Minnesota Laws that Go Into Effect Jan. 1

When the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, a new law will go into effect that means Minnesota voters will no longer spend hours caucusing for their favorite presidential candidate every four years. As we head into the New Year, we're taking note of the new laws that will go into effect in Minnesota on Jan. 1.:

1. Presidential primary to replace caucus election

Minnesota will change from a caucus to a primary election system during the next presidential election.
Sponsored by Rep. Tim Sanders (R-Blaine) and Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope), a new law establishes a presidential nomination primary election that will be in place during the 2020 presidential race. A primary will allow all-day voting rather than having all voters to come together at a specific time on precinct caucus night.

Minnesota’s presidential primary will be held the first Tuesday in March during a presidential election year, or on a different date if agreed to by the major party chairs. March 3, 2020 will be the date of the state’s first presidential primary, unless a mutual agreement is subsequently reached to change that date.

Precinct caucuses may also continue, if the parties choose to hold them, and the primary election for other federal, state and local offices will continue to be held in August.

2. Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council ideas to be law

Suggested changes put forward by the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council will become law Aug. 1, 2016. The new law will clarify the process for attorneys claiming payment of legal fees in worker’s compensation cases and eliminate the bond requirement for those appealing a decision made by the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

The law is sponsored by Rep. Tony Albright (R-Prior Lake) and Sen. Dan Sparks (DFL-Austin).

It will also extend the deadline for compliance to Jan. 1, 2017, the requirement that health care providers and insurers electronically submit medical records and reports along with a medical bill.

The law will clarify employer liability for treatment of claimants being treated at small hospitals, defined as those with 100 or fewer licensed beds.

3. Workers’ compensation insurance companies’ retention limits changed

Insurance companies that provide workers’ compensation insurance to employers can select a retention limit (similar to a deductible), that the insurance company must pay in benefits before the Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Association will begin covering the insurance company’s losses.

The new law changes the low retention limit and adds a “jumbo” retention limit as the highest level of retention. The retention limits can be adjusted in the future by the board of the Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Association, subject to approval of the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.

4. Life insurance reserves to be in synch with uniform national act

How much money life insurance companies need to have in reserve to ensure there’s enough to pay claims will change.

According to the nonpartisan House Research Department, insurers currently use a formulaic approach to determine how much to hold in reserve for accident and health insurance policies, annuity contract and life insurance policies. A new law will require insurers to use a principle-based method to determine the amount they must hold in reserve.

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