[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6661967,"mediaKeyId","2401790-095d8312d21ebea9d09fc19f1f8ad9ca","parentId",2401790,"title","Bureau of Mediation Services outlines caseload, training and POGAR updates to committee","audioSeconds",552,"startMs",5652000,"endMs",6204000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2401790-095d8312d21ebea9d09fc19f1f8ad9ca&start=5652&end=6204","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2401790-095d8312d21ebea9d09fc19f1f8ad9ca/thumbnail_5652000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6661967/Minnesota/Bureau-of-Mediation-Services-outlines-caseload-training-and-POGAR-updates-to-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661967-ca941fb06fae9f2927fd1ed928ea359a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921982&Signature=NaROcDyalbONSyzJNinfeeCPLdqa4UjDtVwS3crIzIo8KCRw9kRtIJu2mOnH1EjRELgAie2yOzRI0glkMAygyNh6FM6N~tf4dO9owhxkuYMEmDpajvRD0bwNamgMoJMAgltIbReqqxxB-upPav987pe8Dg9hgO~5NT~nxPNUSNg8kqQbrfEo0KfA414ZBn5S13t3ms2a-htdLdiVZks75QlQe1NlbNiqpKwvj7BIjr6n~Q3QcmyYsvNaRaQ1ga5pOg2w8bdUawb7DjF4Efv2ao3d5wyFQ5DBtIooWZMfJvmTjaxUYMrz0K8KtYMuESoqi6wfxaasOrxZRC7pSeIV0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-02-26T18:36:05.5Z","article","The committee received an overview of the Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS), its caseload and recent initiatives from Commissioner Johnny Villarreal.

Villarreal said BMS — the neutral state agency that administers mediation, arbitration and representation services in the public sector — processed roughly 349 mediation cases in FY 2023 and about 367 in FY 2024. He said grievance mediation resolves more than 80% of the cases in which both parties agree to mediate and the agency typically settles over 90% of contract mediations before they reach a strike or arbitration timeline.

The bureau described staffing and training priorities: BMS has six mediators and recently hired the agency's first general counsel; about 75% of staff have five years or less of service following retirements, and the agency has invested in professional development and continuing legal education. BMS said it is rolling out a new training collaboration with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service called Path Forward Discussions, intended to improve communications at the bargaining table and reduce contentious bargaining dynamics.

Villarreal also addressed arbitration and the Peace Officer Grievance Arbitration Roster (POGAR). POGAR arbitrators are selected by statutory rotation to hear peace officer grievances; the law now requires specific training for POGAR arbitrators and BMS worked with Hennepin Technical College to develop a two‑day curriculum covering law enforcement and cultural competency topics. The POGAR panel consists of six arbitrators; POGAR arbitrators were assigned 13 cases across FY 2023–24.

The bureau noted representation work including unit determinations and clarifications (the agency processed more than 100 unit‑determination and related matters in the two most recent fiscal years) and said it will post a public comment period as part of a rulemaking process addressing several statutory changes enacted last session.

BMS said it will use Odyssey funds to upgrade its case management system to produce better data reports and improve stakeholder experience. The commissioner closed by noting monthly open \"Coffee with the Commissioner\" sessions and offered to coordinate with the committee and other agencies as needed.

Why it matters: BMS is the state agency that helps public employers and employee organizations resolve bargaining and grievance disputes; updates to arbitrator training, technology and mediation tools affect labor relations across Minnesota's public sector.

