HF 17

1st Engrossment - 94th Legislature, 2025 1st Special Session (2025 - 2025) Posted on 06/17/2025 08:31am

A bill for an act
relating to capital investment; authorizing spending to acquire and better land and
buildings and for other improvements of a capital nature with certain conditions;
establishing and modifying programs; modifying requirements for certain projects
and procedures; canceling prior appropriations; appropriating money; amending
Laws 2023, chapter 71, article 1, section 7; Laws 2025, chapter 39, article 2, section
67; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 462A; repealing
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 240A.20.

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

Section 1. new text begin CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin (a) The sums shown in the column under "Appropriations" are appropriated from the
general fund in fiscal year 2026 to the state agencies or officials indicated, to be spent for
public purposes. These are onetime appropriations. Unless otherwise specified, money
appropriated in this act is subject to paragraphs (b) to (e) of this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) For any project funded in whole or in part by this act, workers on the project must
be paid at least the prevailing wage rate as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 177.42,
subdivision 6, and the project is subject to the requirements and enforcement provisions in
Minnesota Statutes, sections 177.27, 177.30, 177.32, and 177.41 to 177.45. For the purposes
of this paragraph, "project" means demolition, erection, construction, remodeling, or repairing
of a public building, facility, or other public work financed in whole or part by state funds.
Project also includes demolition, erection, construction, remodeling, or repairing of a
building, facility, or public work when the acquisition of property, predesign, design, or
demolition is financed in whole or in part by state funds.
new text end

new text begin (c) Money appropriated in this act: (1) is available for a grant after the commissioner of
management and budget determines that an amount sufficient to complete the project as
described in this act has been committed to the project, as required by Minnesota Statutes,
section 16A.502; (2) may be used to pay state agency staff costs that are attributed directly
to the capital program or project for capitalizable staff costs; and (3) is available until the
project is completed or abandoned, subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.642.
new text end

new text begin (d) The sustainable building guidelines under Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.325, are
mandatory for all new buildings and major renovations owned or to be owned by the state,
state agencies, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the University of Minnesota
that are funded with an appropriation in this act.
new text end

new text begin (e) Recipients of grants from money appropriated in this act must demonstrate to the
commissioner of the agency making the grant that the recipient has the ability and a plan
to fund the program intended for the facility. This paragraph does not apply to state agencies.
new text end

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EDUCATION new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 1,000,000 new text end

new text begin (a) To the commissioner of education for law
enforcement emergency entry device grants
at schools.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section:
new text end

new text begin (1) "eligible applicant" means a special or
independent school district, a charter school,
or a cooperative unit serving students; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "law enforcement emergency entry device"
means an exterior secure master key box
meeting Underwriters Laboratories Standard
1037 installed at the school building in
accordance with the eligible applicant's crisis
management policy.
new text end

new text begin (c) An eligible applicant may apply to the
commissioner of education in the form and
manner specified by the commissioner for a
law enforcement emergency entry device grant
for each of the applicant's school buildings
regularly serving students. The maximum
grant per building is $1,000.
new text end

new text begin (d) If the commissioner receives more
applications for grants than money is available,
the commissioner must first award one grant
to each eligible applicant, and then award
remaining money as grants to applicants on a
lottery basis.
new text end

new text begin (e) An eligible applicant receiving a grant
under this section must update its crisis
management policy to include the necessary
information on its law enforcement emergency
entry devices.
new text end

new text begin (f) Up to five percent of the appropriation may
be retained by the agency for administrative
costs.
new text end

new text begin (g) This appropriation is available until June
30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin (h) Notwithstanding the requirements in
section 1, paragraphs (b) to (e), grants from
this appropriation are subject to grant
requirements in Minnesota Statutes, sections
16B.97 and 16B.98.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin ADMINISTRATION new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 1,325,000 new text end

new text begin To the commissioner of administration for the
purposes specified in this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Hubert H. Humphrey Statue new text end

