1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to education; establishing the mighty books 
  1.3             grant program; authorizing the sale of bonds; 
  1.4             appropriating money. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  [MIGHTY BOOKS GRANTS.] 
  1.7      Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] The commissioner of 
  1.8   children, families, and learning shall award grants for the 
  1.9   mighty books program to assist Minnesota communities in 
  1.10  developing and renovating public libraries.  Grants awarded 
  1.11  under this section must conform with Minnesota Statutes, section 
  1.12  16A.695. 
  1.13     Subd. 2.  [GRANT APPLICATION; NEW LIBRARIES.] (a) Grant 
  1.14  applicants must submit the following information to the 
  1.15  commissioner to receive a grant for a new public library: 
  1.16     (1) documentation that the applicant has formed public and 
  1.17  private partnerships to develop and operate a new public library.
  1.18  The partnership may include cities, counties, school districts, 
  1.19  or private groups; 
  1.20     (2) documentation that a new public library is needed by 
  1.21  demonstrating that an adequate participation base exists or can 
  1.22  be developed within a one-hour drive from the proposed new 
  1.23  public library; and 
  1.24     (3) proof of viability of the new public library, including:
  1.25     (i) a site plan and preliminary architectural plans; 
  2.1      (ii) established owner and operating agreements; 
  2.2      (iii) proof that the land for the site is committed or 
  2.3   secured; and 
  2.4      (iv) an operating plan demonstrating financial viability. 
  2.5      (b) Eligible applicants include regional consortiums, 
  2.6   counties, cities, and school districts. 
  2.7      Subd. 3.  [GRANT APPLICATION; EXISTING LIBRARIES.] Grant 
  2.8   applicants must submit the following information to the 
  2.9   commissioner to receive a grant for renovation of an existing 
  2.10  public library: 
  2.11     (1) a resolution adopted by the local applicant; 
  2.12     (2) a site plan and outline of the improvements or 
  2.13  expansion; 
  2.14     (3) a budget of the renovation project; and 
  2.15     (4) a match of $1 of local money for $1 of grant money 
  2.16  received, including in-kind contributions. 
  2.17     Subd. 4.  [COMMISSIONER.] The commissioner shall establish 
  2.18  guidelines and an application process for grants. 
  2.19     Subd. 5.  [GRANT AWARDS.] The maximum grant award for a new 
  2.20  public library must not exceed $250,000.  The maximum grant 
  2.21  award for renovation of an existing public library must not 
  2.22  exceed $50,000.  Priority must be given to proposals submitted 
  2.23  by more than one local government.  At least one-half of the 
  2.24  grant awards must be given to projects located in greater 
  2.25  Minnesota. 
  2.26     Sec. 2.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
  2.27     $....... is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the 
  2.28  commissioner of children, families, and learning for the mighty 
  2.29  books grant program. 
  2.30     Sec. 3.  [BOND SALE.] 
  2.31     To provide the money appropriated in section 2 from the 
  2.32  bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of finance, on request of 
  2.33  the governor, shall sell and issue bonds of the state in an 
  2.34  amount up to $....... in the manner, on the terms, and with the 
  2.35  effect prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 
  2.36  16A.675, and by the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 
  3.1   4 to 7.