SF 2075

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/17/2023 12:59pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; providing funding and policy related changes for the
Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the
University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic; creating and modifying certain
scholarships and student aid programs; establishing the Minnesota Commitment
to Higher Education tuition free program; creating a direct admissions program;
requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections
135A.137, subdivisions 2, 3; 136A.031, subdivision 3; 136A.101, subdivisions
5a, 7; 136A.121, subdivisions 6, 9, 13; 136A.1241, subdivision 5; 136A.125,
subdivision 4; 136A.126, subdivision 4; 136A.1312; 136A.1791, subdivision 3a;
136A.246, subdivisions 5, 6, 8; 136F.38, subdivision 3; 175.45, subdivision 1;
354B.23, subdivision 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapters 135A; 136A.

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

ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund,
or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively.
"The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium"
is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2024 new text end		new text begin 2025 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MINNESOTA OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 338,507,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 505,219,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin State Grants new text end

new text begin 236,717,000 new text end

new text begin 229,046,000 new text end

new text begin (a) If the appropriation in this subdivision for
either year is insufficient, the appropriation
for the other year is available for it.
new text end

new text begin (b) The base for this appropriation is
$225,066,000 for fiscal year 2026 and later.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Child Care Grants new text end

new text begin 6,694,000 new text end

new text begin 6,694,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin State Work-Study new text end

new text begin 14,502,000 new text end

new text begin 14,502,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Interstate Tuition Reciprocity new text end

new text begin 8,500,000 new text end

new text begin 8,500,000 new text end

new text begin If the appropriation in this subdivision for
either year is insufficient, the appropriation
for the other year is available to meet
reciprocity contract obligations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end new text begin Safety Officer's Survivors new text end

new text begin 100,000 new text end

new text begin 100,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is to provide educational
benefits under Minnesota Statutes, section
299A.45, to eligible dependent children and
to the spouses of public safety officers killed
in the line of duty.
new text end

new text begin If the appropriation in this subdivision for
either year is insufficient, the appropriation
for the other year is available for it.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end new text begin American Indian Scholarships new text end

new text begin 3,500,000 new text end

new text begin 3,500,000 new text end

new text begin The commissioner must contract with or
employ at least one person with demonstrated
competence in American Indian culture and
residing in or near the city of Bemidji to assist
students with the scholarships under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.126, and
with other information about financial aid for
which the students may be eligible. This
appropriation includes funding to administer
the American Indian scholarship program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end new text begin Tribal College Grants new text end

new text begin 3,150,000 new text end

new text begin 3,150,000 new text end

new text begin (a) For Tribal college assistance grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1796.
new text end

new text begin (b) In addition to grants made pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1796, the
commissioner shall use this appropriation to
make grants of $1,000,000 each to Leech Lake
Tribal College, White Earth Tribal College,
and Red Lake Nation Tribal College, to be
used for the Tribal colleges' general operations
and maintenance expenses. A Tribal college
must use grant funds received under this
section to supplement, not supplant, any
existing funding. By September 30, 2024, each
Tribal college receiving a grant under this
paragraph must submit a report to the
commissioner of the Office of Higher
Education and to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over higher
education finance and policy. The report must
include an accurate and detailed account of
how the funds were spent, and a copy of the
college's most recent audit report.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may use no more than
three percent of this appropriation to
administer the program grants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end new text begin Intervention for College Attendance Program Grants new text end

new text begin 1,942,000 new text end

new text begin 1,142,000 new text end

new text begin For the intervention for college attendance
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
136A.861.
new text end

new text begin $300,000 in fiscal year 2024 is for providing
onetime catalyst funding on a competitive
basis to postsecondary institutions, nonprofit
organizations, and local government
organizations to create or enhance supports,
navigation, and precollege services for
students who were formerly incarcerated.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three
percent of this appropriation to administer the
intervention for college attendance program
grants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end new text begin Student-Parent Information new text end

new text begin 122,000 new text end

new text begin 122,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end new text begin Get Ready! new text end

new text begin 180,000 new text end

new text begin 180,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end new text begin Minnesota Education Equity Partnership new text end

new text begin 45,000 new text end

new text begin 45,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end new text begin Midwest Higher Education Compact new text end

new text begin 115,000 new text end

new text begin 115,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end new text begin United Family Medicine Residency Program new text end

new text begin 501,000 new text end

new text begin 501,000 new text end

new text begin For a grant to United Family Medicine
residency program. This appropriation shall
be used to support up to 21 resident physicians
each year in family practice at United Family
Medicine residency programs and shall
prepare doctors to practice family care
medicine in underserved rural and urban areas
of the state. It is intended that this program
will improve health care in underserved
communities, provide affordable access to
appropriate medical care, and manage the
treatment of patients in a cost-effective
manner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end new text begin MnLINK Gateway and Minitex new text end

new text begin 5,905,000 new text end

new text begin 5,905,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end new text begin Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System new text end

new text begin 2,550,000 new text end

new text begin 2,550,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end new text begin Hennepin Healthcare new text end

new text begin 645,000 new text end

new text begin 645,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to Hennepin Healthcare for
graduate family medical education programs
at Hennepin Healthcare.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. new text end new text begin College Possible new text end

new text begin 550,000 new text end

new text begin 550,000 new text end

new text begin (a) This appropriation is for immediate transfer
to College Possible to support programs of
college admission and college graduation for
low-income students through an intensive
curriculum of coaching and support at both
the high school and postsecondary levels.
new text end

new text begin (b) This appropriation must, to the extent
possible, be proportionately allocated between
students from greater Minnesota and students
in the seven-county metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin (c) This appropriation must be used by College
Possible only for programs supporting students
who are residents of Minnesota and attending
colleges or universities within Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (d) By February 1 of each year, College
Possible must report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over higher education and E-12 education on
activities funded by this appropriation. The
report must include but is not limited to
information about the work of College
Possible Minnesota throughout the state; the
number of College Possible coaches hired; the
number of existing partner high schools; the
geographic distribution of participants; the
number of high school and college students
specifically supported by the appropriations
funds; the percentages of students who applied
to college, were admitted into college, and
enrolled in college from the previous program
year; the number of college graduates
supported by the appropriation funding in the
previous program year; and a list of all
communities and partner institutions
benefiting from coaching and support through
College Possible programming.
new text end

new text begin (e) The base is $0 for fiscal year 2026 and
thereafter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 19. new text end new text begin Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program new text end

new text begin 3,000,000 new text end

new text begin 3,000,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the spinal cord and traumatic
brain injury grant account in the special
revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes,
section 136A.901, subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three
percent of the amount transferred under this
subdivision to administer the grant program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 20. new text end new text begin Summer Academic Enrichment Program new text end

new text begin 750,000 new text end

new text begin 750,000 new text end

new text begin For summer academic enrichment grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.091.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three
percent of this appropriation to administer the
grant program under this subdivision. The base
is $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and thereafter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 21. new text end new text begin Dual Training Competency Grants; Office of Higher Education new text end

new text begin 4,132,000 new text end

new text begin 4,132,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the Dual Training Competency
Grants account in the special revenue fund
under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.246,
subdivision 10. The base for this transfer is
$2,132,000 for fiscal year 2026 and thereafter.
$132,000 each year is for transfer to the
Department of Labor and Industry.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 22. new text end new text begin Campus Sexual Assault Reporting new text end

new text begin 25,000 new text end

new text begin 25,000 new text end

new text begin For the sexual assault reporting required under
Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.15.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 23. new text end new text begin Campus Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator new text end

new text begin 150,000 new text end

new text begin 150,000 new text end

new text begin For the Office of Higher Education to staff a
campus sexual violence prevention and
response coordinator to serve as a statewide
resource providing professional development
and guidance on best practices for
postsecondary institutions. $50,000 each year
is for administrative funding to conduct
trainings and provide materials to
postsecondary institutions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 24. new text end new text begin Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students new text end

new text begin 7,550,000 new text end

new text begin 7,550,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $7,550,000 the first year and $7,550,000
the second year are for emergency assistance
for postsecondary students. Of this
appropriation:
new text end

new text begin (1) $5,000,000 the first year and $5,000,000
the second year are for the Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities for direct emergency
grants to students;
new text end

new text begin (2) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000
the second year are for the University of
Minnesota for direct emergency grants to
students;
new text end

new text begin (3) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the
second year are for the Office of Higher
Education to allocate emergency grant funds
to Minnesota Tribal Colleges and eligible
nonprofit institutions as defined under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.103, located
in Minnesota with a demonstrable homeless
student population. The Office of Higher
Education shall develop a plan to distribute
funds to institutions and provide guidance as
to how grants are disbursed to students. The
commissioner shall determine the application
process and the grant amounts; and
new text end

new text begin (4) $50,000 per year may be used by the
commissioner for the administrative costs
associated with this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) The funds must be used for emergency
grants to students to meet immediate student
needs that could result in a student not
completing the term or their program
including, but not limited to, emergency
housing, food, and transportation. Institutions
shall minimize any negative impact on student
financial aid resulting from the receipt of
emergency funds.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must not distribute the
funds under this section until the Office of
Higher Education has worked with the
institutions and approved their plans for the
distribution of the grants to students and the
method of their reporting requirements.
new text end

new text begin (d) At the end of each biennium, institutions
must return any unused funds to the Office of
Higher Education.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 25. new text end new text begin Grants to Student Teachers in Shortage Areas new text end

