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HF 4624

Exception to inquiring into pay history that is a matter of public record modified.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Huot and 1 co-sponsor

HF 4624 changes how pay history that is publicly available can be used to determine compensation, creating or narrowing an exception for inquiring about public pay data.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
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Bill Summary · HF 4624

Summary of HF 4624 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Overview

HF 4624, introduced in the 2025-2026 Minnesota legislative session, addresses limitations on inquiries into an employee’s pay history when that pay history is a matter of public record. The bill modifies the existing rule governing what may be asked or used in determining compensation, focusing on the scope of permissible inquiry into pay history that is already a matter of public record.

  • Session/Jurisdiction: Minnesota House of Representatives, 2025-2026
  • Title: Exception to inquiring into pay history that is a matter of public record modified
  • Status: Introduced and referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law on March 25, 2026
  • Sponsors:
    • Primary sponsors (per provided info): John Huot, Jeff Witte
    • Co-sponsors: (as listed)

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to modify how pay history that is publicly accessible can be used or inquired about in the context of determining compensation. Specifically, it creates or narrows an exception related to inquiring into pay history that is already a public record, potentially altering what information can be requested or utilized during pay determinations, negotiations, or settlements.

Key Provisions (as implied by title and standard structure)

Note: The exact statutory language is not provided here, but the bill’s title and procedural history imply the following likely areas:

  • Limitation on Pay History Inquiries: Establishes an exception to allowable questions about an employee’s pay history when that information is a matter of public record. This could restrict or condition how such information can be used in compensation decisions or negotiations.
  • Scope of Public Record Pay History: Defines what constitutes “pay history” and what is considered “a matter of public record” for the purposes of this exception.
  • Compliance Requirements: May set forth duties for employers, employees, or public bodies to verify whether pay history is public and how to handle it in practice.
  • Enforcement and Penalties: Potentially includes penalties or remedies for violations, though specifics would be in the statutory text.

Who Is Affected

  • Employers and Public Entities: Those who engage in setting or negotiating compensation for employees and may consider pay history in decision-making.
  • Employees/Job Applicants: Individuals whose pay history might be sought or used as part of compensation discussions, particularly when such history is publicly available.
  • State and Local Agencies: If applicable to public records or procurement contexts, agencies handling compensation-related inquiries.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and First Reading: March 25, 2026
  • Referral: Judiciary Finance and Civil Law committee
  • Next Steps: Floor action, potential amendments, and consideration by additional committees as determined by the House rules and the bill’s content.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Pay Equity Implications: By constraining the use of public-pay-history data, the bill could influence compensation practices toward reducing reliance on prior salary, aligning with broader pay equity goals.
  • Transparency vs. Privacy: The bill navigates balance between public-record information and the ethical use of that data in wage determinations.
  • Administrative Burden: May require employers to implement processes to verify what constitutes a public record and to avoid improper inquiries.

If you would like, I can tailor this summary to include exact statutory language once available, or add a comparison to existing Minnesota law on pay history inquiries and public records.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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