House Journal 91st Day Friday April 8 2022

A quorum was present.

Daudt, Hertaus, Hortman, Neu Brindley and West were 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.

Journal of the House - 91st Day - Friday, April 8, 2022 - Top of Page 9136

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

Bernardy from the Committee on Higher Education Finance and Policy to which was referred:

H. F. No. 3872, A bill for an act relating to higher education; providing for supplemental funding for the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the University of Minnesota; creating and amending financial aid programs; appropriating money; requiring reports; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 136A.1796; 175.45, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, sections 136A.121, subdivision 9; 136A.1241, subdivision 5; 136A.1791, subdivision 5; Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivisions 1, 2, 8, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 36; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136A.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS.

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are added to the appropriations in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, unless otherwise specified, 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 "2022" and "2023" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2022. "The second year" is fiscal year 2023. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

			APPROPRIATIONS
			Available for the Year
			Ending June 30
			2022	2023

Sec. 2. MINNESOTA OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$-0-

$57,469,000

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

Subd. 2. Student Parent Support Initiative

-0-

6,925,000

(a) For the student-parent support initiative under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1251. The commissioner may use no more than five percent of the appropriation to administer the program.

(b) The base for this appropriation is $6,440,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $5,940,000 in fiscal year 2025 and later.

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Subd. 3. Operating Expenses of Tribal Colleges

-0-

3,000,000

(a) For transfer to Leech Lake Tribal College, White Earth Tribal College, and Red Lake Nation Tribal College, to be used for the Tribal colleges' general operations and maintenance expenses. The commissioner shall apportion the funds equally among the Tribal colleges.

(b) The base for this appropriation is $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later.

Subd. 4. State Grants

-0-

493,000

$9,295,000 is added to this program's base appropriation in fiscal years 2024 and later. The base for this appropriation is therefore $219,332,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later.

Subd. 5. Grants to Underrepresented Student Teachers

-0-

1,500,000

(a) The commissioner may use no more than three percent of this appropriation to administer the program.

(b) $1,500,000 is added to this program's base appropriation in fiscal year 2024 and later specified in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 26.

Subd. 6. Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment

-0-

700,000

(a) The commissioner may use no more than three percent of the amount transferred under this subdivision to administer the program.

(b) The base for this appropriation is $900,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later.

Subd. 7. Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students

-0-

731,000

$731,000 is added to this program's base appropriation in fiscal year 2024 and later specified in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 24, paragraph (d).

Subd. 8. Hunger-Free Campus Grants

-0-

200,000

(a) This appropriation is in addition to the amount appropriated in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 35, as amended by this act.

(b) The base for this appropriation is $302,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later.

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Subd. 9. American Indian Scholarships

-0-

3,240,000

(a) The base for this appropriation is $6,740,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later.

(b) This appropriation includes funding to administer the American Indian scholarship program.

Subd. 10. Inclusive Higher Education

-0-

750,000

(a) Of this amount, $500,000 is for transfer to the inclusive higher education grant account under Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.162, subdivision 4, and $250,000 is to enter into a contract establishing the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center under Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.161.

(b) The base for this appropriation is $750,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later.

Subd. 11. Free College Grants

-0-

29,730,000

(a) For the free college grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.0205.

(b) Of this amount:

(1) $900,000 is for administering the program; and

(2) $250,000 is for transfer to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for promotion of the program and student outreach efforts.

(d) The commissioner may transfer unencumbered balances from other appropriations to the office to the free college grant program. Transfers from the free college grant program may only be made to the extent there is a projected surplus in the appropriation and only with prior written notice to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance.

Subd. 12. MN Reconnect Program

-0-

1,000,000

(a) For the MN Reconnect program under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.123.

(b) The base for this appropriation is $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later.

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Subd. 13. Addiction Medicine Graduate Medical Education Fellowship

-0-

1,200,000

(a) $1,200,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for transfer to Hennepin County Medical Center to support three physicians per year enrolled in an addiction medicine fellowship program for five years, training a total of 15 physicians. This is a onetime appropriation.

(b) The appropriation under this section shall be used to:

(1) train fellows in:

(i) diagnostic interviewing;

(ii) motivational interviewing;

(iii) addiction counseling;

(iv) recognition and care of common acute withdrawal syndromes and complications;

(v) pharmacotherapies of addictive disorders;

(vi) epidemiology and pathophysiology of addiction;

(vii) identification and treatment of addictive disorders in special populations;

(viii) secondary interventions;

(ix) the use of screening and diagnostic instruments;

(x) inpatient care; and

(xi) working within a multidisciplinary team; and

(2) prepare fellows to practice addiction medicine in rural and underserved areas of the state.

Subd. 14. Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship Pilot Program

-0-

3,000,000

(a) For the aspiring teachers of color scholarship pilot program under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 45.

(b) The commissioner may use no more than three percent of this appropriation to administer the program.

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(c) This is a onetime appropriation. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, unencumbered balances under this subdivision do not cancel until June 30, 2027.

Subd. 15. Social Work Scholarships

-0-

5,000,000

(a) For the social work scholarship program under article 2, section 23.

(b) The commissioner may use no more than three percent of this appropriation to administer the program.

(c) This is a onetime appropriation. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, this appropriation is available until expended or until June 30, 2027, whichever occurs first.

Sec. 3. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$-0-

$10,000,000

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

Subd. 2. Operations and Maintenance

-0-

9,000,000

(a) $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is to maintain campus operations that deliver excellent, affordable, accessible education that is responsive to changes in the state's educational needs.

(b) $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for the mental health awareness program for students required under Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.20, subdivision 4. The base for this appropriation is $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later. Notwithstanding Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 3, subdivision 3, paragraph (j), all unencumbered balances for this program cancel at the close of the biennium.

(c) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for colleges and universities to comply with the student basic needs requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.202. The base for this appropriation is $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later. Notwithstanding Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 3, subdivision 3, paragraph (k), all unencumbered balances for this program cancel at the close of the biennium.

(d) $9,000,000 is added to the base appropriation for operations and maintenance in fiscal year 2024 and later established in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 3, subdivision 3, paragraph (l).

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Subd. 3. Career and Technical Educator Pilot Project

-0-

1,000,000

(a) To expand the career and technical educator pilot project under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 10, article 2, section 23, to three or more state universities in partnership with state colleges. If practical, the partnerships must result in a candidate earning an associate's degree from a state college and a bachelor's degree from a state university.

(b) This is a onetime appropriation. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, unencumbered balances under this section do not cancel until June 30, 2025.

(c) By January 1, 2025, the board must submit a report on the career and technical educator pilot project to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance and to the Legislative Reference Library as provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195. The report must describe the implementation of the pilot program, its outcomes, and possibilities for expansion to additional campuses.

Sec. 4. BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$-0-

$32,531,000

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

Subd. 2. Operations and Maintenance

-0-

30,381,000

(a) $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for:

(1) targeted aid to those students who most need support to offset tuition, fees, and other costs of attendance items; and

(2) enhancing services that are specifically focused on ensuring students flourish and graduate in four years.

The base for this appropriation is $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later.

(b) $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for improving campus safety protocols and organizations and providing a safe campus environment by:

(1) ensuring building access control and camera coverage for all university buildings across the system;

(2) achieving recognized standards for building access control, video surveillance coverage, and lighting for all system campuses;

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(3) supporting an advanced campus monitoring center that monitors 24/7 campus activities and provides an early warning system for safety events; and

(4) securing access to the university's most sensitive information systems and protecting the data contained in them by mitigating current vulnerabilities and building foundational technical infrastructure and processes that enable the institution to avoid cybersecurity threats.

This is a onetime appropriation.

(c) $6,881,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) for a water and mineland remediation lab expansion in Duluth and a new mineral processing and metallurgy lab in Coleraine. This is a onetime appropriation.

(d) $7,500,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for advancing campus sustainability. Of this amount:

(1) $5,000,000 is for the development of campus sustainability and utility master plans systemwide; and

(2) $2,500,000 is for implementation of on-campus solar electricity generation.

This is a onetime appropriation.

(e) $6,000,000 is added to the operations and maintenance base for fiscal year 2024 and later established in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 4, subdivision 2, paragraph (f).

Subd. 3. 50-Year Clean Water Supply Plan

-0-

650,000

(a) For the Water Council to develop a plan to ensure that Minnesota has an abundant supply of clean water for the next 50 years. By December 1, 2023, the Water Council must submit the plan to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources. The plan must:

(1) assess the current state of Minnesota's waters, both surface water and groundwater, throughout all geographic regions;

(2) identify any gaps in data or information with respect to the quality and quantity of Minnesota's waters and provide recommendations to obtain any necessary data and information; and

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(3) identify opportunities for Minnesota to act proactively to ensure that Minnesota has an adequate supply of clean water for the next 50 years.

(b) This is a onetime appropriation.

Subd. 4. Green Training Program Account

-0-

1,500,000

(a) For transfer to the green training program account in the special revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 137.035, subdivision 1.

(b) The base for this appropriation is $1,394,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later.

ARTICLE 2

POLICY

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 135A.137, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Competitive grant. (a) Institutions eligible for a grant under this subdivision include public postsecondary institutions, nonprofit private postsecondary institutions, and Tribal colleges.

(b) The commissioner shall establish a competitive grant program to distribute grants to eligible institutions to meet and maintain the requirements under subdivision 1, paragraph (a). Initial grants shall be made to institutions that have not earned the designation and demonstrate a need for funding to meet the hunger-free campus designation requirements. Sustaining grants shall be made to institutions that have earned the designation and demonstrate both a partnership with a local food bank or organization that provides regular, on-campus food distributions and a need for funds to maintain the requirements under subdivision 1, paragraph (a).

(c) The commissioner shall give preference to applications for initial grants and to applications from institutions with the highest number of federal Pell Grant eligible students enrolled. The commissioner shall consider the head count at the institution when awarding grants. The maximum grant award for an initial institution designation is $8,000. The maximum grant award for sustaining an institution designation is $5,000.

(d) The commissioner, in collaboration with student associations representing eligible institutions, shall create an application process and establish selection criteria for awarding the grants.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 135A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3a. Affirmative consent. (a) The policy required under subdivision 1 shall include a provision that establishes an affirmative consent standard. An institution's affirmative consent standard, at a minimum, must incorporate the following elements:

(1) all parties to sexual activity must affirmatively express their consent to the activity;

(2) affirmative consent is freely and affirmatively communicated words or actions given by an individual that a reasonable person under the circumstances would believe communicate a willingness to participate in the sexual activity;

(3) affirmative consent must be knowing and voluntary and not the result of force, coercion, or intimidation;

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(4) silence, lack of protest, or failure to resist, without active indications of consent, is not consent;

(5) consent to any one form of sexual activity does not by itself imply consent to any other forms of sexual activity;

(6) consent may be withdrawn at any time;

(7) a previous relationship or prior consent does not by itself imply consent to future sexual acts; and

(8) a person is deemed incapable of consenting when that person is:

(i) unable to communicate or understand the nature or extent of a sexual situation due to mental or physical incapacitation or impairment; or

(ii) physically helpless, either due to the effects of drugs or alcohol, or because the person is asleep.

(b) The affirmative consent standard must at least incorporate all elements of consent as defined in section 609.341, but is not limited to the standard of consent as defined in that section.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 135A.15, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8. Comprehensive training. (a) A postsecondary institution must provide campus security officers and campus administrators responsible for investigating or adjudicating complaints of sexual assault with comprehensive training on preventing and responding to sexual assault in collaboration with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension or another law enforcement agency with expertise in criminal sexual conduct. The training for campus security officers shall include a presentation on the dynamics of sexual assault, neurobiological responses to trauma, and best practices for preventing, responding to, and investigating sexual assault. The training for campus administrators responsible for investigating or adjudicating complaints on sexual assault shall include presentations on preventing sexual assault, responding to incidents of sexual assault, the dynamics of sexual assault, neurobiological responses to trauma, and compliance with state and federal laws on sexual assault.

(b) The following categories of students who attend, or will attend, one or more courses on campus or will participate in on-campus activities must be provided sexual assault training:

(1) students pursuing a degree or certificate;

(2) students who are taking courses through the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act; and

(3) any other categories of students determined by the institution.

Students must complete such training no later than ten business days after the start of a student's first semester of classes. Once a student completes the training, institutions must document the student's completion of the training and provide proof of training completion to a student at the student's request. Students enrolled at more than one institution within the same system at the same time are only required to complete the training once.

The training shall include information about topics including but not limited to sexual assault as defined in subdivision 1a; consent as defined in section 609.341, subdivision 4; the affirmative consent standard defined in subdivision 3a; preventing and reducing the prevalence of sexual assault; procedures for reporting campus sexual assault; and campus resources on sexual assault, including organizations that support victims of sexual assault.

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(c) A postsecondary institution shall annually train individuals responsible for responding to reports of sexual assault. This training shall include information about best practices for interacting with victims of sexual assault, including how to reduce the emotional distress resulting from the reporting, investigatory, and disciplinary process.

Sec. 4. [135A.161] INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section and section 135A.162, the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Center" means the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center.

(d) "Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities" means a degree, certificate, or nondegree program that is offered by an institute of higher education for students with intellectual disabilities and approved by the United States Department of Education.

(e) "Director" means the director of the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center.

(f) "Inclusive higher education" means institution-approved access to higher education for students with an intellectual disability that allows for the same rights, privileges, experiences, benefits, and outcomes that result from a college experience the same as a matriculating student, resulting in a meaningful credential conferred by the institution of higher education. Inclusive higher education includes:

(1) academic access and inclusive instruction;

(2) person-centered planning;

(3) career development;

(4) campus engagement;

(5) self-determination;

(6) paid internships and employment;

(7) on- or off-campus living, when available to other students;

(8) campus community clubs, events, and activity participation;

(9) peer mentors and support; and

(10) a degree, certificate, or nondegree credential.

(g) "National Coordinating Center" means the federally funded National Coordinating Center providing support, coordination, training, and evaluation services for Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and other inclusive higher education initiatives for students with intellectual disability nationwide.

(h) "Office" means the Office of Higher Education.

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(i) "Student with an intellectual disability" means a student with an intellectual disability as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 668.231.

Subd. 2. Establishment. The commissioner must contract with the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota to establish the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center. The purpose of the center is to increase access to self-sustaining postsecondary education options across Minnesota for students with an intellectual disability to earn meaningful credentials through degree, certificate, and nondegree initiatives leading to competitive integrated employment, genuine community membership, and more independent living. The center must:

(1) coordinate and facilitate the statewide initiative to expand and enhance inclusive higher education opportunities;

(2) provide expertise in inclusive higher education for students with an intellectual disability;

(3) provide technical assistance:

(i) to Minnesota institutions of higher education;

(ii) to local education agencies; and

(iii) as requested by the commissioner; and

(4) provide information to students with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Subd. 3. Director; advisory committee. (a) The center must name a director.

(b) The director must appoint an advisory committee and seek the committee's review and recommendations on broad programmatic direction. The advisory committee must be composed of 50 percent students with an intellectual disability. The remaining positions must be filled by family members, key stakeholders, and allies. The director must convene the advisory committee at least quarterly. The advisory committee shall:

(1) review and recommend inclusive higher education offerings;

(2) review and recommend updates to state policy and practice;

(3) document existing and potential funding sources; and

(4) identify obstacles and barriers to students with an intellectual disability to access inclusive higher education opportunities.

Subd. 4. Responsibilities. (a) The center must advise all Minnesota institutions of higher education planning or that have an inclusive higher education initiative to follow and maintain the accreditation standards and guiding principles for inclusive higher education as established by the National Coordinating Center, as identified in the United States Code, title 20, section 1140q. The center must offer technical assistance to Minnesota inclusive higher education initiatives to remain in or achieve alignment with federal requirements and with the standards, quality indicators, and benchmarks identified by the National Coordinating Center.

(b) The center must monitor federal and state law related to inclusive higher education and notify the governor, the legislature, and the Office of Higher Education of any change in law which may impact inclusive higher education.

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(c) The center must provide technical assistance to institutions of higher education, administrators, faculty, and staff by:

(1) offering institution faculty and staff training and professional development to start, operate, or enhance their inclusive higher education initiative;

(2) providing faculty and staff with information, training, and consultation on the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program requirements, accreditation standards, and guiding principles;

(3) organizing and offering learning community events, an annual inclusive higher education conference and community of practice events to share best practices, provide access to national experts, and address challenges and concerns;

(4) assisting institutions of higher education with identifying existing or potential funding sources for the institution of higher education, student financial aid, and funding for students with an intellectual disability; and

(5) advising faculty and staff with an inclusive higher education option of specific grant applications and funding opportunities.

(d) The center must disseminate information to students with an intellectual disability, their parents, and local education agencies, including but not limited to information about:

(1) postsecondary education options, services, and resources that are available at inclusive institutions of higher education;

(2) technical assistance and training provided by the center, the National Coordinating Center, and key stakeholder organizations and agencies; and

(3) mentoring, networking, and employment opportunities.

Sec. 5. [135A.162] INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. (a) The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education in collaboration with the director of the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center must establish a competitive grant program for Minnesota institutions of higher education to develop new or enhance existing inclusive higher education initiatives to enroll or increase enrollment of students with an intellectual disability. The commissioner and director must collaborate to establish the grant program framework, including:

(1) minimum grant requirements;

(2) application format;

(3) criteria for evaluating applications;

(4) grant selection process;

(5) milestones and accountability; and

(6) reporting.

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(b) The commissioner must send a description of the competitive grants, including materials describing the grant purpose and goals, an application, compliance requirements, and available funding to each institution of higher education that meets the requirements of subdivision 2, clauses (1) and (2).

Subd. 2. Eligible grantees. A public postsecondary two-year or four-year institution is eligible to apply for a grant under this section if the institution:

(1) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; and

(2) meets the eligibility requirements under section 136A.103.

Subd. 3. Application. (a) Applications must be made to the commissioner on a form developed and provided by the commissioner. The commissioner must, to the greatest extent possible, make the application form as short and simple to complete as is reasonably possible. The commissioner must establish a schedule for applications and grants. The application must include without limitation a written plan to develop or enhance a sustainable inclusive higher education initiative that:

(1) offers the necessary supports to students with an intellectual disability to access the same rights, privileges, experiences, benefits, and outcomes of a typically matriculating student;

(2) includes the development of a meaningful credential for students with an intellectual disability to attain upon successful completion of the student's postsecondary education;

(3) adopts admission standards that do not require a student with an intellectual disability to complete a curriculum-based, achievement college entrance exam that is administered nationwide;

(4) ensures that students with an intellectual disability:

(i) have access and choice in a wide array of academic courses to enroll in for credit or audit that align with the student's interest areas and are attended by students without disabilities;

(ii) have the option to live on or off campus in housing that is available to typically matriculating students;

(iii) have access and support for genuine membership in campus life, including events, social activities and organizations, institution facilities, and technology; and

(iv) are able to access and utilize campus resources available to typical matriculating students;

(5) provides students with an intellectual disability with the supports and experiences necessary to seek and sustain competitive integrated employment;

(6) develops and promotes the self-determination skills of students with an intellectual disability;

(7) utilizes peer mentors who support enrolled students with an intellectual disability in academic, campus engagement, residence life, employment, and campus clubs and organizations;

(8) provides professional development and resources for university professors and instructors to utilize universal design for learning and differentiated instruction that supports and benefits all students; and

(9) presents a ten-year plan including student enrollment projections for sustainability of an initiative that is financially accessible and equitable for all interested students with an intellectual disability.

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(b) Eligible institutions of higher education may apply for funding in subsequent years for up to a total of ten years of funding.

Subd. 4. Grant account. An inclusive higher education grant account is created in the special revenue fund for depositing money appropriated to or received by the commissioner for the program. Money deposited in the account is appropriated to the commissioner, does not cancel, and is continuously available for grants under this section. The commissioner may use up to five percent of the amount deposited into the account for the administration of this section.

Subd. 5. Grant awards. (a) The commissioner must award grants to eligible institutions of higher education on a competitive basis using criteria established in collaboration with the center. The commissioner must consider and prioritize applicants that have submitted for or received a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program designation, or applicants with documented progress or intent toward submitting for federal approval. An eligible institution of higher education may apply annually for and receive up to $200,000 per year for four years and $100,000 in subsequent years pending performance and the funding limitation in subdivision 3, paragraph (b).

(b) A grant recipient must:

(1) adopt the inclusive higher education national accreditation standards and guiding principles as established by the National Coordinating Center;

(2) provide a 25 percent match for the grant funds, either monetary or in-kind; and

(3) collaborate with the Office of Higher Education, the center, and key stakeholders in the development of the inclusive higher education initiative.

Subd. 6. Grantee reporting. By August 1 and January 1 following a fiscal year in which a grant was received and for five years thereafter, the grantee must submit a report to the director that includes the status and outcomes of the initiative funded. The report must include performance indicators and information deemed relevant by the director and commissioner. The report must include the following performance indicators:

(1) student recruitment and number of students enrolled;

(2) student retainment effort and retention rate;

(3) initiative goals and outcomes;

(4) student attainment rate;

(5) graduated student employment rates and salary levels at year one and year five after completion; and

(6) additional performance indicators or information established under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clauses (5) and (6).

Subd. 7. Reporting. The director must evaluate the development and implementation of the Minnesota inclusive higher education initiatives receiving a grant under this section. The director must submit an annual report by October 1 on the progress to expand Minnesota inclusive higher education options for students with intellectual disabilities to the commissioner and chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education policy and finance. The report must include statutory and budget recommendations.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 30, 2022, except that the reporting requirements under subdivision 7 are effective June 30, 2023.

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Sec. 6. [136A.0205] FREE COLLEGE GRANTS.

Subdivision 1. Program established. The commissioner shall establish a free college grant program to pay for the remaining financial needs of students attending state colleges.

Subd. 2. Eligibility. A student is eligible for a free college grant if the student:

(1) receives a state grant award under section 136A.121; and

(2) is enrolled at a two-year institution within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

Subd. 3. Award amounts. (a) The amount of the free college grant is equal to:

(1) the eligible student's allowance for tuition and fees under section 136A.121, subdivision 6, after deducting:

(i) the amount of a federal Pell Grant award for which the student is eligible;

(ii) the amount of the state grant;

(iii) the amount of any other state or federal gift aid received;

(iv) the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and tuition remission amounts; and

(v) the sum of all Tribal or private grants or scholarships;

(2) multiplied by:

(i) 100 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income less than $75,000;

(ii) 95 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $75,000 and less than $80,000;

(iii) 90 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $80,000 and less than $85,000;

(iv) 85 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $85,000 and less than $90,000;

(v) 80 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $90,000 and less than $95,000;

(vi) 75 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $95,000 and less than $100,000;

(vii) 70 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $100,000 and less than $105,000;

(viii) 65 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $105,000 and less than $110,000;

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(ix) 60 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $110,000 and less than $115,000;

(x) 55 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $115,000 and less than $120,000;

(xi) 50 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $120,000 and less than $125,000; and

(xii) 0 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal to $125,000.

