1.1 	CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON H. F. No. 2073
1.2 	A bill for an act
1.3 	relating to higher education; providing funding and policy related changes for the 
1.4 	Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the 
1.5 	University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic; creating and modifying certain 
1.6 	scholarships and student aid programs; creating and modifying grant programs to 
1.7 	higher education institutions; establishing the Inclusive Higher Education Technical 
1.8 	Assistance Center; creating a direct admissions program; providing aid to 
1.9 	postsecondary institutions for unemployment insurance; establishing higher 
1.10 	education bonding policy; requiring financial review of nonprofit grant recipients; 
1.11 	requiring reports; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 
1.12 	136A.101, subdivisions 5a, 7; 136A.121, subdivisions 6, 9, 13; 136A.1241, 
1.13 	subdivision 5; 136A.125, subdivision 4; 136A.126, subdivision 4; 136A.1312; 
1.14 	136A.1791, subdivision 3a; 136A.246, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 8; 136F.04, subdivision 
1.15 	1; 136F.38, subdivisions 3, 4, 5; 175.45, subdivision 1; 354B.23, subdivision 3; 
1.16 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 135A; 136A; 268; 
1.17 	repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 136F.03; 136F.38, subdivision 2.
1.18 	May 8, 2023
1.19 	The Honorable Melissa Hortman
1.20 	Speaker of the House of Representatives
1.21 	The Honorable Bobby Joe Champion
1.22 	President of the Senate
1.23 	We, the undersigned conferees for H. F. No. 2073 report that we have agreed upon the 
1.24 	items in dispute and recommend as follows:
1.25 	That the Senate recede from its amendments and that H. F. No. 2073 be further amended 
1.26 	as follows:
1.27 	Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

1.28 	ARTICLE 1
1.29 	APPROPRIATIONS

1.30 | Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.
2.1 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies 
2.2 	and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, 
2.3 	or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 
2.4 	The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under 
2.5 	them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively. 
2.6 	"The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium" 
2.7 	is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

2.8 | | | | APPROPRIATIONS
2.9 | | | | Available for the Year
2.10 | | | | Ending June 30
2.11 | | | | | 2024 | | 2025

2.12

2.13

Sec. 2. MINNESOTA OFFICE OF HIGHER 
EDUCATION

2.14 | Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation | $ | 340,411,000 | $ | 435,963,000
2.15 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.16 	purpose are specified in the following 
2.17 	subdivisions.

2.18 | Subd. 2.State Grants | | 234,744,000 | | 224,167,000
2.19 	(a) If the appropriation in this subdivision for 
2.20 	either year is insufficient, the appropriation 
2.21 	for the other year is available for it.
2.22 	(b) The base for this appropriation is 
2.23 	$225,066,000 for fiscal year 2026 and later.

2.24 | Subd. 3.Child Care Grants | | 6,694,000 | | 6,694,000

2.25 | Subd. 4.State Work-Study | | 14,502,000 | | 14,502,000

2.26 | Subd. 5.Interstate Tuition Reciprocity | | 8,500,000 | | 8,500,000
2.27 	If the appropriation in this subdivision for 
2.28 	either year is insufficient, the appropriation 
2.29 	for the other year is available to meet 
2.30 	reciprocity contract obligations.

2.31 | Subd. 6.Safety Officer's Survivors | | 100,000 | | 100,000
2.32 	This appropriation is to provide educational 
2.33 	benefits under Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.34 	299A.45, to eligible dependent children and 
3.1 	to the spouses of public safety officers killed 
3.2 	in the line of duty.
3.3 	If the appropriation in this subdivision for 
3.4 	either year is insufficient, the appropriation 
3.5 	for the other year is available for it.

3.6 | Subd. 7.Indian Scholarships | | 3,500,000 | | 3,500,000
3.7 	The commissioner must contract with or 
3.8 	employ at least one person with demonstrated 
3.9 	competence in American Indian culture and 
3.10 	residing in or near the city of Bemidji to assist 
3.11 	students with the scholarships under 
3.12 	Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.126, and 
3.13 	with other information about financial aid for 
3.14 	which the students may be eligible. This 
3.15 	appropriation includes funding to administer 
3.16 	the American Indian scholarship program.

3.17

3.18

Subd. 8.Tribal College Supplemental Assistance 
Grants

3,150,000

3,150,000

3.19 	(a) For Tribal college assistance grants under 
3.20 	Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1796.
3.21 	(b) In addition to grants made pursuant to 
3.22 	Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1796, the 
3.23 	commissioner shall use this appropriation to 
3.24 	make grants of $1,000,000 each to Leech Lake 
3.25 	Tribal College, White Earth Tribal College, 
3.26 	and Red Lake Nation Tribal College, to be 
3.27 	used for the Tribal colleges' general operations 
3.28 	and maintenance expenses. A Tribal college 
3.29 	must use grant funds received under this 
3.30 	section to supplement, not supplant, any 
3.31 	existing funding. By September 30, 2024, each 
3.32 	Tribal college receiving a grant under this 
3.33 	paragraph must submit a report to the 
3.34 	commissioner of the Office of Higher 
3.35 	Education and to the chairs and ranking 
4.1 	minority members of the legislative 
4.2 	committees with jurisdiction over higher 
4.3 	education finance and policy. The report must 
4.4 	include an accurate and detailed account of 
4.5 	how the funds were spent, and a copy of the 
4.6 	college's most recent audit report.
4.7 	(c) The commissioner may use no more than 
4.8 	three percent of this appropriation to 
4.9 	administer the program grants.

4.10

4.11

Subd. 9.Intervention for College Attendance 
Program Grants

1,942,000

1,142,000

4.12 	For the intervention for college attendance 
4.13 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
4.14 	136A.861.
4.15 	$300,000 in fiscal year 2024 is for providing 
4.16 	onetime catalyst funding on a competitive 
4.17 	basis to postsecondary institutions, nonprofit 
4.18 	organizations, and local government 
4.19 	organizations to create or enhance supports, 
4.20 	navigation, and precollege services for 
4.21 	students who were formerly incarcerated.
4.22 	The commissioner may use no more than three 
4.23 	percent of this appropriation to administer the 
4.24 	intervention for college attendance program 
4.25 	grants.

4.26 | Subd. 10.Student-Parent Information | | 122,000 | | 122,000

4.27 | Subd. 11.Get Ready! | | 180,000 | | 180,000

4.28

4.29

Subd. 12.Minnesota Education Equity 
Partnership

45,000

45,000

4.30 | Subd. 13.Midwest Higher Education Compact | | 115,000 | | 115,000

4.31

4.32

Subd. 14.United Family Medicine Residency 
Program

501,000

501,000

4.33 	For a grant to United Family Medicine 
4.34 	residency program. This appropriation shall 
5.1 	be used to support up to 21 resident physicians 
5.2 	each year in family practice at United Family 
5.3 	Medicine residency programs and shall 
5.4 	prepare doctors to practice family care 
5.5 	medicine in underserved rural and urban areas 
5.6 	of the state. It is intended that this program 
5.7 	will improve health care in underserved 
5.8 	communities, provide affordable access to 
5.9 	appropriate medical care, and manage the 
5.10 	treatment of patients in a cost-effective 
5.11 	manner.

5.12 | Subd. 15.MnLINK Gateway and Minitex | | 6,555,000 | | 6,605,000
5.13 	The base for this appropriation for fiscal year 
5.14 	2026 is $6,655,000 and for fiscal year 2027 is 
5.15 	$6,708,000.

5.16

5.17

Subd. 16.Statewide Longitudinal Education 
Data System

2,550,000

2,550,000

5.18 | Subd. 17.Hennepin Healthcare | | 645,000 | | 645,000
5.19 	For transfer to Hennepin Healthcare for 
5.20 	graduate family medical education programs 
5.21 	at Hennepin Healthcare.

5.22 | Subd. 18.College Possible | | 550,000 | | 550,000
5.23 	(a) This appropriation is for immediate transfer 
5.24 	to College Possible to support programs of 
5.25 	college admission and college graduation for 
5.26 	low-income students through an intensive 
5.27 	curriculum of coaching and support at both 
5.28 	the high school and postsecondary levels.
5.29 	(b) This appropriation must be used by College 
5.30 	Possible only for programs supporting students 
5.31 	who are residents of Minnesota and attending 
5.32 	colleges or universities within Minnesota.
5.33 	(c) By February 1 of each year, College 
5.34 	Possible must report to the chairs and ranking 
6.1 	minority members of the legislative 
6.2 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
6.3 	over higher education and E-12 education on 
6.4 	activities funded by this appropriation. The 
6.5 	report must include but is not limited to 
6.6 	information about the work of College 
6.7 	Possible Minnesota throughout the state; the 
6.8 	number of College Possible coaches hired; the 
6.9 	number of existing partner high schools; the 
6.10 	geographic distribution of participants; the 
6.11 	number of high school and college students 
6.12 	specifically supported by the appropriations 
6.13 	funds; the percentages of students who applied 
6.14 	to college, were admitted into college, and 
6.15 	enrolled in college from the previous program 
6.16 	year; the number of college graduates 
6.17 	supported by the appropriation funding in the 
6.18 	previous program year; and a list of all 
6.19 	communities and partner institutions 
6.20 	benefiting from coaching and support through 
6.21 	College Possible programming.
6.22 	(d) The base for this appropriation is $0 for 
6.23 	fiscal year 2026 and thereafter.

6.24

6.25

Subd. 19.Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic 
Brain Injury Research Grant Program

3,000,000

3,000,000

6.26 	For transfer to the spinal cord and traumatic 
6.27 	brain injury grant account in the special 
6.28 	revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, 
6.29 	section 136A.901, subdivision 1.
6.30 	The commissioner may use no more than three 
6.31 	percent of the amount transferred under this 
6.32 	subdivision to administer the grant program.

6.33

6.34

Subd. 20.Summer Academic Enrichment 
Program

250,000

250,000

7.1 	For summer academic enrichment grants under 
7.2 	Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.091.
7.3 	The commissioner may use no more than three 
7.4 	percent of this appropriation to administer the 
7.5 	grant program under this subdivision.

7.6

7.7

Subd. 21.Dual Training Competency Grants; 
Office of Higher Education

8,020,000

4,632,000

7.8 	For transfer to the Dual Training Competency 
7.9 	Grants account in the special revenue fund 
7.10 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.246, 
7.11 	subdivision 10. The base for this transfer is 
7.12 	$3,132,000 for fiscal year 2026 and thereafter. 
7.13 	$132,000 each year is for transfer to the 
7.14 	Department of Labor and Industry.

7.15 | Subd. 22.Campus Sexual Assault Reporting | | 25,000 | | 25,000
7.16 	For the sexual assault reporting required under 
7.17 	Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.15.

7.18

7.19

Subd. 23.Campus Sexual Violence Prevention 
and Response Coordinator

150,000

150,000

7.20 	For the Office of Higher Education to staff a 
7.21 	campus sexual violence prevention and 
7.22 	response coordinator to serve as a statewide 
7.23 	resource providing professional development 
7.24 	and guidance on best practices for 
7.25 	postsecondary institutions. $50,000 each year 
7.26 	is for administrative funding to conduct 
7.27 	trainings and provide materials to 
7.28 	postsecondary institutions.

7.29

7.30

Subd. 24.Emergency Assistance for 
Postsecondary Students

$3,579,000

$3,579,000

7.31 	(a) $3,579,000 the first year and $3,579,000 
7.32 	the second year are for emergency assistance 
7.33 	for postsecondary students. Of this 
7.34 	appropriation:
8.1 	(1) $2,250,000 the first year and $2,250,000 
8.2 	the second year are for the Minnesota State 
8.3 	Colleges and Universities for direct emergency 
8.4 	grants to students;
8.5 	(2) $779,000 the first year and $779,000 the 
8.6 	second year are for the University of 
8.7 	Minnesota for direct emergency grants to 
8.8 	students;
8.9 	(3) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
8.10 	second year are for the Office of Higher 
8.11 	Education to allocate emergency grant funds 
8.12 	to Minnesota Tribal Colleges and eligible 
8.13 	nonprofit institutions as defined under 
8.14 	Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.103, located 
8.15 	in Minnesota with a demonstrable homeless 
8.16 	student population. The Office of Higher 
8.17 	Education shall develop a plan to distribute 
8.18 	funds to institutions and provide guidance as 
8.19 	to how grants are disbursed to students. The 
8.20 	commissioner shall determine the application 
8.21 	process and the grant amounts; and
8.22 	(4) $50,000 per year may be used by the 
8.23 	commissioner for the administrative costs 
8.24 	associated with this section.
8.25 	(b) The funds must be used for emergency 
8.26 	grants to students to meet immediate student 
8.27 	needs that could result in a student not 
8.28 	completing the term or their program 
8.29 	including, but not limited to, emergency 
8.30 	housing, food, and transportation. Institutions 
8.31 	shall minimize any negative impact on student 
8.32 	financial aid resulting from the receipt of 
8.33 	emergency funds.
9.1 	(c) The commissioner must not distribute the 
9.2 	funds under this section until the Office of 
9.3 	Higher Education has worked with the 
9.4 	institutions and approved their plans for the 
9.5 	distribution of the grants to students and the 
9.6 	method of their reporting requirements.
9.7 	(d) At the end of each biennium, institutions 
9.8 	must return any unused funds to the Office of 
9.9 	Higher Education.

