A review of key business legislation from the 2023 legislative sessions.
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North Dakota State Capitol
Minnesota State Capitol
From our President & Chair
As a catalyst for growth and prosperity in the region, the FMWF Chamber serves as a collective voice of business at the local, state and federal level. We are proud to publish this 2023 Legislative Review to serve as a resource for our business community.
Over the past several months, The Chamber has been at the forefront of many crucial efforts and conversations to shape and support policies that drive economic growth while promoting and protecting the needs of our business community. Through our collective voice and active engagement with leaders and policymakers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Washington, D.C., we have continued to make our regional presence felt while advocating for legislation that fosters an environment conducive to business growth, innovation and prosperity.
This review guide draws attention to the results of The Chamber’s top legislative priorities in both Minnesota and North Dakota, along with the corresponding voting record of our local legislators. We publish this review to increase accountability and awareness of our elected officials’ votes on the issues most important to our business community and region. We also intend for this to serve as public appreciation for those who were aligned on so many critical issues. This publication does not constitute an endorsement of any political candidate, party or organization. The list of bills included in this review is not comprehensive of The Chamber’s legislative agenda this session, but contains the key bills that were of greatest importance throughout the session.
As one of the largest chambers in Minnesota and North Dakota, representing over 1,800 member businesses, more than 100,000 employees, and serving the greater region, we understand the importance and impact of public policy and advocacy work. The Chamber has been a long-time trusted voice in this arena building coalitions and influencing policy. Recently, we have further expanded our impact by weighing in on more bills, building cohesion among our area legislators, and publicly publishing voting records on key issues.
Legislative policies impact us all; the more informed and engaged our Chamber members are, the stronger our voice becomes.
SHANNON
Made up of business and community leaders from across the region, the Public Policy Committee serves as The Chamber’s advocacy arm. The committee is dedicated to advancing sound policies that foster a stable regulatory environment for the business community to thrive.
The group routinely drafts overarching stances and legislative priorities, as well as takes action on individual policies as they become relevant. These stances are all recommendations for the board to consider. Action by the board is necessary for them to become official Chamber stances.
The Board of Directors, comprised of diverse leaders in our local business community, is the policy-making body for The Chamber. They help set and carry out the vision of the organization. Once the Public Policy Committee makes a recommendation for a policy stance, the board reviews the information and considers action on an official Chamber stance.
In the policy world, things can move very quickly. In the case that a policy stance is needed in short time, the board may take the issue up without formal recommendation from the Public Policy Committee.
Once the Board of Directors has voted on an official stance, The Chamber begins taking action. The Chamber engages with public officials to educate them on the business community’s thoughts, raises public awareness and builds coalitions with other entities to make a greater impact. Additionally, The Chamber encourages local businesses to use their voice by disseminating helpful resources such as policy briefs, talking points, legislative contacts and bill updates.
This publication is not an exhaustive list of bills The Chamber advocated for or against this session. Rather, it exists to provide insight into legislation that The Chamber expended most of its time and resources on throughout the legislative session. The pieces of legislation outlined in the publication were selected by The Chamber’s internal staff, utilizing a criterion, which included various lobbying and advocacy activities to determine the level of engagement. These criteria included written testimony, verbal (in-person or virtual) testimony, member engagement, lobbyist engagement and delegation engagement. This guide does not constitute an endorsement of any political candidate, party or organization.
Legislative Review MN
Chamber President & CEO Shannon Full speaking to media at the Capitol in St. Paul regarding our region’s top priorities.
Doug Restemayer from D-S Beverages in Moorhead speaks against the proposed mandatory paid leave program in Minnesota during The Chamber’s press conference at the Hjemkomst Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.
Photo: David Samson/The Forum
The Chamber’s 2023
Minnesota Legislative Priorities
• Comprehensive Workforce Solutions
• Quality, Accessible & Affordable Child Care
• Building a Community for the Future
• Business & Community Vitality
Read or watch our full recap of Minnesota’s legislative session.
Chamber President & CEO Shannon Full and Director of Public Policy Cale Dunwoody joined leaders from across Minnesota to advocate for pro-business legislation for our region. Pictured is Representative Jim Joy of MN District 4B.
MN
Legislative Review
HF 2 • PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ
The bill established a state-wide paid family and medical leave program which allows employees across Minnesota to take up to 20 weeks of paid leave throughout the calendar year, at partial wage reimbursement. Employees are eligible to take leave if they are unable to work due to a family member’s serious health condition, a qualifying exigency, safety leave, bonding leave or the employee’s own pregnancy, pregnancy recovery or serious health condition. The program is funded by an initial $668.3 million in state funds and requires a 0.7% income tax increase. Only businesses that offer a private plan with equal or greater benefits are able to opt out of the program. Benefits start January 1, 2026.
