Minneslate Logo

HF2251 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board membership modified, state services for the blind vendor facilities modified, and reporting requirements modified.

Related bill: SF1568

AI Generated Summary

This Minnesota House bill proposes modifications related to workforce development, including changes to the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board, state services for the blind vendor facilities, and reporting requirements for economic and workforce development programs. Key provisions include:

  1. Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board Membership (Sec. 1):

    • Expands the board to seven members appointed by the governor.
    • Includes the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development (or designee), the Chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (or designee), and the President of the University of Minnesota (or designee with technical education experience).
    • Requires four appointees from the Governor’s Workforce Development Board (two from organized labor, two from business/industry) and one nonprofit workforce development representative.

  2. Economic Development Program Reporting (Sec. 2):

    • Mandates a biennial (every two years) inventory report of all state-funded economic development programs.
    • Requires detailed program data, including costs, staffing, participation demographics, funding sources, and quantifiable success measures.
    • Programs requesting increased state funding must justify the need and specify planned uses.
    • The reporting requirement expires after the 2026 report.

  3. Workforce Program Net Impact Analysis (Sec. 3):

    • Continues independent evaluation of workforce programs' effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis every four years.
    • Allows data-sharing agreements with relevant state departments for evaluation purposes.
    • This reporting requirement expires in 2025.

  4. Blind Vendor Facilities Regulations (Secs. 4 & 5):

    • Confirms the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development’s exclusive authority to establish and operate vending facilities on certain state-owned properties.
    • Grants liability protections to the Department of Employment and Economic Development regarding blind vendor operations.
    • Specifies how the revolving fund for vocational rehabilitation of the blind can be used for equipment, benefits, and general liability insurance.

This bill aims to improve workforce development governance, enhance transparency in economic program reporting, and refine regulations concerning vendor operations for blind individuals.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 11, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toWorkforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
March 11, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toWorkforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of nonprofit organization representative position."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This amendment relates to appointment modifications in the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board under section 116L.03, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies experience requirement for designees by the chancellor or the president of the university."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116L.03",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New report requirement for programs asking for funding increases."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This amendment modifies the inventory requirements for economic development programs under section 116L.35.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies report content to include detailed program costs and participant demographics."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116L.35",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This amendment clarifies reporting requirements on workforce program impact analysis under section 116L.98, subdivision 7.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the methodology for net impact analysis and specifies a reporting schedule every four years."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116L.98",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Specific liability limitations for vending operations."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This amendment modifies the rules regarding vending facilities for the blind on governmental property under section 248.07, subdivision 7.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies items that may be dispensed and under what conditions authority may be waived."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "248.07",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Fringe benefits for operators and employees with majority approval."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This amendment addresses the use of the revolving fund for blind vending operations under section 248.07, subdivision 8.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies allowable uses for federal vending income and expands purposes for using revolving fund money."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "248.07",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  }
]

Sponsors