new text begin 500,000 new text end

new text begin 500,000 new text end

new text begin For grants to student teachers in shortage areas
under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1275.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three
percent of the appropriation for administration
of the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 26. new text end new text begin Grants to Underrepresented Student Teachers new text end

new text begin 1,125,000 new text end

new text begin 1,125,000 new text end

new text begin For grants to underrepresented student teachers
under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1274.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three
percent of the appropriation for administration
of the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 27. new text end new text begin Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment new text end

new text begin 1,075,000 new text end

new text begin 1,075,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the teacher shortage loan
repayment account in the special revenue fund
under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1791,
subdivision 8.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three
percent of the amount transferred under this
subdivision to administer the program. The
base is $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and
thereafter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 28. new text end new text begin Large Animal Veterinarian Loan Forgiveness Program new text end

new text begin 375,000 new text end

new text begin 375,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the large animal veterinarian
loan forgiveness program account in the
special revenue fund under Minnesota
Statutes, section 136A.1795, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 29. new text end new text begin Agricultural Educators Loan Forgiveness new text end

new text begin 50,000 new text end

new text begin 50,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the agricultural education loan
forgiveness account in the special revenue
fund under Minnesota Statutes, section
136A.1794, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 30. new text end new text begin Aviation Degree Loan Forgiveness Program new text end

new text begin 25,000 new text end

new text begin 25,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the aviation degree loan
forgiveness program account in the special
revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes,
section 136A.1789, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 31. new text end new text begin Grants for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities new text end

new text begin 200,000 new text end

new text begin 200,000 new text end

new text begin For grants for students with intellectual and
developmental disabilities under Minnesota
Statutes, section 136A.1215.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 32. new text end new text begin Loan Repayment Assistance Program new text end

new text begin 55,000 new text end

new text begin 55,000 new text end

new text begin For a grant to the Loan Repayment Assistance
Program of Minnesota to provide education
debt relief to attorneys with full-time
employment providing legal advice or
representation to low-income clients or support
services for this work.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 33. new text end new text begin Minnesota Independence College and Community new text end

new text begin 2,000,000 new text end

new text begin 2,000,000 new text end

new text begin For a grant to Minnesota Independence
College and Community for need-based
scholarships and tuition reduction. Beginning
with students first enrolled in the fall of 2019,
eligibility is limited to resident students as
defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
136A.101, subdivision 8. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30,
2027.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 34. new text end new text begin Student Loan Debt Counseling new text end

new text begin 200,000 new text end

new text begin 200,000 new text end

new text begin For student loan debt counseling under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1788.
new text end

new text begin The Office of Higher Education may use no
more than three percent of the appropriation
to administer the student loan debt counseling
program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 35. new text end new text begin Hunger-Free Campus Grants new text end

new text begin 1,500,000 new text end

new text begin 1,000,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are for the Hunger-Free
Campus program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 135A.137.
new text end

new text begin (b) $500,000 the first year is for grants not to
exceed $25,000 to institutions for equipment
necessary to operate an on-campus food
pantry. The commissioner shall establish an
application and process for distributing the
grant funds. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2026.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 36. new text end new text begin Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants new text end

new text begin 4,747,000 new text end

new text begin 4,916,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the
second year are for a grant to the Foster
Advocates Nonprofit Organization for an
education support and wraparound service
program that provides assistance and support
to individuals who were in foster care at the
age of 13 or later, and for individuals who are
transitioning from foster care to adulthood, up
to age 27, to improve the likelihood of
completing a degree and securing a stable
career. The program shall provide one-on-one
mentoring, leadership development, and
additional resources to support each student's
education journey through high school
graduation and institutions of higher
education. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (b) $4,247,000 the first year and $4,416,000
the second year are for grants to eligible
students under Minnesota Statutes, section
136A.1241. The base under this paragraph is
$4,416,000 for fiscal year 2026 and thereafter.
The Office of Higher Education may use no
more than three percent of the appropriation
to administer grants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 37. new text end new text begin Concurrent Enrollment Grants new text end

new text begin 340,000 new text end

new text begin 340,000 new text end

new text begin For concurrent enrollment grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.91.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 38. new text end new text begin Student Parent Support Initiative new text end

new text begin 6,668,000 new text end

new text begin 6,182,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $6,330,000 the first year and $5,844,000
the second year are for grants to support
student parents under Minnesota Statutes,
section 136A.1251. This is a onetime
appropriation. These appropriations are
available until June 30, 2026.
new text end

new text begin (b) $338,000 the first year and $338,000 the
second year are for administrative and
promotion costs. The base is $338,000 for
fiscal year 2026 and 2027 for the appropriation
under this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 39. new text end new text begin Director of Tribal Relations new text end

new text begin 134,000 new text end

new text begin 143,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 40. new text end new text begin Direct Admissions Program new text end

new text begin 500,000 new text end

new text begin 500,000 new text end

new text begin For the direct admissions program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.84.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 41. new text end new text begin American Indian Scholars new text end

new text begin 8,500,000 new text end

new text begin 8,500,000 new text end

new text begin To support implementation of Minnesota
Statutes, section 135A.121.
new text end

new text begin $4,032,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $4,032,000
in fiscal year 2025 are for transfer to the Board
of Regents of the University of Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin $4,468,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $4,468,000
in fiscal year 2025 are for transfer to the Board
of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 42. new text end new text begin Higher Education Public Service Feasibility Study new text end

new text begin 75,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin For the commissioner of the Office of Higher
Education to conduct a feasibility study on
creating and implementing a Minnesota
service initiative. By October 31, 2023, the
commissioner shall report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over higher
education on the feasibility of creating and
implementing a Minnesota service initiative
to increase student civic engagement. The
report must include but is not limited to
information about the program design,
implementation challenges and
recommendations, outcomes, and the
feasibility of scaling the program over time.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 43. new text end new text begin Child Development Associate Pathway new text end

new text begin 475,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin For transfer to the Board of Trustees of the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to
develop a transparent pathway for current
child development associate credential holders
to be awarded academic credit that aligns with
related academic certificate, diploma, and
degree programs. Funds must be used to
develop curriculum at eight colleges and
universities, develop training and advising
tools for those institutions, and form a
statewide advisory committee to advise the
project development.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 44. new text end new text begin Minnesota Commitment to Higher Education new text end

new text begin 496,000 new text end

new text begin 177,105,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $176,903,000 the second year is transferred
from the general fund to the account in the
special revenue fund under Minnesota
Statutes, section 136A.1465, subdivision 6.
The base for the transfer under this paragraph
is $49,306,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (b) $496,000 the first year and $202,000 the
second year are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of the Office of
Higher Education for administrative and
promotion expenses to implement and direct
the scholarship awards under Minnesota
Statutes, section 136A.1465.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 45. new text end new text begin Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center new text end

new text begin 1,000,000 new text end

new text begin 1,000,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are to enter into a contract
establishing the Inclusive Higher Education
Technical Assistance Center under Minnesota
Statutes, section 135A.161.
new text end

new text begin (b) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the
second year are transferred from the general
fund to the inclusive higher education grant
account under Minnesota Statutes, section
135A.162, subdivision 4. Up to five percent
of the transfer can be used for administrative
expenses.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 46. new text end new text begin Postsecondary Student Basic Needs Working Group new text end

new text begin 44,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $44,000 the first year is to administer the
postsecondary student basic needs working
group under article 2, section 27, and provide
stipends to participants of the working group
who are students. A student participant must
receive a stipend, as determined by the
commissioner, for each meeting the student
attends. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 47. new text end new text begin Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers new text end

new text begin 350,000 new text end

new text begin 350,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $350,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $350,000
in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of the Office
of Higher Education for a grant to the
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers to
be used for a pilot program supporting black
undergraduate students pursuing admission to
law school in Minnesota. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (b) The pilot program under paragraph (a)
must:
new text end

new text begin (1) enroll an initial cohort of ten to 20 black
Minnesota resident students attending a
baccalaureate degree-granting postsecondary
institution in Minnesota full time;
new text end

new text begin (2) support each of the program's students with
an academic scholarship in the amount of
$4,000 per academic year;
new text end

new text begin (3) organize events and programming,
including but not limited to one-on-one
mentoring, to familiarize enrolled students
with law school and legal careers; and
new text end

new text begin (4) provide the program's students free test
preparation materials, academic support,
registration for the Law School Admission
Test (LSAT) examination, and submission of
test results to law schools in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (c) The Minnesota Association of Black
Lawyers may use grant funds under paragraph
(a) for costs related to:
new text end

new text begin (1) student scholarships;
new text end

new text begin (2) academic events and programming,
including food and transportation costs for
students;
new text end

new text begin (3) LSAT preparation materials, courses,
registrations, and submission of test results to
law schools in Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (4) hiring staff for the program.
new text end

new text begin (d) By January 30, 2025, and again by January
30, 2026, the Minnesota Association of Black
Lawyers must submit a report to the
commissioner of the Office of Higher
Education and to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over higher
education finance and policy. The report must
include an accurate and detailed account of
the pilot program, its outcomes, and its
revenues and expenses, including the use of
all state funds appropriated in paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 48. new text end new text begin Report on Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Course Placement Practices new text end

new text begin 250,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year is for the purposes of
creating a report on Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities placement practice under
article 2, section 28. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 49. new text end new text begin Agency Administration new text end

