[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6616129,"mediaKeyId","2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266","parentId",2853856,"title","Informational hearing: lawmakers hear grant request for First District wastewater pretreatment project to protect dairy processing jobs","audioSeconds",221,"startMs",4579704,"endMs",4801150,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266&start=4579&end=4801","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266/thumbnail_4579704.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616129/Minnesota/Informational-hearing-lawmakers-hear-grant-request-for-First-District-wastewater-pretreatment-project-to-protect-dairy-processing-jobs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616129-62074f1ff73d9ce2ec95137d63241c1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618393&Signature=NbB3RBNc3leRc6qqf-BuFqF4eYWRQUoIUMcG33RR8wj1kyTAgCxcU6dMQS96DU9GfUybS4ybAvOLvb6ViG6k3HtZftaxySPasan-5q8Bz4kIX7BfbwCe0xhyTb9w43K-0DKiKeU7N1y2XpiC0yzWJqw54ZR6IX9SH5aev5ayL0~rcEPo~SsM4g44eajsIPFFzirCN4GAoq578kjwQ755vWPNMwOKZ~DWE2PX-1w4GkNCjY8KuP7-ulCR1glRzKqkJO6DNhkKWoc2A3yjlAyQBiHZ7cvHBpcSCAeagMK1Qxmjzt1QF6w20arFvDK8ESJqdkIDpbk0luXqZzt~-gCsVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-04-02T19:57:02.93Z","article","Representative Van Binsbergen presented House File 3033 in an informational hearing seeking a $3 million grant to the Public Facilities Authority for First District’s wastewater pretreatment upgrades. First District processes milk from roughly 600 dairy farms across 45 counties and the sponsor and the plant’s CEO warned that failure to meet Minnesota Pollution Control Agency compliance schedules could force at least a 50% production reduction or a shutdown.

Bob Hoffman, President and CEO of First District, testified the operation supports roughly 3,000 jobs when farm employment, plant employees and truck drivers are included. He said the plant has entered a schedule of compliance with the MPCA and that First District is “fully leveraged” and has a funding gap preventing completion of the mandated wastewater work. The hearing was informational only; committee members indicated they would discuss financing options and possible use of targeted workforce grants elsewhere in the committee’s portfolio.

Why it matters

First District is a major state dairy processor and local economic driver; large production cuts would affect farmers, plant employees, trucking, retail and the permanent school fund revenue streams that benefit Minnesota schools. Committee members asked about interactions between the proposed grant and targeted-population workforce grants already in statute and said they would follow up with the sponsor and finance staff as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25","oneSentenceSummary","In an informational hearing, the committee reviewed House File 3033, a request to fund a wastewater pretreatment facility for First District, which processes about 40 percent of Minnesota’s milk.","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},6616133,"Committee hears bipartisan bill to fund construction‑industry mental‑health initiatives; bill laid over",868,3748315,4617090,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266&start=3748&end=4617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266/thumbnail_3748315.jpg","/articles/6616133/Minnesota/Committee-hears-bipartisan-bill-to-fund-constructionindustry-mentalhealth-initiatives-bill-laid-over","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616133-6b9ab011e85a24d597559872793dfa76/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618393&Signature=PCAhbnw5oE~Rhe4VF2nA92qU9uLP9fdltt8BuEUC3KS7CpUH3g~5KANndI9nw02UkXJnDqyzGWATQu1JJ53aQOyn8Np5O4Mx4VfvrnOfLka5SnRRYBCBsa7AevzAJKFcSaQzx3ozvCzfv36dYN-8HlvDQwkW6HSki~jdxZ8MWrKXe83HWRsAcdC1uNAMroBUgASssuV833XUcarkqjkWcJYkgjdwSAm7tNYzfkEFAGmopCCgRh5IPa2KKia~ieU20GuPlt51MtsShYhuFg2C5sktTpvcFGQWdMTFb4wstdpoEQ3195sD7KX8rw2z~Pa86WoGj3dBiEtty318YD5smg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard House File 2468, a bipartisan bill that would appropriate $500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to convene stakeholders and fund mental‑health education, outreach and work‑site strategies aimed at the construction industry.

