 to 154.161, 154.19 to 154.21, and 154.24 to 154.26.


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Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 155A.23, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8.  Manager.  A "manager" is any person who conducts, operates, or manages a cosmetology school or salon and who also instructs in or provides any services, as defined in subdivision 3.  A school manager must maintain an active salon manager's license.

 

Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 155A.23, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 11.  Instructor.  An "instructor" is any person employed by a school to prepare and present the theoretical and practical education of cosmetology to persons who seek to practice cosmetology.  An instructor must maintain an active operator or manager's license in the area in which the instructor holds an instructor's license.

 

Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 155A.25, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1a.  Schedule.  The fee schedule for licensees is as follows for licenses issued after June 30, 2010, and prior to July 1, 2013:

 

(a) Three-year license fees:

 

(1) cosmetologist, nail technician manicurist, or esthetician:

 

(i) $90 for each initial license and a $40 nonrefundable initial license application fee, for a total of $130; and

 

(ii) $60 for each renewal and a $15 nonrefundable renewal application fee, for a total of $75;

 

(2) instructor or manager:

 

(i) $120 for each initial license and a $40 nonrefundable initial license application fee, for a total of $160; and

 

(ii) $90 for each renewal and a $15 nonrefundable renewal application fee, for a total of $105;

 

(3) salon:

 

(i) $130 for each initial license and a $100 nonrefundable initial license application fee, for a total of $230; and

 

(ii) $100 for each renewal and a $50 nonrefundable renewal application fee, for a total of $150; and

 

(4) school:

 

(i) $1,500 for each initial license and a $1,000 nonrefundable initial license application fee, for a total of $2,500; and

 

(ii) $1,500 for each renewal and a $500 nonrefundable renewal application fee, for a total of $2,000.

 

(b) Penalties:

 

(1) reinspection fee, variable;

 

(2) manager and owner with lapsed practitioner found on inspection, $150 each;

 

(3) lapsed practitioner or instructor found on inspection, $200;


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(4) lapsed salon found on inspection, $500;

 

(5) lapsed school found on inspection, $1,000;

 

(6) failure to display current license, $100;

 

(7) failure to dispose of single-use equipment, implements, or materials as provided under section 155A.355, paragraph (a), $500;

 

(8) use of prohibited razor-type callus shavers, rasps, or graters under section 155A.355, $500;

 

(9) performing manicuring or cosmetology services in esthetician salon, or performing esthetician or cosmetology services in manicure salon, $500;

 

(10) owner and manager allowing an operator to work as an independent contractor, $200;

 

(11) operator working as an independent contractor, $100;

 

(12) refusal or failure to cooperate with an inspection, $500;

 

(3) (13) expired cosmetologist, manicurist, esthetician, manager, school manager, and instructor license, $45; and

 

(4) (14) expired salon or school license, $50.

 

(c) Administrative fees:

 

(1) certificate of identification, $20;

 

(2) name change, $20;

 

(3) letter of license verification, $30;

 

(4) duplicate license, $20;

 

(5) processing fee, $10;

 

(6) special event permit, $75 per year; and

 

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

 

Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 155A.25, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  License expiration date.  The board shall, in a manner determined by the board and without the need for rulemaking under chapter 14, phase in changes to initial and renewal license expiration dates so that by January 1, 2014:

 

(1) individual licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month of the year due; and

 

(2) salon and school licenses expire on the last day of the month of initial licensure of the year due.


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Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 155A.27, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Testing.  All theory, practical, and Minnesota law and rule testing must be done by a board-approved provider.  Appropriate standardized tests shall be used and shall include subject matter relative to the application of Minnesota law.  In every case, the primary consideration shall be to safeguard the health and safety of consumers by determining the competency of the applicants to provide the services indicated.

 

Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 155A.27, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 10.  Nonresident licenses.  (a) A nonresident cosmetologist, manicurist, or esthetician may be licensed in Minnesota if the individual has completed cosmetology school in a state or country with the same or greater school hour requirements, has an active license in that state or country, and has passed a board-approved theory and practice-based examination, the Minnesota-specific written operator examination for cosmetologist, manicurist, or esthetician.  If a test is used to verify the qualifications of trained cosmetologists, the test should be translated into the nonresident's native language within the limits of available resources.  Licenses shall not be issued under this subdivision for managers or instructors.

