MN HF501

Amends Minnesota Statutes section 179A.16, subdivision 7 regarding interest arbitration in public sector labor disputes.

Requires arbitrators to give substantial weight to: decreases in local government aid or revenue in the year before/during the contract period; the public employer's general economic condition and ability to raise revenues; and wage adjustments negotiated by other unions within the same employer for the same contract period.

Prohibits arbitrators from considering budgetary reserves when determining a public employer's "ability to pay."

Applies to all matters certified for arbitration by the commissioner of mediation services on or after the day following final enactment.