Joel Smith, President and Business Manager for LiUNA Minnesota‑North Dakota, testified that construction workers face unusually high suicide rates and multiple work‑related stressors, including employment instability, travel, and financial pressure. Smith said his union’s health fund now offers an employee assistance program with eight free visits annually and called for industrywide measures to destigmatize mental‑health help.

Tim Wirke, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, said construction workers are now “five times more likely today to die by suicide in construction than you are from a job site related accident.” He described a new, tripartite Minnesota Construction Mental Health Alliance—labor, contractors and project owners—intended to embed mental‑health practices into industry culture.

Representative Nelson, the bill sponsor, said the proposal draws on prior bipartisan efforts to address agricultural mental‑health needs and seeks similar, occupation‑specific support for construction. Members from both parties expressed support and described local experience of recent deaths by suicide in trade communities. The committee laid the bill over for further consideration.","Lawmakers and construction industry and union leaders urged $500,000 per year to fund outreach, stigma reduction and site strategies for construction workers’ mental health. Supporters described an industry alliance and said suicide rates in construction are markedly higher than workplace fatalities.",{"_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},6616138,"Committee lays over bill funding Steele County workforce services after testimony from Workforce Development, Inc.",388,3348855,3736950,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266&start=3348&end=3736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266/thumbnail_3348855.jpg","/articles/6616138/Minnesota/Committee-lays-over-bill-funding-Steele-County-workforce-services-after-testimony-from-Workforce-Development-Inc","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616138-03d13ef711b72ee925a5cfcc14671b23/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618393&Signature=Uhh3c03wkHOKnRr9HNzzuNXr6GRKuw0QVqryGwU-Hw8kwij0JyCKvXLmzMvXnARowQHFF3f118Xh8mKGHwtM4p13TxIMWDxrb4IxjNEetdkJBJgarpP3s36O77ZrWy7FMCRW3S9gYjdVUTTgZcy8gOtOZoMeLdpLVf-75Hj3eBg2Fv-RrzhNQ7Ki9d-tafEBStSrxoHvlLuPL8e4gbxnNB9fRFnFxc1aQMuSZsUKxYkCrda~ZzysJ1vtiuk9G6T9oMSJ062yU8qvINlH4EmYmgDNsKK9QbqDgy0FpDsq2-wP11bSH7LtMQiHMrYHyLz4BPRho5KQgamQbBH58anoSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard House File 2390, which would appropriate funds to keep Workforce Development, Inc.’s Steele County office operating and providing career‑planning, employer services, and training pathways.

Ginny Rittman, executive director of Workforce Development, Inc., told members the organization serves a 10‑county southeast Minnesota region and in the current biennium served over 300 adult career seekers, 400 employers and over 300 customers in roughly 18 months. She described a partnership called “Steel Co Works” that coordinates employer connections, internships and tours for local high school students. Testimony emphasized manufacturing as a primary regional employer and the need to shore up training and wraparound supports to meet employer demand.

A program participant, Shaylee Gates, described her experience entering the program with no clear employment path, completing two community‑college credentials, and becoming a career planner with the organization. Representative Rick Sexton, the bill’s sponsor, said the appropriation would sustain the program’s gains and help a light‑manufacturing hub in his district continue to attract labor.

