HF 2109

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/25/2015 10:52am

A bill for an act
relating to capital investment; establishing a program for grants to counties and
county agricultural societies for fairground improvements; appropriating money;
authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 38.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [38.275] STATE GRANTS FOR COUNTY FAIRGROUND
IMPROVEMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Accounts established; no cancellation. new text end

new text begin Two county fairground
capital improvements grant accounts are created, one in the general fund and one in the
bond proceeds fund. Money in the accounts is appropriated to the commissioner of
agriculture to make grants under this section. Appropriations to these accounts are not
subject to section 16A.642, but remain available for grants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

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

new text begin (1) "Capital improvement" means predesign, design, construction, renovation,
and related site preparation and furnishing and equipping of improvements to land and
buildings, but does not mean acquisition of land or interest in land.
new text end

new text begin (2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Capital improvements grant program. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall develop
a capital improvement program to make grants to county agricultural societies and
counties for county fairground capital improvements. Among any other criteria that the
commissioner determines are relevant and useful to distribution of available grant funds,
the program must:
new text end

new text begin (1) give priority to improvements that address health, safety, and accessibility
needs; and
new text end

new text begin (2) distribute grants in an equitable manner statewide.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin A county agricultural society or county may apply for a grant
in the manner and at the time required by the commissioner. In addition to any other
information the commissioner requires, the application must:
new text end

new text begin (1) identify the owner of the county fairground and the proposed capital
improvements;
new text end

new text begin (2) identify the capital improvements that will be made and provide information
supporting the eligibility for a grant under this section;
new text end

new text begin (3) include the predesign and design, if completed, of the proposed capital
improvements;
new text end

new text begin (4) identify the estimated total project costs and the amount requested;
new text end

new text begin (5) describe the nonstate contribution to the project; and
new text end

new text begin (6) provide information on how the grantee will operate and maintain the
improvements made.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of management and budget,
shall determine whether any particular project is eligible for funding from money in the
account in the bond proceeds fund.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Maximum grant amount; nonstate contribution. new text end

new text begin The maximum grant
amount a county or county agricultural society may receive is $....... A grant may be for
no more than 50 percent of project costs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Grant cancellation. new text end

new text begin If, five years after entering into a grant agreement
for a project, the commissioner determines that the project has not proceeded in a timely
manner and is unlikely to be completed, then the commissioner must cancel the grant
and require the grantee to return all grant money awarded for that project. Grant money
returned to the commissioner is appropriated to the commissioner to make additional
grants under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must report on the grant program by
February 15 of each year to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture
finance and capital investment and as provided in section 3.195. The commissioner's
report must include information on the grants awarded, capital improvements financed,
and other matters the commissioner determines are relevant to the program.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 2. new text begin COUNTY FAIRGROUND IMPROVEMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $....... is appropriated from the bond proceeds
fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.275.
new text end

new text begin (b) $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture
for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.275.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Bond sale. new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated in this section from the
bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue
bonds of the state in an amount up to $....... in the manner, upon the terms, and with
the effect prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the
Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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