1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to economic development; appropriating money for minority business 
1.3 	development and outreach, education, and certification of minority-owned 
1.4 	business contracting.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND 
1.7 	CONTRACT PROCUREMENT.
 1.8 	(a) $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
1.9 	commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant to the North Central 
1.10 	Minority Supplier Development Council for statewide minority business development 
1.11 	and assistance services, with an emphasis on increasing the number of minority-owned 
1.12 	businesses receiving state funded and private sector business contracts.
1.13 	(b) By February 1, 2018, the North Central Minority Supplier Development Council 
1.14 	shall report to the commissioner and chairs and ranking minority members of the 
1.15 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over economic development policy and finance on 
1.16 	the minority business contracting outreach, education, and operating support activities, 
1.17 	including outcomes and expenditures, supported by the appropriation under this section.