Committee action

Representative Sexton moved to lay House File 2390 over for further consideration. The committee laid the bill over.","The committee heard House File 2390 to continue support for Workforce Development, Inc.’s Steele County office; testifiers described services that help jobseekers and employers and asked for continued appropriation. The bill was laid 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},6616142,"Committee hears Iron Range bill combining UI extension with mine permitting changes; moves to ways-and-means tied and laid on table",3216,73775,3290380,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266&start=73&end=3290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266/thumbnail_73775.jpg","/articles/6616142/Minnesota/Committee-hears-Iron-Range-bill-combining-UI-extension-with-mine-permitting-changes-moves-to-ways-and-means-tied-and-laid-on-table","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616142-0fc01df3789b282f562d5c6f743f2d4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618393&Signature=ldZYXR93h23LBSjieYHRNPp-e15lLUlYH5SsTMUYgTy8v0V5dQq1PR7v~ZPYzHvTmDVJrXNLNXHUp944BQUIAi-v-cBTTQMLy98w6clzwmpbcEXpCzM7kWSK0igyd60Vp~tQ3jw8HtkNtdAHW0G5umNO~JfYqdqyPkMsRXacg7kyzhyOk9wFbFX~OAh5bFPkWQTQ~fUtz~a2hsUVHMXMk1uhm~QaaT6F7w9QEhGkOdD3ATbPox7IzRkkve~yzk6wLgNUqr80-HdAtfy8EGFN-A0pHzV9BdTjnqFl7RZePXeMds6jiC2tfnBbeOs6UoQMbX-Hp8MocK-DJLseHZK3Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Workforce, Labor, Economic Development and Policy Committee on April 2 heard House File 3030, a three-article bill that would extend unemployment insurance for miners laid off after Cleveland-Cliffs’ recent action and add statutory direction for site-specific sulfide standards and rules for safe storage of reactive mine waste.

Committee members and a long line of union and local officials testified that the UI extension is urgent for workers and their communities. “This is a bill of hope for our community,” said Al King, president of Local 6115, Menoka, who testified that his local faced potential layoffs of roughly 300 people. Representative Spencer Igoe, the bill’s author, told the committee the UI extension would provide “an additional 26 weeks” after current benefits run out, and that the bill’s additional articles are intended to preserve long-term mining jobs on the Iron Range.

The bill drew pushback over Articles 2 and 3, which direct the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to undertake rulemaking and establish a process for site-specific sulfide standards. Tom Johnson, Government Relations Director for the MPCA, said the agency could not complete a fiscal note in time and that the section charging the MPCA with rulemaking “would have a significant cost” because the agency must start from scratch; the MPCA’s prior rule effort was disapproved by an administrative law judge in 2017. Chair discussions and several members emphasized that the environmental-policy material falls outside the committee’s usual jurisdiction.

Testimony and questions

Union representatives, local elected officials and tribal community members urged passage. John Arbogast, United Steelworkers District 11 staff representative, said management moves at multiple taconite facilities suggested some shutdowns could be long-term and described operations that had been reduced from multiple lines to a single line. “This is the most important thing in my 30 years as a miner. We need to save the Iron Range,” Arbogast said.

Kathy Chavers, a retired tribal chairwoman from Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, said she supported the UI extension and urged tribal consultation on permitting changes. Saint Louis County Commissioner and retired steelworker Mike Jugovich warned of ripple effects, saying each mine job supports roughly three service-sector jobs.

Agency concerns and jurisdiction

The MPCA’s Tom Johnson told the committee the agency recognizes the issue’s importance but recommended the environmental portions be discussed in the Environment, Natural Resources, Finance and Policy Committee, noting the bill’s direction to complete rulemaking would constitute “a new, brand new rule effort” with significant resource needs. Some committee members echoed that the environmental work should go through the committee with direct jurisdiction over natural resources and permitting.

Committee action

Representative Pete Johnson moved an amendment (DE1) to strike Articles 2 and 3 and leave a “clean” UI extension. The sponsor and Range-area authors opposed splitting the measures. The committee held a roll call on DE1; the amendment failed on a tie and was not adopted. A subsequent roll-call motion to move House File 3030, as amended, to Ways and Means resulted in a tie; the chair announced the bill would be laid on the table for further consideration.