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ
THE CHAMBER OPPOSED THIS BILL
The Chamber opposed this bill as it creates several challenges for the business community throughout Minnesota by imposing a one-sizefits-all mandate, raising taxes and substantially changing the business climate of the state. Our area businesses know that employees are their greatest asset, and delivering competitive benefits to attract and retain their workforce has and will continue to be a top priority. We believe that the free enterprise system is best suited to respond to these needs without burdensome government mandates.
THE CHAMBER OPPOSED THIS BILL
The Chamber opposed this bill due to the uncompetitive tax provisions, such as the GILTI Tax Conformity and Standard/Itemized Deduction and a number of other provisions that are harmful to the business environment. HF 1938 • OMNIBUS1 TAX BILL
The Omnibus Tax bill included over $2 billion in new taxes throughout the 2024-2025 and 2026-2027 biennia. This increase will be used to pay for the establishment of programs and adjustments to existing programs, such as rebate checks, partial Social Security state income tax elimination, local government and county government aid, etc.
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ
The Capital Investments Bonding Bill included $1.5 Billion in funding for vital infrastructure projects across the state of Minnesota, through General Obligation Bonds.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it provided funding for the renovation of Weld Hall and Moorhead Readiness Center, while also providing partial funding for Moorhead’s Flood Protection infrastructure.
HF 670 • CAPITAL INVESTMENTS BILL – STATE FUNDS
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ
The Capital Investments Cash Bill included $1.12 Billion in funding for vital infrastructure projects across the state of Minnesota, through state funding.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it appropriated funds to demolish the current Dilworth Fire Station and community center and construct a new Fire Station to provide emergency services to cities and townships throughout Clay County.
SF 3040/ HF 3213 • MOORHEAD RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT2
INCLUDED IN AN OMNIBUS TRANSPORTATION BILL AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ
The bill appropriates $10 million to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for a rail grade separation project in the City of Moorhead.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it provides much-needed funding for the 11th Street Rail Grade Separation Project in Moorhead to improve public safety.
SF 0479/ HF 0349 • MOORHEAD FLOOD HAZARD MITIGATION2
INCLUDED IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILLS AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ
The bill appropriates $24 million in bond proceeds to the city of Moorhead to continue flood mitigation and protection projects compatible with the Diversion.
SF 1189/ HF 0889 • DILWORTH FIRE STATION2
INCLUDED IN THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ
The bill appropriates $3.794 million in bond proceeds for the construction of a new fire station in Dilworth.
INCLUDED IN THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILLS AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it provides much-needed funding for flood protection and mitigation throughout our region and finalizes outstanding Minnesota assets needed to complete the Diversion project.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it provides the City of Dilworth with adequate state funding to replace the outdated fire station and improve public safety throughout our region.
The Chamber supported this bill as it includes critical funding for Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Weld Hall renovation. SF 2892/ HF 2880 • WELD HALL FUNDING2
The bill appropriates $23 million to design, renovate, expand and equip Weld Hall.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
2The following bills were never voted upon individually but were pivotal issues for The Chamber. These bills and priorities were included in an Omnibus Bill that passed the legislature.
Legislative Review cont.
SF 3253/ HF 3262 • HEARTLAND TRAIL FUNDING2
INCLUDED IN THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT
BILL AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ
The bill appropriates $750,000 in bond proceeds for the preliminary engineering, design, and property acquisition for a part of the Heartland Trail between the cities of Moorhead and Hawley.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill to begin the construction of the Heartland Trail to support recreational opportunities throughout our region.
SF 2814/ HF 2959 • MOORHEAD AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FUND TRANSFER2
INCLUDED IN THE EDUCATION FINANCE BILL AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ
This bill authorizes Moorhead Area Public Schools to permanently transfer up to $5,000,000 from their general fund’s long-term facilities maintenance reserve account to their general fund’s operating capital account.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill to provide Moorhead Area Public Schools with the ability to transfer funds to best meet the needs of the district.
4 Senator Rob Kupec
4A Representative Heather Keeler
4B Representative Jim Joy
1 Senator Mark Johnson
1B Representative Debra Kiel
(Voting records reflect final passage of the bill, previous bill versions can be found at leg.mn.gov)
= Aligned with The Chamber’s Stance = Unaligned with The Chamber’s Stance = Absent and did not vote * = Did not signify their stance on this particular bill
1An omnibus bill covers a wide variety of topics, but includes them all into one bill. For example, an omnibus tax bill would include changes to a variety of different tax laws (not just one specific tax law).
