Purpose

This bill proposes a one-time, targeted funding package to support a major expansion and upgrade of a children's museum in southern Minnesota. It would provide a substantial grant to enable the museum to plan and carry out capital improvements, including building expansion, renovating exhibit space, and creating an outdoor nature play area.

Main Provisions

• Amount and source: $12,500,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the General Fund.
• Recipient: The grant would go to the Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• Authorized uses: The funds may be used for predesign, design, construction, renovation, furnishing, and equipping of capital improvements at the museum in Mankato.
• Project components:
  • New museum building expansion
  • Renovation of existing exhibit space
  • Addition of an outdoor nature play space
• Administration: The grant is issued as a capital investment appropriation overseen by the commissioner of employment and economic development (DEED).
• Availability and status: This is a one-time appropriation and the funds are available until the project is completed or abandoned, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642.

Implementation and Legal Context

• No ongoing program or annual appropriation is created; this is a single, time-limited investment.
• The appropriation is contingent on the project proceeding under applicable state rules and would be administered through DEED as part of capital investment funding.

Effects on Existing Law

• The bill does not remove or modify existing statutes beyond authorizing this specific one-time appropriation. It adds a targeted funding allocation for a separate project rather than changing general law.

Location and Scope

• Location: Mankato, Minnesota.
• Scope: Capital improvements to the Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota, including building expansion, exhibit space upgrades, and an outdoor nature play space.

Effective Period

• Fiscal year 2026 (one-time funding window).

Relevant Terms - General Fund - Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) - Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota - grant - predesign - design - construct - renovate - furnish - equip - capital improvements - new museum building expansion - outdoor nature play space - Mankato - one-time appropriation - Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642 - fiscal year 2026