Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 4889: Higher education; wage credit use clarification provided.

This bill clarifies how wage credits from jobs at colleges and universities can be used for unemployment benefits during breaks between academic terms. It primarily affects employees of educational institutions by specifying when they are eligible to receive unemployment support while waiting for the next school year. The law establishes that workers in instructional, research, or administrative roles must have a written job offer or a contract guaranteeing 50% pay if rehiring fails to qualify for benefits, whereas those in other roles may still receive credits if they have a reasonable assurance of returning work. Additionally, the measure defines what counts as a valid job offer and ensures that employment across multiple schools is counted together when determining eligibility. These rules take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to unemployment claims made on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill clarifies eligibility for unemployment benefits for higher ed workers, protecting their financial security during breaks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SF 4134: Additional benefits adoption for certain iron ore mining employees

This bill creates a new unemployment benefits program for iron ore mining workers in Minnesota who lose their jobs between January 15, 2026, and March 15, 2026, due to layoffs. It also extends these benefits to employees of explosive manufacturing companies that supply iron ore mining firms if those mining companies experience significant layoffs. To qualify, workers must have worked for an iron ore mining employer that laid off at least half its workforce during the specified period, have already used up their regular unemployment benefits, and meet standard eligibility requirements. The program provides the same weekly benefit amount as regular unemployment insurance for up to 26 weeks, with special rules for workers who qualify for new benefit accounts during the payment period.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates new unemployment benefits for mining workers, expanding worker protections during layoffs90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Minnesota · House May 17, 2026

HF 3393: Additional benefits for certain iron ore mining employees adopted.

HF 3393 creates supplemental unemployment benefits for workers in the iron ore mining industry and related explosive manufacturing firms that supply them. It provides additional benefits to employees laid off between January 15 and March 15, 2026, due to a 50%+ workforce reduction at their employer. Eligible workers must have exhausted regular unemployment benefits and meet standard eligibility requirements, receiving up to 26 weeks of supplemental payments matching their regular weekly benefit amount. The bill applies retroactively to January 15, 2026, and excludes those receiving federal Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates supplemental unemployment benefits for laid-off mining workers, expanding employment support and protecting income during layoffs per specific eligibility criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 13, 2025

SF 1357: Compensatory Revenue Task Force establishment, Read Act implementation professional development requirements modifications, teacher training funding provision, unemployment aid account increase provision, and appropriations

This bill modifies Minnesota's education finance system and teacher training requirements. It mandates that school districts provide evidence-based professional development to teachers by specific deadlines: K-3 educators and reading intervention staff by July 2026, and grades 4-12 reading teachers by July 2027. The bill also updates how schools calculate compensatory revenue eligibility using direct certification and education benefits, requires at least 80% of compensatory funds to be spent at the school building where students generating the revenue are served, and increases funding for teacher training and school unemployment aid accounts. These changes directly affect school districts, teachers, and students in Minnesota's public education system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based teacher training deadlines, updates funding mechanisms for compensatory revenue, and requires 80% of funds for educational programs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases unemployment aid account, directly expanding worker benefits under Labor & Employment policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Professional Licensing Unemployment

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SF 2188: Additional school unemployment aid appropriation

SF 2188 appropriates $105 million from the general fund to the Minnesota Department of Education for school unemployment aid under Minnesota Statutes §124D.995, specifically for the 2026 fiscal year. This is a one-time funding allocation, not a new program, and must comply with existing requirements in §124D.995. The bill directly affects school districts and employees eligible for unemployment aid through the state's established program. It does not create new eligibility criteria or alter current benefit structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $105M from general fund for school unemployment aid, increasing public service funding under existing program without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $105M for school unemployment aid under existing education funding framework, directly supporting school districts and employees through targeted financial assistance.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill appropriates $105M for school unemployment aid, expanding existing worker benefits under state program. Directly supports labor & employment by funding unemployment benefits for school employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Unemployment

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SF 3216: Sulfate water quality standards site-specific modifications approval during pendency of related rulemaking provision, reactive mine waste storage provision, and additional unemployment insurance benefits provision

This bill creates targeted unemployment benefits for workers laid off from the iron ore mining industry or related explosive manufacturing during March 15-June 15, 2025, due to significant workforce reductions (50%+ layoffs). Eligible workers must have exhausted regular unemployment benefits and meet standard eligibility requirements, receiving up to 26 weeks of additional benefits at their prior weekly rate. The bill also establishes standards for storing reactive mine waste to prevent water quality impacts, defining "reactive mine waste" as material causing sustained pH decreases in contact water. It is effective retroactively from March 15, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes mine waste storage standards to prevent water pollution, strengthening environmental regulations under Pollution and Pollution Control Agency.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides targeted unemployment benefits (26 weeks at prior rate) for laid-off mining workers during mass layoffs, expanding worker benefits during job loss. Directly advances employment security standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Unemployment

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in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 1415: Funding increased for the school unemployment aid account in the special revenue fund, and money appropriated.

HF 1415 increases funding for Minnesota's school unemployment aid program, which provides financial support to hourly school employees who face unemployment between academic terms. The bill appropriates specific additional funds from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This directly affects hourly school workers, such as those in maintenance or summer programs, who qualify for unemployment aid under existing rules. The change simply adds more money to an existing account without altering eligibility or program structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates additional funds from general fund to increase school unemployment aid program funding, directly strengthening budget allocation for essential worker support.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases funding for school unemployment aid, directly supporting K-12 hourly staff financial stability through expanded fiscal appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases funding for school unemployment aid, expanding financial support for hourly school workers between terms, directly strengthening employment benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SF 2557: Funding increase for the school unemployment aid account in the special revenue fund

SF 2557 increases funding for the school unemployment aid account, which provides financial support to hourly school staff who lose summer employment. The bill appropriates specific funds from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, directly affecting school employees who work seasonal summer terms. This is a funding mechanism, not a new policy, and it aligns with existing provisions under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.995. The bill does not change eligibility or benefit amounts but ensures dedicated funding for this existing program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state funding allocation from general fund to school unemployment aid program, directly supporting education budget priorities per statutory alignment.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases funding for hourly school staff unemployment aid, directly supporting K-12 educators' financial stability through existing education funding mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds unemployment aid for seasonal school staff, expanding worker benefits under existing law (MN Stat 124D.995) without altering eligibility or requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 20, 2025

HF 2210: Additional school unemployment aid funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 2210 allocates $105 million from the general fund to the Minnesota Department of Education for school unemployment aid under existing law (Minnesota Statutes § 124D.995). This one-time funding directly supports school districts and employees eligible for unemployment benefits during school-related layoffs. The bill provides no new policy changes but ensures existing unemployment aid programs receive additional financial resources for the 2026 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $105M from general fund for school unemployment aid, increasing funding for existing public service program without policy changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $105M for school unemployment aid under existing law, directly funding K-12 district support and employee benefits without policy changes.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $105M for school unemployment aid, strengthening existing worker benefit program without policy changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2025

HF 2728: Child care great start compensation support payments modified.

HF 2728 modifies Minnesota's Great Start Compensation Support Payments for child care programs. It changes how payments are calculated by basing them on full-time equivalent staff caring for children, with one full-time equivalent defined as 32 hours weekly. The bill adds a 10% payment increase for programs receiving child care assistance under specific statutes or located in designated "child care access equity areas" (defined as regions with low child care access, high poverty, unemployment, low homeownership, and low median income). These changes apply directly to licensed child care programs serving young children.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases payments to child care programs, including 10% boost for equity areas with high poverty/unemployment, supporting workforce compensation in child care sector.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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