new text begin 325,000 new text end

new text begin To replace the statue of Henry Mower Rice in
the Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol
with a statue of Hubert H. Humphrey. This
appropriation includes money for the removal
and transportation of the Henry Mower Rice
statue in coordination with the Minnesota State
Historical Society, the recasting of the statue
of Hubert H. Humphrey that currently stands
on the mall of the Minnesota State Capitol,
and the erection of the new Hubert H.
Humphrey statue in the Statuary Hall in the
United States Capitol. This appropriation is
not an appropriation for a capital improvement
project within the meaning of Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.642, notwithstanding
the requirements in section 1, paragraphs (b)
to (e).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Capitol Area Economic Development Grant Program new text end

new text begin 1,000,000 new text end

new text begin (a) For a grant to the St. Paul Port Authority
for the creation of a Capitol Area economic
development grant program, for the purpose
of making grants to new and existing
businesses within the Capitol Area in the
amount of $50,000 to $150,000 for operating
equipment, facade, and other capital
improvements with up to ten percent eligible
for administration of the program.
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 (c) Notwithstanding the requirements in
section 1, paragraphs (b) to (e), the grant from
this appropriation is subject to grant
requirements in Minnesota Statutes, sections
16B.97 and 16B.98.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin PUBLIC SAFETY new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 500,000 new text end

new text begin To the commissioner of public safety for the
public safety officer hearing protection
program. This appropriation is not an
appropriation for a capital improvement
project within the meaning of Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.642, notwithstanding
the requirements in section 1, paragraphs (b)
to (e).
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 1,000,000 new text end

new text begin To the commissioner of employment and
economic development for a grant to the city
of Minneapolis for the Center for
Communication and Development for
operational and facility support to facilitate
the Center for Communication and
Development's investment and expansion in
the city of Minneapolis. Notwithstanding the
requirements in section 1, paragraphs (c) to
(e), the grant from this appropriation is subject
to grant requirements in Minnesota Statutes,
sections 16B.97 to 16B.98.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 3,500,000 new text end

new text begin To the Public Facilities Authority for a grant
to the First District Association, a dairy
cooperative located in the city of Litchfield,
to acquire land for, and to design, engineer,
construct, equip, and furnish a new wastewater
industrial pretreatment facility in the city of
Litchfield. This appropriation is in addition to
the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 71,
article 1, section 15, subdivision 7, and Laws
2025, chapter 34, article 1, section 2,
subdivision 4, and is for the same purpose.
new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 2,439,000 new text end

new text begin To the Minnesota Housing Finance Authority
for the local public housing program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.44.
new text end

Sec. 8. new text begin MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 750,000 new text end

new text begin To the Minnesota Historical Society for a grant
to the Minnesota Transportation Museum to
construct capital improvements to the
Minnesota Transportation Museum in the city
of St. Paul, including replacing the roof,
stabilizing masonry, replacing the roundhouse
doors, installing insulation, and making
modifications to comply with the Americans
with Disabilities Act.
new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [462A.44] LOCAL PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A local public housing program is established for the
agency to award funding to allow eligible recipients to develop or acquire housing to be
owned by the recipient.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Creation of accounts. new text end

new text begin Two local public housing program accounts are created.
One account is created in the housing development fund and one account is created in the
bond proceeds fund. Money in the accounts is appropriated to the commissioner to award
funding under this section. Money in the local public housing program account in the housing
development fund consists of money appropriated to the account and transferred from other
sources and all earnings from money in the account, including repayments on loans awarded
under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligible recipient. new text end

new text begin (a) A city, as defined in section 462C.02, subdivision 6, or
a county is eligible to apply for and receive a grant from either account established in
subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) A federally recognized American Indian Tribe or a Tribally designated housing entity
is eligible to apply for and receive a loan from the local public housing program account in
the housing development fund.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Use of funds; program requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible recipient must use money
awarded under this section for qualifying capital costs, including predesign, design, property
acquisition, construction, furnishing, and equipping of property, for use as housing, and
must maintain ownership of housing funded under this section for at least 50 years after
receipt of the funding.
new text end

