Section 1 [Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board; Early Separation Incentive Program Authorization]

Paragraph (a) defines “commissioner” as the commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).

Paragraph (b) permits the commissioner to offer early separation incentives to employees over 60 years old or who have accumulated 30 years of service.  Paragraph (b) also permits the commissioner to offer a targeted separation incentive program for employees at Giants Ridge who will be eliminated if the IRRRB ceases to manage Giants Ridge.

Paragraph (c) specifies incentives that the commissioner may offer employer-paid health, medical, and dental insurance until age 60, and cash incentives that can, at the employee’s option, be used to pay for service credit for the employee’s pension.

Paragraphs (d) and (e) specifies that the commissioner must establish eligibility requirements and may designate specific programs or employees to be eligible.

Paragraph (f) specifies that only the commissioner of the IRRRB may offer the incentives and the employee is not required to participate in the incentive program.

Paragraph (g) provides that the incentives must be paid out of money available to the commissioner by law, and may be paid only with approval of the majority of the IRRRB.

Paragraph (h) specifies that implementation of this program is not an unfair labor practice, as defined elsewhere in statute.