Minnesota Legislature
Office of the Revisor of Statutes
Minnesota Session Laws - 1999, Regular Session
Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language
CHAPTER 223-H.F.No. 2390
An act relating to state government; appropriating
money for economic development and certain agencies of
state government; establishing and modifying programs;
regulating activities and practices; modifying fees;
making conforming changes; requiring reports;
providing criminal penalties; amending Minnesota
Statutes 1998, sections 45.0295; 53A.03; 53A.05,
subdivision 1; 60A.14, subdivision 1; 60A.23,
subdivision 8; 60A.71, subdivision 7; 60K.06; 65B.48,
subdivision 3; 70A.14, subdivision 4; 72B.04,
subdivision 10; 79.255, subdivision 10; 82A.08,
subdivision 2; 82A.16, subdivisions 2 and 6; 116J.415,
subdivision 5; 116J.421, subdivisions 2, 3, and by
adding subdivisions; 116J.63, subdivision 4;
116J.8745, subdivisions 1 and 2; 116L.03, subdivisions
1, 2, and 5; 116L.04, subdivision 1a; 116L.06,
subdivision 4; 175.17; 176.181, subdivision 2a;
216C.41, subdivisions 1 and 2; 268.022; 268.666, by
adding a subdivision; 268.98, subdivision 3; 268A.13;
268A.14; 298.22, subdivisions 2 and 6; 298.2213,
subdivision 4; 298.223, subdivision 2; 326.105, if
enacted; 326.86, subdivision 1; 383B.79, subdivision
4; 446A.072, subdivision 4; 462A.20, subdivision 2,
and by adding a subdivision; 462A.204, by adding a
subdivision; 462A.205, subdivision 3; 462A.209;
462A.21, by adding a subdivision; and 473.251; Laws
1998, chapter 404, section 13, subdivision 5; Laws
1998, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3,
section 8; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 82B; 116J; 245; 268; 462A; and 473;
repealing Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 44A.001;
44A.01; 44A.02; 44A.023; 44A.025; 44A.031; 44A.0311;
44A.06; 44A.08; 44A.11; 341.01; 341.02; 341.04;
341.045; 341.05; 341.06; 341.07; 341.08; 341.09;
341.10; 341.11; 341.115; 341.12; 341.13; 341.15;
462A.28; 469.305; 469.306; 469.307; 469.308; and
469.31; Laws 1999, chapter 137, section 5.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
ARTICLE 1
APPROPRIATIONS
Section 1. [ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; APPROPRIATIONS.]
The sums shown in the columns marked "APPROPRIATIONS" are
appropriated from the general fund, or another named fund, to
the agencies and for the purposes specified in this act, to be
available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The
figures "2000" and "2001," where used in this act, mean that the
appropriation or appropriations listed under them are available
for the year ending June 30, 2000, or June 30, 2001,
respectively. The term "first year" means the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2000, and "second year" means the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2001.
SUMMARY BY FUND
1999 2000 2001 TOTAL
General $21,000 $224,507,000 $184,543,000 $409,071,000
Petroleum Tank
Cleanup 1,015,000 1,045,000 2,060,000
Environmental Fund 700,000 700,000 1,400,000
TANF 6,000,000 4,000,000 10,000,000
Trunk Highway 745,000 766,000 1,511,000
Workers'
Compensation 22,217,000 22,439,000 44,656,000
Special Revenue 100,000 -0- 100,000
Workforce
Development Fund 17,993,000 12,557,000 30,550,000
TOTAL $21,000 $273,277,000 $226,050,000 $499,348,000
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2000 2001
Sec. 2. TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation 56,880,000 46,056,000
Summary by Fund
General 42,985,000 32,590,000
Trunk Highway 745,000 766,000
TANF 1,500,000 1,500,000
Environmental Fund 700,000 700,000
Workforce
Development Fund 10,950,000 10,500,000
The amounts that may be spent from this
appropriation for each program are
specified in the following subdivisions.
Subd. 2. Business and Community
Development 38,488,000 28,186,000
Summary by Fund
General 25,338,000 15,486,000
TANF 1,500,000 1,500,000
Environmental Fund 700,000 700,000
Workforce
Development Fund 10,950,000 10,500,000
$5,017,000 the first year and
$4,017,000 the second year are for
Minnesota investment fund grants. Of
this amount, $1,000,000 in the first
year is a one-time appropriation and is
not added to the agency's budget base.
$400,000 the first year is for a
one-time grant to Advantage Minnesota,
Inc. The funds are available only if
matched on at least a dollar-for-dollar
basis from other sources. The
commissioner may release the funds only
upon:
(1) certification that matching funds
from each participating organization
are available; and
(2) review and approval by the
commissioner of the proposed operations
plan of Advantage Minnesota, Inc. for
the biennium.
$14,067,000 the first year and
$14,073,000 the second year are for the
job skills partnership program. If the
appropriation for either year is
insufficient, the appropriation for the
other year is available. Of this
appropriation, $10,000,000 in each year
is a one-time appropriation from the
workforce development fund. It is the
intention of the legislature that this
program base funding be $5,931,000 per
year in the 2002-2003 biennium. This
appropriation does not cancel.
$500,000 the first year and $500,000
the second year are one-time
appropriations from the workforce
development fund for the pathways
program.
$1,500,000 the first year and
$1,500,000 the second year are
appropriated from the state's federal
TANF block grant under Title I of
Public Law Number 104-193 to the
commissioner of human services, to be
transferred to the commissioner of
trade and economic development for the
pathways program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 116L.04, subdivision
1a. It is the intention of the
legislature that the general fund base
funding to the pathways program be
$1,500,000 per year in the 2002-2003
biennium.
$500,000 the first year is for a
one-time grant to the city of Fridley
for costs of the design and
construction of infrastructure
improvements required by a large
business campus development in the
Moore lakes area of the city.
$551,000 the first year and $565,000
the second year are from fees collected
under Minnesota Statutes, section
446A.04, subdivision 5, to administer
the programs of the public facilities
authority.
$500,000 in the first year is for a
one-time grant to the community
resources program under Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 466A.
$200,000 the first year is for a
one-time grant to the board of the
rural policy and development center for
operation of the center. This
appropriation is available as matched
in cash on a dollar-for-dollar basis
from nonstate sources.
$155,000 the first year and $155,000
the second year are for grants to the
metropolitan economic development
association. This is a one-time
appropriation and is not added to the
agency's budget base.
$265,000 the first year and $265,000
the second year are for grants to
WomenVenture. WomenVenture must
implement a program to encourage and
assist women to enter nontraditional
careers in the trades and technical
occupations. The program shall consist
of outreach to women and girls and
training, job placement, and job
retention support that meet women's
specific needs. The program must be
accessible to low-income working
mothers, including MFIP recipients.
$450,000 the first year is for a
one-time grant to the St. Paul
rehabilitation center for its current
programs, including those related to
developing job-seeking skills and
workplace orientation, intensive job
development, functional work English,
and on-site job coaching. This
appropriation is from the workforce
development fund.
$250,000 is for a grant to the city of
Windom to provide loans to assist an
expanding business. This is a one-time
appropriation and is not added to the
agency's budget base.
$350,000 is for the biennium ending
June 30, 2001, for a grant to the Camp
Heartland center. The grant may be
used for phase II capital expenditures
including, without limitation, a septic
system upgrade and bath/shower house
construction, construction of a family
lodge, renovation of a medical
facility, construction of staff housing
and offices, or expansion and upgrade
of the dining room and kitchen. This
is a one-time appropriation and is not
added to the agency's budget base.
$4,800,000 the first year and
$2,800,000 the second year are for
purposes of the contamination cleanup
and development grant program under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 116J.551
to 116J.558. Of this appropriation,
$2,000,000 is a one-time appropriation
and is not added to the agency's budget
base.
$75,000 is for a grant to the city of
Lake Benton for planning costs
associated with a new visitor center
and railroad depot building. This is a
one-time appropriation and is not added
to the agency's budget base.
$220,000 the first year and $220,000
the second year are for microenterprise
technical assistance under Minnesota
Statutes, section 116J.8745. This is a
one-time appropriation and is not added
to the agency's budget base.
$50,000 in 2000 is for a grant to the
Chatfield brass band music lending
library. The money must be used for
computer hardware and software to
catalog the music collection and create
a Web site. This is a one-time
appropriation and must not be added to
the agency's budget base.
$50,000 in fiscal year 2000 is for a
one-time grant to the Duluth Economic
Development Authority for the purchase
and installation of railroad ties to
improve the Lake Superior Mississippi
Railroad scenic railway along the St.
Louis Bay in Duluth.
$100,000 is appropriated for a grant to
the city of Lanesboro for
predevelopment costs for the Root River
Regional Arts Center. This is a
one-time appropriation and is not added
to the agency's budget base.
$50,000 the first year is for a
one-time grant to county and district
agricultural societies and associations
that are eligible to receive aid under
Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02. The
commissioner shall administer this
appropriation pursuant to a need-based
competitive grant process.
$216,000 in the first year is for
one-time rural job creation grants
under Minnesota Statutes, section
469.309.
$450,000 is for a grant to the city of
Duluth to support the development of
the Duluth Technology Village. The
grant shall be used to establish
international partnerships, attract
software businesses, recruit and train
workers for the software industry, and
support a software business incubator
facility. This is a one-time
appropriation and is not part of the
agency base budget. This appropriation
is not available unless matched by
nonstate money.
$150,000 the first year is for a grant
to the suburban Hennepin regional park
district for restoration of the Grimm
farmstead.
$150,000 in the first year is for a
one-time grant to the city of Ely for
rehabilitation of the Ely technical
building.
$50,000 in the first year is for a
one-time grant to the Highland Park
district council for the enhancement of
the West Seventh Street/Gateway area,
which serves as a major transportation
and commercial corridor for visitors
from the Minneapolis-St. Paul
International Airport, Mall of America,
and other destinations. The
appropriation may be used to make
improvements to the public right-of-way
including, but not limited to,
landscaping, lighting, signage, and
roadway improvements. This
appropriation must be matched
one-for-one by nonstate funds.
$3,000,000 in the first year is for the
redevelopment account under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 116J.561 to
116J.567. The appropriation is
available for the biennium ending June
30, 2001. This is a one-time
appropriation and is not added to the
agency's budget base.
$75,000 in the first year is for a
one-time grant to Perham Business
Technology Center to equip the training
center with interactive television and
for program funds to implement the
business plan.
$300,000 in the first year is for a
one-time grant to the city of Owatonna
for city infrastructure improvements.*
(The preceding text beginning "$300,000
in the first year" was vetoed by the
governor.)
Subd. 3. Minnesota Trade Office
2,275,000 2,318,000
The department shall act as the lead
agency in developing a plan for a
coordinated effort to promote Minnesota
internationally. The commissioner may
appoint an advisory committee and may
seek federal and private funding to
develop and implement the plan.
Subd. 4. Tourism
10,805,000 10,910,000
Summary by Fund
General 10,060,000 10,144,000
Trunk Highway 745,000 766,000
To develop maximum private sector
involvement in tourism, $3,500,000 the
first year and $3,500,000 the second
year of the amounts appropriated for
marketing activities are contingent on
receipt of an equal contribution from
nonstate sources that have been
certified by the commissioner. Up to
one-half of the match may be given in
in-kind contributions.
In order to maximize marketing grant
benefits, the commissioner must give
priority for joint venture marketing
grants to organizations with year-round
sustained tourism activities. For
programs and projects submitted, the
commissioner must give priority to
those that encompass two or more areas
or that attract nonresident travelers
to the state.
If an appropriation for either year for
grants is not sufficient, the
appropriation for the other year is
available for it.
The commissioner may use grant dollars
or the value of in-kind services to
provide the state contribution for the
partnership program.
Any unexpended money from general fund
appropriations made under this
subdivision does not cancel but must be
placed in a special advertising account
for use by the office of tourism to
purchase additional media.
This appropriation may be used for a
grant to Minnesota Festivals and Events
Association for the following purposes:
(1) for a partnership with the
University of Minnesota's tourism
center to build the methodology for a
low-cost economic impact model that
will allow festival and event managers
to conduct research independently in
their own communities;
(2) to promote regional workshops to
increase production value and
professionalism for events in the
state, increase event service and
entertainment value for local
residents, build community awareness of
opportunities to generate new tourism,
and assure production of high quality,
safe, and meaningful tourism products
that are in line with the vision,
mission, and growth goals of individual
towns and cities in Minnesota;
(3) for a partnership with the
University of Minnesota's tourism
center to enhance professionalism via
its certified festival manager program,
training event managers and volunteer
staff to implement value-added
festivals and events for visitors to
the state;
(4) for a partnership with the
Minnesota office of tourism to publish
a pull-out mini-magazine advertising
the statewide festivals and events
calendar for the year; and
(5) to expand the Minnesota Festivals
and Events Association website, to
provide travel planners with more
festival and event intensive links to
communities hosting such activities.
$250,000 in the first year is for a
one-time grant for the purpose of the
Upper Red Lake business loan program.
$829,000 the first year and $829,000
the second year are for the Minnesota
film board. $329,000 of this
appropriation in each year is available
only upon receipt by the board of $1 in
matching contributions of money or
in-kind from nonstate sources for every
$3 provided by this appropriation. Of
this amount, $500,000 the first year
and $500,000 the second year are for
grants to the Minnesota film board for
a film production jobs fund to
stimulate feature film production in
Minnesota. This appropriation is to
reimburse film producers for two to
five percent of documented wages which
they paid to Minnesotans for film
production after January 1, 1999.
$100,000 the first year is for a grant
to promote tourism in the Mille Lacs
area. This is a one-time appropriation
and is not added to the agency's budget
base.
$100,000 the first year is for a
one-time grant to promote tourism in
the areas near the northern border of
Minnesota, including the Northwest
Angle.
$37,000 the first year is for a grant
to the Mississippi River parkway
commission.
Subd. 5. Administration
3,897,000 3,192,000
$750,000 the first year is appropriated
for enhancements to the journey travel
destination system. The funds are
available only if matched in cash on at
least a dollar-for-dollar basis from
other sources. This is a one-time
appropriation and is available until
spent.
Subd. 6. Information and Analysis
1,415,000 1,450,000
Sec. 3. MINNESOTA TECHNOLOGY, INC. 6,425,000 7,225,000
$4,605,000 the first year and
$6,105,000 the second year are for
transfer from the general fund to the
Minnesota Technology, Inc. fund.
$70,000 the first year and $70,000 the
second year are for grants to Minnesota
Inventors Congress. This is a one-time
appropriation and is not added to the
agency's budget base.
$100,000 the first year and $100,000
the second year are for grants to the
Minnesota cold weather research
center. By January 15, 2001, the
center will report to the legislature
on (1) the sources and amounts of its
nonstate matching funds, and (2) the
effectiveness of its program in
achieving quantifiable economic
development benefits to the state.
