1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to commerce; requiring organizations eligible for grants to engage with 
1.3 	youth community organizations;amending Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, 
1.4 	section 342.70, subdivision 3.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 342.70, subdivision 3, is amended 
1.7 	to read:
1.8 		Subd. 3.Grants to organizations. (a) The Division of Social Equity must award grants 
1.9 	to eligible organizations through a competitive grant process.
1.10 	(b) To receive grant money, an eligible organization must submit a written application 
1.11 	to the office, using a form developed by the office, explaining the community investment 
1.12 	the organization wants to make in an eligible community.
1.13 	(c) An eligible organization's grant application must also include:
1.14 	(1) an analysis of the community's need for the proposed investment;
1.15 	(2) a description of the positive impact that the proposed investment is expected to 
1.16 	generate for that community;
1.17 	(3) any evidence of the organization's ability to successfully achieve that positive impact;
1.18 	(4) any evidence of the organization's past success in making similar community 
1.19 	investments;
1.20 	(5) an estimate of the cost of the proposed investment;
2.1 	(6) the sources and amounts of any nonstate funds or in-kind contributions that will 
2.2 	supplement grant money; and
2.3 	(7) a description of the organization's engagement with youth-centered, community-based 
2.4 	organizations working with youth who are 14 to 24 years of age; and
2.5 	(8) any additional information requested by the office.
2.6 	(d) In awarding grants under this subdivision, the office shall give weight to applications 
2.7 	from organizations that demonstrate a history of successful community investments, 
2.8 	particularly in geographic areas that are now eligible communities. The office shall also 
2.9 	give weight to applications where there is demonstrated community support for the proposed 
2.10 	investment. The office shall fund investments in eligible communities throughout the state.
2.11 	(e) At least 50 percent of the grants awarded each year under this subdivision must be 
2.12 	for supporting youth civic engagement, leadership, and youth-led health education 
2.13 	opportunities, with a preference for communities that have been most impacted by 
2.14 	cannabis-related criminalization or incarceration.