And Economic Development (DEED)

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

2014 Regular Session Legislative Report

DEED Office of Government Affairs Kim Babine, Director Michael Vaughn, Assistant Director

1 | P a g e Table of Contents

DEED-Related Chapters

Chapter House Senate Description Presented Signed File File 150 HF1777 SF75 Omnibus tax bill. 3/21/14 3/21/14

239 HF2536 SF2050 Women’s Economic Security Act 5/9/14 5/11/14 (WESA). 251 HF2949 SF2186 Unemployment insurance program 5/13/14 5/16/14 policy and housekeeping bill. 271 HF2948 SF2617 DEED Unsession bill. 5/14/14 5/16/14

294 HF2490 SF2605 Omnibus capital investment bill. 5/17/14 5/20/14

295 HF1068 SF882 General Fund capital investment 5/17/14 5/20/14 bill. 308 HF3167 SF2726 Omnibus supplemental tax bill. 5/17/14 5/20/14

312 HF3172 SF2785 Omnibus supplemental 5/17/14 5/20/14 appropriations bill.

2 | P a g e Business and Community Development Division

Policy

Minnesota Investment Fund Amends Laws 2013, chapter 85, article 1, section 3, subdivision 2. Allows up to 3% of the Minnesota Investment Fund appropriation to be used for administrative expenses and technology upgrades. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 6. Contact: 651-259-7430 / [email protected]

Unsession Repeals M.S. 116C.22, M.S. 116C.23, M.S. 116C.24, M.S. 116C.25, M.S. 116C.26, M.S. 116C.261, M.S. 116C.27, M.S. 116C.28, M.S. 116C.29, M.S. 116C.30, M.S. 116C.31, M.S. 116C.32, M.S. 116C.33, M.S. 116J.037, M.S. 116J.422, M.S. 116J.6581, M.S. 116J.68 subd. 5, M.S. 116J.70 subd. 2A, M.S. 116J.874 subd.1-5, M.S. 116J.885, M.S. 116J.987, M.S. 116J.998, M.S. 116J 989, M.S. 116J.990 subd. 1-6, M.S. 116L.06, M.S. 116L.10, M.S. 116L.11, M.S. 116L.12 subd. 1-6, M.S. 116L.13, M.S. 116L.14, M.S. 116L.15. Repeals all or portions of redundant and outdated programs and statutes, including: the Environmental Coordination Procedures Act, e-commerce ready designations, the Rural Policy and Development Center Fund, the Minnesota Entrepreneur Resource Virtual Network, Small Business Development Center Advisory Board meeting requirements, business license assistance exceptions, the affirmative enterprise program, the Biomedical Innovation and Commercialization Initiative, the Board of Invention, the HIRE Education Loan Program, and the Health and Human Services Worker Program. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 271, HF2948. Contact: 651-259-7430 / [email protected] Tax credits and exemptions

Angel tax credit Amends M.S. 116J.8737. Expands eligibility for the program to businesses in additional industries. Reserves a portion of credits for greater Minnesota businesses and minority- or women-owned businesses; allows unused reserved credits to be made available to other investors beginning on October 1 of each year. Limits the ability of officers, principals, owners, and the families of such individuals to participate in the program. Requires DEED to develop a plan to promote awareness and use of the credit in greater Minnesota. Allocates $3 million in funding for calendar year 2014 and $15 million per year in calendar years 2016 and 2017. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 150, HF1777, Article 1, Sec. 1-6 and Laws 2014, Chapter 308, HF3167, Article 4, Sec. 1-3. Contact: 651-259-7430 / [email protected]

Qualified data center tax exemptions.