This is a one-time appropriation and is
not added to the agency's budget base.
$700,000 the first year and $500,000
the second year are for grants to
Minnesota Project Innovation. The
legislature intends for Minnesota
Project Innovation to move toward
economic self-sufficiency. This is a
one-time appropriation and is not added
to the agency's budget base.
$850,000 the first year and $450,000
the second year are for grants to the
Natural Resources Research Institute.
This is a one-time appropriation and is
not added to the agency's budget base.
$100,000 the first year is for a
one-time grant to the Minnesota Council
for Quality.
Sec. 4. ECONOMIC SECURITY
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation 46,015,000 38,674,000
Summary by Fund
General 39,287,000 37,446,000
TANF Block Grant 500,000 -0-
Workforce
Development Fund 6,228,000 1,228,000
Subd. 2. Rehabilitation Services 22,578,000 22,089,000
Summary by Fund
General 21,902,000 21,913,000
TANF 500,000 -0-
Workforce
Development Fund 176,000 176,000
$1,850,000 the first year and
$1,850,000 the second year are for
centers for independent living. The
commissioner shall review the
allocation of this appropriation among
the centers for independent living and
consider whether unequal allocation
might be appropriate in subsequent
years.
$500,000 the first year is to provide
welfare-to-work extended employment
services to welfare recipients with
severe impairment to employment, as
defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
268A.15, subdivision 1a. Of this
appropriation, up to five percent is
for administrative costs. This is a
one-time appropriation and may not be
added to the budget base in the
biennium ending June 30, 2003. This
appropriation is from the state's
federal TANF block grant under Public
Law Number 104-193 to the commissioner
of human services, to be transferred to
the commissioner of economic security.
This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2001.
$825,000 the first year and $827,000
the second year are for employment
support services for persons with
mental illness authorized under
Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.13.
$250,000 the first year and $250,000
the second year are for a grant to the
Minnesota employment center for deaf
and hard-of-hearing people. Of this
appropriation, $50,000 each year is a
one-time appropriation from the
workforce development fund. It is the
intention of the legislature that base
funding for this program be $250,000 in
the 2002-2003 biennium.
In fiscal year 2000 and fiscal year
2001, $975,000 is to increase the
reimbursement rates for extended
employment services. Effective for
services rendered on or after July 1,
1999, the commissioner shall increase
by ten percent all reimbursement rates
under Minnesota Rules, part 3300.2035,
subpart 6, item A, for extended
employment services for persons with
severe disabilities or related
conditions under Minnesota Statutes,
section 268A.15. This amount is added
to the agency's budget base.
$126,000 the first year and $126,000
the second year are for a grant to
Advocating Change Together, Inc.,
(ACT). This appropriation is from the
workforce development fund. The grant
must be used for the training of
individuals with developmental and
other mental health disabilities, the
maintenance of related data, or
technical assistance for work
advancement or additional workforce
training. No part of this grant may be
applied to litigation costs, or used
for legal advocacy or legal assistance
purposes. This is a one-time
appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2001.* (The preceding text
beginning "$126,000 the first year" was
vetoed by the governor.)
Subd. 3. State Services for the Blind
6,114,000 4,817,000
$1,400,000 the first year is
appropriated to convert the
communication center to digital
technology and move the radio talking
book program to a different frequency.
The funds are available only if matched
in cash on at least a dollar-for-dollar
basis from private sources. This is a
one-time appropriation and is available
until June 30, 2001.
The appropriation in the second year is
not available until the commissioners
of finance and economic security have
reviewed the operation of the state
services for the blind, determined why
a budget deficiency occurred in fiscal
year 1999 and what steps should be
taken to prevent a future deficiency
and reported their findings to the
legislature.
Subd. 4. Workforce Preparation
17,273,000 11,718,000
Summary by Fund
General 11,221,000 10,666,000
Workforce
Development Fund 6,052,000 1,052,000
$775,000 the first year and $775,000
the second year are for job training
programs under Minnesota Statutes,
sections 268.60 to 268.64. This
appropriation is from the workforce
development fund.
$2,049,000 the first year and
$2,054,000 the second year are for
displaced homemaker programs under
Minnesota Statutes, section 268.96. Of
this appropriation, $227,000 each year
is a one-time appropriation from the
workforce development fund. The
commissioner shall prepare and report
to the legislature a plan for a sliding
scale fee structure for this program.
Of this amount, $100,000 the first year
and $100,000 the second year are for
one-time grants to the St. Paul
district 5 planning council.* (The
preceding sentence beginning "Of this
amount," was vetoed by the governor.)
These grants are to operate a community
work empowerment support group
demonstration project. A project
consists of empowerment groups of
individuals that are in the process of
obtaining or have obtained jobs,
including those in the welfare-to-work
programs, or are working out problems
of attaining self-sufficiency. The
groups must separately meet at least
monthly for at least two hours. Each
group meeting must include empower
mentors whose responsibility will be to
conduct the meeting. The sites will
report to the commissioner on a
semiannual basis regarding the progress
achieved at the meetings. The purpose
of the group is to:
(1) share information among group
members as to the successes and
problems encountered in the
individual's employment goals;
(2) provide a forum for individuals
involved in moving to self-sufficiency
to share their experiences and
strategies and to support and empower
each other; and
(3) to provide feedback to the
commissioner concerning the best
strategies to achieve the empowerment
support group's objectives.
$5,000,000 the first year is a one-time
appropriation from the workforce
development fund to match available
United States Department of Labor
Welfare-to-Work funds. The
commissioner shall explore sources of
noncash match for these funds. To the
extent this appropriation is not needed
for these purposes, the balance is
available for the Welfare-to-Work
program.
$1,425,000 the first year and
$1,425,000 the second year are for
youth intervention programs under
Minnesota Statutes, section 268.30.
Funding from this appropriation may be
used to expand existing programs to
serve unmet needs and to create new
programs in underserved areas. Of this
appropriation, $3,750 is for a grant to
the Minnesota Youth Intervention
Programs Association (YIPA) to provide
collaborative training and technical
assistance to community-based grantees
of the program.
$851,000 the first year and $852,000
the second year are for the Youthbuild
program under Minnesota Statutes,
sections 268.361 to 268.366. Of this
amount, $100,000 in the first year and
$100,000 in the second year are
one-time appropriations from the
workforce development fund for the
YOUTHBUILD technical program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 268.368. A
Minnesota YOUTHBUILD program funded
under this section as authorized in
Minnesota Statutes, sections 268.361 to
268.367, qualifies as an approved
training program under Minnesota Rules,
part 5200.0930, subpart 1.
$116,000 the first year and $116,000
the second year are appropriated for
youth violence prevention programs to
match the federal juvenile
accountability incentive block grant.
This is a one-time appropriation.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 268.022, subdivision 2, the
commissioner of finance shall transfer
to the general fund from the dedicated
fund on June 25, 1999, $29,000,000 of
the money collected through the special
assessment established in Minnesota
Statutes, section 268.022, subdivision
1. This paragraph is effective the day
following final enactment.
$572,000 in the first year is for
enterprise zone incentive grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 469.305.
Subd. 5. Workforce Exchange
50,000 50,000
The commissioner of economic security
is directed to prepare a plan to reduce
the number of line managers and reduce
the costs of operation in workforce
centers. The legislature finds it
unacceptable to have up to five
managers in individual workforce
centers.
$50,000 the first year and $50,000 the
second year are for asset preservation
and facility repair.
$348,625 the first year is for systems
development for electronic commerce to
improve communication with customers of
the job service and reemployment
insurance program. In accordance with
Minnesota Statutes, section 268.194,
subdivision 5, this money is a one-time
appropriation from federal money made
available specifically for that purpose
under United States Code, title 42,
section 1103, also known as the "Reed
Act." This appropriation is available
for the biennium ending June 30, 2001.
$2,000,000 the first year and
$2,000,000 the second year is for
systems development for electronic
commerce in the reemployment insurance
program to improve communication with
employers. In accordance with
Minnesota Statutes, section 268.194,
subdivision 5, this money is a one-time
appropriation from federal money to be
made available specifically for that
purpose under United States Code, title
42, section 1103, also known as the
"Reed Act," and section 5403 of the
federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
Each annual appropriation is available
for the biennium ending June 30, 2001.
Sec. 5. HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY 74,770,000 45,770,000
Summary by Fund
General 70,770,000 43,270,000
TANF 4,000,000 2,500,000
Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation
The amounts that may be spent from this
appropriation for certain programs are
specified in the following subdivisions.
This appropriation is for transfer to
the housing development fund for the
programs specified. Except as
otherwise indicated, this transfer is
part of the agency's permanent budget
base.
Subd. 2. Challenge Program
$20,000,000 is appropriated for
transfer to the housing development
fund for the economic development and
housing challenge program created by
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.33.
This is a one-time appropriation and is
not added to the agency's permanent
base.
Subd. 3. Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill
$1,700,000 the first year and
$1,700,000 the second year are for a
rental housing assistance program for
persons with a mental illness or
families with an adult member with a
mental illness under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.2097.
Subd. 4. Family Homeless Prevention
$3,250,000 the first year and
$3,250,000 the second year is for the
family homeless prevention and
assistance program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.204, and is
available until June 30, 2001. Of this
amount, $1,875,000 the first year and
$375,000 the second year is from the
state's federal TANF block grant under
Title I of Public Law Number 104-193 to
the commissioner of human services, to
reimburse the housing development fund
for assistance under this program for
families receiving TANF assistance
under the MFIP program. The
commissioner of human services shall
make monthly reimbursements to the
housing development fund. The
commissioner of human services shall
not make any reimbursement which the
commissioner determines would be
subject to a penalty under Code of
Federal Regulations, section 262.1.
$100,000 of the total grants made to
Hennepin county from this appropriation
is for grants to organizations
providing case management for persons
that need assistance to rehabilitate
their rent history and find rental
housing. Case management services
include, but are not limited to,
assisting tenants in correcting tenant
screening reports, providing intensive
training and certification for tenants,
creating a bonding program to encourage
landlords to accept high-risk tenants
with poor rent histories, paying
security deposits for high-risk
tenants, and agreeing to pay landlord
expenses for filing unlawful detainer
actions. If the appropriation in
either year is insufficient, the
appropriation for the other year is
available. It is the intention of the
legislature that the general fund base
funding to this program be $6,500,000
for the 2002-2003 biennium.
Subd. 5. Mortgage Foreclosure
Prevention
$583,000 the first year and $583,000
the second year are for the mortgage
foreclosure prevention and assistance
program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 462A.207.
Subd. 6. Rental Assistance for
Family Stabilization
$2,125,000 the first year and
$2,125,000 the second year are
appropriated from the state's federal
TANF block grant under Title I of
Public Law Number 104-193 to the
commissioner of human services, to
reimburse the housing development fund
for rent subsidies provided to families
receiving TANF assistance from the MFIP
program under the rent assistance for
family stabilization program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.205.
The commissioner of human services
shall make monthly reimbursements to
the housing development fund. The
commissioner of human services shall
not make any reimbursement which the
commissioner determines would be
subject to a penalty under Code of
Federal Regulations, section 262.1. If
the appropriation in either year is
insufficient, the appropriation for the
other year is available. It is the
intention of the legislature that the
general fund base funding for this
program be $2,000,000 per year for the
2002-2003 biennium.
Subd. 7. Housing Trust Fund
$2,348,000 the first year and
$2,348,000 the second year are for the
housing trust fund to be deposited in
the housing trust fund account created
under Minnesota Statutes, section
462A.201, and used for the purposes
provided in that section. Of this
amount, $550,000 each year must be used
for transitional housing.
Subd. 8. Affordable Rental Investment Fund
$21,493,000 the first year and
$21,493,000 the second year are for the
affordable rental investment fund
program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 462A.21, subdivision 8b. Of
this amount, $15,000,000 the first year
and $15,000,000 the second year are to
finance the acquisition,
rehabilitation, and debt restructuring
of federally assisted rental property
and for making equity take-out loans
under Minnesota Statutes, section
462A.05, subdivision 39. The owner of
the federally assisted rental property
must agree to participate in the
applicable federally assisted housing
program and to extend any existing
low-income affordability restrictions
on the housing for the maximum term
permitted. The owner must also enter
into an agreement that gives local
units of government, housing and
redevelopment authorities, and
nonprofit housing organizations the
right of first refusal if the rental
property is offered for sale. Priority
must be given among comparable
properties to properties with the
longest remaining term under an
agreement for federal rental
assistance. Priority must also be
given among comparable rental housing
developments to developments that are
or will be owned by local government
units, a housing and redevelopment
authority, or a nonprofit housing
organization. Of this appropriation,
$5,000,000 in each year is a one-time
appropriation and is not added to the
agency's permanent base.
To the extent practicable, this
appropriation shall be used so that an
approximately equal number of housing
units are financed in the metropolitan
area, as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.121, subdivision 2, and in
the nonmetropolitan area.
Subd. 9. Urban Indian Housing Program
No appropriation is made for the urban
Indian housing program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.07, subdivision
15. It is the intention of the
legislature that the agency will use
accumulated reserves to fund this
program in the 2000-2001 biennium. The
base of $187,000 per year is intended
to be restored in fiscal year 2002 and
beyond.
Subd. 10. Tribal Indian Housing Program
$1,683,000 the first year and
$1,683,000 the second year are for the
tribal Indian housing program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.07,
subdivision 14.
Subd. 11. Rural and Urban Homesteading
$186,000 the first year and $186,000
the second year are for the Minnesota
rural and urban homesteading program
under Minnesota Statutes, section
462A.057.
Subd. 12. Capacity Building Grants
$240,000 the first year and $240,000
the second year are for nonprofit
capacity building grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21,
subdivision 3b.
Subd. 13. Community Rehabilitation Program
$6,175,000 the first year and
$6,175,000 the second year are for the
community rehabilitation program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.206.
Of this appropriation, $1,000,000 in
each year is a one-time appropriation
and is not added to the agency's budget
base.
Priority will be given to a proposal
from a community in which the existing
housing is predominantly manufactured
housing and the proposal seeks funds to
revitalize the community through the
use of improved manufactured housing
and to leverage available federal funds.
Of this appropriation, $50,000 the
first year and $50,000 the second year
must be used to make grants to a
statewide organization that advocates
on behalf of persons with mental
retardation or related conditions. The
grants must be used to provide entry
cost assistance, prepurchase and
postpurchase counseling to persons with
various disabilities who are
participating in the Fannie Mae
Homechoice demonstration project and
other projects designed to encourage
home ownership among persons with
disabilities.
Of this appropriation, $275,000 the
first year and $275,000 the second year
are for full-cycle home ownership and
purchase-rehabilitation lending
initiatives under Minnesota Statutes,
section 462A.21, subdivision 26.