2The following bills were never voted upon individually but were pivotal issues for The Chamber. These bills and priorities were included in an Omnibus Bill that passed the legislature. Legislators were asked to provide their stances on these specific bills.
**This does not constitute an endorsement of any political candidate, party, or organization.
Coalition of FMWF Chamber members meeting with Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson during the Moorhead Area Day at the Capitol.
Coalition of FMWF Chamber members meeting with House Bonding Republican Lead Dean Urdahl during the Moorhead Area Day at the Capitol.
Legislative Review ND
The Chamber and FMWF business leaders meet with Senator Judy Lee and Health and Human Services Commissioner Chris Jones at The Capitol during the ND legislative session to discuss and advance our region’s priorities.
The Chamber’s 2023 North Dakota Legislative Priorities
• Comprehensive Workforce Solutions
• Quality, Accessible & Affordable Child Care
• Competitive Educational Systems
• Business & Community Vitality
Read or watch our full recap of North Dakota’s legislative session.
FMWF Chamber Foundation Executive Director Jenna Mueller and Chamber President & CEO Shannon Full discuss workforce with Governor Doug Burgum
FMWF Chamber Executive Vice President, Katherine Grindberg testifying before a North Dakota House Appropriation sub-committee.
Legislative Review ND
HB 1003 • HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
The bill appropriated $209 million in Capital Projects, of which $59 million was appropriated for the reconstruction of the NDSU Center for Engineering and Computational Sciences and $18.9 for the expansion of the NDSCS Agriculture, Automation, and Autonomous Systems building. Also, this bill included $20 million for Challenge Grants, $6.8 for Career Builder Scholarships, and other key funding for North Dakota’s institutions of Higher Education.
HB 1018 • DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BUDGET
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
The bill appropriated funding for several of the state’s workforce programs and grants, as well as the department’s economic development/ finance, tourism/ marketing, global engagement, operating expenses, and other priorities. As it relates to workforce programs, the legislature agreed to fund 4 programs for a total of $28.5 million which includes; $12 million for the states workforce talent attraction program, such as Find the Good Life and other initiatives, $2 million for a newly established New American Workforce Training Grant, $12.5 million for Regional Workforce Impact Programs, and $2 million for Technical Skills Training Grants.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it includes critical funding for North Dakota’s Higher Education institutions, which support our regional and state workforce needs.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it includes critical funding for workforce initiatives and programs.
HB 1019 • DEPARTMENT OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION BUDGET
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill is an appropriation to the Department of Career and Technical Education to support and maintain its operation and programs.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it includes funding for career and technical education initiatives and programs. The $26.5 million in inflationary funding for career workforce academies, which was originally in this budget, was ultimately placed in the Office of Management and Budget bill, SB 2015.
HB
1158
• TAX RELIEF PACKAGE
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill was a comprehensive tax reform package that included $358 million in income tax relief, a $500 property tax credit for a homeowner’s primary residence and $156 million in Homestead Property Tax Credit.
HB 1168 • AUTOMATION TAX CREDIT
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill extended and expanded the state’s expiring automation income tax credit to include the purchases of manufacturing and animal agricultural machinery and equipment to automate a manufacturing or animal agricultural process.
HB
1199
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it increases our state and regional tax competitiveness.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it incentivizes the automation of manufacturing and animal agriculture processes in the state which improves job quality or increases productivity.
• CAREER ACADEMY BANK OF NORTH DAKOTA LOAN
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill authorizes the Bank of North Dakota to loan funds to the Department of Career and Technical Education to provide grantees with the funding needed to build 13 career centers across the state.
HB 1398 • CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill requires schools to teach computer science and cybersecurity courses. This bill also calls for grants to be available for computer operations and cybersecurity courses for adults.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it provides funding for Statewide Area Career Centers.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it provides North Dakota students with an education that meets 21st century demands.
Legislative Review cont. ND
HB 1540 • CHILD CARE
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill appropriated $65.6 million into several childcare-specific programs and initiatives including but not limited to:
• $22 million to adjust the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
• $15 million to increase CCAP payments for children 0-3 years old
• $5 million for employer-led child care cost-share program
• $1.8 million for care during nontraditional hours
• $2 million in stipends for child care worker training
• $1 million to streamline the background check process
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it made significant investments into the quality, accessibility and affordability of the childcare industry.
SB 2012 • DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill includes appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services to support and maintain its operation and programs.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it maintained and enhanced funding for public health, mental and behavioral health, and additional state and local health programs and initiatives.
SB 2020 • DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES BUDGET
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill includes appropriations to the Department of Water Resources to support and maintain its operation and programs.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it provides funding for the Red River Valley Water Supply project.
