Purpose

• Establish a centralized payroll reporting portal and database for all state projects covered by prevailing wage requirements. The goal is to collect, store, and publicly publish certified payroll information to improve transparency and oversight.

Main Provisions

• Portal and database development: The commissioner must create and maintain a payroll reporting portal capable of accepting and retaining certified payrolls.
• Information published to the public: By the 16th day after each month’s work, the department’s website must publicly display certified payroll data for each worker, including:
  • job classification or classifications
  • skill level (such as apprentice or journeyworker)
  • gross wages paid in each pay period
  • number of hours worked each day
  • starting and ending times of work each day
  • hourly wage rate
  • hourly overtime wage rate
  • hourly fringe benefit rate
• Searchability: The database must be searchable by contractor name, project name, county, and contracting agency.
• Electronic submissions: The reporting portal must accept certified payroll forms that are fillable and designed to accept electronic signatures.
• Reporting and notice requirements: All contractors covered by prevailing wage requirements must report the required certified payroll information; the commissioner must notify the contracting authority when a report is filed.
• Alignment with other wage reporting: Submitting certified payrolls under this section fulfills contractor reporting requirements under existing law (references to other sections of law are noted for coordination).

Changes to Existing Law

• New requirement and portal: Creates a new mandatory payroll reporting portal and public-facing database under Minnesota Statutes chapter 16C.37.
• Data standards and public access: Establishes standardized data fields and public, monthly disclosure, coordinated with current prevailing wage reporting requirements.
• Legal interplay: Integrates with and fulfills portions of existing prevailing wage reporting obligations found in sections 177.41–177.44 and 116J.871 subdivisions 2 and 3.

Funding and Implementation

• Appropriation: In fiscal year 2027, funds from the general fund are appropriated to the commissioner of administration for information technology costs and administration of the payroll reporting portal and database.

Relevant Terms

• prevailing wage
• certified payrolls
• payroll reporting portal
• payroll database
• contractor
• project
• county
• contracting agency
• apprentice
• journeyworker
• gross wages
• hours worked
• start time
• end time
• hourly wage rate
• overtime rate
• fringe benefit rate
• electronic signatures
• public disclosure
• Minnesota Statutes chapter 16C.37
• sections 177.41 to 177.44
• 116J.871 subdivisions 2 and 3
• general fund
• appropriation
• information technology costs