(b) Eligible students are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial aid.

Subd. 4. Administration. The commissioner shall administer the free college grant program consistent with the state grant program under section 136A.121. Any provisions of section 136A.121 that do not conflict with this section apply to the free college grant program.

Subd. 5. Report. The commissioner shall include spending projections for the free college grant program in the report required under section 136A.121, subdivision 19.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment. The commissioner shall begin offering grants under this section in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.121, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Grant stipends. The grant stipend shall be based on a sharing of responsibility for covering the recognized cost of attendance by the applicant, the applicant's family, and the government. The amount of a financial stipend must not exceed a grant applicant's recognized cost of attendance, as defined in subdivision 6, after deducting the following:

(1) the assigned student responsibility of at least 50 48 percent of the cost of attending the institution of the applicant's choosing;

(2) the assigned family responsibility as defined in section 136A.101; and

(3) the amount of a federal Pell grant award for which the grant applicant is eligible.

The minimum financial stipend is $100 per academic year.

Sec. 8. [136A.1251] STUDENT-PARENT SUPPORT INITIATIVE.

Subdivision 1. Grants. (a) To address the needs and support the educational goals of expectant and parenting college students across Minnesota, the commissioner shall award grants and provide support services to institutions and partnering entities that assist parents of young children and expectant parents. Grants shall be awarded to postsecondary institutions, professional organizations, community-based organizations, or other applicants deemed appropriate by the commissioner. Grants must be used to offer services to support the academic goals, health, and well-being of student parents. Services and costs eligible for grant funding include but are not limited to:

(1) program development costs;

(2) costs related to the start-up of on-campus child care;

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(3) evaluation and data collection; and

(4) direct assistance to student parents including:

(i) scholarships;

(ii) basic needs support; and

(iii) expenses related to child care.

(b) Postsecondary institutions may act as the fiscal agents in partnership with a local nongovernmental agency, child care center, or other organization that serves student parents.

Subd. 2. Application process. The commissioner shall develop a grant application process. The commissioner shall support projects in a manner that attempts to ensure eligible students throughout the state have access to program services.

Subd. 3. Health-related supports. The commissioner, in partnership with the Department of Health, shall provide health-related supports. Activities for health-related supports include:

(1) ensuring programs, services, and materials are medically accurate, age appropriate, culturally and linguistically appropriate, and inclusive of all populations;

(2) working with community health care providers and other service support organizations that serve the target population for this program; and

(3) providing technical assistance and training for institutional parent support center staff on how to conduct screenings and referrals for the health concerns of student parents, including alcohol misuse, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, intimate partner violence, tobacco and nicotine, and other health concerns.

Subd. 4. Report and evaluation. By August 1 of each odd-numbered year, the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance regarding the grant recipients and their activities. The report shall include information about the students served, the organizations providing services, program activities, program goals, and outcomes.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 136A.126, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Student eligibility. The commissioner shall establish procedures for the distribution of scholarships to a Minnesota resident student as defined under section 136A.101, subdivision 8, who:

(1) is of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry or is an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian or Canadian First Nations tribe;

(2) has applied for other existing state and federal scholarship and grant programs;

(3) is meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined under section 136A.101, subdivision 10;

(4) is not in default, as defined by the office, of a federal or state student educational loan;

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(5) if enrolled in an undergraduate program, ~~is eligible or would be eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant or a state grant based on the federal needs analysis and~~ is enrolled for nine semester credits per term or more, or the equivalent; and

(6) if enrolled in a graduate program, demonstrates a remaining financial need in the award amount calculation and is enrolled, per term, on a half-time basis or more as defined by the postsecondary institution.

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 136A.126, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Award amount. (a) Each student shall be awarded a scholarship based on the federal need analysis. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial aid. The amount of the award must not exceed the applicant's cost of attendance, as defined in subdivision 3, after deducting:

(1) the expected family contribution as calculated by the federal need analysis;

(2) the amount of a federal Pell Grant award for which the applicant is eligible;

(3) the amount of the state grant;

(4) the federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant;

(5) the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and tuition remission amounts;

(6) the sum of all Tribal scholarships;

(7) the amount of any other state and federal gift aid; and

(8) the amount of any private grants or scholarships.

(b) The award shall be paid directly to the postsecondary institution where the student receives federal financial aid.

(1) the maximum award for an undergraduate is ~~$4,000~~ $8,000 per academic year;

(2) the maximum award for a graduate student is ~~$6,000~~ $8,000 per academic year; and

(3) the minimum award for all students is $100 per academic year.

(d) Scholarships may not be given to any Indian student for more than three years of study for a two-year degree, certificate, or diploma program or five years of study for a four-year degree program at the undergraduate level and for more than five years at the graduate level. Students may acquire only one degree per level and one terminal graduate degree. Scholarships may not be given to any student for more than ten years including five years of undergraduate study and five years of graduate study.

(e) Scholarships may be given to an eligible student for four quarters, three semesters, or the equivalent during the course of a single fiscal year. In calculating the award amount, the office must use the same calculation it would for any other term.

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Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 136A.1791, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Amount of loan repayment. (a) To the extent funding is available, the annual amount of teacher shortage loan repayment for an approved applicant shall not exceed ~~$1,000~~ $2,000 or the cumulative balance of the applicant's qualified educational loans, including principal and interest, whichever amount is less.

(b) Recipients must secure their own qualified educational loans. Teachers who graduate from an approved teacher preparation program or teachers who add a licensure field, consistent with the teacher shortage requirements of this section, are eligible to apply for the loan repayment program.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 136F.20, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Mental health awareness program. (a) The board shall implement a mental health awareness program at each Minnesota state college and university by the start of the 2022-2023 academic year. A mental health awareness program shall include:

(1) a web page at each institution that includes links to existing self-assessment resources, resources connecting students to campus and community-based resources, and emergency contact information and resources;

(2) mandatory mental health first aid training, evidence-based suicide prevention training, or other similar mental health training for faculty, staff, and students, giving priority to those who serve in roles that include increased direct contact with students who are experiencing mental health concerns, such as student housing and campus safety employees. Each college and university shall identify the appropriate faculty, staff, and students to receive training based on college or university structure and available funding;

(3) a session at each student orientation program that includes information about maintaining good mental health, the symptoms of mental health conditions common among college students, and mental health resources and services available to students;

(4) a messaging strategy to send students information on available mental health resources and services at least once per term, and during periods of high academic stress; and

(5) distributing the suicide prevention helpline and text line contact information in a way that increases accessibility and awareness of that information to students.

(b) The board shall create and maintain a mental health community of practice including faculty and staff with subject matter expertise in mental health to identify resources and best practices to inform campus-based strategies to raise awareness of local and state resources and implement appropriate training experiences.

(c) The board shall make grants to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to establish a peer support pilot program designed to assist students with a mental health condition. The program shall utilize student peers to support students living with mental health conditions on campus. The peer support program may be housed within the counseling center, wellness center, or resident assistance programs on campus. The peer support program leaders must be trained to facilitate discussions on mental health, identify students who may be in crisis, and refer students to programs for mental health support.

(d) The board shall pursue additional centralized mental health resources, training opportunities, and support that will enhance student mental health capacity on college and university campuses and in local communities.

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Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 136F.202, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Basic needs resources. (a) Each college and university shall create and maintain a web page that clearly identifies basic needs resources available at the college or university. This web page shall clearly identify at least one staff member, faculty member, or department as a point of contact to whom students may direct questions. Each college and university shall also make the information under this paragraph available on the college or university mobile application, if possible.

(b) The board shall pursue the creation of a centralized basic needs online resource web page that will raise awareness of campus-based resources available at colleges and universities and local, state, and national resources that can assist in addressing basic needs insecurity.

(c) The board shall pursue additional centralized basic needs resources, training opportunities, and support that will enhance student basic needs capacity on college and university campuses and in local communities.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 137.023, is amended to read:

137.023 ~~UNIVERSITY STUDENT ON~~ BOARD OF REGENTS SEATS ASSIGNED.

Subdivision 1. Seats assigned. (a) In electing members of the Board of Regents pursuant to article 13, section 3, of the Constitution of the state of Minnesota, and Territorial Laws 1851, chapter 3, section 5,:

(1) one member of the ~~Board of Regents of the university~~ board shall be a person who at the time of election to the board is a student who is enrolled in a degree program at the university;

(2) one member of the board must be a person who at the time of election to the board is a tenured faculty member of the university; and

(3) one member of the board must represent a university employee organization, as defined by section 179A.03, subdivision 6.

(b) ~~This person~~ Persons elected under paragraph (a) shall represent the state at large. Upon expiration of the term or in the event of a vacancy in the office, ~~one position~~ the seats assigned in paragraph (a) shall be filled by a person having the same qualifications.

Subd. 2. American Indian regent. At least one member of the Board of Regents shall be an enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe within the state of Minnesota.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment. The first at-large position to be elected following enactment of this section shall be assigned to a tenured faculty member, and the next at-large position to be elected shall be assigned to a representative of a university employee organization.

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 137.024, is amended to read:

137.024 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS REPRESENTED ON BOARD OF REGENTS.

(a) At least one member of the Board of Regents of the university shall be a resident of each congressional district.

(b) If legislative redistricting changes the boundaries of the state's congressional districts, sitting regents representing specific congressional districts may fulfill their elected terms on the Board of Regents. When a seat designated for a congressional district first becomes vacant after redistricting, the legislature shall apply current district boundaries in order to comply with paragraph (a).

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(c) If, due to congressional apportionment, the state loses a congressional district, the regent seat designated for that district shall represent the state at large. If the state gains a congressional district, the next vacant at-large seat that is not reserved pursuant to section 137.023 must be assigned to the new district.

Sec. 16. [137.0242] TERM LIMITS FOR UNIVERSITY REGENTS.

The legislature shall not elect a person to the Board of Regents of the university more than twice.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 137.0245, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Membership. (a) The Regent Candidate Advisory Council shall consist of 24 25 members.

~~Twelve~~ (b) Five members shall be appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the senate. ~~Twelve~~ Five members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house. ~~Each appointing authority must appoint one member who is a student enrolled in a degree program at the University of Minnesota at the time of appointment.~~ No more than one-third of the members appointed by each appointing authority may be current or former legislators. No more than two-thirds of the members appointed by each appointing authority may belong to the same political party; however, political activity or affiliation is not required for the appointment of any member. Geographical representation must be taken into consideration when making appointments.

(1) one current faculty member from each of the five University of Minnesota system campuses, each of whom shall be appointed by the faculty senate of that faculty member's campus, or, if no campus-specific faculty senate exists, by the university system's faculty senate;

(2) the student body president of each of the five University of Minnesota system campuses, or designees thereof; and

(3) one designee from each of the following entities:

(i) the Indian Affairs Council;

(ii) the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs;

(iii) the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage;

(iv) the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans; and

(v) the Council on Disability.

(d) Section 15.0575 shall govern the advisory council, except that:

~~(1)~~ the members shall be appointed to six-year terms ~~with one-third appointed each even-numbered year; and~~

~~(2) student members are appointed to two-year terms with two students appointed each even-numbered year~~.

(e) A member may not serve more than two full terms.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment. By September 1, 2022, the house and senate shall appoint one member to a term that expires January 2024, two members to terms that expire January 2026, and two members to full terms that expire January 2028. Members of the Regent Candidate Advisory Council at the time of enactment may be reappointed, but remain subject to the two-term limit imposed by this section.

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Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 137.0245, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Duties. (a) The advisory council shall:

(1) develop, in consultation with current and former regents and the administration of the University of Minnesota, a statement of the selection criteria to be applied and a description of the responsibilities and duties of a regent, and shall distribute this to potential candidates; and

(2) for each position on the board, identify and recruit qualified candidates for the Board of Regents, based on the background and experience of the candidates, their potential for discharging the responsibilities of a member of the Board of Regents, and the needs of the board. ~~The selection criteria must not include a limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve on the Board of Regents.~~

(b) The selection criteria developed under paragraph (a), clause (1), must include a criterion that regents represent diversity in geography; gender; race; occupation, including business and labor; and experience.

(c) The selection criterion must include an identification of the membership needs of the board for individual skills relevant to the governance of the University of Minnesota and the needs for certain individual characteristics. Individual characteristics relate to qualities such as gender, race, and geographic location of residence.

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 137.0246, is amended to read:

137.0246 REGENT NOMINATION AND ELECTION.

Subd. 2. Regent nomination joint committee. (a) The joint legislative committee consists of the members of the higher education budget and policy divisions in each house of the legislature. The chairs of the divisions from each body shall be cochairs of the joint legislative committee. A majority of the members from each house is a quorum of the joint committee.

(b) By February 28 of each odd-numbered year, or at a date agreed to by concurrent resolution, the joint legislative committee shall meet to consider the advisory council's recommendations for regent of the University of Minnesota for possible presentation to a joint convention of the legislature.

(c) The joint committee may recommend to the joint convention candidates recommended by the advisory council and the other candidates nominated by the joint committee. A candidate other than those recommended by the advisory council may be nominated for consideration by the joint committee only if the nomination receives the support of at least three house of representatives members of the committee and two senate members of the committee. A candidate must receive a majority vote of members from the house of representatives and from the senate on the joint committee to be recommended to the joint convention. The joint committee ~~may~~ must recommend ~~no more than one candidate~~ two candidates for each vacancy. In recommending nominees, the joint committee must consider the needs of the board of regents and the balance of the board membership with respect to gender, racial, and ethnic composition.

Subd. 3. Joint convention to elect regents. At the joint convention of the senate and house of representatives called to elect regents, the joint committee shall report the names of the persons recommended for each vacancy. These persons are considered to be nominated. No additional nominations may be submitted.

Subd. 4. Joint rules must conform to this section. The joint rules of the senate and house of representatives must be amended to conform to the requirements of this section.

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Sec. 20. [137.035] GREEN TRAINING PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1. Account established. (a) A green training program account is established in the special revenue fund. Money in the account is appropriated to the Board of Regents to administer the green training program in accordance with this section. Appropriations to the board for the program are for transfer to the account. Appropriations from the account do not cancel and are available until expended.

(b) If the Board of Regents does not establish the committee as requested in subdivision 2, all unencumbered balances in the account shall cancel back to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year.

Subd. 2. Committee established. (a) The Board of Regents is requested to establish a green training program committee to administer funds in the program account and to appoint members to the committee. At least 50 percent of the committee's members must represent and be appointed by labor organizations for frontline service workers at the university. Frontline service workers include those in the following job categories:

(1) food service worker and senior food service worker;

(2) cashier/food aide, junior cashier/food aide, and senior cashier/food aide;

(3) cook;

(4) baker;

(5) attendant and senior attendant;

(6) stores specialist;

(7) delivery service driver;

(8) laborer and senior laborer;

(9) waste treatment attendant;

(10) building and grounds worker and senior building and grounds worker;

(11) athletic grounds worker;

(12) packer helper;

(13) maintenance equipment operator and senior maintenance equipment operator;

(14) heavy equipment operator;

(15) farm equipment operator;

(16) mechanic 1, 2, and 3;

(17) copy center equipment operator and lead copy center operator;

(18) intercollegiate athletic equipment worker;

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(19) farm animal attendant;

(20) gardener and senior gardener;

(21) assistant gardener;

(22) laboratory attendant and senior laboratory attendant;

(23) laboratory animal attendant;

(24) utility worker and senior utility worker; and

(25) hazardous material disposal specialist.

(b) Initial appointments to the committee shall be made no later than September 1, 2022. Committee members shall serve for a term of three years and may be reappointed.

(c) The committee shall annually elect a chair and vice-chair from among its members, and may elect other officers as necessary.

(d) The Board of Regents is requested to convene the first meeting of the committee no later than October 1, 2022. Thereafter, the committee shall meet upon the call of the chair or at the request of a majority of committee members.

Subd. 3. Committee duties. (a) The green training program committee shall oversee and administer funds appropriated for the green training program. Program funds may be used for the following purposes:

(1) education and training of university employees in fields determined by the committee, including but not limited to:

(i) reduction in solid waste;

(ii) proper sorting of solid waste; and

(iii) reduction in energy usage; and

(2) training incentives for university employees in the form of a per-hour increase in pay upon employee completion of training.

(b) The committee shall monitor industry issues and trends affecting solid waste management, energy consumption, and other sustainability measures and make recommendations to the Board of Regents regarding university practices in these areas.

(c) For the purposes of university employee training, the committee may procure direct technical and educational assistance by using existing institutions and resources, including but not limited to:

(1) local workforce investment boards;

(2) state colleges;

(3) labor organizations;

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(4) administrative entities for service delivery areas under the federal Workforce Investment Act or its successor statute; and

(5) nonprofit organizations and other entities that have expertise in providing technical assistance regarding employee training in the fields determined by the committee under paragraph (a).

Subd. 4. Collective bargaining. By mutual agreement through collective bargaining with frontline service worker unions, the Board of Regents may adopt additional rules and procedures for the green training program, the program committee, and the use of green training program account funds. These rules and procedures must not conflict with this section.

Subd. 5. Report required. Not later than February 28 of each year, beginning in 2023, the green training program committee shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education policy and finance concerning the state of the program account and account funds disbursed, together with any recommendations and additional information the committee considers appropriate.

Sec. 21. Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 35, is amended to read:

Subd. 35. Hunger-Free Campus Grants

205,000

102,000

For the Office of Higher Education to provide initial and sustaining grants to Minnesota public postsecondary institutions, nonprofit private postsecondary institutions, and Tribal colleges under Minnesota Statutes, section ~~136F.245~~ 135A.137, subdivision 4 3, to meet and maintain the criteria in that same section to address food insecurity on campus.

Sec. 22. Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 45, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 7. Expiration. This section expires June 30, 2027.

Sec. 23. SOCIAL WORK SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1. Program established. The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education shall establish a scholarship program for eligible students preparing to become licensed social workers in Minnesota.

Subd. 2. Eligible students. (a) A student is eligible for a scholarship under this section if the student is:

(1) a resident student as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.101;

(2) enrolled in a baccalaureate degree-granting social work program at an eligible institution as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.101; and

(3) in good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.101.

(b) To receive a scholarship under this section, a student must:

(1) apply in the form and manner specified by the commissioner; and

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(2) sign a contract agreeing to fulfill the employment obligation under subdivision 4.

Subd. 3. Scholarship amounts. (a) The amount of a scholarship awarded under this section shall be equal to the recipient's recognized cost of attendance after deducting:

(1) the amount of the federal Pell grant award for which the recipient is eligible;

(2) the amount of the state grant award for which the recipient is eligible;

(3) the amount of any other state or federal gift aid received; and

(4) the sum of all institutional scholarships, grants, tuition waivers, and tuition remission amounts.

(b) For purposes of this section, the recognized cost of attendance for a public institution has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, chapter 28, subchapter IV, part F, section 1087ll. The recognized cost of attendance for a private institution equals the lesser of:

(1) the cost of attendance for the institution as calculated under Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, chapter 28, subchapter IV, part F, section 1087ll; or

(2) an amount equal to the highest recognized cost of attendance at a public university.

Subd. 4. Employment obligation. (a) Beginning within six months of the completion of the academic program for which the scholarship was awarded, a scholarship recipient must:

(1) be licensed with the Minnesota Board of Social Work; and

(2) be employed full time as a social worker in Minnesota for at least four years.

(b) A recipient who has completed the program for which the scholarship was awarded, but who has not fulfilled the total employment obligation, must annually verify, in a form and manner specified by the commissioner, that the recipient is employed in a position that fulfills the employment obligation.

(c) If a recipient fails to meet the employment requirement, the commissioner shall convert the recipient's total scholarship award to a student loan and collect from the participant the total amount paid plus interest at a rate established according to Minnesota Statutes, section 270C.40.

(d) The commissioner may waive or defer the employment obligation for a scholarship recipient for continued graduate studies in social work or for circumstances involving extreme hardship.

(e) Any obligation to fulfill the employment obligation cancels upon the death or permanent and total disability of the scholarship recipient.

(f) The commissioner shall develop a contract to be signed by all scholarship applicants. The contract shall bind the applicant to the employment obligation under this subdivision.

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Subd. 5. Insufficient appropriation. If the amount appropriated for this program is determined by the office to be insufficient to make full awards to all eligible applicants, the commissioner shall prioritize awards to eligible applicants based on the applicants' individual financial needs as determined by the federal needs analysis.

Subd. 6. Report required. By February 15 of each year, the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education shall submit a report on the details of the program under this section to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance and policy and to the Legislative Reference Library as provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195. The report shall include the following information:

(1) the number of students receiving an award in the previous year and the institutions they attended;

(2) the average and total award amounts in the previous year, disaggregate by institution attended;

(3) summary demographic data on award recipients in the previous year;

(4) data on recipients currently subject to the employment obligation under subdivision 4, including the number of recipients subject to the obligation, the number who are successfully completing the obligation, the number who have had their scholarships converted to loans; and the number who have had their obligation waived or deferred; and

(5) if the appropriation for the program was determined to be insufficient, an explanation of measures taken under subdivision 5.

Subd. 7. Expiration. This section expires June 30, 2027.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment. The commissioner shall begin offering scholarships under this section in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Sec. 24. REQUEST TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS.

The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota is requested to amend its policies to permit a regent elected under Minnesota Statutes, section 137.023, subdivision 1, to serve as a compensated university employee.

ARTICLE 3

OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.121, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

Subd. 18. Data. (a) An eligible institution whose students are eligible to receive funding under sections 136A.095 to 136A.246 must provide to the office data on student enrollment and federal and state financial aid.

(b) An institution or its agent must provide to the office aggregate and distributional financial or other data as determined by the commissioner that is directly related to the responsibilities of the office under this chapter. The commissioner may only request aggregate and distributional data after establishing and consulting with a data advisory task force to determine the need, content, and detail of the information. Data provided by nonpublic institutions under this paragraph is considered nonpublic data under chapter 13.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.1701, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11. Data. (a) An eligible institution whose students are eligible to receive funding under sections 136A.15 to 136A.1795 and licensed or registered under sections 136A.61 to 136A.834 must provide to the office data on student enrollment and federal and state financial aid.

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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.833, is amended to read:

136A.833 EXEMPTIONS.

Subdivision 1. Application for exemptions. A school that seeks an exemption from the provisions of sections 136A.822 to 136A.834 for the school and all of its programs or some of its programs must apply to the office to establish that the school or program meets the requirements of an exemption. An exemption for the school or program expires two years from the date of approval or when a school adds a new program or makes a modification equal to or greater than 25 percent to an existing educational program. If a school is reapplying for an exemption, the application must be submitted to the office 90 days before the current exemption expires. This exemption shall not extend to any school that uses any publication or advertisement that is not truthful and gives any false, fraudulent, deceptive, inaccurate, or misleading impressions about the school or its personnel, programs, services, or occupational opportunities for its graduates for promotion and student recruitment. ~~Exemptions denied under this section are subject to appeal under section 136A.65, subdivision 8, paragraph (c)~~ If an exemption is denied, the office shall provide notice of the right to appeal under chapter 14. If an appeal is initiated, the denial of the exemption is not effective until the final determination of the appeal, unless immediate effect is ordered by the court.

