as introduced - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to community development; appropriating money 1.3 for community development and certain agencies of 1.4 state government with certain conditions; establishing 1.5 and modifying certain programs; regulating certain 1.6 activities and practices; setting and modifying fees; 1.7 defining terms; requiring studies and reports; 1.8 amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 60A.23, 1.9 subdivision 8; 65B.48, subdivision 3; 79.255, by 1.10 adding a subdivision; 116J.01, subdivision 5; 1.11 116J.553, subdivision 2; 116J.554, subdivision 1; 1.12 116L.04, subdivision 1, and by adding a subdivision; 1.13 176.181, subdivision 2a; 268A.15, subdivisions 2, 6, 1.14 and by adding subdivisions; 394.25, by adding a 1.15 subdivision; 446A.04, subdivision 5; 446A.081, 1.16 subdivisions 1, 4, and 9; 462.357, by adding a 1.17 subdivision; and 462A.206, subdivisions 2 and 4; 1.18 proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 1.19 chapters 116J; 116L; 268; and 366; repealing Minnesota 1.20 Statutes 1996, sections 116J.990, subdivision 7; and 1.21 462A.206, subdivision 5. 1.22 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.23 Section 1. [ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; APPROPRIATIONS.] 1.24 The sums shown in the columns marked "APPROPRIATIONS" are 1.25 appropriated from the general fund, or another named fund, to 1.26 the agencies and for the purposes specified in this act, to be 1.27 available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The 1.28 figures "1998" and "1999," where used in this act, mean that the 1.29 appropriation or appropriations listed under them are available 1.30 for the year ending June 30, 1998, or June 30, 1999, 1.31 respectively. The term "first year" means the fiscal year 1.32 ending June 30, 1998, and "second year" means the fiscal year 1.33 ending June 30, 1999. 2.1 SUMMARY BY FUND 2.2 1998 1999 TOTAL 2.3 General $192,165,000 $162,147,000 $354,312,000 2.4 Petroleum Tank 2.5 Cleanup 957,000 780,000 1,737,000 2.6 Trunk Highway 706,000 723,000 1,429,000 2.7 Workers' 2.8 Compensation 22,899,000 22,912,000 45,811,000 2.9 Special Revenue 345,000 350,000 695,000 2.10 TOTAL $217,072,000 $186,912,000 $403,984,000 2.11 APPROPRIATIONS 2.12 Available for the Year 2.13 Ending June 30 2.14 1998 1999 2.15 Sec. 2. TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2.16 Subdivision 1. Total 2.17 Appropriation $ 40,157,000 $ 33,810,000 2.18 Summary by Fund 2.19 General 39,451,000 33,087,000 2.20 Trunk Highway 706,000 723,000 2.21 The amounts that may be spent from this 2.22 appropriation for certain programs are 2.23 specified in the following subdivisions. 2.24 Subd. 2. Business and Community 2.25 Development 2.26 25,401,000 18,904,000 2.27 $4,444,000 the first year is for state 2.28 matching money for federal grants to 2.29 capitalize the drinking water revolving 2.30 loan fund under Minnesota Statutes, 2.31 section 446A.081. The expenditure is 2.32 limited to the minimum amount necessary 2.33 to match the allotment of federal money 2.34 to Minnesota. This is a one-time 2.35 appropriation and must not be included 2.36 in the budget base for the biennium 2.37 ending June 30, 2001. 2.38 $526,000 the first year and $537,000 2.39 the second year is from fees collected 2.40 under Minnesota Statutes, section 2.41 446A.04, subdivision 5, and credited to 2.42 the general fund to administer the 2.43 programs of the public facilities 2.44 authority. 2.45 $5,017,000 the first year and 2.46 $5,017,000 the second year is for 2.47 Minnesota investment fund grants, of 2.48 which $500,000 each year may be used 2.49 for the purposes of the capital access 2.50 program, and is available until spent. 2.51 $250,000 the first year and $250,000 3.1 the second year is for grants to 3.2 Advantage Minnesota, Inc. The funds 3.3 are available only if matched on at 3.4 least a dollar-for-dollar basis from 3.5 other sources. The commissioner may 3.6 release the funds only upon: 3.7 (1) certification that matching funds 3.8 from each participating organization 3.9 are available; and 3.10 (2) review and approval by the 3.11 commissioner of the proposed operations 3.12 plan of Advantage Minnesota, Inc. for 3.13 the biennium. 3.14 $7,916,000 the first year and 3.15 $7,920,000 the second year is for the 3.16 job skills partnership programs. 3.17 $1,000,000 is for grants under 3.18 Minnesota Statutes, sections 116J.551 3.19 to 116J.558. From this appropriation, 3.20 a roughly equal dollar amount of grants 3.21 must be made in the metropolitan area 3.22 and the nonmetropolitan area. This 3.23 appropriation is available until spent. 3.24 $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the 3.25 second year is for a grant to the 3.26 greater metropolitan foreign trade zone 3.27 commission for the purpose of promoting 3.28 foreign trade zones in Minnesota. 3.29 $25,000 the first year is for a grant 3.30 to the board of invention. The 3.31 appropriation is available upon receipt 3.32 by the board of $4 in matching 3.33 contributions in money from nonstate 3.34 sources for every $1 provided by this 3.35 appropriation. 3.36 $1,000,000 is for a grant to develop a 3.37 direct reduction iron-processing 3.38 facility in Minnesota. This 3.39 appropriation is available until July 3.40 1, 1999. 3.41 Notwithstanding Laws 1996, chapter 452, 3.42 section 2, paragraph (c), a match is 3.43 not required for the grant to the 3.44 Morrison county rural development 3.45 finance authority made by that law. 3.46 $45,000 is for a grant to the Upper 3.47 Minnesota Valley River Regional 3.48 Development Commission for development 3.49 of design specifications and 3.50 architectural plans for a regional 3.51 visitors center on the upper segment of 3.52 the Minnesota river corridor within the 3.53 designated scenic byway area and in 3.54 conjunction with the development of the 3.55 Minnesota river corridor trail. The 3.56 appropriation is available until June 3.57 30, 1999. 3.58 $100,000 is for a grant to the 3.59 Minnesota Organization for Global 3.60 Professional Assignments, an 3.61 independent, nonprofit corporation, for 4.1 a program that creates opportunities 4.2 for the international professional 4.3 development of Minnesota college 4.4 graduates and Minnesota college seniors 4.5 interested in pursuing careers with 4.6 multinational businesses. This is a 4.7 one-time appropriation and must be 4.8 repaid by January 1, 2000. The 4.9 appropriation is available for the 4.10 fiscal year ending June 30, 1998. 4.11 $100,000 the first year and $100,000 4.12 the second year is for grants to the 4.13 city of New Brighton, the project 4.14 coordinator and fiscal agent of the 4.15 north metro I-35W corridor coalition, 4.16 for the purposes of the project. The 4.17 coalition shall share all results and 4.18 written reports with the metropolitan 4.19 council and the department of trade and 4.20 economic development. 4.21 $130,000 the first year and $155,000 4.22 the second year is for grants to the 4.23 metropolitan economic development 4.24 association. 4.25 $240,000 the first year and $265,000 4.26 the second year is for grants to Women 4.27 Venture. 4.28 Women Venture and the metropolitan 4.29 economic development association must, 4.30 in the first year, develop contacts and 4.31 relationships with the regional 4.32 initiatives selected under Minnesota 4.33 Statutes, section 116J.415, subdivision 4.34 3, and a plan to deliver their services 4.35 statewide. In the second year, they 4.36 must generally offer their services 4.37 statewide. 4.38 $100,000 the first year and $100,000 4.39 the second year is for grants to create 4.40 and operate two community development 4.41 corporations that target Asian-Pacific 4.42 Minnesotans under Minnesota Statutes, 4.43 section 116J.982. One must be in 4.44 Hennepin county and one must be in 4.45 Ramsey county. 4.46 Subd. 3. Minnesota Trade Office 4.47 2,202,000 2,236,000 4.48 $150,000 the first year and $150,000 4.49 the second year is for state 4.50 participation in the federal City-State 4.51 Leveraged Financing Program. 4.52 Subd. 4. Tourism 4.53 8,175,000 8,205,000 4.54 Summary by Fund 4.55 General 7,469,000 7,482,000 4.56 Trunk Highway 706,000 723,000 4.57 To develop maximum private sector 5.1 involvement in tourism, $2,500,000 the 5.2 first year and $2,500,000 the second 5.3 year of the amounts appropriated for 5.4 marketing activities is contingent upon 5.5 receipt of an equal contribution of 5.6 nonstate sources that have been 5.7 certified by the commissioner. Up to 5.8 one-half of the match may be given in 5.9 in-kind contributions. This 5.10 appropriation may not be spent until 5.11 the money is matched. 5.12 In order to maximize marketing grant 5.13 benefits, the commissioner must give 5.14 priority for joint venture marketing 5.15 grants to organizations with year-round 5.16 sustained tourism activities. For 5.17 programs and projects submitted, the 5.18 commissioner must give priority to 5.19 those that attract nonresident 5.20 travelers to the state. 5.21 Any unexpended money from general fund 5.22 appropriations made under this 5.23 subdivision do not cancel, but must be 5.24 placed in a special advertising account 5.25 for use by the office of tourism to 5.26 purchase additional media. 5.27 If an appropriation for either year for 5.28 grants is not sufficient, the 5.29 appropriation for the other year is 5.30 available for it. 5.31 The commissioner may use grant dollars 5.32 or the value of in-kind services to 5.33 provide the state contribution for the 5.34 partnership program. 5.35 $50,000 in the first year is to make 5.36 grants to the University of Minnesota 5.37 tourism center to research the needs of 5.38 the tourism and travel industry in 5.39 Minnesota. 5.40 $329,000 the first year and $329,000 5.41 the second year is for the Minnesota 5.42 film board. This appropriation is 5.43 available only upon receipt by the 5.44 board of $1 in matching contributions 5.45 of money or in-kind from nonstate 5.46 sources for every $3 provided by this 5.47 appropriation. 5.48 $500,000 the first year and $500,000 5.49 the second year is for grants from the 5.50 department of trade and economic 5.51 development to the Minnesota film board 5.52 for the film production jobs fund in 5.53 Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.543. 5.54 Subd. 5. Administration 5.55 2,971,000 3,028,000 5.56 Subd. 6. Information and Analysis 5.57 1,408,000 1,437,000 5.58 Sec. 3. MINNESOTA TECHNOLOGY, INC. 9,437,000 9,937,000 6.1 $7,605,000 the first year and 6.2 $8,105,000 the second year is for 6.3 transfer from the general fund to the 6.4 Minnesota Technology, Inc. fund. 6.5 $1,500,000 the first year and 6.6 $2,000,000 the second year is for a 6.7 technology partnership fund to make 6.8 investments of $20,000 to $100,000 in 6.9 businesses partnering with faculty 6.10 members at Minnesota academic 6.11 institutions. Any unencumbered balance 6.12 remaining in the first year does not 6.13 cancel but is available for the second 6.14 year of the biennium. 6.15 $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the 6.16 second year is for grants to Minnesota 6.17 Inventors Congress. 6.18 $594,000 the first year and $594,000 6.19 the second year is for grants to 6.20 Minnesota Project Innovation. 6.21 Minnesota Project Innovation must open 6.22 and maintain an office in Northeastern 6.23 Minnesota. 