Ending: Committee members praised BMS's role and asked about coordination with the Public Employment Relations Board; Villarreal said PERB is a separate agency that administratively falls under the same budget chapter but operates independently and handles unfair‑labor‑practice adjudications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Bureau of Mediation Services updated lawmakers on mediation and arbitration caseloads, training initiatives, and technology improvements; the agency plans case management upgrades and new arbitrator training for peace officer grievance panel members.","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},6661972,"Explore Minnesota reports rising visitor numbers, new campaigns and film office launch",1121,4218000,5339000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2401790-095d8312d21ebea9d09fc19f1f8ad9ca&start=4218&end=5339","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2401790-095d8312d21ebea9d09fc19f1f8ad9ca/thumbnail_4218000.jpg","/articles/6661972/Minnesota/Explore-Minnesota-reports-rising-visitor-numbers-new-campaigns-and-film-office-launch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661972-69ba2f02002fb458c5f0b582b1d64839/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921982&Signature=Hbb87fQuxRRRM4fSCLNbrH5iv99V08tjKULGmrE1tXKbY1gzEB~mJhPU8sn3Uf2WILlJizgra2UAUq9bJ3isTXyh4hmbyr51XDPl7wmdUUy0brA9UhfCzGau-yYvQ2e0RfqnnSXXxWHuaFI~tj5ohJ-D2zMQZTzzsPej86KdeG3JgUTJFEDoNutf9U-5zY31u5bGkomt2pwIVELHnxP5EJ6gHKdqOLsltpV2oPwCo9Js5S5AHjchX6N9s9lILV6H-WU43Q8FJYKHE3E4gRAcgD56-afpvQIiuRf~O-uXrtAO5pboIE40UwEbAr8J6ACiGT1fuLB6QNqCILnSuaE2Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Explore Minnesota briefed lawmakers on tourism and marketing activity, reporting rising visitation metrics and the launch of several new initiatives.

Lauren Bennett McGinty, executive director of Explore Minnesota, told the Committee that tourism indicators recovered strongly after the pandemic: the agency cited roughly 80.2 million visitors (calendar 2023 data referenced), about $14.1 billion in visitor spending, $24.2 billion in total economic impact and more than 80,000 jobs supported. McGinty said year‑over‑year gains continued into 2024 and early 2025, with hotel occupancy up in January compared with the prior year.

Explore Minnesota described its recent marketing work, including a new \"Star of the North\" tourism brand, targeted drive‑market advertising, international outreach (noting European markets and a growing presence in India), and a social media‑driven spike in engagement tied to a Timberwolves‑related media moment. The agency reported roughly 1.3 billion national media impressions and a calculated media value associated with earned stories.

The briefing also covered newly funded initiatives: a one‑time infusion of state funding that supported industry grants (more than $2 million distributed in the prior fiscal year) and a tribal nations tourism grant program that had awarded more than $1.4 million to eight tribes so far. McGinty said Explore Minnesota launched an \"outdoor recreation industry partnership\" with DNR and DEED and cited a recent estimate that outdoor recreation contributes about $13.5 billion annually to Minnesota's economy.

Explore Minnesota also announced the July 2024 transfer of a film incentive program into Explore Minnesota, the start of a film office and work to make more communities \"film‑ready.\" The agency said it is using one‑time funding to create workforce and business attraction marketing materials and that those materials will remain available after the one‑time funding ends.

Why it matters: Tourism and outdoor recreation are major contributors to Minnesota's economy and the agency's campaigns and grant programs target visitor spending, workforce attraction and industry recovery after the pandemic.

