1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to tourism; appropriating money for Explore Minnesota Tourism.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM; APPROPRIATIONS.
 1.5 	(a) $215,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $215,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from 
1.6 	the general fund to Explore Minnesota Tourism to build additional administrative capacity 
1.7 	to provide support in the areas of brand strategy, communications, and industry relations.
1.8 	(b) $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to Explore 
1.9 	Minnesota Tourism for a tourism industry recovery grant program. The grant program must 
1.10 	provide money to organizations, Tribal governments, and communities to accelerate the 
1.11 	recovery of the state's tourism industry. Grant money may be used to support meetings, 
1.12 	conventions and group business, multicommunity and high-visibility events, and tourism 
1.13 	marketing. Explore Minnesota Tourism must accept applications under this paragraph for 
1.14 	at least five business days beginning at 8:00 a.m. on the first business day and, if total 
1.15 	applications exceed $10,000,000, the grants must be awarded to eligible applicants at random 
1.16 	until the funding is exhausted. Of this amount, Explore Minnesota Tourism must not retain 
1.17 	any portion for administrative costs. This is a onetime appropriation.
1.18 	(c) $250,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to Explore 
1.19 	Minnesota Tourism for a grant to the Grand Portage Band to focus tourism to Grand Portage. 
1.20 	This is a onetime appropriation.