Minnesota House hears discussion on salary transparency bill

(St. Paul, MN) -- A proposed bill would mandate jobs disclose salaries and other benefits of open positions in Minnesota.

Minnesota Representative Kirstin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) sponsors the bill, which would require employers with 30 or more employees to disclose salary ranges, benefits, and compensation on job postings. The bill is personal to Rep. Bahner, who says she made $20,000 less per year than a male colleague who had less responsibility.

"My story is one example,” she told the House Labor and Industry Finance and Policy Committee Thursday. “But it is not uncommon to find that these stories are widespread, that they are commonplace.”

There was some push-back at the meeting by Representative Brian Daniels (R-Faribault), who cited the state's Equal Pay for Equal Work Law already on the books prohibiting unequal payment based on gender. 

“Why we are going to have another bill putting more mandates on the salary ranges … when there’s a law already on the books for equal pay for equal work?" said Rep. Daniels. Rep. Bahner responded by saying increased transparency will continue to improve employee's negotiating power, job satisfaction, employee retention, and productivity. 

The bill was not passed, but was laid over by the committee. It is possible a future bill in the legislative session.