Purpose

• Create a grant program to increase firearms safety, trap shooting, archery, hunting, and angling activities in Minnesota school physical education (PE) courses. Activities funded must align with required state PE standards.

Main Provisions

• Establishment: A grant program is created to fund firearms safety and related outdoor activities (trap shooting, archery, hunting, angling) within school PE programs.
• Oversight and administration: The commissioner of natural resources oversees the program.
• Eligibility: A school district or American Indian-controlled Tribal contract or grant school can apply to participate in the program. Applications are to be submitted in a form and manner determined by the commissioner.
• Geographic balance: The commissioner must seek geographic balance among participating schools.
• Reporting requirements: By January 15, 2027, the commissioner must provide a written report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over K-12 education and natural resources finance and policy, detailing funded activities and program outcomes.
• Funding: A one-time appropriation of $1,000,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2027 is provided to implement the program.
• Allowed uses of funds: Money may be used for Department of Natural Resources personnel costs, curriculum development, reporting costs, school staff training, outdoor sports licenses for participating students, and equipment used in courses.

Funding and Appropriation Details

• Amount: $1,000,000 (one-time) from the general fund in FY 2027.
• Purpose: To implement and operate the grant program described above.
• Eligible expenses: DNR personnel costs, curriculum development, reporting, training, student licenses for outdoor sports, and equipment for the courses.

Reporting and Oversight

• Reporting deadline: January 15, 2027.
• Recipients: Written report to legislative chairs and ranking minority members of committees overseeing K-12 education and natural resources finance and policy.
• Content of report: Activities funded by the grant program and outcomes of the program.

Significant Changes to Law (Summary)

• Adds a new grant program within the Department of Natural Resources to fund firearms safety and outdoor-recreation activities (trap shooting, archery, hunting, angling) integrated into school PE.
• Establishes a one-time state-funded grant (FY 2027) with specific eligible participants and reporting requirements.
• Ties funded activities to compliance with state PE standards and includes a geographic balance requirement for school participation.

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Relevant Terms - grant program - firearms safety - trap shooting - archery - hunting - angling - physical education (PE) standards - Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - school district - American Indian-controlled Tribal contract or grant school - geographic balance - commissioner of natural resources - report - January 15, 2027 - fiscal year 2027 (FY 2027) - general fund - one-time appropriation - curriculum development - school staff training - outdoor sports licenses - equipment used in courses - program outcomes