SF 1755

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/09/2021 09:14am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing a COVID-19 food relief grant program;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin COVID-19 FOOD RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of human services for purposes of the COVID-19
food relief grant program to provide economic support to Minnesota-owned and operated
restaurants, catering companies, and food establishments that employ the equivalent of 50
or fewer full-time employees while also providing hunger relief to Minnesotans impacted
by COVID-19, including people experiencing food insecurity.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may use up to $1,000,000 of this appropriation to administer this
grant.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary, the commissioner may allocate
funds to: (1) nonprofit community organizations to provide technical assistance to grantees
to purchase prepared meals from restaurants, catering companies, and food establishments
to provide prepared meals under this section; and (2) programs, providers, and organizations
providing or seeking to provide meals through a single fiscal agent chosen by the
commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (d) This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligible grantees. new text end

new text begin Eligible grantees are nonprofit community organizations
that can demonstrate a need for prepared meals and an ability to provide prepared meals
for Minnesotans impacted by COVID-19, including those experiencing food insecurity.
Notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary, a nonprofit community organization
providing technical assistance is also an eligible grantee under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Allowable uses of funds. new text end

new text begin Eligible grantees as defined in subdivision 2 who are
awarded a grant must use grant funds to provide meals from a restaurant, catering company,
or food establishment as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 157.16, subdivision 3,
paragraph (d), clauses (2) and (3), to Minnesotans who are impacted by COVID-19, including
individuals experiencing food insecurity.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant request. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall develop an expedited grant request
process that includes a form that applicants shall submit to meet any requirements established
by the commissioner in as timely a manner as possible. The commissioner shall allow the
use of electronic submission of request forms and accept electronic signatures.
new text end

new text begin (b) To receive a grant under this section, eligible applicants must submit a grant request
on forms and according to timelines established by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Commissioner's duties; grants. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall develop a process
for determining which nonprofit community organizations have the ability to meet the need
and may participate in the grant program under this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) In issuing COVID-19 food relief grants and administering the grant program, the
commissioner is exempt from the following statutes and related policies: Minnesota Statutes,
sections 16A.15, subdivision 3; 16B.97; 16B.98, subdivisions 5 and 7; and 16B.98,
subdivision 8, the express audit clause requirement.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall ensure that grant funds are prioritized for nonprofit
community organizations contracting with restaurants and catering companies to provide
meals.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall consider the geographic distribution of grant recipients when
awarding grants.
new text end

new text begin (e) Grant funds may supplement, but not supplant, any other funding used to provide
prepared meals to Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity.
new text end

new text begin (f) The commissioner shall begin issuing COVID-19 food relief grants to eligible grantees
no later than January 15, 2021.
new text end

new text begin (g) The commissioner's determination of the grant amount under this subdivision is final
and is not subject to appeal.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Nonstate funds. new text end

new text begin If a grant recipient receives funds from a nonstate source other
than a local unit of government or a tribe for activities listed in subdivision 3, the grant
recipient must notify the commissioner of the amount received from the nonstate source.
If the commissioner determines that the total amount that the grant recipient received under
this section and from the nonstate source exceeds the grant recipient's costs for the activities
under subdivision 3, the grant recipient must pay the commissioner the amount that exceeds
the costs, up to the amount of funding provided under this section. All money paid by grant
recipients to the commissioner under this section must be deposited in the general fund.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires March 31, 2021.
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