SF 3478

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/29/2024 04:19pm

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; providing grants to public schools for capital
improvements necessary to remove and replace American Indian mascots;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sum indicated in this section is
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal year
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin American Indian mascot removal grants. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to public schools
for capital improvement projects necessary to remove and replace an American Indian
mascot in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.041:
new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin ....... new text end

new text begin ..... new text end

new text begin 2025 new text end

new text begin (b) A public school may apply in the form and manner determined by the commissioner
for a grant for construction costs necessary to remove and replace an American Indian
mascot used on school facilities, such as a school building facade, gymnasium floor, athletic
field, or school signage. Grant funds may not be used for expenses associated with the
predesign, design, or planning phases of the project or for noncapital expenditures, such as
uniforms or stationery.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may award a grant to a public school for construction costs incurred
on or after July 1, 2022. The public school must provide the commissioner with
documentation of eligible expenses in the form and manner determined by the commissioner.
If a school district issued bonds to finance the public school's eligible project, the grant
funds must be deposited into the school district's debt redemption fund in an amount sufficient
to pay the principal and interest on the debt service loan according to Minnesota Statutes,
section 126C.70.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner may award a grant to each qualifying public school of no more
than $........
new text end

new text begin (e) This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end