6.24 $950,000 the first year and $950,000 6.25 the second year is for grants to 6.26 Natural Resources Research Institute. 6.27 $113,000 the first year and $113,000 6.28 the second year is for grants to 6.29 Minnesota Council for Quality. 6.30 $100,000 the first year and $100,000 6.31 the second year is for grants to 6.32 Minnesota Cold Weather Research Center. 6.33 Sec. 4. WORLD TRADE CENTER CORP. 78,000 6.34 $78,000 the first year is to retire the 6.35 debt of the Minnesota World Trade 6.36 Center. In addition, the Minnesota 6.37 trade office may transfer $50,000 each 6.38 year to the World Trade Center for 6.39 services to agencies, nonprofits, and 6.40 public organizations. 6.41 Sec. 5. ECONOMIC SECURITY 6.42 Subdivision 1. Total 6.43 Appropriation 39,960,000 32,628,000 6.44 The amount that may be spent from this 6.45 appropriation for certain programs are 6.46 specified in the following subdivisions. 6.47 Subd. 2. Workforce Rehabilitation Services 6.48 19,638,000 19,643,000 6.49 $1,578,000 the first year and 6.50 $2,078,000 the second year is for 6.51 centers for independent living. 6.52 $423,000 the first year and $423,000 6.53 the second year is for mentally ill 6.54 employment support services authorized 6.55 by Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.13. 7.1 $500,000 the first year is to provide 7.2 services to people with severe 7.3 impairment to employment, as defined in 7.4 Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.15, 7.5 subdivision 1a. Of this appropriation, 7.6 five percent is for administrative 7.7 costs. 7.8 $100,000 in the first year and $100,000 7.9 in the second year is for grants to the 7.10 Minnesota employment center for deaf 7.11 and hard-of-hearing people. 7.12 Subd. 3. State Services for the Blind 7.13 3,735,000 3,816,000 7.14 This appropriation may be supplemented 7.15 by funds provided by the Friends of the 7.16 Communication Center, for support of 7.17 Services for the Blind's Communication 7.18 Center, which serves all blind and 7.19 visually handicapped Minnesotans. The 7.20 commissioner shall report to the 7.21 legislature on a biennial basis the 7.22 funds provided by the Friends of the 7.23 Communication Center. The commissioner 7.24 may not require employees to 7.25 participate in intensive blindness 7.26 sensitivity training in which the 7.27 employees are blindfolded or otherwise 7.28 simulate blindness, unless the employee 7.29 is a manager or a counselor. 7.30 Subd. 4. Workforce Preparation 7.31 14,987,000 7,769,000 7.32 $300,000 the first year and $300,000 7.33 the second year is for youth 7.34 intervention programs under Minnesota 7.35 Statutes, section 268.30, subdivisions 7.36 1 and 2. Funding may be used to expand 7.37 existing programs to serve unmet needs 7.38 and to create new programs in 7.39 underserved areas. This appropriation 7.40 is available until spent. 7.41 $30,000 in fiscal year 1998 is for a 7.42 grant to the city of Champlin for 7.43 creating and expanding curfew 7.44 enforcement. The program must have 7.45 clearly established neighborhood, 7.46 community, and family measures of 7.47 success and must report to the 7.48 commissioner of economic security on 7.49 the achievement of these outcomes on or 7.50 before June 30, 1998. 7.51 Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 7.52 section 268.022, subdivision 2, the 7.53 commissioner of finance shall transfer 7.54 to the general fund from the dedicated 7.55 fund $3,500,000 in the first year and 7.56 $3,500,000 in the second year of the 7.57 money collected through the special 7.58 assessment established in Minnesota 7.59 Statutes, section 268.022, subdivision 7.60 1. 7.61 Of this appropriation, $6,000,000 the 8.1 first year is for summer youth 8.2 employment programs. 8.3 Of the money appropriated for the 8.4 summer youth employment programs for 8.5 the first year, $750,000 is immediately 8.6 available. Any remaining balance of 8.7 the immediately available money is 8.8 available for the year in which it is 8.9 appropriated. If the appropriation for 8.10 either year of the biennium is 8.11 insufficient, money may be transferred 8.12 from the appropriation for the other 8.13 year. 8.14 $550,000 the first year and $550,000 8.15 the second year is for youth employment 8.16 and for housing for the homeless 8.17 through the YOUTHBUILD program. A 8.18 Minnesota YOUTHBUILD program funded 8.19 under this section as authorized in 8.20 Minnesota Statutes, sections 268.361 to 8.21 268.367, qualifies as an approved 8.22 training program under Minnesota Rules, 8.23 part 5200.0930, subpart 1. 8.24 $250,000 the first year and $250,000 8.25 the second year is for the learn to 8.26 earn summer youth employment program 8.27 established in Laws 1995, chapter 224, 8.28 section 39. This appropriation is 8.29 available until spent. 8.30 $1,000,000 the first year and 8.31 $1,050,000 the second year is to 8.32 supplement the activities of the Job 8.33 Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Title 8.34 IIA program, as described in United 8.35 States Code, title 29, sections 1501 to 8.36 1792. The appropriation is to provide 8.37 services to TANF eligible recipients. 8.38 The appropriation shall be allocated in 8.39 accordance with the Job Training 8.40 Partnership Act requirements for 8.41 allowable activities and is subject to 8.42 cost limitations, eligibility criteria, 8.43 and other operational guidelines of the 8.44 act. Any unencumbered balance does not 8.45 cancel at the end of the first year and 8.46 is available for the second year of the 8.47 program. The commissioner may use up 8.48 to five percent of the appropriation 8.49 for state operations. This 8.50 appropriation is available until 8.51 expended. 8.52 $250,000 the first year and $250,000 8.53 the second year is to operate a 8.54 community work empowerment support 8.55 group demonstration project in at least 8.56 two "weed and seed" sites. A 8.57 demonstration project must be operated 8.58 for at least two years. At least one 8.59 of the sites must be located outside of 8.60 the metropolitan seven-county area. A 8.61 project consists of empowerment groups 8.62 of individuals that are in the process 8.63 of obtaining or have obtained jobs, 8.64 including those in the welfare-to-work 8.65 programs, or are working out problems 8.66 of attaining self-sufficiency. The 9.1 groups must separately meet at least 9.2 monthly for at least two hours. Each 9.3 group meeting must include empower 9.4 mentors whose responsibility will be to 9.5 conduct the meeting. Group members 9.6 must be paid at least $25 for each 9.7 meeting attended. The sites will 9.8 report to the commissioner on a 9.9 semiannual basis regarding the progress 9.10 achieved at the meetings. The purpose 9.11 of the group is to: 9.12 (1) share information among group 9.13 members as to the successes and 9.14 problems encountered in the 9.15 individual's employment goals; 9.16 (2) provide a forum for individuals 9.17 involved in moving to self-sufficiency 9.18 to share their experiences and 9.19 strategies and to support and empower 9.20 each other; and 9.21 (3) to provide feedback to the 9.22 commissioner concerning the best 9.23 strategies to achieve the empowerment 9.24 support group's objectives. 9.25 $500,000 is for a grant to the center 9.26 for victims of torture to design and 9.27 develop training to educate health care 9.28 and human service workers on levels of 9.29 sensitive care and how to make 9.30 referrals and to establish a network of 9.31 care providers to do pro bono care for 9.32 torture survivors so as to enable a 9.33 rapid integration into communities and 9.34 labor markets by torture victims. This 9.35 is a one-time appropriation requiring a 9.36 one-to-one nonstate, in-kind match, and 9.37 is available until expended. 9.38 Subd. 5. Workforce Exchange 9.39 1,600,000 1,400,000 9.40 $1,600,000 the first year and 9.41 $1,400,000 the second year is to 9.42 supplement the federal workforce center 9.43 initiative which integrates local 9.44 employment and training services, 9.45 providing a comprehensive system to job 9.46 seekers and employers. 9.47 Sec. 6. HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY 27,532,000 26,532,000 9.48 The amounts that may be spent from this 9.49 appropriation for certain programs are 9.50 specified below. 9.51 This appropriation is for transfer to 9.52 the housing development fund for the 9.53 programs specified. This transfer is 9.54 part of the agency's permanent budget 9.55 base. 9.56 Spending limit on cost of general 9.57 administration of agency programs: 9.58 1998 1999 10.1 11,017,000 11,678,000 10.2 $13,486,000 is for the affordable 10.3 rental investment fund program. To the 10.4 extent practicable, this appropriation 10.5 shall be used so that an approximately 10.6 equal number of housing units are 10.7 financed in the metropolitan area, as 10.8 defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 10.9 473.121, subdivision 2, and in the 10.10 nonmetropolitan area. 10.11 (a) In the area of the state outside 10.12 the metropolitan area, the agency must 10.13 work with groups in the funding regions 10.14 created under Minnesota Statutes, 10.15 section 116J.415, to assist the agency 10.16 in identifying the affordable housing 10.17 needed in each region in connection 10.18 with economic development and 10.19 redevelopment efforts and in 10.20 establishing priorities for uses of the 10.21 affordable rental investment fund. The 10.22 groups must include the regional 10.23 development commissioners, the regional 10.24 organization selected under Minnesota 10.25 Statutes, section 116J.415, the private 10.26 industry councils, units of local 10.27 government, community action agencies, 10.28 the Minnesota housing partnership 10.29 network groups, local lenders, 10.30 for-profit and nonprofit developers, 10.31 and realtors. In addition to 10.32 priorities developed by the group, the 10.33 agency must give a preference to 10.34 economically viable projects in which 10.35 units of local government, area 10.36 employers, and the private sector 10.37 contribute financial assistance. 10.38 (b) In the metropolitan area, the 10.39 commissioner shall collaborate with the 10.40 metropolitan council to identify the 10.41 priorities for use of the affordable 10.42 rental investment fund. Funds 10.43 distributed in the metropolitan area 10.44 must be used consistent with the 10.45 objectives of the metropolitan 10.46 development guide, adopted under 10.47 Minnesota Statutes, section 473.145. 10.48 In addition to the priorities 10.49 identified in conjunction with the 10.50 metropolitan council, the agency shall 10.51 give preference to economically viable 10.52 projects that: 10.53 (1) include a contribution of financial 10.54 resources from units of local 10.55 government and area employers; 10.56 (2) take into account the availability 10.57 of transportation in the community; and 10.58 (3) take into account the job training 10.59 efforts in the community. 10.60 $6,800,000 is for the community 10.61 rehabilitation program. 10.62 Of this amount for the community 10.63 rehabilitation program, $500,000 is for 11.1 a grant to provide matching funds to an 11.2 organization or consortium of 11.3 organizations awarded a grant from the 11.4 metropolitan livable communities 11.5 demonstration program to develop 11.6 affordable and lifecycle housing in St. 11.7 Paul. The project must be based upon a 11.8 comprehensive community planning 11.9 process that creates a long-term plan 11.10 to revitalize a neighborhood and must 11.11 include compact development with 11.12 linkages to employment, transit, and 11.13 affordable lifecycle housing. 