BIA Advocacy Update

MN Paid Leave updates

Use the link below to access December's update. It includes an initial guidance for employers who want to meet their responsibilities under MN Paid Leave by providing employees an equivalent plan that meets or exceeds the coverage offered by the state.  

Click here to read the updates. 

New Minnesota laws in effect as of Jan. 1, 2025

There are quite a few new laws that went into effect Jan. 1. You can read a brief summary of some through the link below. A few to highlight in addition to the paid leave program are

• Salary ranges required in job postings, “a person or entity that employs 30 or more employees at one or more sites in Minnesota” must disclose in each job posting the starting salary range or fixed pay rate and a general description of all benefits and other compensation. A salary range cannot be open ended.
• Uniform Minimum Wage, the distinction between large and small employers is removed, standardizing the minimum wage across all employers. Additionally, the cap on annual minimum wage increases due to inflation is raised from 2.5% to 5%, effective August 1, 2024. Minimum wage is $11.13 an hour as of Jan. 1. 

Access the summary here. 

Additional changes can be found here.

Notice for contractors: ND State Electrical Code compliance

In their most recent newsletter, the North Dakota state electrical board provided a notice for contractors. They have been noticing discrepancies between final job costs and the actual value of some projects. 

1. Section 24.1-05-01-02 states that “the electrical and power limited systems inspection fee shall be based on the total amount of the contract or total cost to the owner, including extras.” Key phrase is “total amount of the contract." What you charge a customer is the final job cost. Any material a customer may provide also needs to be included.
2. Section 24.1-05-01-02(2) also states “the contractor shall maintain all job-related records for a minimum of four years and shall permit the board to examine and copy all such records as requested”. 

Because of these issues, they may begin random audits on certificates that are in question as misrepresenting the final job cost is a violation of these stated rules. 

You can read the full newsletter from January 2025 here. 

Minnesota and North Dakota Legislative Sessions begin this week and next 

The legislative sessions start up soon and your BIA-RRV plans to be actively engaged. The BIA's Public Issues Committee reviews legislation and takes positions. We work closely with the North Dakota Association of Builders (NDAB) and Builders Association of Minnesota (BAM) to address issues at the state level.

Minnesota

• MN Legislature Website
• Dist. 4A Rep. Heather Keeler
• Dist. 4B Rep. Jim Joy
• Dist. 4 Sen. Rob Kupec

North Dakota

• ND Legislature Website
• Contacting your legislator

NAHB and 15 state attorney generals file suit against HUD's energy code mandate

In response to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) adopting the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 as the minimum energy-efficiency standards for certain single-family and multifamily housing programs, NAHB and 15 state attorney generals have filed a complaint in the Eastern District of Texas.

According to NAHB, compliance with the 2021 IECC can add more than $22,000 to the price of a new home, with some builders estimating an increase of up to $31,000 in some parts of the country. These increased costs are devastating for housing affordability. 

We will update as more information becomes available.

Read the news release and litigation here.