9.10

9.11

Subd. 25.Grants to Student Teachers in 
Shortage Areas

1,300,000

1,300,000

9.12 	For grants to student teachers in shortage areas 
9.13 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1275.
9.14 	The commissioner may use no more than three 
9.15 	percent of the appropriation for administration 
9.16 	of the program. The base for this appropriation 
9.17 	is $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and thereafter.

9.18

9.19

Subd. 26.Grants to Underrepresented Student 
Teachers

1,925,000

1,925,000

9.20 	For grants to underrepresented student teachers 
9.21 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1274.
9.22 	The commissioner may use no more than three 
9.23 	percent of the appropriation for administration 
9.24 	of the program. The base for this appropriation 
9.25 	is $1,125,000 for fiscal year 2026 and 
9.26 	thereafter.

9.27 | Subd. 27.Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment | | 1,000,000 | | 1,000,000
9.28 	For transfer to the teacher shortage loan 
9.29 	repayment account in the special revenue fund 
9.30 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1791, 
9.31 	subdivision 8.
9.32 	The commissioner may use no more than three 
9.33 	percent of the amount transferred under this 
9.34 	subdivision to administer the program. The 
10.1 	base for this appropriation is $200,000 for 
10.2 	fiscal year 2026 and thereafter.

10.3

10.4

Subd. 28.Large Animal Veterinarian Loan 
Forgiveness Program

375,000

375,000

10.5 	For transfer to the large animal veterinarian 
10.6 	loan forgiveness program account in the 
10.7 	special revenue fund under Minnesota 
10.8 	Statutes, section 136A.1795, subdivision 2.

10.910.10

Subd. 29.Agricultural Educators Loan 
Forgiveness

50,000

50,000

10.11 	For transfer to the agricultural education loan 
10.12 	forgiveness account in the special revenue 
10.13 	fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 
10.14 	136A.1794, subdivision 2.

10.15

10.16

Subd. 30.Aviation Degree Loan Forgiveness 
Program

25,000

25,000

10.17 	For transfer to the aviation degree loan 
10.18 	forgiveness program account in the special 
10.19 	revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, 
10.20 	section 136A.1789, subdivision 2.

10.21

10.22

Subd. 31.Grants for Students with Intellectual 
and Developmental Disabilities

200,000

200,000

10.23 	For grants for students with intellectual and 
10.24 	developmental disabilities under Minnesota 
10.25 	Statutes, section 136A.1215.

10.26 | Subd. 32.Loan Repayment Assistance Program | | 55,000 | | 55,000
10.27 	For a grant to the Loan Repayment Assistance 
10.28 	Program of Minnesota to provide education 
10.29 	debt relief to attorneys with full-time 
10.30 	employment providing legal advice or 
10.31 	representation to low-income clients or support 
10.32 	services for this work.

10.33

10.34

Subd. 33.Minnesota Independence College and 
Community

2,000,000

2,000,000

11.1 	For a grant to Minnesota Independence 
11.2 	College and Community for need-based 
11.3 	scholarships and tuition reduction. Beginning 
11.4 	with students first enrolled in the fall of 2019, 
11.5 	eligibility is limited to resident students as 
11.6 	defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
11.7 	136A.101, subdivision 8. This is a onetime 
11.8 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
11.9 	2027.

11.10 | Subd. 34.Student Loan Debt Counseling | | 200,000 | | 200,000
11.11 	For student loan debt counseling under 
11.12 	Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1788.
11.13 	The Office of Higher Education may use no 
11.14 	more than three percent of the appropriation 
11.15 	to administer the student loan debt counseling 
11.16 	program.

11.17 | Subd. 35.Hunger-Free Campus Grants | | 1,500,000 | | 1,000,000
11.18 	For the Hunger-Free Campus program under 
11.19 	Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.137. Of this 
11.20 	amount, up to $500,000 the first year is for 
11.21 	grants not to exceed $25,000 to institutions 
11.22 	for equipment necessary to operate an 
11.23 	on-campus food pantry. The commissioner 
11.24 	shall establish an application and process for 
11.25 	distributing the grant funds. This appropriation 
11.26 	is available until June 30, 2026.

11.27

11.28

Subd. 36.Fostering Independence Higher 
Education Grants

4,247,000

4,416,000

11.29 	$4,247,000 the first year and $4,416,000 the 
11.30 	second year are for grants to eligible students 
11.31 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1241. 
11.32 	The Office of Higher Education may use no 
11.33 	more than three percent of the appropriation 
11.34 	to administer grants.

12.1 | Subd. 37.Concurrent Enrollment Grants | | 340,000 | | 340,000
12.2 	For concurrent enrollment grants under 
12.3 	Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.91.

12.4 | Subd. 38.Student Parent Support Initiative | | 3,000,000 | | 3,000,000
12.5 	For grants to support student parents under 
12.6 	Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1251. Of 
12.7 	this amount, up to $338,000 each year is for 
12.8 	administrative and promotional costs.

12.9 | Subd. 39.Director of Tribal Relations | | 134,000 | | 143,000

12.10 | Subd. 40.Direct Admissions Program | | 650,000 | | 650,000
12.11 	For the direct admissions program under 
12.12 	Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.84.

12.13 | Subd. 41.American Indian Scholars | | 8,500,000 | | 8,500,000
12.14 	To support implementation of Minnesota 
12.15 	Statutes, section 135A.121.
12.16 	$4,032,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $4,032,000 
12.17 	in fiscal year 2025 are for transfer to the Board 
12.18 	of Regents of the University of Minnesota.
12.19 	$4,468,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $4,468,000 
12.20 	in fiscal year 2025 are for transfer to the Board 
12.21 	of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges 
12.22 	and Universities.

12.23 | Subd. 42.Next Generation Nursing Initiative | | 3,000,000 | | -0-
12.24 	For transfer to the Board of Trustees of the 
12.25 	Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for 
12.26 	HealthForce Minnesota to coordinate and 
12.27 	implement the Next Generation Nursing 
12.28 	Assistant Training Program for the recruitment 
12.29 	and training of students to become certified 
12.30 	nursing assistants. The program must use a 
12.31 	"free up-front" model for covering the student 
12.32 	costs. This appropriation may also be used for 
13.1 	marketing and outreach across the state and 
13.2 	covering the cost for retraining, retesting, and 
13.3 	refresher courses. This appropriation is 
13.4 	available until June 30, 2025.

13.5

13.6

Subd. 43.Higher Education Public Service 
Feasibility Study

75,000

-0-

13.7 	For the commissioner of the Office of Higher 
13.8 	Education to conduct a feasibility study on 
13.9 	creating and implementing a Minnesota 
13.10 	service initiative. By October 31, 2023, the 
13.11 	commissioner shall report to the chairs and 
13.12 	ranking minority members of the legislative 
13.13 	committees with jurisdiction over higher 
13.14 	education on the feasibility of creating and 
13.15 	implementing a Minnesota service initiative 
13.16 	to increase student civic engagement. The 
13.17 	report must include but is not limited to 
13.18 	information about the program design, 
13.19 	implementation challenges and 
13.20 	recommendations, outcomes, and the 
13.21 	feasibility of scaling the program over time.

13.22 | Subd. 44.Inclusive Higher Education | | 1,000,000 | | 1,000,000
13.23 	(a) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
13.24 	second year are to enter into a contract 
13.25 	establishing the Inclusive Higher Education 
13.26 	Technical Assistance Center under Minnesota 
13.27 	Statutes, section 135A.161.
13.28 	(b) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the 
13.29 	second year are transferred from the general 
13.30 	fund to the inclusive higher education grant 
13.31 	account under Minnesota Statutes, section 
13.32 	135A.162, subdivision 4. Up to five percent 
13.33 	of the transfer can be used for administrative 
13.34 	expenses.

13.35 | Subd. 45.Paramedic Scholarship Program | | 3,200,000 | | -0-
14.1 	For the paramedic scholarship program under 
14.2 	article 2, section 31. Of this amount:
14.3 	(1) $3,000,000 is for awarding 600 student 
14.4 	scholarships;
14.5 	(2) $100,000 is for promotion of the program 
14.6 	and student recruitment efforts; and
14.7 	(3) $100,000 is for administering the program.
14.8 	This appropriation is available until expended 
14.9 	or until June 30, 2026, whichever occurs first.

14.10

14.11

Subd. 46.Addiction Medicine Graduate Medical 
Education Fellowship

270,000

270,000

14.12 	(a) For a grant to Hennepin County Medical 
14.13 	Center to support up to six physicians enrolled 
14.14 	in an addiction medicine fellowship program. 
14.15 	If the appropriation for either year is 
14.16 	insufficient, the appropriation for the other 
14.17 	year is available for it.
14.18 	(b) Each year, in order to receive funds under 
14.19 	this subdivision, Hennepin County Medical 
14.20 	Center must certify to the commissioner the 
14.21 	number of physicians actually enrolled in an 
14.22 	addiction medicine fellowship for that year. 
14.23 	The commissioner shall transfer to Hennepin 
14.24 	County Medical Center $90,000 for each 
14.25 	physician enrolled in an addiction medicine 
14.26 	fellowship subject to the total funds 
14.27 	appropriated by this subdivision.
14.28 	(c) This appropriation shall be used to prepare 
14.29 	fellows to practice addiction medicine in rural 
14.30 	and underserved areas of the state, and to train 
14.31 	fellows in: diagnostic interviewing; 
14.32 	motivational interviewing; addiction 
14.33 	counseling; recognition and care of common 
14.34 	acute withdrawal syndromes and 
15.1 	complications; pharmacotherapies of addictive 
15.2 	disorders; epidemiology and pathophysiology 
15.3 	of addiction; identification and treatment of 
15.4 	addictive disorders in special populations; 
15.5 	secondary interventions; the use of screening 
15.6 	and diagnostic instruments; inpatient care; and 
15.7 	working within a multidisciplinary team.

15.8 | Subd. 47.Unemployment Insurance Aid | | 158,000 | | 158,000
15.9 	For unemployment insurance aid to Tribal 
15.10 	colleges under Minnesota Statutes, section 
15.11 	268.193. Of the amount appropriated, $24,000 
15.12 	each year is for administration of the 
15.13 	unemployment insurance aid.

15.14 | Subd. 48.Foster Care Grant | | 500,000 | | 500,000
15.15 	$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
15.16 	second year are for a grant to the Foster 
15.17 	Advocates Nonprofit Organization for an 
15.18 	education support and wraparound service 
15.19 	program that provides assistance and support 
15.20 	to individuals who were in foster care at the 
15.21 	age of 13 or later, and for individuals who are 
15.22 	transitioning from foster care to adulthood, up 
15.23 	to age 27, to improve the likelihood of 
15.24 	completing a degree and securing a stable 
15.25 	career. The program shall provide one-on-one 
15.26 	mentoring, leadership development, and 
15.27 	additional resources to support each student's 
15.28 	education journey through high school 
15.29 	graduation and institutions of higher 
15.30 	education. This is a onetime appropriation.

15.31 | Subd. 49.North Star Promise | | -0- | | 117,226,000
15.32 	$117,226,000 the second year is transferred 
15.33 	from the general fund to the account in the 
15.34 	special revenue fund under Minnesota 
16.1 	Statutes, section 136A.1465, subdivision 6. 
16.2 	The base for the transfer is $49,500,000 in 
16.3 	fiscal year 2026 and thereafter.

16.4

16.5

Subd. 50.North Star Promise; Administrative 
Costs

496,000

202,000

16.6 	For administrative and promotion expenses to 
16.7 	implement and direct the scholarship awards 
16.8 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1465.

16.916.10

Subd. 51.Postsecondary Student Basic Needs 
Working Group

44,000

-0-

16.11 	$44,000 the first year is to administer the 
16.12 	postsecondary student basic needs working 
16.13 	group under article 2, section 33, and provide 
16.14 	stipends to participants of the working group 
16.15 	who are students. A student participant must 
16.16 	receive a stipend, as determined by the 
16.17 	commissioner, for each meeting the student 
16.18 	attends. This is a onetime appropriation.

16.19

16.20

Subd. 52.Report on Minnesota State Colleges 
and Universities Course Placement Practices

250,000

-0-

16.21 	$250,000 the first year is for the purposes of 
16.22 	creating a report on Minnesota State Colleges 
16.23 	and Universities placement practice under 
16.24 	article 2, section 34. This is a onetime 
16.25 	appropriation.

16.26 | Subd. 53.Agency Administration | | 6,498,000 | | 6,724,000
16.27 	The base for this appropriation is $6,096,000 
16.28 	in fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter.

16.29 | Subd. 54.Balances Forward | | | |
16.30 	A balance in the first year under this section 
16.31 	does not cancel, but is available for the second 
16.32 	year.

