Purpose

• The bill would provide state funding to build and equip a new facility in Chisholm to house the Minnesota Discovery Center, with money coming from the state’s bond proceeds fund.

Main Provisions

• Subdivision 1 (Appropriation):
  • Appropriates $3,200,000 from the bond proceeds fund.
  • To the commissioner of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation.
  • For acquisition of property, site preparation, design, construction, renovation, furnishing, and equipping a new Minnesota Discovery Center facility in the city of Chisholm.
  • The facility would have infrastructure to protect and preserve historical artifacts and archival materials.
  • Space would be provided for museum exhibitions and cultural events.
  • The state may enter into a lease or management agreement under Minnesota Statutes section 16A.695 for operating the programs housed in the facility.
• Subdivision 2 (Bond Sale):
  • Requires selling and issuing state bonds up to $3,200,000 to fund the appropriation.
  • Bonds would be issued under the standard statutes governing state debt (Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

Financial Details

• Total amount: $3,200,000.
• Source: Bond proceeds fund.
• Purpose: Acquisition, site work, design, construction, renovation, furnishing, and equipping of a new Minnesota Discovery Center facility in Chisholm.
• Bonding authority: Issuance of state bonds up to the specified amount, under existing bond laws and constitutional provisions.

Operational and Governance Provisions

• After construction, the facility’s programs could be operated under a lease or management agreement.
• The agreement would be prepared or handled under the state’s existing authority in section 16A.695, allowing private or public management arrangements for operations.

Significant Changes / Impact

• Creates a new capital investment project and debt authorization specifically for a Minnesota Discovery Center facility in Chisholm.
• Establishes a state-funded path to acquire property, develop facilities, and furnish the center, with a potential private or public management option for operations.

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Relevant Terms - bond proceeds fund - acquisition of property - site preparation - design - construction - renovation - furnishing - equipping - Minnesota Discovery Center - city of Chisholm - historical artifacts - archival materials - museum exhibitions - cultural events - lease or management agreement - Minnesota Statutes section 16A.695 - operation of the programs housed within the facility - sell and issue bonds - up to 3,200,000 - Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7