SF 3585

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to a University of Minnesota football stadium; providing a process for
state support of a football stadium at the University of Minnesota; appropriating
money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 297A.71, by adding
a subdivision; 340A.404, subdivision 4a; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 473.

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

Section 1. new text begin PURPOSE; FINDINGS.
new text end

new text begin The legislature finds that construction of a new football stadium by the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota on the University's east bank campus in the
city of Minneapolis serves statewide public purposes. The legislature finds that the
public purposes served include, but are not limited to, providing an on-campus outdoor
intercollegiate football stadium as a part of the public amenities for Minnesota's citizens,
enhancing the enjoyment of its citizens, and enhancing the University experience for
students, alumni, faculty, staff, and other supporters of the University. The legislature
finds that the University intends to join together with its students, alumni, faculty, staff,
and other supporters to raise funds to build a stadium to return college football to the
University campus. Further, the legislature finds that construction of a University of
Minnesota football stadium should be supported by the state and that the support should
not detract from or be a substitute for other operating and capital support by the state for
the University; however, state financial support for the stadium should be conditioned
upon the University providing for payment of a significant portion of the stadium's cost
from nonstate general revenue fund sources. The purpose of this act is to provide a firm
40 percent level of funding for a new University football stadium to be constructed and
owned by the Regents of the University of Minnesota.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Applicability. new text end

new text begin The definitions in this section apply to sections 2 to 7.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Commissioner. new text end

new text begin "Commissioner" means the commissioner of finance.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Stadium. new text end

new text begin "Stadium" means an athletic stadium suitable for intercollegiate
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football games and related
infrastructure improvements constructed on the University of Minnesota's east bank
campus in the city of Minneapolis.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Board. new text end

new text begin "Board" means the regents of the University of Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Commission. new text end

new text begin "Commission" means the Metropolitan Sports Facilities
Commission.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin ACTIVITIES; CONTRACTS.
new text end

new text begin The legislature recognizes that the board has all powers necessary or convenient for
designing, constructing, equipping, improving, controlling, operating, and maintaining the
stadium and may enter into contracts that are in its judgment in the best interests of the
public for those purposes. Notwithstanding contrary law, the board may adopt the fair
and competitive design and construction procurement procedures in connection with
the stadium that it considers to be in the public interest. The board must ensure to the
greatest extent practicable, that materials derived from American made steel are used in
the construction of the stadium. Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.33 and 16B.335, do
not apply to the stadium.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.
new text end

new text begin The legislature requests that the board complete an environmental review of the
stadium project and perform the duties of the responsible governmental unit as prescribed
in the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116D, and the
rules adopted under that chapter. The legislature ratifies the Environmental Quality
Board's designation of the board as responsible governmental unit.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin CONDITIONS FOR PAYMENT TO THE UNIVERSITY.
new text end

new text begin Before the commissioner may make the first payment to the board authorized in this
section the commissioner must certify that the board has received at least $141,000,000
in pledges, gifts, sponsorships, and other nonstate general fund revenue support for the
construction of the stadium. On July 1 of each year after certification by the commissioner,
but no earlier than July 1, 2007, and for so long thereafter as any bonds issued by the
board for the construction of the stadium are outstanding, the state must transfer to
the board $7,000,000 to reimburse the board for its stadium costs, provided that bonds
issued to pay the state's share of such costs shall not exceed $94,000,000. $7,000,000 is
appropriated annually from the general fund for the purpose of this section. Except to the
extent of the annual appropriation described in this section, the state is not required to pay
any part of the cost of designing or constructing the stadium. The board must also certify
to the commissioner that a provision for affordable access for University students to the
University sporting events held at the football stadium has been made.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin NO FULL FAITH AND CREDIT.
new text end

new text begin Any bonds or other obligations issued by the board under this act are not public debt
of the state, and the full faith and credit and taxing powers of the state are not pledged for
their payment, or of any payments that the state agrees to make under this act.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 297A.71, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 33. new text end

new text begin Construction materials; University of Minnesota football stadium.
new text end

new text begin Materials, supplies, or equipment used or consumed in connection with the construction,
equipping, or improvement of a football stadium constructed for use by the University
of Minnesota are exempt. This subdivision expires one year after substantial completion
of the football stadium.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 340A.404, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:

Subd. 4a.

State-owned recreation; entertainment facilities.

Notwithstanding any
other law, local ordinance, or charter provision, the commissioner may issue on-sale
intoxicating liquor licenses:

(1) to the state agency administratively responsible for, or to an entity holding a
concession or facility management contract with such agency for beverage sales at, the
premises of any Giants Ridge Recreation Area building or recreational improvement area
owned by the state in the town of White, St. Louis County;

(2) to the state agency administratively responsible for, or to an entity holding a
concession or facility management contract with such agency for beverage sales at, the
premises of any Ironworld Discovery Center building or facility owned by the state at
Chisholm; and

(3) to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for events at Northrop
Auditorium new text begin and spectator suites and clubs in any intercollegiate football stadium
constructed by the University on its Minneapolis campus new text end .

The commissioner shall charge a fee for licenses issued under this subdivision in an
amount comparable to the fee for comparable licenses issued in surrounding cities.

Sec. 9.

new text begin [473.5955] TERMINATION OF LEASE.
new text end

new text begin The lease between the Regents of the University of Minnesota and the commission
dated May 19, 1982, that requires the University of Minnesota football team to play its
home football games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome until July 1, 2012, may
be terminated by the board effective on or after the date designated by the board as the
date of completion of the stadium on the University of Minnesota's east bank campus in
the city of Minneapolis.
new text end

Sec. 10. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 9 are effective the day following final enactment. new text end