HF 1017

1st Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/04/2019 04:05pm

A bill for an act
relating to arts and culture; commemorating women's suffrage; appropriating
money.

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

Section 1. new text begin WOMAN SUFFRAGE 100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Legislative findings. new text end

new text begin The legislature finds that Minnesota women were
on the forefront of the woman suffrage movement. From Harriet Robinson Scott to Clara
Ueland and Coya Knutson, the women of Minnesota have shaped our local, state, and
national histories. The year 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Minnesota's passage of
the 19th Amendment and the incorporation of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Minnesota League
of Women Voters to carry on the work of establishing full enfranchisement for women upon
the dissolution of the Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association. The year 2020 marks the
100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment across the United States. Notably,
women in South St. Paul, Minnesota, were the first women to vote under the 19th
Amendment. St. Paul's Sarah T. Colvin was arrested in front of the White House for
advocating votes for women. The women of Minnesota were paramount in this struggle to
shape the future and ensure a more just and equitable society for all persons.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Day of recognition. new text end

new text begin September 8, 2019, shall be observed as a day of recognition
of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States
Constitution by the Minnesota Legislature, making Minnesota the 15th state to pass this
amendment. Historical, civil, government, nonprofit, educational, business, and other
organizations are encouraged to mark this anniversary by conducting educational programs
to help Minnesotans learn about voting rights, particularly the 19th Amendment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin (a) $200,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the arts and cultural heritage fund
to the Minnesota Historical Society to work with the League of Women Voters Minnesota
to preserve Minnesota's history and cultural heritage by commemorating the 100th
anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. Money may be used for statewide
outreach to increase historical awareness of the anniversary of women's suffrage and to
provide financial assistance to local civic and historical organizations, for which the
Minnesota Historical Society may provide grant administration services.
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new text begin (b) The Minnesota Historical Society, in collaborations with the League of Women
Voters Minnesota, may create a community advisory committee to ensure that diverse voices
from across the state will guide activities under this section.
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