1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education finance; appropriating money for the Minnesota GreenStep 
1.3 	Schools program.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are 
1.7 	appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years 
1.8 	designated.
1.9 		Subd. 2.Minnesota GreenStep Schools program. (a) For the Minnesota GreenStep 
1.10 	Schools program to challenge, educate, and provide free, voluntary programs to school 
1.11 	districts and charter schools in efforts to reduce environmental impacts and costs; improve 
1.12 	the health of students, staff, and community; and strengthen environmental education and 
1.13 	STEM career opportunities:

1.14		$
	270,000
	.....
	2021
	
1.15 	(b) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $140,000 is for a grant to the Minnesota Design 
1.16 	Center at the University of Minnesota to lead the Minnesota GreenStep Schools program. 
1.17 	The center's responsibilities must include continuous improvement through research-based 
1.18 	best practices, coordination of public-private-nonprofit program operation and ongoing 
1.19 	development, and coordination of technical support, evaluation, and recognition for 
1.20 	participating schools.
1.21 	(c) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $130,000 is for the Department of Education. The 
1.22 	department's responsibilities must include administration of the program; integration of the 
2.1 	program with the department's existing work on academic standards, best practices, and 
2.2 	other programs; and training schools and districts to join and advance in the program.
2.3 	(d) The base in fiscal year 2022 is $270,000.