11.14 Of the amount for the community 11.15 rehabilitation program, $1,000,000 is 11.16 for the purpose of acquiring, 11.17 demolishing, removing, rehabilitating, 11.18 and reconfiguring multiple-unit 11.19 residential property to reduce 11.20 concentrations of substandard 11.21 multiple-unit rental housing. Priority 11.22 shall be given to projects that result 11.23 in the creation of a full range of 11.24 housing opportunities, including 11.25 housing opportunities for residents of 11.26 the affected multiple-unit rental 11.27 housing, that will increase the tax 11.28 base and income mix of the community. 11.29 $187,000 the first year and $187,000 11.30 the second year is for the urban Indian 11.31 housing program under Minnesota 11.32 Statutes, section 462A.07, subdivision 11.33 15. 11.34 $1,683,000 the first year and 11.35 $1,683,000 the second year is for the 11.36 tribal Indian housing program under 11.37 Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.07, 11.38 subdivision 14. 11.39 $186,000 the first year and $186,000 11.40 the second year is for the Minnesota 11.41 rural and urban homesteading program 11.42 under Minnesota Statutes, section 11.43 462A.057. 11.44 $100,000 the first year and $100,000 11.45 the second year is for the capacity 11.46 building grant program for projects 11.47 under the neighborhood land trust 11.48 program in Minnesota Statutes, sections 11.49 462A.30 and 462A.31. 11.50 $4,287,000 the first year and 11.51 $4,287,000 the second year is for the 11.52 housing rehabilitation and 11.53 accessibility program under Minnesota 11.54 Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivision 11.55 14a. 11.56 $2,700,000 the first year and 11.57 $2,700,000 the second year is for the 11.58 rent assistance for family 11.59 stabilization program under Minnesota 11.60 Statutes, section 462A.205. 11.61 $2,375,000 the first year and 11.62 $2,375,000 the second year is for the 11.63 family homeless prevention and 12.1 assistance program. 12.2 $358,000 the first year and $358,000 12.3 the second year is for the emergency 12.4 mortgage foreclosure prevention and 12.5 emergency rental assistance program. 12.6 $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the 12.7 second year is for home equity 12.8 conversion counseling grants under 12.9 Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.28. 12.10 The money must be used for a counseling 12.11 service which only counsels for home 12.12 equity conversions. 12.13 $2,348,000 the first year and 12.14 $2,348,000 the second year is for the 12.15 housing trust fund to be deposited in 12.16 the housing trust fund account created 12.17 under Minnesota Statutes, section 12.18 462A.201, and used for the purposes 12.19 provided in that section. Of this 12.20 amount, $550,000 each year must be used 12.21 for transitional housing. 12.22 $1,200,000 the first year and 12.23 $1,200,000 the second year is for home 12.24 ownership assistance under Minnesota 12.25 Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 12.26 8. 12.27 Sec. 7. COMMERCE 12.28 Subdivision 1. Total 12.29 Appropriation 16,004,000 16,178,000 12.30 Summary by Fund 12.31 General 14,240,000 14,572,000 12.32 Petro Cleanup 957,000 780,000 12.33 Workers' 12.34 Compensation 462,000 476,000 12.35 Special Revenue 345,000 350,000 12.36 The amounts that may be spent from this 12.37 appropriation for each program are 12.38 specified in the following subdivisions. 12.39 Subd. 2. Financial Examinations 12.40 3,802,000 3,883,000 12.41 Subd. 3. Registration and Insurance 12.42 4,479,000 4,590,000 12.43 Summary by Fund 12.44 General 4,017,000 4,114,000 12.45 Workers' 12.46 Compensation 462,000 476,000 12.47 Subd. 4. Enforcement and Licensing 12.48 3,945,000 4,031,000 12.49 Summary by Fund 13.1 General 3,600,000 3,681,000 13.2 Special Revenue 345,000 350,000 13.3 $345,000 the first year and $350,000 13.4 the second year is from the real estate 13.5 education, research, and recovery 13.6 account in the special revenue fund for 13.7 the purpose of Minnesota Statutes, 13.8 section 82.34, subdivision 6. If the 13.9 appropriation from the special revenue 13.10 fund for either year is insufficient, 13.11 the appropriation for the other year is 13.12 available for it. 13.13 Subd. 5. Petroleum Tank Release 13.14 Cleanup Board 13.15 957,000 780,000 13.16 This appropriation is from the 13.17 petroleum tank release cleanup fund for 13.18 administration. 13.19 Subd. 6. Administrative Services 13.20 2,821,000 2,894,000 13.21 Sec. 8. BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY 572,000 587,000 13.22 Sec. 9. BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE, 13.23 ENGINEERING, LAND SURVEYING, 13.24 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, GEOLOGISTS, AND 13.25 INTERIOR DESIGN 684,000 700,000 13.26 Sec. 10. BOARD OF BARBER 13.27 EXAMINERS 136,000 140,000 13.28 Sec. 11. BOARD OF BOXING 79,000 82,000 13.29 Sec. 12. LABOR AND INDUSTRY 13.30 Subdivision 1. Total 13.31 Appropriation 25,014,000 25,084,000 13.32 Summary by Fund 13.33 General 4,041,000 4,112,000 13.34 Workers' 13.35 Compensation 20,973,000 20,972,000 13.36 The amounts that may be spent from this 13.37 appropriation for each program are 13.38 specified in the following subdivisions. 13.39 Subd. 2. Workers' Compensation 13.40 12,127,000 12,135,000 13.41 Summary by Fund 13.42 General 100,000 100,000 13.43 Workers' 13.44 Compensation 12,027,000 12,035,000 13.45 $100,000 the first year and $100,000 13.46 the second year is for grants to the 13.47 Vinland Center for rehabilitation 13.48 service. 14.1 Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 14.2 section 79.253, $47,000 the first year 14.3 and $47,000 the second year is 14.4 appropriated from the assigned risk 14.5 safety account in the special 14.6 compensation fund to the commissioner 14.7 of labor and industry for the purpose 14.8 of providing information to employers 14.9 regarding the prevention of violence in 14.10 the workplace. 14.11 Subd. 3. Workplace Services 14.12 6,393,000 6,713,000 14.13 Summary by Fund 14.14 General 2,875,000 2,931,000 14.15 Workers' 14.16 Compensation 3,518,000 3,782,000 14.17 Subd. 4. General Support 14.18 6,494,000 6,236,000 14.19 Summary by Fund 14.20 General 1,066,000 1,081,000 14.21 Workers' 14.22 Compensation 5,428,000 5,155,000 14.23 $204,000 the first year and $204,000 14.24 the second year is for labor education 14.25 and advancement program grants. 14.26 Subd. 5. Daedalus Project 14.27 $2,500,000 appropriated in Laws 1995, 14.28 chapter 224, section 12, subdivision 2, 14.29 from the workers' compensation fund for 14.30 the Daedalus imaging project does not 14.31 cancel on June 30, 1997, but is 14.32 available until June 30, 1999. 14.33 Sec. 13. MEDIATION SERVICES 14.34 Subdivision 1. Total 14.35 Appropriation 2,061,000 2,074,000 14.36 Subd. 2. Mediation Services 14.37 1,646,000 1,659,000 14.38 Subd. 3. Labor Management Cooperation Grants 14.39 302,000 302,000 14.40 $302,000 the first year and $302,000 14.41 the second year is for grants to area 14.42 labor management committees. Any 14.43 unencumbered balance remaining at the 14.44 end of the first year does not cancel 14.45 but is available for the second year. 14.46 Subd. 4. Office of Dispute Resolution 14.47 113,000 113,000 14.48 Sec. 14. WORKERS' COMPENSATION 15.1 COURT OF APPEALS 1,464,000 1,464,000 15.2 This appropriation is from the workers' 15.3 compensation fund. 15.4 Sec. 15. LABOR INTERPRETIVE 15.5 CENTER 207,000 214,000 15.6 Sec. 16. PUBLIC UTILITIES 15.7 COMMISSION 3,326,000 3,400,000 15.8 Sec. 17. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE 15.9 Subdivision 1. Total 15.10 Appropriation 9,008,000 9,116,000 15.11 The amounts that may be spent from this 15.12 appropriation for each program are 15.13 specified in the following subdivisions. 15.14 Subd. 2. Telecommunications 15.15 785,000 803,000 15.16 Subd. 3. Weights and Measures 15.17 3,076,000 3,070,000 15.18 Subd. 4. Information and Operations 15.19 Management 15.20 1,501,000 1,532,000 15.21 Subd. 5. Energy 15.22 3,646,000 3,711,000 15.23 $588,000 the first year and $588,000 15.24 the second year is for transfer to the 15.25 energy and conservation account 15.26 established in Minnesota Statutes, 15.27 section 216B.241, subdivision 2a, for 15.28 programs administered by the 15.29 commissioner of children, families, and 15.30 learning to improve the energy 15.31 efficiency of residential oil-fired 15.32 heating plants in low-income households 15.33 and, when necessary, to provide 15.34 weatherization services to the homes. 15.35 Sec. 18. MINNESOTA HISTORICAL 15.36 SOCIETY 15.37 Subdivision 1. Total 15.38 Appropriation 22,820,000 23,156,000 15.39 The amounts that may be spent from this 15.40 appropriation for each program are 15.41 specified in the following subdivisions. 15.42 The Minnesota historical society is 15.43 eligible for a salary supplement in the 15.44 same manner as state agencies if one is 15.45 available. Employees of the Minnesota 15.46 historical society will be paid in 15.47 accordance with the appropriate pay 15.48 plan. 15.49 Subd. 2. Education and 15.50 Outreach 11,588,000 11,903,000 16.1 Of this amount, $150,000 each year is 16.2 for expenses associated with the 16.3 territorial sesquicentennial and 16.4 millennium celebrations. 16.5 Subd. 3. Preservation 16.6 and Access 8,661,000 8,828,000 16.7 Subd. 4. Information Program 16.8 Delivery 2,095,000 2,097,000 16.9 $2,000,000 the first year and 16.10 $2,000,000 the second year is for 16.11 technology improvements that will 16.12 expand core capacity and improve 16.13 service and program delivery. Money 16.14 spent from this appropriation for 16.15 system development must not be included 16.16 in the budget base for the biennium 16.17 ending June 30, 2001. 16.18 Subd. 5. Fiscal Agent 476,000 328,000 16.19 (a) Sibley House Association 16.20 88,000 88,000 16.21 This appropriation is available for 16.22 operation and maintenance of the Sibley 16.23 House and related buildings on the Old 16.24 Mendota state historic site operated by 16.25 the Sibley House Association. 16.26 (b) Minnesota International Center 16.27 50,000 50,000 16.28 (c) Minnesota Air National 16.29 Guard Museum 16.30 19,000 16.31 (d) Institute for Learning and 16.32 Teaching - Project 120 16.33 90,000 90,000 16.34 (e) Minnesota Military Museum 16.35 29,000 16.36 (f) Farmamerica 16.37 100,000 100,000 16.38 Notwithstanding any other law, this 16.39 grant may be used for operational 16.40 purposes. 16.41 (g) $50,000 is for a grant to the 16.42 Hubert H. Humphrey museum. The grant 16.43 shall be used for planning, and to the 16.44 extent possible, the design and 16.45 construction drawings for the Hubert H. 16.46 Humphrey museum to be located in 16.47 Waverly, Minnesota. 16.48 (h) Balances Forward 16.49 Any unencumbered balance remaining in 16.50 this subdivision the first year does 17.1 not cancel but is available for the 17.2 second year of the biennium. 17.3 Subd. 6. Preservation Grants 17.4 Notwithstanding Laws 1994, chapter 643, 17.5 section 19, subdivision 5, the 17.6 historical society may award grants 17.7 from the unexpended balance under that 17.8 subdivision to public agencies or 17.9 entities based on historical 17.10 preservation purposes and needs. The 17.11 society shall require significant 17.12 matching money for such projects. A 17.13 grant awarded under this section for 17.14 historical preservation is not subject 17.15 to the requirements of Minnesota 17.16 Statutes, section 16A.695. 