 

(b) If an individual has less than the required number of school hours, the individual must have had a current active license in another state or country for at least three years and have passed a board-approved theory and practice-based examination, or the Minnesota-specific written operator examination for cosmetologist, manicurist, or esthetician.  If a test is used to verify the qualifications of trained cosmetologists, the test should be translated into the nonresident's native language within the limits of available resources.  Licenses must not be issued under this subdivision for managers or instructors.

 

(c) Applicants claiming training and experience in a foreign country shall supply official English-language translations of all required documents from a board-approved source.

 

Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 155A.29, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Requirements.  (a) The conditions and process by which a salon is licensed shall be established by the board by rule.  In addition to those requirements, no license shall be issued unless the board first determines that the conditions in clauses (1) to (5) have been satisfied:

 

(1) compliance with all local and state laws, particularly relating to matters of sanitation, health, and safety;

 

(2) the employment of a manager, as defined in section 155A.23, subdivision 8;

 

(3) inspection and licensing prior to the commencing of business;

 

(4) (3) if applicable, evidence of compliance with section 176.182; and

 

(5) (4) evidence of continued professional liability insurance coverage of at least $25,000 for each claim and $50,000 total coverage for each policy year for each operator.

 

(b) A licensed esthetician or manicurist who complies with the health, safety, sanitation, inspection, and insurance rules promulgated by the board to operate a salon solely for the performance of those personal services defined in section 155A.23, subdivision 5, in the case of an esthetician, or subdivision 7, in the case of a manicurist.

 

Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 155A.30, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 11.  Instruction requirements.  (a) Instruction may be offered for no more than ten hours per day per student.


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(b) Instruction must be given within a licensed school building.  Online instruction is permitted for board-approved theory-based classes.  Practice-based classes must not be given online.

 

Sec. 28.  [155A.355] PROHIBITED USES.

 

(a) Single-use equipment, implements, or materials that are made or constructed of paper, wood, or other porous materials must only be used for one application or client service.  Presence of used articles in the work area is prima facie evidence of reuse.  Failure to dispose of the materials in this paragraph is punishable by penalty under section 155A.25, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b), clause (7).

 

(b) Razor-type callus shavers, rasps, or graters designed and intended to cut growths of skin such as corns and calluses, including but not limited to credo blades, are prohibited.  Presence of these articles in the work area is prima facie evidence of use and may be punishable by penalty in section 155A.25, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b), clause (8);

 

(c) Licensees must not use any of the following substances or products in performing cosmetology services:

 

(1) methyl methacrylate liquid monomers, also known as MMA; and

 

(2) fumigants, including but not limited to formalin tablets or formalin liquids.

 

Sec. 29.  [179.90] OFFICE OF COLLABORATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

 

The commissioner of mediation services shall establish an Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution within the bureau.  The office must:

 

(1) promote the broad use of community mediation in the state, ensuring that all areas of the state have access to services by providing grants to private nonprofits entities certified by the state court administrator under chapter 494 that assist in resolution of disputes;

 

(2) assist state agencies, offices of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and units of local government in improving collaboration and dispute resolution;

 

(3) support collaboration and dispute resolution in the public and private sector by providing technical assistance and information on best practices and new developments in dispute resolution options;

 

(4) educate the public and governmental entities on dispute resolution options; and

 

(5) promote and utilize collaborative dispute resolution models and processes based on documented best practices including, but not limited to, the Minnesota Solutions model:

 

(i) establishing criteria and procedures for identification and assessment of dispute resolution projects;

 

(ii) designating projects and appointing impartial convenors by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee;

 

(iii) forming multidisciplinary conflict resolution teams; and

 

(iv) utilizing collaborative techniques, processes, and standards through facilitated meetings until consensus among parties is reached in resolving a dispute.


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Sec. 30.  [179.91] GRANTS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Authority.  The commissioner of mediation services shall to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, make grants to private nonprofit community mediation entities certified by the state court administrator under chapter 494 that assist in resolution of disputes.  The commissioner shall establish a grant review committee to assist in the review of grant applications and the allocation of grants under this section.

 

Subd. 2.  Eligibility.  To be eligible for a grant under this section, a nonprofit organization must meet the requirements of section 494.05, subdivision 1, clauses (1), (2), (4), and (5).

