SF 1794

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/12/2024 03:48pm

A bill for an act
relating to tourism; appropriating money for Explore Minnesota Tourism.

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

Section 1. new text begin EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM; APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $215,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $215,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from
the general fund to Explore Minnesota Tourism to build additional administrative capacity
to provide support in the areas of brand strategy, communications, and industry relations.
new text end

new text begin (b) $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to Explore
Minnesota Tourism for a tourism industry recovery grant program. The grant program must
provide money to organizations, Tribal governments, and communities to accelerate the
recovery of the state's tourism industry. Grant money may be used to support meetings,
conventions and group business, multicommunity and high-visibility events, and tourism
marketing. Explore Minnesota Tourism must accept applications under this paragraph for
at least five business days beginning at 8:00 a.m. on the first business day and, if total
applications exceed $10,000,000, the grants must be awarded to eligible applicants at random
until the funding is exhausted. Of this amount, Explore Minnesota Tourism must not retain
any portion for administrative costs. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (c) $250,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to Explore
Minnesota Tourism for a grant to the Grand Portage Band to focus tourism to Grand Portage.
This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end