3 | P a g e Amends M.S. 297A.68, subdivision 42. Adds computer software maintenance agreements as type of exempt purchase. Makes qualified refurbished data centers eligible for exemptions. Adds stipulations about the time periods in which investments are made. Requires DEED to certify to the Department of Revenue when a qualified data center has met the requirements for exemptions; sets requirements for the contents such certifications. Directs DEED to notify the Department of Revenue annually of the qualified data centers projected to meet requirements for tax benefits in each of the next four years. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 308, HF3167, Article 3, Sec. 9. Contact: 651-259-7432 / [email protected]

Greater Minnesota business expansions tax exemptions Amends M.S. 297A.68, subdivision 44. Adds requirements regarding business subsidy agreements for the program. Addresses procedures for an eligible refund claims that carries over to a subsequent fiscal year. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 308, HF3167, Article 3, Sec. 10. Contact: 651-259-7432 / [email protected] Appropriations

Program and Statute Funding Statutory Language Initiative Foundation grants $2,850,000 Provides funding to the Southwest Initiative Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, Foundation, the West Central HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 2 Initiative Foundation, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Contact: 651-259-7430 / Foundation, the Northwest [email protected] Minnesota Initiative Foundation, the Initiative Foundation, and the Northland Foundation for business revolving loans or other lending programs at below market interest rates. Urban Initiative Board grant $650,000 Funds will be used for loans at below market interest rates, Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, business technical assistance, HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 2 or organizational capacity building. Funds must be Contact: 651-259-7430 / allocated as follows: (1) 50 [email protected] percent of the funds must be allocated for projects in the counties of Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington; and (2) 50 percent of the funds must be allocated for projects in the counties of Anoka, Carver, 4 | P a g e Hennepin, and Scott. Workforce Housing Grants Pilot Program $627,000 Establishes a pilot program Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 308, within DEED to award grants HF3167, Article 6, Sec. 14. to certain cities in Roseau and Contact: 651-259-7460 / Pennington Counties for [email protected] financing costs related to the construction of or financing for market rate residential rental properties. Defines application procedures and eligibility. Women Entrepreneurs Business $500,000 Appropriates $500,000 to Development DEED for grants to Women Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 239, Venture and the Women’s HF2536, Article 2, Sec. 8. Business Center of Contact: 651-259-7460 / Northeastern Minnesota. Sets [email protected] eligibility standards for women-owned businesses. Directs that grant funds be used for entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and technical assistance for the startup or expansion of eligible women-owned businesses; development of networks of potential investors for such businesses; development of outreach activities and recruitment programs for midcareer women with an interest in starting businesses; compilation, development, and dissemination of resources, information, and technical assistance on best practices and model programs that may be replicated on a statewide basis. Small Business Development Centers $500,000 Funds may be used to match Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, funds under the federal Small HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 2 Business Development Center Contact: 651-259-7423 / program to provide consulting [email protected] and technical services, or to build SBDC network capacity to serve entrepreneurs and 5 | P a g e small businesses. Funds will be allocated equally among the nine centers. Innovation Voucher Pilot Program $400,000 Directs the Commissioner to Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, develop and implement an HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 2 innovation voucher pilot Contact: 651-259-7476 / program to provide financing [email protected] to small businesses to purchase technical assistance and services that will assist them in the development of commercialization of new products/services. Sets eligibility guidelines for businesses and limits voucher awards to a maximum of $25,000. Requires a 50% match from program participants. Requires a report to the Legislature. Minnesota Job Skills Partnership $475,000 None. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 2 Contact: 651-259-7514 / [email protected] Greater Minnesota Business $2,200,000 For grants to design, Development Public Infrastructure construct, prepare, and Program improve infrastructure for Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, economic development. HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 2 Contact: 651-259-7460 / [email protected] City of Proctor grant $150,000 For a grant to the city of Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, Proctor to design and HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 2 construct a sand and salt Contact: 651-259-7449 / storage facility to prevent [email protected] runoff into surface water.

Bonding

Program and Statute Funding Statutory Language Greater Minnesota Business $4,000,000 For grants under Minnesota Development Public Infrastructure Statutes, section 116J.431. Program

