Purpose

This bill is designed to establish a biennial budget for the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), the Workers Compensation Court of Appeals, and the Bureau of Mediation Services. It includes various policy changes, mandates reports, and appropriates funds for specific initiatives.

Main Provisions

• Budget Appropriations: The bill sets out appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. These funds are allocated to various departments, including the DLI, with specific allocations for different funds such as general, workers' compensation, and workforce development.

• Workers Compensation Fund: Provides salaries and maintenance for workers' compensation-related activities, including general support, labor standards, and workplace safety.

• Labor Standards and Worker Rights: Allocates funds for enforcing wage theft prevention, prevailing wage enforcement, nursing mothers and pregnancy accommodations, safe workplaces, and earned sick and safe time regulations.

• Youth and Employment Initiatives: Offers grants for the dual-training pipeline program, youth skills training, and funds for identifying occupational standards, including in the cannabis industry.

• Apprenticeship Programs: Significant funds are earmarked to support apprenticeship programs, including initiatives for the building and construction industries and a statewide registered teacher apprenticeship program.

• Combative Sports and Nursing Standards: Provides funds for the regulation of combative sports and a Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board to establish and oversee workforce standards in nursing homes.

• Single-Egress Stairway Study: Provides a one-time appropriation for a study on single-egress stairway apartment buildings.

Significant Changes to Existing Laws

• Policy Changes: Amends several Minnesota Statutes to reflect the new appropriations and initiatives introduced, including the enhancement of workforce development and labor education provisions.

• New Law Coding: Proposals for new codifications in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 326B related to the appropriations and initiatives outlined in the bill.

Relevant Terms

• Biennial Budget
• Department of Labor and Industry
• Workers Compensation
• Wage Theft Prevention
• Workforce Development
• Dual-Training Pipeline
• Apprentice Programs
• Nursing Mothers Law
• Safe Workplaces Act
• Cannabis Industry
• Combative Sports
• Nursing Home Workforce Standards