2023 Legislative Session Recap

The 2023 Legislative Session was unlike any in recent history, with a new two-year state budget of roughly $72 billion. With the DFL in complete control of all three levers of state government, they hit the ground running by pushing several long-held caucus priorities through early in the session, including codifying the right to an abortion and passing the Carbon Free by 2040 bill. Other topline items passed at the end of session included passing a Capital Investment “Bonding” bill to improve roads, bridges and state-owned buildings, and to upgrade drinking-water infrastructure, as well as a historic tax bill. The tax bill included record tax cuts and credits totaling roughly $3 billion, as well as new tax increases worth about $1 billion. These new increases focused mainly on multinational corporations as well as individuals who make over $1 million in adjusted gross income or take in over $1 million in investment income.

This article will break down several law changes of interest to AASP-MN members, including high-level summaries of paid family and medical leave, earned sick and safe time, OSHA changes, electric-vehicle provisions and updates to non-compete clauses.

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) passed along party lines and was signed into law, although it does not take effect until January 1, 2026. PFML allows employees up to 12 weeks of paid time off for a serious medical condition and up to 12 weeks to care for family members with serious conditions or to bond with a new child. The benefits are capped at 20 weeks in a single year, and workers do not receive their total wages, but a portion of their earnings. Benefits begin in 2026, which is also when the payroll tax increase to fund the program is also scheduled to begin. The payroll tax is set at 0.7 percent and can be split evenly between employers and employees. Employers will be required to submit a quarterly wage-detail report electronically. Please note that unlike the timing for implantation of the full PFML program, the wage reporting requirements are effective beginning July 1, 2024.

by Sam Richie & Shannon K. Mitchell, AASP-MN Lobbyists

Provisions for small businesses were some of the most hotly debated topics during the PFML legislative process. The main small business provisions include a wage exclusion which allows employers with fewer than 30 employees to pay a lower premium. There will also be small business assistance grants of up to $3,000 per employer to hire temporary workers or pay current workers to cover employees using PFML.

Earned Sick and Safe Time

The legislature also passed Earned Sick and Safe Time (a different policy than Paid Family and Medical Leave), and Governor Walz signed it into law.

28th Annual AASP-MN Golf Outing Highlights

One hundred and forty-four golfers (a sell out!) and 21 sponsoring companies enjoyed a beautiful day while golfing and socializing at the 28th Annual AASPMN Golf Outing at Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake, Wednesday, June 21.

The competition was tough, but the teamwork of the following golfers earned them the first-place trophy in a tie-breaker decision with a score of -13 under par. They were (L to R):

• Randy Krivo, True North M & A

• Joel Peterson, Sunbelt Business Advisors

• Rick Elliott, True North M & A

• Clay Geary, True North M & A

1st Place Winners!

Minnesota Careers in Auto Repair & Service (MNCARS)

MNCARS is a non-profit organization established in 2016 by AASP-MN. Its sole purpose is to promote careers in the automotive industry, recruit young people into the state’s college-level automotive service and collision repair programs and, ultimately, into industry workplaces.

The second-place team was (L to R):

• Joel Benolkin, Fix Auto MN

• PJ Hangartner, State Farm

• Dwight Mack, State Farm

• Ryan Hangartner, State Farm (not pictured)

2nd Place Winners!

Take advantage of the resources in the MotorMouth toolbox at carcareers.org/ motor-mouth. Get out and get active in your local community promoting industry careers!

Congratulations to Diego Campos of CBIZ who won AASP-MN’s 50/50 split the pot raffle for its Education Fund. Diego took home $965 after donating $100 back to the fund. Proceeds from the raffle support AASP-MN’s Education Fund, which provides scholarships to first and second year auto service and collision repair students attending Minnesota’s automotive technical programs.

CBIZ and United Fire Group also conducted a fundraiser to support Minnesota Careers in Auto Service & Repair (MNCARS), an initiative created to ensure a future workforce for Minnesota’s automotive service industry by raising awareness and recruiting people into technical college automotive education programs and industry careers. $719 was raised to support MNCARS initiatives. Thanks to all that contributed and to CBIZ & United Fire Group for their efforts.

Minnesota Member Honored with Prestigious ‘Cornerstone Award’ by Women’s Industry Network

This year’s Women’s Industry Network (WIN) Educational Conference was held May 1-3 in San Antonio,

Texas. AASP-MN member Laura Kottschade, operations manager of Jerry’s ABRA® Auto Body & Glass, Mankato was presented the WIN Cornerstone Award. The WIN Cornerstone Award recognizes high impact actions and unique contributions that demonstrate commitment to the WIN mission and vision and sets an example for others to follow.

“Laura took on the task of completely overhauling the WIN

Thank you 2023

Year-Long Sponsors!

Platinum Sponsors

LKQ Minnesota

Lube-Tech

Gold Sponsors

3M

AASP National

Auto Value / Benco

CBIZ

FinishMaster

NCS / Single Source

ShopMonkey

Silver Sponsors

Accelerated Vehicle Technology

Aramark

Axalta Coating Systems

Colonial Life

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Heartman Insurance

O’Reilly Auto Parts

PPG Automotive Refinishes

Sherwin-Williams

Suburban GM Parts

Sunbelt Business Advisors

United Fire Group

Bronze Sponsor aaa Auto Parts

C.H.E.S.S.

Dentsmart PDR

Radco

Scholarship Program and has done a phenomenal job managing it on top of her demanding career and extra curriculars,” said WIN Chair Tanya Sweetland.

“Laura has a passion for women coming into the industry to succeed, and has even personally delivered shop tools to local scholarship recipients,” added Sweetland.

In addition, Jerry’s ABRA Auto Body & Glass was one of four shops recognized for its participation in and fundraising prowess for this year’s WIN Scholarship Walk. The walk is a fundraising event for its scholarship program as part of WIN’s commitment to driving the future of the collision repair industry.

Congratulations to Laura and Jerry’s ABRA Auto Body & Glass!