SF 1552

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/10/2015 09:14am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; commercially navigable waters; creating an upriver
business grant program for businesses affected by the closure of the Upper
St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam; modifying the transportation economic
development program; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014,
section 174.12, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.12, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Upper St. Anthony Lock and Dam closure grant program. new text end

new text begin (a) The
Upper St. Anthony Lock and Dam closure grant program is created to provide economic
assistance to businesses adversely affected by the closure of the Upper St. Anthony Falls
Lock and Dam.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding subdivisions 5, 6, and 7, the commissioner of employment
and economic development shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) accept grant applications from businesses eligible for assistance under paragraph
(c). Grant applications must be submitted on a form specified by the commissioner;
new text end

new text begin (2) review grant applications in the order in which they are received; and
new text end

new text begin (3) award grants to eligible applicants within the limits of available appropriations
and within 60 days after receipt of an application.
new text end

new text begin (c) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a business must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be located upriver of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and operate a
commercial navigation facility; and
new text end

new text begin (2) be actively engaged in the use of commercial vessels on the commercially
navigable waters of the Mississippi River to expedite the movement of commodities.
new text end

new text begin (d) Funds awarded under this subdivision may be used for relocation costs, the
development of alternative methods of transporting commodities or materials, mitigation
of increased operating costs, and other shipping and handling costs associated with
the development and operation of alternative methods of transporting commodities or
materials over the period of time specified in the grant application.
new text end

new text begin (e) For the purpose of this subdivision, "commercial vessel" and "commercial
navigation facility" have the meanings given in section 457A.01
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin UPPER ST. ANTHONY LOCK AND DAM CLOSURE GRANTS;
APPROPRIATION. new text end

new text begin
$40,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of employment and economic development for grants under Minnesota
Statutes, section 174.12, subdivision 9, to provide economic assistance to businesses
adversely affected by the closure of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam. This is
a onetime appropriation.
new text end