1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to employment; creating a pilot program to provide, repair, and maintain 
1.3 	motor vehicles for commuting to work; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. "GETTING TO WORK" GRANT PROGRAM.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Creation. The commissioner of employment and economic 
1.7 	development shall make grants to nonprofit organizations to establish and operate 
1.8 	programs under this section that provide, repair, or maintain motor vehicles to assist 
1.9 	eligible individuals to obtain or maintain employment.
1.10 		Subd. 2.Qualified grantee. A grantee must:
1.11 	(1) qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
1.12 	(2) at the time of application offer, or have the demonstrated capacity to offer, a 
1.13 	motor vehicle program that provides the services required under subdivision 3.
1.14 		Subd. 3.Program requirements. (a) A program must offer one or more of the 
1.15 	following services:
1.16 	(1) provision of new or used motor vehicles by gift, sale, or lease;
1.17 	(2) motor vehicle repair and maintenance services; or
1.18 	(3) motor vehicle loans.
1.19 	(b) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (a), a program must offer one or 
1.20 	more of the following services:
1.21 	(1) financial literacy education;
1.22 	(2) education on budgeting for vehicle ownership;
1.23 	(3) car maintenance and repair instruction;
2.1 	(4) credit counseling; or 
2.2 	(5) job training related to motor vehicle maintenance and repair.
2.3 		Subd. 4.Application. Applications for a grant must be by a form provided by the 
2.4 	commissioner and on a schedule set by the commissioner. Applications must, in addition 
2.5 	to any other information required by the commissioner, include the following:
2.6 	(1) a detailed description of all services to be offered;
2.7 	(2) the area to be served;
2.8 	(3) the estimated number of program participants to be served by the grant; and
2.9 	(4) a plan for leveraging resources from partners that may include, but are not 
2.10 	limited to:
2.11 	(i) automobile dealers;
2.12 	(ii) automobile parts dealers;
2.13 	(iii) independent local mechanics and automobile repair facilities;
2.14 	(iv) banks and credit unions;
2.15 	(v) employers;
2.16 	(vi) employment and training agencies;
2.17 	(vii) insurance companies and agents;
2.18 	(viii) local workforce centers; and
2.19 	(ix) educational institutions including vocational institutions and jobs or skills 
2.20 	training programs.
2.21 		Subd. 5.Participant eligibility. (a) To be eligible to receive program services, 
2.22 	a person must:
2.23 	(1) have a household income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level;
2.24 	(2) be at least 18 years of age;
2.25 	(3) have a valid driver's license;
2.26 	(4) provide the grantee with proof of motor vehicle insurance; and
2.27 	(5) demonstrate to the grantee that a motor vehicle is required by the person to 
2.28 	obtain or maintain employment.
2.29 	(b) This subdivision does not preclude a grantee from imposing additional 
2.30 	requirements, not inconsistent with paragraph (a), for the receipt of program services.
2.31 		Subd. 6.Allocation of grants. (a) The commissioner shall allocate grants equally 
2.32 	to 15 grantees so that, to the extent feasible, program services are available in every 
2.33 	county of the state.
2.34 	(b) If there are fewer than 15 eligible grant applicants, grant funds must be 
2.35 	reallocated equally among all grantees.
3.1 		Subd. 7.Outcome evaluation. (a) Grantees must track and report outcome 
3.2 	information to the commissioner on a form provided by the commissioner. The report 
3.3 	must include:
3.4 	(1) the number of program participants;
3.5 	(2) the number of recipients for each service offered;
3.6 	(3) the number and percentage of program participants who report that participation 
3.7 	in the program resulted in, if applicable:
3.8 	(i) increased job security;
3.9 	(ii) increased wages, more work hours, or more favorable work hours;
3.10 	(iii) obtaining a new or better job;
3.11 	(iv) additional education or job training opportunities;
3.12 	(v) a higher credit score;
3.13 	(vi) new or increased access to financial services at a bank or credit union, including 
3.14 	opening a checking or savings account, or obtaining a loan;
3.15 	(vii) greater access to medical care;
3.16 	(viii) greater access to housing or improved housing opportunities;
3.17 	(ix) reduced reliance on public assistance programs; or
3.18 	(x) increased participation by the participant's children in school or after-school 
3.19 	activities; and 
3.20 	(4) other information required by the commissioner.
3.21 	(b) The commissioner may accept the assistance of a for-profit or nonprofit 
3.22 	organization to compile and conduct an initial analysis of the information submitted 
3.23 	by grantees under paragraph (a), provided that the organization demonstrates it has the 
3.24 	resources and competency to conduct the analysis, and does not charge for its services.
3.25 		Subd. 8.Report to legislature. By February 15, 2017, the commissioner shall 
3.26 	submit a report to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with 
3.27 	jurisdiction over workforce and economic development on program outcomes.

3.28 	Sec. 2. "GETTING TO WORK" GRANT PROGRAM; APPROPRIATION.
 3.29 	$4,500,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2016 to the 
3.30 	commissioner of employment and economic development for the "Getting to Work" 
3.31 	grant program under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation. This appropriation is 
3.32 	available until expended.