17.17 Subd. 7. Bemidji Depot 17.18 $50,000 is for a grant to the city of 17.19 Bemidji. The city may use the grant 17.20 only to pay up to one-half of the total 17.21 costs, including acquisition, design, 17.22 other preliminary work, and 17.23 construction costs, for the purchase or 17.24 repair of an abandoned historic 17.25 railroad depot within the city and its 17.26 conversion to a historical museum and 17.27 facility for the Beltrami county 17.28 historical society. 17.29 Sec. 19. MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL 17.30 BOARD 307,000 315,000 17.31 Any unencumbered balance remaining in 17.32 the first year does not cancel but is 17.33 available for the second year of the 17.34 biennium. 17.35 Sec. 20. COUNCIL ON BLACK 17.36 MINNESOTANS 281,000 286,000 17.37 Sec. 21. CHICANO-LATINO 17.38 AFFAIRS COUNCIL 300,000 305,000 17.39 During the biennium ending June 30, 17.40 1999, council publications may contain 17.41 advertising. Receipts from advertising 17.42 are appropriated to the council for 17.43 purposes of council publications. For 17.44 the biennium ending June 30, 1999, the 17.45 council shall report to the legislature 17.46 on the revenues and expenditures from 17.47 advertising by February 15 each year. 17.48 Sec. 22. COUNCIL ON 17.49 ASIAN-PACIFIC MINNESOTANS 272,000 269,000 17.50 Sec. 23. INDIAN AFFAIRS 17.51 COUNCIL 523,000 535,000 17.52 For the biennium ending June 30, 1999, 17.53 federal money received for the Indian 17.54 affairs council is appropriated to the 17.55 council and added to this appropriation. 17.56 Sec. 24. CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND 17.57 LEARNING 18.1 Subdivision 1. Total 18.2 Appropriation 1,100,000 50,000 18.3 Subd. 2. Meadowbrook Collaborative 18.4 Of this amount, $50,000 the first year 18.5 is for a grant to the St. Louis Park 18.6 Meadowbrook Collaborative Housing 18.7 Project to enhance youth outreach 18.8 services and to provide educational and 18.9 recreational programming for youth at 18.10 risk through the development of formal 18.11 after school programming and weekend 18.12 youth activities. The collaborative 18.13 shall include a cross-section of public 18.14 and private sector community 18.15 representatives to develop services to 18.16 address specific community and social 18.17 needs of children and youth. 18.18 These funds shall also be made 18.19 available to assist in staffing and 18.20 program development for the Meadowbrook 18.21 Youth Center. The center shall focus 18.22 on reducing truancy, developing assets 18.23 for at-risk youth, developing programs 18.24 for structured time thus minimizing 18.25 opportunities for adverse activities, 18.26 and mentoring with adults. 18.27 $25,000 of the amount available is 18.28 available on the day following final 18.29 enactment of this section on a nonmatch 18.30 basis to the collaborative to develop 18.31 at-risk youth programs. The remainder 18.32 is only available on a matching grant 18.33 basis. 18.34 Subd. 3. Energy Assistance 18.35 Of this amount, $1,000,000 is for 18.36 low-income energy assistance. 18.37 Subd. 4. Model School for Chronic 18.38 Truancy and Other Behavior Problems 18.39 Of this amount, $50,000 the first year 18.40 and $50,000 the second year is for the 18.41 purpose of funding the efforts of 18.42 independent school district No. 77, 18.43 Mankato, to participate in an 18.44 interagency cooperative program for 18.45 at-risk middle and junior high school 18.46 students in adjudication for chronic 18.47 truancy and other behavior problems. 18.48 The program, which involves a maximum 18.49 of 12 youth, encourages individualized 18.50 teaching plans, regular parent 18.51 meetings, and collaboration between the 18.52 student's probation officer, social 18.53 worker, teachers, administrators, and 18.54 any law enforcement officials working 18.55 with the youth. 18.56 Sec. 25. MILITARY AFFAIRS 50,000 50,000 18.57 $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the 18.58 second year is appropriated from the 18.59 general fund to the adjutant general 18.60 for the biennium ending June 30, 1999. 18.61 The appropriation is for the purpose of 19.1 coordinating agreements with community 19.2 empowerment support groups for the use 19.3 of the military training center and 19.4 related personnel at Camp Ripley for 19.5 providing what are commonly referred to 19.6 as "soft skills" job skills training to 19.7 people, including those who are 19.8 expected to make the transition from 19.9 welfare to work. "Soft skills" include 19.10 such things as being punctual and 19.11 following directions. The adjutant 19.12 general may enter into contracts with 19.13 other state departments and local 19.14 agencies for the purpose of using the 19.15 facilities at Camp Ripley and staff to 19.16 provide that training. 19.17 Sec. 26. RURAL POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT 19.18 CENTER; APPROPRIATION; ENDOWMENT 19.19 $15,000,000 is appropriated from the 19.20 general fund to the center for rural 19.21 policy and development account. 19.22 $10,000,000 of the appropriation does 19.23 not cancel and does not require a 19.24 match. Up to $5,000,000 of this 19.25 appropriation must be matched by June 19.26 30, 1999, or it cancels to the extent 19.27 it is not matched. $100,000 is 19.28 appropriated to Mankato State 19.29 University for the purpose of starting 19.30 up the rural policy and development 19.31 center. 19.32 Sec. 27. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA 19.33 INTERNATIONAL TRADE ACTIVITIES; 19.34 APPROPRIATION 19.35 (a) $600,000 is appropriated from the 19.36 general fund to the regents of the 19.37 University of Minnesota for the first 19.38 year. 19.39 (b) Of this appropriation, $100,000 is 19.40 for research and development to provide 19.41 application, content, and technical 19.42 assistance to support global United 19.43 Nations tradepoints located in 19.44 Minnesota. 19.45 (c) Of this appropriation, $500,000 is 19.46 for the operation of a secure 19.47 electronic authentication link 19.48 laboratory. 19.49 Sec. 28. APPROPRIATION; CITY OF 19.50 ANDOVER 19.51 $300,000 is appropriated from the 19.52 contaminated site cleanup and 19.53 development account. The appropriation 19.54 shall be funded by tax proceeds 19.55 collected under Minnesota Statutes, 19.56 section 270.91, and deposited into the 19.57 account. The grant shall be used for 19.58 the cleanup of contaminated land but 19.59 cannot be used for land acquisition. 19.60 Sec. 29. [LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION; ADVISORY TASK FORCE.] 19.61 Subdivision 1. [PURPOSE; DUTIES.] An advisory task force 20.1 on lead hazard reduction is established to: 20.2 (1) study and propose a program to certify residential 20.3 rental property as lead-safe; 20.4 (2) study and propose essential maintenance practices and 20.5 standard treatments to ensure that a residence remains lead-safe 20.6 after certification; 20.7 (3) identify the current barriers that cause lead liability 20.8 exclusion riders to be added to property owner insurance 20.9 liability policies; 20.10 (4) identify the legal rights and responsibilities of 20.11 landlords to provide lead-safe housing and the legal rights and 20.12 responsibilities of both landlords and tenants to maintain 20.13 lead-safe property; and 20.14 (5) study the legal liability of landlords and tenants when 20.15 a child becomes lead poisoned and propose methods to reduce 20.16 property owner liability while still protecting the legal rights 20.17 of children who become lead poisoned. 20.18 The task force shall report its findings and proposals to 20.19 the 1998 legislature. 20.20 Subd. 2. [MEMBERSHIP.] Members of the advisory task force 20.21 on lead hazard reduction are as follows: 20.22 (1) the chairs, or the chairs' designees, of the house of 20.23 representatives housing and housing finance division, and the 20.24 family and early childhood education finance division; 20.25 (2) the chairs, or the chairs' designees, of the senate 20.26 jobs, energy, and community development committee, and the 20.27 family and early childhood education finance division; 20.28 (3) the commissioner of commerce or the commissioner's 20.29 designee; 20.30 (4) the commissioner of the housing finance agency or the 20.31 commissioner's designee; 20.32 (5) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's 20.33 designee; and 20.34 (6) 12 members appointed jointly by the commissioner of 20.35 commerce and the commissioner of the housing finance agency to 20.36 represent the following interests: landlords, tenants, 21.1 attorneys practicing landlord-tenant law, parents of children 21.2 with lead poisoning, swab teams, insurers, the education 21.3 association, family physicians and pediatricians, realtors, the 21.4 Children's Defense Fund, the federal Environmental Protection 21.5 Agency, and local boards of health. 21.6 Subd. 3. [CHAIR.] The commissioners of the housing finance 21.7 agency and the department of commerce shall convene the first 21.8 meeting of the advisory task force. At the advisory task 21.9 force's first meeting, the members shall select a member to 21.10 serve as chair. 21.11 Subd. 4. [TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.] The commissioners of 21.12 health, commerce, and the housing finance agency and the 21.13 attorney general shall provide assistance to the advisory task 21.14 force, including technical assistance relating to lead hazards 21.15 and the reduction of lead hazards, insurance, landlord-tenant 21.16 law, and other assistance as requested by the task force. 21.17 Subd. 5. [EXPIRATION.] This section expires June 30, 1998. 21.18 Sec. 30. [REPORT; RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION LOANS.] 21.19 The Minnesota housing finance agency shall submit a report 21.20 to the legislature by February 1, 1998. The report shall 21.21 describe how the agency shall provide funding for not less than 21.22 2,000 residential rehabilitation loans per year for not less 21.23 than ten years from its community fix-up fund for homes located 21.24 anywhere in fully developed cities. A fully developed city 21.25 includes any city, except cities of the first class, within the 21.26 fully developed area described in Pub. No. 78-94-022 (February 21.27 15, 1994) titled "Keeping the Twin Cities Vital: Regional 21.28 Strategies for Change In The Fully Developed Area" prepared by 21.29 the Metropolitan Council. The terms of the loans and the income 21.30 limitations for loans available in fully developed cities shall 21.31 be consistent with other fix-up fund loans except that the 21.32 interest rate shall not exceed an actuarial percentage rate of 21.33 five percent per annum. The agency shall include in its report 21.34 any additional costs of administrating this loan program and 21.35 providing loans at the required interest rate. 21.36 Sec. 31. [MINNESOTA TECHNOLOGY CORRIDOR TRANSFER.] 22.1 The grant to the Minnesota Technology Corridor Corporation, 22.2 a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provided in Laws 1995, 22.3 chapter 224, section 3, does not cancel and any remaining 22.4 balance that may exist upon the dissolution of the Minnesota 22.5 Technology Corridor Corporation shall be transferred to the 22.6 William C. Norris Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. 