Why it matters

Supporters said the combination of immediate UI relief and near-term steps on permitting are necessary to keep workers and communities intact. Opponents and several members said the environmental provisions raise complex regulatory and fiscal questions that should be vetted by the environment committee and by agencies and stakeholders in separate hearings.

What’s next

Committee members and the bill’s authors said they would pursue additional hearings with relevant committees and agencies to answer fiscal and technical questions. Representative Pinto noted a separate bill carrying a UI extension was scheduled for the next day’s agenda, and members signaled intent to pursue a path to provide benefits while continuing work on long-term permitting issues.","Lawmakers and union leaders urged an unemployment insurance extension for Iron Range workers affected by recent Cleveland-Cliffs layoffs while the bill’s environmental permitting provisions prompted agency concerns and member debate. The committee tied on a motion to advance the bill and laid it on the table.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616124,"Committee hears bill to clarify oversight of well service lines; DLI raises plan‑review and plumbing licensure concerns",993,5151085,6144460,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266&start=5151&end=6144","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853856-27cfca14d763131358e078bfdde75266/thumbnail_5151085.jpg","/articles/6616124/Minnesota/Committee-hears-bill-to-clarify-oversight-of-well-service-lines-DLI-raises-planreview-and-plumbing-licensure-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616124-472b5c95129d926ed4e3607dcb481bf9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618393&Signature=WYNuSFOJscTCh4HeaKIG-1m4Kowieh9~lSUZPXv0YBPR31T8Zpz0Jd0QzNsC2cS-6Rbk4VfFcA-zQQr4uKLxLmU5luIjfkkpZDJmQosg4LB22YmM0FASvFQ9ygCmjJ8NkZZOvU94T1jsms5zySrhQuwqSXOw~rQMUCrtTR9Aj8zwXyfWZXJ-m~FOOsBccegh4AtciEc8bGU64R6tqtcRJduq-er0-p79GnY0iTt8TG2huN~hlJQlDBGlNSyoMRISdB9JMqLP0GUDWRfDEESgFYNmBKa8efVNQLcur6rJRdvZm7U4Q9crDB1mhp3joYd7xzNhLL3LsNi~0v-Bu-jNXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House File 2882 seeks to clarify which agency oversees installation of water service lines from wells to the first pressurized tank. The sponsor told the committee the change is intended to resolve a conflict that arose when the Department of Labor and Industry asserted oversight of work historically governed by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Sam Steffel, a licensed water‑well contractor, and Bruce Cleven of the Minnesota Water Well Association testified the bill would reduce duplicative permits and inspections for the same continuous pipe and preserve timely, affordable potable‑water installations. Steffel said well contractors have been licensed by the Department of Health for decades and that “dual agency authority over a single piece of pipe is not providing any benefit to the state of Minnesota.”

Josiah Moore, legislative director at the Department of Labor and Industry, said DLI has concerns that the bill’s current language could exempt this work from plan review and inspections required under the plumbing code and could alter the scope of who is authorized to do plumbing work. He recommended the plumbing board consider any statutory changes that affect trades licensure.

Committee action and next steps

Sponsors and stakeholders said they would continue discussions with DLI, the plumbing trades and the plumbing board to address concerns. The committee laid the bill over for further consideration.","House File 2882 would clarify that well drillers licensed by the Department of Health—not the Department of Labor and Industry—are responsible for installing water service lines from wells to pressure tanks. DLI said the bill could unintentionally exempt work from plumbing plan review and urged stakeholder discussion; well‑drillers and industry l","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Informational hearing: lawmakers hear grant request for First District wastewater pretreatment project to protect dairy processing jobs

Committee hears bipartisan bill to fund construction‑industry mental‑health initiatives; bill laid over

Committee lays over bill funding Steele County workforce services after testimony from Workforce Development, Inc.

Committee hears Iron Range bill combining UI extension with mine permitting changes; moves to ways-and-means tied and laid on table

Committee hears bill to clarify oversight of well service lines; DLI raises plan‑review and plumbing licensure concerns