Subd. 14. Housing Rehabilitation
and Accessibility
$4,287,000 the first year and
$4,287,000 the second year are for the
housing rehabilitation and
accessibility program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivisions
14a and 15a.
Subd. 15. Home Ownership
Assistance Fund
$900,000 the first year and $900,000
the second year are for the home
ownership assistance fund under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21,
subdivision 8.
Subd. 16. Employer Matching Grants
$800,000 in the first year and $800,000
in the second year are for the employer
matching grant program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.2092.
Subd. 17. School Stability Project
$1,000,000 the first year is for the
school stability project under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.204,
subdivision 8. This is a one-time
appropriation and is not added to the
agency's permanent base.
Subd. 18. Innovative and Inclusionary
Housing Program
$8,000,000 the first year is for
innovative and inclusionary housing
programs. $4,000,000 of this
appropriation is for the
nonmetropolitan innovative and
inclusionary housing program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.2093.
$4,000,000 of this appropriation is for
transfer to the metropolitan council
for deposit in the inclusionary housing
account created in Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.251. The metropolitan
council may use this transfer only for
projects that are consistent with
Minnesota Statutes, section 473.255.
This is a one-time appropriation and is
not added to the agency's permanent
base.
Subd. 19. Cancellations
The unobligated and unencumbered
balance in the contract for deed
guarantee account under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.2091 is
transferred to the full cycle
homeownership services program under
section 462A.209.
The unobligated and unencumbered
balance appropriated to the advisory
task force on lead hazard reduction
established under Laws 1997, chapter
200, article 4, section 1, is
transferred to the housing
rehabilitation and accessibility
program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 462A.05, subdivisions 14a and
15a, for use in the emergency loan
fund. Priority for the use of these
funds shall be given to emergency loans
and grants for lead hazard reduction.
The unobligated and unencumbered
balance appropriated to the community
rehabilitation fund account under Laws
1997, chapter 200, article 1, section
6, for grants to acquire, demolish, and
remove substandard multiple-unit
residential property or acquire,
rehabilitate, and reconfigure
multiple-unit residential rental
property is transferred on July 1,
2000, to the affordable rental
investment fund program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision
8b.
Sec. 6. COMMERCE
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation 18,927,000 17,460,000
Summary by Fund
General 17,245,000 15,831,000
Petro Cleanup 1,015,000 1,045,000
Workers'
Compensation 567,000 584,000
Special Revenue 100,000 -0-
The amounts that may be spent from this
appropriation for each program are
specified in the following subdivisions.
Subd. 2. Financial Examinations
3,963,000 4,052,000
Subd. 3. Registration and Insurance
4,916,000 4,934,000
Summary by Fund
General 4,249,000 4,350,000
Workers'
Compensation 567,000 584,000
Special Revenue 100,000 -0-
$100,000 the first year is from the
real estate education, research, and
recovery account for the purposes of an
educational campaign aimed at stopping
the fraudulent practice known commonly
as mortgage flipping. The department
is directed to develop a public
awareness campaign targeted to the
communities hardest hit by this
practice. The department is further
directed to solicit contributions to
this campaign from trade organizations,
banks, mortgage companies, and
foundations to supplement the program.
The materials shall be prepared in
multiple languages as necessary. The
appropriation is available until
expended and any contributions received
are available for the educational
campaign described in this section.
Subd. 4. Enforcement and Licensing
4,355,000 4,296,000
Subd. 5. Petroleum Tank Release
Cleanup Board
1,015,000 1,045,000
This appropriation is from the
petroleum tank release cleanup fund.
Subd. 6. Administrative Services
4,678,000 3,133,000
$1,400,000 the first year is a one-time
appropriation to redesign and
re-engineer the department's data base.
$90,000 the first year is a one-time
appropriation for expanding website
capabilities.
Sec. 7. BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY 607,000 624,000
Sec. 8. BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE,
ENGINEERING, LAND SURVEYING,
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, AND
INTERIOR DESIGN 770,000 794,000
$21,000 is appropriated from the
general fund and is added to the
appropriations in Laws 1997, chapter
200, section 9, for board operations.
This added appropriation is effective
the day following final enactment.
Sec. 9. BOARD OF BARBER
EXAMINERS 144,000 149,000
Sec. 10. BOARD OF BOXING 84,000 -0-
Sec. 11. LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation 24,608,000 24,962,000
Summary by Fund
General 3,736,000 3,913,000
Workers'
Compensation 20,107,000 20,270,000
Workforce
Development Fund 765,000 779,000
The amounts that may be spent from this
appropriation for each program are
specified in the following subdivisions.
Subd. 2. Workers' Compensation
10,586,000 10,833,000
This appropriation is from the workers'
compensation fund.
$125,000 the first year and $125,000
the second year is for grants to the
Vinland Center for rehabilitation
service.
Subd. 3. Workplace Services
7,476,000 7,759,000
Summary by Fund
General 2,672,000 2,844,000
Workers'
Compensation 4,039,000 4,136,000
Workforce
Development Fund 765,000 779,000
$204,000 the first year and $204,000
the second year are for labor education
and advancement program grants. The
commissioner must report to the
legislature by February 15, 2000, on
the success of the program in placing
and retaining participants. This
appropriation is from the workforce
development fund.
Subd. 4. General Support
6,546,000 6,370,000
Summary by Fund
General 1,064,000 1,069,000
Workers'
Compensation 5,482,000 5,301,000
Sec. 12. BUREAU OF MEDIATION SERVICES
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation 2,130,000 2,180,000
The amounts that may be spent from this
appropriation for each program are
specified in the following subdivisions.
Subd. 2. Mediation Services
1,712,000 1,759,000
Subd. 3. Labor Management Cooperation Grants
302,000 302,000
$302,000 each year is for grants to
area labor-management committees. Any
unencumbered balance remaining at the
end of the first year does not cancel
but is available for the second year.
Subd. 4. Office of Dispute Resolution
116,000 119,000
Sec. 13. WORKERS' COMPENSATION
COURT OF APPEALS 1,543,000 1,585,000
This appropriation is from the workers'
compensation fund.
Sec. 14. LABOR INTERPRETIVE
CENTER 200,000 200,000
It is the intention of the legislature
that the Center will increase the
nonstate share of its operating
budget.* (The preceding section was
vetoed by the governor.)
Sec. 15. PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMISSION 3,781,000 3,880,000
Sec. 16. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation 9,604,000 9,814,000
The amounts that may be spent from this
appropriation for each program are
specified in the following subdivisions.
Subd. 2. Telecommunications
962,000 980,000
Subd. 3. Weights and Measures
3,138,000 3,207,000
Subd. 4. Information and Operations
Management
1,584,000 1,627,000
Subd. 5. Energy
3,920,000 4,000,000
$588,000 each year is for transfer to
the energy and conservation account
established in Minnesota Statutes,
section 216B.241, subdivision 2a, for
programs administered by the
commissioner of children, families, and
learning to improve the energy
efficiency of residential oil-fired
heating plants in low-income households
and, when necessary, to provide
weatherization services to the homes.
Sec. 17. MINNESOTA HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation 24,934,000 27,794,000
The amounts that may be spent from this
appropriation for each program are
specified in the following subdivisions.
Subd. 2. Education and
Outreach 12,669,000 12,812,000
$80,000 the first year is for partial
operating expenses at the Northwest Fur
Company Post.
Subd. 3. Preservation and Access
9,318,000 9,479,000
$25,000 the first year and $25,000 the
second year are for historic site
repair and maintenance.
Subd. 4. Information Program
Delivery
2,341,000 2,155,000
Subd. 5. Fiscal Agent
General 606,000 348,000
(a) Sibley House Association
88,000 88,000
This appropriation is available for
operation and maintenance of the Sibley
House and related buildings on the Old
Mendota state historic site operated by
the Sibley House Association.
(b) Minnesota International Center
50,000 50,000
(c) Minnesota Air National
Guard Museum
19,000 -0-
(d) Institute for Learning and
Teaching - Project 120
110,000 110,000
(e) Minnesota Military Museum
29,000 -0-
(f) Farmamerica
100,000 100,000
Notwithstanding any other law, this
appropriation may be used for
operations.
(g) Winona County Historical Society
10,000 -0-
This is a one-time appropriation and is
not added to the agency's budget base.
(h) Historic Building Relocation
100,000
$100,000 is for a grant to the city of
Maplewood for the costs of acquiring
land, developing a site, relocating
certain buildings onto the site, and
renovating the buildings. The
buildings to be acquired, relocated,
and renovated are the home, barn,
granary, and windmill on the Bruentrup
farm site, the last working farm in
Ramsey county. The grant must not be
made until the director of the
Minnesota historical society has
determined that an equal amount in cash
or in-kind has been committed from
nonstate sources and the city of
Maplewood has passed a resolution
approving the project. The
appropriation is available the day
following final enactment and until
June 30, 2000.
(i) Fishing Museum
50,000
$50,000 is for a grant to the city of
Little Falls for planning in connection
with the establishment of a museum of
fishing-related artifacts, equipment,
and memorabilia and an environmental
education center. This appropriation
is available until spent. This is a
one-time appropriation and is not added
to the agency's budget base.
(j) $50,000 is to refurbish the Fridley
historical museum in Fridley. This is
a one-time appropriation and is not
added to the agency's budget base.
(k) Balances Forward
Any unencumbered balance remaining in
this subdivision the first year does
not cancel but is available for the
second year of the biennium.
Sec. 18. MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL
BOARD 162,000 -0-
Sec. 19. COUNCIL ON BLACK
MINNESOTANS 320,000 329,000
$25,000 each year is for expenses
associated with the Dr. Martin Luther
King Day activities.
Sec. 20. COUNCIL ON
CHICANO-LATINO AFFAIRS 314,000 324,000
Sec. 21. COUNCIL ON
ASIAN-PACIFIC MINNESOTANS 277,000 286,000
Sec. 22. INDIAN AFFAIRS
COUNCIL 551,000 567,000
Sec. 23. OFFICE OF STRATEGIC AND
LONG-RANGE PLANNING 161,000 327,000
To assume administrative
responsibilities resulting from the
sunset of the municipal board under
Laws 1997, chapter 202, article 5,
section 8.
Sec. 24. MILITARY AFFAIRS 50,000 50,000
$50,000 the first year and $50,000 the
second year is for the purpose of
coordinating agreements with community
empowerment support groups for the use
of the military training center and
related personnel at Camp Ripley for
providing what are commonly referred to
as "soft skill" job skills training to
people, including those who are
expected to make the transition from
welfare to work. "Soft skills" include
such things as being punctual and
following directions. The adjutant
general may enter into contracts with
other state departments and local
agencies for the purpose of using the
facilities at Camp Ripley and staff to
provide that training. This is a
one-time appropriation and may not be
added to the budget base for the
biennium ending June 30, 2001.
Sec. 25. ADMINISTRATION 20,000 -0-
To the commissioner of administration
for the low-income energy task force
study and report required by article 2,
section 75.
ARTICLE 2
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 45.0295, is
amended to read:
45.0295 [FEES.]
(a) The following fees shall be paid to the commissioner:
(1) for a letter of certification of licensure, $20;
(2) for a license history, $20;
(3) for a duplicate license, $10;
(4) for a change of name or address, $10;
(5) for a temporary license, $10;
(6) for each hour or fraction of one hour of course
approval for continuing education sought, $10; and
(7) (2) for each continuing education course coordinator
approval, $100.
(b) All fees paid to the commissioner under this section
are nonrefundable, except that an overpayment of a fee shall be
returned upon proper application.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 53A.03, is
amended to read:
53A.03 [APPLICATION FOR LICENSE; FEES.]
(a) An application for a license must be in writing, under
oath, and in the form prescribed and furnished by the
commissioner and must contain the following:
(1) the full name and address (both of residence and place
of business) of the applicant, and if the applicant is a
partnership or association, of every member, and the name and
business address if the applicant is a corporation;
(2) the county and municipality, with street and number, if
any, of all currency exchange locations operated by the
applicant; and
(3) the applicant's occupation or profession, for the ten
years immediately preceding the application; present or previous
connection with any other currency exchange in this or any other
state; whether the applicant has ever been convicted of any
crime; and the nature of the applicant's occupancy of the
premises to be licensed; and if the applicant is a partnership
or a corporation, the information specified in this paragraph
must be supplied for each partner and each officer and director
of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership or a
nonpublicly held corporation, the information specified in this
paragraph must be required of each partner and each officer,
director, and stockholders owning in excess of ten percent of
the corporate stock of the corporation.
(b) The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable
fee of $250 $1,000 for the review of the initial application.
Upon approval by the commissioner, an additional license fee
of $50 $500 must be paid by the applicant as an annual license
fee for the remainder of the calendar year. An annual license
fee of $50 $500 is due for each subsequent calendar year of
operation upon submission of a license renewal application on or
before September 1. Fees must be deposited in the state
treasury and credited to the general fund. Upon payment of the
required annual license fee, the commissioner shall issue a
license for the year beginning January 1.
(c) The commissioner shall require the applicant to submit
to a background investigation conducted by the bureau of
criminal apprehension as a condition of licensure. As part of
the background investigation, the bureau of criminal
apprehension shall conduct criminal history checks of Minnesota
records and is authorized to exchange fingerprints with the
Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of a criminal
background check of the national files. The cost of the
investigation must be paid by the applicant.
(d) For purposes of this section, "applicant" includes an
employee who exercises management or policy control over the
company, a director, an officer, a limited or general partner, a
manager, or a shareholder holding more than ten percent of the
outstanding stock of the corporation.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 53A.05,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [NAME OR LOCATION.] If a licensee proposes
to change the name or location of any or all of its currency
exchanges, the licensee shall file an application for approval
of the change with the commissioner. The commissioner shall not
approve a change of location if the requirements of sections
53A.02, subdivision 2, and 53A.04 have not been satisfied. If
the change is approved by the commissioner, the commissioner
shall issue an amended license in the licensee's new name or
location. A $50 $100 fee must be paid for the amended license.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 60A.14,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [FEES OTHER THAN EXAMINATION FEES.] In
addition to the fees and charges provided for examinations, the
following fees must be paid to the commissioner for deposit in
the general fund:
(a) by township mutual fire insurance companies:
(1) for filing certificate of incorporation $25 and
amendments thereto, $10;
(2) for filing annual statements, $15;
(3) for each annual certificate of authority, $15;
(4) for filing bylaws $25 and amendments thereto, $10.
(b) by other domestic and foreign companies including
fraternals and reciprocal exchanges:
(1) for filing certified copy of certificate of articles of
incorporation, $100;
(2) for filing annual statement, $225;
(3) for filing certified copy of amendment to certificate
or articles of incorporation, $100;
(4) for filing bylaws, $75 or amendments thereto, $75;
(5) for each company's certificate of authority, $575,
annually.