new text begin 6,498,000 new text end

new text begin 6,724,000 new text end

new text begin The base amount for this appropriation for
fiscal years 2026 and later is $6,096,000.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 50. new text end new text begin Balances Forward new text end

new text begin A balance in the first year under this section
does not cancel, but is available for the second
year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 51. new text end new text begin Transfers new text end

new text begin The commissioner of the Office of Higher
Education may transfer unencumbered
balances from the appropriations in this
section to the state grant appropriation, the
interstate tuition reciprocity appropriation, the
child care grant appropriation, the Indian
scholarship appropriation, the state work-study
appropriation, the get ready appropriation, the
intervention for college attendance
appropriation, the student-parent information
appropriation, the summer academic
enrichment program appropriation, the public
safety officers' survivors appropriation, and
the fostering independence higher education
grant program. The commissioner may transfer
unencumbered balances from the hunger-free
campus appropriations to the emergency
assistance for postsecondary students grant.
To the extent there is a projected surplus in
the appropriation for either the student
teachers in shortage areas grant program or
the underrepresented student teacher grant
program, the commissioner may transfer
unencumbered balances between the two
programs as needed to meet demand. Transfers
from the child care, state work-study, or the
hunger-free campus appropriations may only
be made to the extent there is a projected
surplus in the appropriation. A transfer may
be made only with prior written notice to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the
senate and house of representatives
committees with jurisdiction over higher
education finance.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 932,265,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 903,242,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Central Office and Shared Services Unit new text end

new text begin 35,401,000 new text end

new text begin 36,401,000 new text end

new text begin For the Office of the Chancellor and the
Shared Services Division.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Operations and Maintenance new text end

new text begin 877,749,000 new text end

new text begin 847,726,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $38,000,000 the first year and $81,000,000
the second year are to stabilize system
operations, maintain academic programs, and
keep tuition affordable.
new text end

new text begin (b) This appropriation includes $74,000,000
in fiscal year 2024 for onetime campus
support. The Board of Trustees must allocate
this amount to all colleges and universities
based upon each institution's estimated tuition
revenue loss due to declines in enrollment
from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2023,
except that no institution shall receive an
allocation less than $300,000. This is a
onetime appropriation. The base for this
appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and later is
$0.
new text end

new text begin (c) $5,700,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$5,700,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to provide
supplemental aid for operations and
maintenance to the president of each two-year
institution in the system with at least one
campus that is not located in a metropolitan
county, as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.121, subdivision 4. The board
shall transfer at least $158,000 for each
campus not located in a metropolitan county
in each year to the president of each institution
that includes such a campus.
new text end

new text begin (d) The Board of Trustees is requested to help
Minnesota close the attainment gap by funding
activities which improve retention and
completion for students of color.
new text end

new text begin (e) $4,500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$4,500,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for
workforce development scholarships under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.38. The base
amount for this appropriation for fiscal year
2026 and later is $4,500,000.
new text end

new text begin (f) $300,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $300,000
in fiscal year 2025 are for transfer to the Cook
County Higher Education Board to provide
educational programming, workforce
development, and academic support services
to remote regions in northeastern Minnesota.
The Cook County Higher Education Board
shall continue to provide information to the
Board of Trustees on the number of students
served, credit hours delivered, and services
provided to students.
new text end

new text begin (g) $40,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $40,000
in fiscal year 2025 to implement the sexual
assault policies required under Minnesota
Statutes, section 135A.15.
new text end

new text begin (h) $9,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$10,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for
enterprise-wide technology, including
upgrading the Integrated Statewide Record
System and maintaining enterprise-wide
technology services. The base for this
appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and later is
$10,000,000.
new text end

new text begin (i) $50,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $50,000 in
fiscal year 2025 to implement the Z-Degree
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
136F.305.
new text end

new text begin (j) $13,000,000 the first year and $13,000,000
the second year are to expand student support
services. This appropriation provides funding
to campuses to address basic needs insecurity,
mental health, and other high-need student
support services by increasing the amount of
available resources to students. In addition,
this funding provides systemwide resources
and coordination, including electronic
connections for peer support and professional
clinical support for mental health. These
systemwide resources must be available online
and via telephone and text, 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. The base for the
appropriation under this clause is $5,000,000
for fiscal year 2026 and thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (k) $172,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $349,000
in fiscal year 2025 are for costs associated
with the increased employer contribution rates
for the Higher Education Individual
Retirement Account Plan under Minnesota
Statutes, section 354B.23, subdivision 3. The
base for fiscal year 2026 is $530,000 and for
fiscal year 2027 and later is $715,000.
new text end

new text begin (l) $482,000 the first year and $282,000 the
second year are to pay the cost of supplies and
equipment necessary to provide access to
menstrual products for purposes of Minnesota
Statutes, section 135A.1365.
new text end

new text begin (m) The total operations and maintenance base
is $839,907,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
$840,092,000 in fiscal year 2027.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Learning Network of Minnesota new text end

new text begin 4,115,000 new text end

new text begin 4,115,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Workforce Development new text end

new text begin 15,000,000 new text end

new text begin 15,000,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $10,000,000 the first year and $10,000,000
the second year are to upgrade college and
university equipment and learning
environments to provide students with
state-of-the-art learning opportunities for
career and technical education and to enhance
applied research laboratories for interactive,
hands-on, multidisciplinary approaches to
science, technology, engineering, and math
education. $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2025
must be matched with cash or in-kind
contributions from nonstate sources. This is a
onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2026. Up to 1.5 percent of the
appropriation may be used for administration
of the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) $5,000,000 the first year and $5,000,000
the second year are to develop and expand
industry sector programming to build capacity
and support new and redesigned curricular
options with an emphasis on offering students
work-based learning experiences. $5,000,000
in fiscal year 2025 must be matched with cash
or in-kind contributions from nonstate sources.
This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2026. Up to 1.5
percent of the appropriation may be used for
administration of the program.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 738,787,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 738,523,000 new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2024 new text end	new text begin 2025 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 736,630,000 new text end	new text begin 736,366,000 new text end
new text begin Health Care Access new text end	new text begin 2,157,000 new text end	new text begin 2,157,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Operations and Maintenance new text end

new text begin 646,192,000 new text end

new text begin 655,928,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$15,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to: (1)
increase the medical school's research
capacity; (2) improve the medical school's
ranking in National Institutes of Health
funding; (3) ensure the medical school's
national prominence by attracting and
retaining world-class faculty, staff, and
students; (4) invest in physician training
programs in rural and underserved
communities; and (5) translate the medical
school's research discoveries into new
treatments and cures to improve the health of
Minnesotans.
new text end

new text begin (b) $7,800,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$7,800,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for health
training restoration. This appropriation must
be used to support all of the following: (1)
faculty physicians who teach at eight residency
program sites, including medical resident and
student training programs in the Department
of Family Medicine; (2) the Mobile Dental
Clinic; and (3) expansion of geriatric
education and family programs.
new text end

new text begin (c) $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$4,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for the
Minnesota Discovery, Research, and
InnoVation Economy funding program for
cancer care research.
new text end

new text begin (d) $500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $500,000
in fiscal year 2025 are for the University of
Minnesota, Morris branch, to cover the costs
of tuition waivers under Minnesota Statutes,
section 137.16.
new text end

new text begin (e) $374,000 the first year and $110,000 the
second year are to pay the cost of supplies and
equipment necessary to provide access to
menstrual products for purposes of article 2,
section 2.
new text end

new text begin (f) The total operations and maintenance base
for fiscal year 2026 and later is $665,928,000.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Primary Care Education Initiatives new text end

new text begin 2,157,000 new text end

new text begin 2,157,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is from the health care
access fund.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Special Appropriations new text end

new text begin (a) Agriculture and Extension Service new text end

new text begin 42,922,000 new text end

new text begin 42,922,000 new text end

new text begin For the Agricultural Experiment Station and
the Minnesota Extension Service:
new text end

new text begin (1) the agricultural experiment stations and
Minnesota Extension Service must convene
agricultural advisory groups to focus research,
education, and extension activities on producer
needs and implement an outreach strategy that
more effectively and rapidly transfers research
results and best practices to producers
throughout the state;
new text end

new text begin (2) this appropriation includes funding for
research and outreach on the production of
renewable energy from Minnesota biomass
resources, including agronomic crops, plant
and animal wastes, and native plants or trees.
The following areas should be prioritized and
carried out in consultation with Minnesota
producers, renewable energy, and bioenergy
organizations:
new text end

new text begin (i) biofuel and other energy production from
perennial crops, small grains, row crops, and
forestry products in conjunction with the
Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI);
new text end

new text begin (ii) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping
systems; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) biofuel coproducts used for livestock feed;
new text end

new text begin (3) this appropriation includes funding for the
College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural
Resources Sciences to establish and provide
leadership for organic agronomic,
horticultural, livestock, and food systems
research, education, and outreach and for the
purchase of state-of-the-art laboratory,
planting, tilling, harvesting, and processing
equipment necessary for this project;
new text end

new text begin (4) this appropriation includes funding for
research efforts that demonstrate a renewed
emphasis on the needs of the state's agriculture
community. The following areas should be
prioritized and carried out in consultation with
Minnesota farm organizations:
new text end

new text begin (i) vegetable crop research with priority for
extending the Minnesota vegetable growing
season;
new text end

