Blogs
Building a Future: Tackling Minnesota’s Housing Crisis Through Workforce Development
Minnesota is pushing for more housing, and energy efficiency across the state. To make this happen, it first needs to address the residential construction workforce shortage. Since the beginning of the pandemic, housing has been a marquee issue in federal, state, and municipal politics across the country. Debate continues to loom large on issues of zoning […]
2024 Legislative Session Wrap-Up
The DFL Trifecta Biennium & The House of Labor The setting: January 2nd, 2023, the in-coming DFL majorities met for a massive pre-session fundraiser, collecting on every lobbyist and interest group that hoped to be a part of the DFL trifecta biennium that was set to launch. The location, the labor temple in St. Paul, […]
Independent Contractor Test – SF 4483
Below is the proposed new test for independent contract workers. If passed, you could hit with hefty fines when found to be misclassifying an employee. Subd 4) An individual is an independent contractor and not an employee of the person for whom the individual is providing or performing services in the course of the […]
BAM Letter to the Members of the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee
The following is a letter drafted to Representative Kraft, Chair Acomb, and Members of the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee, April 2, 2024 Dear Representative Kraft, The Builders Association of Minnesota is writing to express our concerns about the proposed legislation that mandates a 70% reduction in energy consumption for new […]
BAM Letter to the Minnesota Department of Health About Lead Rules
The following is a letter drafted to the Minnesota Department of Health September 19, 2023 Dear Minnesota Department of Health, The Builders Association of Minnesota (BAM) is writing to comment on the Proposed Permanent Rules Governing Lead Renovation, Repair, and Paint, dated July 12, 2023. BAM represents nearly 1200 residential builders, remodelers, subcontractors, […]
All You Need to Know About the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Law
When does the program start? Workers will be able to begin taking leave and receiving benefits on January 1, 2026. Workers and employers will begin contributing to the program on that same date. Who does the law cover? The law will cover nearly all employees in Minnesota, including both private sector and state and local […]
An Introduction to the New Construction Worker Wage Protection Act
Prepared exclusively for the Builders Association of Minnesota (BAM) by Nicholas Strafaccia of the Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala P.A. Coming into effect on August 1, 2023, Minnesota’s legislature passed a substantial amendment to the state’s wage protections for construction workers. While in 2019, it was thought Minnesota already had some of the […]
Calendar of Events for Newly Passed Legislation
The following is a timeline for newly passed legislation created by the Minnesota State Chamber of Commerce. Bolded items are the items directly impacting the construction industry. JULY 1, 2023 Noncompete agreements banned Lactating employees, pregnancy accommodations, unpaid leave updates and small business exemptions removed Human Rights Act updated with new definitions of sexual […]
BAM Letter of Support to Higher Education Conference Committee
The following is a letter drafted to Chair Pelowski; Representatives Wolgamott & O’Neill Chair Fateh; Senators Oumou Verbeten & Putnam May 1, 2023 Re: BAM Written Testimony; SF2075 On behalf of the Builders Association of Minnesota (BAM), I would like to thank you for the opportunity to share written testimony. Our membership of nearly […]