Ending: Explore Minnesota said it will continue work on winter marketing, tribal partnerships, film readiness and workforce messaging; lawmakers asked several follow‑up questions about target markets and activity breakdowns and received offers to provide additional data.","Explore Minnesota briefed the committee on 2023 visitor figures, new marketing campaigns including 'Star of the North,' a workforce/business attraction effort and the newly launched Explore Minnesota Film program.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6661977,"Committee hears testimony supporting ProStart funding; amendment shifts appropriation to DEED and bill is laid over",1275,2934000,4209000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2401790-095d8312d21ebea9d09fc19f1f8ad9ca&start=2934&end=4209","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2401790-095d8312d21ebea9d09fc19f1f8ad9ca/thumbnail_2934000.jpg","/articles/6661977/Minnesota/Committee-hears-testimony-supporting-ProStart-funding-amendment-shifts-appropriation-to-DEED-and-bill-is-laid-over","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661977-f34eace0bee681707514319c10da5358/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921982&Signature=HLws83vYX4MCm8InFMoDrQSk8Y3VnJRGnRhsaD3ROQ6RFHbijljbXbMjYd2Nh5iQjQ1UNx~NDjWZWByTJfD4f4wRn2n5a1I4jsSWF10pr0gaMhstiHHaG8aJuXdHlSvBnGkImzvPWmWg1YwkgLU-3W7h92~vc4lOZy-1eFTvNI6Q9GYZbkGPFKlR5QGu~6Xsb5aWdgalWXY0hN78p~BSZzDQ5T-KM61h5DdAnZ5gHx2XD2CKFL9p1EmhdiRmuvkerJY28RBpfPcRPMIHjJAm-hTvs5hKMMBW5O0epjbRsJlQcbSDo4TAATbeNByRHVLFNinsVELd4NkGcv74BD39lQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Workforce, Labor and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee heard testimony in support of House File 961, a measure to provide state funding for ProStart, a career and technical education program for high school students run by the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation.

Representative Baker, sponsor of the bill, described ProStart as a successful program that trains students for hospitality careers and cited testimonials from students and local industry mentors. Student witnesses said ProStart had changed their education and career plans; Chef Josh Brown, a mentor and board member of the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation, described graduates who have launched careers or businesses and said the program helps address industry staffing needs.

House Research staff explained a DE1 delete‑all amendment to the bill that moves the appropriation from the Department of Education to the Department of Employment and Economic Development and transfers funding from the general fund to the workforce development fund. The committee adopted that amendment by voice vote.

Witnesses from the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation provided program statistics: the foundation reported expansion from about 45 to 75 schools and enrollment growth from 5,600 to 13,000 students after recent funding; it said it has been able to increase teacher professional development and provide grants for curriculum and equipment. A committee member noted the program previously received $250,000 in each of the prior two biennia; the current request of $500,000 was discussed as enabling further expansion into rural and under‑served schools.

Representative Baker moved to lay House File 961 over for further consideration; the chair said the bill would be \"laid over\" and the committee moved on to other agenda items.

Why it matters: ProStart provides industry connections, hands‑on training and career credentials for high‑school students, and committee members said the program can both support student outcomes and address hospitality industry workforce needs.

Ending: Committee members asked for additional materials, including a map of participating schools and details about program reach; the bill was laid over for future hearings.","Lawmakers and students spoke in favor of House File 961, funding the ProStart hospitality education program. A delete‑all amendment moved the appropriation from Education to DEED and from the general fund to the workforce development fund; the committee adopted the amendment by voice and laid the bill over for further consideration.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6661982,"State agencies report early progress on enforcement partnership to address worker misclassification",2825,88000,2913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2401790-095d8312d21ebea9d09fc19f1f8ad9ca&start=88&end=2913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2401790-095d8312d21ebea9d09fc19f1f8ad9ca/thumbnail_88000.jpg","/articles/6661982/Minnesota/State-agencies-report-early-progress-on-enforcement-partnership-to-address-worker-misclassification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661982-0e14295bc39816fbd53caf4383facdd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921982&Signature=WdOM0XfAR5SATy1ulnlRXlpDlptSGldNbNfnB4k01Jn849f8dBktTKE02Q6ezbCfeoOXWZlYZXHLp2Qsc-Qg0dZJrcbPBThTIbYEc2k5fyNC4f3MbWfIDaW9Pq1~OFWfyxEAAlA6O6KxIdhXiHTR2wBTgi3Kgu-Un8vDXDOWJCRMhukVDXINdnhNaYXaxNacF0LLaVe4divV5jFB6Z9c9wY7xtRwQdy3SxWfrU06V8gNoshLCYSU0PjSBsVQi7iOq5wFxrqpGLHtIY9eTkwaw5W114Ef-Mvc2DQ9MbOyAZASQy4yLa~Ktca4qvIRr1HNKEYOMqrSPxCpS6zo80L2PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Workforce, Labor and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee heard a progress report on a multiagency partnership formed to detect and address worker misclassification in Minnesota.