new text begin (ii) fertilizer and soil fertility research and
development;
new text end

new text begin (iii) soil, groundwater, and surface water
conservation practices and contaminant
reduction research;
new text end

new text begin (iv) discovering and developing plant varieties
that use nutrients more efficiently;
new text end

new text begin (v) breeding and development of turf seed and
other biomass resources in all three Minnesota
biomes;
new text end

new text begin (vi) development of new disease-resistant and
pest-resistant varieties of turf and agronomic
crops;
new text end

new text begin (vii) utilizing plant and livestock cells to treat
and cure human diseases;
new text end

new text begin (viii) the development of dairy coproducts;
new text end

new text begin (ix) a rapid agricultural response fund for
current or emerging animal, plant, and insect
problems affecting production or food safety;
new text end

new text begin (x) crop pest and animal disease research;
new text end

new text begin (xi) developing animal agriculture that is
capable of sustainably feeding the world;
new text end

new text begin (xii) consumer food safety education and
outreach;
new text end

new text begin (xiii) programs to meet the research and
outreach needs of organic livestock and crop
farmers; and
new text end

new text begin (xiv) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping
systems; and growing, harvesting, and
transporting biomass plant material; and
new text end

new text begin (5) by February 1, 2025, the Board of Regents
must submit a report to the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over agriculture and higher education finance
on the status and outcomes of research and
initiatives funded in this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin (b) Health Sciences new text end

new text begin 29,204,000 new text end

new text begin 9,204,000 new text end

new text begin (1) $346,000 each year is to support up to 12
resident physicians in the St. Cloud Hospital
family practice residency program. The
program must prepare doctors to practice
primary care medicine in rural areas of the
state. The legislature intends this program to
improve health care in rural communities,
provide affordable access to appropriate
medical care, and manage the treatment of
patients in a more cost-effective manner. The
remainder of this appropriation is for the rural
physicians associates program; the Veterinary
Diagnostic Laboratory; health sciences
research; dental care; the Biomedical
Engineering Center; and the collaborative
partnership between the University of
Minnesota and Mayo Clinic for regenerative
medicine, research, clinical translation, and
commercialization.
new text end

new text begin (2) $20,000,000 the first year is for programs
at the University of Minnesota Medical School
Campus on the CentraCare Health System
Campus in St. Cloud. This appropriation may
be used for tuition support, a residency
program, a rural health research program, a
program to target scholarships to students from
diverse backgrounds, and a scholarship
program targeted at students who will practice
in rural areas. This appropriation is available
June 30, 2027, and must be spent on the
CentraCare Health System Campus in the
greater St. Cloud area.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text begin College of Science and Engineering new text end new text end

new text begin 1,140,000 new text end

new text begin 1,140,000 new text end

new text begin For the geological survey and the talented
youth mathematics program.
new text end

new text begin (d) System Special new text end

new text begin 9,181,000 new text end

new text begin 9,181,000 new text end

new text begin (1) For general research, the Labor Education
Service, Natural Resources Research Institute,
Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, Bell
Museum of Natural History, and the
Humphrey exhibit. The base is $8,181,000 for
fiscal year 2026 and thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (2) $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$4,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for the
Natural Resources Research Institute to invest
in applied research in natural resource
stewardship and economic development to
attract and retain top talent; provide matching
funds for federal grants; upgrade facilities,
equipment, and training; and expand
entrepreneurial support and outreach efforts.
The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is
$3,000,000.
new text end

new text begin (e) University of Minnesota and Mayo Foundation Partnership new text end

new text begin 7,991,000 new text end

new text begin 7,991,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is for the following
activities:
new text end

new text begin (1) $7,491,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$7,491,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for the
direct and indirect expenses of the
collaborative research partnership between the
University of Minnesota and the Mayo
Foundation for research in biotechnology and
medical genomics. An annual report on the
expenditure of these funds must be submitted
to the governor and the chairs of the legislative
committees responsible for higher education
finance by June 30 of each fiscal year.
new text end

new text begin (2) $500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $500,000
in fiscal year 2025 are to award competitive
grants to conduct research into the prevention,
treatment, causes, and cures of Alzheimer's
disease and other dementias.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Academic Health Center new text end

new text begin The appropriation for Academic Health Center
funding under Minnesota Statutes, section
297F.10, is estimated to be $22,250,000 each
year.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin MAYO CLINIC new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 1,799,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 1,799,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent are specified
in the following subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Medical School new text end

new text begin 665,000 new text end

new text begin 665,000 new text end

new text begin The state must pay a capitation each year for
each student who is a resident of Minnesota.
The appropriation may be transferred between
each year of the biennium to accommodate
enrollment fluctuations. It is intended that
during the biennium the Mayo Clinic use the
capitation money to increase the number of
doctors practicing in rural areas in need of
doctors.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Family Practice and Graduate Residency Program new text end

new text begin 1,134,000 new text end

new text begin 1,134,000 new text end

new text begin The state must pay stipend support for up to
27 residents each year.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

HIGHER EDUCATION PROVISIONS

Section 1.

new text begin [135A.121] AMERICAN INDIAN SCHOLARS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The American Indian Scholars program is established
to provide a first-dollar tuition and fee free pathway for eligible Minnesota American Indian
students to complete an undergraduate education.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin To be eligible each year for the program a student must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be enrolled in an undergraduate certificate, diploma, or degree program at the
University of Minnesota or a Minnesota state college or university;
new text end

new text begin (2) be either (i) a Minnesota resident for resident tuition purposes who is an enrolled
member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Canadian First Nation,
or (ii) an enrolled member or citizen of a Minnesota Tribal Nation, regardless of resident
tuition status; and
new text end

new text begin (3) have not (i) obtained a baccalaureate degree, or (ii) been enrolled for 180 credits or
the equivalent, excluding courses taken that qualify as developmental education or below
college-level.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must and the
University of Minnesota is requested to provide a full tuition and fee waiver to a student
eligible under subdivision 2. Funds appropriated with reference to this section may be used
to offset the institutional costs of the waivers; fund existing waivers, scholarships, or grant
programs for students eligible under subdivision 2; provide student supports for eligible
students; and administer these programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin (a) Each institution receiving funds under this section must annually
report to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) how the systems or institutions have administered, distributed, and awarded the
funds;
new text end

new text begin (2) enrollment and graduation data for all eligible students, including applicants and
recipients of funds; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the aggregate awarded financial aid information for all recipients of funds under this
program.
new text end

new text begin (b) Using the data submitted to the office by institutions pursuant to paragraph (a), as
well as other data available to the office, the office shall provide the following on its website
by placing a prominent link on its website home page:
new text end

new text begin (1) information made available in a searchable database, including but not limited to
persistence and completion, debt of graduates, employment and wage information, and other
relevant data for each institution subject to paragraph (a); and
new text end

new text begin (2) other information and links that are useful to students and parents who are in the
process of selecting a college or university.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [135A.1365] ACCESS TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS.
new text end

new text begin The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall, and the
Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota is requested to, provide students with
access to menstrual products at no charge. The products must be available in restrooms used
by students. For purposes of this section, "menstrual products" means pads, tampons, or
other similar products used in connection with the menstrual cycle.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 135A.137, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Designation approval.

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end The deleted text begin statewide student associations representing the
state community and technical colleges and the state universities deleted text end new text begin student advisory council
under section 136A.031 new text end shall create an application process deleted text begin and an award deleted text end new text begin for institutions
applying for grant funds. The student advisory council shall review applications new text end and deleted text begin provide deleted text end new text begin
make recommendations to the commissioner. The commissioner shall have new text end final approval
for the designation deleted text begin at each state college and university, respectively deleted text end new text begin and the award amount new text end .

deleted text begin (b) The University of Minnesota Student Association at each institution shall create an
application process and an award and provide final approval for the designation at each
University of Minnesota institution.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) The Minnesota Association of Private College Students and the Student Advisory
Council member representing Tribal colleges pursuant to section 136A.031, subdivision 3,
shall create an application process and an award and provide final approval for the designation
at each nonprofit degree-granting institution.
deleted text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 135A.137, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Competitive grant.

(a) Institutions eligible for a grant under this subdivision
include public postsecondary institutions new text begin , nonprofit private postsecondary institutions, new text end and
Tribal colleges.

(b) The commissioner shall establish a competitive grant program to distribute grants
to eligible institutions to meet and maintain the requirements under subdivision 1, paragraph
(a). Initial grants shall be made to institutions that have not earned the designation and
demonstrate a need for funding to meet the hunger-free campus designation requirements.
Sustaining grants shall be made to institutions that have earned the designation and
demonstrate both a partnership with a local food bank or organization that provides regular,
on-campus food distributions and a need for funds to maintain the requirements under
subdivision 1, paragraph (a).

(c) The commissioner shall give preference to applications for initial grants and to
applications from institutions with the highest number of federal Pell Grant eligible students
enrolled. The commissioner shall consider the head count at the institution when awarding
grants. The maximum grant award for an initial institution designation is deleted text begin $8,000 deleted text end new text begin $25,000 new text end .
The maximum grant award for sustaining an institution designation is deleted text begin $5,000 deleted text end new text begin $15,000 new text end .

