SF 2747

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/21/2025 09:55 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; employment and economic development; awarding
construction mitigation grants to businesses affected by Trunk Highway 65
construction; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin TRUNK HIGHWAY 65 CONSTRUCTION MITIGATION GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For 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) "Qualified business" means a business that employs up to 40 full-time or part-time
employees and experiences substantial business impacts as a result of the project.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Substantial business impacts" means impairment of road access, parking, or visibility
for one or more qualified businesses as a result of the project, for a minimum period of one
month.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Trunk Highway 65 construction project" or "project" means the construction work
to improve intersections along marked Trunk Highway 65 in the city of Blaine at 99th
Avenue Northeast; 105th Avenue Northeast; Anoka County State-Aid Highway 12, known
as 109th Avenue Northeast; and 117th Avenue Northeast, including the associated frontage
roads and backage roads within the trunk highway system.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of
transportation, must award grants to qualified businesses that are negatively affected by the
Trunk Highway 65 construction project for the purpose of maintaining the businesses during
the project.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must prioritize the awarding of each
grant on a case-by-case basis, including but not limited to the following criteria:
new text end

new text begin (1) rate of decline in revenue;
new text end

new text begin (2) duration of construction;
new text end

new text begin (3) proximity to construction;
new text end

new text begin (4) severity of traffic disruption; and
new text end

new text begin (5) lack of access for pedestrian traffic.
new text end

new text begin (b) When determining grant awards, the commissioner must consult with the
commissioner of transportation and with the business liaison designated for the project
under Minnesota Statutes, section 160.165.
new text end

new text begin (c) Grant funds awarded under this section may be used for employee payroll expenses,
operating expenses, or facilities expenses. Grant awards must not be used for bonuses; new
equipment, furniture, or capital improvements; or construction or expansion.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2027, and annually thereafter on January 15 until the
project is completed, the commissioner must submit a report on the grants awarded under
this section to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over employment and economic development and transportation finance and
policy. At a minimum, the report must include a complete list of grants awarded in the
previous calendar year, including business names and addresses, types of businesses, and
the amount of each award.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2025.
new text end

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

new text begin $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of employment and economic development for the grant awards under section 1.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner
may retain up to two percent of this appropriation for administrative costs. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30, 2029.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2025.
new text end