6 | P a g e Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 2 Contact: 651-259-7460 / [email protected] Alexandria – Redevelopment $1,400,000 For a grant to the Lakes Area Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Economic Development HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 3 Authority to acquire and Contact: 651-259-7449 / redevelop the Jefferson High [email protected] School site in the city of Alexandria. Chatfield – Center for the Arts $5,352,000 For a grant to the city of Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Chatfield economic HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 4 development authority to Contact: 651-259-7460 / predesign, design, renovate, [email protected] construct, furnish, and equip Phase III and Phase IV of the Chatfield Center for the Arts in the city of Chatfield, which is generally described as the renovation of Potter Auditorium and the installation of an elevator and elevator-related improvements to serve both the 1936 auditorium building and the 1916 school building. Clara City – Business Park $748,000 For a grant to Clara City to Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, design and construct publicly HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 5 owned infrastructure for the Contact: 651-259-7460 / South Hawk Creek Business [email protected] Park. Cosmos – Municipal Building $600,000 For a grant to the city of Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Cosmos to acquire land and HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 6 demolish existing structures, Contact: 651-259-7460 / and to predesign, design, [email protected] construct, furnish, and equip a municipal building to house the public library, community meeting room, and city offices, including offices for the clerk-treasurer, police department, and maintenance department. Duluth – NorShor Theatre $6,950,000 For a grant to the Duluth Economic Development Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 295, 7 | P a g e HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 3 Authority to design, construct, furnish, and equip certain Contact: 651-259-7449 / public improvements, [email protected] including skyway access from adjacent public parking, interior circulation, street and utility upgrades, the connection between the skyway and street levels, handicapped access, and the restoration of the lobby, entrance, and marquee, as part of the restoration and to enhance and provide public access to the historic NorShor Theatre. Duluth – Spirit Mountain Recreation Area $3,400,000 For a grant to the city of Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 295, Duluth for the Spirit Mountain HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 4 Recreation Area Authority Contact: 651-259-7449 / to acquire easements, [email protected] licenses, and other interests in real property and to engineer, design, permit, and construct works and systems to transport water from the St. Louis River estuary for commercial and industrial use. Duluth – Wade Stadium $2,300,000 For a grant to the city of Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 295, Duluth to design, construct, HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 5 furnish, and equip Contact: 651-259-7449 / improvements to Wade [email protected] Stadium, including the stadium walls and façade, grandstand, lighting, concession facilities and field, with proper drainage, for a ballpark and public outdoor events facility. Fosston – Second Street Road $400,000 For a grant to the city of Improvement Fosston to improve Second Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Street to allow for future HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 7 development. Contact: 651-259-7460 / [email protected]

8 | P a g e Grand Rapids – Independent School $3,897,000 To the commissioner of District No. 318 education for a grant to Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Independent School District HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 8 No. 318, Grand Rapids, to Contact: 651-259-7449 / complete the design of, and [email protected] to renovate, construct, furnish, and equip, the Myles Reif Center for the Performing Arts. Hanover - Bridge $78,000 For a grant to the city of Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Hanover to rehabilitate the HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 9 historic bridge over the Crow Contact: 651-259-7449 / River. [email protected] Hermantown – Regional Health and $250,000 For a grant to the city of Wellness Center Hermantown to study, plan, Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 295, and predesign a health and HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 6 wellness center to meet the Contact: 651-259-7449 / needs of the [email protected] multigenerational population in the region. Innovative Business Development Public $500,000 For grants under Minnesota Infrastructure Grant Program Statutes, section 116J.435. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 295, HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 2 Contact: 651-259-7460 / [email protected] Lake Elmo – Water Supply $3,500,000 For a grant to the city of Lake Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Elmo to construct an HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 10 extension of approximately Contact: 651-259-7449 / 2.5 miles of trunk water main [email protected] and associated improvements along Lake Elmo Avenue to facilitate development along the Interstate Highway 94 corridor and comply with growth requirements under an agreement with the Metropolitan Council. Lake Superior – Poplar River Water $1,110,000 For a grant to the Lake District Superior-Poplar River Water Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 295, District to acquire interests in HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 7 real property, engineer, Contact: 651-259-7460 / design, permit, and construct [email protected] infrastructure to transport