16.33 | Subd. 55.Transfers | | | |
17.1 	The commissioner of the Office of Higher 
17.2 	Education may transfer unencumbered 
17.3 	balances from the appropriations in this 
17.4 	section to the state grant appropriation, the 
17.5 	interstate tuition reciprocity appropriation, the 
17.6 	child care grant appropriation, the Indian 
17.7 	scholarship appropriation, the state work-study 
17.8 	appropriation, the get ready appropriation, the 
17.9 	intervention for college attendance 
17.10 	appropriation, the student-parent information 
17.11 	appropriation, the summer academic 
17.12 	enrichment program appropriation, the public 
17.13 	safety officers' survivors appropriation, and 
17.14 	the fostering independence higher education 
17.15 	grant program. The commissioner may transfer 
17.16 	unencumbered balances from the hunger-free 
17.17 	campus appropriations to the emergency 
17.18 	assistance for postsecondary students grant. 
17.19 	To the extent there is a projected surplus in 
17.20 	the appropriation for either the student 
17.21 	teachers in shortage areas grant program or 
17.22 	the underrepresented student teacher grant 
17.23 	program, the commissioner may transfer 
17.24 	unencumbered balances between the two 
17.25 	programs as needed to meet demand. Transfers 
17.26 	from the child care, state work-study, or the 
17.27 	hunger-free campus appropriations may only 
17.28 	be made to the extent there is a projected 
17.29 	surplus in the appropriation. A transfer may 
17.30 	be made only with prior written notice to the 
17.31 	chairs and ranking minority members of the 
17.32 	senate and house of representatives 
17.33 	committees with jurisdiction over higher 
17.34 	education finance.

18.1
18.2

18.3

Sec. 3. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE 
MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND 
UNIVERSITIES

18.4 | Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation | $ | 948,896,000 | $ | 923,232,000
18.5 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
18.6 	purpose are specified in the following 
18.7 	subdivisions.

18.8

18.9

Subd. 2.Central Office and Shared Services 
Unit

35,401,000

36,401,000

18.10 	For the Office of the Chancellor and the 
18.11 	Shared Services Division.

18.12 | Subd. 3.Operations and Maintenance | | 909,380,000 | | 882,716,000
18.13 	(a) This appropriation includes $25,000,000 
18.14 	in fiscal year 2024 and $50,000,000 in fiscal 
18.15 	year 2025 for student tuition relief. The Board 
18.16 	of Trustees may not set the tuition rates in any 
18.17 	undergraduate degree-granting program for 
18.18 	the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years 
18.19 	at a rate greater than the 2022-2023 academic 
18.20 	year rates. The student tuition relief may not 
18.21 	be offset by increases in mandatory fees, 
18.22 	charges, or other assessments to the student. 
18.23 	Colleges and universities are permitted to 
18.24 	increase differential tuition charges in fiscal 
18.25 	years 2024 and 2025 where costs for course 
18.26 	or program delivery have increased due to 
18.27 	extraordinary circumstances beyond the 
18.28 	control of the college or university. Rates and 
18.29 	rationale must be approved by the Board of 
18.30 	Trustees. The base for this appropriation in 
18.31 	fiscal year 2026 and later is $37,500,000, 
18.32 	which must be used for student tuition relief.
18.33 	(b) This appropriation includes $50,000,000 
18.34 	in fiscal year 2024 for onetime campus 
18.35 	support. The Board of Trustees must allocate 
19.1 	this amount to all colleges and universities 
19.2 	based upon each institution's estimated tuition 
19.3 	revenue loss due to declines in enrollment 
19.4 	from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2023, 
19.5 	except that no institution shall receive an 
19.6 	allocation less than $300,000. This is a 
19.7 	onetime appropriation. The base for this 
19.8 	appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and later is 
19.9 	$0.
19.10 	(c) $5,700,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
19.11 	$5,700,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to provide 
19.12 	supplemental aid for operations and 
19.13 	maintenance to the president of each two-year 
19.14 	institution in the system with at least one 
19.15 	campus that is not located in a metropolitan 
19.16 	county, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, 
19.17 	section 473.121, subdivision 4. The board 
19.18 	shall transfer at least $158,000 for each 
19.19 	campus not located in a metropolitan county 
19.20 	in each year to the president of each institution 
19.21 	that includes such a campus.
19.22 	(d) The Board of Trustees is requested to help 
19.23 	Minnesota close the attainment gap by funding 
19.24 	activities which improve retention and 
19.25 	completion for students of color.
19.26 	(e) $4,500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
19.27 	$4,500,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for 
19.28 	workforce development scholarships under 
19.29 	Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.38. The base  
19.30 	for this appropriation is $4,500,000 in fiscal 
19.31 	year 2026 and each year thereafter.
19.32 	(f) $300,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $300,000 
19.33 	in fiscal year 2025 are for transfer to the Cook 
19.34 	County Higher Education Board to provide 
19.35 	educational programming, workforce 
20.1 	development, and academic support services 
20.2 	to remote regions in northeastern Minnesota. 
20.3 	The Cook County Higher Education Board 
20.4 	shall continue to provide information to the 
20.5 	Board of Trustees on the number of students 
20.6 	served, credit hours delivered, and services 
20.7 	provided to students.
20.8 	(g) $40,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $40,000 
20.9 	in fiscal year 2025 to implement the sexual 
20.10 	assault policies required under Minnesota 
20.11 	Statutes, section 135A.15.
20.12 	(h) $9,500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
20.13 	$9,500,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for 
20.14 	enterprise-wide technology, including 
20.15 	upgrading the Integrated Statewide Record 
20.16 	System and maintaining enterprise-wide 
20.17 	technology services.
20.18 	(i) $1,050,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
20.19 	$1,050,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to reduce 
20.20 	students' out-of-pocket costs by expanding 
20.21 	free offerings in course materials and 
20.22 	resources, including through open educational 
20.23 	resources, open textbooks, and implementation 
20.24 	of Z-Degrees under Minnesota Statutes, 
20.25 	section 136F.305. The base for this 
20.26 	appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and later is 
20.27 	$50,000.
20.28 	(j) $3,158,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
20.29 	$3,158,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to expand 
20.30 	student support services. This appropriation 
20.31 	provides funding to campuses to address basic 
20.32 	needs insecurity, mental health, and other 
20.33 	high-need student support services by 
20.34 	increasing the amount of available resources 
20.35 	to students. In addition, this funding provides 
21.1 	systemwide resources and coordination, 
21.2 	including electronic connections for peer 
21.3 	support and professional clinical support for 
21.4 	mental health. These systemwide resources 
21.5 	must be available online 24 hours a day, seven 
21.6 	days a week.
21.7 	(k) $6,750,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
21.8 	$6,750,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for 
21.9 	upgrades to college and university equipment 
21.10 	and learning environments. The amount 
21.11 	appropriated in fiscal year 2025 must be 
21.12 	matched with cash or in-kind contributions 
21.13 	from nonstate sources. Up to 1.5 percent of 
21.14 	the appropriation may be used for 
21.15 	administration of the program. This is a 
21.16 	onetime appropriation. The base for this 
21.17 	appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and later is 
21.18 	$0.
21.19 	(l) $6,750,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
21.20 	$6,750,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to develop 
21.21 	and expand industry sector programming to 
21.22 	build capacity and support new and redesigned 
21.23 	curricular options with an emphasis on 
21.24 	offering students work-based learning 
21.25 	experiences. The amount appropriated in fiscal 
21.26 	year 2025 must be matched with cash or 
21.27 	in-kind contributions from nonstate sources. 
21.28 	Up to 1.5 percent of the appropriation may be 
21.29 	used for administration of the program. This 
21.30 	is a onetime appropriation. The base for this 
21.31 	appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and later is 
21.32 	$0.
21.33 	(m) $861,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $872,000 
21.34 	in fiscal year 2025 are for costs associated 
21.35 	with the increased employer contribution rates 
22.1 	for the higher education individual retirement 
22.2 	account plan under Minnesota Statutes, section 
22.3 	354B.23, subdivision 3. The base for fiscal 
22.4 	year 2026 is $883,000 and for fiscal year 2027 
22.5 	is $894,000.
22.6 	(n) $482,000 the first year and $282,000 the 
22.7 	second year are to pay the cost of supplies and 
22.8 	equipment necessary to provide access to 
22.9 	menstrual products for purposes of Minnesota 
22.10 	Statutes, section 135A.1365.
22.11 	(o) $809,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $809,000 
22.12 	in fiscal year 2025 are for unemployment 
22.13 	insurance aid under Minnesota Statutes, 
22.14 	section 268.193, to institutions within the 
22.15 	system.
22.16 	(p) $475,000 in fiscal year 2024 is to develop 
22.17 	a transparent pathway for current child 
22.18 	development associate credential holders to 
22.19 	be awarded academic credit that aligns with 
22.20 	related academic certificate, diploma, and 
22.21 	degree programs. Money must be used to 
22.22 	develop curriculum at eight colleges and 
22.23 	universities, develop training and advising 
22.24 	tools for those institutions, and form a 
22.25 	statewide advisory committee to advise the 
22.26 	project development.
22.27 	(q) The total operations and maintenance base 
22.28 	for fiscal year 2026 is $833,227,000 and for 
22.29 	fiscal year 2027 and later is $833,238,000.

22.30 | Subd. 4.Learning Network of Minnesota | | 4,115,000 | | 4,115,000

22.31

22.32

Sec. 4. BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE 
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

22.33 | Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation | $ | 759,153,000 | $ | 748,889,000

23.1 | Appropriations by Fund
23.2 | | 2024 | 2025
23.3 | General | 756,996,000 | 746,732,000
23.4 | Health Care Access | 2,157,000 | 2,157,000
23.5 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
23.6 	purpose are specified in the following 
23.7 	subdivisions.

23.8 | Subd. 2.Operations and Maintenance | | 686,558,000 | | 676,294,000
23.9 	(a) $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
23.10 	$15,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to: (1) 
23.11 	increase the medical school's research 
23.12 	capacity; (2) improve the medical school's 
23.13 	ranking in National Institutes of Health 
23.14 	funding; (3) ensure the medical school's 
23.15 	national prominence by attracting and 
23.16 	retaining world-class faculty, staff, and 
23.17 	students; (4) invest in physician training 
23.18 	programs in rural and underserved 
23.19 	communities; and (5) translate the medical 
23.20 	school's research discoveries into new 
23.21 	treatments and cures to improve the health of 
23.22 	Minnesotans.
23.23 	(b) $7,800,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
23.24 	$7,800,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for health 
23.25 	training restoration. This appropriation must 
23.26 	be used to support all of the following: (1) 
23.27 	faculty physicians who teach at eight residency 
23.28 	program sites, including medical resident and 
23.29 	student training programs in the Department 
23.30 	of Family Medicine; (2) the Mobile Dental 
23.31 	Clinic; and (3) expansion of geriatric 
23.32 	education and family programs.
23.33 	(c) $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
23.34 	$4,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for the 
23.35 	Minnesota Discovery, Research, and 
24.1 	InnoVation Economy funding program for 
24.2 	cancer care research.
24.3 	(d) $500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 
24.4 	in fiscal year 2025 are for the University of 
24.5 	Minnesota, Morris branch, to cover the costs 
24.6 	of tuition waivers under Minnesota Statutes, 
24.7 	section 137.16.
24.8 	(e) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
24.9 	$5,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for 
24.10 	systemwide safety and security measures on 
24.11 	University of Minnesota campuses. The base 
24.12 	amount for this appropriation is $1,000,000 
24.13 	in fiscal year 2026 and later.
24.14 	(f) $366,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $366,000 
24.15 	in fiscal year 2025 are for unemployment 
24.16 	insurance aid under Minnesota Statutes, 
24.17 	section 268.193.
24.18 	(g) $10,000,000 the first year is for programs 
24.19 	at the University of Minnesota Medical School 
24.20 	Campus on the CentraCare Health System 
24.21 	Campus in St. Cloud. This appropriation may 
24.22 	be used for tuition support, a residency 
24.23 	program, a rural health research program, a 
24.24 	program to target scholarships to students from 
24.25 	diverse backgrounds, and a scholarship 
24.26 	program targeted at students who will practice 
24.27 	in rural areas. This appropriation is available 
24.28 	until June 30, 2027, and must be spent on the 
24.29 	CentraCare Health System Campus in the 
24.30 	greater St. Cloud area. This is a onetime 
24.31 	appropriation.
24.32 	(h) $374,000 the first year and $110,000 the 
24.33 	second year are to pay the cost of supplies and 
24.34 	equipment necessary to provide access to 
25.1 	menstrual products for purposes of article 2, 
25.2 	section 2.
25.3 	(i) The total operations and maintenance base 
25.4 	for fiscal year 2026 and later is $672,294,000.

25.5 | Subd. 3.Primary Care Education Initiatives | | 2,157,000 | | 2,157,000
25.6 	This appropriation is from the health care 
25.7 	access fund.

