Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to provide additional unemployment benefits to certain workers in the iron ore mining industry in Minnesota. This support is for those who have lost their jobs due to layoffs after May 19, 2025, due to a lack of work.

Main Provisions

• Eligibility: Workers who were laid off from employers in the iron ore mining industry, or from companies that supply goods or services to these employers, due to cessation or substantial reduction of operations, can apply for these benefits.
• Benefits Duration: Eligible workers can receive additional unemployment benefits up to 26 weeks, matching the standard rate they previously received.
• Additional Account: If eligible workers set up a new regular unemployment benefit account while receiving additional benefits, they must switch to the new account if it provides the same or higher benefits. If the new account offers less, they should continue receiving additional benefits until exhausted.

Significant Changes

• These additional benefits are not to influence future unemployment tax rates for employers, except for those directly involved in the iron ore mining layoffs.
• Workers eligible for federal Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits are excluded from receiving these additional state benefits.

Relevant Terms

iron ore mining, unemployment benefits, layoffs, Minnesota unemployment insurance, Trade Readjustment Allowance, benefit account, iron mining industry, additional unemployment benefits, unemployment tax rate.