[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6335607,"mediaKeyId","2288974-2df7985a34cc1f25d091510b7afdc268","parentId",2288974,"title","DEED outlines statewide workforce, broadband and small‑business programs; lawmakers press on grant oversight","audioSeconds",2939,"startMs",1390000,"endMs",4329000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288974-2df7985a34cc1f25d091510b7afdc268&start=1390&end=4329","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288974-2df7985a34cc1f25d091510b7afdc268/thumbnail_1390000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6335607/Minnesota/DEED-outlines-statewide-workforce-broadband-and-smallbusiness-programs-lawmakers-press-on-grant-oversight","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335607-c98824c6c8841f1d739fdf0888548162/orig.mp4?Expires=1771026398&Signature=ORYhoKRuizjam7nOwIntrvE-agCIzftwA6pROEg~P3OnJDHwCycMzZk7NjLJjW5Rksst6f3zAuk90DbSbIdQeoEwZPLCwhmaR9iwBMKZEjCtI0EbfZBBgEHIqKz1qfecPAGTKkhcp459mMs0gRjtGR0x~52QV0nVyLeCgyDt2U82CvvkhCjjk5LBP0ffKmSspmxHigCzCEjlHix7PqaELT5F8Gtrb80r6bBSzK0PeHzYvC1Pvrykb~aFCMwHXDoV~VT6CN8KWo-3tnE0aPcdwPJ8zx5SvQyZ7yCKEm3YSiWBRmKTbgjvy8ET8lNpY0EYv71CgxwQ54r9YkBEwrP~3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MNHouseInfo","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","ST. PAUL — Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Verlick told the Minnesota House Workforce Committee on Jan. 8 that his agency seeks to “empower the growth of the Minnesota economy for everyone,” framing DEED’s combined economic‑development and workforce responsibilities as a way to connect workers to employer needs.

The presentation outlined DEED’s major program areas — business finance and community development, the Minnesota Trade Office, broadband development, and labor market analysis — and described how the agency pairs workforce services such as CareerForce centers with employer‑focused programs, apprenticeship supports and small‑business assistance. “We increasingly are seeking to work even better with our fellow agencies,” Verlick said, noting the agency’s role coordinating state workforce resources and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board.

Committee members pressed DEED on two recurring themes: how the agency paced distribution of large new grants passed by the Legislature the previous session, and how DEED is preparing for uncertainty in federal funding streams. Deputy commissioners said DEED staged requests for proposals to avoid overwhelming applicants and staff, and performed front‑end risk assessments to ensure nonprofits were eligible and had required fiscal infrastructure before grant agreements were signed. “We will usually, regardless if it’s a direct appropriation or a competitive grant, look at that first to determine that,” Deputy Commissioner Mark Majors said of risk reviews.

DEED officials told the committee most awards were executed and grantees funded, but acknowledged exceptions where proposed uses did not match statutory language or where applicants were ineligible. Majors said the agency used monitoring and targeted technical assistance to address compliance problems and that in a small number of cases funding was delayed while paperwork or eligibility issues were resolved.

Broadband and federal funds drew particular attention. DEED’s Office of Broadband Development is administering a federal broadband award the agency described as roughly $652,000,000 intended to extend service across Greater Minnesota; officials said federal requirements and mapping tasks have required substantial agency work before funds can be deployed. Verlick told members that an interruption in federal funding would be difficult for the state to absorb: “That’s a whopper for us and critical to getting to those households and businesses that don’t yet have service.”

Members representing Minneapolis, Saint Paul and other districts raised questions about outreach and access. Representative Hussain said constituents in his St. Paul district report very low household incomes and limited internet access; he asked how DEED targets services in neighborhoods with limited transportation and broadband. Verlick and Majors pointed to multiple delivery channels — about 55 CareerForce centers statewide, in‑person small‑business development centers, library sites where DEED staff provide services, and community partners such as community development financial institutions — and to youth and small‑business grants aimed at building pathways into work.

DEED officials also described anti‑fraud and compliance efforts across program areas. Verlick said the agency uses different front‑end checks depending on whether funds go to individuals, nonprofits or businesses, and that tailored monitoring and training reduced prohibited‑practice penalties in one recent compliance cohort. “We view our anti‑fraud efforts as robust and tailored for each of the various programs administered across the agency,” he said.

Lawmakers and agency staff discussed near‑term committee priorities, including a planned review of CareerForce centers statewide to understand who is using them and how traffic and services have changed. Chair Dave Baker said he wants the committee to “dive a little bit more into the CareerForce centers around the state,” citing a visit that showed evolving service delivery.