9 | P a g e and treat water from Lake Superior through the Poplar River Valley to serve domestic, irrigation, commercial, stock watering, and industrial water users. Litchfield – Electrical Generation $250,000 For a grant to the city of Improvements Litchfield to predesign and Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, design electrical generation HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 11 improvements in the city of Contact: 651-259-7449 / Litchfield to expand the [email protected] current standby capacity, including replacement of two old generators. Mankato – Arena and Events Center $14,500,000 For a grant to the city of Auditorium Mankato to design, construct, Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 295, furnish, and equip an addition HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 8 to and renovate existing Contact: 651-259-7460 / space, and for other [email protected] improvements of a capital nature to the Minnesota State University Arena and Event Center Auditorium. Minneapolis – Brian Coyle Community $330,000 For a grant to the Minneapolis Center Park and Recreation Board to Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, predesign and design the HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 12 renovation and expansion of Contact: 651-259-7460 / the Brian Coyle Community [email protected] Center, subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.695. Minneapolis – Hennepin Center for the $550,000 For a grant to the city of Arts Minneapolis for Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, improvements and HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 13 betterments of a capital Contact: 651-259-7460 / nature to renovate the [email protected] historic Hennepin Center for the Arts. Minneapolis – Nicollet Mall $21,500,000 For a grant to the city of Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Minneapolis to predesign, HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 14 design, and reconstruct Contact: 651-259-7460 / Nicollet Mall and its adjacent [email protected] and related infrastructure in downtown Minneapolis. Park Rapids – Upper Mississippi Arts $2,500,000 For a grant to the Park Rapids Center Economic Development

10 | P a g e Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Authority for acquisition, and HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 15 to predesign, design, Contact: 651-259-7449 / construct, furnish, and equip [email protected] the renovation, including hazardous materials abatement; demolition; health, safety and building code compliance; mechanical systems; and space restoration, of the historic National Guard Armory Building in downtown Park Rapids, for use as a regional arts and event center, subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.695. Red Wing – River Renaissance $1,560,000 For a grant to the city of Red Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Wing for improvements of a HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 16 capital nature to the area Contact: 651-259-7460 / between Levee Road and the [email protected] Mississippi River, extending between Bay Point Drive and Broad Street in Red Wing. This project includes: reconstruction of Levee Road from Broad Street to Jackson Street; improvements to storm water, sanitary sewer, and drinking water infrastructure; replacement of a harbor retaining wall; parking improvements; lighting improvements; and construction of a segment of the Riverwalk Trail. Rochester – Mayo Civic Center Complex $35,000,000 For a grant to the city of Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 295, Rochester to design, HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 9 construct, furnish, and equip Contact: 651-259-7460 / the renovation and expansion [email protected] of the Mayo Civic Center complex and related infrastructure, including but not limited to skyway access, lighting, parking, and landscaping. Sandstone – Business Park $200,000 For a grant to the city of 11 | P a g e Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 295, Sandstone to design and HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 10 construct necessary public Contact: 651-259-7449 / infrastructure to open a [email protected] planned business park to serve a major tenant in Sandstone, Pine County. St. Cloud – River’s Edge Convention $11,560,000 For a grant to the city of St. Center Cloud to predesign, design, Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 295, construct, furnish, and equip HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 11 an expansion of the River's Contact: 651-259-7460 / Edge Convention Center, [email protected] including a parking facility and pedestrian skyway connection. St. Paul – Minnesota Children’s Museum $14,000,000 For a grant to the city of St. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Paul to predesign, design, HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 17 / Laws 2014, construct, furnish, and equip Chapter 295, HF1068, Sec. 10, Subd. 12 an expansion and renovation Contact: 651-259-7460 / of the Minnesota Children's [email protected] Museum, subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.695. St. Paul – Historic Palace Theater $5,000,000 For a grant to the city of St. Renovation Paul to predesign, design, Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, construct, furnish, and equip HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 18 the renovation of the historic Contact: 651-259-7460 / Palace Theater in St. Paul. [email protected] St. Paul – Ordway Center for the $4,000,000 For a grant to the city of St. Performing Arts Paul to construct, furnish, and Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, equip a concert hall of HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 19 approximately 1,100 seats Contact: 651-259-7460 / and support spaces at the [email protected] Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. St. Paul – Minnesota Public Media $9,000,000 For a grant to the city of St. Commons Paul to renovate the Twin Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, Cities Public Television HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 20 Building in downtown St. Paul. Contact: 651-259-7460 / [email protected] Thief River Falls Airport – Public $650,000 For a grant to the Thief River Infrastructure Falls Airport Authority to Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, predesign, design, engineer, HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 21 and construct infrastructure

