HF 1360

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/06/2025 05:23pm

A bill for an act
relating to infrastructure; establishing the empowering small Minnesota
communities program; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 137.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [137.345] EMPOWERING SMALL MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES
PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Program" means the empowering small Minnesota communities program established
by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Small community" means a local unit of government having a population of fewer
than 15,000 or a collaboration of more than one local unit of government each having a
population of fewer than 15,000.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program assistance. new text end

new text begin (a) An appropriation under the program is for small
community partnerships on infrastructure project analysis and development as provided in
this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) Support and assistance under the program must be prioritized for political subdivisions
and federally recognized Tribal governments based on insufficient capacity to undertake
project development and apply for state or federal infrastructure grants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Uses. new text end

new text begin (a) An appropriation under the program is available for:
new text end

new text begin (1) project partnership activities in the Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships,
the Center for Transportation Studies, the Minnesota Design Center, the Humphrey School
of Public Affairs, the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, or other related entities; and
new text end

new text begin (2) support and assistance to small communities that includes:
new text end

new text begin (i) methods to incorporate consideration of sustainability, resiliency, and adaptation to
the impacts of climate change; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) identification and cross-sector analysis of any potential associated projects and
efficiencies through coordinated investments in other infrastructure or assets.
new text end

new text begin (b) An agreement with a small community may provide for infrastructure project analysis
and development activities that include but are not limited to planning, scoping, analysis,
predesign, and design.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Program information. new text end

new text begin From an appropriation under the program, the regents
must maintain information about the program on a website that, at a minimum, must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a review of the program and implementation;
new text end

new text begin (2) a summary of projects under the program;
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new text begin (3) financial information that identifies sources and uses of funds; and
new text end

new text begin (4) direction on applications for partnership assistance.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; EMPOWERING SMALL MINNESOTA
COMMUNITIES PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from
the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the empowering
small Minnesota communities program under Minnesota Statutes, section 137.345.
new text end