The hearing closed with members thanking DEED for the overview and scheduling follow‑up briefings, including a joint presentation with the Legislative Budget Office on fiscal notes and program funding. DEED officials said they would return with more detailed data about grant execution, program outcomes and broadband implementation timelines.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Verlick told the Minnesota House Workforce Committee on Jan. 8 that his agency seeks to “empower the growth of the Minnesota economy for everyone,” and outlined DEED’s workforce, business and broadband efforts.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335604,"Labor and Industry highlights enforcement, workers’ comp rehabilitation, apprenticeship and new nursing‑home rules",3339,2930000,6269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288974-2df7985a34cc1f25d091510b7afdc268&start=2930&end=6269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288974-2df7985a34cc1f25d091510b7afdc268/thumbnail_2930000.jpg","/articles/6335604/Minnesota/Labor-and-Industry-highlights-enforcement-workers-comp-rehabilitation-apprenticeship-and-new-nursinghome-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335604-d4175a1eedf2e097a9c6fab6f084b78a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771026398&Signature=Ae8qnuJKriotC7i9M2SNbdj-66MdQV4qNZfryYKke85qrEDd6UQzD75tZG2w~ctMqICtfT9bw3mJVv2fJa5F~dQ6eEODV6L9RCIVc0crJaOauG4trQ3XwpljMKlFdELSkPPXlfaSYqDArrheczRVzQYAt92F64VEXcWPADu0LJ7tESZReRZTpGxYXnWc1alLBlTzAatLAcsPkvO04ZFukUWnyJCWxNMdvRHp0lCxVm4I-zmkHGPDPz8nDs2ZkTT8poIKMvUbDHofSPF1OuJoohWD0baW8Yj3lf3c~h-st~iSlm7gcCVNV7qgjQo3eJPZhPfTOCB2DLeTfAluv0yGhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ST. PAUL — Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Nicole Lisonbee told the House Workforce Committee on Jan. 8 that the agency’s mission is to “ensure that Minnesota's work and living environments are equitable, healthy and safe,” and reviewed the department’s operating divisions and recent enforcement activity.

Lisonbee opened with a budget and funding overview, noting that roughly half of the department’s revenue comes from the Workers’ Compensation Fund and smaller shares from construction‑codes fees, federal funds and the general fund. She said penalty funds collected by different divisions are distributed to different state accounts depending on program rules.

On workers’ compensation, Lisonbee highlighted vocational rehabilitation and the department’s special compensation fund, which covers claims when employers lack insurance. She described a case where Vocational Rehabilitation Unit staff helped an injured worker with concussion‑related driving limits reenter the workforce as a paraprofessional, and another where the special compensation fund paid benefits when an uninsured employer failed to carry coverage.

Lisonbee reported that targeted compliance training for payers identified with many prohibited‑practice penalties sharply reduced subsequent penalties, and she pointed the committee to the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, a mixed labor‑and‑business body that reviews changes to the work‑comp chapter.

The department also reviewed its Construction Codes and Licensing Division, which licenses electricians, plumbers, roofers and other trades, and noted a change in exam proctoring that expanded in‑state testing availability beyond St. Paul to communities such as Duluth, Mankato and Rochester. “Exams are now offered and administered regularly…in numerous municipalities,” she said, citing 2024 licensing volumes (about 9,000 exams proctored, roughly 3,500 outside St. Paul).

Lisonbee summarized Labor Standards enforcement in 2024: the division returned more than $2.25 million in unpaid wages to workers, assessed more than $2.1 million in civil penalties, and handled over 23,000 inquiries. She cited several enforcement actions: a consent order with Bushel Boy for unpaid overtime wages, an investigation into Sanford related to pregnancy‑related hour cuts and termination, a consent order with Grape Tree Medical for fees charged to employees (about $336,000 in back wages and liquidated damages for more than 900 employees), and a Smithfield Packaged Meats Corporation case that resulted in a $2 million penalty for employing minors in hazardous shifts.

On the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, Lisonbee said the board adopted two standards: a wage (minimum compensation) standard that is not in effect because it requires state funding and federal approval, and a posting/holiday standard that went into effect Jan. 1. The holiday standard requires time‑and‑a‑half for work on state‑recognized holidays; Lisonbee said the minimum‑compensation rule is not enforced without required funding and approvals.

Minnesota OSHA reported both consultation and compliance activities: OSHA consultation provides free on‑site assistance and MNSTAR recognition for employers that go beyond baseline safety; OSHA compliance conducted inspections, identified workplace hazards and delivered outreach last year. Lisonbee said Minnesota OSHA visited more than 1,000 establishments and identified nearly 3,000 hazards in 2024, in addition to thousands of outreach contacts.

Apprenticeship Minnesota reported roughly 11,000 active apprentices and about 2,000 apprenticeship completions in 2024 across 214 registered programs. Lisonbee emphasized apprenticeships expanding beyond trades into sectors such as early childhood education and teacher apprenticeship programs intended to address teacher shortages.

Committee members asked about enforcement capacity and trends in work‑comp claims. Lisonbee said enforcement capacity has improved in recent years through added investigators and inspectors and said the state is seeing fewer work‑comp claims — a trend she attributed in part to safety investments and enhanced OSHA activity.

Representative Zalesnikar asked whether the Jan. 1 holiday rule for nursing homes carried state funding to offset costs; Lisonbee said the rule’s holiday pay provision did not require a legislative funding appropriation and therefore went into effect, while the minimum compensation rule remains pending funding and federal approval.

The committee adjourned with a plan to continue oversight and follow up on fiscal analyses in an upcoming session with the Legislative Budget Office.

","Commissioner Nicole Lisonbee told the House Workforce Committee on Jan. 8 that the Department of Labor and Industry’s work spans workers’ compensation, construction codes, labor standards, Minnesota OSHA and apprenticeships, and she summarized enforcement activity and program statistics for 2024.","actionData","errors"]

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DEED outlines statewide workforce, broadband and small‑business programs; lawmakers press on grant oversight

Labor and Industry highlights enforcement, workers’ comp rehabilitation, apprenticeship and new nursing‑home rules