Advocacy

MSA stands behind our core values of hard work, promoting fairness, member engagement, and increasing awareness through advocacy. MSA is at the State Capitol every day of session championing policies that strengthen the construction industry and support subcontractors across Minnesota.

Legislative Accomplishments

• Payment Transparency – Secured legislation requiring subcontractors on Minnesota government projects to receive vital payment information within seven days of a request at no cost. This transparency helps subcontractors better understand payment timelines and leverage existing Prompt Payment laws.
• Duty to Defend Reform – Ended the requirement for subcontractors to defend upper-tier contractors for the contractors’ own acts or negligence.
• Indemnification Reform – Advanced fairer indemnification standards to better protect subcontractors.
• Retainage Reform – Successfully limited retainage to 5%.
• Retainage Transparency – Established retainage payment deadlines and improved transparency for both public and private projects.

Our Latest Victory

Thanks to the support of our members and the tireless advocacy of the MSA Government Affairs Committee, the Payment Transparency Act was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz in 2026 and will take effect on August 1, 2026! The Payment Transparency Act gives subcontractors on government jobs in MN vital payment information within 7 days of request at no cost. With this timely information, subcontractors will know when they should be paid and can leverage the existing Prompt Payment laws (ex. recovering attorney's fees, costs, and 18% interest for late payments).