Workers' Compensation Advisory Council

The Workers' Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) addresses issues and recommends legislation pertaining to workers' compensation. It consists of 12 voting members (six representing organized labor and six representing Minnesota businesses), 10 of which are appointed by the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, and by the speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives. The other two members are the presidents of the largest statewide Minnesota business organization and the largest organized labor association. In addition, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint a caucus member as a liaison to the council. The WCAC chairperson is the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Ken Peterson, and is a nonvoting member. The WCAC executive director is Chris Leifeld, DLI's deputy commissioner.

• View members and alternates list (updated August 2018)

• View legislative liaisons list (updated January 2018)

The WCAC advises the DLI commissioner about matters of workers' compensation and submits its recommendations for proposed changes to the workers' compensation statutes to the proper legislative committees. The WCAC's recommendations must be supported by a majority of business and labor members.

By statute, DLI supplies all required administrative support to the WCAC.

The WCAC generally meets on the second Wednesday of even-numbered months from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., although this schedule is subject to change. Meetings are in the Minnesota Room at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. See the tentative meeting schedule below. Some members may participate by telephone. If so, members of the public may also monitor the meeting electronically by telephone. For more information or to be added to the email list for meeting notices, contact Patricia Rutz at patricia.rutz@state.mn.us or 651-284-5235.