25.8 | Subd. 4.Special Appropriations | | | |

25.9 | (a) Agriculture and Extension Service | | 42,922,000 | | 42,922,000
25.10 	For the Agricultural Experiment Station and 
25.11 	the Minnesota Extension Service:
25.12 	(1) the agricultural experiment stations and 
25.13 	Minnesota Extension Service must convene 
25.14 	agricultural advisory groups to focus research, 
25.15 	education, and extension activities on producer 
25.16 	needs and implement an outreach strategy that 
25.17 	more effectively and rapidly transfers research 
25.18 	results and best practices to producers 
25.19 	throughout the state;
25.20 	(2) this appropriation includes funding for 
25.21 	research and outreach on the production of 
25.22 	renewable energy from Minnesota biomass 
25.23 	resources, including agronomic crops, plant 
25.24 	and animal wastes, and native plants or trees. 
25.25 	The following areas should be prioritized and 
25.26 	carried out in consultation with Minnesota 
25.27 	producers, renewable energy, and bioenergy 
25.28 	organizations:
25.29 	(i) biofuel and other energy production from 
25.30 	perennial crops, small grains, row crops, and 
25.31 	forestry products in conjunction with the 
25.32 	Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI);
26.1 	(ii) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping 
26.2 	systems; and
26.3 	(iii) biofuel coproducts used for livestock feed;
26.4 	(3) this appropriation includes funding for the 
26.5 	College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural 
26.6 	Resources Sciences to establish and provide 
26.7 	leadership for organic agronomic, 
26.8 	horticultural, livestock, and food systems 
26.9 	research, education, and outreach and for the 
26.10 	purchase of state-of-the-art laboratory, 
26.11 	planting, tilling, harvesting, and processing 
26.12 	equipment necessary for this project;
26.13 	(4) this appropriation includes funding for 
26.14 	research efforts that demonstrate a renewed 
26.15 	emphasis on the needs of the state's agriculture 
26.16 	community. The following areas should be 
26.17 	prioritized and carried out in consultation with 
26.18 	Minnesota farm organizations:
26.19 	(i) vegetable crop research with priority for 
26.20 	extending the Minnesota vegetable growing 
26.21 	season;
26.22 	(ii) fertilizer and soil fertility research and 
26.23 	development;
26.24 	(iii) soil, groundwater, and surface water 
26.25 	conservation practices and contaminant 
26.26 	reduction research;
26.27 	(iv) discovering and developing plant varieties 
26.28 	that use nutrients more efficiently;
26.29 	(v) breeding and development of turf seed and 
26.30 	other biomass resources in all three Minnesota 
26.31 	biomes;
27.1 	(vi) development of new disease-resistant and 
27.2 	pest-resistant varieties of turf and agronomic 
27.3 	crops;
27.4 	(vii) utilizing plant and livestock cells to treat 
27.5 	and cure human diseases;
27.6 	(viii) the development of dairy coproducts;
27.7 	(ix) a rapid agricultural response fund for 
27.8 	current or emerging animal, plant, and insect 
27.9 	problems affecting production or food safety;
27.10 	(x) crop pest and animal disease research;
27.11 	(xi) developing animal agriculture that is 
27.12 	capable of sustainably feeding the world;
27.13 	(xii) consumer food safety education and 
27.14 	outreach;
27.15 	(xiii) programs to meet the research and 
27.16 	outreach needs of organic livestock and crop 
27.17 	farmers; and
27.18 	(xiv) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping 
27.19 	systems; and growing, harvesting, and 
27.20 	transporting biomass plant material; and
27.21 	(5) by February 1, 2025, the Board of Regents 
27.22 	must submit a report to the legislative 
27.23 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
27.24 	over agriculture and higher education finance 
27.25 	on the status and outcomes of research and 
27.26 	initiatives funded in this paragraph.

27.27 | (b) Health Sciences | | 9,204,000 | | 9,204,000
27.28 	$346,000 each year is to support up to 12 
27.29 	resident physicians in the St. Cloud Hospital 
27.30 	family practice residency program. The 
27.31 	program must prepare doctors to practice 
27.32 	primary care medicine in rural areas of the 
28.1 	state. The legislature intends this program to 
28.2 	improve health care in rural communities, 
28.3 	provide affordable access to appropriate 
28.4 	medical care, and manage the treatment of 
28.5 	patients in a more cost-effective manner. The 
28.6 	remainder of this appropriation is for the rural 
28.7 	physicians associates program; the Veterinary 
28.8 	Diagnostic Laboratory; health sciences 
28.9 	research; dental care; the Biomedical 
28.10 	Engineering Center; and the collaborative 
28.11 	partnership between the University of 
28.12 	Minnesota and Mayo Clinic for regenerative 
28.13 	medicine, research, clinical translation, and 
28.14 	commercialization.

28.15 | (c) College of Science and Engineering | | 1,140,000 | | 1,140,000
28.16 	For the geological survey and the talented 
28.17 	youth mathematics program.

28.18 | (d) System Special | | 9,181,000 | | 9,181,000
28.19 	(1) For general research, the Labor Education 
28.20 	Service, Natural Resources Research Institute, 
28.21 	Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, Bell 
28.22 	Museum of Natural History, and the 
28.23 	Humphrey exhibit. The base for this 
28.24 	appropriation is $7,181,000 for fiscal year 
28.25 	2026 and each year thereafter.
28.26 	(2) $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
28.27 	$4,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for the 
28.28 	Natural Resources Research Institute to invest 
28.29 	in applied research in natural resource 
28.30 	stewardship and economic development to 
28.31 	attract and retain top talent; provide matching 
28.32 	funds for federal grants; upgrade facilities, 
28.33 	equipment, and training; and expand 
28.34 	entrepreneurial support and outreach efforts. 
29.1 	The base for this appropriation for fiscal year 
29.2 	2026 and each year thereafter is $2,000,000. 
29.3 	This appropriation is available until June 30, 
29.4 	2027.

29.5

29.6

(e) University of Minnesota and Mayo 
Foundation Partnership

7,991,000

7,991,000

29.7 	This appropriation is for the following 
29.8 	activities:
29.9 	(1) $7,491,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
29.10 	$7,491,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for the 
29.11 	direct and indirect expenses of the 
29.12 	collaborative research partnership between the 
29.13 	University of Minnesota and the Mayo 
29.14 	Foundation for research in biotechnology and 
29.15 	medical genomics. An annual report on the 
29.16 	expenditure of these funds must be submitted 
29.17 	to the governor and the chairs of the legislative 
29.18 	committees responsible for higher education 
29.19 	finance by June 30 of each fiscal year.
29.20 	(2) $500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 
29.21 	in fiscal year 2025 are to award competitive 
29.22 	grants to conduct research into the prevention, 
29.23 	treatment, causes, and cures of Alzheimer's 
29.24 	disease and other dementias.

29.25 | Subd. 5.Academic Health Center | | | |
29.26 	The appropriation for Academic Health Center 
29.27 	funding under Minnesota Statutes, section 
29.28 	297F.10, is estimated to be $22,250,000 each 
29.29 	year.

29.30 | Sec. 5. MAYO CLINIC | | | |

29.31 | Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation | $ | 1,799,000 | $ | 1,799,000
29.32 	The amounts that may be spent are specified 
29.33 	in the following subdivisions.

30.1 | Subd. 2.Medical School | | 665,000 | | 665,000
30.2 	The state must pay a capitation each year for 
30.3 	each student who is a resident of Minnesota. 
30.4 	The appropriation may be transferred between 
30.5 	each year of the biennium to accommodate 
30.6 	enrollment fluctuations. It is intended that 
30.7 	during the biennium the Mayo Clinic use the 
30.8 	capitation money to increase the number of 
30.9 	doctors practicing in rural areas in need of 
30.10 	doctors.

30.11

30.12

Subd. 3.Family Practice and Graduate 
Residency Program

1,134,000

1,134,000

30.13 	The state must pay stipend support for up to 
30.14 	42 residents each year.

30.15 	ARTICLE 2
30.16 	HIGHER EDUCATION PROVISIONS

30.17 	Section 1. [135A.121] AMERICAN INDIAN SCHOLARS.
30.18 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The American Indian Scholars program is established 
30.19 	to provide a first-dollar tuition and fee free pathway for eligible Minnesota American Indian 
30.20 	students to complete an undergraduate education.
30.21 		Subd. 2.Eligibility. To be eligible each year for the program a student must:
30.22 	(1) be enrolled in an undergraduate certificate, diploma, or degree program at the 
30.23 	University of Minnesota or a Minnesota state college or university;
30.24 	(2) be either (i) a Minnesota resident for resident tuition purposes who is an enrolled 
30.25 	member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Canadian First Nation, 
30.26 	or (ii) an enrolled member or citizen of a Minnesota Tribal Nation, regardless of resident 
30.27 	tuition status; and
30.28 	(3) have not (i) obtained a baccalaureate degree, or (ii) been enrolled for 180 credits or 
30.29 	the equivalent, excluding courses taken that qualify as developmental education or below 
30.30 	college-level.
30.31 		Subd. 3.Administration. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must and the 
30.32 	University of Minnesota is requested to provide a full tuition and fee waiver to a student 
31.1 	eligible under subdivision 2. Funds appropriated with reference to this section may be used 
31.2 	to offset the institutional costs of the waivers; fund existing waivers, scholarships, or grant 
31.3 	programs for students eligible under subdivision 2; provide student supports for eligible 
31.4 	students; and administer these programs.
31.5 		Subd. 4.Reports. (a) Each institution receiving funds under this section must annually 
31.6 	report to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education the following:
31.7 	(1) how the systems or institutions have administered, distributed, and awarded the 
31.8 	funds;
31.9 	(2) enrollment and graduation data for all eligible students, including applicants and 
31.10 	recipients of funds; and
31.11 	(3) the aggregate awarded financial aid information for all recipients of funds under this 
31.12 	program.
31.13 	(b) Using the data submitted to the office by institutions pursuant to paragraph (a), as 
31.14 	well as other data available to the office, the office shall provide the following on its website 
31.15 	by placing a prominent link on its website home page:
31.16 	(1) information made available in a searchable database, including but not limited to 
31.17 	persistence and completion, debt of graduates, employment and wage information, and other 
31.18 	relevant data for each institution subject to paragraph (a); and
31.19 	(2) other information and links that are useful to students and parents who are in the 
31.20 	process of selecting a college or university.

31.21 	Sec. 2. [135A.1365] ACCESS TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS.
31.22 	The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall, and the 
31.23 	Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota is requested to, provide students with 
31.24 	access to menstrual products at no charge. The products must be available in restrooms used 
31.25 	by students. For purposes of this section, "menstrual products" means pads, tampons, or 
31.26 	other similar products used in connection with the menstrual cycle.

31.27 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 135A.137, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
31.28 		Subd. 2.Designation approval. ~~(a)~~ The ~~statewide student associations representing the~~ 
31.29 	~~state community and technical colleges and the state universities~~ student advisory council 
31.30 	under section 136A.031 shall create an application process ~~and an award~~ for institutions 
31.31 	applying for grant funds. The student advisory council shall review applications and ~~provide~~
32.1 	make recommendations to the commissioner. The commissioner shall have final approval 
32.2 	for the designation ~~at each state college and university, respectively~~ and the award amount.
32.3 	~~(b) The University of Minnesota Student Association at each institution shall create an~~ 
32.4 	~~application process and an award and provide final approval for the designation at each~~ 
32.5 	~~University of Minnesota institution.~~
32.6 	~~(c) The Minnesota Association of Private College Students and the Student Advisory~~ 
32.7 	~~Council member representing Tribal colleges pursuant to section 136A.031, subdivision 3,~~ 
32.8 	~~shall create an application process and an award and provide final approval for the designation~~ 
32.9 	~~at each nonprofit degree-granting institution.~~

32.10 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 135A.137, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
32.11 		Subd. 3.Competitive grant. (a) Institutions eligible for a grant under this subdivision 
32.12 	include public postsecondary institutions, nonprofit private postsecondary institutions, and 
32.13 	Tribal colleges.
32.14 	(b) The commissioner shall establish a competitive grant program to distribute grants 
32.15 	to eligible institutions to meet and maintain the requirements under subdivision 1, paragraph 
32.16 	(a). Initial grants shall be made to institutions that have not earned the designation and 
32.17 	demonstrate a need for funding to meet the hunger-free campus designation requirements. 
32.18 	Sustaining grants shall be made to institutions that have earned the designation and 
32.19 	demonstrate both a partnership with a local food bank or organization that provides regular, 
32.20 	on-campus food distributions and a need for funds to maintain the requirements under 
32.21 	subdivision 1, paragraph (a).
32.22 	(c) The commissioner shall give preference to applications for initial grants and to 
32.23 	applications from institutions with the highest number of federal Pell Grant eligible students 
32.24 	enrolled. The commissioner shall consider the head count at the institution when awarding 
32.25 	grants. The maximum grant award for an initial institution designation is ~~$8,000~~ $25,000. 
32.26 	The maximum grant award for sustaining an institution designation is ~~$5,000~~ $15,000.
32.27 	(d) The commissioner, in collaboration with student associations representing eligible 
32.28 	institutions, shall create an application process and establish selection criteria for awarding 
32.29 	the grants.
32.30 	(e) No more than 20 percent of the total grant awards each fiscal year shall be for grants 
32.31 	to nonprofit private postsecondary institutions.

