This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 471.617, to allow watershed districts, watershed management organizations, and towns to self-insure for certain employee health benefits, including long-term disability, while excluding employee life benefits. The bill specifies that any self-insurance plan must comply with legal requirements for group health insurance policies and must be certified by the Department of Commerce. Additionally, it allows two or more entities, such as cities, counties, towns, and watershed organizations, to jointly self-insure if they collectively have more than 100 employees, under the same conditions as individual self-insurers.

The bill also introduces provisions regarding the consultation process with exclusive representatives of employees before adopting a self-insured plan or dissolving any existing self-insurance fund. It mandates that employers provide written notice and obtain agreement from the exclusive representative representing the largest number of employees before making such decisions. Furthermore, it allows entities with self-insurance health benefit plans to permit employees to enroll in health insurance plans at their own expense upon request from their exclusive representatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 471.617
1st Engrossment: 471.617