The Voice of Business
The Chamber serves as the voice of business at all levels of government. Through our advocacy efforts, the Chamber ensures that the interests of the business community are represented throughout the policymaking process.
Elected officials make decisions that have an immense impact on local businesses and the economy. As the business community’s non-partisan voice, the Chamber engages with elected officials on the local, state, and federal level to advocate for policies that enhance the quality of life in our community and region.
Chamber Advocacy Team
Jonathon Krull, Senior Director, Public Affairs and Leadership Development
Ryan Parsons, President
Legislative Agenda
To communicate the Chamber’s policy stances, we develop a yearly legislative agenda derived from insight from our member businesses. The legislative agenda communicates a clear set of priorities to legislators and members alike.
Key Legislative Priorities for 2025
InfrastructureÂ
Support bonding efforts encouraging development and sustainability to enhance the Rochester region, including road infrastructure and community projects that positively impact the regional business community.
Workforce
Support legislative efforts to create new and enhance existing talent attraction, retention, and training programs that meet the robust workforce needs of employers in the Rochester region.
Additional Legislative Priorities for 2025
2025 Legislative Session Tracking
IN SUPPORT OF PAUSE & MODIFICATION TO PFML
Modification to Paid Family Medical Leave (HF2962/SF3141)
Over the past two years, the Minnesota state legislature has enacted significant mandates impacting the business community. Throughout the 2025 legislative session, the Rochester Area Chamber has been active in supporting legislation that addresses the substantial operational and financial challenges businesses anticipate due to the implementation of the Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) program on January 1, 2026.
As the legislative session nears the final stretch, Senate File 3141/House File 2962, a DFL led, bipartisan bill to tweak PFML, has emerged as the bill with the best chance of passing and modifying PFML. The adjustments proposed represent a balanced, bipartisan approach that supports employees while ensuring businesses, particularly small and mid-sized employers, can sustain operations and remain competitive within Minnesota’s diverse economy.
We encourage you to contact your legislators to express your support for the modifications in HF2962/SF3141.
The Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) modifications proposed in HF2962/SF3141 closely align with the modifications suggested by our members. These modifications include:
- Providing employers with less than 15 employees an option to opt out of PFML
- Narrowing the definition of family member to align with federal law
- Expanding the definition of a seasonal employee to include those outside of the hospitality industry
- Slight revisions to the maximum length of benefits and wage replacement amounts
Without these changes, the PFML mandate will create major challenges for businesses, especially small businesses, which make up 80% of our over 1,200 members. Under the current format of PFML, businesses will struggle to fill temporary positions, further straining operations in an already tight labor market.
Furthermore, a lack of clear guidance from the state on PFML implementation has created uncertainty for businesses. Businesses have also highlighted the following concerns in relation to PFML:
- Operational Concerns: Unclear administrative processes, state notification delays, and overlapping leaves create confusion and logistical challenges.
- Unintentional Impacts: Increased costs for employers and employees, difficulties finding temporary staff, budget cuts for schools to cover program costs, decreased benefits, and additional challenges for businesses to operate.
- Recommended Changes: Pause implementation by one year, provide clearer timelines, add oversight to monitor for fraud and abuse, simplified compliance processes, and reduce overall durations to align with FMLA.
The concerns raised by our members highlight the urgent need for modifications proposed in Senate File 3141/House File 2962. These adjustments represent a balanced, bipartisan approach that supports employees while ensuring businesses, particularly small and mid-sized employers, can sustain operations and remain competitive within Minnesota’s diverse economy.
Please contact your local legislator about PFML coalition calling for modifications to the PFML via SF3141/HF2962.
Advocacy Communications
The Advocate Email Newsletter
The Advocate shares information on the advocacy efforts of the Chamber and informs members of relevant news stories on the local, state, and federal levels. It is sent biweekly during the legislative session (January - May) and monthly outside of the session. During the session, we highlight a few key bills we are tracking and the impact of the bill on business.Â
Sign up to receive The Advocate and other Chamber email newsletters.Â
Advantage Magazine
Each year, Advantage magazine publishes features focused on advocacy both before and after the legislative session. These articles include insights from Rochester-area Senators and Representatives, who share their priorities heading into the session and key takeaways afterward. They address key issues affecting businesses, challenges faced, and notable highlights.
During major election years, the Advantage magazine features local candidate profiles in October.
View the Advantage magazine issues here.
Advocacy Events
Eggs & Issues
Two-part series covering relevant topics to the business community
Legislative Update
Updates from legislators on the legislative session and expected outcomes
Local Government Connect
Updates from the city, county, schools, and parks as well as expected business impacts
Economic Summit
Regional economic snapshot with an economic outlook keynote
Day at the Capitol
Sharing the issues impacting business operations with decision makers in St. Paul
Linking Leaders & Industry
Fostering meaningful discussions and collaboration between declared candidates for local political office and the business community
Information Sessions
Varying topics of interest, past topics include earned sick and safe time, legalization of marijuana, upcoming road construction, paid family medical leave
Candidate Training
Equips those considering to run for local office with the needed resources and information to run a successful campaign