WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 1905

Individuals working in positions regulated by the United States Department of Transportation exempted from earned sick and safe time requirements.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Isaac Schultz

HF 1905 exempts USDOT-regulated occupations from Minnesota earned sick and safe time, so those workers can’t accrue or use ESST under state law.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
#employmentandeconomicdevelopmentdepartment #transportationandtransportationdepartment
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 1905

Summary: HF 1905 (2025-2026) — Exemption for DOT-Regulated Occupations from Earned Sick and Safe Time

Basic information

  • Jurisdiction: Minnesota
  • Bill number: HF 1905
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Introduced: 2025-03-05
  • Committee action: Referred to Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
  • Sponsor: Co-sponsor Isaac Schultz

Purpose and intent

HF 1905 provides an exemption from Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time requirements for individuals whose work is regulated by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). The bill targets workers who are subject to federal transportation regulation, clarifying that their accrual and use of earned sick and safe time would not apply under Minnesota law.

Key provisions and changes

  • Exemption scope: The bill exempts workers in positions regulated by USDOT from Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time (ESST) standards. This means those employees would not accrue ESST, nor be eligible to use approved ESST credits under Minnesota law.
  • Regulatory alignment: By carving out USDOT-regulated occupations, Minnesota aligns its ESST requirements with federal regulation for certain transportation sectors, avoiding potential conflicts or duplicative requirements.
  • Implementation details: The summary available does not specify transition timelines, enforcement mechanisms, or guidance for employers. The core effect is the removal of Minnesota ESST protections for covered workers.

Who would be affected

  • Covered workers: Employees holding positions regulated by USDOT within Minnesota. This typically includes various transportation roles governed by federal rules (e.g., certain commercial drivers, aviation, rail, maritime positions subject to USDOT oversight).
  • Employers: Employers who employ USDOT-regulated workers in Minnesota would not need to provide Minnesota ESST benefits to those specific employees.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, and referred to the joint committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy.
  • Next steps: The committee will likely consider amendments, hear testimony, and decide whether to move the bill to the floor for a full chamber vote. If advanced, it would continue through the standard Minnesota legislative process (Senate and House) with potential revisions and, ultimately, approval or veto by the Governor.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Worker protections: The exemption reduces ESST protections for USDOT-regulated transportation workers in Minnesota, aligning state law with federal regulation but potentially reducing access to paid sick and safe time for those workers.
  • Policy alignment: The bill reflects a federalism approach, avoiding state-level ESST requirements for a defined federal-regulated cohort.
  • Labor market effects: Could influence worker benefits perceptions and employer practices in transportation sectors, though direct effects depend on the size of the affected workforce and existing ESST provisions in employer policies.

Notes

  • The available information does not include dollar amounts, eligibility thresholds, accrual rates, or specific definitions of “earned sick and safe time” for non-covered workers. Further legislative text would clarify these details, including any sunsets, reversions, or interaction with other Minnesota labor standards.

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

Sign in to ask a question.