HF 2448

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/15/2021 09:36pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; establishing a temporary subcommittee of the Minnesota
Recovers Task Force; appropriating money for the subcommittee and grants to
improve local disaster mitigation, response, and recovery; requiring reports.

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

Section 1. new text begin MINNESOTA RECOVERS TASK FORCE SUBCOMMITTEE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subcommittee established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of public safety shall
appoint a subcommittee of the Minnesota Recovers Task Force to comprehensively review
the state's disaster mitigation, response, and recovery system. The subcommittee shall study
and make recommendations on ways to improve the state's efforts to mitigate, respond, and
recover from disasters, in light of new climate stresses and the reality of many lower-level
disasters that do not result in a federal or state disaster declaration.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall appoint the members of the
subcommittee, which must include, at a minimum, representatives of the Departments of
Public Safety, Human Services, Transportation, Health, Natural Resources, and Human
Rights, the Housing Finance Agency, local and tribal governments, higher education,
nonprofits, and philanthropic organizations. In addition, the commissioner shall appoint at
least two representatives each from Minnesota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
and the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers and shall invite interested members
of the legislature to participate. In addition, the commissioner shall appoint at least three
disaster survivors who have personally experienced a nonfederally declared disaster in
Minnesota. The commissioner shall ensure the makeup of the subcommittee is racially and
geographically diverse.
new text end

new text begin (b) By September 1, 2021, the commissioner shall convene the subcommittee's first
meeting.
new text end

new text begin (c) The subcommittee may select a chair from among its members.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin By February 15, 2023, the subcommittee shall submit a report
containing its findings and recommendations to the full Minnesota Recovers Task Force
and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over disaster mitigation, response, and recovery policy and finance.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Other funding. new text end

new text begin The subcommittee may accept lawful contributions from any
public or private source for operating expenses.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The subcommittee expires on February 28, 2023, or upon submission
of its report under subdivision 3, whichever occurs first.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin LOCAL DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY GRANTS.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of public safety shall award grants to nonprofit organizations and
local units of government to improve local disaster response and recovery. A grant recipient
may use an awarded grant to improve local volunteer capacity and hire volunteer coordinators
and trainers. When awarding grants, the commissioner shall give preference to applicants
from areas in the state that currently have less disaster volunteer capacity.
new text end

new text begin (b) By February 15, 2024, the commissioner shall report on the grants made under this
section to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over disaster response and recovery policy and finance.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant for local disaster response and recovery staff and
operations. new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of public safety for a grant to a nonprofit organization that is the state affiliate
of a national organization and works to foster more effective services for people who have
or may in the future be affected by disasters through communication, coordination,
cooperation, and collaboration and is made up of volunteer member organizations. The
grant recipient must use the money for staff and operations to provide a reliable and consistent
partner for the state and help provide assistance and support to vulnerable populations
following disasters.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Recovers Task Force subcommittee. new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 is
appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of public safety to implement
section 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Local disaster response and recovery grants. new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 is
appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of public safety for grants under
section 2.
new text end