 

Subd. 3.  Conditions and exclusions.  A nonprofit entity receiving a grant must agree to comply with guidelines adopted by the state court administrator under section 494.015, subdivision 1.  Sections 16B.97 and 16B.98 and policies adopted under those sections apply to grants under this section.  The exclusions in section 494.03 apply to grants under this section.

 

Subd. 4.  Reporting.  Grantees must report data required under chapter 494 to evaluate quality and outcomes.

 

Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326A.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Timing.  (a) Certificates must be initially issued and renewed for periods of not more than three years annually but in any event must expire on December 31 in the year prescribed by the board by rule.  Applications for certificates must be made in the form, and in the case of applications for renewal between the dates, specified by the board in rule.  The board shall grant or deny an application no later than 90 days after the application is filed in proper form.  If the applicant seeks the opportunity to show that issuance or renewal of a certificate was mistakenly denied, or if the board is unable to determine whether it should be granted or denied, the board may issue to the applicant a provisional certificate that expires 90 days after its issuance, or when the board determines whether or not to issue or renew the certificate for which application was made, whichever occurs first.

 

(b) Certificate holders who do not provide professional services and do not use the certified public accountant designation in any manner are not required to renew their certificates provided they have notified the board as provided in board rule and comply with the requirements for nonrenewal as specified in board rule.

 

(c) Applications for renewal of a certificate that are complete and timely filed with the board and are not granted or denied by the board before January 1 are renewed on a provisional basis as of January 1 and for 90 days thereafter, or until the board grants or denies the renewal of the certificate, whichever occurs first, provided the licensee meets the requirements in this chapter and rules adopted by the board.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for licenses issued or renewed after January 1, 2014.

 

Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326A.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Residents of other states.  (a) With regard to an applicant who must obtain a certificate in this state because the applicant does not qualify under the substantial equivalency standard in section 326A.14, subdivision 1, the board shall issue a certificate to a holder of a certificate, license, or permit issued by another state upon a showing that:

 

(1) the applicant passed the examination required for issuance of a certificate in this state;

 

(2) the applicant had four years of experience of the type described in section 326A.03, subdivision 6, paragraph (b) , if application is made on or after July 1, 2006, or section 326A.03, subdivision 8, if application is made before July 1, 2006; or the applicant meets equivalent requirements prescribed by the board by rule, after passing the examination upon which the applicant's certificate was based and within the ten years immediately preceding the application;


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(3) if the applicant's certificate, license, or permit was issued more than four years prior to the application for issuance of an initial certificate under this subdivision, that the applicant has fulfilled the requirements of continuing professional education that would have been applicable under subdivision 4; and

 

(4) the applicant has met the qualifications prescribed by the board by rule.

 

(b) A certificate holder licensed by another state who establishes a principal place of business in this state shall request the issuance of a certificate from the board prior to establishing the principal place of business.  The board shall issue a certificate to the person if the person's individual certified public accountant qualifications, upon verification, are substantially equivalent to the certified public accountant licensure requirements of this chapter or the person meets equivalent requirements as the board prescribes by rule.  Residents of this state who provide professional services in this state at an office location in this state shall be considered to have their principal place of business in this state.

 

Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326A.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Program of learning.  (a) Each licensee shall participate in a program of learning designed to maintain professional competency.  The program of learning must comply with rules adopted by the board.  The board may by rule create an exception to this requirement for licensees who do not perform or offer to perform for the public one or more kinds of services involving the use of accounting or auditing skills, including issuance of reports on financial statements or of one or more kinds of management advisory, financial advisory or consulting services, or the preparation of tax returns or the furnishing of advice on tax matters.  A licensee granted such an exception by the board must place the word "inactive" adjacent to the CPA title on any business card, letterhead, or any other document or device, with the exception of the licensee's certificate on which the CPA title appears.

 

(b) Licensees holding a certificate with an active status shall comply with the continuing professional education requirements in Minnesota Rules, part 1105.3000.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 1105.3000, effective for licenses renewed or issued on or after January 1, 2014, the continuing professional education credit reporting year ends on December 31, and credits must be earned by December 31.

 

Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326A.04, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Fee.  (a) The board shall charge a fee for each application for initial issuance or renewal of a certificate under this section as provided in paragraph (b).

