2018 Minnesota Statutes

3.9735 EVALUATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAMS.

Subdivision 1.Definitions.

For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

(a) "General incentive" means a state program, statutory provision, or tax expenditure, including tax credits, tax exemptions, tax deductions, grants, or loans, that is intended to encourage businesses to locate, expand, invest, or remain in Minnesota or to hire or retain employees in Minnesota. To be a general incentive, a state program, statutory provision, or tax expenditure must be funded by an appropriation from the general fund, and be available to multiple entities, projects, or associated projects or include eligibility criteria with the intent that it will be available to multiple entities, projects, or associated projects.

(b) "Exclusive incentive" means a state program, statutory provision, tax expenditure, or section of a general incentive, including tax credits, tax exemptions, tax deductions, grants, or loans, that is intended to encourage a single specific entity, project, or associated projects to locate, expand, invest, or remain in Minnesota or to hire or retain employees in Minnesota.

Subd. 2.Selection of general incentives for review; schedule for evaluation; report.

Annually, the legislative auditor shall submit to the Legislative Audit Commission a list of three to five general incentives proposed for review. In selecting general incentives to include on this list, the legislative auditor may consider what the incentive will cost state and local governments in actual spending and foregone revenue currently or projected into the future, the legislature's need for information about a general incentive that has an upcoming expiration date, and the legislature's need for regular information on the results of all major general incentives. Annually, the Legislative Audit Commission will select at least one general incentive for the legislative auditor's evaluation. The legislative auditor will evaluate the selected general incentive or incentives, prepared according to the evaluation plan established under subdivision 4, and submit a written report to the Legislative Audit Commission.

Subd. 3.Exclusive incentive schedule.

The legislative auditor's schedule shall ensure that at least once every four years the legislative auditor will complete an analysis of best practices for exclusive incentives.

Subd. 4.Evaluation plans.

By February 1, 2016, the Legislative Audit Commission shall establish evaluation plans that identify elements that the legislative auditor must include in evaluations of a general incentive and an exclusive incentive. The Legislative Audit Commission may modify the evaluation plans as needed.

History:

2015 c 77 art 2 s 2