Subd. 2. Exemption reasons. Sections 136A.821 to 136A.832 shall not apply to the following:

(1) public postsecondary institutions;

(2) postsecondary institutions registered under sections 136A.61 to 136A.71;

(3) postsecondary institutions exempt from registration under sections 136A.653, subdivisions 2, 3, and 3a; 136A.657; and 136A.658;

~~(3)~~ (4) private career schools of nursing accredited by the state Board of Nursing or an equivalent public board of another state or foreign country;

~~(4)~~ (5) private schools complying with the requirements of section 120A.22, subdivision 4;

~~(5)~~ (6) courses taught to students in ~~a valid~~ an apprenticeship program registered by the United States Department of Labor or Minnesota Department of Labor and taught by or required by a trade union;

~~(6)~~ (7) private career schools exclusively engaged in training physically or mentally disabled persons for the state of Minnesota;

~~(7)~~ (8) private career schools licensed by boards authorized under Minnesota law to issue licenses for training programs except private career schools required to obtain a private career school license due to the use of "academy," "institute," "college," or "university" in their names;

~~(8)~~ (9) private career schools and educational programs, or training programs, contracted for by persons, firms, corporations, government agencies, or associations, for the training of their own employees, for which no fee is charged the employee;

~~Journal of the House - 91st Day - Friday, April 8, 2022 - Top of Page 9164~~

~~(9)~~ (10) private career schools engaged exclusively in the teaching of purely avocational, recreational, or remedial subjects, including adult basic education, as determined by the office except private career schools required to obtain a private career school license due to the use of "academy," "institute," "college," or "university" in their names unless the private career school used "academy" or "institute" in its name prior to August 1, 2008;

~~(10)~~ (11) classes, courses, or programs conducted by a bona fide trade, professional, or fraternal organization, solely for that organization's membership;

~~(11)~~ (12) programs in the fine arts provided by organizations exempt from taxation under section 290.05 and registered with the attorney general under chapter 309. For the purposes of this clause, "fine arts" means activities resulting in artistic creation or artistic performance of works of the imagination which are engaged in for the primary purpose of creative expression rather than commercial sale or employment. In making this determination the office may seek the advice and recommendation of the Minnesota Board of the Arts;

~~(12)~~ (13) classes, courses, or programs intended to fulfill the continuing education requirements for licensure or certification in a profession, that have been approved by a legislatively or judicially established board or agency responsible for regulating the practice of the profession or by an industry-specific certification entity, and that are offered exclusively to ~~an individual practicing the profession~~ individuals with the professional licensure or certification;

~~(13)~~ (14) classes, courses, or programs intended to prepare students to sit for undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, or occupational licensing ~~and occupational~~, certification, or entrance examinations;

~~(14)~~ (15) classes, courses, or programs providing 16 or fewer clock hours of instruction that are not part of the curriculum for an occupation or entry level employment except private career schools required to obtain a private career school license due to the use of "academy," "institute," "college," or "university" in their names;

~~(15)~~ (16) classes, courses, or programs providing instruction in personal development, modeling, or acting;

(16) training or instructional programs, in which one instructor teaches an individual student, that are not part of the curriculum for an occupation or are not intended to prepare a person for entry level employment;

(17) private career schools with no physical presence in Minnesota, as determined by the office, engaged exclusively in offering distance instruction that are located in and regulated by other states or jurisdictions if the distance education instruction does not include internships, externships, field placements, or clinical placements for residents of Minnesota; and

(18) private career schools providing exclusively training, instructional programs, or courses where tuition, fees, and any other charges for a student to participate do not exceed $100.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 136A.91, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Grants. (a) The Office of Higher Education must establish a competitive grant program for postsecondary institutions to expand concurrent enrollment opportunities. To the extent that there are qualified applicants, the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education shall distribute grant funds to ensure:

(1) eligible students throughout the state have access to concurrent enrollment programs; and

(2) preference for grants that expand programs is given to programs already at capacity.

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(b) The commissioner may award grants under this section to postsecondary institutions for any of the following purposes:

(1) to develop new concurrent enrollment courses under section 124D.09, subdivision 10, that satisfy the elective standard for career and technical education; or

(2) to expand the existing concurrent enrollment programs already offered by the postsecondary institution by:

(i) creating new sections within the same high school;

(ii) offering the existing course in new high schools; or and

(iii) supporting the preparation, recruitment, and success of students who are underrepresented in concurrent enrollment classrooms.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 136A.91, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Application. ~~(a)~~ The commissioner shall develop a grant application process. A grant applicant must:

(1) specify the purpose under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), for which the institution is applying;

(2) specify both program and student outcome goals;

(3) include student feedback in the development of new programs or the expansion of existing programs; and

(4) demonstrate a commitment to equitable access to concurrent enrollment coursework for all eligible high school students.

~~(b) A postsecondary institution applying for a grant under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (3), must provide a 50 percent match for the grant funds.~~

Sec. 6. REPEALER.

Minnesota Rules, part 4880.2500, is repealed."

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to higher education; providing for funding and policy changes for the Office of Higher Education, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system; creating and modifying certain student aid programs; creating and modifying certain grants to institutions; modifying certain institutional licensure provisions; creating the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center; modifying Board of Regents provisions; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 135A.15, subdivision 8, by adding a subdivision; 136A.121, subdivisions 5, 18; 136A.1701, subdivision 11; 136A.833; 137.023; 137.024; 137.0245, subdivisions 2, 3; 137.0246; Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, sections 135A.137, subdivision 3; 136A.126, subdivisions 1, 4; 136A.1791, subdivision 5; 136A.91, subdivisions 1, 2; 136F.20, subdivision 4; 136F.202, subdivision 1; Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 35; article 2, section 45, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 135A; 136A; 137; repealing Minnesota Rules, part 4880.2500."

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

The report was adopted.

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Ecklund from the Committee on Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy to which was referred:

H. F. No. 4177, A bill for an act relating to labor and industry; appropriating money for the Department of Labor and Industry and Minnesota Management and Budget; making policy and technical changes; providing OSHA penalty compliance; modifying fair labor standards for agricultural and food processing workers; providing earned sick and safe time; modifying combative sports; adopting civil penalties; authorizing rulemaking; requiring reports; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 175.16, subdivision 1; 177.26; 177.27, subdivisions 2, 4, 7; 178.01; 178.011, subdivision 7; 178.03, subdivision 1; 178.11; 179.86, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding subdivisions; 181.14, subdivision 1; 181.635, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6; 181.85, subdivisions 2, 4; 181.86, subdivision 1; 181.87, subdivisions 2, 3, 7; 181.88; 181.89, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 181.942, subdivision 1; 181.9435, subdivision 1; 181.9436; 182.666, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 326B.103, subdivision 13; 326B.106, subdivision 1; 341.21, subdivision 7; 341.221; 341.25; 341.28; 341.30, subdivision 4; 341.32, subdivision 2; 341.321; 341.33; 341.355; Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 326B.153, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 177; 181; 341; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.9413.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.

The sums shown in the columns under "Appropriations" are added to the appropriations in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 10, or other law to the specified agencies. The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2022" and "2023" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively. Appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, are effective the day following final enactment.

			APPROPRIATIONS
			Available for the Year
			Ending June 30
			2022		2023

Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$-0-

$8,583,000

Appropriations by Fund
	2022	2023
General	-0-	5,450,000
Workers' Compensation	-0-	-0-
Workforce Development	-0-	3,133,000
Journal of the House - 91st Day - Friday, April 8, 2022 - Top of Page 9167 Subd. 2. Labor Standards and Apprenticeship			-0-	4,279,000

Appropriations by Fund
	2022	2023
General Fund	-0-	1,146,000
Workforce Development	-0-	3,133,000

(a) $1,059,000 in fiscal year 2023 is from the workforce development fund for labor education and advancement program grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 178.11, to expand and promote registered apprenticeship training for people of color, Indigenous people, and women. Of this amount:

(1) $159,000 is available for program administration; and

(2) at least $500,000 must be awarded to community-based organizations.

(b) $316,000 is from the workforce development fund for administration of the apprenticeship program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 178.

(d) $196,000 in fiscal year 2023 is to expand and strengthen fair labor standards for agricultural and food processing workers. In fiscal year 2024 and beyond, the base is $146,000.

(e) $750,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for the loggers safety grant program under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 10, article 3, section 21. This is a onetime appropriation.

(f) $200,000 in fiscal year 2023 is to establish a Veterans Liaison Coordinator position in the Registered Apprenticeship Division. The position is responsible for collaborating with Minnesota stakeholders and state and federal agencies to: promote and increase veterans in the trades; support initiatives for veterans seeking a living wage and sustainable employment; and increase awareness of registered apprenticeship opportunities in Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $150,000 is for salary and benefits for the position, and $50,000 is for administrative support services, marketing, and paid communications. The base for this appropriation is $180,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $160,000 in fiscal year 2025.

Subd. 3. Workforce Development Initiatives

-0-

747,000

(a) $500,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for youth skills training grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 175.46.

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(b) $247,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for administration of the youth skills training grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 175.46. In fiscal year 2024, the base for this appropriation is $258,000. In fiscal year 2025, the base for this appropriation is $270,000.

Subd. 4. Combative Sports

-0-

150,000

Subd. 5. Transfer to Construction Code Fund

-0-

2,900,000

$2,900,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for transfer to the construction code fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.04, subdivision 1. In fiscal year 2024, the base for this appropriation is $4,477,000. In fiscal year 2025, the base for this appropriation is $0.

Subd. 6. Agricultural Worker Wellness

-0-

507,000

(a) $255,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for the ombudsperson for the safety, health, and well-being of agricultural and food processing workers under Minnesota Statutes, section 179.911.

(b) $252,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for the agricultural worker wellness committee under Minnesota Statutes, section 179.912.

Sec. 3. WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT OF APPEALS

$-0-

$300,000

(a) This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund. Of this amount, $100,000 is for rulemaking. This appropriation is onetime.

(b) In fiscal years 2024 and 2025, $200,000 is added to the agency's base.

Sec. 4. BUREAU OF MEDIATION SERVICES

$-0-

$400,000

This appropriation is for purposes of the Public Employment Relations Board under Minnesota Statutes, section 179A.041. In fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the base is $525,000.

ARTICLE 2

LABOR AND INDUSTRY POLICY AND TECHNICAL

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 175.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Established. The Department of Labor and Industry shall consist of the following divisions: Division of Workers' Compensation, Division of Construction Codes and Licensing, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Statistics, Division of Labor Standards, and Division of Apprenticeship, and such other divisions as the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry may deem necessary and establish. Each division of the department and persons in charge thereof shall be subject to the supervision of the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry and, in addition to such duties as are or may be imposed on them by statute, shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to them by the commissioner. Notwithstanding

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any other law to the contrary, the commissioner is the administrator and supervisor of all of the department's dispute resolution functions and personnel and may delegate authority to compensation judges and others to make determinations under sections 176.106, 176.238, and 176.239 and to approve settlement of claims under section 176.521.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 177.26, is amended to read:

177.26 DIVISION OF LABOR STANDARDS.

Subdivision 1. Creation. The Division of Labor Standards ~~and Apprenticeship~~ in the Department of Labor and Industry is supervised and controlled by the commissioner of labor and industry.

Subd. 2. Powers and duties. The Division of Labor Standards ~~and Apprenticeship~~ shall administer this chapter and chapters ~~178,~~ 181, 181A, and 184.

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

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2020, 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, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), 181.275, subdivision 2a, 181.722, 181.79, ~~and~~ 181.939 to 181.943, or 181.991, and 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.

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

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 178.01, is amended to read:

178.01 PURPOSES.

The purposes of this chapter are: to open to all people regardless of race, sex, creed, color or national origin, the opportunity to obtain training and on-the-job learning that will equip them for profitable employment and citizenship; to establish as a means to this end, a program of voluntary apprenticeship under approved apprenticeship agreements providing facilities for their training and guidance in the arts, skills, and crafts of industry and trade or occupation, with concurrent, supplementary instruction in related subjects; to promote apprenticeship opportunities under conditions providing adequate training and on-the-job learning and reasonable earnings; to relate the supply of skilled workers to employment demands; to establish standards for apprentice training; to establish an

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Apprenticeship Board and apprenticeship committees to assist in effectuating the purposes of this chapter; to provide for a Division of ~~Labor Standards and~~ Apprenticeship within the Department of Labor and Industry; to provide for reports to the legislature regarding the status of apprentice training in the state; to establish a procedure for the determination of apprenticeship agreement controversies; and to accomplish related ends.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 178.011, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Division. "Division" means the department's ~~Labor Standards and~~ Apprenticeship Division, established under sections 175.16 and 178.03, and the State Apprenticeship Agency as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 29, part 29, section 29.2.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 178.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Establishment of division. There is established a Division of ~~Labor Standards and~~ Apprenticeship in the Department of Labor and Industry. This division shall be administered by a director, and be under the supervision of the commissioner.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 178.11, is amended to read:

178.11 LABOR EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM.

The commissioner shall establish the labor education advancement grant program for the purpose of facilitating the participation or retention of ~~minorities~~ people of color, Indigenous people, and women in ~~apprenticeable trades and occupations~~ registered apprenticeship programs. The commissioner shall award grants to community-based and nonprofit organizations and Minnesota Tribal governments as defined in section 10.65, serving the targeted populations on a competitive request-for-proposal basis. Interested organizations shall apply for the grants in a form prescribed by the commissioner. As part of the application process, applicants must provide a statement of need for the grant, a description of the targeted population and apprenticeship opportunities, a description of activities to be funded by the grant, evidence supporting the ability to deliver services, information related to coordinating grant activities with other employment and learning programs, identification of matching funds, a budget, and performance objectives. Each submitted application shall be evaluated for completeness and effectiveness of the proposed grant activity.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.9435, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Investigation. The Division of Labor Standards ~~and Apprenticeship~~ shall receive complaints of employees against employers relating to sections 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), and 181.939 to 181.9436 and investigate informally whether an employer may be in violation of sections 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), and 181.939 to 181.9436. The division shall attempt to resolve employee complaints by informing employees and employers of the provisions of the law and directing employers to comply with the law. For complaints related to section 181.939, the division must contact the employer within two business days and investigate the complaint within ten days of receipt of the complaint.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.9436, is amended to read:

181.9436 POSTING OF LAW.

The Division of Labor Standards ~~and Apprenticeship~~ shall develop, with the assistance of interested business and community organizations, an educational poster stating employees' rights under sections 181.940 to 181.9436. The department shall make the poster available, upon request, to employers for posting on the employer's premises.

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Sec. 10. [181.988] COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE VOID IN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS; SUBSTANTIVE PROTECTIONS OF MINNESOTA LAW APPLY.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) "Covenant not to compete" means an agreement between an employee and employer that restricts the employee, after termination of the employment, from performing:

(1) work for another employer for a specified period of time;

(2) work in a specified geographical area; or

(3) work for another employer in a capacity that is similar to the employee's work for the employer that is party to the agreement.

(b) "Employer" means any individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, or any person or group of persons acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee.

Subd. 2. Covenants not to compete void and unenforceable. (a) Subject to the exception in paragraph (b), any covenant not to compete contained in a contract or agreement is void and unenforceable.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a covenant not to compete between an employer and employee is valid and enforceable if:

(1) the employee earned an annual salary from the employer at least equal to the median family income for a four-person family in Minnesota, as determined by the United States Census Bureau, for the most recent year available at the time of the employee's termination; and

(2) the employer agrees to pay the employee on a pro rata basis during the entirety of the restricted period of the covenant not to compete at least 50 percent of the employee's highest annualized base salary paid by the employer within the two years preceding the employee's separation from employment.

(c) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to render void or unenforceable any other provisions in a contract or agreement containing a void or unenforceable covenant not to compete.

(d) In addition to injunctive relief and any other remedies available, a court may award an employee who is enforcing rights under this section reasonable attorney fees.

Subd. 3. Choice of law; venue. (a) An employer must not require an employee who primarily resides and works in Minnesota, as a condition of employment, to agree to a provision in an agreement or contract that would do either of the following:

(1) require the employee to adjudicate outside of Minnesota a claim arising in Minnesota; or

(2) deprive the employee of the substantive protection of Minnesota law with respect to a controversy arising in Minnesota.

(b) Any provision of a contract or agreement that violates paragraph (a) is voidable at any time by the employee and if a provision is rendered void at the request of the employee, the matter shall be adjudicated in Minnesota and Minnesota law shall govern the dispute.

(c) In addition to injunctive relief and any other remedies available, a court may award an employee who is enforcing rights under this section reasonable attorney fees.

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(d) For purposes of this section, adjudication includes litigation and arbitration.

(e) This subdivision shall not apply to a contract with an employee who is in fact individually represented by legal counsel in negotiating the terms of an agreement to designate either the venue or forum in which a controversy arising from the employment contract may be adjudicated or the choice of law to be applied.

Subd. 4. Severability. If any provision of this section is found to be unconstitutional and void, the remaining provisions of this section are valid.

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

Sec. 11. [181.991] RESTRICTIVE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS PROHIBITED.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

(b) "Employee" means an individual employed by an employer and includes independent contractors.

(d) "Franchise," "franchisee," and "franchisor" have the meanings given in section 80C.01, subdivisions 4 to 6.

Subd. 2. Prohibition on restrictive franchise agreements. (a) No franchisor may restrict, restrain, or prohibit in any way a franchisee from soliciting or hiring an employee of a franchisee of the same franchisor.

(b) No franchisor may restrict, restrain, or prohibit in any way a franchisee from soliciting or hiring an employee of the franchisor.

Subd. 3. Franchise agreement amendment. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than one year from the effective date of this section, franchisors shall amend existing franchise agreements to remove any restrictive employment provision that violates subdivision 2.

Subd. 4. Civil action; penalties. (a) An employee alleging a violation of this section may bring a civil action for damages and injunctive relief against the employer.

(b) If the court finds that a franchisor has violated this section, the court shall enter judgment, grant injunctive relief as deemed appropriate, and award the employee plaintiff the greater of:

(1) the actual damages incurred by the plaintiff, plus any injunctive relief, costs, and reasonable attorney fees; or

(2) a $5,000 penalty.

(c) If no civil action is commenced, the commissioner of labor and industry shall assess a $5,000 per employee penalty for violations of this section. This assessment is in addition to the commissioner's authority under section 177.27, subdivisions 4 and 7. Any penalty assessed under this subdivision shall be awarded to the employee plaintiff and not to the commissioner or the department.

Subd. 5. Severability. If any provision of this section is found to be unconstitutional and void, the remaining provisions of this section are valid.

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

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Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 326B.092, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. License fees and license renewal fees. (a) The license fee for each license is the base license fee plus any applicable board fee, continuing education fee, and contractor recovery fund fee and additional assessment, as set forth in this subdivision.

(b) For purposes of this section, "license duration" means the number of years for which the license is issued except that if the initial license is not issued for a whole number of years, the license duration shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

(c) If there is a continuing education requirement for renewal of the license, then a continuing education fee must be included in the renewal license fee. The continuing education fee for all license classifications is $5.

(d) The base license fee shall depend on whether the license is classified as an entry level, master, journeyworker, or business license, and on the license duration. The base license fee shall be:

	License Duration
License Classification	1 year	2 years
Entry level	$10	$20
Journeyworker	$20	$40
Master	$40	$80
Business		$180

(e) If the license is issued under sections 326B.31 to 326B.59 or 326B.90 to 326B.925, then a board fee must be included in the license fee and the renewal license fee. The board fee for all license classifications shall be: $4 if the license duration is one year; and $8 if the license duration is two years.

(f) If the application is for the renewal of a license issued under sections 326B.802 to 326B.885, then the contractor recovery fund fee required under section 326B.89, subdivision 3, and any additional assessment required under section 326B.89, subdivision 16, must be included in the license renewal fee.

(g) Notwithstanding the fee amounts described in paragraphs (d) to (f), for the period October 1, 2021, through ~~September~~ June 30, ~~2023~~ 2022, the following fees apply:

	License Duration
License Classification	1 year	2 years
Entry level	$10	$20
Journeyworker	$15	$30
Master	$30	$60
Business		$120

(h) For the period of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024, no fees described in paragraphs (c) to (e) shall apply, except as described in paragraph (i).

(i) Notwithstanding the fee amounts described in paragraphs (d) to (f), for the period of October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2023, the base license fee for business licenses shall be $120.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326B.103, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13. State licensed facility. "State licensed facility" means a building and its grounds that are licensed by the state as a hospital, nursing home, supervised living facility, free-standing outpatient surgical center, correctional facility, boarding care home, or residential hospice, or assisted living facility, including assisted living facility with dementia care.

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Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326B.106, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Adoption of code. (a) Subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) and sections 326B.101 to 326B.194, the commissioner shall by rule and in consultation with the Construction Codes Advisory Council establish a code of standards for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings, governing matters of structural materials, design and construction, fire protection, health, sanitation, and safety, including design and construction standards regarding heat loss control, illumination, and climate control. The code must also include duties and responsibilities for code administration, including procedures for administrative action, penalties, and suspension and revocation of certification. The code must conform insofar as practicable to model building codes generally accepted and in use throughout the United States, including a code for building conservation. In the preparation of the code, consideration must be given to the existing statewide specialty codes presently in use in the state. Model codes with necessary modifications and statewide specialty codes may be adopted by reference. The code must be based on the application of scientific principles, approved tests, and professional judgment. To the extent possible, the code must be adopted in terms of desired results instead of the means of achieving those results, avoiding wherever possible the incorporation of specifications of particular methods or materials. To that end the code must encourage the use of new methods and new materials. Except as otherwise provided in sections 326B.101 to 326B.194, the commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of those sections.

(b) The commissioner shall develop rules addressing the plan review fee assessed to similar buildings without significant modifications including provisions for use of building systems as specified in the industrial/modular program specified in section 326B.194. Additional plan review fees associated with similar plans must be based on costs commensurate with the direct and indirect costs of the service.

(c) Beginning with the 2018 edition of the model building codes and every six years thereafter, the commissioner shall review the new model building codes and adopt the model codes as amended for use in Minnesota, within two years of the published edition date. The commissioner may adopt amendments to the building codes prior to the adoption of the new building codes to advance construction methods, technology, or materials, or, where necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, or to improve the efficiency or the use of a building.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), the commissioner shall act on each new model residential energy code and the new model commercial energy code in accordance with federal law for which the United States Department of Energy has issued an affirmative determination in compliance with United States Code, title 42, section 6833. The commissioner shall act on the new model commercial energy code by adopting each new published edition and amending it as necessary to achieve a minimum of eight percent energy efficiency. The commissioner may adopt amendments prior to adoption of the new energy codes, as amended for use in Minnesota, to advance construction methods, technology, or materials, or, where necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, or to improve the efficiency or use of a building.

