Bill > HF3030

This bill addresses three main policy areas: additional unemployment insurance benefits for iron ore mining workers, safe storage of reactive mine waste, and site-specific water quality standards for sulfate. For unemployment benefits, the bill provides additional benefits to workers laid off between March 15 and June 15, 2025, from iron ore mining or related industries, allowing them to receive up to 26 weeks of additional unemployment payments at their regular benefit rate. The reactive mine waste provisions require mining operations to characterize mine waste chemically and physically and design storage facilities that prevent environmental contamination, with professional engineers ensuring that waste storage meets water quality standards. The sulfate water quality standards section establishes a process for permittees to apply for site-specific modifications to sulfate standards for waters designated as wild rice waters, requiring detailed monitoring data and providing protections to ensure affected permittees are not forced to implement expensive treatment technologies before a comprehensive rulemaking process is completed. The bill mandates that the state's Pollution Control Agency complete the rulemaking on sulfate standards by January 15, 2027, and includes provisions to prevent the arbitrary designation of wild rice waters during this period. The bill also repeals a previous administrative rule related to reactive mine waste storage.

Labor and Employment

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF3030&ssn=0&y=2025