Purpose

This bill would provide a one-time funding grant to expand and improve services for people with disabilities. Specifically, in fiscal year 2026, it would allocate 4,750,000 from the Workforce Development Fund to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). DEED would grant this money to the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living to acquire land and to plan, design, build, furnish, and equip renovations and an expansion of its existing facility on Robert Street in St. Paul. The renovated facility would serve people with disabilities in the seven-county metropolitan area by offering a broad range of services, including independent living support, vocational services, and case management.

Main Provisions

• Funding source and amount: 4,750,000 from the Workforce Development Fund in FY 2026.
• Recipient and purpose: A grant to the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living to acquire land and to predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip the renovation and expansion of its facility on Robert Street, St. Paul.
• Services provided: The renovated facility must offer independent living services, vocational services, case management, and other important supports for persons with disabilities in the seven-county metropolitan area.
• Timing and availability: This is a one-time appropriation and remains available until the project is completed or abandoned, subject to Minnesota's general rule about project timing (16A.642).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new onetime appropriation from the Workforce Development Fund for the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living.
• Directs the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to administer the grant to fund land acquisition and the renovation/expansion of a disability services facility.
• Expands capacity to deliver independent living, vocational, and related services to persons with disabilities in the seven-county metro area, through the upgraded facility.
• Tied to existing statutory provision (16A.642) governing project completion or abandonment for the funding.

Funding and Implementation Details (key elements)

• Location: Robert Street, St. Paul.
• Governance: Administration by the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
• Project scope: Acquisition, predesign, design, construction, furnishing, and equipment for renovation and expansion.

Relevant Terms - Metropolitan Center for Independent Living - Independent living - Vocational services - Case management - Persons with disabilities - Seven-county metropolitan area - St. Paul - Robert Street - Land acquisition - Predesign - Design - Construction - Furnishing - Equipment - Renovation and expansion - Workforce Development Fund - Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) - Grant - Onetime appropriation - Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642 - Fiscal year 2026