Minnesota House reports a new bill…

Wolgamott and Hussein introduced:

H. F. 2139, A bill for an act relating to workforce development; appropriating money for the Gateways2Growth Initiative to expand training in information technology, transportation, and health care across the state; requiring a report.

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy.

The bill as introduced…

A bill for an act
relating to workforce development; appropriating money for the Gateways2Growth
Initiative to expand training in information technology, transportation, and health
care across the state; requiring a report.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.

Subdivision 1. 

Appropriation. 

$2,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $2,000,000 in fiscal
year 2027 are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and
economic development for a grant to the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees
Organization (CAIRO) to implement the Gateways2Growth Initiative.

Subd. 2. 

Gateways2Growth. 

CAIRO may use grant proceeds for the Gateways2Growth
Initiative including:

(1) IT workforce training, including (i) expanding access to full-stack development,
cybersecurity, and business analysis training programs and (ii) partnering with statewide
employers to facilitate hiring and paid internships for IT trainees;

(2) commercial driver’s license (CDL) training, including (i) expanding training
opportunities for new CDL drivers to address Minnesota’s critical shortage in transportation
and logistics and (ii) partnering with trucking companies to provide job placements and
apprenticeship programs; and

(3) health care workforce development, including (i) training certified nursing assistants,
phlebotomists, pharmacy technicians, and other essential health care professionals to meet
Minnesota’s growing demand in long-term care facilities and hospitals and (ii) collaborating
with statewide health care providers to support job placement, credentialing, and licensure.

Subd. 3. 

Allocation. 

(a) CAIRO shall distribute grant proceeds equally between workforce
programs inside and outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.

(b) Priority must be given to (1) individuals from historically underserved communities,
including immigrants, refugees, and rural populations; (2) workers seeking reskilling or
career transitions due to economic displacement; and (3) underemployed individuals looking
to enter high-demand fields with strong career growth potential.

Subd. 4. 

Oversight and reporting requirements. 

(a) At the conclusion of each fiscal
year, CAIRO, in collaboration with the commissioner of employment and economic
development, shall submit a report to the legislature detailing:

(1) the number of participants enrolled in each of the following training sectors: IT,
CDL, and health care;

(2) the employment outcomes and wage growth of program graduates;

(3) the regional distribution of participants, ensuring equitable access inside and outside
the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area; and

(4) recommendations for program expansion and sustainability.

(b) The commissioner of employment and economic development shall ensure
transparency and accountability in the disbursement of money appropriated under this
section and program execution.

(c) The report required under paragraph (a) must measure the success of the
Gateways2Growth Initiative by detailing the:

(1) total number of program graduates placed into full-time employment;

(2) average wage growth of participants post-training;

(3) retention rates in IT, CDL, and health care professions; and

(4) reduction in workforce shortages for targeted industries.