Workers' Compensation Advisory Council

Remote meeting statement

There will be no in-person meetings due to the current status of the state of Minnesota operating under the COVID-19 pandemic. See Minnesota Statutes 13D.021 for remote meeting requirements. Meeting will occur via Webex. View Webex instructions:  interactive instructions; and printable instructions. To ensure your ability to connect, attempt log in at least five minutes prior to the start of the meeting. Contact Patricia Rutz at patricia.rutz@state.mn.us or 651-284-5235 for more information or if you are unable to connect to the meeting.

WCAC members, presenters (panelists)

• All are able to mute and unmute their microphones.

• Click the hand icon to indicate you wish to speak. If the host or chairperson calls on you, unmute yourself and state your name before speaking. Comments should be brief and concise. Note the use of headphones may impact your microphone.

• After you have finished commenting, mute yourself and click the hand icon again to turn it off.

Members of the public (attendees)

• All are able to hear everything, but can speak only if public input is requested, at which time the host will unmute your microphone.

• Only the host can receive chat messages in the Webex application. For technical assistance, email Gretchen Longbehn at gretchen.longbehn@state.mn.us.

Meeting link, materials for March 10

Link:  https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/onstage/g.php?MTID=e37c7b3689750e759c420c6b754edaa28

• For audio conference:  To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the event, or call the number below and enter the access code.

  • Number:  415-655-0003 or (toll-free) 855-282-6330

  • Access code:  187 235 8857

Meeting materials

• Agenda

• COVID-19 summary from Minnesota Workers' Compensation Insurers Association

• Letter from League of Minnesota Cities

• Letter from Minnesota Association of Townships Agency

• Letter from Minnesota Hospital Association

• Letter from Minnesota School Boards Association

• Report:  Workers' compensation rates in Minnesota from Minnesota Department of Commerce

Meeting materials from past meetings

• Archive of meeting materials

• Section by section summary of 2020 Workers; Compensation Advisory Council legislation:  HF 19 and SF 27 (Article 2) (2020 7th Special Session); signed by the governor Dec. 16, 2020

About WCAC

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) and is a nonvoting member. The WCAC executive director is Roslyn Robertson, DLI deputy commissioner.

• View members, alternates and legislative liaisons list (updated January 2021)

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. WCAC's recommendations must be supported by a majority of business and labor members.

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

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 currently online via Webex. 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.

WCAC meeting schedule, agendas, minutes

Green meeting practices

The state of Minnesota is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of this event by following green meeting practices. DLI is minimizing the environmental impact of its events by following green meeting practices. DLI encourages participants to use electronic copies of handouts or to print them on 100% post-consumer processed chlorine-free paper, double-sided.