1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to capital improvements; appropriating money for the Duluth 
1.3 	Entertainment and Convention Center arena.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTER.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Appropriation. $37,932,000 is appropriated from the general fund 
1.7 	to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant to the Duluth 
1.8 	Entertainment and Convention Center Authority to design, construct, furnish, and equip 
1.9 	renovations to the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. The renovations must 
1.10 	include an approximately 217,446 square foot arena with an ice sheet of at least 200 feet 
1.11 	by 85 feet; trade show and concert space; seating capacity of at least 6,630 with suites, 
1.12 	club seats, and concessions; state-of-the-art locker and training facilities; and accessible 
1.13 	and expanded media space.
1.14 		Subd. 2.Activities; contracts. The legislature recognizes that the authority has 
1.15 	all powers necessary or convenient to design, construct, furnish, equip, and improve the 
1.16 	Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, including a new arena, and may enter into 
1.17 	contracts that are, in its judgment, in the best interests of the public for those purposes. 
1.18 	Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the authority may adopt a fair and competitive 
1.19 	design and construction procurement process as determined by the authority to be in 
1.20 	the public interest in connection with the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center 
1.21 	improvements.

1.22 	Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.1 	This act is effective the day following final enactment.