SF 4496

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/20/2022 08:08am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; establishing an accessibility for the arts and
cultural economy grant program; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin ACCESSIBILITY FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL ECONOMY GRANTS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of employment and
economic development shall establish an accessibility for the arts and cultural economy
grant program. The commissioner shall make a grant to an intermediary organization, to be
identified by the commissioner, to make grants to eligible grantees to fund necessary arts
or cultural facility building accessibility renovations to comply with Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and for capital projects at an arts or cultural facility.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision
have the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Arts or cultural facility" means a theater, performing arts venue, art gallery, cultural
center, or cultural facility located in Minnesota and operated by a nonprofit or Tribal entity.
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new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant to intermediary organization. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall make a grant
to a community development financial institution (CDFI) intermediary organization to
provide accessibility and capital projects grants using criteria, forms, applications, and
reporting requirements developed by the commissioner.
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new text begin (b) In identifying the appropriate intermediary organization, the commissioner shall
consider the organization's:
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new text begin (1) knowledge of Minnesota's arts and cultural community;
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new text begin (2) knowledge of building accessibility requirements under the ADA;
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new text begin (3) previous experience with grantmaking and capital projects;
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new text begin (4) experience working across the geographic regions of Minnesota; and
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new text begin (5) record of service in and with Minnesota's diverse communities.
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new text begin (c) Up to 0.5 percent of a grant under this subdivision may be used by the CDFI
intermediary organization for administration and monitoring of the program.
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new text begin (d) The intermediary organization shall convene and consult with a community advisory
group that reflects a balance of Minnesota's geographic, racial, disability, and gender diversity
along with other representatives who have experience with the creative economy, capital
projects, or rural revitalization.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligible grantees; grant process. new text end

new text begin (a) An owner or operator of an arts or cultural
facility is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the entity operating the facility:
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new text begin (1) is a 501(c)(3) or equivalent not-for-profit arts or cultural organization;
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new text begin (2) is located in the state of Minnesota; and
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new text begin (3) has organizational revenue for fiscal year 2019 of equal to or less than $1,500,000,
as reported by the nonprofit on the federal IRS Form 990.
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new text begin (b) Grants shall be awarded by the intermediary through a request for proposal process.
Selection shall be based on the significance of the project, financial need of the organization,
available matching funds, and number of people served by the improvements. Projects to
achieve compliance with the requirements of the ADA shall be given priority. Geographic
balance in awarding grants throughout Minnesota shall also be a priority.
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new text begin (c) The maximum grant to an eligible grantee under this section is $2,000,000.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report to the legislature. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2023, the intermediary organization
must submit an initial report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over economic development on the use of funds under this
section and grant outcomes. A final report, with metrics to gauge geographic and diverse
impacts, is due to the legislature by the intermediary organization upon full expenditure of
the funds appropriated in section 2.
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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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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of employment and economic development for accessibility for arts and cultural economy
grants under section 1. Of this amount, 0.1 percent is for the commissioner of employment
and economic development to administer the program. This is a onetime appropriation and
is available until December 31, 2024.
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