HF 4198

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/28/2022 03:52pm

A bill for an act
relating to taxation; providing grants to counties for education, jobs, and workforce
development; establishing Community Career Workforce Academies; requiring
a report; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. COUNTY GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY CAREER WORKFORCE
ACADEMIES.

Subdivision 1.

Purpose.

The purpose of this section is to help local governments address
the state's severe workforce shortage by funding collaborative public-private efforts that
create a strong pipeline of workers in high-demand areas and upskilling the current workforce
with an emphasis on minority populations, new Minnesota residents, and underskilled
workers.

Subd. 2.

Establishment.

(a) Community Career Workforce Academies are established
as a public-private partnership between school districts, higher education, business, local
governments, and nonprofits that will prepare students and adults for high-skill jobs of the
future in identified growth industries and address the state's workforce shortage.

(b) Community Career Workforce Academies must deliver six core benefits to students:

(1) a rigorous, relevant education in grades 9 to postsecondary, inclusive, focused on
high-wage, high-demand careers;

(2) workplace learning that includes career exploration activities such as mentoring by
industry professionals, worksite visits, speakers, and internships;

(3) intensive, individualized academic support by both secondary and postsecondary
faculty within an extended academic year or school day that enables students to progress
through the program at their own pace;

(4) an opportunity to earn a postsecondary credential or degree;

(5) a commitment to students who complete the program to be first in line for a job with
participating business partners following completion of the program; and

(6) upskilling the current adult workforce with an emphasis on minority populations,
new Minnesota residents, underskilled workers, and those who are unemployed or
underemployed.

Subd. 3.

Objectives.

(a) A Community Career Workforce Academy must accomplish
the following:

(1) develop programs of study in high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand career areas
for students and adults while addressing the workforce shortage;

(2) align school, college, and community systems in the programs of study developed
under this section;

(3) support strong academic performance by program participants;

(4) promote informed and appropriate career exploration choices and preparation; and

(5) ensure that employers in key technical and high-demand fields and occupations have
access to a talented and skilled workforce.

(b) Through the programs of study developed under this section, participating students
must be able to earn college course credits toward a postsecondary credential or degree.
Career pathways must include workplace learning and high school and postsecondary
coursework. These pathways will provide a seamless sequence of study to ensure alignment
to high-wage, high-demand careers.

Subd. 4.

Application.

(a) Counties, through resolution by the county board, may apply
to the commissioner of employment and economic development for grants to be used in
accordance with subdivision 5. The applications must be submitted by January 31, 2023,
and must be rated on:

(1) the ability for the county to provide adequate facilities for a Community Career
Workforce Academy that provides the benefits described in subdivision 2;

(2) the ability for the Community Career Workforce Academy in the county to provide
adequate programming;

(3) the ability for the Community Career Workforce Academy in the county to meet the
objectives in subdivisions 2 and 3; and

(4) a regional workforce and talent plan.

(b) The commissioner of employment and economic development must rate applications
using the criteria in this subdivision and determine which counties will receive grants under
this section. Grants awarded to each county must not exceed $10,000,000. By March 31,
2023, the commissioner of employment and economic development must certify to the
commissioner of revenue the grant amounts to be issued to each county.

Subd. 5.

Use of grants.

Counties receiving grants under this section must use the funds
to establish or support a Community Career Workforce Academy that meets the criteria
under subdivisions 2 and 3. The funds provided under this section to a Community Career
Workforce Academy by a county may be used for facility capital needs and programming.
The county or a designee must administer the grant.

Subd. 6.

Appropriation.

(a) $40,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of revenue for payments to counties for grants under this
section. The appropriation under this section must be used for the following purposes:

(1) up to $30,000,000 must be used for grants under subdivision 7, paragraph (a); and

(2) $10,000,000 must be used for a grant under subdivision 7, paragraph (b).

(b) This is a onetime appropriation. Any amount unexpended after August 15, 2023, is
canceled.

Subd. 7.

Grants.

(a) The commissioner of revenue must make payment of the grant
amounts to counties certified by the commissioner of employment and economic development
under subdivision 4.

(b) Clay County shall be issued a onetime grant in the amount of $10,000,000 for the
Moorhead Career Workforce Academy for capital facility needs and programming, provided
that the facility meets the criteria in subdivisions 2 and 3.

(c) Grants under paragraph (a) must be paid to counties within 60 days of the certification
by the commissioner of employment and economic development. The grant under paragraph
(b) must be paid by August 1, 2022.

(d) Grants and the process of making grants under this subdivision are exempt from the
following statutes and related policies: Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.15, subdivision 3;
16B.97; and 16B.98, subdivisions 5, 7, and 8. A county opting to use a third party to
administer grants is exempt from Minnesota Statutes, section 471.345, in the selection of
the third-party administrator. The exemptions under this paragraph expire after June 30,
2023.

Subd. 8.

Report.

By January 31, 2024, the commissioner of employment and economic
development must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over economic
development policy and finance and taxes on the grants and the effectiveness of the
Community Career Workforce Academies in meeting the objectives of subdivisions 2 and
3 and the grant application.