33.1 	Sec. 5. [135A.161] INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 
33.2 	CENTER.
33.3 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section and section 135A.162, the 
33.4 	following terms have the meanings given.
33.5 	(b) "Center" means the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center.
33.6 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education.
33.7 	(d) "Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual 
33.8 	disabilities" means a degree, certificate, or nondegree program that is offered by an institution 
33.9 	of higher education for students with intellectual disabilities and approved by the United 
33.10 	States Department of Education.
33.11 	(e) "Director" means the director of the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance 
33.12 	Center.
33.13 	(f) "Inclusive higher education" means institution-approved access to higher education 
33.14 	for students with an intellectual disability that allows for the same rights, privileges, 
33.15 	experiences, benefits, and outcomes that result from a college experience the same as a 
33.16 	matriculating student, resulting in a meaningful credential conferred by the institution of 
33.17 	higher education. Inclusive higher education includes:
33.18 	(1) academic access and inclusive instruction;
33.19 	(2) person-centered planning;
33.20 	(3) career development;
33.21 	(4) campus engagement;
33.22 	(5) self-determination;
33.23 	(6) paid internships and employment;
33.24 	(7) on- or off-campus living, when available to other students;
33.25 	(8) campus community clubs, events, and activity participation;
33.26 	(9) peer mentors and support; and
33.27 	(10) a degree, certificate, or nondegree credential.
33.28 	(g) "National Coordinating Center" means the federally funded National Coordinating 
33.29 	Center, as identified in United States Code, title 20, section 1140q, that provides training 
34.1 	and technical assistance supporting evidence-based and student-centered research and 
34.2 	practice for inclusive higher education initiatives for students with intellectual disabilities.
34.3 	(h) "Office" means the Office of Higher Education.
34.4 	(i) "Student with an intellectual disability" means a student with an intellectual disability 
34.5 	as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 668.231.
34.6 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The commissioner must contract with the Institute on 
34.7 	Community Integration at the University of Minnesota to establish the Inclusive Higher 
34.8 	Education Technical Assistance Center. The purpose of the center is to increase access to 
34.9 	self-sustaining postsecondary education options across Minnesota for students with an 
34.10 	intellectual disability to earn meaningful credentials through degree, certificate, and 
34.11 	nondegree initiatives leading to competitive integrated employment, genuine community 
34.12 	membership, and more independent living. The center must:
34.13 	(1) coordinate and facilitate the statewide initiative to expand and enhance inclusive 
34.14 	higher education opportunities;
34.15 	(2) provide expertise in inclusive higher education for students with an intellectual 
34.16 	disability;
34.17 	(3) provide technical assistance:
34.18 	(i) to Minnesota institutions of higher education;
34.19 	(ii) to local education agencies; and
34.20 	(iii) as requested by the commissioner; and
34.21 	(4) provide information to students with intellectual disabilities and their families.
34.22 		Subd. 3.Director; advisory committee. (a) The center must name a director.
34.23 	(b) The center must make hiring decisions based on the Institute on Community 
34.24 	Integration's values of diversity and inclusion of staff with disabilities.
34.25 	(c) The director must appoint an advisory committee and seek the committee's review 
34.26 	and recommendations on broad programmatic direction. The advisory committee must be 
34.27 	composed of 50 percent students with an intellectual disability. The remaining positions 
34.28 	must be filled by family members, key stakeholders, and allies. The director must convene 
34.29 	the advisory committee at least quarterly. The advisory committee shall:
34.30 	(1) review and recommend inclusive higher education offerings;
34.31 	(2) review and recommend updates to state policy and practice;
35.1 	(3) document existing and potential funding sources; and
35.2 	(4) identify obstacles and barriers to students with an intellectual disability to access 
35.3 	inclusive higher education opportunities.
35.4 		Subd. 4.Responsibilities. (a) The center must advise and offer technical assistance to 
35.5 	all Minnesota institutions of higher education planning or offering an inclusive higher 
35.6 	education initiative to operate in accordance with federal requirements, the model Program 
35.7 	Accreditation Standards for Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual 
35.8 	Disabilities, and guiding principles for inclusive higher education as developed by the 
35.9 	National Coordinating Center.
35.10 	(b) The center must monitor federal and state law related to inclusive higher education 
35.11 	and notify the governor, the legislature, and the Office of Higher Education of any change 
35.12 	in law which may impact inclusive higher education.
35.13 	(c) The center must provide technical assistance to institutions of higher education, 
35.14 	administrators, faculty, and staff by:
35.15 	(1) offering institution faculty and staff training and professional development to start, 
35.16 	operate, or enhance their inclusive higher education initiative;
35.17 	(2) providing faculty and staff with information, training, and consultation on the 
35.18 	comprehensive transition and postsecondary program requirements, model Program 
35.19 	Accreditation Standards for Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual 
35.20 	Disabilities, and guiding principles;
35.21 	(3) organizing and offering learning community events, an annual inclusive higher 
35.22 	education conference and community of practice events to share best practices, provide 
35.23 	access to national experts, and address challenges and concerns;
35.24 	(4) assisting institutions of higher education with identifying existing or potential funding 
35.25 	sources for the institution of higher education, student financial aid, and funding for students 
35.26 	with an intellectual disability; and
35.27 	(5) advising faculty and staff with an inclusive higher education option of specific grant 
35.28 	applications and funding opportunities.
35.29 	(d) The center must disseminate information to students with an intellectual disability, 
35.30 	their parents, and local education agencies, including but not limited to information about:
35.31 	(1) postsecondary education options, services, and resources that are available at inclusive 
35.32 	institutions of higher education;
36.1 	(2) technical assistance and training provided by the center, the National Coordinating 
36.2 	Center, and key stakeholder organizations and agencies; and
36.3 	(3) mentoring, networking, and employment opportunities.

36.4 	Sec. 6. [135A.162] INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS.
36.5 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. (a) The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education 
36.6 	in collaboration with the director of the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance 
36.7 	Center must establish a competitive grant program for Minnesota institutions of higher 
36.8 	education to develop new or enhance existing inclusive higher education initiatives to enroll 
36.9 	or increase enrollment of students with an intellectual disability. The commissioner and 
36.10 	director must collaborate to establish the grant program framework, including:
36.11 	(1) minimum grant requirements;
36.12 	(2) application format;
36.13 	(3) criteria for evaluating applications;
36.14 	(4) grant selection process;
36.15 	(5) milestones and accountability; and
36.16 	(6) reporting.
36.17 	(b) The commissioner must send a description of the competitive grants, including 
36.18 	materials describing the grant purpose and goals, an application, compliance requirements, 
36.19 	and available funding to each institution of higher education that meets the requirements 
36.20 	of subdivision 2, clauses (1) and (2).
36.21 		Subd. 2.Eligible grantees. A public or nonprofit postsecondary two-year or four-year 
36.22 	institution is eligible to apply for a grant under this section if the institution:
36.23 	(1) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; and
36.24 	(2) meets the eligibility requirements under section 136A.103.
36.25 		Subd. 3.Application. (a) Applications must be made to the commissioner on a form 
36.26 	developed and provided by the commissioner. The commissioner must, to the greatest extent 
36.27 	possible, make the application form as short and simple to complete as is reasonably possible. 
36.28 	The commissioner must establish a schedule for applications and grants. The application 
36.29 	must include without limitation a written plan to develop or enhance a sustainable inclusive 
36.30 	higher education initiative that:
37.1 	(1) offers the necessary supports to students with an intellectual disability to access the 
37.2 	same rights, privileges, experiences, benefits, and outcomes of a typically matriculating 
37.3 	student;
37.4 	(2) includes the development of a meaningful credential for students with an intellectual 
37.5 	disability to attain upon successful completion of the student's postsecondary education;
37.6 	(3) adopts admission standards that do not require a student with an intellectual disability 
37.7 	to complete a curriculum-based, achievement college entrance exam that is administered 
37.8 	nationwide;
37.9 	(4) ensures that students with an intellectual disability:
37.10 	(i) have access and choice in a wide array of academic courses to enroll in for credit or 
37.11 	audit that align with the student's interest areas and are attended by students without 
37.12 	disabilities;
37.13 	(ii) have the option to live on or off campus in housing that is available to typically 
37.14 	matriculating students;
37.15 	(iii) have access and support for genuine membership in campus life, including events, 
37.16 	social activities and organizations, institution facilities, and technology; and
37.17 	(iv) are able to access and utilize campus resources available to typical matriculating 
37.18 	students;
37.19 	(5) provides students with an intellectual disability with the supports and experiences 
37.20 	necessary to seek and sustain competitive integrated employment;
37.21 	(6) develops and promotes the self-determination skills of students with an intellectual 
37.22 	disability;
37.23 	(7) utilizes peer mentors who support enrolled students with an intellectual disability in 
37.24 	academic, campus engagement, residence life, employment, and campus clubs and 
37.25 	organizations;
37.26 	(8) provides professional development and resources for university professors and 
37.27 	instructors to utilize universal design for learning and differentiated instruction that supports 
37.28 	and benefits all students; and
37.29 	(9) presents a ten-year plan including student enrollment projections for sustainability 
37.30 	of an initiative that is financially accessible and equitable for all interested students with an 
37.31 	intellectual disability.
38.1 	(b) Eligible institutions of higher education may apply for funding in subsequent years 
38.2 	for up to a total of ten years of funding.
38.3 	(c) Receipt of grant funds does not preclude nor replace the provision of accommodation 
38.4 	for enrolled students with disabilities.
38.5 		Subd. 4.Grant account. An inclusive higher education grant account is created in the 
38.6 	special revenue fund for depositing money appropriated to or received by the commissioner 
38.7 	for the program. Money deposited in the account is appropriated to the commissioner, does 
38.8 	not cancel, and is continuously available for grants under this section. The commissioner 
38.9 	may use up to five percent of the amount deposited into the account for the administration 
38.10 	of this section.
38.11 		Subd. 5.Grant awards. (a) The commissioner must award grants to eligible institutions 
38.12 	of higher education on a competitive basis using criteria established in collaboration with 
38.13 	the center. The commissioner must consider and prioritize applicants that have submitted 
38.14 	for or received a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program designation, or 
38.15 	applicants with documented progress or intent toward submitting for federal approval. An 
38.16 	eligible institution of higher education may apply annually for and receive up to $200,000 
38.17 	per year for four years and $100,000 in subsequent years pending performance and the 
38.18 	funding limitation in subdivision 3, paragraph (b).
38.19 	(b) A grant recipient must:
38.20 	(1) adopt the model Program Accreditation Standards for Postsecondary Education 
38.21 	Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and the inclusive higher education 
38.22 	guiding principles as developed by the National Coordinating Center;
38.23 	(2) provide a 25 percent match for the grant funds, either monetary or in-kind; and
38.24 	(3) collaborate with the Office of Higher Education, the center, and key stakeholders in 
38.25 	the development of the inclusive higher education initiative.
38.26 		Subd. 6.Grantee reporting. By August 1 and January 1 following a fiscal year in which 
38.27 	a grant was received and for five years thereafter, the grantee must submit a report to the 
38.28 	director that includes the status and outcomes of the initiative funded. The report must 
38.29 	include performance indicators and information deemed relevant by the director and 
38.30 	commissioner. The report must include the following performance indicators:
38.31 	(1) student recruitment and number of students enrolled;
38.32 	(2) student retainment effort and retention rate;
39.1 	(3) initiative goals and outcomes;
39.2 	(4) student attainment rate;
39.3 	(5) graduated student employment rates and salary levels at year one and year five after 
39.4 	completion; and
39.5 	(6) additional performance indicators or information established under subdivision 1, 
39.6 	paragraph (a), clauses (5) and (6).
39.7 		Subd. 7.Reporting. The director must evaluate the development and implementation 
39.8 	of the Minnesota inclusive higher education initiatives receiving a grant under this section. 
39.9 	The director must submit an annual report by October 1 on the progress to expand Minnesota 
39.10 	inclusive higher education options for students with intellectual disabilities to the 
39.11 	commissioner and chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with 
39.12 	jurisdiction over higher education policy and finance. The report must include statutory and 
39.13 	budget recommendations.

39.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023, except that the reporting 
39.15 	requirements under subdivision 7 are effective July 1, 2024.

39.16 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.031, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
39.17 		Subd. 3.Student Advisory Council. (a) A Student Advisory Council (SAC) to the 
39.18 	office is established. The members of SAC shall include: the chair of the University of 
39.19 	Minnesota student senate; the state chair of the Minnesota State University Student 
39.20 	Association; the president of the Minnesota State College Student Association and an officer 
39.21 	of the Minnesota State College Student Association, one in a community college course of 
39.22 	study and one in a technical college course of study; a student who is enrolled in a private 
39.23 	nonprofit postsecondary institution, to be elected by students enrolled in Minnesota Private 
39.24 	College Council institutions; a student who is enrolled in a private career school, to be 
39.25 	elected by students enrolled in Minnesota private career schools; and a student who is 
39.26 	enrolled in a Minnesota tribal college to be elected by students enrolled in Minnesota tribal 
39.27 	colleges. If students from the private career schools or tribal colleges do not elect a 
39.28 	representative, the commissioner must appoint a student representative. If students from 
39.29 	the Minnesota Private College Council institutions do not elect a representative, the 
39.30 	Minnesota Private College Council must appoint the private nonprofit representative. A 
39.31 	member may be represented by a student designee who attends an institution from the same 
39.32 	system that the absent member represents. The SAC shall select one of its members to serve 
39.33 	as chair.
40.1 	(b) The office shall inform the SAC of all matters related to student issues under 
40.2 	consideration. The SAC shall report to the office quarterly and at other times that the SAC 
40.3 	considers desirable. The SAC shall determine its meeting times, but it shall also meet with 
40.4 	the office within 30 days after the commissioner's request for a meeting.
40.5 	(c) The SAC shall:
40.6 	(1) bring to the attention of the office any matter that the SAC believes needs the attention 
40.7 	of the office;
40.8 	(2) fulfill the requirements under section 135A.137, subdivision 2;
40.9 	(3) make recommendations to the office as it finds appropriate; and
40.10 	~~(3)~~ (4) approve student appointments by the office for each advisory group as provided 
40.11 	in subdivision 4.