(c) the following general fees apply:
(1) for each certificate, including certified copy of
certificate of authority, renewal, valuation of life policies,
corporate condition or qualification, $25;
(2) for each copy of paper on file in the commissioner's
office 50 cents per page, and $2.50 for certifying the same;
(3) for license to procure insurance in unadmitted foreign
companies, $575;
(4) for valuing the policies of life insurance companies,
one cent per $1,000 of insurance so valued, provided that the
fee shall not exceed $13,000 per year for any company. The
commissioner may, in lieu of a valuation of the policies of any
foreign life insurance company admitted, or applying for
admission, to do business in this state, accept a certificate of
valuation from the company's own actuary or from the
commissioner of insurance of the state or territory in which the
company is domiciled;
(5) for receiving and filing certificates of policies by
the company's actuary, or by the commissioner of insurance of
any other state or territory, $50;
(6) for each appointment of an agent filed with the
commissioner, a domestic insurer shall remit $5 and all other
insurers shall remit $3;
(7) for filing forms and rates, $50 $75 per filing;
(8) for annual renewal of surplus lines insurer license,
$300.
The commissioner shall adopt rules to define filings that
are subject to a fee.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 60A.23,
subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. [SELF-INSURANCE OR INSURANCE PLAN ADMINISTRATORS
WHO ARE VENDORS OF RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES.] (1) [SCOPE.] This
subdivision applies to any vendor of risk management services
and to any entity which administers, for compensation, a
self-insurance or insurance plan. This subdivision does not
apply (a) to an insurance company authorized to transact
insurance in this state, as defined by section 60A.06,
subdivision 1, clauses (4) and (5); (b) to a service plan
corporation, as defined by section 62C.02, subdivision 6; (c) to
a health maintenance organization, as defined by section 62D.02,
subdivision 4; (d) to an employer directly operating a
self-insurance plan for its employees' benefits; (e) to an
entity which administers a program of health benefits
established pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement
between an employer, or group or association of employers, and a
union or unions; or (f) to an entity which administers a
self-insurance or insurance plan if a licensed Minnesota insurer
is providing insurance to the plan and if the licensed insurer
has appointed the entity administering the plan as one of its
licensed agents within this state.
(2) [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this subdivision the
following terms have the meanings given them.
(a) "Administering a self-insurance or insurance plan"
means (i) processing, reviewing or paying claims, (ii)
establishing or operating funds and accounts, or (iii) otherwise
providing necessary administrative services in connection with
the operation of a self-insurance or insurance plan.
(b) "Employer" means an employer, as defined by section
62E.02, subdivision 2.
(c) "Entity" means any association, corporation,
partnership, sole proprietorship, trust, or other business
entity engaged in or transacting business in this state.
(d) "Self-insurance or insurance plan" means a plan
providing life, medical or hospital care, accident, sickness or
disability insurance for the benefit of employees or members of
an association, or a plan providing liability coverage for any
other risk or hazard, which is or is not directly insured or
provided by a licensed insurer, service plan corporation, or
health maintenance organization.
(e) "Vendor of risk management services" means an entity
providing for compensation actuarial, financial management,
accounting, legal or other services for the purpose of designing
and establishing a self-insurance or insurance plan for an
employer.
(3) [LICENSE.] No vendor of risk management services or
entity administering a self-insurance or insurance plan may
transact this business in this state unless it is licensed to do
so by the commissioner. An applicant for a license shall state
in writing the type of activities it seeks authorization to
engage in and the type of services it seeks authorization to
provide. The license may be granted only when the commissioner
is satisfied that the entity possesses the necessary
organization, background, expertise, and financial integrity to
supply the services sought to be offered. The commissioner may
issue a license subject to restrictions or limitations upon the
authorization, including the type of services which may be
supplied or the activities which may be engaged in. The license
fee is $500 $1,000 for the initial application and $500 $1,000
for each two-year renewal. All licenses are for a period of two
years.
(4) [REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS; POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONER.]
To assure that self-insurance or insurance plans are financially
solvent, are administered in a fair and equitable fashion, and
are processing claims and paying benefits in a prompt, fair, and
honest manner, vendors of risk management services and entities
administering insurance or self-insurance plans are subject to
the supervision and examination by the commissioner. Vendors of
risk management services, entities administering insurance or
self-insurance plans, and insurance or self-insurance plans
established or operated by them are subject to the trade
practice requirements of sections 72A.19 to 72A.30. In lieu of
an unlimited guarantee from a parent corporation for a vendor of
risk management services or an entity administering insurance or
self-insurance plans, the commissioner may accept a surety bond
in a form satisfactory to the commissioner in an amount equal to
120 percent of the total amount of claims handled by the
applicant in the prior year. If at any time the total amount of
claims handled during a year exceeds the amount upon which the
bond was calculated, the administrator shall immediately notify
the commissioner. The commissioner may require that the bond be
increased accordingly.
(5) [RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.] To carry out the purposes of
this subdivision, the commissioner may adopt rules pursuant to
sections 14.001 to 14.69. These rules may:
(a) establish reporting requirements for administrators of
insurance or self-insurance plans;
(b) establish standards and guidelines to assure the
adequacy of financing, reinsuring, and administration of
insurance or self-insurance plans;
(c) establish bonding requirements or other provisions
assuring the financial integrity of entities administering
insurance or self-insurance plans; or
(d) establish other reasonable requirements to further the
purposes of this subdivision.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 60A.71,
subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. [FEES.] Each applicant for a reinsurance
intermediary license shall pay to the commissioner a fee of
$160 $200 for an initial two-year license and a fee of $120 $150
for each renewal. Applications shall be submitted on forms
prescribed by the commissioner.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 60K.06, is
amended to read:
60K.06 [FEES.]
Subdivision 1. [RENEWAL FEES.] (a) Each agent licensed
pursuant to section 60K.03 shall pay in accordance with the
procedure adopted by the commissioner a renewal fee as
prescribed by subdivision 2.
(b) Every agent, corporation, limited liability company,
and partnership renewal license is valid for a period of 24
months. The commissioner may stagger the implementation of the
24-month licensing program so that approximately one-half of the
licenses will expire on October 31 of each even-numbered year
and the other half on October 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Those licensees who will receive a 12-month license on November
1, 1994, because of the staggered implementation schedule, will
pay for the license a fee reduced by an amount equal to one-half
the fee for renewal of the license.
(c) Persons whose applications have been properly and
timely filed who have not received notice of denial of renewal
are approved for renewal and may continue to transact business
whether or not the renewed license has been received on or
before November 1. Applications for renewal of a license are
timely filed if received by the commissioner on or before
October 15 of the year due, on forms duly executed and
accompanied by appropriate fees. An application mailed is
considered timely filed if addressed to the commissioner, with
proper postage, and postmarked by October 15.
Subd. 2. [LICENSING FEES.] (a) In addition to the fees and
charges provided for examinations, each agent licensed pursuant
to section 60K.03 shall pay to the commissioner:
(1) a fee of $60 $80 per license for an initial license
issued to an individual agent, and a fee of $60 $80 for each
renewal;
(2) a fee of $160 $200 for an initial license issued to a
partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, and a
fee of $120 $150 for each renewal;
(3) a fee of $75 for an initial amendment (variable
annuity) to a license, and a fee of $50 for each renewal; and
(4) a fee of $500 for an initial surplus lines agent's
license, and a fee of $500 for each renewal.
(b) Persons whose applications have been properly and
timely filed who have not received notice of denial of renewal
are approved for renewal and may continue to transact business
whether or not the renewed license has been received on or
before November 1 of the renewal year. Applications for renewal
of a license are timely filed if received by the commissioner on
or before the 15th day preceding the license renewal date of the
applicant on forms duly executed and accompanied by appropriate
fees. An application mailed is considered timely filed if
addressed to the commissioner, with proper postage, and
postmarked on or before the 15th day preceding the licensing
renewal date of the applicant.
(c) Initial licenses issued under this section must be
valid for a period not to exceed two years. The commissioner
shall assign an expiration date to each initial license so that
approximately one-half of all licenses expire each year. Each
initial license must expire on October 31 of the expiration year
assigned by the commissioner.
(d) All fees shall be retained by the commissioner and are
nonreturnable, except that an overpayment of any fee must be
refunded upon proper application.
Subd. 3. [INITIAL LICENSE EXPIRATION; FEE REDUCTION.] If
an initial license issued under subdivision 2, paragraph (a),
expires less than 12 months after issuance, the license fee must
be reduced by an amount equal to one-half the fee for a renewal
of the license.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 65B.48,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Self-insurance, subject to approval of the
commissioner, is effected by filing with the commissioner in
satisfactory form:
(1) a continuing undertaking by the owner or other
appropriate person to pay tort liabilities or basic economic
loss benefits, or both, and to perform all other obligations
imposed by sections 65B.41 to 65B.71;
(2) evidence that appropriate provision exists for prompt
administration of all claims, benefits, and obligations provided
by sections 65B.41 to 65B.71;
(3) evidence that reliable financial arrangements,
deposits, or commitments exist providing assurance,
substantially equivalent to that afforded by a policy of
insurance complying with sections 65B.41 to 65B.71, for payment
of tort liabilities, basic economic loss benefits, and all other
obligations imposed by sections 65B.41 to 65B.71; and
(4) a nonrefundable initial application fee of $500 $1,500
and an annual renewal fee of $100 $400 for political
subdivisions and $250 $500 for nonpolitical entities.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 70A.14,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [DURATION.] Licenses issued pursuant to this
section shall remain in effect until the licensee withdraws from
the state or until the license is suspended or revoked. The fee
for each license shall be $1,000 $3,000, payable every three
years.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 72B.04,
subdivision 10, is amended to read:
Subd. 10. [FEES.] A fee of $40 $80 is imposed for each
initial license or temporary permit and $25 $80 for each renewal
thereof or amendment thereto. A fee of $20 is imposed for the
registration of each nonlicensed adjuster who is required to
register under section 72B.06. All fees shall be transmitted to
the commissioner and shall be payable to the state treasurer.
If a fee is paid for an examination and if within one year from
the date of that payment no written request for a refund is
received by the commissioner or the examination for which the
fee was paid is not taken, the fee is forfeited to the state of
Minnesota.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 79.255,
subdivision 10, is amended to read:
Subd. 10. [FEE.] A registration or exemption certificate
fee of $50 $100 shall be paid.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 82A.08,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [FEE.] Every annual report filed pursuant to this
section shall be accompanied by a fee of $100 $500.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 82A.16,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [FEE AND CONTENTS.] A salesperson or broker may
apply for a license by filing a fee of $25 $50 and an
application with the commissioner which includes the following
information:
(1) the applicant's name, age, residence address, and, in
the case of a salesperson, the name and place of business of the
membership camping operator or broker on whose behalf the
salesperson will be acting;
(2) the applicant's date and place of birth;
(3) a statement whether or not the applicant within the
past ten years has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony
involving theft, fraud, or dishonesty or whether or not the
applicant within the past ten years has been enjoined from, had
any civil penalty assessed for, or been found to have engaged in
any violation of any securities, land sales, camping, or
consumer protection statutes;
(4) a statement whether or not the applicant is named as a
defendant in a pending criminal indictment or proceeding
involving fraud, theft, or dishonesty or is a defendant in a
pending lawsuit arising out of alleged violations of securities,
land sales, camping, or consumer protection statutes. A copy of
the charge, complaint, or lawsuit shall be provided to the
commissioner;
(5) a statement describing the applicant's employment
history for the past five years and whether or not any
termination of employment during the last five years was
occasioned by a theft, fraud, or act of dishonesty;
(6) an affidavit certifying that the applicant is
knowledgeable concerning the provisions of this section and
sections 82A.05, 82A.13, and 82A.14, and any rules adopted under
those sections;
(7) a statement whether or not the applicant has ever been
licensed by this state or its political subdivisions to engage
in any other business or profession; whether any such license
has been denied, suspended, or revoked and, if so, the
circumstances of the denial, suspension, or revocation;
(8) such other information as the commissioner may
reasonably deem necessary to administer the provisions of
sections 82A.01 to 82A.26, by rule or order.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 82A.16,
subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. [RENEWAL.] The license of a salesperson and
broker shall be renewed annually by the filing of a form
prescribed by the commissioner and payment of a fee of $10 $25.
Sec. 15. [82B.201] [CRIMINAL PENALTY.]
A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and may be
sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or to
payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both, if the
person:
(1) violates section 82B.20, subdivision 2, clause (4);
(2) performs unlicensed activities, if a license is
required under this chapter; or
(3) violates any order issued by the commissioner related
to conduct prohibited by clause (1).
Sec. 16. [116J.036] [DEPARTMENT MAY NOT OPERATE AS TRAVEL
AGENCY.]
The department may not operate or provide a travel
reservation system in competition with private sector travel
agents, but may make referrals to private sector travel agents.
Sec. 17. [116J.037] [CERTIFICATION OF
ELECTRONIC-COMMERCE-READY CITIES AND COUNTIES.]
A county or statutory or home rule charter city of
Minnesota shall be designated an electronic-commerce-ready city
or county by the department of trade and economic development
and may be annually recertified as an electronic-commerce-ready
city or county if it:
(1) has formed effective public-private partnerships with
communication providers, the business community, banks, schools,
health care, government, and nonprofit social and service
organizations to become electronic commerce ready;
(2) makes available training and continuing education to
develop an electronic-commerce-ready workforce;
(3) develops a plan for electronic commerce readiness that
reflects resource integration across economic and government
sectors, including current and future investments by business,
government, education, and health care to achieve cooperative
community and economic development benefits;
(4) uses local funding sources to catalyze and sustain
information technology investments to adapt to new business
priorities as electronic commerce grows; and
(5) maintains public access sites to ensure access to
electronic commerce applications and community networking tools,
such as electronic mail.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.415,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [LOAN CRITERIA.] The following criteria apply to
loans made under the challenge grant program:
(1) loans must be made to businesses that are not likely to
undertake a project for which loans are sought without
assistance from the challenge grant program;
(2) a loan must be used for a project designed principally
to benefit low-income persons through the creation of job or
business opportunities for them;
(3) the minimum loan is $5,000 and the maximum
is $100,000 $200,000;
(4) a loan may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of
an individual project;
(5) a loan may not be used for a retail development
project; and
(6) a business applying for a loan, except a
microenterprise loan under subdivision 6, must be sponsored by a
resolution of the governing body of the local governmental unit
within whose jurisdiction the project is located.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.421,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [GOVERNANCE.] The center is governed by a board
of directors appointed to six-year terms by the governor
comprised of:
(1) a representative from each of the two largest statewide
general farm organizations;
(2) a representative from a regional initiative
organization selected under section 116J.415, subdivision 3;
(3) the president of Mankato State University;
(4) a representative from the general public residing in a
town of less than 5,000 located outside of the metropolitan
area;
(5) a member of the house of representatives appointed by
the speaker of the house and a member of the senate appointed by
the subcommittee on committees of the senate committee on rules
and administration appointed for two-year terms;
(6) three representatives from business, including one
representing rural manufacturing and one rural retail and
service business;
(7) three representatives from private foundations with a
demonstrated commitment to rural issues;
(8) one representative from a rural county government; and
(9) one representative from a rural regional government.