new text begin (b) In a multifamily property funded under this section, at least 30 percent of the units
must be occupied by households whose income, at the time of application or initial lease
agreement, does not exceed 50 percent of the area median income as published by the United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development, as adjusted for household size, and
at least 30 percent of the units must be occupied by households whose income, at the time
of application or initial lease agreement, does not exceed 100 percent of the area median
income as published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development,
as adjusted for household size. At the time of application or initial lease agreement, no
household moving into a multifamily property funded under this section may have an income
greater than 400 percent of the area median income as published by the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development, as adjusted for household size.
new text end

new text begin (c) In single-family property funded under this section, the homes must be occupied by
households with incomes not exceeding 80 percent of the area median income as published
by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, as adjusted for
household size.
new text end

new text begin (d) An eligible recipient may act as a community land trust with respect to single-family
property funded through the local public housing program account in the housing
development fund, provided that the recipient meets the requirements applying to a city
acting as a community land trust under sections 462A.30 and 462A.31.
new text end

new text begin (e) Lease agreements with tenants in housing funded under this section must include all
applicable tenant protections included in public housing lease agreements.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Operation of local public housing. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible recipient may enter into a
lease or management agreement for operation of housing funded under this section. A lease
or management agreement for state bond-financed property is subject to section 16A.695,
subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) Except when money received from the operation of the housing is pledged for
repayment of the awarded funds, a recipient may use the money only for the purposes in
subdivision 4, paragraph (a), for affordable housing in the recipient's jurisdiction.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin (a) To the extent practicable:
new text end

new text begin (1) the agency must make funding available so that an approximately equal number of
housing units are financed in the metropolitan area and in the nonmetropolitan area;
new text end

new text begin (2) the agency must fund projects that include accessible units, as defined in section
1002 of the current State Building Code Accessibility Provisions for Dwelling Units in
Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the agency must provide technical assistance to eligible recipients seeking to apply
for funding under this section and eligible recipients that have been awarded funding under
this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) Money in the local public housing program account in the bond proceeds fund must
be awarded as grants. Money in the local public housing development fund must be awarded
as loans. The commissioner must operate the local public housing program account in the
housing development fund as a revolving loan fund.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin Beginning January 15, 2026, and each year thereafter, the
commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over housing finance and capital investment
specifying the projects that received funding under this section in the prior fiscal year.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Laws 2023, chapter 71, article 1, section 7, is amended to read:

Sec. 7. AMATEUR SPORTS deleted text begin COMMISSION deleted text end new text begin SUPPORT new text end

$

4,000,000

(a) To the deleted text begin Minnesota Amateur Sports
Commission deleted text end new text begin commissioner of employment
and economic development new text end for grants to cities,
towns, counties, park boards, and school
districts for the planning and building of public
skate parks deleted text begin under Minnesota Statutes, section
240A.20, subdivision 3, deleted text end with the assistance of
the nonprofit consultant hired under paragraph
deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (j) new text end .

new text begin (b) Of this amount, $550,000 is for a grant to
the city of Winona for site preparation;
construction of a public multiuse street park
for skateboarding, in-line skating, roller
skating, and bmx and scooter riding; and site
amenities, including public restrooms, a
drinking fountain, a gazebo, shade canopies,
a mural, a skate sculpture, picnic tables, and
landscaping.
new text end

new text begin (c) Of this amount, $500,000 is for a grant to
the city of Northfield to update the predesign
plan for, and to design and construct, phase II
of the skate park in Memorial Park in the city
of Northfield.
new text end

new text begin (d) Of this amount, $400,000 is for a grant to
the city of Minnetonka to design and construct
a skate park and associated park elements at
Glen Lake Park in the city of Minnetonka.
This appropriation may be used to demolish
existing structures on the site.
new text end

new text begin (e) Of this amount, $750,000 is for a grant to
the city of Brainerd for design and
construction of a skate park in Memorial Park
in the city of Brainerd.
new text end

new text begin (f) Of this amount, $650,000 is for a grant to
the city of Rochester to design and construct
the expansion and renovation of the skate park
at Silver Lake Park in the city of Rochester.
new text end

