Eligible iron ore and explosives workers could get extra unemployment benefits

Eligible workers may receive additional unemployment benefits from the state trust fund. This covers people laid off for lack of work from November 1, 2025, through March 14, 2026, by an iron ore mining employer that laid off at least 40 percent of its workforce between March 15 and June 15, 2025, or by a related explosives maker whose layoff resulted from that mining employer's reduced operations. Applicants must have exhausted regular benefits, have at least half their wage credits from a covered employer, and meet regular benefit requirements. Applicants who have applied for and been found eligible for federal Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits cannot receive these additional benefits. Benefits may cover weeks through the week ending March 20, 2027. The section would take effect retroactively from November 1, 2025.

The employment commissioner must waive one program rule for some extended employment participants. The waiver applies when no licensed provider offering employment support is available, or when a provider waitlist delays services in a way that could disrupt them and put the participant's ability to keep a job at risk. A program provider must submit a form showing why the participant qualifies and confirming the participant receives separate services through both programs, with no service billed or reimbursed twice. Participants without a waiver must be prioritized and cannot be waitlisted. The waiver would apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. This section would take effect the day after final enactment and expire July 1, 2028.

People contracted to play minor league baseball are excluded from the state's employee definition for minimum wage and overtime rules. This applies to an individual who has entered into a contract to play baseball at the minor league level. The exclusion applies only while the player is covered and paid under a collective bargaining agreement that expressly provides for wages and working conditions. This section would take effect the day after final enactment.

The bill text sets rules for municipal building reviews, electrical licenses and inspections, and certain inspection fees. Municipal agreements concern reviews, inspections, and code enforcement for public buildings and state-licensed facilities. Other provisions concern electrical licensing, inspections, and fees, including a bonding inspection fee of $55. The commissioner must consider municipal code enforcement staff working for, under contract with, or otherwise obligated to serve the municipality when deciding whether it has enough qualified people. Current Class B installer license holders could keep and renew their licenses after December 1, 2027; no new licenses could be issued starting on that date. No new Class B installer licenses could be issued beginning December 1, 2027. Existing holders could keep and renew their licenses.

The bill text sets conditions for Rural Cancer Institute funds and provides a one-time $80,000 appropriation for another institute's legal costs. The conditions apply to the Rural Cancer Institute pilot program. The one-time appropriation goes to the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. The Rural Cancer Institute must prioritize Minnesota clinicians and students. Clinicians and students from elsewhere in the United States may take part if a practicing Minnesota oncologist recommends them and all care is provided in Minnesota. The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute's appropriation is for legal costs. Rural Cancer Institute funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 would remain available until June 30, 2028. The $80,000 would be available until June 30, 2029.