1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; workforce development; authorizing support grants 
1.3 	for a dual training program; providing funding for a pilot information system to 
1.4 	connect employers and students; appropriating money;amending Minnesota 
1.5 	Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 136A.246, by adding subdivisions.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 136A.246, is amended by 
1.8 	adding a subdivision to read:
1.9 		Subd. 8a.Support grants. The commissioner, from appropriations specifically 
1.10 	made for the purposes of this subdivision, may provide grants to school districts for the 
1.11 	purpose of providing advice and assistance to high school teachers, staff, and students, and 
1.12 	employers regarding industry occupational pathways and employment with employers 
1.13 	in the region.

1.14 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 136A.246, is amended by adding 
1.15 	a subdivision to read:
1.16 		Subd. 10.Dual training account. A dual training account is created in the special 
1.17 	revenue fund in the state treasury. The commissioner shall deposit into the account 
1.18 	appropriations made for the purposes of this section. Money in the account is appropriated 
1.19 	to the commissioner for the purposes for which it was appropriated. Money in the account 
1.20 	is available until expended.

1.21 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 136A.246, is amended by adding 
1.22 	a subdivision to read:
2.1 		Subd. 11.Administration expenses. The commissioner may expend up to five 
2.2 	percent of the appropriation made for the purposes of this section for administration 
2.3 	of this section.

2.4 	Sec. 4. STUDENT AND EMPLOYER CONNECTION INFORMATION 
2.5 	SYSTEM.
 2.6 	The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education shall issue a request for 
2.7 	proposal no later than July 1, 2016, for a Web-based job and intern-seeking software tool 
2.8 	that matches the needs of employers located in Minnesota with the individual profiles of 
2.9 	high school seniors and postsecondary students attending Minnesota high schools and 
2.10 	postsecondary institutions. The commissioner shall no later than October 1, 2016, select a 
2.11 	provider. The selected provider must have experience that demonstrates both prior similar 
2.12 	software development ability and implementation outcomes of successful matching of 
2.13 	job candidates and employers. The commissioner may contract for the development 
2.14 	of the system.

2.15 	Sec. 5. DUAL TRAINING; APPROPRIATION.
 2.16 	$....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
2.17 	of the Office of Higher Education for the purposes of making grants under Minnesota 
2.18 	Statutes, section 136A.246, subdivision 8a.

2.19 	Sec. 6. STUDENT AND EMPLOYER CONNECTION INFORMATION 
2.20 	SYSTEM; APPROPRIATION.
 2.21 	$........ in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
2.22 	of the Office of Higher Education for the purpose of the student and employer connection 
2.23 	information system described in section 4.