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Scho




Hello from St. Paul,

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On Saturday, numerous new laws will take effect in the State of Minnesota.?I wanted to highlight a few?that have made headlines over the past few months, as well as those that may have a direct impact on you.

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*VEHICLE SALES **TAX INCREASES*

On Saturday, the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax?goes from 6.5% to 6.875%, which means Minnesota will have the 5th?highest vehicle sales tax in the United States.

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There is also a $6 fee increase to secure a new driver?s license, which applies to applications made on or after July 1.

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Beginning tomorrow, road construction costs will be considered into the gas tax rate.? Starting a year from now, the gas tax can increase on any inflation to road construction costs.

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*RURAL BROADBAND*

With the goal of bringing more reliable internet service to Greater Minnesota, a new law will appropriate $125.7 million to the Office of Broadband Development. It also increases the amount available to a single project in the border-to-border broadband program to $10 million.

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*?FREE? SCHOOL LUNCES AND COLLEGE TUITION*

Historically, schools have provided free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch to many students coming from families that were income qualified for certain government programs. Now, every Minnesota student, regardless of their family?s income level, will receive a free breakfast and lunch in school each day, and any student in a family (including those who are not American citizens) that makes less than $80,000 each year will receive free college tuition under a pair of separate proposals passed this year.

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$450 million in taxpayer?dollars will be spent on school lunches, and at least $215 million will be used to pay for college. Those totals are expected to rise in future years.

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*AGRICULTURE ISSUES*

A new law creates a grain indemnity fund to compensate farmers should an elevator go bankrupt and appropriates $10 million to get the fund off the ground. It also repeals statutes requiring surety bonds for licensed grain purchasers.

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*?SECURE? NURSING ROOM FOR WORKING MOTHERS NOW NEEDED IN EVERY BUSINESS*

Prior to this year, state law required employers to make reasonable efforts to provide a private space for employees who are nursing. Beginning on July 1, business owners must now follow a new requirement that the room must be ?clean, private, and secure.?

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*NEW FUNDING FOR MINNESOTA?S SCHOOLS*

The basic funding formula ? the main mechanism through which the state funds local school districts ? will increase 4% in fiscal year 2024 and 2% in fiscal year 2025. This translates to a formula allowance of $7,138 and $7,281 per pupil, respectively. Beginning fiscal year 2026, the formula will be indexed to inflation, though the law will limit this annual increase to between 2% and 3%.

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*LIMITS ON NO-KNOCK WARRANTS FOR POLICE*

The new law significantly curtails when a judge can issue a no-knock search warrant, only permitting it when a search cannot be executed while the premises is unoccupied and ?the occupant or occupants of the dwelling will present an immediate threat of death or injury to the officers executing the warrant if the officers announce their presence or purpose prior to entering the dwelling.?

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*?HIGH SPEED? RAIL LINE TO DULUTH*

Nearly $200 million ? which is closer to $1 billion when you take into account federal dollars ? will be spent on a new passenger rail line between the Twin Cities and Duluth. This high-speed rail line is expected to take more time to get to Duluth than if you would have driven your own car and is more expensive than the cost of a bus ticket to Duluth.

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$40 million is also included in this transportation law for Greater Minnesota transit needs.

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*HEALTH CARE WORKER SAFETY PROTECTIONS*

Hospitals must develop an incident response plan to deal with any act of violence against their employees under a new statute.

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*FIRST RESPONDER MEDICAL HEALTH*

As a response to the growing number of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) retirements among first responders, the legislative majority approved a law requiring up to 32 weeks of mental health treatment before a peace officer or firefighter with a psychological condition such as PTSD, or other serious mental health issue, can apply for duty disability benefits from the Minnesota State Retirement System or the Public Employees Retirement Association. Public safety agencies will be required to continue paying the employee?s full salary and employer-provided benefits during the treatment period.

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More new laws will be implemented on August 1, and I?ll be sure to share those highlights with you as well.

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Happy Independence Day to you and your family!

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Joe









209 State Office Bldg.
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-5505
[email protected]







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