40.12 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.101, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:
40.13 		Subd. 5a.Assigned family responsibility. "Assigned family responsibility" means the 
40.14 	amount of a family's contribution to a student's cost of attendance, as determined by a federal 
40.15 	need analysis. For dependent students, the assigned family responsibility is 79 percent of 
40.16 	the parental contribution. If the parental contribution is less than $0, the assigned family 
40.17 	responsibility is 100 percent of the parental contribution. For independent students with 
40.18 	dependents other than a spouse, the assigned family responsibility is 71 percent of the student 
40.19 	contribution. For independent students without dependents other than a spouse, the assigned 
40.20 	family responsibility is 35 percent of the student contribution. If the student contribution is 
40.21 	less than $0, the assigned family responsibility is 100 percent of the student contribution. 
40.22 	For a student registering for less than full time, the office shall prorate the assigned family 
40.23 	responsibility using the ratio of the number of credits the student is enrolled in to the number 
40.24 	of credits for full-time enrollment.

40.25 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.101, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
40.26 		Subd. 7.Student. "Student" means a person who is enrolled for at least ~~three credits~~
40.27 	one credit per term, in a program or course of study that applies to a degree, diploma, or 
40.28 	certificate. Credit equivalencies assigned by an institution that are applicable to federal Pell 
40.29 	grant calculations shall be counted as part of a student's credit load.

41.1 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.121, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
41.2 		Subd. 6.Cost of attendance. (a) The recognized cost of attendance consists of: (1) an 
41.3 	allowance specified in law for living and miscellaneous expenses, and (2) an allowance for 
41.4 	tuition and fees equal to the lesser of the average tuition and fees charged by the institution, 
41.5 	or a tuition and fee maximum if one is established in law. If no living and miscellaneous 
41.6 	expense allowance is established in law, the allowance is equal to ~~109~~ 115 percent of the 
41.7 	federal poverty guidelines for a one person household in Minnesota for nine months. If no 
41.8 	tuition and fee maximum is established in law, the allowance for tuition and fees is equal 
41.9 	to the lesser of: (1) the average tuition and fees charged by the institution, and (2) for 
41.10 	two-year programs, an amount equal to the highest tuition and fees charged at a public 
41.11 	two-year institution, or for four-year programs, an amount equal to the highest tuition and 
41.12 	fees charged at a public university.
41.13 	(b) For a student registering for less than full time, the office shall prorate the cost of 
41.14 	attendance ~~to the actual number of credits for which the student is enrolled~~ using the ratio 
41.15 	of the number of credits the student is enrolled in to the number of credits for full-time 
41.16 	enrollment.
41.17 	(c) The recognized cost of attendance for a student who is confined to a Minnesota 
41.18 	correctional institution shall consist of the tuition and fee component in paragraph (a), with 
41.19 	no allowance for living and miscellaneous expenses.
41.20 	(d) For the purpose of this subdivision, "fees" include only those fees that are mandatory 
41.21 	and charged to full-time resident students attending the institution. Fees do not include 
41.22 	charges for tools, equipment, computers, or other similar materials where the student retains 
41.23 	ownership. Fees include charges for these materials if the institution retains ownership. Fees 
41.24 	do not include optional or punitive fees.

41.25 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.121, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
41.26 		Subd. 9.Awards. An undergraduate student who meets the office's requirements is 
41.27 	eligible to apply for and receive a grant in any year of undergraduate study unless the student 
41.28 	has obtained a baccalaureate degree or ~~previously has been enrolled full time or the equivalent~~ 
41.29 	~~for eight semesters or the equivalent~~ previously has received a state grant award for 180 
41.30 	credits or the equivalent, excluding (1) courses taken from a Minnesota school or 
41.31 	postsecondary institution which is not participating in the state grant program and from 
41.32 	which a student transferred no credit, and (2) courses taken that qualify as developmental 
41.33 	education or below college-level. A student enrolled in a two-year program at a four-year 
42.1 	institution is only eligible for the tuition and fee maximums established by law for two-year 
42.2 	institutions.

42.3 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.121, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
42.4 		Subd. 13.Deadline. The deadline for the office to accept applications for state grants 
42.5 	for a term is ~~30 days after the start of that term~~ June 30 of the fiscal year for which the 
42.6 	student applies for a grant.

42.7 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.121, subdivision 19, is amended to read:
42.8 		Subd. 19.Reporting. By November 1 and February 15, the office must provide, to the 
42.9 	committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over higher education finance and policy, 
42.10 	updated ~~state grant~~ spending projections for the state grant and the North Star Promise,
42.11 	taking into account the most current and projected enrollment and tuition and fee information, 
42.12 	economic conditions, and other relevant factors. Before submitting state grant spending 
42.13 	projections, the office must meet and consult with representatives of public and private 
42.14 	postsecondary institutions, the Department of Management and Budget, the Governor's 
42.15 	Office, legislative staff, and financial aid administrators.

42.16 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.1241, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
42.17 		Subd. 5.Foster grant amount; payment; opt-out. (a) Each student shall be awarded 
42.18 	a foster grant based on the federal need analysis. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all 
42.19 	other sources of financial aid. The amount of the foster grant must be equal to the applicant's 
42.20 	recognized cost of attendance after ~~deducting~~ accounting for:
42.21 	(1) the ~~student aid index as calculated by~~ results of the federal need analysis;
42.22 	(2) the amount of a federal Pell Grant award for which the applicant is eligible;
42.23 	(3) the amount of the state grant;
42.24 	(4) the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant;
42.25 	(5) the sum of all Tribal scholarships;
42.26 	(6) the amount of any other state and federal gift aid;
42.27 	(7) the Education and Training Voucher Program;
42.28 	(8) extended foster care benefits under section 260C.451;
43.1 	(9) the amount of any private grants or scholarships, excluding grants and scholarships 
43.2 	provided by the private institution of higher education in which the eligible student is 
43.3 	enrolled; and
43.4 	(10) for public institutions, the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition 
43.5 	waivers, and tuition remission amounts.
43.6 	(b) The foster grant shall be paid directly to the eligible institution where the student is 
43.7 	enrolled.
43.8 	(c) An eligible private institution may opt out of participating in the foster grant program 
43.9 	established under this section. To opt out, the institution shall provide notice to the office 
43.10 	by September 1 for the next academic year.
43.11 	(d) An eligible private institution that does not opt out under paragraph (c) and accepts 
43.12 	the student's application to attend the institution must provide institutional grants, 
43.13 	scholarships, tuition waivers, or tuition remission in an amount equal to the difference 
43.14 	between:
43.15 	(1) the institution's cost of attendance as calculated under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), 
43.16 	clause (1); and
43.17 	(2) the sum of the foster grant under this subdivision and the sum of the amounts in 
43.18 	paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (9).
43.19 	(e) An undergraduate student who is eligible may apply for and receive a foster grant 
43.20 	in any year of undergraduate study unless the student has obtained a baccalaureate degree 
43.21 	or previously has been enrolled full time as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 7a, 
43.22 	or the equivalent for eight semesters or the equivalent, or received a foster grant for five 
43.23 	years, whichever occurs first. A foster grant must not be awarded to a student for more than 
43.24 	three years for a two-year degree, certificate, or diploma, or five years for a four-year 
43.25 	undergraduate degree.
43.26 	(f) Foster grants may be awarded to an eligible student for four quarters, three semesters, 
43.27 	or the equivalent during the course of a single fiscal year. In calculating the award amount, 
43.28 	the office must use the same calculation it would for any other term.

43.29 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.125, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
43.30 		Subd. 4.Amount and length of grants. (a) The maximum award to the applicant shall 
43.31 	be $6,500 for each eligible child per academic year, except that the campus financial aid 
44.1 	officer may apply to the office for approval to increase grants by up to ten percent to 
44.2 	compensate for higher market charges for infant care in a community.
44.3 	(b) Applicants with ~~expected family~~ contributions at or below the qualifying ~~expected~~ 
44.4 	~~family~~ contribution as determined by the federal need analysis for the federal Pell Grant, 
44.5 	as determined by the commissioner, qualify for the maximum award. Applicants with 
44.6 	~~expected family~~ contributions as determined by the federal need analysis exceeding that 
44.7 	threshold but less than 200 percent of the qualifying ~~expected family~~ contribution receive 
44.8 	an amount proportional to their ~~expected family~~ contribution as determined by the 
44.9 	commissioner.
44.10 	(c) The academic year award amount must be disbursed by academic term using the 
44.11 	following formula:
44.12 	(1) the academic year amount described in paragraph (a);
44.13 	(2) divided by the number of terms in the academic year; and
44.14 	(3) multiplied by the applicable enrollment factor:
44.15 	(i) 1.00 for undergraduate students enrolled in 12 or more semester credits or the 
44.16 	equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in six or more semester credits or the equivalent;
44.17 	(ii) 0.75 for undergraduate students enrolled in nine, ten, or 11 semester credits or the 
44.18 	equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in five semester credits or the equivalent;
44.19 	(iii) 0.50 for undergraduate students enrolled in six, seven, or eight semester credits or 
44.20 	the equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in three or four semester credits or the 
44.21 	equivalent; and
44.22 	(iv) 0.25 for undergraduate students enrolled in at least one but less than six semester 
44.23 	credits or the equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in one or two semester credits or 
44.24 	the equivalent.
44.25 	(d) Payments shall be made each academic term to the student or to the child care 
44.26 	provider, as determined by the institution. Institutions may make payments more than once 
44.27 	within the academic term.

44.28 	Sec. 16. [136A.1251] STUDENT-PARENT SUPPORT INITIATIVE.
44.29 		Subdivision 1.Grants. (a) To address the needs and support the educational goals of 
44.30 	expectant and parenting college students across Minnesota, the commissioner shall award 
44.31 	grants and provide support services to institutions and partnering entities that assist expectant 
44.32 	parents and parents or legal guardians of young children. Grants shall be awarded to 
45.1 	postsecondary institutions, professional organizations, community-based organizations, or 
45.2 	other applicants deemed appropriate by the commissioner. Grants must be used to offer 
45.3 	services to support the academic goals, health, and well-being of student parents. Services 
45.4 	and costs eligible for grant funding include but are not limited to:
45.5 	(1) program development costs;
45.6 	(2) costs related to the start-up of on-campus child care;
45.7 	(3) evaluation and data collection; and
45.8 	(4) direct assistance to student parents including:
45.9 	(i) scholarships;
45.10 	(ii) basic needs support; and
45.11 	(iii) expenses related to child care.
45.12 	(b) Postsecondary institutions may act as the fiscal agents in partnership with a local 
45.13 	nongovernmental agency, child care center, or other organization that serves student parents.
45.14 		Subd. 2.Application process. The commissioner shall develop a grant application 
45.15 	process. The commissioner shall support projects in a manner that attempts to ensure eligible 
45.16 	students throughout the state have access to program services.
45.17 		Subd. 3.Postsecondary institution reporting. Each postsecondary institution shall 
45.18 	allow students to identify whether the student is a parent, a legal guardian, acting as a parent, 
45.19 	or an expectant parent on an annual basis on a form used to collect demographic data from 
45.20 	students. The postsecondary institution shall provide the information to the commissioner 
45.21 	annually on a date and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.
45.22 		Subd. 4.Health-related supports. The commissioner, in partnership with the Department 
45.23 	of Health, shall provide health-related supports. Activities for health-related supports include:
45.24 	(1) ensuring programs, services, and materials are medically accurate, age appropriate, 
45.25 	culturally and linguistically appropriate, and inclusive of all populations;
45.26 	(2) working with community health care providers and other service support organizations 
45.27 	that serve the target population for this program; and
45.28 	(3) providing technical assistance and training for institutional parent support center 
45.29 	staff on how to conduct screenings and referrals for the health concerns of student parents, 
45.30 	including alcohol misuse, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, intimate partner 
45.31 	violence, tobacco and nicotine, and other health concerns.
46.1 		Subd. 5.Report and evaluation. By August 1 of each odd-numbered year, the 
46.2 	commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the 
46.3 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance regarding the grant 
46.4 	recipients and their activities. The report shall include information about the students served, 
46.5 	the organizations providing services, program activities, program goals, and outcomes.