 

(b) The board shall charge the following fees:

 

(1) initial issuance of certificate, $150;

 

(2) renewal of certificate with an active status, $100 per year;

 

(3) initial CPA firm permits, except for sole practitioners, $100;

 

(4) renewal of CPA firm permits, except for sole practitioners and those firms specified in clause (17), $35 per year;

 

(5) initial issuance and renewal of CPA firm permits for sole practitioners, except for those firms specified in clause (17), $35 per year;

 

(6) annual late processing delinquency fee for permit, certificate, or registration renewal applications not received prior to expiration date, $50;


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(7) copies of records, per page, 25 cents;

 

(8) registration of noncertificate holders, nonlicensees, and nonregistrants in connection with renewal of firm permits, $45 per year;

 

(9) applications for reinstatement, $20;

 

(10) initial registration of a registered accounting practitioner, $50;

 

(11) initial registered accounting practitioner firm permits, $100;

 

(12) renewal of registered accounting practitioner firm permits, except for sole practitioners, $100 per year;

 

(13) renewal of registered accounting practitioner firm permits for sole practitioners, $35 per year;

 

(14) CPA examination application, $40;

 

(15) CPA examination, fee determined by third-party examination administrator;

 

(16) renewal of certificates with an inactive status, $25 per year; and

 

(17) renewal of CPA firm permits for firms that have one or more offices located in another state, $68 per year.

 

Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326A.04, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Certificates issued by foreign countries.  The board shall issue a certificate to a holder of a generally equivalent foreign country designation, provided that:

 

(1) the foreign authority that granted the designation makes similar provision to allow a person who holds a valid certificate issued by this state to obtain the foreign authority's comparable designation;

 

(2) the foreign designation:

 

(i) was duly issued by a foreign authority that regulates the practice of public accountancy and the foreign designation has not expired or been revoked or suspended;

 

(ii) entitles the holder to issue reports upon financial statements; and

 

(iii) was issued upon the basis of educational, examination, and experience requirements established by the foreign authority or by law; and

 

(3) the applicant:

 

(i) received the designation, based on educational and examination standards generally equivalent to those in effect in this state, at the time the foreign designation was granted;

 

(ii) has, within the ten years immediately preceding the application, completed an experience requirement that is generally equivalent to the requirement in section 326A.03, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), if application is made on or after July 1, 2006, or section 326A.03, subdivision 8, if application is made before July 1, 2006, in the jurisdiction that granted the foreign designation; completed four years of professional experience in this state; or met equivalent requirements prescribed by the board by rule; and

 

(iii) passed a uniform qualifying examination in national standards and an examination on the laws, regulations, and code of ethical conduct in effect in this state as the board prescribes by rule.


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Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326A.10, is amended to read:

 

326A.10 UNLAWFUL ACTS.

 

(a) Only a licensee and individuals who have been granted practice privileges under section 326A.14 may issue a report on financial statements of any person, firm, organization, or governmental unit that results from providing attest services, or offer to render or render any attest service.  Only a certified public accountant, an individual who has been granted practice privileges under section 326A.14, a CPA firm, or, to the extent permitted by board rule, a person registered under section 326A.06, paragraph (b), may issue a report on financial statements of any person, firm, organization, or governmental unit that results from providing compilation services or offer to render or render any compilation service.  These restrictions do not prohibit any act of a public official or public employee in the performance of that person's duties or prohibit the performance by any nonlicensee of other services involving the use of accounting skills, including the preparation of tax returns, management advisory services, and the preparation of financial statements without the issuance of reports on them.  Nonlicensees may prepare financial statements and issue nonattest transmittals or information on them which do not purport to be in compliance with the Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS).  Nonlicensees registered under section 326A.06, paragraph (b), may, to the extent permitted by board rule, prepare financial statements and issue nonattest transmittals or information on them.

 

(b) Licensees and individuals who have been granted practice privileges under section 326A.14 performing attest or compilation services must provide those services in accordance with professional standards.  To the extent permitted by board rule, registered accounting practitioners performing compilation services must provide those services in accordance with standards specified in board rule.

 

(c) A person who does not hold a valid certificate issued under section 326A.04 or a practice privilege granted under section 326A.14 shall not use or assume the title "certified public accountant," the abbreviation "CPA," or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that the person is a certified public accountant.

 

(d) A firm shall not provide attest services or assume or use the title "certified public accountants," the abbreviation "CPA's," or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that the firm is a CPA firm unless (1) the firm has complied with section 326A.05, and (2) ownership of the firm is in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted by the board.

