Minn. committee hears wide split on changes to paid family and medical leave; author’s amendment adopted and bill laid over

Representative Baker, author of House File 1976, presented the bill and an A-1 amendment and the committee adopted the amendment by voice vote before laying the bill over for further consideration.

The bill would modify the Minnesota paid family and medical leave program enacted in 2023. Baker told the committee the measure is intended to "right-size" the law and to offer more choices for employers and unions, including a proposed 67% wage replacement level and options for smaller employers. "What this bill does, it provides the ability to have a discussion at the next collective bargaining agreement," Baker said, describing provisions that would require bargaining units and employers to address how the state program fits with existing contracts.

Supporters of HF 1976 -- including many small-business owners, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the League of Minnesota Cities and county officials -- told the committee the existing law creates administrative and financial challenges for small and public employers. Andy Wilkie, executive vice president of Greater Mankato Growth (a chamber/economic development organization), said his members "sympathize with the goals" of paid leave but welcomed the bill's changes because the program "as passed . . . will be the most generous and expansive in the nation." Small-business owners described narrow staffing margins and urged shorter leave periods for businesses under 50 employees. Tammy…