22.7 Sec. 32. [TASK FORCE; WELFARE REFORM BUDGET IMPACT.] 22.8 The commissioner of finance shall report to the legislature 22.9 by January 20, 1998, on the potential budget impact to each 22.10 state department and agency, including public institutions of 22.11 higher education, of the 1996 federal welfare reform legislation 22.12 and the response to that reform by the legislature, by 22.13 legislation contained in S.F. No. 1 in the 1997 session, if 22.14 enacted. 22.15 The commissioner shall report that potential budgetary 22.16 impact separately for each department and for each program, 22.17 including programs funded by pass through appropriations. 22.18 Each state department and agency must cooperate with the 22.19 commissioner in the preparation of the report. 22.20 The commissioner shall solicit input from the public about 22.21 the budgetary impacts. 22.22 Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 60A.23, 22.23 subdivision 8, is amended to read: 22.24 Subd. 8. [SELF-INSURANCE OR INSURANCE PLAN ADMINISTRATORS 22.25 WHO ARE VENDORS OF RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES.] (1) [SCOPE.] This 22.26 subdivision applies to any vendor of risk management services 22.27 and to any entity which administers, for compensation, a 22.28 self-insurance or insurance plan. This subdivision does not 22.29 apply (a) to an insurance company authorized to transact 22.30 insurance in this state, as defined by section 60A.06, 22.31 subdivision 1, clauses (4) and (5); (b) to a service plan 22.32 corporation, as defined by section 62C.02, subdivision 6; (c) to 22.33 a health maintenance organization, as defined by section 62D.02, 22.34 subdivision 4; (d) to an employer directly operating a 22.35 self-insurance plan for its employees' benefits; (e) to an 22.36 entity which administers a program of health benefits 23.1 established pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement 23.2 between an employer, or group or association of employers, and a 23.3 union or unions; or (f) to an entity which administers a 23.4 self-insurance or insurance plan if a licensed Minnesota insurer 23.5 is providing insurance to the plan and if the licensed insurer 23.6 has appointed the entity administering the plan as one of its 23.7 licensed agents within this state. 23.8 (2) [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this subdivision the 23.9 following terms have the meanings given them. 23.10 (a) "Administering a self-insurance or insurance plan" 23.11 means (i) processing, reviewing or paying claims, (ii) 23.12 establishing or operating funds and accounts, or (iii) otherwise 23.13 providing necessary administrative services in connection with 23.14 the operation of a self-insurance or insurance plan. 23.15 (b) "Employer" means an employer, as defined by section 23.16 62E.02, subdivision 2. 23.17 (c) "Entity" means any association, corporation, 23.18 partnership, sole proprietorship, trust, or other business 23.19 entity engaged in or transacting business in this state. 23.20 (d) "Self-insurance or insurance plan" means a plan 23.21 providing life, medical or hospital care, accident, sickness or 23.22 disability insurance for the benefit of employees or members of 23.23 an association, or a plan providing liability coverage for any 23.24 other risk or hazard, which is or is not directly insured or 23.25 provided by a licensed insurer, service plan corporation, or 23.26 health maintenance organization. 23.27 (e) "Vendor of risk management services" means an entity 23.28 providing for compensation actuarial, financial management, 23.29 accounting, legal or other services for the purpose of designing 23.30 and establishing a self-insurance or insurance plan for an 23.31 employer. 23.32 (3) [LICENSE.] No vendor of risk management services or 23.33 entity administering a self-insurance or insurance plan may 23.34 transact this business in this state unless it is licensed to do 23.35 so by the commissioner. An applicant for a license shall state 23.36 in writing the type of activities it seeks authorization to 24.1 engage in and the type of services it seeks authorization to 24.2 provide. The license may be granted only when the commissioner 24.3 is satisfied that the entity possesses the necessary 24.4 organization, background, expertise, and financial integrity to 24.5 supply the services sought to be offered. The commissioner may 24.6 issue a license subject to restrictions or limitations upon the 24.7 authorization, including the type of services which may be 24.8 supplied or the activities which may be engaged in. The license 24.9 fee is$100$500 for the initial application and $500 for each 24.10 two-year renewal. All licenses are for a period of two years. 24.11 (4) [REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS; POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONER.] 24.12 To assure that self-insurance or insurance plans are financially 24.13 solvent, are administered in a fair and equitable fashion, and 24.14 are processing claims and paying benefits in a prompt, fair, and 24.15 honest manner, vendors of risk management services and entities 24.16 administering insurance or self-insurance plans are subject to 24.17 the supervision and examination by the commissioner. Vendors of 24.18 risk management services, entities administering insurance or 24.19 self-insurance plans, and insurance or self-insurance plans 24.20 established or operated by them are subject to the trade 24.21 practice requirements of sections 72A.19 to 72A.30. In lieu of 24.22 an unlimited guarantee from a parent corporation for a vendor of 24.23 risk management services or an entity administering insurance or 24.24 self-insurance plans, the commissioner may accept a surety bond 24.25 in a form satisfactory to the commissioner in an amount equal to 24.26 120 percent of the total amount of claims handled by the 24.27 applicant in the prior year. If at any time the total amount of 24.28 claims handled during a year exceeds the amount upon which the 24.29 bond was calculated, the administrator shall immediately notify 24.30 the commissioner. The commissioner may require that the bond be 24.31 increased accordingly. 24.32 (5) [RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.] To carry out the purposes of 24.33 this subdivision, the commissioner may adopt rules pursuant to 24.34 sections 14.001 to 14.69. These rules may: 24.35 (a) establish reporting requirements for administrators of 24.36 insurance or self-insurance plans; 25.1 (b) establish standards and guidelines to assure the 25.2 adequacy of financing, reinsuring, and administration of 25.3 insurance or self-insurance plans; 25.4 (c) establish bonding requirements or other provisions 25.5 assuring the financial integrity of entities administering 25.6 insurance or self-insurance plans; or 25.7 (d) establish other reasonable requirements to further the 25.8 purposes of this subdivision. 25.9 Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 65B.48, 25.10 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 25.11 Subd. 3. Self-insurance, subject to approval of the 25.12 commissioner, is effected by filing with the commissioner in 25.13 satisfactory form: 25.14 (1) a continuing undertaking by the owner or other 25.15 appropriate person to pay tort liabilities or basic economic 25.16 loss benefits, or both, and to perform all other obligations 25.17 imposed by sections 65B.41 to 65B.71; 25.18 (2) evidence that appropriate provision exists for prompt 25.19 administration of all claims, benefits, and obligations provided 25.20 by sections 65B.41 to 65B.71; 25.21 (3) evidence that reliable financial arrangements, 25.22 deposits, or commitments exist providing assurance, 25.23 substantially equivalent to that afforded by a policy of 25.24 insurance complying with sections 65B.41 to 65B.71, for payment 25.25 of tort liabilities, basic economic loss benefits, and all other 25.26 obligations imposed by sections 65B.41 to 65B.71; and 25.27 (4) a nonrefundable initial application fee of $500 and an 25.28 annual renewal fee of $100 for political subdivisions and $250 25.29 for nonpolitical entities. 25.30 Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 79.255, is 25.31 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 25.32 Subd. 10. [FEE.] A registration or exemption certificate 25.33 fee of $50 shall be paid. 25.34 Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 116J.01, 25.35 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 25.36 Subd. 5. [DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION.] (a) The commissioner 26.1 shall organize the department as provided in section 15.06. 26.2 (b) The commissioner may establish divisions and offices 26.3 within the department. The commissioner may employ three deputy 26.4 commissioners in the unclassified service. One deputy must 26.5 direct the Minnesota trade office and must be experienced and 26.6 knowledgeable in matters of international trade. 26.7 (c) The commissioner shall: 26.8 (1) employ assistants and other officers, employees, and 26.9 agents that the commissioner considers necessary to discharge 26.10 the functions of the commissioner's office; 26.11 (2) define the duties of the officers, employees, and 26.12 agents, and delegate to them any of the commissioner's powers, 26.13 duties, and responsibilities, subject to the commissioner's 26.14 control and under conditions prescribed by the commissioner. 26.15 (d) The commissioner shall ensure that there are at least 26.16 three trade and economic development officers in state offices 26.17 in nonmetropolitan areas of the state who will work with local 26.18 units of government on developing local trade and economic 26.19 development. 26.20 Sec. 37. [116J.421] [RURAL POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER.] 26.21 Subdivision 1. [ESTABLISHED.] The rural policy and 26.22 development center is established at Mankato state university. 26.23 Subd. 2. [GOVERNANCE.] The center is governed by a board 26.24 of directors who, other than the legislative members, shall be 26.25 appointed to six-year terms by the governor and comprised of: 26.26 (1) two representatives of statewide farm organizations; 26.27 (2) a representative from a regional initiative 26.28 organization selected under section 116J.415, subdivision 3; 26.29 (3) the president of Mankato state university; 26.30 (4) a representative from the general public residing in a 26.31 town of less than 5,000 located outside of the metropolitan 26.32 area; 26.33 (5) a member of the house of representatives appointed by 26.34 the speaker of the house and a member of the senate appointed by 26.35 the subcommittee on committees of the senate committee on rules 26.36 and administration appointed for two-year terms; 27.1 (6) three representatives from business, including one 27.2 representing rural manufacturing and one rural retail and 27.3 service business; and 27.4 (7) five representatives from private foundations with a 27.5 demonstrated commitment to rural issues. 