MAPA Enews - June 2026

MAPA's Annual Golf Outing 

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 

7:30 AM - 3:30 PM (CDT) 

The Meadows at Mystic Lake 

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Bunker Hills Golf Course 

The Women of Asphalt Annual Joan Donovan Memorial Golf Outing is a fun day on the course bringing together women from across the asphalt industry for networking, camaraderie, and a round of golf. Held each summer at Bunker Hills Golf Course in the Minneapolis area, the event honors the memory of Joan Donovan while celebrating the women making an impact in the industry and providing a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and enjoy a day away from the job site. 

Register Here! 

Abbey Bryduck, New AGC CEO

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AI in the Minnesota Workplace: What the Construction Industry Should Know 

Source: Bassford Remele Labor & Employment Law Practice Group, "The Work Week," June 1, 2026 

A new analysis from Minnesota employment law firm Bassford Remele offers a timely look at how artificial intelligence is reshaping the state's workforce — and what employers should expect from the Legislature in 2027. 

Where Construction Stands 

The construction industry is currently among the lowest AI adopters in the state, with integration rates below 10% — alongside agriculture, transportation, and food service. This reflects the realities of our industry: field-based, hands-on work doesn't digitize as readily as finance or healthcare. For now, AI is largely not displacing construction workers. But the regulatory environment is moving fast regardless of adoption rate, and contractors should be paying attention. 

Three Bills to Watch 

Though the 2026 session closed May 18 without these bills passing, they are expected to resurface in 2027: 

• H.F. 4369 would require employers with 50+ full-time workers to give 90 days' written notice before any technology-driven layoff affecting 25 or more employees, plus fund retraining for displaced workers. Violations could mean $10,000 per-violation penalties and a five-year ban on state grants, loans, and tax incentives. 

• H.F. 4445 would prohibit employment decisions made solely by automated systems, requiring a human reviewer to sign off on any AI-generated recommendation affecting workers. 

• S.F. 4573 would amend the Minnesota Human Rights Act to treat discriminatory AI use in hiring, promotion, or termination as an unfair employment practice. 

The Bottom Line 

Even with low current adoption, construction firms using any AI-assisted tools for scheduling, estimating, hiring, or workforce management should begin familiarizing themselves with this legislative direction. The trend is clear: Minnesota intends to regulate AI in the workplace, and contractors with 50 or more employees could face significant compliance obligations in the near future. 

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• No DBE goals for now. Projects are currently designated "DBE neutral," meaning no numerical DBE contract goal is in place while the reevaluation is completed. 

• Pre-October 2025 goals still apply. If your project had a DBE goal established before the interim final rule, MnDOT's standard monitoring, substitution, and closeout procedures remain in effect. Documentation of payments, shortfall explanations, and Total Payment Affidavits are still required. 

• New DBE applications on hold. MNUCP is focused on reevaluations first. New applications will be accepted through a new certification portal once that process is complete. 

• Annual Declaration of Eligibility paused. Certified firms will be contacted directly when collection resumes. 

What's Coming 

MnDOT is working toward submitting an updated DBE program plan, revising its three-year DBE goal, and developing a new Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program. Technical assistance for small businesses will also be provided. 

For questions, contact the MnDOT Office of Civil Rights at CivilRightsCertificationSubmissions.DOT@state.mn.us or visit mndot.gov/civilrights/updates.html. 

Several recent state and federal actions could have significant implications for Minnesota's transportation funding outlook. 

At the state level, Minnesota lawmakers approved a one-time $254 million reduction in vehicle registration ("tab") fees beginning in 2027, returning rates to pre-2024 levels. While this provides tax relief for vehicle owners, it will reduce transportation revenues that support state and local transportation investments. At the same time, MnDOT recently finalized updates to its Cost Participation Policy, creating a more favorable funding formula for local governments and reducing the local share of costs on certain state-local transportation projects. 

At the federal level, Congress has begun work on the next five-year surface transportation authorization bill, as the current Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) expires at the end of September 2026. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee recently advanced the bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act, which would continue federal investment in highways, bridges, transit, rail, and safety programs. Key issues still under debate include electric vehicle registration fees, truck weight limits, and funding formulas. Minnesota transportation stakeholders continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining robust federal infrastructure funding as Congress develops the next authorization package. 

MnDOT Draft 2027–2030 STIP Open for Public Comment Through June 30 

Greenbelt, Md. — For asphalt paving crews, engineers, and inspectors, finding the right technical formula or troubleshooting guidance on a busy job site just got a lot faster. 

The Airport Asphalt Pavement Technology Program (AAPTP) has transformed the essential Asphalt Paving Handbook into a fully searchable website and mobile app. Built to function completely offline, the new platforms give crews on-demand access to field-tested solutions, interactive checklists, and training videos—ensuring quality and accuracy even in areas with no cell service. 

The free platforms feature several tools for finding and applying information in real time: 

• An AI-powered Handbook Assistant follows your prompts to quickly find information or troubleshoot in the field. 

• Interactive checklists for plant and roller operations support quality control and consistent paving practices. 

• Companion videos demonstrate techniques. 

• Field resources empower you on the job site. 

Developed by the Asphalt Institute in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration, Asphalt Pavement Alliance, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Asphalt Pavement Association, the Handbook covers roadway and airfield paving guidance. It includes topics such as materials, mix design, plant production, surface preparation, placement, compaction, joint construction, segregation prevention, and quality assurance. 

“The Asphalt Paving Handbook has long been a trusted resource for the paving industry,” said Dave Johnson, Senior Regional Engineer at the Asphalt Institute. “By making it available through a searchable website and mobile app, we're putting practical guidance, best practices, and troubleshooting tools directly into the hands of the people building pavements every day.” 

Access the Resources 

• Website: Handbook.AsphaltPavement.org 

• Mobile App: QR.AsphaltPavement.org/YK4RE7 

About AAPTP 

The Airport Asphalt Pavement Technology Program is a cooperative agreement effort between the National Asphalt Pavement Association and the Federal Aviation Administration to advance asphalt pavements and pavement materials. 

Join the Asphalt Pavement Alliance for an upcoming webinar on Tuesday, July 7, at 2:00 PM ET for an informative webinar, Implementing HP Binders in HiMod Mixes, presented by APA Technical Director, Buzz Powell.  

MnDOT has partnered with the University of Minnesota’s Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) to launch a new series of free online trainings on work zone safety and temporary traffic control.