12 | P a g e Contact: 651-259-7449 / to transfer wastewater from [email protected] the Thief River Falls Regional Airport to the city wastewater collection and treatment system, and to eliminate the airport wastewater treatment pond located on airport property. Thief River Falls – Public Infrastructure $800,000 For a grant to the city of Thief Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, River Falls to design, HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 22 construct, and equip sewers, Contact: 651-259-7449 / streets, and utility [email protected] improvements for a regional development center in Thief River Falls. Virginia – Highway 53 Utilities Relocation $19,500,000 This appropriation is for: (1) a Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 294, grant to the city of Virginia HF1068, Sec. 21, Subd. 23 Public Utilities Commission to Contact: 651-259-7460 / acquire land, predesign, [email protected] design, construct, furnish, and equip relocated storm water, sanitary sewer, water, electrical, and gas utilities along or near the relocated U.S. Highway 53 in Virginia, St. Louis County; and (2) a grant to the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority to acquire land, predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip trails to handle bicycles, pedestrians, snowmobiles, and ATVs along or near the relocated U.S. Highway 53 in Virginia, St. Louis County.

13 | P a g e Communications, Analysis, and Research Division

Policy

Workforce program outcomes Amends M.S 116L.98. Requires the Commissioner to develop and implement a uniform outcome measurement and reporting system for adult workforce-related programs receiving support from the Workforce Development Fund. Defines terms and specifies contents of a uniform program outcome “report card”. Requires past and future grant/direct appropriation recipients to report specified outcomes to DEED. Requires the publication of workforce program outcomes on the agency web site. Limits availability of public funds pending satisfaction or ability to satisfy program outcome measurement requirements. Requires a net impact analysis of workforce programs and a report to the Legislature. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 3, Sec. 7. Contact: Rachel Vilsack, 651.259.7403 or [email protected]

Commissioner’s Accountability Plan Requires a report to the Legislature on the agency’s plan to design and implement a performance accountability measurement system. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 3, Sec. 20. Contact: Rachel Vilsack, 651.259.7403 or [email protected] Appropriations

Program and Statute Funding Statute Language Workforce program outcome $300,000 For workforce program measurement activities outcome activities under Reference: Laws 2014, Minnesota Statutes, section Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 116L.98. 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 3 Contact: Rachel Vilsack, 651.259.7403 or [email protected] North Dakota Oil Production $250,000 Funds will be used to finance Study a study of the effects of Reference: Laws 2014, current and projected oil Chapter 308, HF3167, Article production in North Dakota 2, Sec. 20 on the Minnesota economy Contact: Neal Young, with special focus on the 651.259.7196 or northwestern region of [email protected] Minnesota and area border cities by February 15, 2015.

14 | P a g e The statute further specifies what the study should address.

15 | P a g e Minnesota Trade Office

Policy

Minnesota STEP Grants Amends Laws 2013, chapter 85, article 1, section 3, subdivision 5. Makes $30,000 of the state fiscal year 2014 appropriation available until June 30, 2015. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 3, Sec. 7. Contact: Kathleen Motzenbecker, 651.259.7489 or [email protected]

16 | P a g e Office of Broadband Development

Policy

Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program Adds M.S. 116J.394, adds M.S. 116J.395, adds M.S. 116J.396. Creates the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program. Defines terms, eligible expenditures, and eligible applicants. Designates policies and procedures for grant applications and grant awards. Establishes the Border-to-Border Broadband Fund as an account in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. Reference: Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2 and Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 3, Sec. 2-4. Contact: Danna Mackenzie, 651.259.7611 or [email protected] Appropriations

Program and Statute Appropriation Statute Language Border-to-Border Broadband Fund $20,000,000 See above.

Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 2

Contact: Danna Mackenzie, 651.259.7611 or [email protected]

17 | P a g e Olmstead Implementation Office

Appropriations

Program and Statute Appropriation Statute Language Olmstead Implementation Office $500,000 The base appropriation for Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter the office is $875,000 each 312, HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, year for fiscal years 2016 and Subd. 4 2017. The state recognizes its Contact: Darlene Zangara, obligations under Jensen, et [email protected] al. v. Minnesota Department of Human Services, et al. During the 2015 legislative session, the legislature intends to review the funding levels provided for the Olmstead Implementation Office to ensure that amounts sufficient to comply with the obligations imposed by the court's order are appropriated in fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

18 | P a g e Unemployment Insurance (UI) Division

Policy Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council policy and housekeeping bill Amends M.S. 268.035, 268.051, 268.057, 268.0625, 268.085, 268.0865, 268.095, 268.103, 268.105, 268.18, 268.184, 268.186, 268.196, 268.215, and 268.105. Clarifies how severance pay affects UI eligibility. Exempts attorneys from certain online filing requirements for appeals. Prohibits an individual collecting unemployment insurance benefits if that individual has income from stock options. Clarifies how experience ratings transfer from one owner to another when a business is sold. Lowers the interest rate on Unemployment Insurance-related debt for both employers and individuals from 18% to 12%. Makes additional technical, conforming, and clarifying changes. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 251, HF2949. Contact: Craig Gustafson, 651.259.7228 or [email protected]

Unsession Repeals portions of M.S. 268.105 subd. 7. Amends M.S. 268.186. Removes appellate cost bond requirement to conform to current court rules. Reduces unemployment insurance recordkeeping requirements for businesses statewide from 8 years to 4 years. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 271, HF2948. Contact: Craig Gustafson, 651.259.7228 or [email protected]

19 | P a g e Vocational Rehabilitation and State Services for the Blind

Policy

Allina Health Amends Laws 2013, chapter 85, article 1, section 3, subdivision 6. Extends the authority of Allina Health systems to provide extended employment services. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 8 Contact: John Sherman, 651.259.7349 or [email protected]

Extended employment carryforward Adds Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 2, section 13. Provides for a carryforward of extended employment funds from state fiscal year 2014 to state fiscal year 2015. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 13 Contact: John Sherman, 651.259.7349 or [email protected]

Appropriations

Program and Statute Appropriation Statute Language Extended employment rate increase $250,000 For rate increases to Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, providers of extended Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 5 employment services for Contact: John Sherman, 651.259.7349 or persons with severe [email protected] disabilities under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.15. Centers for Independent Living $450,000 To the eight Minnesota Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Centers for Independent Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 5 Living. Contact: John Sherman, 651.259.7349 or [email protected]

20 | P a g e Workforce Development Division

Policy

Employment services for persons who are deaf, deafblind, or hard-of-hearing Adds M.S. 268A.16. Establishes a statewide grant program to provide long-term supported employment services for persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing. Directs the Commissioner to establish statewide or regional grant programs to provide school-based communication, access, and employment services for transition-aged youth. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 3, Sec. 14 Contact: Anthony Alongi, 651.259.7528 or [email protected]

Unsession Repeals M.S. 116L.363, M.S. 116L.871, and M.S. 116L.872. Eliminates the inactive YouthBuild Advisory Committee and unnecessary language regarding local service unit delivery. Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 271, HF2948. Contact: Anthony Alongi, 651.259.7528 or [email protected]

Appropriations

Program and Statute Funding Policy Language Women and High-wage, $500,000 Establishes a grant program to High-Demand Nontraditional increase the number of Jobs Grant Program women in high-wage, high- Reference: Laws 2014, demand, nontraditional Chapter 239, HF2536, Article occupations. Sets application 2, Sec. 3 procedures and eligibility Contact: Anthony Alongi, guidelines for grant awards. 651.259.7528 or [email protected] Northwest Indian $250,000 For a grant to the Northwest Opportunities Center grant Indian Opportunities Reference: Laws 2014, Industrialization Center and Chapter 312, HF3172, Article may be used for a green jobs 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 3 deconstruction pilot program Contact: Anthony Alongi, in collaboration with a 651.259.7528 or research institute and a [email protected] nonprofit organization with experience developing deconstruction jobs, new products from reclaimed 21 | P a g e materials, and reuse of materials. Northeast Minnesota Office $250,000 None. of Job Training Reference: Laws 2014, Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 3 Contact: Anthony Alongi, 651.259.7528 or [email protected] Twin Cities RISE! $250,000 For a grant to provide job Reference: Laws 2014, training. Chapter 312, HF3172, Article 2, Sec. 2, Subd. 3 Contact: Anthony Alongi, 651.259.7528 or [email protected]

22 | P a g e