HF 361

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/13/2025 02:41 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to state government; applying nonstate funding for implementation of the
Capitol Mall Design Framework; appropriating money to improve livability in the
Capitol Area and to support grantmaking for community vitality grants; repealing
Laws 2023, chapter 53, article 17, section 2.

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

Section 1. new text begin CAPITOL MALL DESIGN FRAMEWORK UPDATE; MATCHING
FUNDS.
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) "Capitol Mall Design Framework update" means the Capitol Mall Design Framework
update required by Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 2, section 124.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Nonstate funds" means money secured from private sources, including individuals
and businesses, toward the Capitol Mall Design Framework update.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Capitol Mall Design Framework; use of nonstate funds. new text end

new text begin (a) Nonstate funds
must be used to predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip improvements and
betterments of a capital nature consistent with the Capitol Mall Design Framework update.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of administration shall coordinate the expenditure of nonstate
funds toward the Capitol Mall Design Framework update improvements. Any unspent
nonstate funds may be used by the commissioner of administration for improvements and
betterments of a capital nature consistent with the Capitol Mall Design Framework update.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin CAPITOL MALL DESIGN FRAMEWORK IMPLEMENTATION.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 1, section 11, subdivision 2, the
appropriation to implement the updated Capitol Mall Design Framework is available until
June 30, 2025.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; CAPITOL AREA IMPROVEMENTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $4,500,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated to the commissioner of administration
for a grant to the city of St. Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development to
improve the livability, economic health, and safety of communities within the Capitol Area.
The city of St. Paul must consult with the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board
prior to the expenditure of these funds.
new text end

new text begin (b) Of the amount appropriated under paragraph (a), $500,000 is for a grant to the Capitol
Area Architectural and Planning Board to improve the livability, economic health, and
safety of communities within the Capitol Area. The funds must be used for technical
assistance, supporting people and businesses living and working in the Capitol Area as they
work through the community vitality grant process. Technical assistance may include staff
time to help Capitol Area businesses, artists, and residents apply for grants and navigate
any permits needed for adding arts, events, or facades. Technical assistance providers shall
provide general consultation on various management topics to community vitality grant
grantees.
new text end

new text begin (c) On or before October 1, 2026, the city of St. Paul and the Capitol Area Architectural
and Planning Board must jointly report to the speaker of the house, the majority leader of
the senate, the house minority leader, and the senate minority leader on the expenditure of
the funds appropriated under this section.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin CANCELLATION.
new text end

new text begin The unencumbered balance of the Capitol Area community vitality account established
in Laws 2023, chapter 53, article 17, section 2, is canceled to the general fund.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Laws 2023, chapter 53, article 17, section 2, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Session Laws: 25-02461

Laws 2023, chapter 53, article 17, section 2

Sec. 2. new text begin CAPITOL AREA COMMUNITY VITALITY ACCOUNT. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Account established; appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) A Capitol Area community vitality account is established in the special revenue fund. Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of administration to improve the livability, economic health, and safety of communities within the Capitol Area, provided that no funds may be expended until a detailed program and oversight plan to govern their use, in accordance with the spending recommendations of the Capitol Area Community Vitality Task Force as approved by the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, has been further approved by law. new text end

new text begin (b) As used in this section, "Capitol Area" includes that part of the city of St. Paul within the boundaries described in Minnesota Statutes, section 15B.02. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is transferred from the general fund to the Capitol Area community vitality account. new text end