SF 547

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/26/2021 10:06am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; enacting the Women of Color Opportunity Act;
creating pilot projects; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

ARTICLE 1

WOMEN OF COLOR OPPORTUNITY ACT

Section 1. new text begin ACT.
new text end

new text begin This act may be referred to as the Women of Color Opportunity Act.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Section 1. new text begin WOMEN OF COLOR SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the 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) "Eligible loan recipient" means:
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new text begin (1) one or more women of color who seek to start a small business; or
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new text begin (2) a small business that:
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new text begin (i) is a women of color business;
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new text begin (ii) is not a nonprofit organization or business involved in real estate development,
exporting, multilevel marketing, adult entertainment, or lending; and
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new text begin (iii) has its principal place of operation in Ramsey County.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Eligible organization" means a nonprofit organization located in Minnesota with
commercial lending experience, including but not limited to loan origination, servicing, and
underwriting, and experience providing technical assistance to female entrepreneurs and
women of color businesses.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Small business" means a business entity with fewer than 50 employees.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Women of color" means females 18 years of age or older who are American Indian,
Asian, Black, or Hispanic.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Women of color business" means a business for which one or more women of color:
new text end

new text begin (1) own at least 50 percent of the business or, in the case of a publicly owned business,
own at least 51 percent of the stock; and
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new text begin (2) manage the business and control the daily business operations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Women of color business development loan program. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner
shall make grants to eligible organizations to provide loans for the start-up, expansion, and
retention of small businesses located in Ramsey County that are owned by women of color,
and to provide technical assistance, in collaboration with Minnesota's communities of color
and organizations that serve women of color.
new text end

new text begin (b) Eligible organizations may make loans to eligible loan recipients under this section,
subject to the following conditions:
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new text begin (1) the maximum loan amount must not exceed $.......;
new text end

new text begin (2) loans are available for business start-up, expansion, retention, and establishment of
credit;
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new text begin (3) loans must have a fixed interest rate, with monthly repayment, for terms up to ten
years and must not have a penalty for prepayment;
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new text begin (4) loans may include a onetime commitment fee, not to exceed $.......; and collateral
filing fees, not to exceed, $.......;
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new text begin (5) preference for loan awards must be given to eligible loan recipients whose family
income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income;
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new text begin (6) loans must not be denied based solely on a poor credit rating or lack of credit rating;
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new text begin (7) personal assets, including but not limited to a home, car, or personal savings, may
be used for loan collateral;
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new text begin (8) eligible loan recipients must invest savings or personal equity in the business at least
equal to ten percent of the principal amount of the loan;
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new text begin (9) eligible loan recipients and their businesses must be free of outstanding tax liens and
not currently involved in any bankruptcy proceeding as a debtor;
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new text begin (10) eligible loan recipients must not have any personal or business accounts in default,
including any bills past due;
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new text begin (11) any business partner with 20 percent or more ownership must be a coborrower on
the loan; and
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new text begin (12) technical assistance for eligible loan recipients must be available for the entire term
of the loan.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2024, the commissioner shall submit to the legislative
committees of the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over economic
development and workforce development policy and finance a report detailing the activity
under the loan program. Where data are available, data in the report must be disaggregated,
by race, cultural group, family income, geographical location, status as a migrant or foreign
immigrant, home language, English learners under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.59,
disability, and status of homelessness.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin WOMEN OF COLOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
employment and economic development for grants under the women of color business
development program under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until
expended. Up to ... percent of grant awards to eligible organizations under section 1, may
be used for administrative expenses directly related to the business development loan
program, including, but not limited to, hiring staff to implement the loan program.
new text end

ARTICLE 3

FINANCIAL LITERACY

Section 1. new text begin COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAMS TO INCREASE THE FINANCIAL
LITERACY OF GIRLS OF COLOR.
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 terms defined in this
subdivision have the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of education.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible organization" means community-based organizations able to help girls or
women of color become financially literate, Minnesota public elementary and secondary
schools and postsecondary institutions offering financial literacy instruction and curricula,
and other Minnesota organizations experienced in helping girls or women of color become
financially literate, consistent with this section.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Financial literacy" means the knowledge and understanding needed to make
responsible and appropriate personal financial decisions.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Girls of color" means females who have not reached their 18th birthday who
self-identify as American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Women of color" means females age 18 and older who self-identify as American
Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall award competitive grants, to the extent funds
are available, on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible organizations to help girls and
women of color gain financial literacy. The commissioner must award at least two grants
to eligible organizations serving girls or women of color in Ramsey County, and at least
one of these grant recipients must serve girls of color in secondary school. The commissioner
also must award at least two grants to eligible organizations serving girls or women of color
in greater Minnesota, and at least one of these grant recipients must serve girls of color in
secondary school. The eligible organizations receiving a grant must use grant funds to
increase the financial literacy of girls and women of color. Instruction in financial literacy
must be culturally specific and provided in the primary language of the girls or women of
color receiving the instruction.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2024, the commissioner must submit a written report
to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education
containing information about the competitive grant program design, activities, expenditures,
and outcomes disaggregated by categories of race, cultural group, family income, age, grade
level, school district, geographical location, migrant, foreign immigrant status, home
language, English learner status under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.59, disability,
homelessness, and foster care, to the extent the information is available and without
personally identifying the individual. The commissioner must include in the report
recommendations for a model program to increase the financial literacy of girls and women
of color in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
new text end