27.6 Subd. 3. [DUTIES.] The center shall: 27.7 (1) identify present and emerging social and economic 27.8 issues for rural Minnesota, including health care, 27.9 transportation, crime, housing, and job training; 27.10 (2) forge alliances and partnerships with rural communities 27.11 to find practical solutions to economic and social problems; 27.12 (3) provide a resource center for rural communities on 27.13 issues of importance to them; 27.14 (4) encourage collaboration across higher education 27.15 institutions to provide interdisciplinary team approaches to 27.16 problem solving with rural communities; and 27.17 (5) involve students in center projects. 27.18 Subd. 4. [STATEWIDE FOCUS.] The center has a statewide 27.19 mission. It may contract and collaborate with higher education 27.20 and other institutions located throughout the state. 27.21 Sec. 38. [116J.423] [CENTER FOR RURAL POLICY AND 27.22 DEVELOPMENT FUND.] 27.23 A center for rural policy and development fund is 27.24 established as an account in the state treasury. The 27.25 commissioner of finance shall credit to the account the amounts 27.26 authorized under this section and appropriations to the 27.27 account. The state board of investment shall ensure that 27.28 account money is invested under section 11A.24. All money 27.29 earned by the account must be credited to the account. The 27.30 principal of the account and any unexpended earnings must be 27.31 invested and reinvested by the state board of investment. 27.32 Gifts and donations, including land or interests in land, 27.33 may be made to the account. Noncash gifts and donations must be 27.34 disposed of for cash as soon as the board prudently can maximize 27.35 the value of the gift or donation. Gifts and donations of 27.36 marketable securities may be held or be disposed of for cash at 28.1 the option of the board. The cash receipts of gifts and 28.2 donations of cash or capital assets and marketable securities 28.3 disposed of for cash must be credited immediately to the 28.4 principal of the account. The value of marketable securities at 28.5 the time the gift or donation is made must be credited to the 28.6 principal of the account and any earnings from the marketable 28.7 securities are earnings of the account. The earnings in the 28.8 account are annually appropriated to the board of the center for 28.9 rural policy and development to carry out the duties of the 28.10 center. 28.11 Sec. 39. [116J.543] [FILM PRODUCTION JOBS PROGRAM.] 28.12 The film production jobs program is created. The program 28.13 shall be operated by the Minnesota film board with 28.14 administrative oversight and control by the commissioner of 28.15 trade and economic development. The program shall make payment 28.16 to producers of long-form narrative film productions that 28.17 directly create new film production jobs in Minnesota. To be 28.18 eligible for a payment, a producer must submit documentation to 28.19 the Minnesota film board of expenditures for wages for work on 28.20 new film production jobs in Minnesota by resident Minnesotans. 28.21 The film jobs include work such as technical crews, acting 28.22 talent, set construction, soundstage or equipment rental, local 28.23 post-production film processing, and other film production jobs. 28.24 The film board must make recommendations to the 28.25 commissioner about program payment, but the recommendations are 28.26 not binding and the commissioner has the authority to make the 28.27 final determination on payments. The commissioner's 28.28 determination must be based on the amount of wages documented to 28.29 the film board and the likelihood that the payment will lead to 28.30 further documentable wage payments. Payment may not exceed 28.31 $100,000 for a single long-form narrative film. No more than 28.32 five percent of the funds appropriated for the program in any 28.33 year may be expended for administration. Individual film 28.34 projects shooting on or after January 1, 1997, are eligible for 28.35 fund allocations. 28.36 Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 116J.553, 29.1 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 29.2 Subd. 2. [REQUIRED CONTENT.] (a) The commissioner shall 29.3 prescribe and provide the application form. Except as provided 29.4 in paragraph (b), the application must include at least the 29.5 following information: 29.6 (1) identification of the site; 29.7 (2) an approved response action plan for the site, 29.8 including the results of engineering and other tests showing the 29.9 nature and extent of the release or threatened release of 29.10 contaminants at the site; 29.11 (3) a detailed estimate, along with necessary supporting 29.12 evidence, of the total cleanup costs for the site; 29.13 (4) an appraisal of the current market value of the 29.14 property, separately taking into account the effect of the 29.15 contaminants on the market value, prepared by a qualified 29.16 independent appraiser using accepted appraisal methodology; 29.17 (5) an assessment of the development potential or likely 29.18 use of the site after completion of the response action plan, 29.19 including any specific commitments from third parties to 29.20 construct improvements on the site; 29.21 (6) the manner in which the municipality will meet the 29.22 local match requirement; and 29.23 (7) any additional information or material that the 29.24 commissioner prescribes. 29.25 (b) An application for a grant under section 116J.554, 29.26 subdivision 1, paragraph (b), must include a detailed estimate 29.27 of the cost of the actions for which the grant is sought, but 29.28 need not include the information specified in paragraph (a), 29.29 clauses (2) to (4), and (6). 29.30 Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 116J.554, 29.31 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 29.32 Subdivision 1. [AUTHORITY.] (a) The commissioner may make 29.33 a grant to an applicant development authority to pay for up to 29.34 75 percent of the cleanup costs for a qualifying site, except29.35the grant may not exceedor 50 percent of the project costs, 29.36 whichever is greater. 30.1 (b) The commissioner may also make a grant to an applicant 30.2 development authority to pay up to 75 percent or $50,000, 30.3 whichever is less, toward the cost of performing contaminant 30.4 investigations and the development of a response action plan for 30.5 a qualifying site. 30.6 (c) The determination of whether to make a grant for a 30.7 qualifying site is within the sole discretion of the 30.8 commissioner, subject to the process provided by this section, 30.9 and available unencumbered money in the appropriation. The 30.10 commissioner's decisions and application of the priorities under 30.11 section 116J.555 are not subject to judicial review, except for 30.12 abuse of discretion. 30.13 (d) The total amount of money provided in grants under 30.14 paragraph (b) may not exceed $250,000 per fiscal year. 30.15 (e) In making grants under paragraph (b), the commissioner 30.16 shall give priority to applicants that have not received a grant 30.17 under paragraph (a) or section 473.252 during the year ending on 30.18 the date of application. 30.19 Sec. 42. [116J.561] [PUBLIC PURPOSE; CREATION OF ACCOUNT.] 30.20 The redevelopment of industrial properties requires 30.21 significant public funding to transform these sites into 30.22 marketable light industrial business parks that are in demand by 30.23 private sector manufacturing companies willing to construct new 30.24 facilities, hire local residents, and invest in the community. 30.25 To address this concern, a contaminated site redevelopment and 30.26 job creation account is created in the general fund. Money in 30.27 the account may be used, as appropriated by law, to make grants 30.28 as provided in section 116J.564 and to pay for the 30.29 commissioner's costs in reviewing applications and making grants. 30.30 Sec. 43. [116J.562] [DEFINITIONS.] 30.31 Subdivision 1. [APPLICATION.] For the purposes of sections 30.32 116J.562 to 116J.564, the following terms have the meanings 30.33 given. 30.34 Subd. 2. [DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.] "Development authority" 30.35 has the meaning given in section 116J.552, subdivision 4. 30.36 Subd. 3. [METROPOLITAN AREA.] "Metropolitan area" has the 31.1 meaning given in section 116J.552, subdivision 5. 31.2 Subd. 4. [MUNICIPALITY.] "Municipality" has the meaning 31.3 given in section 116J.552, subdivision 6. 31.4 Subd. 5. [QUALIFYING SITE.] "Qualifying site" means a 31.5 qualifying site under section 116J.564, subdivision 2. 31.6 Subd. 6. [REDEVELOPMENT COSTS.] "Redevelopment costs" 31.7 means costs of the following: property acquisition; demolition 31.8 of existing improvements; relocation of persons or businesses; 31.9 site preparation and grading; planning, engineering, and site 31.10 design; installation of infrastructure; site marketing; and 31.11 related administrative costs. 31.12 Sec. 44. [116J.563] [GRANT APPLICATIONS.] 31.13 Subdivision 1. [APPLICATION REQUIRED.] To obtain a 31.14 redevelopment and job creation grant, a development authority 31.15 shall apply to the commissioner. 31.16 Subd. 2. [REQUIRED CONTENT.] The commissioner shall 31.17 prescribe and provide the application form. An application must 31.18 include at least the following information: 31.19 (1) identification of the site; 31.20 (2) a detailed estimate, along with necessary supporting 31.21 evidence, of the total redevelopment costs for the site; 31.22 (3) an assessment of the development potential or likely 31.23 use of the site, including any specific commitments from third 31.24 parties to construct improvements on the site; and 31.25 (4) any additional information or material that the 31.26 commissioner prescribes. 31.27 Sec. 45. [116J.564] [GRANTS.] 31.28 Subdivision 1. [AUTHORITY.] The commissioner may make 31.29 grants to development authorities for redevelopment costs at 31.30 qualifying sites. The determination of whether to make a grant 31.31 for a qualifying site is within the sole discretion of the 31.32 commissioner, subject to the process and criteria provided by 31.33 this section and available appropriations. The commissioner's 31.34 decisions and application of the priorities under subdivision 3 31.35 are not subject to judicial review, except for abuse of 31.36 discretion. 32.1 Subd. 2. [QUALIFYING SITES.] A site qualifies for a grant 32.2 under this section if: 32.3 (1) the appraised value of the site, after adjusting for 32.4 the effect on the value of the presence or possible presence of 32.5 contaminants, using accepted appraisal methodology (i) is less 32.6 than 50 percent of the estimated cleanup costs for the site or 32.7 (ii) is less than or equal to the estimated cleanup costs for 32.8 the site and the cleanup costs equal or exceed $3 per square 32.9 foot for the site; and 32.10 (2) after completion of the grant-funded project, it is 32.11 expected that the site will be further improved in a manner that 32.12 complies with the conditions in subdivision 4. 32.13 Subd. 3. [PRIORITIES] (a) The legislature expects that 32.14 applications for grants will exceed the available appropriations 32.15 and the agency will be able to provide grants to only some of 32.16 the applicant development authorities. 