new text begin (g) Of this amount, $500,000 is for a grant to
the city of St. Paul to design and construct the
expansion and renovation of the Merriam Park
Skatepark for skateboarding, rollerblading,
and bicycles in the city of St. Paul. This
appropriation is not available until the St. Paul
City Council approves this project in its master
plan for Merriam Park after soliciting public
input.
new text end

new text begin (h) Of this amount, $250,000 is for a grant to
the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
to construct a skate park at the Central Gym
Park in the city of Minneapolis.
new text end

new text begin (i) Of this amount, $400,000 is for a grant to
the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
to construct a skate park at Folwell Park in
North Minneapolis.
new text end

deleted text begin (b) Of this appropriation, up to $100,000 may
be used to hire a Minnesota nonprofit
consultant deleted text end new text begin (j) In addition to the project uses
listed in this section, up to four percent of each
of the grant amounts in paragraphs (b) to (i)
may be used by the grantee to contract with
an entity new text end with expertise in public skate park
development deleted text begin to assist the commission in
developing and applying the criteria for
awarding grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 240A.20, subdivision 3 deleted text end new text begin for predesign
and design work to ensure the parks are
constructed to meet high quality standards and
are safe and accessible new text end .

new text begin (k) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 16A.642, the appropriation for grants
in this section is available until December 31,
2029.
new text end

new text begin (l) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 471.345, grantees may solicit and
award a design-build or construction manager
at risk contract on the basis of a best value
selection process for a construction project
funded under this section. The grantee must
consider at least two proposals when awarding
a design-build contract under this section.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Laws 2025, chapter 39, article 2, section 67, the effective date, is amended to
read:

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective deleted text begin the day after the chief clerk of the house
of representatives and the secretary of the senate jointly notify the revisor of statutes and
the commissioner of administration that the state has satisfied the requirements for a statue
replacement request under United States Code, title 2, chapter 30, section 2132 deleted text end new text begin July 1, 2025 new text end .

Sec. 12. new text begin PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER HEARING PROTECTION PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given:
new text end

new text begin (1) "commissioner" means the commissioner of public safety;
new text end

new text begin (2) "firefighter" means a volunteer, paid on-call, part-time, or career firefighter serving
a general population within the boundaries of the state;
new text end

new text begin (3) "hearing protection product" means a commercial off-the-shelf, multiuse, completely
in the canal hearing protection product with a minimum noise reduction rating of 25 decibels
and a maximum output of 80 decibels;
new text end

new text begin (4) "peace officer" means a person who is licensed under Minnesota Statutes, section
626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c);
new text end

new text begin (5) "public safety officer" means a peace officer, firefighter, or qualified emergency
medical service provider; and
new text end

new text begin (6) "qualified emergency medical service provider" means a person certified under
Minnesota Statutes, section 144E.28, who is actively employed by a Minnesota licensed
ambulance service.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin State and local eligibility. new text end

new text begin Public safety officers and heads of agencies and
entities who buy hearing protection products for public safety officer employees may request
hearing protection products from the commissioner on a form prepared by the commissioner.
While the supply lasts, the commissioner must make hearing protection products available
to qualified applicants at no cost in the order the applications are received.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Limitation of liability. new text end

new text begin A state agency, political subdivision of the state, state
or local government employee, or other entity that provides a public safety officer with a
hearing protection product under this section is not liable to the public safety officer or
public safety officer's heirs for negligence in the death of or injury to the public safety officer
because the hearing protection product was defective or deficient.
new text end

Sec. 13. new text begin NATIONAL STATUARY HALL; HUBERT H. HUMPHREY STATUE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Legislative findings. new text end

new text begin The legislature finds that:
new text end

new text begin (1) an act of Congress of July 2, 1864, established National Statuary Hall in the United
States Capitol;
new text end

new text begin (2) the act provides that each state has the right to donate "statues, in marble or bronze,
not exceeding two in number for each State, of deceased persons who have been citizens
thereof, and illustrious for their historic renown or for distinguished civic or military
services...";
new text end

new text begin (3) the state of Minnesota appreciates the opportunity provided by that act;
new text end