The board shall appoint one additional member to the board
of directors who shall represent the general public.
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.421,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [DUTIES.] The center shall:
(1) research and identify present and emerging social and
economic issues for rural Minnesota, including health care,
transportation, crime, housing, and job training;
(2) forge alliances and partnerships with rural communities
to find practical solutions to economic and social problems;
(3) provide a resource center for rural communities on
issues of importance to them;
(4) encourage collaboration across higher education
institutions to provide interdisciplinary team approaches to
problem solving with rural communities; and
(5) involve students in center projects.
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.421, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6. [USE OF APPROPRIATION.] State appropriations to
the board, whether from the general fund or the rural policy and
development fund, may, at the discretion of the board, be
expended for administration of the center and to carry out its
duties under this section or under other law.
Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.421, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 7. [BOARD COMPENSATION.] Compensation and expense
reimbursement of board members is as provided in section
15.0575, subdivision 3.
Sec. 23. [116J.423] [MINNESOTA MINERALS 21ST CENTURY
FUND.]
Subdivision 1. [CREATED.] The Minnesota minerals 21st
century fund is created as a separate account in the treasury.
Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of
trade and economic development for the purposes of this
section. All money earned by the account, loan repayments of
principal and interest, and earnings on investments must be
credited to the account. For the purpose of this section,
"fund" means the Minnesota minerals 21st century fund. The
commissioner shall operate the account as a revolving account.
Subd. 2. [USE OF FUND.] The commissioner shall use money
in the fund to make loans or equity investments in mineral
processing facilities including, but not limited to, taconite
processing, direct reduction processing, and steel production.
The commissioner must, prior to making any loans or equity
investments and after consultation with industry and public
officials, develop a strategy for making loans and equity
investments that assists the Minnesota mineral industry in
becoming globally competitive. Money in the fund may also be
used to pay for the costs of carrying out the commissioner's due
diligence duties under this section.
Subd. 3. [REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO COMMITTING FUNDS.] The
commissioner, prior to making a commitment for a loan or equity
investment must, at a minimum, conduct due diligence research
regarding the proposed loan or equity investment, including
contracting with professionals as needed to assist in the due
diligence.
Subd. 4. [REQUIREMENTS FOR FUND DISBURSEMENTS.] The
commissioner may make conditional commitments for loans or
equity investments but disbursements of funds pursuant to a
commitment may not be made until commitments for the remainder
of a project's funding are made that are satisfactory to the
commissioner and disbursements made from the other commitments
sufficient to protect the interests of the state in its loan or
investment.
Subd. 5. [COMPANY CONTRIBUTION.] The commissioner may
provide loans or equity investments that match, in a proportion
determined by the commissioner, an investment made by the owner
of a facility.
Sec. 24. [116J.424] [IRRRB CONTRIBUTION.]
The commissioner of the iron range resources and
rehabilitation board with approval of the board shall provide an
equal match for any loan or equity investment made for a
facility located in the tax relief area defined in section
273.134 by the Minnesota minerals 21st century fund created by
section 116J.423. The match may be in the form of a loan or
equity investment, notwithstanding whether the fund makes a loan
or equity investment. The state shall not acquire an equity
interest because of an equity investment or loan by the board
and the board at its sole discretion shall decide what interest
it acquires in a project. The commissioner of trade and
economic development may require a commitment from the board to
make the match prior to disbursing money from the fund.
Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.63,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. The office of tourism may market tourism-related
publications, trade, and media promotional material promotion
and advertising programs and information distribution to
businesses and organizations. The proceeds from the marketing
must be placed in a special account revenue accounts and are
appropriated to the commissioner to prepare and distribute the
office's publications and media promotional materials implement
the programs for which the revenue is collected.
Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.8745,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; LOAN
ADMINISTRATION.] The commissioner of trade and economic
development shall make grants to nonprofit organizations to
provide technical assistance to individuals with entrepreneurial
plans that require microenterprise loans in an amount ranging
from approximately $1,000 to $25,000, and for loan
administration costs related to those microenterprise loans.
Microenterprise is a small business which employs under five
employees plus the owner and requires under $25,000 to start to
support the startup and growth of self-employment and
microbusinesses. Eligible businesses are microenterprises
employing under five people plus the owner and requiring under
$25,000 or no capital to start or expand the business.
Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.8745,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [GRANT ELIGIBILITY AND ALLOCATION.] Nonprofit
organizations must apply for grants under this section following
procedures established by the commissioner. To be eligible for
a grant, an organization must demonstrate to the commissioner
that it has the appropriate expertise. The commissioner shall
give preference for grants to organizations that target
nontraditional entrepreneurs such as women, members of a
minority, low-income individuals, or persons seeking work who
are currently on or recently removed from welfare assistance.
An application must include:
(1) the local need for microenterprise support;
(2) proposed criteria for business eligibility;
(3) proposals for identifying and serving eligible
businesses;
(4) a description of technical assistance to be provided to
eligible businesses;
(5) proposals to coordinate technical assistance with
financial assistance; and
(6) a demonstration of ability to collaborate with other
agencies including educational and financial institutions; and
(7) project goals identifying the number of eligible
businesses to be assisted with the state funds awarded under the
grant.
Sec. 28. [116J.9665] [WORLD TRADE CENTER.]
Subdivision 1. [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this
section, the following terms have the meaning given them:
(1) "Conference and service center" means the approximately
20,000 square feet of space on the third and fourth floors of
the Minnesota world trade center that the state of Minnesota has
the right to possess, occupy, and use subject to the terms and
conditions of the development agreement.
(2) "Development agreement" means the agreement entered
into by and between the world trade center board, as agent of
the state of Minnesota, and Oxford Development Minnesota, Inc.
dated July 27, 1984, and the amendments to that agreement, for
development and construction of a world trade center at a
designated site in Minnesota.
(3) "Minnesota world trade center" means the facility
constructed in accordance with the development agreement or
other facilities meeting the membership requirements of the
World Trade Centers Association.
Subd. 2. [GENERALLY.] The commissioner shall facilitate
and support Minnesota world trade center programs and services
and promote the Minnesota world trade center. These activities
are not subject to chapters 14, 16A, 16B, and 16C.
Subd. 3. [POWERS.] In furtherance of the goals set forth
in subdivision 2, and in addition to the powers granted by
sections 116J.035 and 116J.966, the commissioner may:
(1) define, formulate, administer, and deliver programs and
services through the world trade center;
(2) set and collect fees for services and programs;
(3) adopt membership requirements for an association of
members of the Minnesota world trade center;
(4) participate jointly with private persons, firms,
corporations, or organizations or with public entities in
appropriate programs or projects and enter into contracts to
spend money to carry out those programs or projects;
(5) enter into contracts or agreements with a federal or
state agency, individual, business entity, or other
organization;
(6) acquire and dispose of real property or an interest in
real property; and
(7) hold and maintain membership for the Minnesota world
trade center in the World Trade Centers Association.
Subd. 4. [DUTIES.] The commissioner shall:
(1) promote and market the Minnesota world trade center and
membership in the World Trade Center Association;
(2) sponsor conferences or other promotional events in the
conference and service center;
(3) sponsor, develop, and conduct educational programs
related to international trade;
(4) establish and maintain an office in the Minnesota world
trade center; and
(5) not duplicate programs or services provided by the
commissioner of agriculture.
Subd. 5. [PROMOTIONAL EXPENSES.] The commissioner may
expend money to carry out this section. Promotional expenses
include, but are not limited to, expenses for the food, lodging,
and travel of consultants and speakers, and publications and
other forms of advertising.
Subd. 6. [WORLD TRADE CENTER ACCOUNT.] The world trade
center account is in the special revenue fund. All money
received from the use of the conference and service center or
appropriated under this section must be deposited in the
account. Money in the account including interest earned is
appropriated to the commissioner and must be used exclusively
for the purposes of this section.
Subd. 7. [SERVICE INFORMATION; CLASSIFICATION OF DATA.] (a)
Service information, including databases, purchased by the
commissioner or developed by the commissioner for sale pursuant
to this section, is not subject to chapter 13.
(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "business transaction"
means a transaction between parties other than the
commissioner. The following data received or developed by the
commissioner is private with respect to data on individuals and
nonpublic with respect to data not on individuals:
(1) data relating to the financial condition of individuals
or businesses receiving or performing services by or on behalf
of the commissioner in furtherance of this section;
(2) at the request of either party to the transaction data
on business transactions; and
(3) at the request of the person or business seeking the
information, the identities of persons or businesses requesting
business or trade information from the commissioner, and the
nature of the trade information.
Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116L.03,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [TERMS.] The terms of appointed members shall be
for four years except for the initial appointments. The initial
appointments of the governor shall have the following terms:
two members each for one, two, three, and four years.
Compensation for board members is as provided in section
15.0575, subdivision 3.
Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116L.04,
subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. [PATHWAYS PROGRAM.] The pathways program may
provide grants-in-aid for developing programs which assist in
the transition of persons from welfare to work. The program is
to be operated by the board. The board shall consult and
coordinate with the Job Training Partnership Act, Title II-A,
program administrators at the department of economic security to
design and provide services for temporary assistance for needy
families recipients.
Pathways grants-in-aid may be awarded to educational or
other nonprofit training institutions for education and training
programs that serve public assistance recipients transitioning
from public assistance to employment.
Preference shall be given to projects that:
(1) provide employment with benefits paid to employees;
(2) provide employment where there are defined career paths
for trainees;
(3) pilot the development of an educational pathway that
can be used on a continuing basis for transitioning persons from
public assistance directly to work; and
(4) demonstrate the active participation of department of
economic security workforce centers, Minnesota state college and
university institutions and other educational institutions, and
local welfare agencies.
Pathways projects must demonstrate the active involvement
and financial commitment of private business. Pathways projects
must be matched with cash or in-kind contributions on at least a
one-to-one ratio by participating private business.
A single grant to any one institution shall not exceed
$200,000 $400,000.
The board shall annually, by March 31, report to the
commissioners of economic security and trade and economic
development on pathways programs, including the number of public
assistance recipients participating in the program, the number
of participants placed in employment, the salary and benefits
they receive, and the state program costs per participant.
Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116L.06,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [LOAN TERMS.] Loans may be secured or unsecured,
shall be for a term of no more than two five years, and shall
bear no interest. The maximum amount of a loan is $250,000. A
loan origination fee of up to two percent of the principal of
the loan may be charged. An employer may have only one
outstanding loan. The loans shall contain such other standard
commercial loan terms as the board deems appropriate.
Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 175.17, is
amended to read:
175.17 [POWERS AND DUTIES, COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY.]
(1) The commissioner shall administer the laws relating to
workers' compensation and the laws governing employees of the
state, a county, or other governmental subdivisions who contract
tuberculosis;
(2) The commissioner shall adopt reasonable and proper
rules governing rules of practice before the workers'
compensation division in matters which are not before a
compensation judge;
(3) The commissioner shall collect, collate, and publish
statistical and other information relating to work under the
department's jurisdiction and make public reports the
commissioner judges necessary, including such other reports as
may be required by law;
(4) The commissioner shall establish and maintain branch
offices as needed for the conduct of the affairs of the workers'
compensation division;
(5) The commissioner may:
(i) apply for, receive, and spend money received from
federal, municipal, county, regional, and other government
agencies and private sources; and
(ii) apply for, accept, and disburse grants and other aids
from public and private sources.
Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 176.181,
subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
Subd. 2a. [APPLICATION FEE.] Every initial application
filed pursuant to subdivision 2 requesting authority to
self-insure shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of
$2,500 $4,000. When an employer seeks to be added as a member
of an existing approved group under section 79A.03, subdivision
6, the proposed new member shall pay a nonrefundable $250 $400
application fee to the commissioner at the time of application.
Each annual report due August 1 under section 79A.03,
subdivision 9, shall be accompanied by an annual fee
of $200 $500.
Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 216C.41,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [DEFINITIONS.] (a) The definitions in this
subdivision apply to this section.
(b) "Qualified hydroelectric facility" means a
hydroelectric generating facility in this state that:
(1) is located at the site of a dam, if the dam was in
existence as of March 31, 1994; and
(2) begins generating electricity after July 1, 1994.
(c) "Qualified wind energy conversion facility" means a
wind energy conversion system that:
(1) produces two megawatts or less of electricity as
measured by nameplate rating and begins generating electricity
after June 30, 1997, and before July 1, 1999; or
(2) begins generating electricity after June 30, 1999,
produces two megawatts or less of electricity as measured by
nameplate rating, and is:
(i) located within one county and owned by a natural person
who owns the land where the facility is sited;
(ii) owned by a Minnesota small business as defined in
section 645.445;
(iii) owned by a nonprofit organization; or
(iv) owned by a tribal council if the facility is located
within the boundaries of the reservation; or
(3) begins generating electricity after June 30, 1999,
produces seven megawatts or less of electricity as measured by
nameplate rating, and:
(i) is owned by a cooperative organized under chapter 308A;
and
(ii) all shares and membership in the cooperative are held
by natural persons or estates, at least 51 percent of whom
reside in a county or contiguous to a county where the wind
energy production facilities of the cooperative are located.
Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 216C.41,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [INCENTIVE PAYMENT.] Incentive payments shall be
made according to this section to the owner or operator of a
qualified hydropower facility or qualified wind energy
conversion facility for electric energy generated and sold by
the facility or, for a publicly owned hydropower facility, for
electric energy that is generated by the facility and used by
the owner of the facility outside the facility. Payment may
only be made upon receipt by the commissioner of finance of an
incentive payment application that establishes that the
applicant is eligible to receive an incentive payment and that
satisfies other requirements the commissioner deems necessary.
The application shall be in a form and submitted at a time the
commissioner establishes. There is annually appropriated from
the general fund sums sufficient to make the payments required
under this section.
Sec. 36. [245.4705] [EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES AND
PROGRAMS.]
The commissioner of human services shall cooperate with the
commissioner of economic security in the operation of a
statewide system, as provided in section 268A.14, to reimburse
providers for employment support services for persons with
mental illness.
Sec. 37. [268.368] [YOUTHBUILD TECH.]
Subdivision 1. [GENERALLY.] A pilot program is established
within the department to make grants to eligible organizations
for programs which are available to students who have completed
at least four months in a program funded under section 268.362.
Programs funded under this section must provide participants
with the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain entry-level
jobs in the computer industry, including core computer classes
and job-specific education.