46.6 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.126, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
46.7 		Subd. 4.Award amount. (a) Each student shall be awarded a scholarship based on the 
46.8 	federal need analysis. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial 
46.9 	aid. The amount of the award must not exceed the applicant's cost of attendance, as defined 
46.10 	in subdivision 3, after ~~deducting~~ accounting for:
46.11 	(1) the ~~expected family contribution as calculated by~~ results of the federal need analysis;
46.12 	(2) the amount of a federal Pell Grant award for which the applicant is eligible;
46.13 	(3) the amount of the state grant;
46.14 	(4) the federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant;
46.15 	(5) the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and tuition remission 
46.16 	amounts;
46.17 	(6) the sum of all Tribal scholarships;
46.18 	(7) the amount of any other state and federal gift aid; and
46.19 	(8) the amount of any private grants or scholarships.
46.20 	(b) The award shall be paid directly to the postsecondary institution where the student 
46.21 	receives federal financial aid.
46.22 	(c) Awards are limited as follows:
46.23 	(1) the maximum award for an undergraduate is $4,000 per academic year;
46.24 	(2) the maximum award for a graduate student is $6,000 per academic year; and
46.25 	(3) the minimum award for all students is $100 per academic year.
46.26 	(d) Scholarships may not be given to any Indian student for more than three years of 
46.27 	study for a two-year degree, certificate, or diploma program or five years of study for a 
46.28 	four-year degree program at the undergraduate level and for more than five years at the 
46.29 	graduate level. Students may acquire only one degree per level and one terminal graduate 
47.1 	degree. Scholarships may not be given to any student for more than ten years including five 
47.2 	years of undergraduate study and five years of graduate study.
47.3 	(e) Scholarships may be given to an eligible student for four quarters, three semesters, 
47.4 	or the equivalent during the course of a single fiscal year. In calculating the award amount, 
47.5 	the office must use the same calculation it would for any other term.

47.6 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.1312, is amended to read:
47.7 	136A.1312 FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATOR, PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT.
47.8 	Nothing in this chapter or in the office's rules shall be interpreted as limiting the ability 
47.9 	of student financial aid administrators, on the basis of adequate documentation, to ~~make~~ 
47.10 	~~necessary adjustments to the cost of attendance and expected family contribution~~ 
47.11 	~~computations~~ adjust a student's dependency status or elements of a student's cost of attendance 
47.12 	for federal needs analysis calculation to allow for treatment of individual students with 
47.13 	special circumstances, with the exception of the cost of attendance defined under section 
47.14 	136A.121, subdivision 6. In addition, nothing in this chapter or in the office's rules shall be 
47.15 	interpreted as limiting the ability of the student financial aid administrator to use 
47.16 	supplementary information about the financial status of eligible applicants with special 
47.17 	circumstances in selecting recipients of state financial aid and determining the amount of 
47.18 	awards. Nothing in this section precludes a financial aid administrator from establishing an 
47.19 	appeals process for other extenuating circumstances.

47.20 	Sec. 19. [136A.1465] NORTH STAR PROMISE.
47.21 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. The following terms have the meanings given:
47.22 	(1) "eligible student" means a resident student under section 136A.101, subdivision 8, 
47.23 	who is enrolled in any public postsecondary educational institution or Tribal college;
47.24 	(2) "gift aid" means all financial aid designated for the student's educational expenses, 
47.25 	including a grant, scholarship, tuition waiver, fellowship stipend, or other third-party 
47.26 	payment, that is not a loan or pursuant to a work-study program;
47.27 	(3) "office" means the Office of Higher Education;
47.28 	(4) "public postsecondary educational institution" means an institution operated by this 
47.29 	state, the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, or a Tribal college;
47.30 	(5) "scholarship" means funds to pay 100 percent of tuition and fees remaining after 
47.31 	deducting grants and other scholarships;
48.1 	(6) "Tribal college" means a college defined in section 136A.1796, subdivision 1, 
48.2 	paragraph (c); and
48.3 	(7) "tuition and fees" means the actual tuition and fees charged by an institution.
48.4 		Subd. 2.Conditions for eligibility. A scholarship may be awarded to an eligible student 
48.5 	who:
48.6 	(1) has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the state 
48.7 	aid application;
48.8 	(2) has a family adjusted gross income below $80,000;
48.9 	(3) has not earned a baccalaureate degree at the time the scholarship is awarded;
48.10 	(4) is enrolled in at least one credit per fall, spring, or summer semester; and
48.11 	(5) is meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 
48.12 	10.
48.13 		Subd. 3.Scholarship. (a) Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, scholarships shall 
48.14 	be awarded to eligible students in an amount not to exceed 100 percent of tuition and fees 
48.15 	after grants and other scholarships are deducted.
48.16 	(b) For the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 academic years, if funds remain after 
48.17 	scholarships are awarded under paragraph (a), grants shall be awarded to eligible students 
48.18 	in an amount equal to 100 percent of tuition and fees plus, subject to available funds, up to 
48.19 	50 percent of the amount of a Pell grant the student would receive based on household size, 
48.20 	family adjusted gross income, and results of the federal needs analysis after other gift aid 
48.21 	is deducted. The commissioner may adjust the grant amount based on the availability of 
48.22 	funds.
48.23 		Subd. 3a.Maintain current levels of institutional assistance. (a) Commencing with 
48.24 	the 2024-2025 academic year, a public postsecondary educational institution shall not reduce 
48.25 	the institutional gift aid offered or awarded to a student who is eligible to receive funds 
48.26 	under this program unless the student's gift aid exceeds the student's annual cost of 
48.27 	attendance.
48.28 	(b) The public postsecondary educational institution may reduce the institutional gift 
48.29 	aid offer of a student who is eligible to receive funds under this program by no more than 
48.30 	the amount of the student's gift aid that is in excess of the student's annual cost of attendance.
49.1 	(c) The public postsecondary educational institution shall not consider receipt or 
49.2 	anticipated receipt of funds under this program when considering a student for qualification 
49.3 	for institutional gift aid.
49.4 	(d) To ensure financial aid is maximized, a public postsecondary educational institution 
49.5 	is encouraged to implement efforts to avoid scholarship displacement through consultation 
49.6 	with the Office of Higher Education and students to avoid situations where institutional gift 
49.7 	aid can only be used for specific purposes.
49.8 		Subd. 4.Duration of scholarship authorized; scholarship paid to institution. (a) 
49.9 	Each scholarship is for a period of one semester. A scholarship may be renewed provided 
49.10 	that the eligible student continues to meet the conditions of eligibility.
49.11 	(b) Scholarships may be provided to an eligible student for up to 60 credits for the 
49.12 	completion of a certificate or an associate degree and up to 120 credits for the completion 
49.13 	of a bachelor's degree. The maximum credits for which a student is eligible is a total of 120 
49.14 	credits.
49.15 	(c) The commissioner shall determine a time frame by which the eligible student must 
49.16 	complete the credential.
49.17 	(d) The scholarship must be paid directly to the eligible institution where the student is 
49.18 	enrolled.
49.19 		Subd. 5.Termination of scholarship authorized. A scholarship is terminated upon 
49.20 	occurrence of:
49.21 	(1) failure to meet satisfactory academic progress as defined in section 136A.101, 
49.22 	subdivision 10; or
49.23 	(2) substantial noncompliance by the eligible student with the requirements of the 
49.24 	program.
49.25 		Subd. 5a.Institutions administering certain financial aid programs. Public 
49.26 	postsecondary institutions and Tribal colleges administering institutional financial aid 
49.27 	programs for students with a family adjusted gross income below $80,000 that provide 
49.28 	student awards for up to or more than 100 percent of tuition, 100 percent of tuition and fees, 
49.29 	or 100 percent of the cost of attendance, shall provide the Office of Higher Education with 
49.30 	student level data on the recipients of those awards and the program funds awarded per 
49.31 	term. The information under this subdivision is necessary for the office to accurately complete 
49.32 	reporting requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.121, subdivision 19.
50.1 		Subd. 6.Account established; appropriation. An account is created in the special 
50.2 	revenue fund for receiving money to provide scholarship awards. Money deposited in the 
50.3 	account is appropriated to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for scholarship 
50.4 	awards.
50.5 		Subd. 7.Office administration. The office is authorized to administer the program.  If 
50.6 	funds are insufficient, the office shall determine the scholarship amount or number of 
50.7 	scholarships awarded. If a student withdraws or is no longer enrolled during a semester in 
50.8 	which a scholarship was awarded, the office may determine how this will affect the 
50.9 	scholarship.
50.10 		Subd. 8.Report. The commissioner of higher education shall submit a preliminary 
50.11 	report by September 1, 2025, and an annual report beginning February 15, 2026, to the 
50.12 	chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
50.13 	higher education, on the details of the program, including the:
50.14 	(1) status of the scholarship fund; and
50.15 	(2) North Star Promise participation data aggregated for each eligible institution to show 
50.16 	the:
50.17 	(i) number of eligible students who received scholarships in the prior academic year;
50.18 	(ii) average and total award amounts;
50.19 	(iii) summary demographic data on award recipients;
50.20 	(iv) total number of students enrolled in eligible institutions in the prior academic year;
50.21 	(v) retention rates of participating students; and
50.22 	(vi) number of eligible students who graduated with a degree and, for each eligible 
50.23 	student, the number of consecutive semesters and nonconsecutive semesters attended prior 
50.24 	to graduation.

50.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

50.26 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.1791, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
50.27 		Subd. 3a.Eligibility. To be eligible for a disbursement under this section, a teacher must 
50.28 	belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce~~,~~. 
50.29 	To the extent that funds are available, eligibility extends to teachers who teach in a rural 
50.30 	school district~~,~~ or teach in a license shortage area.

51.1 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.246, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
51.2 		Subd. 4.Application. Applications must be made to the commissioner on a form provided 
51.3 	by the commissioner. The commissioner must, to the extent possible, make the application 
51.4 	form as short and simple to complete as is reasonably possible. The commissioner shall 
51.5 	establish a schedule for applications and grants. The application must include, without 
51.6 	limitation:
51.7 	(1) the projected number of employee trainees;
51.8 	(2) the competency standard for which training will be provided;
51.9 	(3) the credential the employee will receive upon completion of training;
51.10 	(4) the name and address of the eligible training provider;
51.11 	(5) the period of the training; and
51.12 	(6) the cost of the training charged by the eligible training provider. The cost of training 
51.13 	includes tuition, fees, and required and recommended books and materials.
51.14 	An application may be made for training of employees of multiple employers either by 
51.15 	the employers or by an organization on their behalf.

51.16 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.246, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
51.17 		Subd. 5.Grant criteria. (a) The commissioner shall make at least an approximately 
51.18 	equal dollar amount of grants for training for employees whose work site is projected to be 
51.19 	outside the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, as for employees 
51.20 	whose work site is projected to be within the metropolitan area.
51.21 	(b) In determining the award of grants, the commissioner must consider, among other 
51.22 	factors:
51.23 	(1) the aggregate state and regional need for employees with the competency to be 
51.24 	trained;
51.25 	(2) the competency standards developed by the commissioner of labor and industry as 
51.26 	part of the Minnesota ~~PIPELINE Project~~ dual-training pipeline program;
51.27 	(3) the per employee cost of training;
51.28 	(4) the additional employment opportunities for employees because of the training;
51.29 	(5) the on-the-job training the employee receives;
52.1 	(6) the employer's demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and retain employees who are 
52.2 	recent high school graduates or who recently passed high school equivalency tests;
52.3 	(7) projected increases in compensation for employees receiving the training; ~~and~~
52.4 	(8) the amount of employer training cost match, if required, on both a per employee and 
52.5 	aggregate basis~~.~~; and
52.6 	(9) the employer's demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and retain employees who are 
52.7 	employees of color, American Indian employees, and employees with disabilities.

52.8 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.246, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
52.9 		Subd. 6.Employer match. A large employer must pay for at least 25 percent of the 
52.10 	~~eligible training provider's charge for the eligible training to the provider~~ cost of training. 
52.11 	For the purpose of this subdivision, a "large employer" means a business with more than 
52.12 	$25,000,000 in annual gross revenue in the previous calendar year.

52.13 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.246, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
52.14 		Subd. 8.Grant amounts. (a) The maximum grant for an application for the cost of 
52.15 	training is $150,000. The maximum grant for an application for trainee support is ten percent 
52.16 	of the grant amount for the cost of training. The maximum total grant per application is 
52.17 	$165,000. A grant may not exceed $6,000 per year for a maximum of ~~four years~~ $24,000
52.18 	per employee.
52.19 	(b) An employee who is attending an eligible training provider that is an institution under 
52.20 	section 136A.103 must apply for Pell and state grants as a condition of payment for training 
52.21 	that employee under this section.

