Purpose

This bill would allocate state money for capital improvements at the Minnesota Emergency Response and Industrial Training Center (MERIT Center) in Marshall and authorize the sale of state bonds to pay for those improvements.

Main provisions

• Appropriation: It would appropriate $5,143,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Commissioner of Public Safety to provide a grant to the city of Marshall. The funds would be used to design, construct, furnish, and equip improvements at the MERIT Center as outlined in Phase 3 of the Master Development Plan.
• Specific improvements: The improvements include a 50-yard firearms range, a 300-yard firearms range, firearms support buildings, and a live burn buildout structure.
• Bond issuance: The bill would authorize the sale and issuance of state bonds, in an amount up to $5,143,000, to finance this appropriation. The bonding would be conducted under the state’s bond laws and constitutional provisions.

Funding and financing details

• Source of funds: Bond proceeds fund.
• Issuing authority: The Commissioner of Management and Budget would sell and issue the bonds.
• Legal framework: The bonding would follow Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution Article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Significance and context

• This bill enables a new capital investment project at the MERIT Center, funded through a state bond issuance and a grant to the city of Marshall.
• It does not create new departments or programs beyond authorizing this specific appropriation and bond sale.

Key terms to know

• MERIT Center (Minnesota Emergency Response and Industrial Training Center)
• Marshall
• grant
• design, construct, furnish, equip
• Phase 3
• Master Development Plan
• 50-yard firearms range
• 300-yard firearms range
• firearms support buildings
• live burn buildout structure
• bond proceeds fund
• bonds / bond sale
• Commissioner of Public Safety
• Commissioner of Management and Budget
• Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675
• Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7

Relevant Terms - MERIT Center, Marshall, grant, design, construct, furnish, equip, Phase 3, Master Development Plan, 50-yard range, 300-yard range, live burn buildout, bond proceeds fund, bonds, bond sale, Commissioner of Public Safety, Commissioner of Management and Budget, Minnesota Statutes 16A.631-16A.675, Minnesota Constitution Article XI (4-7)