This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116L.20, by adding a new subdivision that allows employers with 100 or fewer employees to request a refund of special assessments paid into the workforce development fund. The refunded money must be used for employee training aimed at upskilling current entry-level employees or facilitating career advancement opportunities. Additionally, the training funded by these refunds must exclusively benefit Minnesota employees. The bill also mandates that the commissioner submit annual reports detailing the balance of the workforce development fund, the total special assessments collected, and the total refunds issued to employers.

Furthermore, the bill appropriates the necessary funds to provide these refunds and establishes a reporting requirement to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the workforce development fund. The effective date for this new provision is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 116L.20