1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; establishing a postsecondary student basic needs 
1.3 	working group; requiring a report; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. POSTSECONDARY STUDENT BASIC NEEDS WORKING GROUP; 
1.6 	REPORT.
 1.7 		Subdivision 1.Direction. By September 1, 2023, the commissioner of the Office of 
1.8 	Higher Education shall convene a working group on postsecondary student basic needs. 
1.9 	The commissioner shall invite representatives from Minnesota State Colleges and 
1.10 	Universities, the University of Minnesota, nonprofit private colleges, Tribal colleges and 
1.11 	universities, student organizations, state agencies, and other interested parties as determined 
1.12 	by the commissioner to participate in the working group.
1.13 		Subd. 2.Duties. The working group must review, assess, and make specific 
1.14 	recommendations on strategies to meet the basic needs of higher education students. The 
1.15 	report must include a comprehensive plan on how to identify, assess, and support students 
1.16 	who are experiencing housing and food insecurity. The report may also include proposals 
1.17 	for substantive and technical amendments to Minnesota Statutes, chapters 135A to 137, and 
1.18 	any other laws that relate to higher education. The working group may also make specific 
1.19 	recommendations with regard to policy changes for the Office of Higher Education and 
1.20 	postsecondary institutions.
1.21 		Subd. 3.Report to legislature. The commissioner of higher education shall file a report 
1.22 	detailing the working group's findings and recommendations with the chairs and ranking 
2.1 	minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over higher education 
2.2 	policy and finance by September 1, 2024.

2.3 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.4 	$....... in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of 
2.5 	higher education to administer the program under section 1 and provide stipends to 
2.6 	participants of the working group who are students. A student participant must receive a 
2.7 	stipend, as determined by the commissioner, for each meeting the student attends.