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326B.106, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Special requirements. (a) Space for commuter vans. The code must require that any parking ramp or other parking facility constructed in accordance with the code include an appropriate number of spaces suitable for the parking of motor vehicles having a capacity of seven to 16 persons and which are principally used to provide prearranged commuter transportation of employees to or from their place of employment or to or from a transit stop authorized by a local transit authority.

(b) Smoke detection devices. The code must require that all dwellings, lodging houses, apartment houses, and hotels as defined in section 299F.362 comply with the provisions of section 299F.362.

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(c) Doors in nursing homes and hospitals. The State Building Code may not require that each door entering a sleeping or patient's room from a corridor in a nursing home or hospital with an approved complete standard automatic fire extinguishing system be constructed or maintained as self-closing or automatically closing.

(d) Child care facilities in churches; ground level exit. A licensed day care center serving fewer than 30 preschool age persons and which is located in a belowground space in a church building is exempt from the State Building Code requirement for a ground level exit when the center has more than two stairways to the ground level and its exit.

(e) Family and group family day care. Until the legislature enacts legislation specifying appropriate standards, the definition of dwellings constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code as adopted as part of the State Building Code applies to family and group family day care homes licensed by the Department of Human Services under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502.

(f) Enclosed stairways. No provision of the code or any appendix chapter of the code may require stairways of existing multiple dwelling buildings of two stories or less to be enclosed.

(g) Double cylinder dead bolt locks. No provision of the code or appendix chapter of the code may prohibit double cylinder dead bolt locks in existing single-family homes, townhouses, and first floor duplexes used exclusively as a residential dwelling. Any recommendation or promotion of double cylinder dead bolt locks must include a warning about their potential fire danger and procedures to minimize the danger.

(h) Relocated residential buildings. A residential building relocated within or into a political subdivision of the state need not comply with the State Energy Code or section 326B.439 provided that, where available, an energy audit is conducted on the relocated building.

(i) Automatic garage door opening systems. The code must require all residential buildings as defined in section 325F.82 to comply with the provisions of sections 325F.82 and 325F.83.

(j) Exterior wood decks, patios, and balconies. The code must permit the decking surface and upper portions of exterior wood decks, patios, and balconies to be constructed of (1) heartwood from species of wood having natural resistance to decay or termites, including redwood and cedars, (2) grades of lumber which contain sapwood from species of wood having natural resistance to decay or termites, including redwood and cedars, or (3) treated wood. The species and grades of wood products used to construct the decking surface and upper portions of exterior decks, patios, and balconies must be made available to the building official on request before final construction approval.

(k) Bioprocess piping and equipment. No permit fee for bioprocess piping may be imposed by municipalities under the State Building Code, except as required under section 326B.92 subdivision 1. Permits for bioprocess piping shall be according to section 326B.92 administered by the Department of Labor and Industry. All data regarding the material production processes, including the bioprocess system's structural design and layout, are nonpublic data as provided by section 13.7911.

(l) Use of ungraded lumber. The code must allow the use of ungraded lumber in geographic areas of the state where the code did not generally apply as of April 1, 2008, to the same extent that ungraded lumber could be used in that area before April 1, 2008.

(m) Window cleaning safety. The code must require the installation of dedicated anchorages for the purpose of suspended window cleaning on (1) new buildings four stories or greater; and (2) buildings four stories or greater, only on those areas undergoing reconstruction, alteration, or repair that includes the exposure of primary structural components of the roof. The commissioner shall adopt rules, using the expedited rulemaking process in section 14.389 requiring window cleaning safety features that comply with a nationally recognized standard as part of the State Building Code. Window cleaning safety features shall be provided for all windows on:

(1) new buildings where determined by the code; and

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(2) existing buildings undergoing alterations where both of the following conditions are met:

(i) the windows do not currently have safe window cleaning features; and

(ii) the proposed work area being altered can include provisions for safe window cleaning.

The commissioner may waive all or a portion of the requirements of this paragraph related to reconstruction, alteration, or repair, if the installation of dedicated anchorages would not result in significant safety improvements due to limits on the size of the project, or other factors as determined by the commissioner.

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 326B.153, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Building permits. (a) Fees for building permits submitted as required in section 326B.107 include:

(1) the fee as set forth in the fee schedule in paragraph (b) or as adopted by a municipality; and

(2) the surcharge required by section 326B.148.

(b) The total valuation and fee schedule is:

(1) $1 to $500, ~~$29.50~~ $21;

(2) $501 to $2,000, ~~$28~~ $21 for the first $500 plus ~~$3.70~~ $2.75 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000;

(3) $2,001 to $25,000, ~~$83.50~~ $62.25 for the first $2,000 plus ~~$16.55~~ $12.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000;

(4) $25,001 to $50,000, ~~$464.15~~ $349.75 for the first $25,000 plus ~~$12~~ $9 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000;

(5) $50,001 to $100,000, ~~$764.15~~ $574.75 for the first $50,000 plus ~~$8.45~~ $6.25 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000;

(6) $100,001 to $500,000, ~~$1,186.65~~ $887.25 for the first $100,000 plus ~~$6.75~~ $5 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000;

(7) $500,001 to $1,000,000, ~~$3,886.65~~ $2,887.25 for the first $500,000 plus ~~$5.50~~ $4.25 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000; and

(8) $1,000,001 and up, ~~$6,636.65~~ $5,012.25 for the first $1,000,000 plus ~~$4.50~~ $2.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof.

(1) inspections outside of normal business hours (minimum charge two hours), $63.25 per hour;

(2) reinspection fees, $63.25 per hour;

(3) inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated (minimum charge one-half hour), $63.25 per hour; and

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(4) additional plan review required by changes, additions, or revisions to approved plans (minimum charge one‑half hour), $63.25 per hour.

(d) If the actual hourly cost to the jurisdiction under paragraph (c) is greater than $63.25, then the greater rate shall be paid. Hourly cost includes supervision, overhead, equipment, hourly wages, and fringe benefits of the employees involved.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from October 1, 2021, and the amendments to it expire October 1, 2023.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326B.163, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Elevator. As used in this chapter, "elevator" means moving walks and vertical transportation devices such as escalators, passenger elevators, freight elevators, dumbwaiters, hand-powered elevators, endless belt lifts, and ~~wheelchair~~ platform lifts. Elevator does not include external temporary material lifts or temporary construction personnel elevators at sites of construction of new or remodeled buildings.

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326B.163, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5a. Platform lift. As used in this chapter, "platform lift" means a powered hoisting and lowering device designed to transport mobility-impaired persons on a guided platform.

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326B.164, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13. Exemption from licensing. (a) 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.

(b) Contractors and individuals shall not be required to hold or obtain a license under this section when performing work on:

(1) conveyors, including vertical reciprocating conveyors;

(2) platform lifts not covered under section 326B.163, subdivision 5a; or

(3) dock levelers.

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2020, 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, load control, 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, except for replacement or repair of load management equipment located on the exterior of a building for an electric utility other than a public utility as defined in section 216B.02, subdivision 4, before December 31, 2027, by a Class A electrical contractor licensed under section 326B.33;

(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.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. 21. LAWS CHAPTER 32 EFFECTIVE DATE.

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, Laws 2022, chapter 32, articles 1 and 2, sections 1 to 12, are effective the day following final enactment, and Laws 2022, chapter 32, article 1, section 1, applies to appointments made on or after that date.

ARTICLE 3

OSHA PENALTY CONFORMANCE

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 182.666, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Willful or repeated violations. Any employer who willfully or repeatedly violates the requirements of section 182.653, or any standard, rule, or order adopted under the authority of the commissioner as provided in this chapter, may be assessed a fine not to exceed ~~$70,000~~ $145,027 for each violation. The minimum fine for a willful violation is ~~$5,000~~ $10,360.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2022.

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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 182.666, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Serious violations. Any employer who has received a citation for a serious violation of its duties under section 182.653, or any standard, rule, or order adopted under the authority of the commissioner as provided in this chapter, shall be assessed a fine not to exceed ~~$7,000~~ $14,502 for each violation. If a serious violation under section 182.653, subdivision 2, causes or contributes to the death of an employee, the employer shall be assessed a fine of up to $25,000 for each violation.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 182.666, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Nonserious violations. Any employer who has received a citation for a violation of its duties under section 182.653, subdivisions 2 to 4, where the violation is specifically determined not to be of a serious nature as provided in section 182.651, subdivision 12, may be assessed a fine of up to ~~$7,000~~ $14,502 for each violation.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 182.666, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Failure to correct a violation. Any employer who fails to correct a violation for which a citation has been issued under section 182.66 within the period permitted for its correction, which period shall not begin to run until the date of the final order of the commissioner in the case of any review proceedings under this chapter initiated by the employer in good faith and not solely for delay or avoidance of penalties, may be assessed a fine of not more than ~~$7,000~~ $14,502 for each day during which the failure or violation continues.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 182.666, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Posting violations. Any employer who violates any of the posting requirements, as prescribed under this chapter, except those prescribed under section 182.661, subdivision 3a, shall be assessed a fine of up to ~~$7,000~~ $14,502 for each violation.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 182.666, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6a. Increases for inflation. (a) Each year, beginning in 2022, the commissioner shall determine the percentage change in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) from the month of October in the preceding calendar year to the month of October in the current calendar year.

(b) The commissioner shall increase the fines in subdivisions 1 through 5, except for the fine for a serious violation under section 182.653, subdivision 2, that causes or contributes to the death of an employee, by the percentage change determined by the commissioner under paragraph (a), if the percentage change is greater than zero. The fines shall be increased to the nearest one dollar.

(c) If the percentage change determined by the commissioner under paragraph (a) is not greater than zero, the commissioner shall not change any of the fines in subdivisions 1 through 5.

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(d) A fine increased under this subdivision takes effect on the next January 15 after the commissioner determines the percentage change under paragraph (a) and applies to all fines assessed on or after the next January 15.

(e) No later than December 1 of each year, the commissioner shall give notice in the State Register of any increase to the fines in subdivisions 1 through 5.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2022.

ARTICLE 4

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS FOR AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING WORKERS

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, 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, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), 181.275, subdivision 2a, 181.722, 181.79, 181.86 to 181.88, and 181.939 to 181.943, 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. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 179.86, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definition. For the purpose of this section, "employer" means an employer in the meatpacking or poultry processing industry.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 179.86, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Information provided to employee by employer. (a) At the start of employment, an employer must provide an explanation in an employee's native language of the employee's rights and duties as an employee ~~either~~ both person to person or and through written materials that, at a minimum, include:

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

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

(3) a description of leave policies;

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

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

(6) the name of the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier, the carrier's phone number, and the insurance policy number.

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

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

(2) the right to a safe workplace; ~~and~~

(3) the right to be free from discrimination.; and

(4) the right to workers' compensation insurance coverage.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 179.86, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5. Civil action. An employee injured by a violation of this section has a cause of action for damages for the greater of $1,000 per violation or twice the employee's actual damages, plus costs and reasonable attorney fees. A damage award shall be the greater of $1,400 or three times actual damages for an employee injured by an intentional violation of this section.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 179.86, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6. Fine. The commissioner of labor and industry shall fine an employer not less than $400 or more than $1,000 for each violation of subdivision 3.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Prompt payment required. (a) When any such employee quits or resigns employment, the wages or commissions earned and unpaid at the time the employee quits or resigns shall be paid in full not later than the first regularly scheduled payday following the employee's final day of employment, unless an employee is subject to a collective bargaining agreement with a different provision. Wages are earned and unpaid if the employee was not paid for all time worked at the employee's regular rate of pay or at the rate required by law, including any applicable statute, regulation, rule, ordinance, government resolution or policy, contract, or other legal authority, whichever rate of pay is greater. If the first regularly scheduled payday is less than five calendar days following the employee's final day of employment, full payment may be delayed until the second regularly scheduled payday but shall not exceed a total of 20 calendar days following the employee's final day of employment.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), in the case of migrant workers, as defined in section 181.85, the wages or commissions earned and unpaid at the time the employee quits or resigns shall become due and payable within ~~five~~ three days thereafter.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.635, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definitions. The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

(a) "Employer" means a person who employs another to perform a service for hire. Employer includes any agent or attorney of an employer who, for money or other valuable consideration paid or promised to be paid, performs any recruiting.

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(b) "Person" means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, association, individual, or group of persons.

(c) "Recruits" means to induce an individual, directly or through an agent, to relocate to Minnesota or within Minnesota to work in food processing by an offer of employment or of the possibility of employment.

(d) "Food processing" means canning, packing, or otherwise processing poultry or meat for consumption.

(e) "Terms and conditions of employment" means the following:

(1) nature of the work to be performed;

(2) wage rate, nature and amount of deductions for tools, clothing, supplies, or other items;

(3) anticipated hours of work per week, including overtime;

(4) anticipated slowdown or shutdown or if hours of work per week vary more than 25 percent from clause (3);

(5) duration of the work;

(6) workers' compensation coverage and name, address, and telephone number of insurer and Department of Labor and Industry;

(7) employee benefits available, including any health plans, sick leave, or paid vacation;

(8) transportation and relocation arrangements with allocation of costs between employer and employee;

(9) availability and description of housing and any costs to employee associated with housing; and

(10) any other item of value offered, and allocation of costs of item between employer and employee.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.635, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Recruiting; required disclosure. (a) An employer shall provide written disclosure of the terms and conditions of employment to a person at the time it recruits the person to relocate to work in the food processing industry. The disclosure requirement does not apply to an exempt employee as defined in United States Code, title 29, section 213(a)(1). The disclosure must be written in English and Spanish, or another language if the person's preferred language is not Spanish, dated and signed by the employer and the person recruited, and maintained by the employer for ~~two~~ three years. A copy of the signed and completed disclosure must be delivered immediately to the recruited person. The disclosure may not be construed as an employment contract.

(b) The requirements under this subdivision are in addition to the requirements under section 181.032.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.635, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Civil action. A person injured by a violation of this section has a cause of action for damages for the greater of ~~$500~~ $1,000 per violation or twice their actual damages, plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees. A damage award shall be the greater of ~~$750~~ $1,400 or three times actual damages for a person injured by an intentional violation of this section.

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Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.635, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Fine. The Department of Labor and Industry shall fine an employer not less than ~~$200~~ $400 or more than ~~$500~~ $1,000 for each violation of this section.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.635, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Standard disclosure form. The Department of Labor and Industry shall provide a standard form for use at the employer's option in making the disclosure required in subdivision 2. The form shall be available in English and Spanish and additional languages upon request.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.85, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Agricultural labor. "Agricultural labor" means field labor associated with the cultivation and harvest of fruits and vegetables and work performed in processing fruits and vegetables for market, as well as labor performed in agriculture as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 5200.0260.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.85, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Employer. "Employer" means ~~a processor of fruits or vegetables~~ an individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, or any person or group of persons that employs, either directly or indirectly through a recruiter, ~~more than 30~~ migrant workers ~~per day for more than seven days in any calendar year~~.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.86, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Terms. (a) An employer that recruits a migrant worker shall provide the migrant worker, at the time the worker is recruited, with a written employment statement which shall state clearly and plainly, in English and Spanish, or another language if the worker's preferred language is not Spanish:

(1) the date on which and the place at which the statement was completed and provided to the migrant worker;

(2) the name and permanent address of the migrant worker, of the employer, and of the recruiter who recruited the migrant worker;

(3) the date on which the migrant worker is to arrive at the place of employment, the date on which employment is to begin, the approximate hours of employment, and the minimum period of employment;

(4) the crops and the operations on which the migrant worker will be employed;

(5) the wage rates to be paid;

(6) the payment terms, as provided in section 181.87;

(7) any deduction to be made from wages; ~~and~~

(8) whether housing will be provided.; and

(9) the name of the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier, the carrier's phone number, and the insurance policy number.

(b) The requirements under this subdivision are in addition to the requirements under section 181.032.

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Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.87, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Biweekly pay. The employer shall pay wages due to the migrant worker at least every two weeks, except on termination, when the employer shall pay within three days unless payment is required sooner pursuant to section 181.13.

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.87, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Guaranteed hours. The employer shall guarantee to each recruited migrant worker a minimum of 70 hours pay for work in any two successive weeks and, should the pay for hours actually offered by the employer and worked by the migrant worker provide a sum of pay less than the minimum guarantee, the employer shall pay the migrant worker the difference within three days after the scheduled payday for the pay period involved. Payment for the guaranteed hours shall be at the hourly wage rate, if any, specified in the employment statement, or the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is ~~higher~~ highest. Any pay in addition to the hourly wage rate specified in the employment statement shall be applied against the guarantee. This guarantee applies for the minimum period of employment specified in the employment statement beginning with the date on which employment is to begin as specified in the employment statement. The date on which employment is to begin may be changed by the employer by written, telephonic, or telegraphic notice to the migrant worker, at the worker's last known address, no later than ten days prior to the previously stated beginning date. The migrant worker shall contact the recruiter to obtain the latest information regarding the date upon which employment is to begin no later than five days prior to the previously stated beginning date. This guarantee shall be reduced, when there is no work available for a period of seven or more consecutive days during any two-week period subsequent to the commencement of work, by five hours pay for each such day, when the unavailability of work is caused by climatic conditions or an act of God, provided that the employer pays the migrant worker, on the normal payday, the sum of $5 $16 for each such day.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.87, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Statement itemizing deductions from wages. The employer shall provide a written statement at the time wages are paid clearly itemizing each deduction from wages. The written statement shall also comply with all other requirements for an earnings statement in section 181.032.

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.88, is amended to read:

181.88 RECORD KEEPING.

Every employer subject to the provisions of sections 181.85 to 181.90 shall maintain complete and accurate records ~~of the names of, the daily hours worked by, the rate of pay for and the wages paid each pay period to~~ for every individual migrant worker recruited by that employer, as required by section 177.30 and shall ~~preserve the records~~ also maintain the employment statements required under section 181.86 for a period of at least three years.

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.89, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Judgment; damages. If the court finds that any defendant has violated the provisions of sections 181.86 to 181.88, the court shall enter judgment for the actual damages incurred by the plaintiff or the appropriate penalty as provided by this subdivision, whichever is greater. The court may also award court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee. The penalties shall be as follows:

(1) whenever the court finds that an employer has violated the record-keeping requirements of section 181.88, ~~$50~~ $200;

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(2) whenever the court finds that an employer has recruited a migrant worker without providing a written employment statement as provided in section 181.86, subdivision 1, ~~$250~~ $800;

(3) whenever the court finds that an employer has recruited a migrant worker after having provided a written employment statement, but finds that the employment statement fails to comply with the requirement of section 181.86, subdivision 1 or section 181.87, ~~$250~~ $800;

(4) whenever the court finds that an employer has failed to comply with the terms of an employment statement which the employer has provided to a migrant worker or has failed to comply with any payment term required by section 181.87, ~~$500~~ $1,600;

(5) whenever the court finds that an employer has failed to pay wages to a migrant worker within a time period set forth in section 181.87, subdivision 2 or 3, ~~$500~~ $1,600; and

(6) whenever penalties are awarded, they shall be awarded severally in favor of each migrant worker plaintiff and against each defendant found liable.

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 181.89, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3. Enforcement. In addition to any other remedies available, the commissioner may assess the penalties in subdivision 2 and provide the penalty to the migrant worker aggrieved by the employer's noncompliance.

ARTICLE 5

COMBATIVE SPORTS

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 341.21, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Tough person contest. "Tough person contest," including contests marketed as tough man or tough woman contests, means a contest of two-minute rounds consisting of not more than four rounds between two or more individuals who use their hands, or their feet, or both in any manner. Tough person contest includes kickboxing and other recognized martial art contest. boxing match or similar contest where each combatant wears headgear and gloves that weigh at least 12 ounces.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, 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~~ five 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 All five members must have knowledge of the ~~boxing~~ combative sports 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)~~ (c) The council shall annually elect from its membership a chair.

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~~(e)~~ (d) Meetings shall be convened by the commissioner, or by the chair with the approval of the commissioner.

(f) 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.

(e) Appointments to the council and the terms of council members shall be governed by sections 15.059 and 15.0597.

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

(g) Meetings convened for the purpose of advising the commissioner on issues related to a challenge filed under section 341.345 are exempt from the open meeting requirements of chapter 13D.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 341.25, is amended to read:

341.25 RULES.

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

(b) The commissioner may adopt other rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the conduct of all combative sport contests and their manner, supervision, time, and place.

(d) The commissioner may adopt the rules of the Association of Boxing Commissions, with amendments.

(e) The most recent version of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, as promulgated by the Association of Boxing Commissions ~~and amended August 2, 2016,~~ are incorporated by reference and made a part of this chapter except as qualified by this chapter and Minnesota Rules, chapter 2202. In the event of a conflict between this chapter and the Unified Rules, this chapter must govern.

(f) The most recent version of the Unified Rules of Boxing, as promulgated by the Association of Boxing Commissions, are incorporated by reference and made a part of this chapter except as modified by this chapter and Minnesota Rules, chapter 2201. In the event of a conflict between this chapter and the Unified Rules, this chapter must govern.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 341.28, is amended to read:

341.28 REGULATION OF COMBATIVE SPORT CONTESTS.

Subdivision 1. Regulatory authority; combative sports. All combative sport contests within this state must be conducted according to the requirements of this chapter.

Subd. 1a. Regulatory authority; professional boxing contests. All professional boxing contests are subject to this chapter. Every combatant in a boxing contest shall wear padded gloves that weigh at least eight ounces. Officials at all boxing contests must be licensed under this chapter.

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Subd. 2. Regulatory authority; tough person contests. All professional and amateur tough person contests are subject to this chapter. All tough person contests are subject to ~~Association of Boxing Commissions rules~~ the most recent version of the Unified Rules of Boxing, as promulgated by the Association of Boxing Commissions. Every contestant in a tough person contest shall have a physical examination prior to their bouts. Every contestant in a tough person contest shall wear headgear and padded gloves that weigh at least 12 ounces. ~~All tough person bouts are limited to two-minute rounds and a maximum of four total rounds.~~ Officials at all tough person contests shall be licensed under this chapter.

Subd. 3. Regulatory authority; mixed martial arts contests; similar sporting events. All professional and amateur mixed martial arts contests, martial arts contests except amateur contests regulated by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), recognized martial arts studios and schools in Minnesota, and recognized national martial arts organizations holding contests between students, ultimate fight contests, and similar sporting events are subject to this chapter and all officials at these events must be licensed under this chapter.

Subd. 4. Regulatory authority; martial arts and amateur boxing. (a) Unless this chapter specifically states otherwise, contests or exhibitions for martial arts and amateur boxing are exempt from the requirements of this chapter and officials at these events are not required to be licensed under this chapter.

(b) All martial arts and amateur boxing contests must be regulated by the Thai Boxing Association, International Sports Karate Association, World Kickboxing Association, United States Muay Thai Association, United States Muay Thai Federation, World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, International Kickboxing Federation, USA Boxing, or an organization that governs interscholastic athletics under subdivision 5.

