Minnesota Department of Commerce : Everything you need to know

Office address: 85 7th Place East, Suite 280, Saint Paul, MN 55101 
Website: mn.gov/commerce 
Year established: 1871 
Employees: 230+ 
Key people: Grace Arnold (commissioner); Hali Kolkind (chief of staff); Tim Jahnke, Michael Crow, and Julia Dreier (deputy commissioners); Pete Wyckoff PhD, Sydnie Lieb PhD, and Lissa Pawlisch (assistant commissioners) 
Operating budget: $1.28 billion (biennial) 

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is a state agency that protects the public by overseeing more than 20 key industries. It licenses around 270,000 professionals and businesses to help keep services fair, safe, and in line with state laws. 

History of the Minnesota Department of Commerce 

The department traces its beginnings to 1871, when the state first regulated railroads through a public agency. Over time, it expanded into areas like banking, insurance, and real estate to support fair business.  

A major turning point came in 1983 when the Minnesota Department of Commerce took on its current name and structure. Here are key events that shaped its growth: 

• 1885: Weights & Measures program added to prevent fraud in goods sold by weight or volume 
• 1915: telephone service oversight granted, expanding regulation into public communications 
• 1965: real estate licensing added to ensure trusted professionals in property transactions 
• 1969: Office of Consumer Services created to focus on fraud complaints and public protections 
• 1999: energy and telecom duties merged into Commerce during a state agency reorganization 

Since then, the department has broadened its reach to include modern energy programs and digital access. Through each change, its focus has remained on consumer rights and fair marketplace rules. 

Minnesota Department of Commerce mandate 

The department was created to enforce state laws that protect people and keep key services fair and stable. It uses legal authority from Minnesota Statutes Chapter 45 to manage financial rules, insurance systems, and public utility oversight. 

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is led by Commissioner Grace Arnold, who was appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Minnesota Senate. She oversees several key divisions:  

• Licensing: processes applications and renewals for regulated professionals 
• Telecom: oversees broadband, wireless, and landline service providers 
• Weights & Measures: checks accuracy of scales, pumps, and packaging 
• Financial Institutions: regulates banks, credit unions, and lenders 
• Energy Resources: manages conservation, planning, and energy grant programs 
• Enforcement & Fraud: handles investigations, violations, and fraud enforcement 
• Insurance: regulates carriers, policies, rates, and licensing 

These divisions focus on solving problems, applying rules, and keeping industries working the way Minnesota law intends. 

Key responsibilities  

The Minnesota Department of Commerce monitors fuel quality, utility access, and financial conduct that directly impact homes, businesses, and communities. 

Other responsibilities of the agency include: 

• licensing financial professionals and insurance agents 
• regulating banks, credit unions, and lending institutions 
• reviewing insurance rates, policy forms, and carrier filings 
• handling fraud cases in insurance, lending, and securities 
• managing energy programs and supporting conservation goals 
• responding to consumer complaints and resolving disputes 
• regulating telecom and broadband services 

These tasks help Minnesotans deal with daily needs like housing, credit, insurance, or heating bills. The department works to keep these systems honest and safe. 

Recent initiatives and regulatory focus 

In 2024, the Minnesota Department of Commerce launched several major efforts to strengthen energy systems and reliability. It created the Office of Energy Reliability and Security to oversee planning and critical infrastructure protection. 

The department also secured $464 million in federal funding to expand transmission capacity across the Midwest. Other recent efforts and enforcement actions include: 

• launching Minnesota Energy Alley to support six clean-tech startups with mentorship and funding 
• enforcing policyholder refunds from Liberty Mutual after violations of state insurance laws 
• expanding disaster recovery support to help residents manage claims and access post-storm services 
• securing $62.45 million in solar grants for low-income and Tribal household energy installations  
• charging a broker with fraud through its Commerce Fraud Bureau 

These actions show the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s broader role beyond regulation. This includes fraud prevention, recovery support, and energy transformation. 

Consumer protection and outreach 

In 2024, its Consumer Services Center handled over 13,000 inquiries, predominantly related to insurance concerns. It also implemented new regulations to enhance transparency in debt collection and payday lending practices.  

To further support consumers, the Minnesota Department of Commerce launched initiatives aimed at improving financial literacy and disaster preparedness. These programs include educational resources and public awareness campaigns designed to help Minnesotans make informed decisions about their financial well-being and readiness for emergencies.  

Through these efforts, the department continues to promote a fair and informed marketplace for all residents.