Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to provide additional unemployment benefits to iron ore mining employees in Minnesota who have been laid off due to significant workforce reductions or cessation of operations in their industry.

Main Provisions

• Eligibility for Benefits: Employees who were laid off between March 15, 2025, and June 16, 2025, from iron ore mining companies that reduced their workforce by 40% or more can receive additional unemployment benefits. Employees from related industries, such as explosive manufacturing that serve the iron ore industry, also qualify if affected similarly.
• Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for these benefits, applicants must have a benefit account with at least 50% of their wage credits from the affected employers, and must have exhausted regular unemployment benefits.
• Benefit Duration and Amount: Qualified individuals can receive up to 26 weeks of additional benefits, with the weekly amount matching their regular unemployment benefit.
• New Benefit Accounts: If an applicant qualifies for a new benefit account before receiving additional benefits, they must use that account first if its benefits are equal to or greater than the additional benefits.
• Exclusion from Federal Benefits: Applicants who qualify for federal Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits cannot receive additional unemployment benefits under this bill.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill temporarily expands unemployment benefits specifically for those working in the iron ore mining sector and industries closely linked to it, setting specific conditions for eligibility and benefit amounts that differ from standard unemployment insurance regulations.

Relevant Terms

iron ore mining, unemployment benefits, workforce reduction, explosive manufacturing, Trade Readjustment Allowance, benefit account, Minnesota unemployment insurance.