Signed by Governor Tim Walz

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates funding for Minnesota's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget and establishes policies relating to labor and economic development.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $350 million funding for Minnesota's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget and establishes policies relating to labor and economic development (Sec. 2-47).

• Amends and strengthens workers’ rights to take breaks, entitling them to paid 15 minute breaks or more if needed to use the nearest restroom  within each 4 hours worked and an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes if working 6 or more hours (Sec. 2-47).

• Specifies that previously the law entitled workers to “sufficient time to eat” in an eight hour shift (Sec. 2-47).

• Specifies that workers may voluntarily waive their right to breaks (Sec. 2-47).

• Specifies that employers who violate the new rules may be required to pay back workers for double the time of the break missed (Sec. 2-47).

• Specifies that if an employee wasn’t able to take a 30 minute meal break, the employer would have to pay them an hour’s wages (Sec. 2-47).

• Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industry may levy additional penalties for willful and repeated violations (Sec. 2-47).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect January 1, 2026 (Sec. 48).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates funding for Minnesota's FY 2026-2027 budget and establishes policies relating to labor and economic development.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $350 million funding for Minnesota's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget and establishes policies relating to labor and economic development (Sec. 2-47).

• Amends and strengthens workers’ rights to take breaks, entitling them to paid 15 minute breaks or more if needed to use the nearest restroom  within each 4 hours worked and an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes if working 6 or more hours (Sec. 2-47).

• Specifies that previously the law entitled workers to “sufficient time to eat” in an eight hour shift (Sec. 2-47).

• Specifies that workers may voluntarily waive their right to breaks (Sec. 2-47).

• Specifies that employers who violate the new rules may be required to pay back workers for double the time of the break missed (Sec. 2-47).

• Specifies that if an employee wasn’t able to take a 30 minute meal break, the employer would have to pay them an hour’s wages (Sec. 2-47).

• Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industry may levy additional penalties for willful and repeated violations (Sec. 2-47).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect January 1, 2026 (Sec. 48).

Full Bill Text