new text begin (4) Minnesota currently has contributed for display a statue of Maria Sanford and a
statue of Henry Mower Rice;
new text end

new text begin (5) the act of Congress creating Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol was amended
in 2000 by section 311 of H.R. 5657, established as law by Public Law 106-554, and provides
that "Any State may request the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve the
replacement of a statue the State has provided for display";
new text end

new text begin (6) the statue of Henry Mower Rice, having been first placed on display in 1916, has
met the minimum requirement of that act for display for at least ten years;
new text end

new text begin (7) by this section, the state has selected the Honorable Hubert H. Humphrey, former
Vice President of the United States, to be newly commemorated;
new text end

new text begin (8) Hubert H. Humphrey served as mayor of Minneapolis from 1945 to 1948;
new text end

new text begin (9) Hubert H. Humphrey led forces at the 1948 Democratic National Convention in
Philadelphia in support of the successful minority platform plank on civil rights and equal
opportunity, challenging the delegates to "get out of the shadow of states' rights and walk
forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights";
new text end

new text begin (10) Hubert H. Humphrey spent a total of 23 years of service in the United States Senate,
serving from 1949 to 1964 and from 1970 to 1978, compiling a record of accomplishments
virtually unmatched in the 20th century, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Nuclear
Test-Ban Treaty, Medicare, human rights, workforce development, labor rights, health care,
arms control and disarmament, the Peace Corps, small business assistance, education reform,
wilderness preservation, immigration reform, and agriculture;
new text end

new text begin (11) Hubert H. Humphrey served in the United States Senate as Assistant Senate Majority
Leader and Deputy President Pro Tempore;
new text end

new text begin (12) Hubert H. Humphrey served as floor leader during consideration of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, which was essential to the eventual passage of the act in the aftermath of
breaking the filibuster against this historic legislation;
new text end

new text begin (13) Hubert H. Humphrey worked alongside former University of Minnesota law student
and Republican Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen to build a bipartisan coalition to
pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
new text end

new text begin (14) Hubert H. Humphrey, although dedicated to the Democratic Party, always sought
bipartisan support for his legislative goals and routinely shared credit with other senators
for his legislative victories;
new text end

new text begin (15) Hubert H. Humphrey, as Vice President of the United States, loyally served President
Lyndon Baines Johnson and successfully carried out a number of domestic and overseas
assignments;
new text end

new text begin (16) Hubert H. Humphrey served as the Democratic Party's nominee for President of
the United States in 1968;
new text end

new text begin (17) Hubert H. Humphrey was reelected by the people of Minnesota, in 1970 and 1976,
to two additional terms in the United States Senate, thereby continuing his extraordinary
record of legislative achievement with passage of such bills as the Humphrey-Hawkins Full
Employment Act;
new text end

new text begin (18) Hubert H. Humphrey, after his time in government, later served as a professor at
Macalester College and the University of Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (19) the state of Minnesota understands its responsibilities for expenditures associated
with removing and transporting the replaced statue and erecting the new statue in its place.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Request for statue replacement. new text end

new text begin No later than January 1, 2028, the governor
must submit to the Architect of the United States Capitol a written request to provide a
recast of the statue of Hubert H. Humphrey that currently stands on the mall of the Minnesota
State Capitol for placement in the National Statuary Hall Collection, to replace the statue
of Henry Mower Rice currently on display. The request must identify the location where
the statue of Henry Mower Rice will be displayed after it is transferred back to the state;
include an authenticated copy of this act as evidence that the replacement has been authorized;
and provide any other information required by Public Law 106-554 and any other applicable
federal law that is necessary for the application to be approved by the Joint Committee on
the Library of the United States Congress.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties upon approval of request. new text end

new text begin If the request is approved, the governor
must enter into all contracts necessary to:
new text end

new text begin (1) complete, transport, display, and maintain the statue representing Hubert H.
Humphrey;
new text end

new text begin (2) remove and transport the Henry Mower Rice statue to the state and complete its
transfer to the Rice County Board of Commissioners for display in a suitable location
determined by the board; and
new text end

new text begin (3) comply with all other state obligations required by Public Law 106-554 and any
other applicable federal law related to the statue replacement.
new text end