Subd. 2. [GRANTS.] The provisions of section 268.361;
268.362, subdivision 2; 268.3625; and 268.366 shall apply to
grants under this section.
Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 268.666, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 5. [INTERPRETER.] Workforce centers in areas that
have a significant number of residents for whom English is not
the primary language must attempt to provide outreach services
to those residents.
Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 268.98,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [COST LIMITATIONS.] (a) For purposes of sections
268.9781 and 268.9782, funds allocated to a grantee are subject
to the following limitations:
(1) a maximum of 15 percent for administration in a worker
adjustment services plan and ten percent in a dislocation event
services grant;
(2) a minimum of 50 percent for provision of training
assistance;
(3) a minimum of ten percent and maximum of 30 percent for
provision of support services; and no more than ten percent
statewide may be allocated annually for support services, as
defined in section 268.975, subdivision 13; and
(4) the balance used for provision of basic readjustment
assistance.
(b) A waiver of the cost limitation on providing training
assistance may be requested. The waiver may not permit less
than 30 percent of the funds be spent on training assistance.
(c) The commissioner shall prescribe the form and manner
for submission of an application for a waiver under paragraph
(b). Criteria for granting a waiver shall be established by the
commissioner in consultation with the workforce development
council.
Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 268A.13, is
amended to read:
268A.13 [EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH
MENTAL ILLNESS.]
The commissioner of economic security, in cooperation with
the commissioner of human services, shall develop a statewide
program of grants as outlined in section 268A.14 to provide
services for persons with mental illness in supported
employment. Projects funded under this section must: (1)
assist persons with mental illness in obtaining and retaining
employment; (2) emphasize individual community placements for
clients; (3) ensure interagency collaboration at the local level
between vocational rehabilitation field offices, county service
agencies, community support programs operating under the
authority of section 245.4712, and community rehabilitation
providers, in assisting clients; and (4) involve clients in the
planning, development, oversight, and delivery of support
services. Project funds may not be used to provide services in
segregated settings such as the center-based employment
subprograms as defined in section 268A.01.
The commissioner of economic security, in consultation with
the commissioner of human services, shall develop a request for
proposals which is consistent with the requirements of this
section and section 268A.14 and which specifies the types of
services that must be provided by grantees. Projects shall be
funded for state fiscal year 1995 and Priority for funding shall
be given to organizations with experience in developing
innovative employment support services for persons with mental
illness. Each applicant for funds under this section shall
submit an evaluation protocol as part of the grant application.
Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 268A.14, is
amended to read:
268A.14 [PLAN FOR A STATEWIDE REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM FOR
EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES.]
Subdivision 1. [EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS.]
The commissioner of economic security, in cooperation with the
commissioner of human services, shall develop a detailed plan
for establishing operate a statewide system to reimburse
providers for employment support services for persons with
mental illness. The plan must include the following: (1)
protocols for certifying eligible providers; (2) standards for
determining client eligibility for the service; (3) a list of
reimbursable services with the proposed reimbursement level for
each service; and (4) a description of the systems, including
necessary computer systems, that will be used by the state
agency for payment of reimbursement to eligible providers. The
plan must also include projected total biennial costs for the
new reimbursement system, recommendations on the nature of
appeal rights which shall be provided to clients and providers,
and recommendations on the necessity for agency rulemaking prior
to implementation of the new reimbursement system. The system
shall be operated to support employment programs and services
where:
(1) services provided are readily accessible to all persons
with mental illness so they can make progress toward economic
self-sufficiency;
(2) services provided are made an integral part of all
treatment and rehabilitation programs for persons with mental
illness to ensure that they have the ability and opportunity to
consider a variety of work options;
(3) programs help persons with mental illness form long
range plans for employment that fit their skills and abilities
by ensuring that ongoing support, crisis management, placement,
and career planning services are available;
(4) services provided give persons with mental illness the
information needed to make informed choices about employment
expectations and options, including information on the types of
employment available in the local community, the types of
employment services available, the impact of employment on
eligibility for governmental benefits, and career options;
(5) programs assess whether persons with mental illness
being serviced are satisfied with the services and outcomes.
Satisfaction assessments shall address at least whether persons
like their jobs, whether quality of life is improved, whether
potential for advancement exists, and whether there are adequate
support services in place;
(6) programs encourage persons with mental illness being
served to be involved in employment support services issues by
allowing them to participate in the development of individual
rehabilitation plans and to serve on boards, committees, task
forces, and review bodies that shape employment services
policies and that award grants, and by encouraging and helping
them to establish and participate in self-help and consumer
advocacy groups;
(7) programs encourage employers to expand employment
opportunities for persons with mental illness and, to maximize
the hiring of persons with mental illness, educate employers
about the needs and abilities of persons with mental illness and
the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act;
(8) programs encourage persons with mental illness,
vocational rehabilitation professionals, and mental health
professionals to learn more about current work incentive
provisions in governmental benefits programs;
(9) programs establish and maintain linkages with a wide
range of other programs and services, including educational
programs, housing programs, economic assistance services,
community support services, and clinical services to ensure that
persons with mental illness can obtain and maintain employment;
(10) programs participate in ongoing training across
agencies and service delivery systems so that providers in human
services systems understand their respective roles, rules, and
responsibilities and understand the options that exist for
providing employment and community support services to persons
with mental illness; and
(11) programs work with local communities to expand system
capacity to provide access to employment services to all persons
with mental illness who want them.
Subd. 2. [REPORT.] Before preparing a biennial budget
request, the commissioner of economic security, in cooperation
with the commissioner of human services, must report on the
status and evaluation of the grants currently funded under
section 268A.14 to the chairs of the policy and finance
committees of the legislature having jurisdiction. The report
must also include a determination of the unmet needs of persons
with mental illness who require employment services and provide
recommendations to expand the program to meet the identified
needs.
Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 298.22,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION BOARD.]
There is hereby created the iron range resources and
rehabilitation board, consisting of 11 13 members, five of whom
are state senators appointed by the subcommittee on committees
of the rules committee of the senate, and five of whom are
representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives. The remaining members shall be appointed one
each by the senate majority leader, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the governor and must be nonlegislators who
reside in a tax relief area as defined in section 273.134. The
members shall be appointed in January of every odd-numbered
year, except that the initial nonlegislator members shall be
appointed by July 1, 1999, and shall serve until January of the
next odd-numbered year. The 11th member of the board is the
commissioner of natural resources. Vacancies on the board shall
be filled in the same manner as the original members were
chosen. At least a majority of the legislative members of the
board shall be elected from state senatorial or legislative
districts in which over 50 percent of the residents reside
within a tax relief area as defined in section 273.134. All
expenditures and projects made by the commissioner of iron range
resources and rehabilitation shall first be submitted to the
iron range resources and rehabilitation board for approval by at
least eight board members a majority of the board of
expenditures and projects for rehabilitation purposes as
provided by this section, and the method, manner, and time of
payment of all funds proposed to be disbursed shall be first
approved or disapproved by the board. The board shall
biennially make its report to the governor and the legislature
on or before November 15 of each even-numbered year. The
expenses of the board shall be paid by the state from the funds
raised pursuant to this section.
Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 298.22,
subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. [EQUITY PRIVATE ENTITY PARTICIPATION.] The board
may acquire an equity interest in any project for which it
provides funding. The commissioner may establish, participate
in the management of, and dispose of the assets of charitable
foundations and nonprofit corporations associated with any
project for which it provides funding, including specifically,
but without limitation, a corporation within the meaning of
section 317A.011, subdivision 6.
Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 298.2213,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [PROJECT APPROVAL.] The board shall by August 1
each year prepare a list of projects to be funded from the money
appropriated in this section with necessary supporting
information including descriptions of the projects, plans, and
cost estimates. A project must not be approved by the board
unless it finds that:
(1) the project will materially assist, directly or
indirectly, the creation of additional long-term employment
opportunities;
(2) the prospective benefits of the expenditure exceed the
anticipated costs; and
(3) in the case of assistance to private enterprise, the
project will serve a sound business purpose.
To be proposed by the board, a project must be approved by
at least eight a majority of the iron range resources and
rehabilitation board members and the commissioner of iron range
resources and rehabilitation. The list of projects must be
submitted to the governor, who shall, by November 15 of each
year, approve, disapprove, or return for further consideration,
each project. The money for a project may be spent only upon
approval of the project by the governor. The board may submit
supplemental projects for approval at any time.
Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 298.223,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [ADMINISTRATION.] The taconite environmental
protection fund shall be administered by the commissioner of the
iron range resources and rehabilitation board. The commissioner
shall by September 1 of each year submit to the board a list of
projects to be funded from the taconite environmental protection
fund, with such supporting information including description of
the projects, plans, and cost estimates as may be necessary.
Upon approval by at least eight a majority of the members of the
iron range resources and rehabilitation board, this list shall
be submitted to the governor by November 1 of each year. By
December 1 of each year, the governor shall approve or
disapprove, or return for further consideration, each project.
Funds for a project may be expended only upon approval of the
project by the board and governor. The commissioner may submit
supplemental projects to the board and governor for approval at
any time.
Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 326.86,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [LICENSING FEE.] The licensing fee for
persons licensed pursuant to sections 326.83 to 326.991
is $75 $100 per year. The commissioner may adjust the fees
under section 16A.1285 to recover the costs of administration
and enforcement. The fees must be limited to the cost of
license administration and enforcement and must be deposited in
the state treasury and credited to the general fund.
Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.79,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [ADMINISTRATION.] The board of county
commissioners shall administer the program and funds and bond
for projects in this section either as a county board or a
housing and redevelopment authority. The board of county
commissioners may acquire property in connection with the
project known as the Humboldt Avenue Greenway from projects in
this section with any funds under its control. Any sale, lease,
or development of such property by the board of county
commissioners shall be conducted in accordance with section
469.029.
Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 446A.072,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [FUNDING LEVEL.] (a) The authority shall provide
supplemental assistance for essential project component costs as
certified by the commissioner of the pollution control agency
under section 116.182, subdivision 4.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), a municipality may
not receive more than $4,000,000 under this section unless
specifically approved by law. If a project would be eligible
for more than $4,000,000 under paragraph (e), the authority
shall include a description of the project and the financing
plan in its report on needs in subdivision 11.
(c) A sanitary district or multijurisdictional wastewater
treatment district may receive an additional $1,000,000 for each
municipality participating up to a maximum grant of $8,000,000,
unless a higher amount is specifically approved by law. If a
project would be eligible for more than $8,000,000 under
paragraph (e), the authority shall include a description of the
project and the financing plan in its report on needs in
subdivision 11.
(d) The authority shall provide supplemental assistance for
up to one-half of the eligible grant funding level determined by
the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development
funding for projects listed on the agency's project priority
list, in priority order. For municipalities that are not
eligible for United States Department of Agriculture Rural
Development funding for wastewater, the authority shall provide
supplemental assistance for: (1) essential project component
costs calculated by first determining the amount needed to
reduce a municipality's annual residential sewer costs to 1.4
percent of the municipality's median household income or $25 per
month per household, whichever is greater, and then multiplying
that amount by 80 percent to determine the actual award amount
to supplement loans under section 446A.07; and (2) up to 50
percent of the incremental costs specifically identified by the
agency as being attributable to more stringent wastewater
standards required to protect outstanding resource value waters
or outstanding international resource value waters.
(d) (e) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), in the event that a
municipality's monthly residential sewer service charges average
above $50, the authority will provide 90 percent of the grant
amount needed to reduce the average monthly sewer service charge
to $50, provided the project is ranked in the top 50 percentile
of the agency's intended use plan.
(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), a
municipality with an annual median household income of $40,000
or greater shall not be eligible for a grant, except for
incremental costs specifically identified by the agency as being
attributable to more stringent wastewater standards required to
protect outstanding resource value waters or outstanding
international resource value waters.
(f) The authority shall provide supplemental assistance to
a municipality that would not otherwise qualify for supplemental
assistance if:
(1) the municipality voluntarily accepts a sewer connection
from another governmental unit to serve residential, industrial,
or commercial developments that were completed before March 1,
1996, or are on lots whose plats were recorded before that date;
and
(2) fees charged by the municipality for the connection
must take into account state and federal grants used by the
municipality for the construction of the treatment plant.
The amount of supplemental assistance under this paragraph must
be sufficient to reduce debt service payments under section
446A.07 to an extent equivalent to a zero percent loan in an
amount up to the other governmental unit's project costs
necessary for connection. Eligibility for supplemental
assistance under this paragraph ends three years after the
agency certifies that the connection has met the operational
performance standards established by the agency.
Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 462A.20,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [WHICH MONEY IN FUND.] There shall be paid into
the housing development fund:
(a) Any moneys appropriated and made available by the state
for the purposes of the fund;
(b) Any moneys which the agency receives in repayment of
advances made from the fund;
(c) Any other moneys which may be made available to the
agency for the purpose of the fund from any other source or
sources;
(d) All fees and charges collected by the agency;
(e) All interest or other income not required by the
provisions of a resolution or indenture securing notes or bonds
to be paid into another special fund; but the agency shall not
expend money for its cost of general administration of agency
programs in any fiscal year in excess of such limit for such
fiscal year as may be established by law. "Cost of general
administration of agency programs" does not include debt
service, amortization of deferred financing costs, loan
origination costs, professional and other contractual services,
any deposit or expenditure required to be made by the provisions
of a bond or note resolution or indenture, or any deposit or
expenditure made to preserve the security for the bonds or notes.
Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 462A.20, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3. [OPERATING COSTS REPORT.] On or before February
15 of each year, the agency shall deliver a report to the chairs
of the finance and appropriations committees of the legislature
on the costs of operating the agency in the previous fiscal year.
The report shall include the expenditures for salaries and
benefits, rent, professional and technical services, general
agency administration, and agency's audited financial statements
which include information on expenditures and receipts relating
to debt issuance and administration and loan origination and
administration. The report shall include a budget plan for
salaries and benefits, rent, professional and technical
services, and general administration for the current fiscal
year, including estimates of changes in costs from the previous
fiscal year. If it appears that the costs in the current fiscal
year will exceed the budget plan contained in the report
submitted under this subdivision, the agency must notify the
chairs of the legislative committees or divisions with
jurisdiction over the agency's budget that the costs in the
current fiscal year will exceed the submitted budget plan and
the reasons for the changes in costs and must submit a revised
budget plan to the commissioner of finance and obtain the
commissioner's concurrence with the revised plan. The agency
must also notify the chairs of the legislative committees or
divisions with jurisdiction over the agency's budget when the
agency is considering an expansion of agency activities that
were not contemplated in the submitted budget plan.
Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 462A.204, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 8. [SCHOOL STABILITY.] (a) The agency in
consultation with the interagency task force on homelessness may
establish a school stability project under the family homeless
prevention and assistance program. The purpose of the project
is to secure stable housing for families with school-age
children who have moved frequently and for unaccompanied youth.
