The bill SF No. 494 aims to modify the definition of "employee" specifically for the purposes of establishing who is eligible for earned sick and safe time in Minnesota. According to the amendment proposed in this bill, an "employee" would now include any person employed by an employer, covering both temporary and part-time workers, expected to work at least 80 hours a year for that employer within Minnesota. However, the definition explicitly excludes several groups:

1. Independent contractors.
2. Volunteer firefighters, paid on-call firefighters, volunteer ambulance attendants, and other specific types of emergency personnel working in paid on-call positions.
3. Individuals appointed to serve on boards or commissions of a governmental or political subdivision or other public bodies.
4. Elected officials or individuals appointed to fill vacancies in elected offices.
5. Individuals employed by farmers, family farms, or family farm corporations to work for 28 days or less per year.

This redefined scope aims to clarify who qualifies for earned sick and safe time benefits under state law, ensuring certain temporary and part-time workers are included while exempting others based on their professional roles or the duration of their employment.