Nicole Blissenbach, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, told the committee the Intergovernmental Misclassification Enforcement and Education Partnership — formed in the prior legislative session — has met repeatedly since it began work July 1, 2024, and set up four work groups focused on enforcement, education and outreach, data sharing, and reporting and analytics.

The partnership, Blissenbach said, brings together the Department of Commerce, Department of Revenue, Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Attorney General's Office to coordinate investigations, share data, pursue joint investigations and provide unified outreach for employers and workers.

Committee members were shown national and regional studies cited by the partnership to illustrate the scale of the problem. Blissenbach summarized findings presented to the panel: published estimates indicate misclassification is common in several industries and imposes economic costs on workers and state social insurance programs. The partnership drew from a 2023 Economic Policy Institute report, a 2019 North Star Policy Action analysis for Minnesota, a 2021 Midwest Economic Policy Institute study focused on construction, and the Office of the Legislative Auditor's 2024 review of misclassification.

Officials from partner agencies described current practices and changes since the 2024 law enacted the partnership and strengthened enforcement tools. DEED said it has enlarged its unemployment insurance audit staff and is conducting more audits (nearly 1,400 completed in the most recent year) and employer outreach that includes misclassification guidance. The Department of Revenue reported it has audited hundreds of businesses for withholding and classification issues and found classification problems in a majority of those audits. The Attorney General's Wage Theft Division said misclassification accounted for roughly 22% of wage‑theft‑related complaints in 2024 and that misclassification investigations can absorb substantial staff time, particularly where litigation or large, multiworker cases are involved.

Blissenbach described DLI's internal changes after the law took effect: DLI has a team focused on misclassification intakes, cross‑trained with its outreach staff, and has increased use of expedited remedies such as wage claims and informal \"inform and educate\" letters to resolve violations quickly. She said DLI has seen a marked increase in misclassification intakes since mid‑2024 and that the department is prioritizing efficient resolutions when records are available. Blissenbach also highlighted two case examples: a food‑service employer who reclassified workers to avoid paid‑leave obligations and corrected classification after an informal notice; and a transportation employer that cooperated with an investigation and reclassified two drivers as employees.

The partnership's data sharing work group is drafting agreements so agencies can exchange information while complying with federal and state privacy law, Blissenbach said. The enforcement work group meets biweekly to deconflict investigations and plan strategic enforcement in industries with elevated misclassification risk. The partnership's reporting and analytics work group is developing metrics to measure effectiveness over time.

Commissioner Blissenbach noted the partnership's statutory report due March 1, 2025, and said the group intends to continue quarterly meetings; she also pointed to a DLI budget recommendation on the governor's proposal: funding for an additional 2.5 FTE positions to support enforcement of misclassification laws.

Why it matters: Misclassification can deny workers minimum wage, overtime, benefits and social insurance coverage, and reduces state tax and premium collections. Committee members pressed agencies on data‑sharing timelines, the mix of industries affected and next steps for strategic enforcement. Several lawmakers praised the partnership model and urged faster completion of data agreements with the Department of Revenue so partners can better coordinate audits and referrals.

Ending: Blissenbach and agency witnesses said the partnership is still early in its work and expected to have additional, more detailed findings as interagency data sharing and coordinated investigations progress. The committee is scheduled to revisit the subject in subsequent hearings.","At a committee hearing, the Intergovernmental Misclassification Enforcement and Education Partnership described its first six months of work, including data‑sharing efforts, cross‑training, targeted outreach and a DLI budget request for additional enforcement staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bureau of Mediation Services outlines caseload, training and POGAR updates to committee

Explore Minnesota reports rising visitor numbers, new campaigns and film office launch

Committee hears testimony supporting ProStart funding; amendment shifts appropriation to DEED and bill is laid over

State agencies report early progress on enforcement partnership to address worker misclassification