Senate Approves $667 Million Presumption Relief Fund, Then Adjourns

Six weeks after the Minnesota Legislature approved a COVID-19 presumption measure for first responders and other frontline workers, the state Senate passed a bill that would help cities and counties afford the claims. Senate File 4564 would create a $667 million relief fund for local governments that employ the majority of first responders. Some municipalities would be eligible for the funds if they are self-insured or are members of a self-insurance pool; have annual comp premiums of less than $5,000; and have total COVID-19 claims costs of $100,000. Larger cities would see reimburseme...