HF 3116

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/27/2023 01:33pm

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; requiring a report; appropriating money for the
unrealized business grant program.

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

Section 1. new text begin UNREALIZED BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible business" means a business that:
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new text begin (1) completed a new business filing with the secretary of state in the 12 months preceding
March 16, 2020, in an industry subject to closure or limitations under governor's Executive
Order No. 20-04 and subsequent state-mandated closures; and
new text end

new text begin (2) as a result of those closures, did not open to the public and has ceased to be in
business.
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new text begin (d) "Program" means the unrealized business grant program created in this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall establish an unrealized business grant
program to compensate eligible businesses for the economic setbacks of the COVID-19
pandemic.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grants to eligible businesses. new text end

new text begin (a) Eligible businesses shall apply for grants
using an application and process designed by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) Grants shall be made on a rolling basis starting on September 1, 2023.
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new text begin (c) Grants shall be for a maximum of $200,000 per eligible business.
new text end

new text begin (d) Grants and the process of making grants under this section are exempt from the
following statutes and related policies: Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.15, subdivision 3;
16B.97; 16B.98, subdivisions 5, 7, and 8; and 116J.993 to 116J.995.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report to legislature. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2025, the commissioner must submit a
report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of
representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over economic development that details
the distribution of grant funds.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
employment and economic development for the unrealized business grant program.
new text end