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

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
education for a competitive grant program to increase the financial literacy of girls and
women of color under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until
expended.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
new text end

ARTICLE 4

STEM CAREERS

Section 1. new text begin PILOT GRANT PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE GIRLS OF COLOR TO
EXPLORE AND PURSUE STEM CAREERS.
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 terms defined in this
subdivision have the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Best practices" means an innovative mentorship, internship, apprenticeship, or other
applied or experiential learning opportunity available for girls of color in STEM occupations
or fields.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of education.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Eligible organization" means community-based STEM-affiliated organizations
experienced in serving girls of color, Minnesota public elementary and secondary schools
providing STEM instruction and curricula, and other Minnesota STEM-affiliated
organizations experienced in serving girls of color, consistent with the purposes of this
section.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Girls of color" means females who have not reached their 18th birthday who
self-identify as American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic.
new text end

new text begin (f) "STEM" means the subject areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants; use of grant funds. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall award one grant to
an eligible organization serving girls of color in Ramsey County and one grant to an eligible
organization serving girls of color in one or more counties in greater Minnesota. The eligible
organizations receiving a grant must use grant funds to encourage and support girls of color
in exploring and pursuing STEM careers consistent with paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) Grant recipients must use grant funds for one of two purposes: (1) for opportunities
for best practices to increase the awareness and interest of girls of color in STEM occupations
and fields, to develop the knowledge and confidence of girls of color in STEM, and to
increase the access of girls of color to secondary, dual credit, and postsecondary programs
leading to STEM occupations; or (2) for financial assistance for services to help girls of
color explore and pursue STEM careers while balancing their responsibilities for work, job
skills training and education, and family caregiving, which may include financial assistance
for child care, transportation, or safe and stable housing.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Outcomes. new text end

new text begin The Ramsey County grant recipient must develop a model program
to encourage and support girls of color in exploring and pursuing STEM careers that other
Twin Cities metropolitan area counties may replicate and use. The greater Minnesota grant
recipient must develop a model program to encourage and support girls of color in exploring
and pursuing STEM careers that other greater Minnesota counties may replicate and use.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, by January 15, 2024, must submit a written report
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction
over kindergarten through grade 12 education containing information about the pilot grant
program design, activities, expenditures, and outcomes disaggregated by categories of race,
cultural group, family income, age, grade level, school district, geographical location,
migrant, foreign immigrant status, home language, English learner status under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.59, disability, homelessness, and foster care, to the extent the
information is available and without personally identifying the individual.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; PILOT GRANT PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE AND
SUPPORT GIRLS OF COLOR IN EXPLORING AND PURSUING STEM CAREERS.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
education for a pilot grant program to encourage and support girls of color in exploring and
pursuing STEM careers under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation and is available
until expended.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
new text end

ARTICLE 5

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Section 1. new text begin PILOT GRANT PROGRAM TO INCREASE THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS
OF GIRLS OF COLOR.
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 terms defined in this
subdivision have the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of education.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible organization" means community-based organizations serving girls of color,
Minnesota public elementary and secondary schools, and other Minnesota organizations
experienced in working with girls of color, consistent with the purposes of this section.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Girls of color" means females who have not reached their 18th birthday who
self-identify as American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall award one grant to an eligible organization
serving girls of color in Ramsey County and one grant to an eligible organization serving
girls of color in one or more counties in greater Minnesota. The eligible organizations
receiving a grant must use grant funds to increase the academic success of girls of color,
leading to reduced suspensions in public elementary and secondary schools, increased
on-time high school graduation rates, and encourage their pursuit of a postsecondary
education program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Outcomes. new text end

new text begin The Ramsey County grant recipient must develop a model program
that other counties in the Twin Cities metropolitan area may replicate and use. The greater
Minnesota grant recipient must develop a model program that other counties in greater
Minnesota may replicate and use.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, by January 15, 2024, must submit a written report
to the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12
education containing information about the pilot grant program design, activities,
expenditures, and outcomes disaggregated by categories of race; cultural group; family
income; age; grade level; school district; geographical location; migrant; foreign immigrant
status; home language; English learner status under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.59;
disability; homelessness; and foster care, to the extent the information is available and
without personally identifying the individual.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; PILOT GRANT PROGRAM TO INCREASE THE
ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF GIRLS OF COLOR.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
education for a pilot grant program to increase the academic success of girls of color under
section 1. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
new text end

ARTICLE 6

HIGH-WAGE, HIGH-DEMAND,
NONTRADITIONAL JOBS GRANTS

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
employment and economic development for the high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional
jobs grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.99.
new text end