(c) Any regulatory body overseeing a martial arts or amateur boxing event must submit bout results to the commissioner within 72 hours after the event. If the regulatory body issues suspensions, it must submit to the commissioner, within 72 hours after the event, a list of any suspensions resulting from the event.

Subd. 5. Regulatory authority; certain students. Combative sport contests regulated by the Minnesota State High School League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, or any similar organization that governs interscholastic athletics are not subject to this chapter and officials at these events are not required to be licensed under this chapter.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 341.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Prelicensure requirements. (a) Before the commissioner issues a promoter's license to an individual, corporation, or other business entity, the applicant shall~~, a minimum of six weeks before the combative sport contest is scheduled to occur,~~ complete a licensing application on the Office of Combative Sports website or on forms ~~furnished or approved~~ prescribed by the commissioner and 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)~~ (1) show on the licensing 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)~~ (2) provide the commissioner with a copy of the latest financial statement of the applicant;

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

~~(5)~~ (3) provide proof, where applicable, of authorization to do business in the state of Minnesota; and

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~~(6)~~ (4) 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.

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

(1) submit to the commissioner the results of a current medical ~~examination~~ examinations on forms ~~furnished or approved~~ prescribed 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; that state that the combatant is cleared to participate in a combative sport contest. The applicant must undergo and submit the results of the following medical examinations, which do not exempt a combatant from the requirements set forth in section 341.33:

(i) a physical examination performed by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathic medicine, advance practice nurse practitioner, or a physician assistant. Physical examinations are valid for one year from the date of the exam;

(ii) an ophthalmological examination performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist that includes dilation designed to detect any retinal defects or other damage or a condition of the eye that could be aggravated by combative sports. Ophthalmological examinations are valid for one year from the date of the exam;

(iii) blood work results for HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen), HCV (Hepatitis C antibody), and HIV. Blood work results are good for one year from the date blood was drawn. The commissioner shall not issue a license to an applicant submitting positive test results for HBsAg, HCV, or HIV; and

(iv) other appropriate neurological or physical examinations before any contest, if the commissioner determines that the examination is desirable to protect the health of the combatant.

(2) complete a licensing application on the Office of Combative Sports website or on forms furnished or approved by the commissioner; and

(3) provide proof that the applicant is 18 years of age. Acceptable proof is a photo driver's license, state photo identification card, passport, or birth certificate combined with additional photo identification.

(c) Before the commissioner issues a license to a referee, judge, or timekeeper, the applicant must submit proof of qualifications that may include certified training from the Association of Boxing Commissions, licensure with other regulatory bodies, three professional references, or a log of bouts worked.

(d) Before the commissioner issues a license to a ringside physician, the applicant must submit proof that they are licensed to practice medicine in the state of Minnesota and in good standing.

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Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 341.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Expiration and application. Licenses expire annually on ~~December 31~~ June 30. A license may be applied for each year by filing an application for licensure and satisfying all licensure requirements established in section 341.30, and submitting payment of the license fees established in section 341.321. An application for a license and renewal of a license must be on a form provided by the commissioner. Any license received or renewed in the year 2022 shall be valid until June 30, 2023.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 341.321, is amended to read:

341.321 FEE SCHEDULE.

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

(1) referees, $25;

(2) promoters, $700;

(3) judges and knockdown judges, $25;

(4) trainers and seconds, $80;

(5) timekeepers, $25;

(6) professional combatants, $70;

(7) amateur combatants, $50; and

(8) ringside physicians, $25.

~~License fees for promoters are due at least six weeks prior to the combative sport contest.~~ All ~~other~~ license fees shall be paid no later than the weigh-in prior to the contest. No license may be issued until all prelicensure requirements outlined in section 341.30 are satisfied and fees are paid.

(b) ~~The commissioner shall establish a contest fee for each combative sport contest and shall consider the size and type of venue when establishing a contest fee. The~~ A promoter or event organizer of an event regulated by the Department of Labor and Industry must pay, per event, a combative sport contest fee is of $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~~. The fee must be paid as follows:

~~(c) A professional or amateur combative sport contest fee is nonrefundable and shall be paid as follows:~~

(1) $500 ~~at the time~~ is due when the combative sport contest is scheduled; ~~and~~

(2) $1,000 is due at the weigh-in prior to the contest.;

(3) if four percent of the gross ticket sales is greater than $1,500, the balance is due to the commissioner within 14 days of the completed contest; and

(4) the face value of all complimentary tickets distributed for an event, to the extent they exceed 15 percent of total event attendance, count toward gross tickets sales for the purposes of determining a combative sport contest fee.

~~If four percent of the gross ticket sales is greater than $1,500, the balance is due to the commissioner within seven days of the completed contest.~~

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~~(d) The commissioner may establish the maximum number of complimentary tickets allowed for each event by rule.~~

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

Sec. 8. [341.322] PAYMENT SCHEDULE.

The commissioner may establish a schedule of fees to be paid by a promoter to referees, judges and knockdown judges, timekeepers, and ringside physicians.

Sec. 9. [341.323] EVENT APPROVAL.

Subdivision 1. Preapproval documentation. Before the commissioner approves a combative sport contest, the promoter shall:

(1) provide the commissioner, at least six weeks before the combative sport contest is scheduled to occur, information about the time, date, and location of the contest;

(2) provide the commissioner, at least 72 hours before the combative sport contest is scheduled to occur, with a copy of any agreement between a combatant and the promoter that binds the promoter to pay the combatant a certain fixed fee or percentage of the gate receipts;

(3) provide the commissioner, at least 72 hours before the combative sport contest is scheduled to occur, with a copy or other proof acceptable to the commissioner of the insurance contract or policy required by this chapter; and

(4) provide the commissioner, at least 72 hours before the combative sport contest is scheduled to occur, proof acceptable to the commissioner that the promoter will provide, at the cost of the promoter, at least one uniformed security guard or uniformed off-duty member of law enforcement to provide security at any event regulated by the Department of Labor and Industry. The commissioner may require a promoter to take additional security measures to ensure the safety of participants and spectators at an event.

Subd. 2. Proper licensure. Before the commissioner approves a combative sport contest, the commissioner must ensure that the promoter is properly licensed under this chapter. The promoter must maintain proper licensure from the time the promoter schedules a combative sport contest through the date of the contest.

Subd. 3. Discretion. Nothing in this section limits the commissioner's discretion in deciding whether to approve a combative sport contest or event.

Sec. 10. [341.324] AMBULANCE.

A promoter must ensure, at the cost of the promoter, that an ambulance and two emergency medical technicians are on the premises during a combative sport contest.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 341.33, is amended to read:

341.33 PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIRED; FEES.

Subdivision 1. Examination by physician. All combatants must be examined by a physician licensed by this state within 36 hours before entering the ring, and the examining physician shall immediately file with the commissioner a written report of the examination. Each female combatant shall take and submit a negative pregnancy test as part of the examination. The physician's examination may report on the condition of the

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combatant's heart and general physical and general neurological condition. The physician's report may record the condition of the combatant's nervous system and brain as required by the commissioner. The physician may prohibit the combatant from entering the ring if, in the physician's professional opinion, it is in the best interest of the combatant's health. The cost of the examination is payable by the promoter conducting the contest or exhibition.

Subd. 2. Attendance of physician. A promoter holding or sponsoring a combative sport contest shall have in attendance a physician licensed by ~~this~~ the state of Minnesota. ~~The commissioner may establish a schedule of fees to be paid to each attending physician by the promoter holding or sponsoring the contest.~~

Sec. 12. [341.345] CHALLENGING THE OUTCOME OF A COMBATIVE SPORT CONTEST.

Subdivision 1. Challenge. (a) If a combatant disagrees with the outcome of a combative sport contest regulated by the Department of Labor and Industry in which the combatant participated, the combatant may challenge the outcome.

(b) If a third party makes a challenge on behalf of a combatant, the third party must provide written confirmation that they are authorized to make the challenge on behalf of the combatant. The written confirmation must contain the combatant's signature and must be submitted with the challenge.

Subd. 2. Form. A challenge must be submitted on a form prescribed by the commissioner, set forth all relevant facts and the basis for the challenge, and state what remedy is being sought. A combatant may submit photos, videos, documents, or any other evidence the combatant would like the commissioner to consider in connection to the challenge. A combatant may challenge the outcome of a contest only if it is alleged that:

(1) the referee made an incorrect call or missed a rule violation that directly affected the outcome of the contest;

(2) there was collusion amongst officials to affect the outcome of the contest; or

(3) scores were miscalculated.

Subd. 3. Timing. (a) A challenge must be submitted within ten days of the contest.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, the day of the contest shall not count toward the ten-day period. If the tenth day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, then a combatant shall have until the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday to submit a challenge.

(c) The challenge must be submitted to the commissioner at the address, fax number, or email address designated on the commissioner's website. The date on which a challenge is submitted by mail shall be the postmark date on the envelope in which the challenge is mailed. If the challenge is faxed or emailed, it must be received by the commissioner by 4:30 p.m. central time on the day the challenge is due.

Subd. 4. Opponent's response. If the requirements of subdivisions 1 to 3 are met, the commissioner shall send a complete copy of the challenge documents, along with any supporting materials submitted, to the opposing combatant by mail, fax, or email. The opposing combatant shall have 14 days from the date the commissioner sends the challenge and supporting materials to submit a response to the commissioner. Additional response time is not added when the commissioner sends the challenge to the opposing combatant by mail. The opposing combatant may submit photos, videos, documents, or any other evidence the opposing combatant would like the commissioner to consider in connection to the challenge. The response must be submitted to the commissioner at the address, fax number, or email address designated on the commissioner's website. The date on which a response is submitted by mail shall be the postmark date on the envelope in which the response is mailed. If the response is faxed or emailed, it must be received by the commissioner by 4:30 p.m. central time on the day the response is due.

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Subd. 5. Licensed official review. The commissioner may, if the commissioner determines it would be helpful in resolving the issues raised in the challenge, send a complete copy of the challenge or response, along with any supporting materials submitted, to any licensed official involved in the combative sport contest at issue by mail, fax, or email and request their views on the issues raised in the challenge.

Subd. 6. Order. The commissioner shall issue an order on the challenge within 60 days after receiving the opposing combatant's response. If the opposing combatant does not submit a response, the commissioner shall issue an order on the challenge within 75 days after receiving the challenge.

Subd. 7. Nonacceptance. If the requirements of subdivisions 1 to 3 are not met, the commissioner must not accept the challenge and may send correspondence to the person who submitted the challenge stating the reasons for nonacceptance of the challenge. A combatant has no further appeal rights if the combatant's challenge is not accepted by the commissioner.

Subd. 8. Administrative hearing. After the commissioner issues an order under subdivision 6, each combatant, under section 326B.082, subdivision 8, has 30 days after service of the order to submit a request for hearing before an administrative law judge.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 341.355, is amended to read:

341.355 CIVIL PENALTIES.

When the commissioner finds that a person has violated one or more provisions of any statute, rule, or order that the commissioner is empowered to regulate, enforce, or issue, the commissioner may impose, for each violation, a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation, or a civil penalty that deprives the person of any economic advantage gained by the violation, or both. The commissioner may also impose these penalties against a person who has violated section 341.28, subdivision 4, paragraphs (b) and (c).

ARTICLE 6

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 13.43, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Access by labor organizations, Bureau of Mediation Services, Public Employment Relations Board. Personnel data may be disseminated to labor organizations and the Public Employment Relations Board to the extent that the responsible authority determines that the dissemination is necessary to conduct elections, notify employees of fair share fee assessments, and implement the provisions of chapters 179 and 179A. Personnel data shall be disseminated to labor organizations, the Public Employment Relations Board, and to the Bureau of Mediation Services to the extent the dissemination is ordered or authorized by the commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services or the Public Employment Relations Board or its designee.

Sec. 2. [13.7909] PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD DATA.

Subdivision 1. Definition. For purposes of this section, "board" means the Public Employment Relations Board.

Subd. 2. Nonpublic data. (a) Except as provided in this subdivision, all data maintained by the board about a charge or complaint of unfair labor practices and appeals of determinations of the commissioner under section 179A.12, subdivision 11, are classified as protected nonpublic data or confidential data, and become public when admitted into evidence at a hearing conducted pursuant to section 179A.13. The data may be subject to a protective order as determined by the board or a hearing officer.

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(b) Notwithstanding sections 13.43 and 181.932, the following data are public:

(1) the filing date of unfair labor practice charges;

(2) the status of unfair labor practice charges as an original or amended charge;

(3) the names and job classifications of charging parties and charged parties;

(4) the provisions of law alleged to have been violated in unfair labor practice charges;

(5) the complaint issued by the board and all data in the complaint;

(6) the full and complete record of an evidentiary hearing before a hearing officer, including the hearing transcript, exhibits admitted into evidence, and posthearing briefs, unless subject to a protective order;

(7) recommended decisions and orders of hearing officers pursuant to section 179A.13, subdivision 1, paragraph (i);

(8) exceptions to the hearing officer's recommended decision and order filed with the board pursuant to section 179A.13, subdivision 1, paragraph (k);

(9) briefs filed with the board; and

(10) decisions and orders issued by the board.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), individuals have access to their own statements provided to the board under paragraph (a).

(d) The board may make any data classified as protected nonpublic or confidential pursuant to this subdivision accessible to any person or party if the access will aid the implementation of chapters 179 and 179A or ensure due process protection of the parties.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 179A.041, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 10. Open meetings. Chapter 13D does not apply to meetings of the board when it is deliberating on the merits of unfair labor practice charges under sections 179.11, 179.12, and 179A.13; reviewing a recommended decision and order of a hearing officer under section 179A.13; or reviewing decisions of the commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services relating to unfair labor practices under section 179A.12, subdivision 11.

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

Sec. 4. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD.

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, Laws 2014, chapter 211, sections 1 to 3 and 6 to 11, as amended by Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 1, article 7, section 1; Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 7, section 42; Laws 2017, chapter 94, article 12, section 1; and Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 10, article 3, section 19, are effective the day following final enactment and apply to any claims brought on or after that date. From July 1, 2021, until the day following final enactment, the district court of the county in which the practice is alleged to have occurred retains jurisdiction over any action by any employee, employer, employee or employer organization, exclusive representative, or any other person or organization aggrieved by an unfair labor practice as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 179A.13.

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

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ARTICLE 7

REFINERY SAFETY

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, 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, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, 181.172, paragraph (a) or (d), 181.275, subdivision 2a, 181.722, 181.79, ~~and~~ 181.939 to 181.943, and 181.987, 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 or 181.987 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 or 181.987 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 15, 2022.

Sec. 2. [181.987] USE OF SKILLED AND TRAINED CONTRACTOR WORKFORCES AT PETROLEUM REFINERIES.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Contractor" means a vendor that enters into or seeks to enter into a contract with an owner or operator of a petroleum refinery to perform construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, maintenance, or hazardous material handling work at the site of the petroleum refinery. Contractor includes all contractors or subcontractors of any tier performing work as described in this paragraph at the site of the petroleum refinery. Contractor does not include employees of the owner or operator of a petroleum refinery.

(c) "Registered apprenticeship program" means an apprenticeship program providing each trainee with combined classroom and on-the-job training under the direct and close supervision of a highly skilled worker in an occupation recognized as an apprenticeable occupation registered with the Department of Labor and Industry under chapter 178 or with the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship or a recognized state apprenticeship agency under Code of Federal Regulations, title 29, parts 29 and 30.

(d) "Skilled and trained workforce" means a workforce in which employees of the contractor or subcontractor of any tier working at the site of the petroleum refinery meet one of the following criteria:

(1) are currently registered as apprentices in a registered apprenticeship program in the applicable trade;

(2) have graduated from a registered apprenticeship program in the applicable trade; or

(3) have completed all of the classroom training and work hour requirements needed to graduate from the registered apprenticeship program their employer participates in.

(e) A contractor's workforce must meet the requirements of paragraph (d) according to the following schedule:

(1) 65 percent of the contractor's workforce by October 15, 2022;

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(2) 75 percent of the contractor's workforce by October 15, 2023; and

(3) 85 percent of the contractor's workforce by October 15, 2024.

(f) "Petroleum refinery" means a facility engaged in producing gasoline, kerosene, distillate fuel oils, residual fuel oils, lubricants, or other products through distillation of petroleum or through redistillation, cracking, or reforming of unfinished petroleum derivatives.

(g) "Apprenticeable occupation" means any trade, form of employment, or occupation approved for apprenticeship by the United States secretary of labor or the commissioner of labor and industry.

(h) "Original equipment manufacturer" or "OEM" means an organization that manufactures or fabricates equipment for sale directly to purchasers or other resellers.

Subd. 2. Use of contractors by owner, operator; requirement. (a) An owner or operator of a petroleum refinery shall, when contracting with contractors for the performance of construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, maintenance, or hazardous material handling work at the site of the petroleum refinery, require that the contractors performing that work, and any subcontractors of any tier, use a skilled and trained workforce when performing all work at the site of the petroleum refinery.

(b) The requirement under this subdivision applies only when each contractor and subcontractor of any tier is performing work at the site of the petroleum refinery.

(c) This subdivision does not apply to contractors or subcontractors hired to perform OEM work necessary to comply with equipment warranty requirements.

Subd. 3. Penalties. The Division of Labor Standards shall receive complaints of violations of this section. The commissioner of labor and industry shall fine an owner, operator, contractor, or subcontractor of any tier not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000 for each violation of the requirements in this section. Each shift on which a violation of this section occurs shall be considered a separate violation. This penalty is in addition to any penalties provided under section 177.27, subdivision 7. In determining the amount of a civil penalty under this subdivision, the appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the violator's business and the gravity of the violation shall be considered.

Subd. 4. Civil actions. A person injured by a violation of this section may bring a civil action for damages against an owner or operator of a petroleum refinery. The court may award to a prevailing plaintiff under this subdivision damages, attorney fees, costs, disbursements, and any other appropriate relief as otherwise provided by law.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 15, 2022.

ARTICLE 8

AGRICULTURAL WORKER WELLNESS

Section 1. [179.911] OMBUDSPERSON FOR THE SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING WORKERS.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

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(b) "Agricultural work" is defined broadly to include but is not limited to farming in all its branches including dairy work; field production, cultivation, growing, and harvesting of any agricultural or horticultural commodity; and raising livestock, bees, fur-bearing animals, and poultry.

(c) "Food processing" has the meaning given in section 181.635, subdivision 1, paragraph (d). For the purposes of this section and section 179.912, food processing also includes meatpacking and poultry processing.

Subd. 2. Appointment. The governor shall appoint an ombudsperson for the safety, health, and well-being of agricultural and food processing workers. The ombudsperson shall serve in the unclassified service to assist agricultural and food processing workers with housing, workplace safety, fair labor standards, and other challenges. The ombudsperson must be selected without regard to the person's political affiliation. The ombudsperson shall serve a term of four years, which may be renewed, and may be removed prior to the end of the term for just cause.

Subd. 3. Qualifications. The ombudsperson must be highly competent and qualified to analyze questions of law, administration, and public policy regarding the safety, health, and well-being of agricultural and food processing workers. The ombudsperson must have knowledge and experience in the fields of workplace safety, housing, and fair labor standards. The ombudsperson must be familiar with governmental entities and their roles, interpretation of laws and regulations, record keeping, report writing, public speaking, and management. In addition, the ombudsperson must have experience working with agricultural and food processing workers and must be knowledgeable about the needs and experiences of those communities. No individual may serve as the ombudsperson for the safety, health, and well-being of agricultural and food processing workers while running for or holding any other public office. The ombudsperson must speak fluently in a language in addition to English that is commonly used by agricultural and food processing workers.

Subd. 4. Duties. (a) The ombudsperson's duties shall include but are not limited to the following:

(1) creating and collecting educational materials in relevant languages to orient agricultural and food processing workers about their rights under Minnesota laws and rules and state services available to them;

(2) outreach to agricultural and food processing stakeholders, including workers and employers, to inform them of the services of the office in order to support workers in navigating their concerns;

(3) acting as a member of the Minnesota Migrant Services Consortium and having a formal relationship with any other relevant and appropriate state committees, work groups, or task forces engaged in work related to agricultural and food processing workers;

(4) coordinating across state agencies to develop strategies to better assist agricultural and food processing workers;

(5) providing recommendations to state agencies for coordinated communication strategies to promote workplace safety, adequate housing, fair labor standards, and other issues for agricultural and food processing workers;

(6) offering accessible methods of contact, including telephone, text, and virtual communication platforms, to answer questions, receive complaints, and discuss agency actions with agricultural stakeholders; and

(7) addressing complaints and requests for assistance related to workplace safety, housing, labor standards, and other concerns by supporting agricultural stakeholders in navigating regulatory authorities.

(b) The ombudsperson must report to the commissioner annually by December 31 on the services provided by the ombudsperson to agricultural and food processing workers, including the number of stakeholders served and the activities of the ombudsperson in carrying out the duties under this section. The commissioner shall determine the form of the report and may specify additional reporting requirements.

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Subd. 5. Complaints. The ombudsperson may receive a complaint from any source concerning an action of an agency, facility, or program. After completing a review, the ombudsperson shall inform the complainant, agency, facility, or program.

Subd. 6. Access to records. (a) The ombudsperson or designee, excluding volunteers, has access to any data of a state agency necessary for the discharge of the ombudsperson's duties, including records classified as confidential data on individuals or private data on individuals under chapter 13 or any other law. The ombudsperson's data request must relate to a specific case and is subject to section 13.03, subdivision 4. If the data concerns an individual, the ombudsperson or designee shall first obtain the individual's consent. If the individual is unable to consent and has no parent or legal guardian, the ombudsperson's or designee's access to the data is authorized by this section.

(b) The ombudsperson and designee must adhere to chapter 13 and must not disseminate any private or confidential data on individuals unless specifically authorized by state, local, or federal law or pursuant to a court order.

Subd. 7. Staff support. The ombudsperson may appoint and compensate out of available funds a confidential secretary in the unclassified service as authorized by law. The ombudsperson and the ombudsperson's full-time staff are members of the Minnesota State Retirement Association. The ombudsperson may delegate to staff members any authority or duties of the office, except the duty to provide reports to the governor, commissioner, or legislature.

Subd. 8. Independence of action. In carrying out the duties under this section, the ombudsperson may provide testimony to the legislature, make periodic reports to the legislature, and address areas of concern to agricultural and food processing workers.

Subd. 9. Civil actions. The ombudsperson and designees are not civilly liable for any action taken under this section if the action was taken in good faith, was within the scope of the ombudsperson's authority, and did not constitute willful or reckless misconduct.

Subd. 10. Posting. (a) The commissioners of labor and industry, employment and economic development, health, administration, and human rights shall post on their departments' websites the mailing address, email address, and telephone number for the ombudsperson's office. The commissioners shall provide agricultural stakeholders with the mailing address, email address, and telephone number of the ombudsperson's office upon request. Departmental programs or contractors providing services to agricultural stakeholders must provide those stakeholders with the mailing address, email address, and telephone number of the ombudsperson's office upon request.