For purposes of this subdivision, "unaccompanied youth" are
minors who are leaving foster care or juvenile correctional
facilities, or minors who meet the definition of a child in need
of services or protection under section 260.015, subdivision 2a,
but for whom no court finding has been made pursuant to that
statute.
(b) The agency shall make grants to family homeless
prevention and assistance projects in communities with a school
or schools that have a significant degree of student mobility.
(c) Each project must be designed to reduce school
absenteeism; stabilize children in one home setting, or at a
minimum, in one school setting; and reduce shelter usage. Each
project must include plans for the following:
(1) targeting of families with children under age 12 who,
in the last 12 months have either: changed schools or homes at
least once or been absent from school at least 15 percent of the
school year and who have either been evicted from their housing;
are living in overcrowded conditions in their current housing;
or are paying more than 50 percent of their income for rent;
(2) targeting of unaccompanied youth in need of an
alternative residential setting;
(3) connecting families with the social services necessary
to maintain the family's stability in their home; and
(4) one or more of the following:
(i) provision of rental assistance for a specified period
of time, which may exceed 24 months; or
(ii) development of permanent supportive housing or
transitional housing.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision 2, grants under this
section may be used to acquire, rehabilitate, or construct
transitional or permanent housing.
(e) Each grantee under the project must include
representatives of the local school district or targeted
schools, or both, and of the local community correction agencies
on its advisory committee.
Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 462A.205,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [LOCAL HOUSING ORGANIZATION.] The agency may
contract with a local housing organization to administer the
rent assistance under this section. The agency may pay the
local housing organization an administrative fee. The
administrative fee may not exceed $40 per unit per month.
Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 462A.209, is
amended to read:
462A.209 [HOME OWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE.]
Subdivision 1. [FULL CYCLE HOME OWNERSHIP SERVICES.] The
full cycle home ownership services program shall be used to fund
nonprofit organizations and political subdivisions providing,
building capacity to provide, or supporting full cycle lending
for home ownership to low and moderate income home buyers and
homeowners, including seniors. The purpose of the program is to
encourage private investment in affordable housing and
collaboration of nonprofit organizations and political
subdivisions with each other and private lenders in providing
full cycle lending services.
Subd. 2. [DEFINITION.] "Full cycle home ownership
services" means supporting eligible home buyers and owners
through all phases of purchasing and keeping a home, by
providing prepurchase home buyer education, prepurchase
counseling and credit repair, prepurchase property inspection
and technical and financial assistance to buyers in
rehabilitating the home, postpurchase and counseling, including
home equity conversion loan counseling, mortgage default
counseling, postpurchase assistance with home maintenance, entry
cost assistance, and access to flexible loan products.
Subd. 3. [ELIGIBILITY.] The agency shall establish
eligibility criteria for nonprofit organizations and political
subdivisions to receive funding under this section. The
eligibility criteria must require the nonprofit organization or
political subdivision to provide, to build capacity to provide,
or support full cycle home ownership services for eligible home
buyers. The agency may fund a nonprofit organization or
political subdivision that will provide full cycle home
ownership services by coordinating with one or more other
organizations that will provide specific components of full
cycle home ownership services. The agency may make exceptions
to providing all components of full cycle lending if justified
by the application. If there are more applicants requesting
funding than there are funds available, the agency shall award
the funds on a competitive basis and also assure an equitable
geographic distribution of the available funds. The eligibility
criteria must require the nonprofit organization or political
subdivision to have a demonstrated involvement in the local
community and to target the housing affordability needs of the
local community or to have demonstrated experience with
counseling older persons on housing, or both. Partnerships and
collaboration with innovative, grass roots, or community-based
initiatives shall be encouraged. The agency shall give priority
to nonprofit organizations and political subdivisions that
provide matching funds. Applicants for funds under section
462A.057 may also apply funds under this program.
Subd. 4. [ENTRY COST HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM.]
The agency may establish an entry cost home ownership
opportunity program, on terms and conditions it deems advisable,
to assist individuals with downpayment and closing costs to
finance the purchase of a home.
Sec. 54. [462A.2093] [INNOVATIVE AND INCLUSIONARY HOUSING
PROGRAM.]
Subdivision 1. [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this section,
the following terms have the meanings given them in this
subdivision.
(a) "Municipality" means a town or a statutory or home rule
city.
(b) "Nonmetropolitan" means the area of the state outside
of the metropolitan area defined in section 473.121, subdivision
2.
(c) "Inclusionary housing development" means a new
construction development including owner-occupied or rental
housing, or a combination of both, with a variety of prices and
designs which serve families with a range of incomes and housing
needs.
Subd. 2. [APPLICATION CRITERIA.] The commissioner must
give preference to economically viable proposals to the degree
that they: (1) use innovative building techniques or materials
to lower construction costs while maintaining high quality
construction and livability; (2) are located in communities that
have demonstrated a willingness to waive local restrictions
which otherwise would increase costs of construction; and (3)
include units affordable to households with incomes at or below
80 percent of the greater of state or area median income.
Cost savings from regulatory incentives must be reflected
in the sale of all residences in an inclusionary housing
development.
Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 462A.21, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 26. [FULL CYCLE HOME OWNERSHIP SERVICES.] The agency
may spend money for the purposes of section 462A.209 and may pay
the costs and expenses necessary and incidental to the
development and operation of the program.
Sec. 56. [462A.33] [ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING
CHALLENGE PROGRAM.]
Subdivision 1. [CREATED.] The economic development and
housing challenge program is created to be administered by the
agency.
The program shall provide grants or loans for the purpose
of construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, construction
financing, permanent financing, interest rate reduction,
refinancing, and gap financing of housing to support economic
development activities or job creation within a community or
region by meeting locally identified housing needs.
Subd. 2. [ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS.] Challenge grants or loans
may be made to a city, a private developer, a nonprofit
organization, or the owner of the housing, including
individuals. For the purpose of this section, "city" has the
meaning given it in section 462A.03, subdivision 21. Preference
shall be given to challenge grants or loans for home ownership.
To the extent practicable, grants and loans shall be made so
that an approximately equal number of housing units are financed
in the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121,
subdivision 2, and in the nonmetropolitan area.
Subd. 3. [CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENT; REGULATORY
FLEXIBILITY.] Challenge grants or loans must be used for
economically viable homeownership or rental housing proposals
that:
(1) include a financial or in-kind contribution from an
area employer and either a unit of local government or a private
philanthropic, religious, or charitable organization; and
(2) address the housing needs of the local work force.
For the purpose of this subdivision, an employer
contribution may consist partially or wholly of federal housing
tax credits. Preference for grants and loans shall be given to
comparable proposals that include regulatory changes that result
in identifiable cost avoidance or cost reductions, such as
increased density, flexibility in site development standards, or
zoning code requirements.
Preference for grants and loans shall also be given to
comparable proposals that include a financial or in-kind
contribution from a unit of local government, an area employer,
and a private philanthropic, religious, or charitable
organization.
Subd. 4. [STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COOPERATION.] In
making challenge grants or loans, the commissioner must develop
a joint application process and coordinate funding with funding
available to the commissioner of trade and economic development
and local governments for housing and infrastructure
construction and repair.
Subd. 5. [INCOME LIMITS.] Households served through
challenge grants or loans must not have incomes that exceed, for
homeownership projects, 115 percent of the greater of state or
area median income as determined by the United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development, and for rental housing
projects, 115 percent of the greater of state or area median
income as determined by the United States Department of Housing
and Urban Development.
Subd. 6. [LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS.] At least one proposal
funded under this section must provide sufficient resources to
make a significant impact on the housing needs and economic
development activities within a community.
Subd. 7. [GRANTS AND LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS.] Preference
shall be given to grants and loans that provide down payments
and other assistance to individuals to purchase a home. The
commissioner must coordinate home ownership assistance provided
to individuals under this section with other programs
administered by or through the commissioner.
Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 473.251, is
amended to read:
473.251 [METROPOLITAN LIVABLE COMMUNITIES FUND.]
The metropolitan livable communities fund is created and
consists of the following accounts:
(1) the tax base revitalization account;
(2) the livable communities demonstration account; and
(3) the local housing incentives account; and
(4) the inclusionary housing account.
Sec. 58. [473.255] [INCLUSIONARY HOUSING ACCOUNT.]
Subdivision 1. [DEFINITIONS.] (a) "Inclusionary housing
development" means a new construction development, including
owner-occupied or rental housing, or a combination of both, with
a variety of prices and designs which serve families with a
range of incomes and housing needs.
(b) "Municipality" means a statutory or home rule charter
city or town participating in the local housing incentives
program under section 473.254.
Subd. 2. [APPLICATION CRITERIA.] The metropolitan council
must give preference to economically viable proposals to the
degree that they: (1) use innovative building techniques or
materials to lower construction costs while maintaining high
quality construction and livability; (2) are located in
communities that have demonstrated a willingness to waive local
restrictions which otherwise would increase costs of
construction; and (3) include units affordable to households
with incomes at or below 80 percent of area median income.
Priority shall be given to proposals where at least 15
percent of the owner-occupied units are affordable to households
at or below 60 percent of the area annual median income and at
least ten percent of the rental units are affordable to
households at or below 30 percent of area annual median income.
An inclusionary housing development may include resale
limitations on its affordable units. The limitations may
include a minimum ownership period before a purchaser may profit
on the sale of an affordable unit.
Cost savings from regulatory incentives must be reflected
in the sale of all residences in an inclusionary development.
Subd. 3. [INCLUSIONARY HOUSING INCENTIVES.] The
metropolitan council may work with municipalities and developers
to provide incentives to inclusionary housing developments such
as waiver of service availability charges and other regulatory
incentives that would result in identifiable cost avoidance or
reductions for an inclusionary housing development.
Subd. 4. [INCLUSIONARY HOUSING GRANTS.] The council shall
use funds in the inclusionary housing account to make grants or
loans to municipalities to fund the production of inclusionary
housing developments that are located in municipalities that
offer incentives to assist in the production of inclusionary
housing. Such incentives include but are not limited to:
density bonuses, reduced setbacks and parking requirements,
decreased roadwidths, flexibility in site development standards
and zoning code requirements, waiver of permit or impact fees,
fast-track permitting and approvals, or any other regulatory
incentives that would result in identifiable cost avoidance or
reductions that contribute to the economic feasibility of
inclusionary housing.
Subd. 5. [GRANT APPLICATION.] A grant application must at
a minimum include the location of the inclusionary development,
the type of housing to be produced, the number of affordable
units to be produced, the monthly rent, or purchase price of the
affordable units, and the incentives provided by the
municipality to achieve development of the affordable units.
Sec. 59. 1999 S.F. No. 1485, section 1, if enacted, is
amended to read:
Section 1. [326.105] [FEES.]
(a) The fee for licensure or renewal of licensure as an
architect, professional engineer, land surveyor, landscape
architect, or geoscience professional is $120 $104 per biennium.
The fee for certification as a certified interior designer or
for renewal of the certificate is $120 $104 per biennium. The
fee for an architect applying for original certification as a
certified interior designer is $50 per biennium. The initial
license or certification fee for all professions is $120 $104.
The renewal fee shall be paid biennially on or before June 30 of
each even-numbered year. The renewal fee, when paid by mail, is
not timely paid unless it is postmarked on or before June 30 of
each even-numbered year.
(b) The application fee is $25 for in-training applicants
and $75 for professional license applicants.
(c) The fee for monitoring licensing examinations for
applicants is $25, payable by the applicant.
Sec. 60. Laws 1998, chapter 404, section 13, subdivision
5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Labor Interpretive Center 6,000,000
For renovation and upgrades to the East
Building of the Science Museum for use
for the Minnesota Labor Interpretive
Center. The balance of the cost of the
project is to be paid with funds from
nonstate sources.
Sec. 61. Laws 1998, First Special Session chapter 1,
article 3, section 8, is amended to read:
Sec. 8. [JUDY GARLAND CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.]
The appropriation in Laws 1997, chapter 200, article 1,
section 2, subdivision 2, to the commissioner of trade and
economic development for the Judy Garland Children's Museum is
available until and may be matched until June 30, 1999 2000.
Sec. 62. [GRANT COUNTY.]
A grant by the commissioner of trade and economic
development to Grant county for community infrastructure
improvements needed to develop value-added agriprocessing
facilities is not subject to the maximum grant limitation of
Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8731, subdivision 5, or agency
policy regarding maximum grant per job created.
Sec. 63. [REPORT TO LEGISLATURE.]
The commissioner of the Minnesota housing finance agency
shall report to the legislature by February 1, 2001, on current
and proposed strategies related to HIV/AIDS for coordinating
local, state, and federal housing resources to address
identified opportunities and needs, plans for future
implementation, and recommendations for future legislative
action. The commissioner shall consult with the commissioners
of health and human services and representatives of affected
populations in preparing this report.
Sec. 64. [REPORT TO LEGISLATURE.]
The board of electricity, in consultation with the
commissioner of finance, shall report to the legislature by
January 15, 2000, on:
(1) the board's efforts to control its administrative
costs;
(2) the board's efforts to involve the members of its
citizen board in its business activities;
(3) the progress of the board's computer system
improvements; and
(4) a proposal for codification of the board's fee
schedule, including any changes to the schedule that the board
deems appropriate.
The commissioner of finance shall oversee the board's
activities under clauses (1) to (4) and related activities.
Sec. 65. [FEE INCREASES PROHIBITED.]
The board of electricity shall not, prior to July 1, 2000,
increase any handling or inspection fees set pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes, section 326.244, subdivision 2, paragraph
(b).
Sec. 66. [MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT.]
The commissioner shall request the executive board of the
World Trade Centers Association to transfer the membership of
the Minnesota world trade center corporation in the World Trade
Centers Association to the department of trade and economic
development, Minnesota trade office.
Sec. 67. [TRANSFERS.]
All of the rights and obligations of the Minnesota World
Trade Center Corporation under the development agreement and all
existing contracts related to the approximately 20,000 square
feet to which the world trade center corporation is a party or
beneficiary is transferred to the state of Minnesota, department
of trade and economic development, Minnesota trade office. All
other property of the world trade center corporation is
transferred and appropriated to the commissioner per Minnesota
Statutes 1998, section 15.039.
Sec. 68. [TRANSFER.]
The unobligated balance as of July 1, 1999, of the amount
appropriated to the department of trade and economic development
for a grant to the Minnesota World Trade Center Corporation in
Laws 1992, chapter 513, article 4, section 17, subdivision 2, is
transferred to the world trade center account in the special
revenue fund in the state treasury for world trade center
activities.
Sec. 69. [TRANSFER OF POSITIONS AND EMPLOYEES.]
All positions and employees of the World Trade Center
Corporation are transferred to the executive branch of the state
government under the department of trade and economic
development on July 1, 1999, under the following conditions.