(d) The commissioner, in collaboration with student associations representing eligible
institutions, shall create an application process and establish selection criteria for awarding
the grants.

new text begin (e) No more than 20 percent of the total grant awards each fiscal year shall be for grants
to nonprofit private postsecondary institutions.
new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [135A.161] INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
CENTER.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section and section 135A.162, the
following terms have the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Center" means the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual
disabilities" means a degree, certificate, or nondegree program that is offered by an institution
of higher education for students with intellectual disabilities and approved by the United
States Department of Education.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Director" means the director of the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance
Center.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Inclusive higher education" means institution-approved access to higher education
for students with an intellectual disability that allows for the same rights, privileges,
experiences, benefits, and outcomes that result from a college experience the same as a
matriculating student, resulting in a meaningful credential conferred by the institution of
higher education. Inclusive higher education includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) academic access and inclusive instruction;
new text end

new text begin (2) person-centered planning;
new text end

new text begin (3) career development;
new text end

new text begin (4) campus engagement;
new text end

new text begin (5) self-determination;
new text end

new text begin (6) paid internships and employment;
new text end

new text begin (7) on- or off-campus living, when available to other students;
new text end

new text begin (8) campus community clubs, events, and activity participation;
new text end

new text begin (9) peer mentors and support; and
new text end

new text begin (10) a degree, certificate, or nondegree credential.
new text end

new text begin (g) "National Coordinating Center" means the federally funded National Coordinating
Center, as identified in United States Code, title 20, section 1140q, that provides training
and technical assistance supporting evidence-based and student-centered research and
practice for inclusive higher education initiatives for students with intellectual disabilities.
new text end

new text begin (h) "Office" means the Office of Higher Education.
new text end

new text begin (i) "Student with an intellectual disability" means a student with an intellectual disability
as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 668.231.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must contract with the Institute on
Community Integration at the University of Minnesota to establish the Inclusive Higher
Education Technical Assistance Center. The purpose of the center is to increase access to
self-sustaining postsecondary education options across Minnesota for students with an
intellectual disability to earn meaningful credentials through degree, certificate, and
nondegree initiatives leading to competitive integrated employment, genuine community
membership, and more independent living. The center must:
new text end

new text begin (1) coordinate and facilitate the statewide initiative to expand and enhance inclusive
higher education opportunities;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide expertise in inclusive higher education for students with an intellectual
disability;
new text end

new text begin (3) provide technical assistance:
new text end

new text begin (i) to Minnesota institutions of higher education;
new text end

new text begin (ii) to local education agencies; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) as requested by the commissioner; and
new text end

new text begin (4) provide information to students with intellectual disabilities and their families.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Director; advisory committee. new text end

new text begin (a) The center must name a director.
new text end

new text begin (b) The center must make hiring decisions based on the Institute on Community
Integration's values of diversity and inclusion of staff with disabilities.
new text end

new text begin (c) The director must appoint an advisory committee and seek the committee's review
and recommendations on broad programmatic direction. The advisory committee must be
composed of 50 percent students with an intellectual disability. The remaining positions
must be filled by family members, key stakeholders, and allies. The director must convene
the advisory committee at least quarterly. The advisory committee shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) review and recommend inclusive higher education offerings;
new text end

new text begin (2) review and recommend updates to state policy and practice;
new text end

new text begin (3) document existing and potential funding sources; and
new text end

new text begin (4) identify obstacles and barriers to students with an intellectual disability to access
inclusive higher education opportunities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Responsibilities. new text end

new text begin (a) The center must advise and offer technical assistance to
all Minnesota institutions of higher education planning or offering an inclusive higher
education initiative to operate in accordance with federal requirements, the model Program
Accreditation Standards for Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual
Disabilities, and guiding principles for inclusive higher education as developed by the
National Coordinating Center.
new text end

new text begin (b) The center must monitor federal and state law related to inclusive higher education
and notify the governor, the legislature, and the Office of Higher Education of any change
in law which may impact inclusive higher education.
new text end

new text begin (c) The center must provide technical assistance to institutions of higher education,
administrators, faculty, and staff by:
new text end

new text begin (1) offering institution faculty and staff training and professional development to start,
operate, or enhance their inclusive higher education initiative;
new text end

new text begin (2) providing faculty and staff with information, training, and consultation on the
comprehensive transition and postsecondary program requirements, model Program
Accreditation Standards for Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual
Disabilities, and guiding principles;
new text end

new text begin (3) organizing and offering learning community events, an annual inclusive higher
education conference and community of practice events to share best practices, provide
access to national experts, and address challenges and concerns;
new text end

new text begin (4) assisting institutions of higher education with identifying existing or potential funding
sources for the institution of higher education, student financial aid, and funding for students
with an intellectual disability; and
new text end

new text begin (5) advising faculty and staff with an inclusive higher education option of specific grant
applications and funding opportunities.
new text end

new text begin (d) The center must disseminate information to students with an intellectual disability,
their parents, and local education agencies, including but not limited to information about:
new text end

new text begin (1) postsecondary education options, services, and resources that are available at inclusive
institutions of higher education;
new text end

new text begin (2) technical assistance and training provided by the center, the National Coordinating
Center, and key stakeholder organizations and agencies; and
new text end

new text begin (3) mentoring, networking, and employment opportunities.
new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [135A.162] INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education
in collaboration with the director of the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance
Center must establish a competitive grant program for Minnesota institutions of higher
education to develop new or enhance existing inclusive higher education initiatives to enroll
or increase enrollment of students with an intellectual disability. The commissioner and
director must collaborate to establish the grant program framework, including:
new text end

new text begin (1) minimum grant requirements;
new text end

new text begin (2) application format;
new text end

new text begin (3) criteria for evaluating applications;
new text end

new text begin (4) grant selection process;
new text end

new text begin (5) milestones and accountability; and
new text end

new text begin (6) reporting.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must send a description of the competitive grants, including
materials describing the grant purpose and goals, an application, compliance requirements,
and available funding to each institution of higher education that meets the requirements
of subdivision 2, clauses (1) and (2).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligible grantees. new text end

new text begin A public or nonprofit postsecondary two-year or four-year
institution is eligible to apply for a grant under this section if the institution:
new text end

new text begin (1) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; and
new text end

new text begin (2) meets the eligibility requirements under section 136A.103.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin (a) Applications must be made to the commissioner on a form
developed and provided by the commissioner. The commissioner must, to the greatest extent
possible, make the application form as short and simple to complete as is reasonably possible.
The commissioner must establish a schedule for applications and grants. The application
must include without limitation a written plan to develop or enhance a sustainable inclusive
higher education initiative that:
new text end

new text begin (1) offers the necessary supports to students with an intellectual disability to access the
same rights, privileges, experiences, benefits, and outcomes of a typically matriculating
student;
new text end

new text begin (2) includes the development of a meaningful credential for students with an intellectual
disability to attain upon successful completion of the student's postsecondary education;
new text end

new text begin (3) adopts admission standards that do not require a student with an intellectual disability
to complete a curriculum-based, achievement college entrance exam that is administered
nationwide;
new text end

new text begin (4) ensures that students with an intellectual disability:
new text end

new text begin (i) have access and choice in a wide array of academic courses to enroll in for credit or
audit that align with the student's interest areas and are attended by students without
disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (ii) have the option to live on or off campus in housing that is available to typically
matriculating students;
new text end

new text begin (iii) have access and support for genuine membership in campus life, including events,
social activities and organizations, institution facilities, and technology; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) are able to access and utilize campus resources available to typical matriculating
students;
new text end

new text begin (5) provides students with an intellectual disability with the supports and experiences
necessary to seek and sustain competitive integrated employment;
new text end

new text begin (6) develops and promotes the self-determination skills of students with an intellectual
disability;
new text end

new text begin (7) utilizes peer mentors who support enrolled students with an intellectual disability in
academic, campus engagement, residence life, employment, and campus clubs and
organizations;
new text end

new text begin (8) provides professional development and resources for university professors and
instructors to utilize universal design for learning and differentiated instruction that supports
and benefits all students; and
new text end

new text begin (9) presents a ten-year plan including student enrollment projections for sustainability
of an initiative that is financially accessible and equitable for all interested students with an
intellectual disability.
new text end

new text begin (b) Eligible institutions of higher education may apply for funding in subsequent years
for up to a total of ten years of funding.
new text end

new text begin (c) Receipt of grant funds does not preclude nor replace the provision of accommodation
for enrolled students with disabilities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant account. new text end

new text begin An inclusive higher education grant account is created in the
special revenue fund for depositing money appropriated to or received by the commissioner
for the program. Money deposited in the account is appropriated to the commissioner, does
not cancel, and is continuously available for grants under this section. The commissioner
may use up to five percent of the amount deposited into the account for the administration
of this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must award grants to eligible institutions
of higher education on a competitive basis using criteria established in collaboration with
the center. The commissioner must consider and prioritize applicants that have submitted
for or received a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program designation, or
applicants with documented progress or intent toward submitting for federal approval. An
eligible institution of higher education may apply annually for and receive up to $200,000
per year for four years and $100,000 in subsequent years pending performance and the
funding limitation in subdivision 3, paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) A grant recipient must:
new text end

new text begin (1) adopt the model Program Accreditation Standards for Postsecondary Education
Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and the inclusive higher education
guiding principles as developed by the National Coordinating Center;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide a 25 percent match for the grant funds, either monetary or in-kind; and
new text end

new text begin (3) collaborate with the Office of Higher Education, the center, and key stakeholders in
the development of the inclusive higher education initiative.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Grantee reporting. new text end

new text begin By August 1 and January 1 following a fiscal year in which
a grant was received and for five years thereafter, the grantee must submit a report to the
director that includes the status and outcomes of the initiative funded. The report must
include performance indicators and information deemed relevant by the director and
commissioner. The report must include the following performance indicators:
new text end

new text begin (1) student recruitment and number of students enrolled;
new text end

new text begin (2) student retainment effort and retention rate;
new text end

new text begin (3) initiative goals and outcomes;
new text end

new text begin (4) student attainment rate;
new text end

new text begin (5) graduated student employment rates and salary levels at year one and year five after
completion; and
new text end

new text begin (6) additional performance indicators or information established under subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clauses (5) and (6).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin The director must evaluate the development and implementation
of the Minnesota inclusive higher education initiatives receiving a grant under this section.
The director must submit an annual report by October 1 on the progress to expand Minnesota
inclusive higher education options for students with intellectual disabilities to the
commissioner and chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over higher education policy and finance. The report must include statutory and
budget recommendations.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023, except that the reporting
requirements under subdivision 7 are effective July 1, 2024.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.031, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Student Advisory Council.

(a) A Student Advisory Council (SAC) to the
office is established. The members of SAC shall include: the chair of the University of
Minnesota student senate; the state chair of the Minnesota State University Student
Association; the president of the Minnesota State College Student Association and an officer
of the Minnesota State College Student Association, one in a community college course of
study and one in a technical college course of study; a student who is enrolled in a private
nonprofit postsecondary institution, to be elected by students enrolled in Minnesota Private
College Council institutions; a student who is enrolled in a private career school, to be
elected by students enrolled in Minnesota private career schools; and a student who is
enrolled in a Minnesota tribal college to be elected by students enrolled in Minnesota tribal
colleges. If students from the private career schools or tribal colleges do not elect a
representative, the commissioner must appoint a student representative. If students from
the Minnesota Private College Council institutions do not elect a representative, the
Minnesota Private College Council must appoint the private nonprofit representative. A
member may be represented by a student designee who attends an institution from the same
system that the absent member represents. The SAC shall select one of its members to serve
as chair.

(b) The office shall inform the SAC of all matters related to student issues under
consideration. The SAC shall report to the office quarterly and at other times that the SAC
considers desirable. The SAC shall determine its meeting times, but it shall also meet with
the office within 30 days after the commissioner's request for a meeting.

(c) The SAC shall:

(1) bring to the attention of the office any matter that the SAC believes needs the attention
of the office;

(2) new text begin fulfill the requirements under section 135A.137, subdivision 2;
new text end

new text begin (3) new text end make recommendations to the office as it finds appropriate; and

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end approve student appointments by the office for each advisory group as provided
in subdivision 4.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.101, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

Subd. 5a.

Assigned family responsibility.

"Assigned family responsibility" means the
amount of a family's contribution to a student's cost of attendance, as determined by a federal
need analysis. For dependent students, the assigned family responsibility is 79 percent of
the parental contribution. new text begin If the parental contribution is less than $0, the assigned family
responsibility is 100 percent of the parental contribution. new text end For independent students with
dependents other than a spouse, the assigned family responsibility is 71 percent of the student
contribution. For independent students without dependents other than a spouse, the assigned
family responsibility is 35 percent of the student contribution. new text begin If the student contribution is
less than $0, the assigned family responsibility is 100 percent of the student contribution.
For a student registering for less than full time, the office shall prorate the assigned family
responsibility using the ratio of the number of credits the student is enrolled in to the number
of credits for full-time enrollment.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.101, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Student.

"Student" means a person who is enrolled for at least deleted text begin three credits deleted text end new text begin
one credit new text end per term, in a program or course of study that applies to a degree, diploma, or
certificate. Credit equivalencies assigned by an institution that are applicable to federal Pell
grant calculations shall be counted as part of a student's credit load.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.121, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Cost of attendance.

(a) The recognized cost of attendance consists of: (1) an
allowance specified in law for living and miscellaneous expenses, and (2) an allowance for
tuition and fees equal to the lesser of the average tuition and fees charged by the institution,
or a tuition and fee maximum if one is established in law. If no living and miscellaneous
expense allowance is established in law, the allowance is equal to deleted text begin 109 deleted text end new text begin 115 new text end percent of the
federal poverty guidelines for a one person household in Minnesota for nine months. If no
tuition and fee maximum is established in law, the allowance for tuition and fees is equal
to the lesser of: (1) the average tuition and fees charged by the institution, and (2) for
two-year programs, an amount equal to the highest tuition and fees charged at a public
two-year institution, or for four-year programs, an amount equal to the highest tuition and
fees charged at a public university.

(b) For a student registering for less than full time, the office shall prorate the cost of
attendance deleted text begin to the actual number of credits for which the student is enrolled deleted text end new text begin using the ratio
of the number of credits the student is enrolled in to the number of credits for full-time
enrollment new text end .

(c) The recognized cost of attendance for a student who is confined to a Minnesota
correctional institution shall consist of the tuition and fee component in paragraph (a), with
no allowance for living and miscellaneous expenses.

(d) For the purpose of this subdivision, "fees" include only those fees that are mandatory
and charged to full-time resident students attending the institution. Fees do not include
charges for tools, equipment, computers, or other similar materials where the student retains
ownership. Fees include charges for these materials if the institution retains ownership. Fees
do not include optional or punitive fees.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.121, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Awards.

An undergraduate student who meets the office's requirements is
eligible to apply for and receive a grant in any year of undergraduate study unless the student
has obtained a baccalaureate degree or deleted text begin previously has been enrolled full time or the equivalent
for eight semesters or the equivalent deleted text end new text begin previously has received a state grant award for 180
credits or the equivalent new text end , excluding (1) courses taken from a Minnesota school or
postsecondary institution which is not participating in the state grant program and from
which a student transferred no credit, and (2) courses taken that qualify as developmental
education or below college-level. A student enrolled in a two-year program at a four-year
institution is only eligible for the tuition and fee maximums established by law for two-year
institutions.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.121, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Deadline.

The deadline for the office to accept applications for state grants
for a term is deleted text begin 30 days after the start of that term deleted text end new text begin June 30 of the fiscal year for which the
student applies for a grant new text end .

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.1241, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Foster grant amount; payment; opt-out.

(a) Each student shall be awarded
a foster grant based on the federal need analysis. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all
other sources of financial aid. The amount of the foster grant must be equal to the applicant's
recognized cost of attendance after deleted text begin deducting deleted text end new text begin accounting for new text end :

(1) the deleted text begin student aid index as calculated by deleted text end new text begin results of new text end the federal need analysis;

(2) the amount of a federal Pell Grant award for which the applicant is eligible;

(3) the amount of the state grant;

(4) the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant;

(5) the sum of all Tribal scholarships;

(6) the amount of any other state and federal gift aid;

(7) the Education and Training Voucher Program;

(8) extended foster care benefits under section 260C.451;

(9) the amount of any private grants or scholarships, excluding grants and scholarships
provided by the private institution of higher education in which the eligible student is
enrolled; and

(10) for public institutions, the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition
waivers, and tuition remission amounts.

(b) The foster grant shall be paid directly to the eligible institution where the student is
enrolled.

(c) An eligible private institution may opt out of participating in the foster grant program
established under this section. To opt out, the institution shall provide notice to the office
by September 1 for the next academic year.

(d) An eligible private institution that does not opt out under paragraph (c) and accepts
the student's application to attend the institution must provide institutional grants,
scholarships, tuition waivers, or tuition remission in an amount equal to the difference
between:

(1) the institution's cost of attendance as calculated under subdivision 4, paragraph (b),
clause (1); and

(2) the sum of the foster grant under this subdivision and the sum of the amounts in
paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (9).

(e) An undergraduate student who is eligible may apply for and receive a foster grant
in any year of undergraduate study unless the student has obtained a baccalaureate degree
or previously has been enrolled full time as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 7a,
or the equivalent for eight semesters or the equivalent, or received a foster grant for five
years, whichever occurs first. A foster grant must not be awarded to a student for more than
three years for a two-year degree, certificate, or diploma, or five years for a four-year
undergraduate degree.

(f) Foster grants may be awarded to an eligible student for four quarters, three semesters,
or the equivalent during the course of a single fiscal year. In calculating the award amount,
the office must use the same calculation it would for any other term.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.125, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Amount and length of grants.

(a) The maximum award to the applicant shall
be $6,500 for each eligible child per academic year, except that the campus financial aid
officer may apply to the office for approval to increase grants by up to ten percent to
compensate for higher market charges for infant care in a community.

(b) Applicants with deleted text begin expected family deleted text end contributions at or below the qualifying deleted text begin expected
family deleted text end contribution new text begin as determined by the federal need analysis new text end for the federal Pell Grant,
as determined by the commissioner, qualify for the maximum award. Applicants with
deleted text begin expected family deleted text end contributions new text begin as determined by the federal need analysis new text end exceeding that
threshold but less than 200 percent of the qualifying deleted text begin expected family deleted text end contribution receive
an amount proportional to their deleted text begin expected family deleted text end contribution as determined by the
commissioner.

(c) The academic year award amount must be disbursed by academic term using the
following formula:

(1) the academic year amount described in paragraph (a);

(2) divided by the number of terms in the academic year; and

(3) multiplied by the applicable enrollment factor:

(i) 1.00 for undergraduate students enrolled in 12 or more semester credits or the
equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in six or more semester credits or the equivalent;

(ii) 0.75 for undergraduate students enrolled in nine, ten, or 11 semester credits or the
equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in five semester credits or the equivalent;

(iii) 0.50 for undergraduate students enrolled in six, seven, or eight semester credits or
the equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in three or four semester credits or the
equivalent; and

(iv) 0.25 for undergraduate students enrolled in at least one but less than six semester
credits or the equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in one or two semester credits or
the equivalent.

(d) Payments shall be made each academic term to the student or to the child care
provider, as determined by the institution. Institutions may make payments more than once
within the academic term.

Sec. 15.

new text begin [136A.1251] STUDENT-PARENT SUPPORT INITIATIVE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin (a) To address the needs and support the educational goals of
expectant and parenting college students across Minnesota, the commissioner shall award
grants and provide support services to institutions and partnering entities that assist expectant
parents and parents of young children. Grants shall be awarded to postsecondary institutions,
professional organizations, community-based organizations, or other applicants deemed
appropriate by the commissioner. Grants must be used to offer services to support the
academic goals, health, and well-being of student parents. Services and costs eligible for
grant funding include but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) program development costs;
new text end

new text begin (2) costs related to the start-up of on-campus child care;
new text end

new text begin (3) evaluation and data collection; and
new text end

new text begin (4) direct assistance to student parents including:
new text end

new text begin (i) scholarships;
new text end

new text begin (ii) basic needs support; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) expenses related to child care.
new text end

new text begin (b) Postsecondary institutions may act as the fiscal agents in partnership with a local
nongovernmental agency, child care center, or other organization that serves student parents.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Application process. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall develop a grant application
process. The commissioner shall support projects in a manner that attempts to ensure eligible
students throughout the state have access to program services.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Health-related supports. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, in partnership with the Department
of Health, shall provide health-related supports. Activities for health-related supports include:
new text end

new text begin (1) ensuring programs, services, and materials are medically accurate, age appropriate,
culturally and linguistically appropriate, and inclusive of all populations;
new text end

new text begin (2) working with community health care providers and other service support organizations
that serve the target population for this program; and
new text end

new text begin (3) providing technical assistance and training for institutional parent support center
staff on how to conduct screenings and referrals for the health concerns of student parents,
including alcohol misuse, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, intimate partner
violence, tobacco and nicotine, and other health concerns.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report and evaluation. new text end

new text begin By August 1 of each odd-numbered year, the
commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance regarding the grant
recipients and their activities. The report shall include information about the students served,
the organizations providing services, program activities, program goals, and outcomes.
new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.126, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Award amount.

(a) Each student shall be awarded a scholarship based on the
federal need analysis. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial
aid. The amount of the award must not exceed the applicant's cost of attendance, as defined
in subdivision 3, after deleted text begin deducting deleted text end new text begin accounting for new text end :

(1) the deleted text begin expected family contribution as calculated by deleted text end new text begin results of new text end the federal need analysis;

(2) the amount of a federal Pell Grant award for which the applicant is eligible;

(3) the amount of the state grant;

(4) the federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant;

(5) the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and tuition remission
amounts;

(6) the sum of all Tribal scholarships;

(7) the amount of any other state and federal gift aid; and

(8) the amount of any private grants or scholarships.

(b) The award shall be paid directly to the postsecondary institution where the student
receives federal financial aid.

(c) Awards are limited as follows:

(1) the maximum award for an undergraduate is $4,000 per academic year;

(2) the maximum award for a graduate student is $6,000 per academic year; and

(3) the minimum award for all students is $100 per academic year.

(d) Scholarships may not be given to any Indian student for more than three years of
study for a two-year degree, certificate, or diploma program or five years of study for a
four-year degree program at the undergraduate level and for more than five years at the
graduate level. Students may acquire only one degree per level and one terminal graduate
degree. Scholarships may not be given to any student for more than ten years including five
years of undergraduate study and five years of graduate study.

(e) Scholarships may be given to an eligible student for four quarters, three semesters,
or the equivalent during the course of a single fiscal year. In calculating the award amount,
the office must use the same calculation it would for any other term.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.1312, is amended to read:

136A.1312 FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATOR, PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT.

Nothing in this chapter or in the office's rules shall be interpreted as limiting the ability
of student financial aid administrators, on the basis of adequate documentation, to deleted text begin make
necessary adjustments to the cost of attendance and expected family contribution
computations deleted text end new text begin adjust a student's dependency status or elements of a student's cost of attendance
for federal needs analysis calculation new text end to allow for treatment of individual students with
special circumstances, with the exception of the cost of attendance defined under section
136A.121, subdivision 6. In addition, nothing in this chapter or in the office's rules shall be
interpreted as limiting the ability of the student financial aid administrator to use
supplementary information about the financial status of eligible applicants with special
circumstances in selecting recipients of state financial aid and determining the amount of
awards. Nothing in this section precludes a financial aid administrator from establishing an
appeals process for other extenuating circumstances.

Sec. 18.

new text begin [136A.1465] MINNESOTA COMMITMENT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
ACT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin The following terms have the meanings given:
new text end

new text begin (1) "eligible student" means a resident student under section 136A.101, subdivision 8,
who is enrolled in any public postsecondary educational institution or Tribal college;
new text end

new text begin (2) "gift aid" means all financial aid designated for the student's educational expenses,
including a grant, scholarship, tuition waiver, fellowship stipend, or other third-party
payment, that is not a loan or pursuant to a work-study program;
new text end

new text begin (3) "office" means the Office of Higher Education;
new text end

new text begin (4) "public postsecondary educational institution" means an institution operated by this
state, the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, or a Tribal college;
new text end

new text begin (5) "scholarship" means funds to pay 100 percent of tuition and fees remaining after
deducting grants and other scholarships;
new text end

new text begin (6) "Tribal college" means a college defined in section 136A.1796, subdivision 1,
paragraph (c); and
new text end

new text begin (7) "tuition and fees" means the actual tuition and fees charged by an institution.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Conditions for eligibility. new text end

new text begin A scholarship may be awarded to an eligible student
who:
new text end

new text begin (1) has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the state
aid application;
new text end

new text begin (2) has an adjusted gross household income below $80,000;
new text end

new text begin (3) has not earned a baccalaureate degree at the time the scholarship is awarded;
new text end

new text begin (4) is enrolled in at least one credit per fall, spring, or summer semester;
new text end

new text begin (5) is not participating in the University of Minnesota Promise Plus Free Tuition program;
and
new text end

new text begin (6) is meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision
10.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Scholarship. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, scholarships shall
be awarded to eligible students in an amount not to exceed 100 percent of tuition and fees
after grants and other scholarships are deducted.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 academic years, if funds remain after
scholarships are awarded under paragraph (a), grants shall be awarded to Pell grant eligible
students in an amount equal to 50 percent of the student's Pell grant. The commissioner
may adjust the grant amount based on the availability of funds.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Maintain current levels of institutional assistance. new text end

new text begin (a) Commencing with
the 2023-2024 academic year, a public postsecondary educational institution shall not reduce
the institutional gift aid offered or awarded to a student who is eligible to receive funds
under this program unless the student's gift aid exceeds the student's annual cost of
attendance.
new text end

new text begin (b) The public postsecondary educational institution may reduce the institutional gift
aid offer of a student who is eligible to receive funds under this program by no more than
the amount of the student's gift aid that is in excess of the student's annual cost of attendance.
new text end

new text begin (c) The public postsecondary educational institution shall not consider receipt or
anticipated receipt of funds under this program when considering a student for qualification
for institutional gift aid.
new text end

new text begin (d) To ensure financial aid is maximized, a public postsecondary educational institution
is encouraged to implement efforts to avoid scholarship displacement through consultation
with the Office of Higher Education and students to avoid situations where institutional gift
aid can only be used for specific purposes.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duration of scholarship authorized; scholarship paid to institution. new text end

new text begin (a)
Each scholarship is for a period of one semester. A scholarship may be renewed provided
that the eligible student continues to meet the conditions of eligibility.
new text end

new text begin (b) Scholarships may be provided to an eligible student for up to 60 credits for the
completion of a certificate or an associate degree and up to 120 credits for the completion
of a bachelor's degree. The maximum credits for which a student is eligible is a total of 120
credits.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall determine a time frame by which the eligible student must
complete the credential.
new text end

new text begin (d) The scholarship must be paid directly to the eligible institution where the student is
enrolled.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Termination of scholarship authorized. new text end

new text begin A scholarship is terminated upon
occurrence of:
new text end

new text begin (1) failure to meet satisfactory academic progress as defined in section 136A.101,
subdivision 10; or
new text end

new text begin (2) substantial noncompliance by the eligible student with the requirements of the
program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Account established; appropriation. new text end

new text begin An account is created in the special
revenue fund for receiving money to provide scholarship awards. Money deposited in the
account is appropriated to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for scholarship
awards.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Office administration. new text end

new text begin The office is authorized to administer the program. If
funds are insufficient, the office shall determine the scholarship amount or number of
scholarships awarded. If a student withdraws or is no longer enrolled during a semester in
which a scholarship was awarded, the office may determine how this will affect the
scholarship.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of higher education shall submit a preliminary
report by September 1, 2025, and an annual report beginning February 15, 2026, to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
higher education, on the details of the program, including the:
new text end

new text begin (1) status of the scholarship fund; and
new text end

new text begin (2) Minnesota Commitment to Higher Education Act participation data aggregated for
each eligible institution to show the:
new text end

new text begin (i) number of eligible students who received scholarships in the prior academic year;
new text end

new text begin (ii) average and total award amounts;
new text end

new text begin (iii) summary demographic data on award recipients;
new text end

new text begin (iv) total number of students enrolled in eligible institutions in the prior academic year;
new text end

new text begin (v) retention rates of participating students; and
new text end

new text begin (vi) number of eligible students who graduated with a degree and, for each eligible
student, the number of consecutive semesters and nonconsecutive semesters attended prior
to graduation.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2024.
new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.1791, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Eligibility.

To be eligible for a disbursement under this section, a teacher must
belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin .
To the extent that funds are available, eligibility extends to teachers who new text end teach in a rural
school district deleted text begin , deleted text end or teach in a license shortage area.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.246, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Grant criteria.

(a) The commissioner shall make at least an approximately
equal dollar amount of grants for training for employees whose work site is projected to be
outside the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, as for employees
whose work site is projected to be within the metropolitan area.

(b) In determining the award of grants, the commissioner must consider, among other
factors:

(1) the aggregate state and regional need for employees with the competency to be
trained;

(2) the competency standards developed by the commissioner of labor and industry as
part of the Minnesota deleted text begin PIPELINE Project deleted text end new text begin dual-training pipeline program new text end ;

(3) the per employee cost of training;

(4) the additional employment opportunities for employees because of the training;

(5) the on-the-job training the employee receives;

(6) the employer's demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and retain employees who are
recent high school graduates or who recently passed high school equivalency tests;

(7) projected increases in compensation for employees receiving the training; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(8) the amount of employer training cost match, if required, on both a per employee and
aggregate basis deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (9) the employer's demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and retain employees who are
employees of color, American Indian employees, and employees with disabilities.
new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.246, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Employer match.

A large employer must pay for at least 25 percent of the
deleted text begin eligible training provider's charge for the eligible training to the provider deleted text end new text begin cost of training new text end .
For the purpose of this subdivision, a "large employer" means a business with more than
$25,000,000 in annual gross revenue in the previous calendar year.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.246, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Grant amounts.

(a) The maximum grant for an application new text begin for the cost of
training new text end is $150,000. new text begin The maximum grant for an application for trainee support is ten percent
of the grant amount for the cost of training. The maximum total grant per application is
$165,000. new text end A grant may not exceed $6,000 per year for a maximum of deleted text begin four years deleted text end new text begin $24,000 new text end
per employee.

(b) An employee who is attending an eligible training provider that is an institution under
section 136A.103 must apply for Pell and state grants as a condition of payment for training
that employee under this section.

Sec. 23.

new text begin [136A.84] DIRECT ADMISSIONS PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Authorization. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall administer the direct admissions
program in consultation with stakeholders, including Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities, the University of Minnesota, the Student Advisory Council under section
136A.031, the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Association of Secondary
School Principals, and the Minnesota School Board Association, to automatically offer
conditional admission into Minnesota public colleges and universities to Minnesota high
school seniors based on a student's high school grade point average, high school and college
transcript information, standardized tests, statewide assessments, and other measures as
determined by stakeholders.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Implementation. new text end

new text begin The program shall establish and, to the extent feasible,
implement a process for leveraging existing kindergarten through grade 12 and higher
education student information systems to automate the admissions process for students. The
program must specifically evaluate the impact this process has on outcomes for students
with lower levels of college knowledge, low-income students, and students from populations
underserved in higher education. The office shall attempt to achieve statewide representation
and may prioritize program participants to include high schools with a significant number
of students of color, low-income students, or both.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Information. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall provide information about the Minnesota
state grant program and the Minnesota commitment to higher education act and encourage
students to determine their eligibility for financial aid based on FAFSA and state financial
aid application completion.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin Annually, by February 1, the Office of Higher Education shall report
to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education
finance and policy and higher education on activities occurring under this section. The report
must include but is not limited to information about implementation, recommendations, and
outcomes.
new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136F.38, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Program eligibility.

(a) Scholarships shall be awarded only to a student eligible
for resident tuition, as defined in section 135A.043, who is enrolled in any of the following
programs of study or certification: (1) advanced manufacturing; (2) agriculture; (3) health
care services; (4) information technology; (5) early childhood; (6) transportation; deleted text begin or deleted text end (7) new text begin
construction; (8) education; (9) public safety; or (10) new text end a program of study under paragraph
(b).

(b) Each institution may add one additional area of study or certification, based on a
workforce shortage for full-time employment requiring postsecondary education that is
unique to the institution's specific region, as reported in the most recent Department of
Employment and Economic Development job vacancy survey data for the economic
development region in which the institution is located. A workforce shortage area is one in
which the job vacancy rate for full-time employment in a specific occupation in a region is
higher than the state average vacancy rate for that same occupation. The institution may
change the area of study or certification based on new data once every two years.

(c) The student must be enrolled for at least nine credits in a two-year college in the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to be eligible for first- and second-year
scholarships.

(d) The student is eligible for a one-year transfer scholarship if the student transfers from
a two-year college after two or more terms, and the student is enrolled for at least nine
credits in a four-year university in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 175.45, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Duties; goal.

The commissioner of labor and industry shall convene
industry representatives, identify occupational competency standards, and provide technical
assistance to develop dual-training programs. The competency standards shall be identified
for employment in occupations in advanced manufacturing, health care services, information
technology, deleted text begin and deleted text end agriculture new text begin , transportation, and child care new text end . Competency standards are not
rules and are exempt from the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and the provisions in
section 14.386 concerning exempt rules do not apply.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 354B.23, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Employer contribution rate.

The employer contribution rate on behalf of
participants in the individual retirement account plan is deleted text begin six percent deleted text end new text begin the following percentage new text end
of salary deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin :
new text end

	new text begin from July 1, 1993, to June 30, 2023 new text end	new text begin 6 new text end
	new text begin from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024 new text end	new text begin 6.55 new text end
	new text begin from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025 new text end	new text begin 7.1 new text end
	new text begin from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026 new text end	new text begin 7.65 new text end
	new text begin from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027 new text end	new text begin 7.65 new text end
	new text begin after June 30, 2027 new text end	new text begin 8.75 new text end

Sec. 27. new text begin POSTSECONDARY STUDENT BASIC NEEDS WORKING GROUP;
REPORT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Direction. new text end

new text begin By September 1, 2023, the commissioner of the Office of
Higher Education shall convene a working group on postsecondary student basic needs.
The commissioner shall invite representatives from Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities, the University of Minnesota, nonprofit private colleges, Tribal colleges and
universities, student organizations, faculty and staff bargaining units, state agencies, and
other interested parties as determined by the commissioner to participate in the working
group.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The working group must review, assess, and make specific
recommendations on strategies to meet the basic needs of higher education students. The
report must include a comprehensive plan on how to identify, assess, and support students
who are experiencing housing and food insecurity. The report may also include proposals
for substantive and technical amendments to Minnesota Statutes, chapters 135A to 137, and
any other laws that relate to higher education. The working group may also make specific
recommendations with regard to policy changes for the Office of Higher Education and
postsecondary institutions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report to legislature. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of higher education shall submit a
report detailing the working group's findings and recommendations to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over higher education
policy and finance by September 1, 2024.
new text end

Sec. 28. new text begin REPORT ON MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
COURSE PLACEMENT PRACTICES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Review. new text end

new text begin (a) The Office of Higher Education shall document, review, and
analyze college admission and course placement policies, practices, and assessments used
by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The review shall seek to determine
if policies, practices, and assessments used have:
new text end

new text begin (1) adverse consequences for a student and their family, including burdensome economic
and related costs of delaying their degree plans;
new text end

new text begin (2) hindered the participation of students;
new text end

new text begin (3) hindered the placement, retention, or timely college graduation of students; and
new text end

new text begin (4) excluded students from admission thereby hindering their full participation in higher
education.
new text end

new text begin (b) The review must consider impacts for various student communities, including but
not limited to Indigenous students, English as a second language (ESL) students, and students
of color.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Determination. new text end

new text begin Utilizing the review conducted under subdivision 1, the
commissioner shall determine whether:
new text end

new text begin (1) students, including Indigenous students, ESL students, and students of color, are:
new text end

new text begin (i) denied admission;
new text end

new text begin (ii) disproportionately assigned to enroll in developmental courses; or
new text end

new text begin (iii) delayed or deterred in their educational progress; and
new text end

new text begin (2) policies, practices, and instruments:
new text end

new text begin (i) are disproportionately reliant on test scores;
new text end

new text begin (ii) impose barriers for students in terms of enrollment, retention, and completion; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) may be culturally biased.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Recommendation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall recommend changes based on the
information obtained in subdivisions 1 and 2 to existing measures, instruments, and placement
practices. By February 1, 2024, the commissioner shall report the recommendations to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
higher education. The commissioner shall seek external advice and expertise to address the
above reviews, determinations, findings, and recommendations.
new text end