(b) The ombudsperson must approve all postings and notices required by the departments and counties under this subdivision.

Sec. 2. [179.912] AGRICULTURAL WORKER WELLNESS COMMITTEE.

Subdivision 1. Agricultural Worker Wellness Committee established. The Agricultural Worker Wellness Committee is established to carry out the work of the committee established by the governor's Executive Order No. 21-14. The commissioner of labor and industry shall hire two full-time equivalent staff to support the committee.

Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, "food processing" and "agricultural work" have the meanings given under section 179.911, subdivision 1.

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Subd. 3. Membership. (a) The committee shall consist of up to 21 voting members who shall serve three-year terms including, at a minimum:

(1) the commissioners of labor and industry, employment and economic development, agriculture, health, and housing finance, or their designees; and

(2) the following members appointed by the governor:

(i) one representative from the Migrant Services Consortium;

(ii) three representatives of agricultural employers;

(iii) three at-large representatives from geographic regions of the state dependent on the agricultural sector;

(iv) three representatives of community-based organizations with expertise in agricultural workers and communities;

(v) three union representatives; and

(vi) three representatives of local public health.

(b) Other commissioners or their designees not named in paragraph (a), clause (1), may serve on the board as nonvoting members.

Subd. 4. Membership terms; compensation. (a) The governor shall make initial appointments to the board by October 1, 2022. Initial appointees shall serve staggered terms of three years or as determined by the secretary of state.

(b) Members shall be compensated as provided in section 15.0575, subdivision 3.

Subd. 5. Chairs; other officers. The commissioners of agriculture and labor and industry or their designees shall serve as co-chairs of the committee. The committee may elect other officers as necessary from its members.

Subd. 6. Committee responsibilities. The committee shall:

(1) analyze and recommend policies to address housing, workplace safety, and fair labor issues faced by migrant, food processing, and meatpacking agricultural workers;

(2) serve as an ongoing forum for the stakeholder groups represented on the committee and coordinate state, local, and private partners' collaborative work to maintain a healthy and equitable agricultural and food processing industry which is foundational to Minnesota's economy; and

(3) coordinate and support pandemic response and public health initiatives as they affect agricultural and food processing workers in upcoming growing, harvesting, and processing seasons.

Subd. 7. Central inventory of reports and analyses on agricultural and food processing workers. Within available appropriations and in collaboration with stakeholders, the committee shall work to establish a central inventory of data reports and analyses regarding agricultural and food processing workers, including demographic information and definitions of agricultural and food processing workers to help policymakers in state and local government agencies, stakeholders, and the public to understand the population needs and assets and to advance state and local initiatives.

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Subd. 8. Report to legislature and governor. The committee shall present to the governor and chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over labor and agriculture an annual work plan and report regarding its accomplishments. Measurements of success must include tracking:

(1) stakeholder engagement;

(2) efficient and effective response to a pandemic or other disruptions of growing, harvesting, and processing seasons;

(3) increased coordination among governmental, employer, and advocacy organizations connected to the agricultural and food processing industry; and

(4) advancement of recommendations that strengthen the industry."

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for the Department of Labor and Industry, Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals, and Bureau of Mediation Services; making policy and technical changes; making OSHA penalty conformity changes; establishing fair labor standards for agricultural workers; regulating combative sports; modifying the Public Employment Relations Board; establishing refinery safety requirements; establishing agriculture worker wellness provisions; requiring reports; requiring rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 13.43, subdivision 6; 175.16, subdivision 1; 177.26; 177.27, subdivision 4; 178.01; 178.011, subdivision 7; 178.03, subdivision 1; 178.11; 179.86, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding subdivisions; 179A.041, by adding a subdivision; 181.14, subdivision 1; 181.635, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6; 181.85, subdivisions 2, 4; 181.86, subdivision 1; 181.87, subdivisions 2, 3, 7; 181.88; 181.89, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 181.9435, subdivision 1; 181.9436; 182.666, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 326B.103, subdivision 13; 326B.106, subdivisions 1, 4; 326B.163, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision; 326B.164, subdivision 13; 326B.36, subdivision 7; 341.21, subdivision 7; 341.221; 341.25; 341.28; 341.30, subdivision 4; 341.32, subdivision 2; 341.321; 341.33; 341.355; Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, sections 326B.092, subdivision 7; 326B.153, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 13; 179; 181; 341."

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

The report was adopted.

Nelson, M., from the Committee on State Government Finance and Elections to which was referred:

H. F. No. 4293, A bill for an act relating to elections; making technical and clarifying changes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 203B.07, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 203B.21, subdivisions 1, 3; 203B.23, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, sections 203B.121, subdivision 4; 203B.24, subdivision 1.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"ARTICLE 1

STATE GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. STATE GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS.

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are added to or, if shown in parentheses, subtracted from the appropriations in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12, article 1, to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are

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available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The designations "2022" or "the first year" and "2023" or "the second year" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively. All base adjustments identified within this article are adjustments to the base contained in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12, article 1.

			APPROPRIATIONS
			Available for the Year
			Ending June 30
			2022	2023

Sec. 2. LEGISLATURE

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$.......

$16,874,000

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

Subd. 2. House of Representatives

.......

1,400,000

The base for this appropriation is $1,393,000 in fiscal year 2024 and thereafter.

Subd. 3. Legislative Coordinating Commission

.......

15,474,000

$252,000 the second year is for translation services. This base for this appropriation is $230,000 in fiscal year 2024 and thereafter.

$138,000 the second year is for the Legislative Task Force on Aging. The base for this appropriation is $140,000 in fiscal year 2024 and thereafter, until the task force expires.

Legislative Auditor. $342,000 the second year is for the Office of the Legislative Auditor.

Revisor of Statutes. $14,277,000 the second year is for the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Of this amount, $14,000,000 is a onetime appropriation for replacement of the bill and administrative rules drafting system. This appropriation is available until spent.

Legislative Reference Library. $70,000 the second year is for the Legislative Reference Library.

Legislative Budget Office. $92,000 the second year is for the Legislative Budget Office.

Sec. 3. ATTORNEY GENERAL

$.......

$2,335,000

The base for this appropriation is $2,335,000 in fiscal year 2024 and thereafter.

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Sec. 4. SECRETARY OF STATE

$.......

$310,000

Sec. 5. CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD

$.......

$5,000

This is a onetime appropriation.

Sec. 6. MINNESOTA IT SERVICES

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$3,409,000

$32,376,000

Appropriations by Fund

	2022	2023

General	3,409,000	32,226,000
Special Revenue	.......	150,000

The general fund base for this appropriation is $20,409,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $6,725,000 in fiscal year 2025 and thereafter.

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

Subd. 2. Cybersecurity Grant Program

359,000

1,435,000

$359,000 the first year and $1,435,000 the second year are for a cybersecurity improvement grant program for political subdivisions and Minnesota Tribal governments, as established in Minnesota Statutes, section 16E.35. The base for this program is $1,614,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $717,000 in fiscal year 2025.

Subd. 3. Cloud-Based Services

2,800,000

9,600,000

$2,800,000 the first year and $9,600,000 the second year are for supporting the procurement and adoption of cloud-based services. The base for this program is $2,100,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $0 in fiscal year 2025.

Subd. 4. Executive Branch Technology Modernization

250,000

10,000,000

$250,000 the first year and $10,000,000 the second year are for the modernization of executive branch software applications and services. These appropriations are available until June 30, 2025. The base for this program is $7,500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $2,125,000 in fiscal year 2025.

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Subd. 5. Accessibility Assessment

.......

256,000

$256,000 the second year is for conducting an accessibility assessment of digital service applications for compatibility of those applications with accessibility best practices. The base for this program is $260,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $133,000 in fiscal year 2025.

Subd. 6. Interagency Innovation Fund

.......

750,000

$750,000 the second year is for creating an interagency innovation fund to center the priorities of families and children across agency priorities and to deliver agile technology solutions necessary to improve access to services and increase coordination across multiple state agencies.

Subd. 7. Technology Accessibility and Usability

.......

150,000

$150,000 the second year is from the telecommunications access Minnesota fund account in the special revenue fund for coordinating technology accessibility and usability.

Subd. 8. Advanced Cybersecurity Tools

.......

10,185,000

$10,185,000 the second year is for advanced cybersecurity tools and modern identity access management solutions. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025. The base for this program is $8,185,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2025.

Sec. 7. ADMINISTRATION

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$953,000

$9,754,000

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

Subd. 2. Government and Citizen Services

953,000

6,981,000

The base is $2,257,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $2,007,000 in fiscal year 2025.

The commissioner shall transfer $250,000 each year, starting in fiscal year 2023, to the language access service account in the special revenue fund, established in Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.3721.

Procurement Technical Assistance Center. $400,000 the second year is for the Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

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Disparity Study. $1,500,000 the second year is to conduct a disparity study required under Minnesota Statutes, section 16C.16, subdivision 5. This is a onetime appropriation.

Enterprise Fleet Fund. $630,000 the second year is to address revenue loss in the motor pool revolving account. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2025. Each fiscal year the commissioner may transfer to the motor pool revolving account, as authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.54, an amount necessary to continue operations of the enterprise fleet. This paragraph expires June 30, 2025.

Office of Small Agencies Study. $102,500 in fiscal year 2023 is to complete the Office of Small Agencies study required in article 2. This is a onetime appropriation.

Office of Enterprise Translations. $556,000 the second year is to establish the Office of Enterprise Translations as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.372. Of this amount, $147,000 is a onetime appropriation.

Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution. $150,000 the second year is for the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution.

COVID Workers' Compensation Costs Related to Chapter 32. $953,000 the first year and $1,594,000 the second year are for covering agency costs related to extending the workplace presumption of COVID workers' compensation claims from February 22, 2022, through January 14, 2023. The base for this program is $450,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $200,000 in fiscal year 2025.

COVID Workers' Compensation Costs. $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for covering agency costs related to workers' compensation claims incurred prior to March 4, 2021. This is a onetime appropriation.

Subd. 3. Fiscal Agent

.......

2,773,000

Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations. $773,000 the second year is for a grant to the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations to provide new programs in community radio. Of this amount, up to $23,000 is for the administration of the grant. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2024.

Minnesota Public Television. $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for block grants to public television stations under Minnesota Statutes, section 129D.13. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2024.

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Sec. 8. MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$.......

$8,992,000

The base is $10,773,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $9,742,000 in fiscal year 2025.

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

Subd. 2. Statewide Systems Services

........

7,285,000

$7,285,000 the second year is for statewide systems services. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025. The base for this appropriation is $8,956,000 in fiscal year 2024, $7,925,000 in fiscal year 2025, and $0 in fiscal year 2026 and thereafter.

Subd. 3. Children's Cabinet

.......

1,000,000

$1,000,000 the second year is for the administration and staffing of the Children's Cabinet established in Minnesota Statutes, section 4.045.

Subd. 4. Analytical, Statistical, and Program Evaluation

.......

300,000

$300,000 the second year is for analytical, statistical, and program evaluation as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.055, subdivision 1a. The base for this appropriation is $450,000 in fiscal year 2024 and thereafter.

Subd. 5. State Employment and Retention of Employees with Disabilities

.......

93,000

$93,000 the second year is for implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Task Force on State Employment and Retention of Employees with Disabilities. The base for this appropriation is $53,000 in fiscal year 2024 and thereafter.

Subd. 6. State Capital Budget Outreach and Assistance

.......

314,000

$314,000 the second year is for technical assistance to communities and nonprofits that have traditionally not participated in the state capital budgeting process.

Sec. 9. MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$.......

$1,282,000

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

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Subd. 2. Operations and Programs

.......

1,282,000

$750,000 the second year is for operations support for reopening statewide historical sites. This is a onetime appropriation.

$32,000 the second year is for the State Emblems Redesign Commission. This is a onetime appropriation.

The base for this appropriation is $500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and thereafter.

Sec. 10. MINNESOTA HUMANITIES CENTER

$.......

$22,000

Sec. 11. BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY

$.......

$120,000

Sec. 12. BOARD OF COSMETOLOGIST EXAMINERS

$.......

$20,000

Sec. 13. BOARD OF BARBER EXAMINERS

$.......

$17,000

This is a onetime appropriation.

Sec. 14. HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT APPROPRIATIONS; STATE MATCH REQUIREMENT.

(a) The following amounts are appropriated to the secretary of state for the activities authorized in paragraph (b):

(1) $1,151,122 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 5.30; and

(2) $230,224 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund. This is a onetime appropriation.

(b) These appropriations may be used for the purposes of improving the administration and security of elections as authorized by federal law, including but not limited to any of the following activities:

(1) modernizing, securing, and updating the statewide voter registration system and for cybersecurity upgrades as authorized by federal law;

(2) monitoring, updating, and securing election systems and the systems supporting elections infrastructure;

(3) monitoring and providing educational materials to combat election misinformation;

(4) preparing training materials and training local election officials;

(5) implementing physical security improvements for polling places, election workspaces, and other spaces supporting the administration of elections; and

(6) funding other activities to improve the security of elections.

(c) Any amount earned in interest on the amount appropriated under paragraph (a) is appropriated from the HAVA account to the secretary of state for purposes of improving the administration and security of elections as authorized by federal law.

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

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Sec. .... Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12, article 1, section 11, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Fiscal Agent

13,459,000

The appropriations under this section are to the commissioner of administration for the purposes specified.

In Lieu of Rent. $10,515,000 each year is for space costs of the legislature and veterans organizations, ceremonial space, and statutorily free space.

Public Television. (a) $1,550,000 each year is for matching grants for public television.

(b) $250,000 each year is for public television equipment grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 129D.13.

(c) The commissioner of administration must consider the recommendations of the Minnesota Public Television Association before allocating the amounts appropriated in paragraphs (a) and (b) for equipment or matching grants.

Public Radio. (a) $492,000 each year is for community service grants to public educational radio stations. This appropriation may be used to disseminate emergency information in foreign languages.

(b) $142,000 each year is for equipment grants to public educational radio stations. This appropriation may be used for the repair, rental, ~~and~~ purchase, and upgrades of equipment, including computer software, applications, firmware, and equipment under $500.

(c) $510,000 each year is for equipment grants to Minnesota Public Radio, Inc., including upgrades to Minnesota's Emergency Alert and AMBER Alert Systems.

(d) The appropriations in paragraphs (a) to (c) may not be used for indirect costs claimed by an institution or governing body.

(e) The commissioner of administration must consider the recommendations of the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations before awarding grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 129D.14, using the appropriations in paragraphs (a) and (b). No grantee is eligible for a grant unless they are a member of the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations on or before July 1, 2021.

(f) Any unencumbered balance remaining the first year for grants to public television or public radio stations does not cancel and is available for the second year.

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

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ARTICLE 2

STATE GOVERNMENT POLICY

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 3.303, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Grants; staff; space; equipment; contracts. (a) The commission may make grants, employ an executive director and other staff, and obtain office space, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform its duties.

(b) The executive director may enter into contracts in compliance with section 3.225 to provide necessary services and supplies for the house of representatives and the senate, and for legislative commissions and joint legislative offices. A contract for professional or technical services that is valued at more than $50,000 may be made only after the executive director has consulted with the chair and vice-chair of the commission.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 9.031, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Collateral. (a) In lieu of the corporate bond required in subdivision 2, a depository may deposit with the commissioner of management and budget collateral to secure state funds that are to be deposited with it. The Executive Council must approve the collateral.

(b) The Executive Council shall not approve any collateral except:

~~(1) bonds and certificates of indebtedness, other than bonds secured by real estate, that are legal investments for savings banks under any law of the state; and~~

~~(2) bonds of any insular possession of the United States, of any state, or of any agency~~ ~~of this state, the payment of the principal and interest of which is provided for by other than~~ ~~direct taxation.~~

(1) United States government treasury bills, treasury notes, and treasury bonds;

(2) issues of United States government agencies and instrumentalities, as quoted by a recognized industry quotation service available to the state;

(3) general obligation securities of any state other than the state and its agencies or local government with taxing powers that is rated "A" or better by a national bond rating service, or revenue obligation securities of any state other than the state and its agencies or local government with taxing powers which is rated "AA" or better by a national bond rating service;

(4) irrevocable standby letters of credit issued by Federal Home Loan Banks to the state accompanied by written evidence that the bank's public debt is rated "AA" or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or Standard & Poor's Corporation; and

(5) time deposits that are fully insured by any federal agency.

(c) The collateral deposited shall be accompanied by an assignment thereof to the state, which assignment shall recite that:

(1) the depository will pay all the state funds deposited with it to the commissioner of management and budget, free of exchange or other charge, at any place in this state designated by the commissioner of management and budget; if the deposit is a time deposit it shall be paid, together with interest, only when due; and

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(2) in case of default by the depository the state may sell the collateral, or as much of it as is necessary to realize the full amount due from the depository, and pay any surplus to the depository or its assigns.

(d) Upon the direction of the Executive Council, the commissioner of management and budget, on behalf of the state, may reassign in writing to the depository any registered collateral pledged to the state by assignment thereon.

(e) A depository may deposit collateral of less value than the total designation and may, at any time during the period of its designation, deposit additional collateral, withdraw excess collateral, and substitute other collateral for all or part of that on deposit. Approval of the Executive Council is not necessary for the withdrawal of excess collateral.

(f) If the depository is not in default the commissioner of management and budget shall pay the interest collected on the deposited collateral to the depository.

(g) In lieu of depositing collateral with the commissioner of management and budget, collateral may also be placed in safekeeping in a restricted account at a Federal Reserve bank or in an account at a trust department of a commercial bank or other financial institution that is not owned or controlled by the financial institution furnishing the collateral. The selection shall be approved by the commissioner.

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

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 10.55, is amended to read:

10.55 JUNETEENTH.

(a) ~~The third Saturday in~~ June 19 of each year is designated Juneteenth in recognition of the historical pronouncement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was said to have been first publicly read in Texas by Union soldiers led by General Granger. The announcement came 2-1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and two months after General Lee's surrender in April 1865. Juneteenth and emancipation celebrations have been commonplace in Minnesota since 1889 as a result of community-based grassroots efforts.

(b) Each year the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance and recognizing the important contributions African-Americans have made to Minnesota's communities, culture, and economy. The governor may also take any additional action necessary to promote and encourage the observance of Juneteenth and public schools may offer instruction and programs on the occasion.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 12.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5e. Information and telecommunications technology systems and services. "Information and telecommunications technology systems and services" has the meaning given in section 16E.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 12.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5f. Local government. "Local government" has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 44, section 206.2 (2012).

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Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 12.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5g. Cyber attack. "Cyber attack" means the use of unauthorized or malicious code on an information system, or the use of another digital mechanism such as a denial of service or ransomware attack, to interrupt or disrupt the operations of an information system or compromise the confidentiality, availability, or integrity of electronic data stored on, processed by, or transiting an information system.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 12.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Cooperation. In performing duties under this chapter, the governor may cooperate with the federal government, with other states, with Canadian provinces, and with private agencies, in all matters pertaining to the emergency management of this state and of the nation, including but not limited to a physical or electronic attack on the state's information and telecommunications technology infrastructure, systems, or services.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 12.31, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Declaration of peacetime emergency. (a) The governor may declare a peacetime emergency. A peacetime declaration of emergency may be declared only when any of the following endangers life and property and local government resources are inadequate to handle the situation:

(1) an act of nature,;

(2) a technological failure or malfunction,;

(3) a terrorist incident,;

(4) a cyber attack, including a physical or electronic attack on the state's information and telecommunications technology infrastructure, systems, or services;

(5) an industrial accident,;

(6) a hazardous materials accident,; or

(7) a civil disturbance ~~endangers life and property and local government resources are inadequate to handle the situation~~.

If the peacetime emergency occurs on Indian lands, the governor or state director of emergency management shall consult with tribal authorities before the governor makes such a declaration. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the governor's authority to act without such consultation when the situation calls for prompt and timely action. When the governor declares a peacetime emergency, the governor must immediately notify the majority and minority leaders of the senate and the speaker and majority and minority leaders of the house of representatives. A peacetime emergency must not be continued for more than five days unless extended by resolution of the Executive Council up to 30 days. An order, or proclamation declaring, continuing, or terminating an emergency must be given prompt and general publicity and filed with the secretary of state.

(b) By majority vote of each house of the legislature, the legislature may terminate a peacetime emergency extending beyond 30 days. If the governor determines a need to extend the peacetime emergency declaration beyond 30 days and the legislature is not sitting in session, the governor must issue a call immediately convening both houses of the legislature. Nothing in this section limits the governor's authority over or command of the National Guard as described in the Military Code, chapters 190 to 192A, and required by the Minnesota Constitution, article V, section 3.

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Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 12.35, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Reimbursement of other state. When emergency management personnel of another state render aid in Minnesota, including but not limited to aid provided from outside Minnesota to assist with the response to a physical or electronic attack on the state's information and telecommunications technology infrastructure, systems, or services, pursuant to the orders of the governor of its home state, and upon the request of the governor of Minnesota, this state shall reimburse the other state for (1) the compensation paid and actual and necessary travel, subsistence, and maintenance expenses of the personnel of the other state while rendering aid as emergency management personnel, (2) all payments for death, disability, or injury of those personnel incurred in the course of rendering that aid, and (3) all losses of or damage to supplies and equipment of the other state, or a governmental subdivision of the other state, resulting from the rendering of aid; provided, that the laws of the other state contain provisions substantially similar to this section.

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 12.36, is amended to read:

12.36 GOVERNOR'S POWERS TO FAST PROVIDE EMERGENCY AID.

(a) The governor, during an emergency or disaster and notwithstanding any other law, may:

(1) enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat the disaster by protecting the health and safety of persons ~~and~~, the safety of property, and the safety of the state's information and telecommunications technology infrastructure, systems, or services and by providing emergency assistance to the victims of the disaster; and

(2) exercise the powers vested by this subdivision in the light of the exigencies of the disaster without compliance with time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law pertaining to:

(i) the performance of public work;

(ii) entering into contract;

(iii) incurring of obligations;

(iv) employment of temporary workers;

(v) rental of equipment;

(vi) purchase of supplies and materials, for example, but not limited to, publication of calls for bids;

(vii) provisions of the Civil Service Act and rules;

(viii) provisions relating to low bids; and

(ix) requirements for the budgeting and allotment of funds.

(b) All contracts must be in writing, executed on behalf of the state by the governor or a person delegated by the governor in writing so to do, and must be promptly filed with the commissioner of management and budget, who shall forthwith encumber funds appropriated for the purposes of the contract for the full contract liability and certify thereon that the encumbrance has been made.

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Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 13.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Procedure when data is not accurate or complete. (a) An individual subject of the data may contest the accuracy or completeness of public or private data about themselves.

(b) To exercise this right, an individual shall notify in writing the responsible authority of the government entity that maintains the data, describing the nature of the disagreement.