The commissioner of employee relations will determine which
positions are to be placed in the classified service and which
are placed in the unclassified service of the state in
accordance with appropriate provisions of Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 43A. The commissioner will allocate positions to
appropriate classes in the state classification plan. Positions
transferred with their incumbents do not create vacancies in
state service.
Employees transferred to unlimited classified positions are
transferred to state service without examinations. Those
transferred to positions in the managerial plan pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.18, subdivision 3, who have
completed 12 months of service in their position and all others
who have completed six months of service in their positions are
transferred with permanent status. Employees transferred to
managerial positions with less than 12 months of service in
their positions are transferred with probationary status.
However, all time spent by these employees in the positions must
be credited toward meeting the probationary period requirement
of the contract or plan governing the classification to which
their positions have been assigned.
Employees transferred to limited classified positions or to
temporary unclassified positions shall receive emergency,
temporary, or temporary unclassified appointments under
provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.15, subdivisions 2
and 3, or Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.08, subdivision 2a, as
appropriate.
The appointing authority and incumbent employees of
unlimited positions whose positions have been assigned by the
department of employee relations to classes in the state
classification plan shall have access to the provisions of
Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.07, subdivision 3, regarding
protested allocation of their positions effective July 1, 1999,
and for 30 days thereafter.
Sec. 70. [REPORT; REGULATION OF RISK-BEARING ENTITIES.]
The commissioners of commerce and health shall study the
issues involved in consistent regulation of all entities that
assume financial risks related to health coverage in this
state. The study must consider all such entities, regardless of
current licensure or regulation. The study must include a plan
for consistent regulation that can be implemented in a cost
neutral manner for such entities and their enrollees and does
not result in dual regulation. The commissioners must consider
laws recently enacted by the state of Ohio on this subject and
any relevant model laws or regulations adopted or under
consideration by the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners. The commissioners shall provide a written
report, with recommendations, to the legislature in compliance
with Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195, no later than January
15, 2000.
Sec. 71. [DIRECT REDUCTION IRON PROCESSING FACILITIES
APPROPRIATION TRANSFER.]
The appropriation of $10,000,000 made to the commissioner
of trade and economic development for direct reduction iron
processing facilities by Laws 1998, chapter 404, section 23,
subdivision 3, is transferred and appropriated to the Minnesota
minerals 21st century fund created by Minnesota Statutes,
section 116J.423. The matching requirements of Minnesota
Statutes, section 116J.424, do not apply to expenditures from
the appropriation transferred by this section.
Sec. 72. [UPPER RED LAKE BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM.]
The commissioner of trade and economic development must
make loans to businesses in the Upper Red Lake area that have
been severely affected by the significant decline of the walleye
fishing resource in Upper Red Lake. The loans may only be made
to businesses that operated in 1998. A business must submit an
application to the commissioner on forms provided by the
commissioner. The application must include a business plan for
continued operation, with the assistance of the loan, until the
walleye fishing resource recovers. The commissioner shall
allocate available loan funds to a business based on the
commissioner's evaluation of the probable success of its
business plan. A loan shall be for a maximum amount of $75,000
and a duration of ten years from the date of the loan and shall
be interest free. Repayment of a loan in monthly payments of
1/120 of the original principal amount must begin no later than
one year after walleye fishing on Upper Red Lake is allowed by
the department of natural resources. Any principal balance
remaining at the end of the ten-year period shall be forgiven if
the business continues in operation for the ten-year period.
Loan repayments shall be deposited in the general fund.
Sec. 73. [PIPESTONE INDIAN SCHOOL AUTHORIZATION.]
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.695, the
board of trustees of the Minnesota state colleges and
universities may convey by quitclaim deed, at no cost, the
state's interest in the historic Pipestone Indian school
superintendent's house and gymnasium at the Pipestone campus of
Minnesota West community and technical college. The conveyance
shall be in a form approved by the attorney general.
The deed must reserve to the state all minerals and mineral
rights and provide that the property shall revert to the state
if the grantee:
(1) fails to provide the use intended on the property;
(2) allows a public use other than the use agreed to by the
board without the written approval of the board; or
(3) abandons the use of the property.
Sec. 74. [PASS THROUGH GRANT EVALUATION PROCESS.]
This act makes various appropriations that are commonly
referred to as pass through appropriations. The director of the
Minnesota office of strategic and long-range planning shall
evaluate the following entities to determine the extent to which
their programs (i) are effective in accomplishing the mission of
the entity receiving the grant; (ii) leverage additional funds
from nonstate sources; and (iii) are consistent with the mission
of the state agency by which the grant is administered. The
director shall report the results of the evaluation to the
legislative finance divisions or committees having jurisdiction
over the appropriations in this act. The entities to be
evaluated are:
(1) Advantage Minnesota, Inc.;
(2) Rural policy and development center;
(3) metropolitan economic development association;
(4) WomenVenture;
(5) Minnesota Inventor's Congress;
(6) Minnesota Project Innovation;
(7) Natural Resources Research Institute;
(8) Minnesota Council for Quality;
(9) Minnesota Cold Weather Research Center;
(10) Center for Victims of Torture;
(11) St. Paul Rehabilitation Center;
(12) Microenterprise Assistance;
(13) NeighborLink Community Program; and
(14) Neighborhood Development Corporation.
Sec. 75. [LOW-INCOME ENERGY TASK FORCE.]
The management analysis division of the department of
administration, in consultation with the appropriate
commissioners, shall report to the legislature by January 15,
2000, on the future of low-income energy assistance. The report
shall be developed with the input of appropriate consumer
advocates, energy providers of various fuel types, energy
assistance delivery organizations and other interested parties.
The report shall analyze and make recommendations in the
following areas:
(1) improvements necessary in the administration of
low-income energy assistance programs to develop a uniform
statewide assistance network, including outreach efforts,
eligibility determination, and areas for technological
improvements;
(2) development of an accurate and consistent method to
determine the number of Minnesotans who should be eligible for
energy assistance and the level of assistance which should be
provided; and
(3) analyze funding level and revenue options for
low-income energy assistance programs consistent with
competitive electric and gas energy markets.
Sec. 76. [STATE MARKETING PLAN.]
The commissioner of the department of trade and economic
development shall develop a comprehensive marketing plan for the
state's trade, tourism, and economic development activities.
The plan shall include a strategy for integrating the various
marketing activities of the state, including, but not limited
to, the Minnesota trade office, the office of tourism, the
Minnesota film board, Advantage Minnesota, the Minnesota
historical society, and the department of natural resources.
The commissioner shall consult with other state agencies that
market Minnesota for economic development and tourism purposes
and incorporate those activities into a comprehensive "Marketing
Minnesota" plan. The commissioner shall propose consolidation,
mergers, and other mechanisms that may be necessary to
accomplish this task. The commissioner shall submit
recommendations to the senate economic development budget
division and the house jobs and economic development finance
committee by February 1, 2000.
Sec. 77. [REPORT.]
The commissioner of trade and economic development shall
submit a report to the legislature reviewing business
regulations contained in Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules
that have a positive or negative impact on the business climate
in Minnesota. The commissioner shall submit the report to the
legislature under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195, by February
15, 2000.
Sec. 78. [TASK FORCE CREATED.]
The governor's airport community stabilization funding task
force is created. The task force shall identify and recommend
funding sources for implementation of noise mitigation measures
identified in the MSP Noise Mitigation Program Report dated
November 1996, and the low noise frequency policy committee
convened by the metropolitan airports commission, the
metropolitan council, and the city of Richfield in February 1998.
Recommendations shall be provided to the governor and
legislature by January 15, 2000. Funding sources shall include,
but not be limited to, federal, state, metropolitan airports
commission, and local sources. The task force shall, to the
extent possible, identify all federal revenue sources that will
mitigate noise impacts from the north/south runway.
The governor shall appoint task force members that include
representatives from the following:
(1) the metropolitan airports commission chair or designee
and one other metropolitan airports commission board member;
(2) one member from the governor's staff;
(3) the commissioner of finance or the commissioner's
designee;
(4) representatives designated by the governing boards of
the following cities:
(i) Bloomington;
(ii) Minneapolis;
(iii) Burnsville;
(iv) Eagan; and
(v) Richfield;
(5) two at-large designees appointed by the governor; and
(6) the commissioner of the department of trade and
economic development or the commissioner's designee.
The task force shall be administered and supported by the
department of trade and economic development.
The first meeting of the task force must be convened no
later than July 31, 1999.
Sec. 79. [PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION RIGHT-OF-WAY COST
ALLOCATION.]
The public utilities commission shall use available general
fund appropriations made during the biennium ending June 30,
1999, to pay for up to $30,000 of the costs allocated and
assessed to local units of government for right-of-way
rulemaking proceedings. The allocation and assessment of costs
to the local units of government shall be canceled to the extent
paid pursuant to this section.
Sec. 80. [REPEALER.]
(a) Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 44A.001; 44A.01;
44A.02; 44A.023; 44A.025; 44A.031; 44A.0311; 44A.06; 44A.08;
44A.11; and 462A.28, are repealed.
(b) Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 469.305; 469.306;
469.307; 469.308; and 469.31, are repealed.
(c) Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 341.01; 341.02;
341.04; 341.045; 341.05; 341.06; 341.07; 341.08; 341.09; 341.10;
341.11; 341.115; 341.12; 341.13; and 341.15, are repealed.
(d) Minnesota Statutes, section 82B.201, as added by Laws
1999, chapter 137, section 5, is repealed effective
retroactively to the day following final enactment of Laws 1999,
chapter 137, so that Minnesota Statutes, section 82B.201, as so
added, never takes effect.
Sec. 81. [EFFECTIVE DATES.]
Section 48 is effective March 1, 2000.
Sections 59, 61, 62, 64, 65, and 79 are effective the day
following final enactment.
Section 67 is effective June 30, 1999.
Section 80, paragraph (a), is effective July 1, 1999.
Section 80, paragraph (b), is effective July 1, 2000.
Section 80, paragraph (c), is effective July 1, 2001.
ARTICLE 3
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116L.03,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [MEMBERS.] The partnership shall be
governed by a board of 11 12 directors.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116L.03,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [APPOINTMENT.] The Minnesota job skills
partnership board consists of: eight nine members appointed by
the governor, the commissioner of trade and economic
development, the commissioner of economic security, and the
chancellor, or the chancellor's designee, of the Minnesota state
colleges and universities. If the chancellor makes a
designation under this subdivision, the designee must have
experience in technical education. Two of the appointed members
must be representatives from organized labor.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 268.022, is
amended to read:
268.022 [WORKFORCE INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT FUND.]
Subdivision 1. [DETERMINATION AND COLLECTION OF SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT.] (a) In addition to all other taxes, assessments,
and payment obligations under chapter 268, each employer, except
an employer making payments in lieu of taxes is liable for a
special assessment levied at the rate of one-tenth of one
percent per year until June 30, 2000, and seven-hundredths of
one percent per year on and after July 1, 2000, on all taxable
wages, as defined in section 268.04, subdivision 25b. The
assessment shall become due and be paid by each employer to the
department on the same schedule and in the same manner as other
taxes.
(b) The special assessment levied under this section shall
not affect the computation of any other taxes, assessments, or
payment obligations due under this chapter.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if on
June 30 of any year the unobligated balance of the special
assessment fund under this section is greater than $30,000,000,
the special assessment for the following year only shall be
levied at a rate of 1/20th of one percent on all taxable wages.
Subd. 2. [DISBURSEMENT OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FUNDS.] (a)
The money collected under this section shall be deposited in the
state treasury and credited to a dedicated the workforce
development fund to provide for the employment and training
programs established under sections 268.975 to 268.98; including
vocational guidance, training, placement, and job
development. The workforce development fund is created as a
special account in the state treasury.
(b) All money in the dedicated fund not otherwise
appropriated or transferred is appropriated to the commissioner
who must act as the fiscal agent for the money and must disburse
the that money for the purposes of this section, not allowing
the money to be used for any other obligation of the state. All
money in the dedicated workforce development fund shall be
deposited, administered, and disbursed in the same manner and
under the same conditions and requirements as are provided by
law for the other dedicated funds special accounts in the state
treasury, except that all interest or net income resulting from
the investment or deposit of money in the fund shall accrue to
the fund for the purposes of the fund.
(c) No more than five percent of the dedicated funds
collected in each fiscal year may be used by the department of
economic security for its administrative costs.
(d) Reimbursement for costs related to collection of the
special assessment shall be in an amount negotiated between the
commissioner and the United States Department of Labor.
(e) The dedicated funds appropriated to the commissioner,
less amounts under paragraphs (c) and (d) shall be allocated as
follows:
(1) 40 percent to be allocated annually to substate
grantees for provision of expeditious response activities under
section 268.9771 and worker adjustment services under section
268.9781; and
(2) 60 percent to be allocated to activities and programs
authorized under sections 268.975 to 268.98.
(f) Any funds not allocated, obligated, or expended in a
fiscal year shall be available for allocation, obligation, and
expenditure in the following fiscal year.
Sec. 4. [COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS.]
The commissioner of the department of economic security,
the commissioner of trade and economic development, the
chancellor of the Minnesota state colleges and universities, and
the director of the Minnesota office of strategic and long-range
planning shall conduct a multi-agency study of strategic
consolidation of workforce training in the state and submit
their report to the governor and the legislature by January 15,
2000. The purpose of the study is to identify workforce
training programs administered by state agencies and to
recommend any program changes or consolidations which would
serve to encourage the growth of high-skill, high-wage jobs
while ensuring that the state has an adequate number of workers
with the skills necessary to succeed in those jobs. The study
will address the extent to which consolidations or program
changes would achieve the following objectives:
(1) effective and efficient training, retraining, and
upgrading of the workforce to succeed in high-skill, high-wage
jobs;
(2) encouragement to those not currently in the workforce
to enter or reenter the labor market;
(3) increasing access to information about jobs and the
labor market;
(4) facilitation of efficient job placement;
(5) encouragement and facilitation of productivity
enhancements in the public and private sectors.
Sec. 5. [TRANSFER OF DISLOCATED WORKER PROGRAM FUNCTION TO
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.]
The responsibility of the department of economic security
for the dislocated workers program under Minnesota Statutes,
sections 268.022 and 268.975 to 268.98, is transferred pursuant
to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039 to the jobs skills
partnership board.
Sec. 6. [WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND; SUCCESSOR IN
INTEREST.]
The workforce development fund is a renaming of the
workforce investment fund and all money in the workforce
investment fund shall be transferred to the workforce
development fund.
Sec. 7. [APPROPRIATION.]
$29,000,000 is appropriated on July 1, 1999, from the
general fund to the Minnesota workforce development fund,
created under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.022.
Sec. 8. [EFFECTIVE DATE.]
Sections 1, 2, and 5 are effective July 1, 2000.
Presented to the governor May 21, 1999
Signed by the governor May 25, 1999, 3:43 p.m.
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes