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June 20, 2024 Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Instagram
Industry News
2024 Legislative Session Update
Sick & Safe Leave, FMLA and more... On May 19, the Minnesota Legislature ended its work for the 2024 session, which featured one of the most chaotic conclusions in recent memory. On May 24, Governor Walz signed H.F. No. 5247 into law, and while denominated a tax omnibus bill, H.F. No. 5247 also contains numerous statutory revisions and additions that all employers should be aware of. Below is a brief overview of some of the most relevant new employment-related laws included in H.F. No 5247 or passed previously during the 2024 legislative session.
MN Rulemaking - Paid Leave Law
Minnesota's Paid Leave law will help individuals take time off when they need to care for themselves or their loved ones. The Minnesota Legislature passed Paid Leave into law in 2023 and charged the Minnesota DEED with managing the program. Additionally, the Legislature delegated authority to DEED to make rules necessary to carry out the Paid Leave program. Rulemaking in Minnesota follows procedures outlined in the Minnesota Administrative Procedure Act in Minn. Stat. Chap.14.
IRA Energy Efficiency Rebate
If you are interested in participating in the Minnesota Home Energy Rebates Advisory Group, visit the link below to learn more and to sign up. At some point contractors will need to be certified so the homeowner can get the rebate if the contractor performs the work. 
JOB OPENING Wright Tech - Construction Technology Instructor
Wright Technical Center is in need of an instructor for the upcoming 24-25 school year for their Construction Technology program. Questions concerning the position can be directed to Shaun Karson, ISD 966 - Principal, at 763-684-2278.
Compliance With Recent Minnesota Legislation
Peters, Revnew, Kappenman & Anderson, P.A®
With the January 1, 2024, implementation of the earned sick and safe time legislation and all of the other recently enacted employment-related legislation in Minnesota, it’s important to ensure your company’s policies and handbooks are in compliance with all the new laws. If you have not updated your handbook this year, your company is almost certainly not in compliance.

Contact Martin Kappenman at 952.921.4603 or mkappenman@pklaborlaw.com for policy/handbook review or questions regarding any employment-related concerns. 
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Center for Energy and Environment
Naylor Association Solutions
MEMBER NEWS
JOIN US! EA Regional Event in Princeton
You’re invited to our upcoming regional event! Join us on Thursday, August 22 (5-8pm) at Sunken Ship Brewing in Princeton, Minnesota. Food and drink tickets will be provided. The brewery has plenty of lawn space so we will be able to play rolle bolle! It will be a great opportunity to mingle with others in the industry. We hope to see you there!
Safety and Compliance
Deadline JULY 1 for Federal Contractors
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) reminds covered federal contractors to certify their compliance with Affirmative Action Program (AAP) requirements through the Contractor Portal by the July 1, 2024, deadline.
Naylor Association Solutions
Naylor Association Solutions
Workforce News
Fair Chance Employment
Do you run background checks on new hires? Should you? Especially if an electrician is working in a client’s home, nursing home, school, it’s a good idea. If the report comes back clean, great!  But what if it doesn’t?  Just because someone has been involved with the criminal justice system in the past, doesn’t mean they can’t be a great employee. The Electrical Association is partnering with Fair Chance Employment to bring you a scoring product that helps you make sense of your background check and make informed decisions. 
Education and NEC
South Dakota Electricians License Reminder
Attention all electricians with a South Dakota License: Remember that your licenses expire at the end of June. If you need last-minute training, our self-paced courses are approved for continuing education in South Dakota.
Apprentice Program Registration
Registration for our apprentice program is now open! You can register online or with our PDF form and email it to education@electricalassociation.com. Register before July 31 to receive $50 off tuition for each apprentice. Classes start September 24!

            

The True Role of the National Electrical Code -- From Controversy to Clarity
I was speaking at a code class a while ago in a Minnesota community. Our discussion was focused on 2023 code changes and one of the participants in the class expressed a clearly negative outlook on the change I had featured on the screen. As the discussion continued, the individual voiced unhappiness with the code in general and an opinion that the NEC was out of touch with the real world of electrical work. In this person’s mind, the NEC was more interested in selling new products for Fortune 500 manufacturing concerns, and yet still wants to uphold its position as a “minimum standard”.