32.17 (b) The agency shall make grants for sites that, in the 32.18 commissioner's judgment, provide the highest return in public 32.19 benefits for the public costs incurred and that meet all of the 32.20 requirements provided by law. In making this judgment, the 32.21 commission shall consider the following factors: 32.22 (1) the number of jobs expected to be created and retained 32.23 after development of a qualified site and the average 32.24 anticipated wage levels of such jobs; 32.25 (2) the total amount of the requested assistance in 32.26 relation to the total full-time jobs which will result from the 32.27 redevelopment on the qualified site; 32.28 (3) the proportion of the requested assistance to the 32.29 estimated total redevelopment costs for a qualified site; 32.30 (4) the probability that a qualified site will be 32.31 redeveloped without use of public money in the reasonable 32.32 foreseeable future; 32.33 (5) the proportion of the estimated total costs of 32.34 contamination cleanup at a qualified site to the estimated total 32.35 of redevelopment costs; 32.36 (6) the availability of funds for contamination cleanup; 33.1 (7) the current unemployment rate in the municipality in 33.2 which the qualified site is located; 33.3 (8) the level of reliance on public assistance in the 33.4 municipality in which the qualified site is located, as measured 33.5 by the applicable county welfare roles; and 33.6 (9) the extent of poverty in the municipality in which the 33.7 qualified site is located, as measured by percentage of 33.8 population living below the poverty line, percentage of children 33.9 under 18 years of age living below the poverty line, and 33.10 percentage of ethnic minorities living below the poverty line. 33.11 (c) The factors in paragraph (b) are not listed in order of 33.12 priority and the commissioner may weigh each factor, depending 33.13 upon the facts and circumstances, as the commissioner considers 33.14 appropriate. The absence of a specific commitment from a third 33.15 party to construct improvements on a site does not make the site 33.16 ineligible for a grant. The commissioner shall provide a 33.17 written statement of the supporting reasons for each grant. 33.18 Subd. 4. [GRANT CONDITIONS.] A grant awarded under this 33.19 section is subject to the following conditions applicable to the 33.20 use of the site when fully developed: 33.21 (1) the site must be used for industrial purposes; 33.22 (2) an average of 30 percent of the site must be covered by 33.23 buildings; 33.24 (3) the buildings constructed on the site must have an 33.25 average construction value of at least $30 per square foot if 33.26 the qualified site is located in the metropolitan area and $20 33.27 per square foot if the qualified site is located outside of the 33.28 metropolitan area; 33.29 (4) the site must provide at least one job for each 1,000 33.30 square feet of building space; and 33.31 (5) preference for employees hired to work at a business 33.32 located at the site must be given to qualified residents of the 33.33 municipality in which the site is located. If at least 60 33.34 percent of the employees hired to work at a business are not 33.35 residents then the business must certify to the municipality 33.36 that a sufficient number of qualified residents are not 34.1 available and agree to fill vacant positions with qualified 34.2 residents referred to the business by the municipality, until 34.3 the 60 percent level is attained. 34.4 Subd. 5. [APPLICATION CYCLES; REPORTS.] (a) In making 34.5 grants, the commissioner shall establish semiannual application 34.6 deadlines in which grants will be authorized from all or part of 34.7 the available appropriations of money in the account. 34.8 (b) The commissioner shall annually report to the 34.9 legislature on the status of the redevelopment and job creation 34.10 projects undertaken under grants made under this program. The 34.11 commissioner shall include in the annual report information on 34.12 the redevelopment and job creation activities undertaken for the 34.13 grants made in that and previous fiscal years. The commissioner 34.14 shall make this report no later than 120 days after the end of 34.15 the fiscal year. 34.16 Sec. 46. [116J.8755] [SMALL BUSINESS; ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO 34.17 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.] 34.18 The commissioner shall develop a plan for enabling small 34.19 businesses to gain electronic access to international markets 34.20 through mechanisms that may include electronic trade points. 34.21 Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 116L.04, 34.22 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 34.23 Subdivision 1. [GRANTS-IN-AIDPARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.] (a) 34.24 The partnership program may provide grants-in-aid to educational 34.25 or other nonprofit training institutions using the following 34.26 guidelines: 34.27 (1) the educational or other nonprofit institution is a 34.28 provider of training within the state in either the public or 34.29 private sector; 34.30 (2) the program involves skills training that is an area of 34.31 employment need; and 34.32 (3) preference will be given to educational or other 34.33 nonprofit training institutions which serve economically 34.34 disadvantaged people, minorities, or those who are victims of 34.35 economic dislocation and to businesses located in rural areas. 34.36 (b) A single grant to any one institution shall not exceed 35.1$200,000$400,000. 35.2 Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 116L.04, is 35.3 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 35.4 Subd. 1a. [PATHWAYS PROGRAM.] The pathways program may 35.5 provide grants-in-aid for developing programs which assist in 35.6 the transition of persons from welfare to work. The program is 35.7 to be operated by the board. 35.8 Pathways grants-in-aid may be awarded to educational or 35.9 other nonprofit training institutions for education and training 35.10 programs that serve public assistance recipients transitioning 35.11 from public assistance to employment. 35.12 Preference shall be given to projects that: 35.13 (1) provide employment with benefits paid to employees; 35.14 (2) provide employment where there are defined career paths 35.15 for trainees; 35.16 (3) pilot the development of an educational pathways that 35.17 can be used on a continuing basis for transitioning persons from 35.18 public assistance directly to work; and 35.19 (4) demonstrate the active participation of department of 35.20 economic security workforce centers, Minnesota state college and 35.21 university institutions and other educational institutions, and 35.22 local welfare agencies. 35.23 Pathways projects must demonstrate the active involvement 35.24 and financial commitment of private business. Pathways projects 35.25 must be matched with cash or in-kind contributions on at least a 35.26 one-to-one ratio by participating private business. 35.27 A single grant to any one institution shall not exceed 35.28 $200,000. 35.29 Sec. 49. [116L.06] [HIRE EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM.] 35.30 Subdivision 1. [FUND USES.] The job skills partnership 35.31 board may make loans to Minnesota employers to train persons for 35.32 jobs in Minnesota. The loans must be used to train current and 35.33 prospective employees of an employer for specific jobs with the 35.34 employer. 35.35 Subd. 2. [LOAN PROCESS.] The board shall establish a 35.36 schedule and competitive process for accepting loan 36.1 applications. The board shall evaluate loan applications. 36.2 Subd. 3. [LOAN PRIORITY.] The board shall give priority to 36.3 loans that provide training for jobs that are permanent, provide 36.4 health coverage and other fringe benefits, and have a career or 36.5 job path with prospects for wage increases. 36.6 Subd. 4. [LOAN TERMS.] Loans may be secured or unsecured, 36.7 shall be for a term of no more than two years, and shall bear no 36.8 interest. The maximum amount of a loan is $250,000. A loan 36.9 origination fee of up to two percent of the principal of the 36.10 loan may be charged. An employer may have only one outstanding 36.11 loan. The loans shall contain such other standard commercial 36.12 loan terms as the board deems appropriate. 36.13 Subd. 5. [LOAN USES.] Loans must be used by an employer to 36.14 obtain the most cost-effective training available from public or 36.15 private training institutions. An employer must document to the 36.16 board the process the employer has utilized to ensure that the 36.17 proposed loan is used to acquire the most cost-effective 36.18 training and provide a training plan. 36.19 Subd. 6. [PACKAGING LOANS.] The board may package a grant 36.20 it makes under section 116L.04 with a loan under this section. 36.21 Subd. 7. [LOAN REPAYMENTS.] Loan repayments and loan 36.22 origination fees shall be retained by the board for board 36.23 programs. 36.24 Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 176.181, 36.25 subdivision 2a, is amended to read: 36.26 Subd. 2a. [APPLICATION FEE.] Every initial application 36.27 filed pursuant to subdivision 2 requesting authority to 36.28 self-insure shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of 36.29$1,000$2,500.The fee is not refundable.When an employer 36.30 seeks to be added as a member of an existing approved group 36.31 under section 79A.03, subdivision 6, the proposed new member 36.32 shall pay a nonrefundable $250 application fee to the 36.33 commissioner at the time of application. Each annual report due 36.34 August 1 under section 79A.03, subdivision 9, shall be 36.35 accompanied by an annual fee of $200. 36.36 Sec. 51. [268.666] [WORKFORCE SERVICE AREA COMMITTEES.] 37.1 The commissioner shall establish one or more job service 37.2 employer committees in each workforce service area to provide 37.3 local employers a means of communicating their current and 37.4 projected needs for worker skills and to assist the job service 37.5 in planning and maintaining quality employer services. The 37.6 commissioner shall set uniform guidelines for the composition 37.7 and operation of the committees. 37.8 Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268A.15, is 37.9 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 37.10 Subd. 1a. [SEVERE IMPAIRMENT TO EMPLOYMENT; 37.11 DEFINITION.] For the purpose of this section, "severe impairment 37.12 to employment" means profound limitations that dramatically 37.13 restrict an individual's ability to seek, secure, and maintain 37.14 employment due to an extended history of little or no 37.15 employment, limited education, training, or job skills, and 37.16 physical, intellectual, or emotional characteristics seriously 37.17 impairing future ability to obtain and retain permanent 37.18 employment. 37.19 Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268A.15, 37.20 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 37.21 Subd. 2. [PROGRAM PURPOSE.] The extended employment 37.22 program shall have two categories of clients consisting of those 37.23 with severe disabilities and those with severe impairment to 37.24 employment. The purpose of the extended employment program for 37.25 persons with severe disabilities is to provide the ongoing 37.26 services necessary to maintain and advance the employment of 37.27 persons with severe disabilities. The purpose of the extended 37.28 employment program for persons with severe impairment to 37.29 employment is to provide the ongoing support services necessary 37.30 to secure, maintain, and advance in employment. Employment 37.31under this sectionmust encompass the broad range of employment 37.32 choices available to all persons and promote an individual's 37.33 self-sufficiency and financial independence. 