(1) correct the data found to be inaccurate or incomplete and attempt to notify past recipients of inaccurate or incomplete data, including recipients named by the individual; or

(2) notify the individual that the authority believes the data to be correct. If the challenged data are determined to be accurate or complete, the responsible authority shall inform the individual of the right to appeal the determination under this section within 60 days to the commissioner. Data in dispute shall be disclosed only if the individual's statement of disagreement is included with the disclosed data.

(d) A data subject may appeal the determination of the responsible authority ~~may be appealed~~ pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act relating to contested cases. An individual must submit an appeal to the commissioner within 60 days of the responsible authority's notice of the right to appeal or as otherwise provided by the rules of the commissioner. Upon receipt of an appeal by an individual, the commissioner shall, before issuing the order and notice of a contested case hearing required by chapter 14, try to resolve the dispute through education, conference, conciliation, or persuasion. If the parties consent, the commissioner may refer the matter to mediation. Following these efforts, the commissioner shall dismiss the appeal or issue the order and notice of hearing.

(e) The commissioner may dismiss an appeal without first attempting to resolve the dispute or before issuing an order and notice of a contested case hearing if:

(1) an appeal to the commissioner is not timely;

(2) an appeal concerns data previously admitted as evidence in a court proceeding in which the data subject was a party; or

(3) an individual is not the subject of the data challenged as inaccurate or incomplete.

~~(b)~~ (f) Data on individuals that have been successfully challenged by an individual must be completed, corrected, or destroyed by a government entity without regard to the requirements of section 138.17.

(g) After completing, correcting, or destroying successfully challenged data, a government entity may retain a copy of the commissioner of administration's order issued under chapter 14 or, if no order were issued, a summary of the dispute between the parties that does not contain any particulars of the successfully challenged data.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 13.072, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Opinion; when required. (a) Upon request of a government entity, the commissioner may give a written opinion on any question relating to public access to government data, rights of subjects of data, or classification of data under this chapter or other Minnesota statutes governing government data practices. Upon request of any person who disagrees with a determination regarding data practices made by a government entity, the commissioner may give a written opinion regarding the person's rights as a subject of government data or right to have access to government data.

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(b) Upon request of a body subject to chapter 13D, the commissioner may give a written opinion on any question relating to the body's duties under chapter 13D. Upon request of a person who disagrees with the manner in which members of a governing body perform their duties under chapter 13D, the commissioner may give a written opinion on compliance with chapter 13D. A governing body or person requesting an opinion under this paragraph must pay the commissioner a fee of $200. Money received by the commissioner under this paragraph is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this section.

(c) If the commissioner determines that no opinion will be issued, the commissioner shall give the government entity or body subject to chapter 13D or person requesting the opinion notice of the decision not to issue the opinion within five business days of receipt of the request. Notice must be in writing. For notice by mail, the decision not to issue an opinion is effective when placed with the United States Postal Service or with the central mail system of the state. If this notice is not given, the commissioner shall issue an opinion within 20 50 days of receipt of the request.

(d) For good cause and upon written notice to the person requesting the opinion, the commissioner may extend this deadline for one additional 30-day period. The notice must state the reason for extending the deadline. The government entity or the members of a body subject to chapter 13D must be provided a reasonable opportunity to explain the reasons for its decision regarding the data or how they perform their duties under chapter 13D. The commissioner or the government entity or body subject to chapter 13D may choose to give notice to the subject of the data concerning the dispute regarding the data or compliance with chapter 13D.

(e) This section does not apply to a determination made by the commissioner of health under section 13.3805, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), or 144.6581.

(f) A written, numbered, and published opinion issued by the attorney general shall take precedence over an opinion issued by the commissioner under this section.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 15A.0825, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Membership. (a) The Legislative Salary Council consists of the following members:

(1) one person, who is not a judge, from each congressional district, appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court; and

(2) one person from each congressional district, appointed by the governor.

(b) If Minnesota has an odd number of congressional districts, the governor and the chief justice must each appoint an at-large member, in addition to a member from each congressional district.

(c) One-half of the members appointed by the governor and one-half of the members appointed by the chief justice must belong to the political party that has the most members in the legislature. One-half of the members appointed by the governor and one-half of the members appointed by the chief justice must belong to the political party that has the second most members in the legislature.

(d) None of the members of the council may be:

(1) a current or former legislator, or the spouse of a current legislator;

(2) a current or former lobbyist registered under Minnesota law;

(3) a current employee of the legislature;

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(4) a current or former judge; or

(5) a current or former governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, or state auditor; or

(6) a current employee of an entity in the executive or judicial branch.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 15A.0825, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Initial appointment; convening authority; first meeting in odd-numbered year. Appointing authorities must make their ~~initial~~ appointments ~~by January 2, 2017~~ after the first Monday in January and before January 15 in each odd-numbered year. The governor shall designate one member to convene and chair the first meeting of the council. The first meeting must be before January ~~15, 2017~~ 25 of that year. At its first meeting, the council must elect a chair from among its members. Members that reside in an even-numbered congressional district serve a first term ending January 15, 2019. Members residing in an odd-numbered congressional district serve a first term ending January 15, 2021.

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 15A.0825, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Terms. (a) Except ~~for initial terms and~~ for the first term following redistricting, a term is four years or until new appointments are made after congressional redistricting as provided in subdivision 4. Members may serve no more than two full terms or portions of two consecutive terms.

(b) If a member ceases to reside in the congressional district that the member resided in at the time of appointment as a result of moving or redistricting, the appointing authority who appointed the member must appoint a replacement who resides in the congressional district to serve the unexpired term.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2023.

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 16A.126, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Set rates. The commissioner shall approve the rates an agency must pay to a revolving fund for services. Funds subject to this subdivision include, but are not limited to, the revolving funds established in sections 14.46; 14.53; 16B.2975, subdivision 4; 16B.48; 16B.54; 16B.58; 16B.85; 16E.14; 43A.55; and 176.591; ~~and~~ the fund established in section 43A.30; and the account established in section 16A.1286.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 16A.1286, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Billing procedures. The commissioner may bill ~~up to $10,000,000 in~~ each fiscal year for statewide systems services provided to state agencies~~, judicial branch agencies~~ in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches, ~~the University of Minnesota,~~ the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and other entities. Each agency shall transfer from agency operating appropriations to the statewide systems account the amount billed by the commissioner. Billing policies and procedures related to statewide systems services must be developed by the commissioner in consultation with the commissioners of management and budget and administration, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The commissioner shall develop billing policies and procedures.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

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Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 16A.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Allotment and encumbrance. (a) A payment may not be made without prior obligation. An obligation may not be incurred against any fund, allotment, or appropriation unless the commissioner has certified a sufficient unencumbered balance or the accounting system shows sufficient allotment or encumbrance balance in the fund, allotment, or appropriation to meet it. The commissioner shall determine when the accounting system may be used to incur obligations without the commissioner's certification of a sufficient unencumbered balance. An expenditure or obligation authorized or incurred in violation of this chapter is invalid and ineligible for payment until made valid. A payment made in violation of this chapter is illegal. An employee authorizing or making the payment, or taking part in it, and a person receiving any part of the payment, are jointly and severally liable to the state for the amount paid or received. If an employee knowingly incurs an obligation or authorizes or makes an expenditure in violation of this chapter or takes part in the violation, the violation is just cause for the employee's removal by the appointing authority or by the governor if an appointing authority other than the governor fails to do so. In the latter case, the governor shall give notice of the violation and an opportunity to be heard on it to the employee and to the appointing authority. A claim presented against an appropriation without prior allotment or encumbrance may be made valid on investigation, review, and approval by the agency head in accordance with the commissioner's policy, if the services, materials, or supplies to be paid for were actually furnished in good faith without collusion and without intent to defraud. The commissioner may then pay the claim just as properly allotted and encumbered claims are paid.

(b) The commissioner may approve payment for materials and supplies in excess of the obligation amount when increases are authorized by section 16C.03, subdivision 3.

(c) To minimize potential construction delay claims, an agency with a project funded by a building appropriation may allow a consultant or contractor to proceed with supplemental work within the limits of the appropriation before money is encumbered. Under this circumstance, the agency may requisition funds and allow consultants or contractors to expeditiously proceed with services or a construction sequence. While the consultant or contractor is proceeding, the agency shall immediately act to encumber the required funds.

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 16B.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings given them:

(b) "Agency" has the meaning given in section 16B.01.

(d) "Board" means the state Designer Selection Board.

(e) "Design-build" means the process of entering into and managing a single contract between the commissioner and the design-builder in which the design-builder agrees to both design and construct a project as specified in the contract at a guaranteed maximum or a fixed price.

(f) "Design-builder" means a person who proposes to design and construct a project in accordance with the requirements of section 16C.33.

(g) "Designer" means an architect or engineer, or a partnership, association, or corporation comprised primarily of architects or engineers or of both architects and engineers.

(h) "Engineer" means an engineer registered to practice under sections 326.02 to 326.15.

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(i) "Person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership, association, or any other legal entity.

(j) "Primary designer" means the designer who is to have primary design responsibility for a project, and does not include designers who are merely consulted by the user agency and do not have substantial design responsibility, or designers who will or may be employed or consulted by the primary designer.

(k) "Project" means an undertaking to construct, erect, or remodel a building by or for the state or an agency. Capital projects exempt from the requirements of this section include demolition or decommissioning of state assets; hazardous materials abatement; repair and replacement of utility infrastructure, parking lots, and parking structures; security upgrades; building systems replacement or repair, including alterations to building interiors needed to accommodate the systems; and other asset preservation work not involving remodeling of occupied space.

(l) "User agency" means the agency undertaking a specific project. For projects undertaken by the state of Minnesota, "user agency" means the Department of Administration or a state agency with an appropriate delegation to act on behalf of the Department of Administration.

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 16B.33, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Agencies must request designer. (a) Application. Upon undertaking a project with an estimated cost greater than ~~$2,000,000~~ $4,000,000 or a planning project with estimated fees greater than ~~$200,000~~ $400,000, every user agency, except the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, shall submit a written request for a primary designer for its project to the commissioner, who shall forward the request to the board. The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall follow the process in subdivision 3a to select designers for their projects. The written request must include a description of the project, the estimated cost of completing the project, a description of any special requirements or unique features of the proposed project, and other information which will assist the board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities set forth in this section.

(b) Reactivated project. If a project for which a designer has been selected by the board becomes inactive, lapses, or changes as a result of project phasing, insufficient appropriations, or other reasons, the commissioner, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, or the University of Minnesota may, if the project is reactivated, retain the same designer to complete the project.

(c) Fee limit reached after designer selected. If a project initially estimated to be below the cost and planning fee limits of this subdivision has its cost or planning fees revised so that the limits are exceeded, the project must be referred to the board for designer selection even if a primary designer has already been selected. In this event, the board may, without conducting interviews, elect to retain the previously selected designer if it determines that the interests of the state are best served by that decision and shall notify the commissioner of its determination.

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 16B.33, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a. Higher education projects. (a) When the University of Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities undertakes a project involving construction or major remodeling, as defined in section 16B.335, subdivision 1, with an estimated cost greater than ~~$2,000,000~~ $4,000,000 or a planning project with estimated fees greater than ~~$200,000~~ $400,000, the system shall submit a written request for a primary designer to the commissioner, as provided in subdivision 3.

(b) When the University of Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities undertakes a project involving renovation, repair, replacement, or rehabilitation, the system office may submit a written request for a primary designer to the commissioner as provided in subdivision 3.

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(c) For projects at the University of Minnesota or the State Colleges and Universities, the board shall select at least two primary designers under subdivision 4 for recommendation to the Board of Regents or the Board of Trustees. Meeting records or written evaluations that document the final selection are public records. The Board of Regents or the Board of Trustees shall notify the commissioner of the designer selected from the recommendations.

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 16B.33, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6. Rate of inflation. No later than December 31 of every fifth year starting in 2025, the commissioner shall determine the percentage increase in the rate of inflation, as measured by the means quarterly construction cost index, during the four-year period preceding that year. The thresholds in subdivisions 3, paragraph (a), and 3a, paragraph (a), shall be increased by the percentage calculated by the commissioner to the nearest ten-thousandth dollar.

Sec. 23. [16B.361] OFFICE OF COLLABORATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

Subdivision 1. Duties of the office. The commissioner of administration shall maintain the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution, formerly codified in sections 179.90 and 179.91 within the Department of Administration. The office must:

(1) assist state agencies; offices of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; Tribal governments; and units of local government in improving collaboration, dispute resolution, and public engagement;

(2) promote and utilize collaborative dispute resolution models and processes based on documented best practices, including but not limited to:

(i) establishing criteria and procedures for identifying and assessing collaborative dispute resolution projects;

(ii) designing collaborative dispute resolution processes to foster trust, relationships, mutual understanding, and consensus-based solutions;

(iii) preparing and training participants; and

(iv) utilizing collaborative techniques, processes, and standards through facilitated meetings to develop wise and durable solutions;

(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) promote the broad use of community mediation in the state;

(5) ensure that all areas of the state have access to services by providing grants to private nonprofit entities certified by the state court administrator under chapter 494 that assist in resolution of disputes; and

(6) educate the public and government entities on collaboration, dispute resolution options, and public engagement.

Subd. 2. Grant applications; appropriation. The commissioner may apply for and receive money made available from federal, state, or other sources for the purposes of carrying out the mission of the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution. Funds received under this subdivision are appropriated to the commissioner for their intended purpose.

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Subd. 3. Grant awards. The commissioner 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. Policies adopted under sections 16B.97 and 16B.98 apply to grants under this section. The exclusions in section 494.03 apply to grants under this section.

Subd. 6. Reporting. Grantees must report data required under chapter 494 to evaluate quality and outcomes.

Sec. 24. [16B.372] OFFICE OF ENTERPRISE TRANSLATIONS.

The commissioner shall establish an Office of Enterprise Translations. The office must:

(1) provide translation services for written material for state agencies;

(2) create and maintain language-specific landing web pages in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali with links to translated materials at state agency websites; and

(3) serve as a resource to executive branch agencies in areas that include best practices and standards for the translation of written materials.

Sec. 25. [16B.3721] LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICE ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED.

The language access service account is created in the special revenue fund for reimbursing state agencies for expenses incurred in providing language translation services.

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 16B.98, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 12. Grants administration. It is the policy of the legislature to ensure that grant activities and outcomes of programs and services funded by legislative appropriations are administered by state agencies in accordance with this section and section 16B.97. Unless amounts are otherwise appropriated for administrative costs, a state agency may retain up to five percent of the amount appropriated to the agency for grants enacted by the legislature and formula grants and up to ten percent for competitively awarded grants. This subdivision applies to appropriations made for new grant programs enacted after the effective date of this subdivision.

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 16C.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Emergency acquisition. The solicitation process described in this chapter and chapter 16B is not required in emergencies. In emergencies, the commissioner may make or authorize any purchases necessary for the design, construction, repair, rehabilitation, and improvement of a ~~state-owned~~ publicly owned structure or may make or authorize an agency to do so and may purchase, or may authorize an agency to purchase, any goods, services, or utility services directly for immediate use. This provision applies to projects conducted by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

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Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 16C.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definitions. As used in sections 16C.32 to 16C.35, the following terms have the meanings given them, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "acceptance" means a formal resolution of the commissioner authorizing the execution of a design-build, construction manager at risk, or job order contracting contract;

(2) "agency" means any state officer, employee, board, commission, authority, department, or other agency of the executive branch of state government. Unless specifically indicated otherwise, as used in sections 16C.32 to 16C.35, agency also includes the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities;

(3) "architect" means an architect or landscape architect registered to practice under sections 326.02 to 326.15;

(4) "board" means the state Designer Selection Board, unless the estimated cost of the project is less than ~~$2,000,000~~ the amount specified in section 16B.33, subdivision 3, in which case the commissioner may act as the board;

(5) "Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board" means the board established to govern the Capitol area under chapter 15B;

(6) "commissioner" means the commissioner of administration or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, whichever controls a project;

(7) "construction manager at risk" means a person who is selected by the commissioner to act as a construction manager to manage the construction process, which includes, but is not limited to, responsibility for the price, schedule, and workmanship of the construction performed in accordance with the procedures of section 16C.34;

(8) "construction manager at risk contract" means a contract for construction of a project between a construction manager at risk and the commissioner, which contract shall include a guaranteed maximum price, construction schedule, and workmanship of the construction performed;

(9) "design-build contract" means a contract between the commissioner and a design-builder to furnish the architectural, engineering, and related design services as well as the labor, materials, supplies, equipment, and construction services for a project;

(10) "design and price-based proposal" means the proposal to be submitted by a design-builder in the design and price-based selection process, as described in section 16C.33, which proposal meets the requirements of section 16C.33, subdivision 7, paragraph (c), in such detail as required in the request for proposals;

(11) "design and price-based selection" means the selection of a design-builder as described in section 16C.33, subdivision 8;

(12) "design criteria package" means performance criteria prepared by a design criteria professional who shall be either an employee of the commissioner or shall be selected in compliance with section 16B.33, 16C.08, or 16C.087;

(13) "design criteria professional" means a person licensed under chapter 326, or a person who employs an individual or individuals licensed under chapter 326, required to design a project, and who is employed by or under contract to the commissioner to provide professional, architectural, or engineering services in connection with the preparation of the design criteria package;

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(14) "guaranteed maximum price" means the maximum amount that a design-builder, construction manager at risk, or subcontractor will be paid pursuant to a contract to perform a defined scope of work;

(15) "guaranteed maximum price contract" means a contract under which a design-builder, construction manager, or subcontractor is paid on the basis of their actual cost to perform the work specified in the contract plus an amount for overhead and profit, the sum of which must not exceed the guaranteed maximum price set forth in the contract;

(16) "job order contracting" means a project delivery method that requests a limited number of bids from a list of qualified contractors, selected from a registry of qualified contractors who have been prescreened and who have entered into master contracts with the commissioner, as provided in section 16C.35;

(17) "past performance" or "experience" does not include the exercise or assertion of a person's legal rights;

(18) "person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership, association, or any other legal entity;

(19) "project" means an undertaking to construct, alter, or enlarge a building, structure, or other improvements, except highways and bridges, by or for the state or an agency;

(20) "qualifications-based selection" means the selection of a design-builder as provided in section 16C.33;

(21) "request for qualifications" means the document or publication soliciting qualifications for a design-build, construction manager at risk, or job order contracting contract as provided in sections 16C.33 to 16C.35;

(22) "request for proposals" means the document or publication soliciting proposals for a design-build or construction manager at risk contract as provided in sections 16C.33 and 16C.34; and

(23) "trade contract work" means the furnishing of labor, materials, or equipment by contractors or vendors that are incorporated into the completed project or are major components of the means of construction. Work performed by trade contractors involves specific portions of the project, but not the entire project.

Sec. 29. [16E.35] COUNTY AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY GRANTS.

Subdivision 1. Cybersecurity grant program established. Minnesota IT Services may make grants to political subdivisions to support addressing cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems owned or operated by, or on behalf of, state, local, or Tribal governments, as provided in section 70612 of Public Law 117-58.

Subd. 2. Match requirement. The political subdivision receiving a grant must provide for the remainder of the costs of the project.

Subd. 3. Criteria. The department may set criteria for program priorities and standards of review.

Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Precedence of merit principles and nondiscrimination. It is the policy of this state to provide for equal employment opportunity consistent with chapter 363A by ensuring that all personnel actions be based on the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position without regard to age, race, creed or religion, color, disability, sex, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or political affiliation. It is the policy of this state to take affirmative action to eliminate the underutilization of qualified members of protected groups in the civil service, where such action is not in conflict with other provisions of this

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chapter or chapter 179, in order to correct imbalances and eliminate the ~~present~~ effects of ~~past~~ discrimination and support full and equal participation in the social and economic life in the state. Managers and supervisors that are responsible for hiring must be made aware of bias that can be present in the hiring process.

No contract executed pursuant to chapter 179A shall modify, waive or abridge this section and sections 43A.07 to 43A.121, 43A.15, and 43A.17 to 43A.21, except to the extent expressly permitted in those sections.

Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 1a. Accommodation fund. "Accommodation fund" means the fund created under section 16B.4805 for reimbursing state agencies for eligible expenses incurred in providing reasonable accommodations to state employees with disabilities.

Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3a. Americans with Disabilities Act. "Americans With Disabilities Act" or "ADA" means the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, United States Code title 42, sections 12101 to 12117.

Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 18a. Digital accessibility. "Digital accessibility" means information and communication technology, including products, devices, services, and content that are designed and built so people with disabilities can use or participate in them, as defined by the accessibility standard adopted under section 16E.03, subdivision 9. Any statutory reference to accessible or accessibility in the context of information and communication technology includes digital accessibility.

Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 35a. Reasonable accommodation. "Reasonable accommodation" has the meaning given under section 363A.08, subdivision 6.

Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.04, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a. Mission; efficiency. It is part of the department's mission that within the department's resources the commissioner shall endeavor to:

(1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public money;

(2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to manage the state's resources and operate the department as efficiently as possible;

(3) coordinate the department's activities wherever appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies;

(4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency productivity, improve customer service, increase public access to information about government, and increase public participation in the business of government;

(5) ensure that all technology utilized is accessible to employees and provided in a timely manner as described in sections 363A.42 and 363A.43 and the accessibility standards under section 16E.03, subdivisions 2, clause (3), and 9;

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~~(5)~~ (6) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 179A;

~~(6)~~ (7) report to the legislature on the performance of agency operations and the accomplishment of agency goals in the agency's biennial budget according to section 16A.10, subdivision 1; ~~and~~

~~(7)~~ (8) recommend to the legislature appropriate changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve the performance of the department.; and

(9) endeavor to use equitable and inclusive practices to attract and recruit protected class employees; actively eliminate discrimination against protected group employees; and ensure equitable access to development and training, advancement, and promotional opportunities.

Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Administrative procedures. The commissioner shall develop administrative procedures, which are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, to effect provisions of chapter 43A which do not directly affect the rights of or processes available to the general public. The commissioner may also adopt administrative procedures, not subject to the Administrative Procedure Act, which concern topics affecting the general public if those procedures concern only the internal management of the department or other agencies and if those elements of the topics which affect the general public are the subject of department rules.

