Bill > SF4134

This bill establishes an "Iron Ore Mining Additional Unemployment Benefits Program" in Minnesota, providing extra unemployment benefits from the state's unemployment insurance trust fund to certain workers laid off between January 15, 2026, and March 15, 2026, due to lack of work. This applies to employees of iron ore mining companies that experienced a significant workforce reduction (50% or more) during that period, or employees of companies supplying the iron ore mining industry if their layoff is directly linked to the mining company's operational shutdown or reduction. To be eligible, applicants must have already exhausted their regular unemployment benefits from a qualifying employer and meet the same general requirements as those seeking standard unemployment. The weekly amount of these additional benefits will match the applicant's regular benefit amount, and they can receive up to 26 weeks of these extra payments, with a provision to adjust the benefit amount if a new regular benefit account is established with a higher weekly payment. Importantly, these additional benefits will not be used to calculate future unemployment tax rates for most employers, nor will they be charged to reimbursing employers, though this exception does not apply to the directly affected iron ore mining companies. Individuals already receiving federal Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits are not eligible for these additional state benefits.

Labor and Employment

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/SF/4134/