37.34 Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268A.15, is 37.35 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 37.36 Subd. 3a. [SEVERE IMPAIRMENT TO EMPLOYMENT; SEPARATE 38.1 PROGRAM.] The allocation of funds, eligibility criteria, and 38.2 funding criteria for extended employment program funds for 38.3 persons with severe disabilities shall be separate from the 38.4 allocation of funds, eligibility criteria, and funding criteria 38.5 for extended employment program funds for persons with severe 38.6 impairment to employment. Extended employment program services 38.7 for persons with severe disabilities shall be modified to the 38.8 extent necessary to provide services to persons with severe 38.9 impairment to employment. 38.10 The county agency must consider placing an individual who 38.11 is on welfare and who has a severe impairment to employment, as 38.12 defined in subdivision 1a, into an extended employment program 38.13 under this section for job skills training or a job, or both, as 38.14 part of the effort to move people from welfare to work as 38.15 required under federal welfare reform. 38.16 Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268A.15, 38.17 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 38.18 Subd. 6. [GRANTS.] The commissioner may provide innovation 38.19 and expansion grants to rehabilitation facilities to encourage 38.20 the development, demonstration, or dissemination of innovative 38.21 business practices, training programs, and service delivery 38.22 methods that: 38.23 (1) expand and improve employment opportunities for persons 38.24 with severe disabilities or severe impairment to employment who 38.25 are unserved or underserved by the extended employment program; 38.26 and 38.27 (2) increase the ability of persons with severe 38.28 disabilities or severe impairment to employment to use new and 38.29 emerging technologies in employment settings, and foster the 38.30 capacity of rehabilitation facilities and employers to promote 38.31 the integration of individuals with severe disabilities and 38.32 severe impairment to employment into the workplace and the 38.33 mainstream of community life. 38.34 The grants must require collaboration at the local level 38.35 among vocational rehabilitation field offices, county social 38.36 service and planning agencies, rehabilitation facilities, and 39.1 employers. 39.2 Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268A.15, is 39.3 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 39.4 Subd. 8. [FUNDING AUTHORITY.] State grant funds under this 39.5 section and section 268A.13 shall be available for 24 months 39.6 following the end of a fiscal year to allow for the submission 39.7 of final grant data reports, the completion of audit adjustments 39.8 of payments to grantees including grantee appeals of final audit 39.9 adjustments, and the redistribution of remaining balances in 39.10 grant accounts to other grantees who meet or exceed their 39.11 contracts with the department for that fiscal year. 39.12 Sec. 57. [366.152] [CONDITIONAL USES.] 39.13 A manufactured home park, as defined in section 327.14, 39.14 subdivision 3, is a conditional use in a zoning district that 39.15 allows the construction or placement of a building used or 39.16 intended to be used by two or more families. 39.17 Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 394.25, is 39.18 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 39.19 Subd. 3b. [CONDITIONAL USES.] A manufactured home park, as 39.20 defined in section 327.14, subdivision 3, is a conditional use 39.21 in a zoning district that allows the construction or placement 39.22 of a building used or intended to be used by two or more 39.23 families. 39.24 Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 446A.04, 39.25 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 39.26 Subd. 5. [FEES.] (a) The authority may set and collect 39.27 fees for costs incurred by the authority for audits, arbitrage 39.28 accounting, and payment of fees charged by the state board of 39.29 investment. The authority may also set and collect fees for 39.30 costs incurred by the commissioner, the department of health, 39.31 and the pollution control agency, including costs for personnel 39.32 and administrative services, for its financings and the 39.33 establishment and maintenance of reserve funds. Fees charged 39.34 directly to borrowers upon executing a loan agreement must not 39.35 exceed one-half of one percent of the loan amount. Servicing 39.36 fees assessed to loan repayments must not exceed two percent of 40.1 the loan repayment. The disposition of fees collected for costs 40.2 incurred by the authority is governed by section 446A.11, 40.3 subdivision 13. The authority shall enter into interagency 40.4 agreements to transfer funds into appropriate administrative 40.5 accounts established for fees collected under this subdivision 40.6 for costs incurred by the commissioner, the department of 40.7 health, or the pollution control agencymust be credited to the40.8general fund. 40.9 (b) The authority shall annually report to the chairs of 40.10 the finance and appropriations committees of the legislature on: 40.11 (1) the amount of fees collected under this subdivision for 40.12 costs incurred by the authority; 40.13 (2) the purposes for which the fee proceeds have been 40.14 spent; and 40.15 (3) the amount of any remaining balance of fee proceeds. 40.16 Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 446A.081, 40.17 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 40.18 Subdivision 1. [DEFINITIONS.] (a) For the purposes of this 40.19 section, the terms in this subdivision have the meanings given 40.20 them. 40.21 (b) "Act" means thefederalSafe Drinking Water 40.22Infrastructure FinancingAct Amendments of 1996, Public Law 40.23 Number 104-182. 40.24 (c) "Department" means the department of health. 40.25 Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 446A.081, 40.26 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 40.27 Subd. 4. [CAPITALIZATION GRANT AGREEMENT.] The authority 40.28 shall enter into an agreement with the administrator of the 40.29 United States Environmental Protection Agency to receive 40.30 capitalization grants for the fund. The authority and the 40.31 department shall enter into an operating agreement with the 40.32 administrator of the United States Environmental Protection 40.33 Agency to satisfy the criteria in the act to operate the fund. 40.34 The authority and the department may exercise the powers 40.35 necessary to comply with the requirements specified in 40.36 theagreementagreements and to ensure that loan recipients 41.1 comply with all applicable federal and state requirements. 41.2 Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 446A.081, 41.3 subdivision 9, is amended to read: 41.4 Subd. 9. [OTHER USES OF FUND.] The drinking water 41.5 revolving loan fund may be used as provided in the act, 41.6 including the following uses: 41.7 (1) to buy or refinance the debt obligations, at or below 41.8 market rates, of public water systems for drinking water 41.9 systems, where such debt was incurred after the date of 41.10 enactment of the act, for the purposes of construction of the 41.11 necessary improvements to comply with the national primary 41.12 drinking water regulations under the federal Safe Drinking Water 41.13 Act; 41.14 (2) to purchase or guarantee insurance for local 41.15 obligations to improve credit market access or reduce interest 41.16 rates; 41.17 (3) to provide a source of revenue or security for the 41.18 payment of principal and interest on revenue or general 41.19 obligation bonds issued by the authority if the bond proceeds 41.20 are deposited in the fund; 41.21 (4) to provide loans or loan guarantees for similar 41.22 revolving funds established by a governmental unit or state 41.23 agency; 41.24 (5) to earn interest on fund accounts;and41.25 (6) to pay the reasonable costs incurred by the authority, 41.26 department of trade and economic development, and the department 41.27 for conducting activities as authorized and required under the 41.28 act up to the limits authorized under the act; and 41.29 (7) to develop and administer programs for water system 41.30 supervision, source water protection, and related programs 41.31 required under the act. 41.32 Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 462.357, is 41.33 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 41.34 Subd. 1b. [CONDITIONAL USES.] A manufactured home park, as 41.35 defined in section 327.14, subdivision 3, is a conditional use 41.36 in a zoning district that allows the construction or placement 42.1 of a building used or intended to be used by two or more 42.2 families. 42.3 Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 462A.206, 42.4 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 42.5 Subd. 2. [AUTHORIZATION.] The agency may make grants or 42.6 loans to cities or nonprofit organizations for the purposes of 42.7 construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, demolition, permanent 42.8 financing, refinancing, gap financing of single or multifamily 42.9 housing, or full cycle home ownership services, as defined in 42.10 section 462A.209, subdivision 2. Gap financing is financing for 42.11 the difference between the cost of the improvement of the 42.12 blighted property, including acquisition, demolition, 42.13 rehabilitation, and construction, and the market value of the 42.14 property upon sale. The agency shall take into account the 42.15 amount of money that the city or nonprofit organization 42.16 leverages from other sources in awarding grants and loans. The 42.17 agency shall also consider the extent to which the grant or loan 42.18 recipient will coordinate use of the funds with its other 42.19 housing-related efforts or other housing-related efforts in the 42.20 recipient's geographic area. Cities and nonprofit organizations 42.21 may use the grants and loans to establish revolving loan funds 42.22 and to provide grants and loans to eligible mortgagors. The 42.23 city or nonprofit organization may determine the terms and 42.24 conditions of the grants and loans. An agency loan may only be 42.25 used by a city or nonprofit organization to make loans. 42.26 Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 462A.206, 42.27 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 42.28 Subd. 4. [DESIGNATED AREAS.] For the purposes of focusing 42.29 resources, a city or a nonprofit organization located in a 42.30 metropolitan statistical area must designate neighborhoods 42.31 within which the grants or loans may be used, and a city or 42.32 nonprofit organization located outside of a metropolitan 42.33 statistical area must designate a geographic area within which 42.34 the grants or loans may be used. 42.35 Sec. 66. [TRANSITION PROVISION.] 42.36 The governor shall appoint the board of the center for 43.1 rural policy and development, other than legislative members, by 43.2 August 1, 1997. Original appointments shall be staggered so 43.3 that four members serve two-year terms, four serve four-year 43.4 terms, and five serve six-year terms. Thereafter, all terms 43.5 shall be for six years or the unexpired term of a term that was 43.6 not completed. 43.7 Sec. 67. [REPEALER.] 43.8 Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 116J.990, subdivision 7; 43.9 and 462A.206, subdivision 5, are repealed.