Administrative procedures shall be reproduced and made available for comment in accessible digital formats under section 16E.03 to agencies, employees, and appropriate exclusive representatives certified pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25, for at least 15 days prior to implementation and shall include but are not limited to:

(1) maintenance and administration of a plan of classification for all positions in the classified service and for comparisons of unclassified positions with positions in the classified service;

(2) procedures for administration of collective bargaining agreements and plans established pursuant to section 43A.18 concerning total compensation and the terms and conditions of employment for employees;

(3) procedures for effecting all personnel actions internal to the state service such as processes and requirements for agencies to publicize job openings and consider applicants who are referred or nominate themselves, conduct of selection procedures limited to employees, noncompetitive and qualifying appointments of employees and leaves of absence;

(4) maintenance and administration of employee performance appraisal, training and other programs; and

(5) procedures for pilots of the reengineered employee selection process. Employment provisions of this chapter, associated personnel rules adopted under subdivision 3, and administrative procedures established under clauses (1) and (3) may be waived for the purposes of these pilots. The pilots may affect the rights of and processes available to members of the general public seeking employment in the classified service. The commissioner will provide public notice of any pilot directly affecting the rights of and processes available to the general public and make the administrative procedures available for comment to the general public, agencies, employees, and appropriate exclusive representatives certified pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25 for at least 30 days prior to implementation. The public notice must be provided in an accessible digital format under section 16E.03. The process for providing comment shall include multiple formats to ensure equal access, including via telephone, digital content, and email.

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Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.04, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Reporting. The commissioner shall issue a written report by February 1 and August 1 of each year to the chair of the Legislative Coordinating Commission. The report must list the number of appointments made under each of the categories in section 43A.15, the number made to the classified service other than under section 43A.15, and the number made under section 43A.08, subdivision 2a, during the six-month periods ending June 30 and December 31, respectively. The report must be posted online and must be accessible under section 16E.03. The commissioner shall advertise these reports in multiple formats to ensure broad dissemination.

Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.09, is amended to read:

43A.09 RECRUITMENT.

The commissioner in cooperation with appointing authorities of all state agencies shall maintain an active recruiting program publicly conducted and designed to attract sufficient numbers of well-qualified people to meet the needs of the civil service, and to enhance the image and public esteem of state service employment. Special emphasis shall be given to recruitment of veterans and protected group members, including qualified individuals with disabilities, to assist state agencies in meeting affirmative action goals to achieve a balanced work force. All technology and digital content related to recruiting and hiring shall be accessible to people with disabilities.

Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.10, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a. Application requirements. (a) The commissioner shall establish and maintain a database of applicants for state employment. The commissioner shall establish, publicize, and enforce minimum requirements for ~~application.~~ applications, and shall ensure that:

(1) all postings shall be written so as to be relevant to the duties of the job and be nondiscriminatory;

(2) the appointing authority ~~shall enforce~~ enforces the established minimum requirements for application;

(3) the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience is considered an alternative, noncompetitive hiring process for classified positions for qualified individuals ~~who express interest directly to the appointing authority.~~ with disabilities; and

(4) hiring managers and others involved in the selection process are aware of the accommodation fund under section 16B.4805 to ensure that people with disabilities obtain timely and appropriate accommodations within the hiring process and the state agency can request reimbursement.

(b) The commissioner shall ensure that all online application processes and all digital content relating to the database referenced in paragraph (a) shall be accessible for people with disabilities.

Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.10, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Selection process accommodations. Upon request, the commissioner or appointing authority shall provide ~~selection process~~ reasonable accommodations to an applicant with a disability that does not prevent performance of the duties of the position. The accommodations must provide an opportunity to fairly assess the ability of the applicant to perform the duties of the position notwithstanding the disability but must preserve, to the extent feasible, the validity of the selection process and equitable comparison of results with the results of competitors without qualified applicants with disabilities. to ensure full participation in the selection process, including use of the accommodation fund under section 16B.4805 during the selection process. The commissioner must ensure that agencies are made aware of the accommodation fund and its critical function of removing cost considerations from interview selection decisions.

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Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.14, is amended to read:

43A.14 APPOINTMENTS.

All appointments to the classified service shall be based upon merit and ability to perform the duties of the position and the needs of the employing agency, including the need to achieve and maintain a representative work force, including representation of people with disabilities. For employees in a bargaining unit as defined in section 179A.10 appointments shall be subject to applicable provisions of collective bargaining agreements.

Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.15, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14. 700-hour on-the-job demonstration ~~process and appointment~~ experience. (a) The commissioner shall ~~establish~~ consult with the Department of Employment and Economic Development's Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind and other disability experts in establishing, reviewing, and modifying the qualifying procedures for applicants whose disabilities are of such a significant nature that the applicants are unable to demonstrate their abilities in the selection process. The qualifying procedures must consist of up to 700 hours on‑the-job ~~trial work~~ demonstration experience. Up to three persons with significant disabilities and their job coach may be allowed to demonstrate their job competence as a unit through the on-the-job trial work experience selection procedure. This The 700-hour on-the-job demonstration ~~process must be limited to applicants for whom there is no reasonable accommodation in the selection process~~ experience is an alternative, noncompetitive hiring process for qualified applicants with disabilities. All permanent executive branch classified positions are eligible for a 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience, and all permanent classified job postings must provide information regarding the on-the-job demonstration overview and certification process.

(b) The commissioner may authorize the probationary appointment of an applicant based on the request of the appointing authority that documents that the applicant has successfully demonstrated qualifications for the position through completion of an on-the-job ~~trial work~~ demonstration experience. Qualified applicants should be converted to permanent, probationary appointments at the point in the 700-hour on-the-job experience at which they have demonstrated the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. The implementation of this subdivision may not be deemed a violation of chapter 43A or 363A.

(c) The commissioner and the ADA and disability employment director, described in section 43A.19, subdivision 1, paragraph (e), are responsible for the administration and oversight of the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience, including the establishment of policies and procedures, data collection and reporting requirements, and compliance.

(d) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall design and implement a training curriculum for the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience. All executive leaders, managers, supervisors, human resources professionals, affirmative action officers, and ADA coordinators must receive annual training on the program.

(e) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall develop, administer, and make public a formal grievance process for individuals in the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience under this subdivision and supported work program under section 43A.421, subdivision 2.

(f) Appointing agencies shall ensure that reasonable accommodation requests, including accessible technology or alternative formats, are provided in a timely manner during the application and hiring process and throughout the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience period pursuant to sections 363A.42 and 363A.43 and the accessibility standards under section 16E.03, subdivisions 2, clause (3), and 9.

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Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 14a. Report and survey. (a) The commissioner shall annually collect enterprise-wide statistics on the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience under subdivision 14. The statistics collected and reported annually must include:

(1) the number of certifications submitted, granted, and rejected;

(2) the number of applicants interviewed, appointed, and converted to probationary status;

(3) the number of employees retained after one year in state employment;

(4) the number of employees with terminated appointments and the reason for termination;

(5) the average length of time in an on-the-job demonstration appointment;

(6) the number and category of entity certifications; and

(7) by department or agency, the number of appointments and hires and the number of managers and supervisors trained.

(b) The commissioner shall develop and administer an annual survey of participants in the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience who are hired and those who are not hired, as well as the managers of participants in the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience.

(c) The commissioner must consult at least annually with the Department of Employment and Economic Development's Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind, the Disability Agency Forum, and other disability experts to review the survey results, assess program satisfaction, and recommend areas for continuous improvement.

(d) The commissioner shall annually develop and publish a report on the department's website that includes the data described in paragraph (a), survey results described in paragraph (b), and recommendations for continuous improvement described in paragraph (c).

Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.183, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Payment required. Each agency head shall pay to each eligible member an amount equal to the person's salary differential for each month or portion of month that the person is ordered to serve in active service.

This payment may be made only to a person for whom the amount in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), clause (1), is greater than the amount in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), clause (2). Payments must be made at the intervals at which the member received pay as a state employee, except that any back pay due under this section may be paid as a lump sum. Payment under this section must not extend beyond four years from the date the employee reported for active service, plus any additional time the employee may be legally required to serve. An eligible member may apply for the salary differential benefits authorized under this section ~~prior to, during, or following the person's active service on or after May 29, 2003~~ no later than two years after completion of active service. A copy of military orders showing active service must be provided prior to payment.

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

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Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.183, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

(b) "Salary differential" means the difference between:

(1) the person's monthly total gross earnings as an active state employee, ~~excluding any overtime pay received but including all other earnings,~~ averaged over the last three full calendar months of the person's active state employment prior to reporting to active service, and including any additional salary or earnings adjustments that the person would have received at any time during the person's authorized leave from state employment had the person been serving as an active state employee during that time; and

(2) the person's monthly base pay in active service.

(1) any member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the United States armed forces who was an employee of the state of Minnesota at the time the member took military leave under section 192.261 to report for active military service; and

(2) any member of any other nonmilitary reserve component of the uniformed services of the United States who was an employee of Minnesota at the time the member took properly authorized leave from state employment under substantially comparable federal or state authority ordering the person to report for federal or state active service.

(d) "State employee" means an employee of the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of state government or an employee of the Minnesota State Retirement System, the Public Employee Retirement Association, or the Teachers Retirement Association.

(e) "Active service" has the meaning given in section 190.05, subdivision 5, for military members, and includes substantially comparable service for reserve members of other nonmilitary components of the uniformed services of the United States, but excludes service performed exclusively for purposes of:

(1) basic training, advanced individual training, annual training, and periodic inactive duty training;

(2) special training periodically made available to reserve members;

(3) service performed in accordance with section 190.08, subdivision 3; and

(4) service performed as part of the active guard/reserve program pursuant to United States Code, title 32, section 502(f), or other applicable authority, as well as substantially comparable service by members of other nonmilitary components of the uniformed services of the United States.

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

Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.19, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Statewide affirmative action program. (a) To assure that positions in the executive branch of the civil service are equally accessible to all qualified persons, and to eliminate the ~~underutilization of qualified members of protected groups~~ effects of past and present discrimination, intended or unintended, on the basis of protected group status, the commissioner shall adopt and periodically revise, if necessary, a statewide affirmative action program. The statewide affirmative action program must consist of at least the following:

(1) objectives, goals, and policies;

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(2) procedures, standards, and assumptions to be used by agencies in the preparation of agency affirmative action plans, including methods by which goals and timetables are established;

(3) the analysis of separation patterns to determine the impact on protected group members; and

(4) requirements for annual objectives and submission of affirmative action progress reports from heads of agencies.

Agency heads must report the data in clause (3) to the state Director of Recruitment, Retention and Affirmative Action and the state ADA coordinator, in addition to being available to anyone upon request. The commissioner of management and budget must annually post the aggregate and agency-level reports under clause (4) on the agency's website.

(b) The commissioner shall establish statewide affirmative action goals for each of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) occupational categories applicable to state employment, using at least the following factors:

(1) the percentage of members of each protected class in the recruiting area population who have the necessary skills; and

(2) the availability for promotion or transfer of current employees who are members of protected classes.

(1) the extent of unemployment of members of protected classes in the recruiting area population;

(2) the existence of training programs in needed skill areas offered by employing agencies and other institutions; and

(3) the expected number of available positions to be filled.

(d) The commissioner shall designate a state director of diversity and equal employment opportunity who may be delegated the preparation, revision, implementation, and administration of the program. The commissioner of management and budget may place the director's position in the unclassified service if the position meets the criteria established in section 43A.08, subdivision 1a.

(e) The commissioner shall designate a statewide ADA and disability employment director who may be delegated the preparation, revision, implementation, evaluation, and administration of the program. This position must administer the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience under the supported work program and disabled veteran's employment programs. The ADA and disability employment director shall have education, knowledge, and skills in disability policy, employment, and the ADA. The commissioner may place the director's position in the unclassified service if the position meets the criteria established in section 43A.08, subdivision 1a.

(f) Agency affirmative action plans, including reports and progress, must be posted on the agency's public and internal websites within 30 days of being approved. The commissioner of management and budget shall post a link to all executive branch agency-approved affirmative action plans on its public website. Accessible copies of the affirmative action plan must be available to all employees and members of the general public upon request.

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Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.191, is amended to read:

43A.191 AGENCY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAMS.

Subdivision 1. Affirmative action officers. (a) Each agency with 1,000 employees or more shall have at least one full-time affirmative action officer, who shall have primary responsibility for developing and maintaining the agency's affirmative action plan. The officer shall devote full time to affirmative action activities. The affirmative action officer shall report administratively and on policy issues directly to the agency head. Pursuant to section 43A.08, subdivision 1a, clause (4), the affirmative action officer must not be an unclassified employee.

(b) The agency heads shall assign affirmative action officers or designees for agencies with fewer than 1,000 employees. The designees shall report administratively and on policy issues directly to the agency head.

(c) An agency may not use authority under section 43A.08, subdivision 1a, to place the position of an agency affirmative action officer or designee in the unclassified service.

Subd. 2. Agency affirmative action plans. (a) The head of each agency in the executive branch shall prepare and implement an agency affirmative action plan consistent with this section and rules issued under section 43A.04, subdivision 3.

(b) The agency plan must include a plan for the provision of reasonable accommodation in the hiring and promotion of qualified ~~disabled~~ persons with disabilities. The reasonable accommodation plan must consist of at least the following:

(1) procedures for compliance with sections 16E.03, subdivision 9, 363A.08 to 363A.19, and 363A.28, subdivision 10, and, where appropriate, regulations implementing United States Code, title 29, section 794, as amended through December 31, 1984, which is section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and the Americans with Disabilities Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 101 to 108, 201 to 231, 241 to 246, 401, 402, and 501 to 514;

(2) methods and procedures for providing timely access to reasonable ~~accommodation for disabled job applicants, current employees, and employees~~ accommodations during the application process, throughout current employment, and when seeking promotion;

(3) provisions for funding reasonable accommodations; and

(4) the number of requests made, the number of requests approved, and the number of requests reimbursed from the state accommodation account under section 16B.4805.

(c) The agency plan must be prepared by the agency head with the assistance of the agency affirmative action officer and the director of diversity and equal employment opportunity. The agency may consult with the Council on Disability, vocational rehabilitation services, state services for the blind, and other disability experts to review and make recommendations on recruitment and retention of people with disabilities.

(d) The agency plan must identify any positions in the agency that can be used for supported employment as defined in section 268A.01, subdivision 13, of persons with severe disabilities. The agency shall report this information to the commissioner. An agency that hires more than one supported worker in the identified positions must receive recognition for each supported worker toward meeting the agency's affirmative action goals and objectives.

(e) An agency affirmative action plan may not be implemented without the commissioner's approval.

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Subd. 2a. Disability recruitment, hiring, and advancement. (a) Each agency affirmative action plan must include a section that provides sufficient assurances, procedures, and commitments to provide adequate hiring, placement, and advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities at all levels of state employment. The criteria for this section of the agency affirmative action plan must include a section on disability hiring and advancement, including the provisions in this subdivision.

(b) The plan must describe specific actions to ensure that a broad range of individuals with disabilities will be aware of and be encouraged to apply for job vacancies when eligible. The actions must include, at a minimum:

(1) the use of programs and resources that identify job applicants with disabilities who are eligible to be appointed under a hiring authority that takes disability into account, consistent with the demonstration program under section 43A.15, subdivision 14. The programs may include the Department of Employment and Economic Development's Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind that provide the qualifications necessary for positions within the agency to individuals with disabilities. Resources may include databases of individuals with disabilities who previously applied to the agency but were not hired for the positions they applied for, and training and internship programs that lead directly to employment for individuals with disabilities; and

(2) establishment and maintenance of contacts, which may include formal agreements, with organizations that specialize in providing assistance to individuals with disabilities in securing and maintaining employment, such as the Department of Employment and Economic Development's Vocational Rehabilitation Services, State Services for the Blind, community rehabilitation programs, day training and habilitation programs, and employment network service providers.

(c) The plan must ensure that the agency has designated sufficient staff to handle any disability-related issues that arise during the application and selection process, and shall require the agency to provide staff with sufficient training, support, and other resources to carry out the responsibilities under this section. Responsibilities include, at a minimum:

(1) ensuring that disability-related questions from members of the public regarding the agency's application and selection processes are answered promptly and correctly, including questions about reasonable accommodations needed by job applicants during the application and selection process and questions about how individuals may apply for positions under hiring authorities that take disability into account;

(2) processing requests for reasonable accommodations needed by job applicants during the application and placement process and ensuring that the agency provides such accommodations when required;

(3) accepting applications for a position under hiring authorities that take disability into account;

(4) if an individual has applied for appointment to a particular position under a hiring authority that takes disability into account, determining whether the individual is eligible for appointment under such authority and, if so, forwarding the individual's application to the relevant hiring officials with an explanation of how and when the individual may be appointed, consistent with all applicable laws; and

(5) overseeing any other agency programs designed to increase hiring of individuals with disabilities.

Subd. 3. Audits; sanctions and incentives. (a) The commissioner shall annually audit the record of each agency to determine the rate of compliance with affirmative action requirements. The department must report all audit findings to the governor's office if a state agency fails to meet any of its affirmative action requirements for two consecutive years.

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(b) By March 1 of each odd-numbered year, the commissioner shall submit a report on affirmative action progress of each agency and the state as a whole to the governor and to the Finance Committee of the senate, the Ways and Means Committee of the house of representatives, the Governmental Operations Committees of both houses of the legislature, and the Legislative Coordinating Commission. The report must include noncompetitive appointments made under section 43A.08, subdivision 2a, or 43A.15, subdivisions 3 to 7, 10, and 12, and cover each agency's rate of compliance with affirmative action requirements. The report must be made available to the public on the department's website.

(c) An agency that does not meet its hiring goals must justify its nonaffirmative action hires in competitive appointments and noncompetitive appointments made under section 43A.08, subdivisions 1, clauses (9), (11), and (16), and 2a; and section 43A.15, subdivisions 3, 10, 12, and 13, according to criteria issued by the department ~~of Management and Budget~~. In addition, an agency shall:

(1) demonstrate a good faith effort to recruit protected group members by following an active recruitment plan;

(2) implement a coordinated retention plan; and

(3) have an established complaint resolution procedure.

(d) The commissioner shall develop reporting standards and procedures for measuring compliance.

(e) An agency is encouraged to develop other innovative ways to promote awareness, acceptance, and appreciation for diversity and affirmative action. These innovations will be considered when evaluating an agency's compliance with this section.

(f) An agency not in compliance with affirmative action requirements of this section must identify methods and programs to improve performance, to reallocate resources internally in order to increase support for affirmative action programs, and to submit program and resource reallocation proposals to the commissioner for approval. An agency must submit these proposals within 120 days of being notified by the commissioner that it is out of compliance with affirmative action requirements. The commissioner shall monitor quarterly the affirmative action programs of an agency found to be out of compliance.

(g) The commissioner shall establish a program to recognize an agency that has made significant and measurable progress in implementing an affirmative action plan.

(h) The commissioner must maintain and make available, on an annual basis, summary data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 19, on the percentage of members of each protected group as defined in section 43A.02, subdivision 33, that were hired in the executive branch in each of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) occupational categories applicable to state employment. Nothing in this provision, however, shall require any person to disclose their protected group status, nor shall it require the commissioner or any appointing authority to determine the protected group status of any person.

Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.21, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Authority; purpose. The commissioner, in coordination with the statewide ADA and disability employment director and chief inclusion officer, shall develop and interpret policy and administer and, to the extent possible, conduct programs in training and development for employees to, at a minimum:

(1) promote individual, group and agency efficiency and effectiveness.;

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(2) build employee capacity to deliver accessible and inclusive services to the public, including people with disabilities; and

(3) support an inclusive work environment for employees with disabilities and employees of other protected classes.

Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Responsibilities. (a) The commissioner is responsible for developing and coordinating consistent training policy which shall be binding on all state agencies in the executive branch. The policies shall include conditions under which employees may receive or be assigned to training; internships and work-training programs; minimum and maximum training standards for employee participation and agency reporting requirements. At a minimum, state employees must receive annual training on statutes or policies related to:

(1) Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act;

(2) the state's affirmative action policy;

(3) equal opportunity employment; and

(4) digital accessibility standards.

(b) Career development training is a permissive subject of collective bargaining. Each appointing authority in the executive branch, including the Minnesota State Retirement System and the Teachers Retirement Association, is primarily responsible for planning, budgeting, conducting and evaluating training programs.

Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.21, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Programs. (a) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall design and implement management training and development programs for the state service. The programs shall include but not be limited to mandatory training and development requirements for managers and supervisors. No person shall acquire permanent status in a management or supervisory position in the classified service until training and development requirements have been met.

(b) All managers and supervisors must receive training on inclusive work environments, disability awareness, cultural competence, and other equity and diversity areas.

(c) Agencies shall conduct an annual Americans with Disabilities Act self-assessment to ensure training programs meet the standards for universal design in learning.

Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6. Accessibility. The commissioner is responsible for ensuring that all training content and platforms meet the accessibility standards under section 16E.03, subdivisions 2, clause (3), and 9. Reasonable accommodations must be implemented in a timely and appropriate manner to ensure that all state employees can participate in state-offered trainings. All state employees, including ADA coordinators and human resources staff, must have the training and resources to implement an accessible and inclusive workplace.

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Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Cooperation; state agencies. (a) The commissioner may delegate administrative functions associated with the duties of the commissioner to appointing authorities who have the capability to perform such functions when the commissioner determines that it is in the best interests of the state civil service. The commissioner shall consult with agencies and agencies shall cooperate as appropriate in implementation of this chapter.

(b) The commissioner, in conjunction with appointing authorities, shall analyze and assess current and future human resource requirements of the civil service and coordinate personnel actions throughout the civil service to meet the requirements. The commissioner shall provide recruiting assistance and make the applicant database available to appointing authorities to use in making appointments to positions in the unclassified service.

(c) The head of each agency in the executive branch shall designate an agency personnel officer. The agency personnel officer shall be accountable to the agency head for all personnel functions prescribed by laws, rules, collective bargaining agreements, the commissioner and the agency head. Except when otherwise prescribed by the agency head in a specific instance, the personnel officer shall be assumed to be the authority accountable to the agency head over any other officer or employee in the agency for personnel functions.

(d) The head of each agency in the executive branch shall designate an affirmative action officer who shall have primary responsibility for the administration of the agency's affirmative action plan. The officer shall report directly to the head of the agency on affirmative action matters.

(e) Pursuant to section 43A.431, the head of each agency in the executive branch shall designate an ADA coordinator who shall have primary responsibility for the administration of ADA policies, procedures, trainings, requests, and arbitration. The coordinator shall report directly to the commissioner.

Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.421, is amended to read:

43A.421 SUPPORTED WORK PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1. Program established. ~~A total of 50 full-time~~ Active positions within agencies of state government may be selected for inclusion for a supported work program for persons with ~~severe~~ significant disabilities. A full-time position may be shared by up to three persons with ~~severe~~ significant disabilities and their job coach. The job coach is not a state employee within the scope of section 43A.02, subdivision 21, or 179A.03, subdivision 14, unless the job coach holds another position within the scope of section 43A.02, subdivision 21, or 179A.03, subdivision 14. All classified supported work job postings need to link to the overview and application process for the supported work program.

Subd. 2. Responsibilities. (a) The commissioner is responsible for the administration and oversight of the supported work program, including the establishment of policies and procedures, data collection and reporting requirements, and compliance.

(b) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall design and implement a training curriculum for the supported work program. All executive leaders, managers, supervisors, human resources professionals, affirmative action officers, and Americans with Disabilities Act coordinators must receive annual training regarding the program.

(c) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall develop, administer, and make public a formal grievance process for individuals in the program.