SB 2094 • NATIONAL GUARD TUITION ASSISTANCE EXPANSION
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill expands the scope of the North Dakota national guard tuition grants eligibility to include out-of-state and online post-secondary education institutions.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it grants greater flexibility for our guard’s members seeking post-secondary education.
SB 2142 • OFFICE OF LEGAL IMMIGRATION
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill establishes an Office of Legal Immigration within the Department of Commerce to assist businesses with navigating the system, implement a statewide strategy to support recruiting and retaining foreign labor, make recommendations to the governor and state agencies, develop a pilot program to support businesses pursuing or employing legal immigrants and more.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it helps address our state’s workforce crisis by supporting businesses in recruiting and retaining foreign labor.
SB 2238 • CHILD CARE FINGERPRINTING AND BACKGROUND CHECKS
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill appropriated funding for fingerprint scanners and staff to process fingerprints and complete required criminal history record checks.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it helps address the childcare crisis by reducing wait times for the fingerprinting and background check process.
SB 2240 • STATEWIDE BASE RETENTION GRANT PROGRAM
PASSED AND SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BURGUM
This bill appropriated funding for a statewide base retention grant program, specifically for the Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot communities.
THE CHAMBER SUPPORTED THIS BILL
The Chamber supported this bill as it provides funding to our region to maintain the mission at the 119th Wing in Fargo through Strategic Advocacy and Awareness, the Advancement of Personnel Recruitment, and Community-Based Programming and Support.
Coalition of FMWF Chamber members meeting with North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum in the Governor’s Residence during the North Dakota Day at the Capitol.
Legislative Review cont. ND
10 Senator Ryan Braunberger
10 Representative Hamida Dakane
10 Representative Steve Swiontek
11 Senator Tim Mathern
11 Representative Liz Conmy
11 Representative Gretchen Dobervich
13 Senator Judy Lee
13 Representative Jim Jonas
13 Representative Austen Schauer
16 Senator David A. Clemens
16 Representative Ben Koppelman
16 Representative Andrew Marschall
21 Senator Kathy Hogan
21 Representative LaurieBeth Hager
21 Representative Mary Schneider
22 Senator Mark F. Weber
22 Representative Brandy Pyle
22 Representative Jonathan Warrey
27 Senator Kristin Roers
27 Representative Josh Christy
27 Representative Greg Stemen
41 Senator Kyle Davison
41 Representative Jorin Johnson
41 Representative Michelle Strinden
44 Senator Merrill Piepkorn
44 Representative Josh Boschee
44 Representative Karla Rose Hanson
45 Senator Ronald Sorvaag
45 Representative Carrie McLeod
45 Representative Scott Wagner
46 Senator Jim P. Roers
46 Representative Jim Kasper
46 Representative Shannon Roers Jones
(Voting records reflect final passage of the bill, previous bill versions can be found at ndlegis.gov)
= Aligned with the Chamber’s Stance = Unaligned with the Chamber’s Stance = Absent and did not vote
**This does not constitute an endorsement of any political candidate, party, or organization.
10 Senator Ryan Braunberger
10 Representative Hamida Dakane
10 Representative Steve Swiontek
11 Senator Tim Mathern
11 Representative Liz Conmy
11 Representative Gretchen Dobervich
13 Senator Judy Lee
13 Representative Jim Jonas
13 Representative Austen Schauer
16 Senator David A. Clemens
16 Representative Ben Koppelman
16 Representative Andrew Marschall
21 Senator Kathy Hogan
21 Representative LaurieBeth Hager
21 Representative Mary Schneider
22 Senator Mark F. Weber
22 Representative Brandy Pyle
22 Representative Jonathan Warrey
27 Senator Kristin Roers
27 Representative Josh Christy
27 Representative Greg Stemen
41 Senator Kyle Davison
41 Representative Jorin Johnson
41 Representative Michelle Strinden
44 Senator Merrill Piepkorn
44 Representative Josh Boschee
44 Representative Karla Rose Hanson
45 Senator Ronald Sorvaag
45 Representative Carrie McLeod
45 Representative Scott Wagner
46 Senator Jim P. Roers
46 Representative Jim Kasper
46 Representative Shannon Roers Jones
(Voting records reflect final passage of the bill, previous bill versions can be found at ndlegis.gov)
= Aligned with the Chamber’s Stance = Unaligned with the Chamber’s Stance = Absent and did not vote
**This does not constitute an endorsement of any political candidate, party, or organization.
Public Policy Staff
KATHERINE GRINDBERG Executive Vice President
701.516.2114 kgrindberg@fmwfchamber.com
CALE DUNWOODY Director of Public Policy
701.306.2235 cdunwoody@fmwfchamber.com
Learn more at fmwfchamber.com/public-policy