Sec. 14. new text begin GENERAL FUND CANCELLATIONS.
new text end

new text begin The amounts of the general fund appropriations listed in the cancellation report submitted
to the legislature in 2025, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.642, with the exception
of appropriations that are extended in legislation finally enacted in the 2025 First Special
Session, are canceled on the effective date of this section.
new text end

Sec. 15. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 240A.20, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

Sec. 16. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This act is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 251-H0017-1

240A.20 PROMOTING CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION OF PUBLIC SKATE PARKS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

Subdivision 1.

Definition.

For purposes of this section, "skate" means wheeled, nonmotorized recreation, including skateboarding, roller blading, roller skating, and BMX biking.

Subd. 2.

Promotion of public skate parks.

The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission shall:

(1) develop new public skate parks statewide; and

(2) provide matching grants to local units of government for public skate parks based on the criteria in this section.

Subd. 3.

Criteria for grants to local units of government for public skate parks.

(a) The commission shall administer a site selection process for the skate parks. The commission shall invite proposals from cities, towns, counties, consortia of cities, park boards, and school districts that are eligible to receive a grant under this program. A proposal for a skate park must include matching contributions including in-kind contributions of land, access roadways and access roadway improvements, and necessary utility services, landscaping, and parking.

(b) The skate park must be accessible to the public without charge for personal use.

(c) The skate park must be constructed of concrete.

(d) The location for all proposed facilities must be in areas of maximum demonstrated interest and must maximize accessibility to an arterial highway, transit, or pedestrian or bike path.

(e) To the extent possible, all proposed facilities must be dispersed equitably, must be located to maximize potential for full utilization, must accommodate noncompetitive family and community skating for all ages, and must encourage use of skate parks by a diverse population.

(f) The commission will give priority to proposals that come from more than one local government unit.

(g) The commission may also use the money to upgrade current facilities.

(h) To the extent possible, 50 percent of all grants must be awarded to communities in greater Minnesota.

(i) A grant awarded under subdivision 2, clause (2), may not exceed $500,000 unless the grantee demonstrates that the facility will have a regional or statewide draw. A grant awarded under subdivision 2, clause (2), may be for up to $1,000,000 for a skate park with regional impact. A grant awarded under subdivision 2, clause (2), may be for up to $2,000,000 for a skate park that has or will have more than 40,000 square feet.

(j) In selecting projects to be awarded grants under this section, the commission must give priority to those projects that are designed by experts in the field of concrete skate park design and are to be constructed by professionals with experience in the construction of concrete skate parks.

(k) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a local government must have engaged or must commit to engage youth in the planning, design, and programming for the concrete skate park.

Subd. 4.

Technical assistance.

To the extent possible, the commission shall provide technical assistance on skate park planning, design, and operation to communities.

Subd. 5.

Agreements with local governments and cooperative purchasing agreements.

(a) The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission may enter into agreements with local units of government and provide financial assistance in the form of grants for the construction of skate parks that, in the determination of the commission, conform to its criteria.

(b) The commission may enter into cooperative purchasing agreements under section 471.59 with local governments to purchase skate park equipment and services through state contracts. The cooperative skate park equipment purchasing revolving fund is a separate account in the state treasury. The commission may charge a fee to cover the commission's administrative expenses to government units that have joint or cooperative purchasing agreements with the state under section 471.59. The fees collected must be deposited in the revolving fund established by this subdivision. Money in the fund is appropriated to the commission to administer the programs and services covered by this subdivision.

Subd. 6.

Awarding a design-build contract.

Notwithstanding section 471.345, cities, towns, counties, park boards, and school districts may solicit and award a design-build or construction manager at-risk contract for a construction or upgrade project funded under this section on the basis of a best value selection process. The city, town, county, park board, or school district must consider at least three proposals when awarding a design-build contract under this section.

Subd. 7.

Availability of funds.

A grant of money from an appropriation under this program is available to each grantee until the project that is the subject of the grant is completed or abandoned, subject to section 16A.642.