1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to agriculture; appropriating money for a 
  1.3             regional studies center at Southwest State University. 
  1.4   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.5      Section 1.  [REGIONAL STUDIES CENTER; APPROPRIATION.] 
  1.6      $515,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 1999 from the 
  1.7   general fund to the board of trustees of the Minnesota state 
  1.8   colleges and universities to establish and operate a regional 
  1.9   studies center at Southwest State University in order to promote 
  1.10  and advance the agriculture industry, contribute to regional 
  1.11  economic development, and provide an informed community and work 
  1.12  force in southwestern Minnesota.  The center shall consist of: 
  1.13     (1) a regional data information center to serve business 
  1.14  and economic development and be the prototype of an electronic 
  1.15  information center for the region; 
  1.16     (2) a regional studies center to initiate new and applied 
  1.17  research and host timely conferences on agricultural and 
  1.18  regional issues; and 
  1.19     (3) a regional leadership development institute to prepare 
  1.20  students to become future regional leaders through a special 
  1.21  course of study, work, and interaction with current regional 
  1.22  economic and political leaders.