52.22 	Sec. 25. [136A.84] DIRECT ADMISSIONS PROGRAM.
52.23 		Subdivision 1.Authorization. The commissioner shall administer the direct admissions 
52.24 	program in consultation with stakeholders, including Minnesota State Colleges and 
52.25 	Universities, the University of Minnesota, the Student Advisory Council under section 
52.26 	136A.031, the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Association of Secondary 
52.27 	School Principals, and the Minnesota School Board Association, to automatically offer 
52.28 	conditional admission into an eligible public or nonprofit institution as defined under section 
52.29 	136A.103, paragraph (a), located in Minnesota, to Minnesota high school seniors based on 
52.30 	a student's high school grade point average, high school and college transcript information, 
52.31 	standardized tests, statewide assessments, and other measures as determined by stakeholders.
53.1 		Subd. 2.Implementation. The program shall establish and, to the extent feasible, 
53.2 	implement a process for leveraging existing kindergarten through grade 12 and higher 
53.3 	education student information systems to automate the admissions process for students. The 
53.4 	program must specifically evaluate the impact this process has on outcomes for students 
53.5 	with lower levels of college knowledge, low-income students, and students from populations 
53.6 	underserved in higher education. The office shall attempt to achieve statewide representation 
53.7 	and may prioritize program participants to include high schools with a significant number 
53.8 	of students of color, low-income students, or both.
53.9 		Subd. 3.Information. The commissioner shall provide information about the Minnesota 
53.10 	state grant program and the North Star Promise and encourage students to determine their 
53.11 	eligibility for financial aid based on FAFSA and state financial aid application completion.
53.12 		Subd. 4.Report. Annually, by February 1, the Office of Higher Education shall report 
53.13 	to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education 
53.14 	finance and policy and higher education on activities occurring under this section. The report 
53.15 	must include but is not limited to information about implementation, recommendations, and 
53.16 	outcomes.

53.17 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136F.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
53.18 		Subdivision 1.Responsibility. ~~Notwithstanding section 136F.03,~~ The State University 
53.19 	Student Association and the State College Student Association shall each have the 
53.20 	responsibility for recruiting, screening, and recommending qualified candidates for their 
53.21 	student members of the board.

53.22 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136F.38, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
53.23 		Subd. 3.Program eligibility. (a) Scholarships shall be awarded only to a student eligible 
53.24 	for resident tuition, as defined in section 135A.043, who is enrolled in any of the following 
53.25 	programs of study or certification: (1) advanced manufacturing; (2) agriculture; (3) health 
53.26 	care services; (4) information technology; (5) early childhood; (6) transportation; ~~or~~ (7)
53.27 	construction; (8) education; (9) public safety; or (10) a program of study under paragraph 
53.28 	(b).
53.29 	(b) Each institution may add one additional area of study or certification, based on a 
53.30 	workforce shortage for full-time employment requiring postsecondary education that is 
53.31 	unique to the institution's specific region, as reported in the most recent Department of 
53.32 	Employment and Economic Development job vacancy survey data for the economic 
53.33 	development region in which the institution is located. A workforce shortage area is one in 
54.1 	which the job vacancy rate for full-time employment in a specific occupation in a region is 
54.2 	higher than the state average vacancy rate for that same occupation. The institution may 
54.3 	change the area of study or certification based on new data once every two years.
54.4 	(c) The student must be enrolled for at least nine credits in a two-year college in the 
54.5 	Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to be eligible for first- and second-year 
54.6 	scholarships.
54.7 	(d) The student is eligible for a one-year transfer scholarship if the student transfers from 
54.8 	a two-year college after two or more terms, and the student is enrolled for at least nine 
54.9 	credits in a four-year university in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

54.10 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 175.45, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
54.11 		Subdivision 1.Duties; goal. The commissioner of labor and industry shall convene 
54.12 	industry representatives, identify occupational competency standards, and provide technical 
54.13 	assistance to develop dual-training programs. The competency standards shall be identified 
54.14 	for employment in occupations in advanced manufacturing, health care services, information 
54.15 	technology, ~~and~~ agriculture, transportation, and child care. Competency standards are not 
54.16 	rules and are exempt from the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and the provisions in 
54.17 	section 14.386 concerning exempt rules do not apply.

54.18 	Sec. 29. [268.193] POSTSECONDARY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AID.
54.19 		Subdivision 1.Postsecondary institutions. For the purposes of this section, "eligible 
54.20 	postsecondary institution" means:
54.21 	(1) the University of Minnesota;
54.22 	(2) a postsecondary institution governed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State 
54.23 	Colleges and Universities; or
54.24 	(3) a Tribal college, which includes Leech Lake Tribal College, White Earth Tribal 
54.25 	College, or Red Lake Nation Tribal College.
54.26 		Subd. 2.Unemployment insurance aid. Eligible postsecondary institutions are eligible 
54.27 	to receive unemployment insurance aid under this section. For each fiscal year, an eligible 
54.28 	entity's aid is the difference between fiscal year 2022's unemployment insurance costs and 
54.29 	the current year's unemployment insurance costs, as reflected in the unemployment insurance 
54.30 	employer accounts maintained by the state. If the total eligible unemployment insurance 
54.31 	aid for a fiscal year is greater than the annual appropriation for that year, the Board of 
54.32 	Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the commissioner of the Office 
55.1 	of Higher Education, as applicable, must proportionately reduce the aid payment to each 
55.2 	eligible entity.

55.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for aid beginning in fiscal year 2024.

55.4 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 354B.23, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
55.5 		Subd. 3.Employer contribution rate. The employer contribution rate on behalf of 
55.6 	participants in the individual retirement account plan is ~~six~~ 8.75 percent of salary.

55.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
55.8 	applies at the beginning of the next full pay period.

55.9 	Sec. 31. PARAMEDIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
 55.10 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education 
55.11 	shall establish a program to provide up to 600 scholarships to students entering paramedic 
55.12 	programs by 2026.
55.13 		Subd. 2.Eligible students. (a) To be eligible for a scholarship under this section, a 
55.14 	student must:
55.15 	(1) apply in the form and manner specified by the commissioner;
55.16 	(2) be a resident student, as defined by Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.101, subdivision 
55.17 	8;
55.18 	(3) attend an eligible institution, as defined by Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.101, 
55.19 	subdivision 4;
55.20 	(4) be enrolled in a nationally accredited, degree- or diploma-awarding paramedic 
55.21 	program at that institution; and
55.22 	(5) submit to the commissioner a completed affidavit, prescribed by the commissioner, 
55.23 	affirming the student's intent to work as a paramedic in Minnesota after graduation.
55.24 	(b) An eligible student may receive a scholarship under this section no more than two 
55.25 	times.
55.26 		Subd. 3.Administration; award amount. (a) The commissioner must establish an 
55.27 	application process and other guidelines for implementing the paramedic scholarship 
55.28 	program. The first set of scholarships must be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year.
55.29 	(b) The amount of a scholarship awarded under this section is $5,000. The scholarship 
55.30 	must be paid in a lump sum directly to the institution where the recipient is enrolled.
56.1 		Subd. 4.Reporting. By February 1, 2025, and again by February 1, 2026, the 
56.2 	commissioner must submit a report on the program to the chairs and ranking minority 
56.3 	members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance and 
56.4 	policy. The report must include the following information and any other information the 
56.5 	commissioner considers relevant:
56.6 	(1) information about all postsecondary programs giving rise to eligibility for a 
56.7 	scholarship under this section, including the programs' locations, costs, enrollment capacities, 
56.8 	acceptance rates, and other relevant information;
56.9 	(2) available data on the current and forecasted demand for paramedics in Minnesota; 
56.10 	and
56.11 	(3) the total number of scholarships issued, disaggregated by:
56.12 	(i) year of award;
56.13 	(ii) postsecondary institution attended; and
56.14 	(iii) relevant and available demographic data about award recipients.
56.15 		Subd. 5.Expiration. This section expires June 30, 2026.

56.16 	Sec. 32. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AID REPORTS.
 56.17 	By January 15 of each year, the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, the 
56.18 	Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the Office of Higher 
56.19 	Education, in consultation with the Department of Employment and Economic Development, 
56.20 	must each report to the higher education committees of the legislature the balances in 
56.21 	unemployment insurance aid accounts and information about the annual changes in 
56.22 	reimbursable costs for higher education workers receiving unemployment insurance benefits. 
56.23 	To the extent possible, the report must break out the costs by campus and major job classes. 
56.24 	The report must be filed according to Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.

56.25 	Sec. 33. POSTSECONDARY STUDENT BASIC NEEDS WORKING GROUP; 
56.26 	REPORT.
 56.27 		Subdivision 1.Direction. By September 1, 2023, the commissioner of the Office of 
56.28 	Higher Education shall convene a working group on postsecondary student basic needs. 
56.29 	The commissioner shall invite representatives from Minnesota State Colleges and 
56.30 	Universities, the University of Minnesota, nonprofit private colleges, Tribal colleges and 
56.31 	universities, student organizations, faculty and staff bargaining units, state agencies, and 
57.1 	other interested parties as determined by the commissioner to participate in the working 
57.2 	group. The working group sunsets on September 1, 2026.
57.3 		Subd. 2.Duties. The working group must review, assess, and make specific 
57.4 	recommendations on strategies to meet the basic needs of higher education students. The 
57.5 	report must include a comprehensive plan on how to identify, assess, and support students 
57.6 	who are experiencing housing and food insecurity. The report may also include proposals 
57.7 	for substantive and technical amendments to Minnesota Statutes, chapters 135A to 137, and 
57.8 	any other laws that relate to higher education. The working group may also make specific 
57.9 	recommendations with regard to policy changes for the Office of Higher Education and 
57.10 	postsecondary institutions.
57.11 		Subd. 3.Report to legislature. The commissioner of higher education shall submit a 
57.12 	report detailing the working group's findings and recommendations to the chairs and ranking 
57.13 	minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over higher education 
57.14 	policy and finance by September 1, 2024.

57.15 	Sec. 34. REPORT ON MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES 
57.16 	COURSE PLACEMENT PRACTICES.
 57.17 		Subdivision 1.Review. (a) The Office of Higher Education shall document, review, and 
57.18 	analyze college admission and course placement policies, practices, and assessments used 
57.19 	by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The review shall seek to determine 
57.20 	if policies, practices, and assessments used have:
57.21 	(1) adverse consequences for a student and their family, including burdensome economic 
57.22 	and related costs of delaying their degree plans;
57.23 	(2) hindered the participation of students;
57.24 	(3) hindered the placement, retention, or timely college graduation of students; and
57.25 	(4) excluded students from admission thereby hindering their full participation in higher 
57.26 	education.
57.27 	(b) The review must consider impacts for various student communities, including but 
57.28 	not limited to Indigenous students, English as a second language (ESL) students, and students 
57.29 	of color.
57.30 		Subd. 2.Determination. Utilizing the review conducted under subdivision 1, the 
57.31 	commissioner shall determine whether:
57.32 	(1) students, including Indigenous students, ESL students, and students of color, are:
58.1 	(i) denied admission;
58.2 	(ii) disproportionately assigned to enroll in developmental courses; or
58.3 	(iii) delayed or deterred in their educational progress; and
58.4 	(2) policies, practices, and instruments:
58.5 	(i) are disproportionately reliant on test scores;
58.6 	(ii) impose barriers for students in terms of enrollment, retention, and completion; and
58.7 	(iii) may be culturally biased.
58.8 		Subd. 3.Recommendation. The commissioner shall recommend changes based on the 
58.9 	information obtained in subdivisions 1 and 2 to existing measures, instruments, and placement 
58.10 	practices. By February 1, 2024, the commissioner shall provide a preliminary report and 
58.11 	by February 1, 2025, report the recommendations and findings to the chairs and ranking 
58.12 	minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education. 
58.13 	The commissioner shall seek external advice and expertise to address the above reviews, 
58.14 	determinations, findings, and recommendations.

58.15 	Sec. 35. REPEALER.
 58.16 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136F.03, is repealed.
58.17 	Delete the title and insert:
58.18 	A bill for an act
58.19 	relating to higher education; providing funding and policy related changes for the 
58.20 	Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the 
58.21 	University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic; creating and modifying certain 
58.22 	scholarships and student aid programs; creating and modifying grant programs to 
58.23 	higher education institutions; establishing the North Star Promise tuition free 
58.24 	program; establishing the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center; 
58.25 	creating a direct admissions program; providing aid to postsecondary institutions 
58.26 	for unemployment insurance; establishing a student basic needs working group; 
58.27 	requiring reports; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 
58.28 	135A.137, subdivisions 2, 3; 136A.031, subdivision 3; 136A.101, subdivisions 
58.29 	5a, 7; 136A.121, subdivisions 6, 9, 13, 19; 136A.1241, subdivision 5; 136A.125, 
58.30 	subdivision 4; 136A.126, subdivision 4; 136A.1312; 136A.1791, subdivision 3a; 
58.31 	136A.246, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 8; 136F.04, subdivision 1; 136F.38, subdivision 
58.32 	3; 175.45, subdivision 1; 354B.23, subdivision 3; proposing coding for new law 
58.33 	in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 135A; 136A; 268; repealing Minnesota Statutes 
58.34 	2022, section 136F.03.

59.1 | We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill.

59.2

House Conferees:
........

59.3 | ........ | | ........
59.4 | Gene Pelowski Jr. | | Dan Wolgamott
59.5 | ........ | |
59.6 | Marion O'Neill | |

59.7

Senate Conferees:
........

59.8 | ........ | | ........
59.9 | Omar Fateh | | Clare Oumou Verbeten
59.10 | ........ | |
59.11 | Aric Putnam | |