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Explore Minnesota Tourism – Tourism Industry Grant Recovery Appropriation

1/25/2023

 
Today, the House Economic Development and Finance Committee heard HF232, which puts in place a robust tourism industry grant recovery for Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT). Hospitality Minnesota’s Jill Sims testified in support of the bill. The bill was laid over at the end of the hearing, so members can continue to work on the bill. We will continue to monitor and support the bill.  
 
Currently, the bill has 3 components, which include: 

  • $215,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $215,000 in fiscal year 2025 for EMT to build administrative capacity to support in the areas of brand strategy, communications and industry relations. This would be from the general fund.  
  • $10M in fiscal year 2024 to EMT for a tourism industry recovery grant program. The grant program must provide money to organizations, tribal governments and communities to excel the recovery of the state’s tourism industry. This is a onetime appropriation from the general fund. 
  • $250,000 in fiscal year 2024 to EMT for a grant to the Grand Portage Band to focus on tourism to Grand Portage. This is a onetime appropriation from the general fund. 

Read HF232 

Watch Jill Sims' 1/25 Testimony

Governor's Budget

1/25/2023

 
​As Legislature prepares to vote on how to spend Minnesota's record $17.6 billion dollar surplus in the coming months, Governor Walz announced his FY 2024-2025 budget recommendations yesterday. The budget proposes expenditures of $65.2 billion, as well as $8 billion in tax cuts. The administration proposes that a significant portion of the state’s estimated $17.6 billion surplus be distributed through spending and rebate checks.
 
We’ll share key provisions in future updates, as we dig deeper into the Governor's official budget recommendations. 

Read the Governor's 2024-2025 Budget Recommendations

Boater Education

1/25/2023

 
​This week, SF553 was introduced by Senator Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deephaven), establishing boater education requirements for operators born on or after July 1, 1987. The bill requires the Natural Resources Commissioner to establish a working group of interested parties to develop course content and implementation and create a short boater safety exam to be administered by motorboat rental businesses. The exam can be administered electronically or on paper, at the choice of the motorboat rental provider. If passed, the law would go into effect July 1, 2025.  

Read SF553

Mandatory Delivery Fee

1/25/2023

 
Late last week, HF580 was introduced by Representatives Koegel (DFL-Spring Lake Park) and Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) to establish a mandatory delivery fee for personal property (goods/product) delivered by motor vehicle. The bill requires any retailer selling personal property (goods/product) to charge a delivery fee (ranging from $0.40 in 2024 to $0.50 in 2027) and then remit the fee back to the state. The remitted fees would be used to fund the highway user tax distribution fund (60%), metropolitan area transit account (36%) and the great Minnesota transit account (4%). We are working to fully understand the implications for food delivery. The bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing, nor is there a companion bill in the Senate.

​Read HF580

Paid Family and Medical Leave

1/25/2023

 
​Today, the House began the hearing process for Paid Family and Medical Leave, HF2/SF2. This morning, HF2 was heard in House Workforce Development Finance and Policy. Hospitality Minnesota members Troy Reding (Ally Restaurants) and Mindy Fredrikson (Gunflint Lodge Outfitters) spoke on the bill – raising challenges the one size fits all approach brings to small businesses. 
​
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Mindy Fredrikson (Gunflint Lodge Outfitters)
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Troy Reding (Ally Restaurants)
HF2/SF2 will continue to work through the committee process, with the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee hearing the bill this afternoon. If you would like to testify at an upcoming hearing, please reach out to Jill. 
 
Key components of the Paid Family and Medical Leave legislation, as drafted, include: 

  • Establishment of a state-administered paid leave insurance program. 
  • Payroll tax of 0.7%. 
  • Employer will pay a yearly premium on employee's taxable wages and may deduct up to 50% of premium for employees' wages. 
  • Beginning on January 1, 2026 annual percentage rates on premiums may increase or decrease based on the formula set by the state.
  • Funds partial wage replacement benefits for 12 weeks of paid parental and family leave; and 12 weeks of paid medical leave.  
  • Employees could miss up to 24 weeks of work, plus potentially access Earned Safe and Sick Time or Family Medical Leave Act.  
  • Effective January 1, 2024.  
Read SF2/HF2 
 
