SF 3517

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 05/14/2025 09:34am

A bill for an act
relating to local government aid; establishing aid to local governments for emerald
ash borer financial assistance; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin AID TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR EMERALD ASH BORER
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given:
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new text begin (1) "eligible costs" means costs incurred in 2020 or later for treating or removing a tree
on residential or agricultural homestead property found to be infested by the emerald ash
borer and has been required by state law or by municipal ordinance to be treated or removed;
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new text begin (2) "eligible homeowner" means a homeowner who incurred eligible costs related to a
tree on the homeowner's property; and
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new text begin (3) "eligible local government" means:
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new text begin (i) a town with a population of at least 10,000;
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new text begin (ii) a statutory or home rule charter city; or
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new text begin (iii) "Minnesota Tribal governments," as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 10.65,
subdivision 2, clause (4).
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Aid program established; payment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of revenue must
distribute aid to eligible local governments. The commissioner must certify the aid amount
to be paid in 2026 to each eligible local government by January 31, 2026. The commissioner
must make the full 2026 payment to each eligible local government by February 15, 2026.
This program is not subject to retention of administrative costs under Minnesota Statutes,
section 16B.98, subdivision 14.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Amount of aid. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of revenue must establish a process to
allocate the amount of available aid to eligible local governments. The process must be an
open application process for a merit-based competitive grant program. The grant program
established under this subdivision must prioritize distributing aid to eligible local
governments based on:
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new text begin (1) the rate of emerald ash borer infestations on residential properties;
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new text begin (2) the ability of the local government's residents to pay for eligible costs; and
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new text begin (3) the population of the eligible local government.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner of revenue must consult with the commissioners of agriculture
and natural resources when establishing the process required under this subdivision.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligible uses. new text end

new text begin An eligible government must use aid received under this section
to reimburse eligible homeowners with incomes below 200 percent of the official federal
poverty guideline for their eligible costs.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of revenue for aid under this section. This is a onetime
appropriation. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, the
Department of Revenue may retain up to three percent of this amount for costs incurred in
administering the program.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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