 

(e) A person or firm that does not hold a valid certificate or permit issued under section 326A.04 or 326A.05 or has not otherwise complied with section 326A.04 or 326A.05 as required in this chapter shall not assume or use the title "certified accountant," "chartered accountant," "enrolled accountant," "licensed accountant," "registered accountant," "accredited accountant," "accounting practitioner," "public accountant," "licensed public accountant," or any other title or designation likely to be confused with the title "certified public accountant," or use any of the abbreviations "CA," "LA," "RA," "AA," "PA," "AP," "LPA," or similar abbreviation likely to be confused with the abbreviation "CPA."  The title "enrolled agent" or "EA" may only be used by individuals so designated by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

(f) Persons registered under section 326A.06, paragraph (b), may use the title "registered accounting practitioner" or the abbreviation "RAP."  A person who does not hold a valid registration under section 326A.06, paragraph (b), shall not assume or use such title or abbreviation.

 

(g) Except to the extent permitted in paragraph (a), nonlicensees may not use language in any statement relating to the financial affairs of a person or entity that is conventionally used by licensees in reports on financial statements.  In this regard, the board shall issue by rule safe harbor language that nonlicensees may use in connection with such financial information.  A person or firm that does not hold a valid certificate or permit, or a


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registration issued under section 326A.04, 326A.05, or 326A.06, paragraph (b), or has not otherwise complied with section 326A.04 or 326A.05 as required in this chapter shall not assume or use any title or designation that includes the word "accountant" or "accounting" in connection with any other language, including the language of a report, that implies that the person or firm holds such a certificate, permit, or registration or has special competence as an accountant.  A person or firm that does not hold a valid certificate or permit issued under section 326A.04 or 326A.05 or has not otherwise complied with section 326A.04 or 326A.05 as required in this chapter shall not assume or use any title or designation that includes the word "auditor" in connection with any other language, including the language of a report, that implies that the person or firm holds such a certificate or permit or has special competence as an auditor.  However, this paragraph does not prohibit any officer, partner, member, manager, or employee of any firm or organization from affixing that person's own signature to any statement in reference to the financial affairs of such firm or organization with any wording designating the position, title, or office that the person holds, nor prohibit any act of a public official or employee in the performance of the person's duties as such.

 

(h) (1) No person holding a certificate or registration or firm holding a permit under this chapter shall use a professional or firm name or designation that is misleading about the legal form of the firm, or about the persons who are partners, officers, members, managers, or shareholders of the firm, or about any other matter.  However, names of one or more former partners, members, managers, or shareholders may be included in the name of a firm or its successor.

 

(2) A common brand name or network name part, including common initials, used by a CPA firm in its name, is not misleading if the firm is a network firm as defined in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Code of Professional Conduct in effect July 1, 2011, and when offering or rendering services that require independence under AICPA standards, the firm must comply with the AICPA code's applicable standards on independence.

 

(i) Paragraphs (a) to (h) do not apply to a person or firm holding a certification, designation, degree, or license granted in a foreign country entitling the holder to engage in the practice of public accountancy or its equivalent in that country, if:

 

(1) the activities of the person or firm in this state are limited to the provision of professional services to persons or firms who are residents of, governments of, or business entities of the country in which the person holds the entitlement;

 

(2) the person or firm performs no attest or compilation services and issues no reports with respect to the financial statements of any other persons, firms, or governmental units in this state; and

 

(3) the person or firm does not use in this state any title or designation other than the one under which the person practices in the foreign country, followed by a translation of the title or designation into English, if it is in a different language, and by the name of the country.

 

(j) No holder of a certificate issued under section 326A.04 may perform attest services through any business form that does not hold a valid permit issued under section 326A.05.

 

(k) No individual licensee may issue a report in standard form upon a compilation of financial information through any form of business that does not hold a valid permit issued under section 326A.05, unless the report discloses the name of the business through which the individual is issuing the report, and the individual:

 

(1) signs the compilation report identifying the individual as a certified public accountant;

 

(2) meets the competency requirement provided in applicable standards; and


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(3) undergoes no less frequently than once every three years, a peer review conducted in a manner specified by the board in rule, and the review includes verification that the individual has met the competency requirements set out in professional standards for such services.

 

(l) No person registered under section 326A.06, paragraph (b), may issue a report in standard form upon a compilation of financial information unless the board by rule permits the report and the person:

 

(1) signs the compilation report identifying the individual as a registered accounting practitioner;