Read Senate Counsel Research Summary
 
Read HM Written Testimony for SF2 
 
Read HM Written Testimony for HF2 
 
Watch Troy Reding's 1/25 Testimony

Watch Mindy Fredrickson's 1/25 Testimony

Hotel Licensing

1/25/2023

 
​Late last week, HF626 was introduced by Representative Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL-Roseville), allowing cities and towns to establish additional licensing requirements for hotels. This bill would give cities or towns the opportunity to revoke existing licenses should they fail to comply with the conditions of the license.

​Read HF626

Driver's License for All

1/25/2023

 
​Driver's Licenses for All, HF4/SF27, which allows individuals to obtain driving credentials regardless of immigration status, has continued to move forward, passing its final committee in the House this week. We expect the House to vote on the bill next week, and the Senate has not scheduled any further hearings. We will continue to monitor and weigh in to show our support appropriately. Check out previous testimony below.  

Read HF4/SF27

Watch the 1/10 House Transportation Testimony
 
Watch the 1/11 Senate Transportation Testimony

Earned Safe and Sick Time

1/25/2023

 
Earned Safe and Sick Time legislation, SF34/HF19, continues to work its way through the legislature. On Thursday, the Senate Committee on State and Local Government and Veterans will hear SF34 and the House Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law will hear HF19. We will continue to monitor the progress of the bills and weigh in appropriately.  
 
Key components of the Earned Safe and Sick Time legislation, as drafted: 

  • Employee means any person who is employed by an employer, including part-time/seasonal employees who perform at least 80 hours of work per year. Independent contractors are excluded.  
  • Accrues 1 hour of earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked.  
  • Employees begin accruing on commencement of employment.  
  • Employers may not require an employee seek or find a replacement worker to cover their shift while using earned sick and safe time.  
​
Effective 180 days (~6 months) after passage 

Read SF34/HF19 

Read Senate Counsel Research Summary

Read House Research Summary 

Read HM Written Testimony for SF34 
 
Read HM Written Testimony for HF19 

Driver's License for All

1/18/2023

 
​Drivers Licenses for All (HF4/SF27), which allows individuals to obtain driving credentials regardless of immigration status, has continued to have hearings in the House and Senate. We expect the House to vote on the bill as early as next week. Hospitality Minnesota has long supported immigration reforms and has included this on our 2023 legislative agenda. As we await comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level, the reform at the state level will bring forward a practical solution what will benefit all of Minnesota.

Last week, HM Director of Government Relations Jill Sims testified in support of HF4/SF27 in House Transportation and Senate Transportation committees, which was featured in KSTP news over the weekend.
Read HF4/SF27
​

Watch the 1/10 House Transportation Testimony

Watch the 1/11 Senate Transportation Testimony
 
Read KSTP Article

Earned Sick and Safe Time

1/18/2023

 
This week, the legislature started the hearing process for Earned Safe and Sick Time legislation, SF34/HF19. Earned Safe and Sick Time legislation has been identified early on by legislative leaders a priority bill to pass. Hearings were held in both Senate Labor and House Labor Committees. The legislation will continue to work its way through the committee process this week and next week. HM is closely monitoring the bill as a one size fits all mandate is challenging for small businesses. HM is weighing in appropriately and working in coalitions to give feedback on the legislation.
 
Key components of the Earned Safe and Sick Time legislation, as drafted:
  • Employee means any person who is employed by an employer, including part-time/seasonal employees who perform at least 80 hours of work per year. Independent contractors are excluded.
  • Accrues 1 hour of earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked.  
  • Employees begin accruing on commencement of employment.
  • Employers may not require an employee seek or find a replacement worker to cover their shift while using earned sick and safe time.
  • Effective 180 days (~6 months) after passage
 Read SF34/HF19
 
Read Senate Counsel Research Summary
 
Read House Research Summary

Read HM Written Testimony for SF34

 
Read HM Written Testimony for HF19
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  • Membership
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    • Join Forms >
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  • Engagement
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  • Advocacy
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