HF 53

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; providing a process for
state support of a football stadium at the University
of Minnesota; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004,
section 297A.71, by adding a subdivision; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 473.

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

Section 1. new text begin DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Applicability. new text end

new text begin The definitions in this
section apply to sections 2 to 7.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Board. new text end

new text begin "Board" means the Board of Regents of
the University of Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Commission. new text end

new text begin "Commission" means the Metropolitan
Sports Facilities Commission.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Commissioner. new text end

new text begin "Commissioner" means the
commissioner of finance.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Stadium. new text end

new text begin "Stadium" means an athletic stadium
suitable for intercollegiate National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) Division I football games and related
infrastructure improvements constructed on the University of
Minnesota's east bank campus in the city of Minneapolis.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin ACTIVITIES; CONTRACTS.
new text end

new text begin In addition to the powers it already has under the
constitution and laws of the state, the legislature recognizes
that the board has all powers necessary or convenient for
designing, constructing, equipping, improving, controlling,
operating, and maintaining the stadium and may enter into
contracts that are in its judgment in the best interests of the
public for those purposes. Notwithstanding any law to the
contrary, the board may adopt the fair and competitive design
and construction procurement procedures in connection with the
stadium that it considers to be in the public interest.
Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.33 and 16B.335, do not apply to
the stadium.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.
new text end

new text begin The legislature requests that the board undertake an
environmental review of the stadium project and perform the
responsibilities of the responsible governmental unit as
prescribed in the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act, Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 116D, and the rules adopted under that
chapter. The designation of the board to serve as the
responsible governmental unit is effective upon approval by the
board authorizing the university to act in that capacity.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin CONDITIONS FOR PAYMENT TO UNIVERSITY.
new text end

new text begin It is the intent of the legislature to provide state funds
for the construction of an athletic stadium suitable for
intercollegiate National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Division I football games on the University of Minnesota's East
bank campus in the city of Minneapolis. Upon certification by
the commissioner that the board has received at least
$133,100,000 in pledges, gifts, sponsorships, and other nonstate
general fund revenue support for the construction of the
stadium, the commissioner shall include a recommendation by the
governor at the start of the next scheduled legislative session
for state funding of the remaining costs of the stadium up to a
maximum of $89,000,000.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin COOPERATION REQUIRED.
new text end

new text begin Local units of government affected by the stadium project
must cooperate with the university to the greatest practical
extent in facilitating the development, construction, and
operation of the stadium.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 297A.71, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 33. new text end

new text begin Construction materials; university of minnesota
football stadium. new text end

new text begin Materials, supplies, or equipment used or
consumed in connection with the construction, equipping, or
improvement of a football stadium constructed for use by the
University of Minnesota are exempt. This subdivision expires
one year after the first NCAA game is played in the football
stadium.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [473.5955] TERMINATION OF LEASE.
new text end

new text begin The lease between the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota and the commission dated May 19, 1982, that requires
the University of Minnesota football team to play its home
football games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome until July 1,
2012, may be terminated by the Board of Regents effective on or
after the date designated by the Board of Regents as the date of
completion of a stadium on the University of Minnesota's East
bank campus in the city of Minneapolis.
new text end

Sec. 8. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 7 are effective the day following final
enactment.
new text end