Purpose

This bill provides funding for a capital project at the Duluth International Airport. It authorizes the sale of state bonds and appropriates money to support a new air traffic control tower base building at the airport.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation: $14,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund is provided to the commissioner of transportation as a grant to the Duluth Airport Authority. The money is for designing, constructing, furnishing, and equipping a new air traffic control tower base building, including offices, support spaces, equipment rooms, workspaces, and logistics support spaces.
• Site and support work: The project includes site preparation, demolition of obsolete buildings, construction and installation of utilities, and a stormwater retention system. It also covers the replacement of an existing fuel tank.
• Federal funding match: A portion of the appropriation may be used as a match to federal funding for the project.
• Bonding authority: The money is to be provided through a bond sale. The state may issue bonds up to $14,000,000, following the terms set forth in state law and the state constitution.
• Oversight and statutory framework: The bond sale and appropriation are to be conducted under applicable Minnesota statutes (16A.631 to 16A.675) and Minnesota Constitution Article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Funding and Bonding Details

• Administration: The commissioner of transportation oversees the grant to the Duluth Airport Authority.
• Bonding process: The commissioner of management and budget is responsible for issuing and selling the bonds.
• Legal references: The plan follows Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631–16A.675 and Article XI of the Minnesota Constitution.

Significance / Changes to Existing Law

• This bill does not change existing law; it adds a new appropriation and bond authorization specifically for the Duluth International Airport project. It creates a targeted funding mechanism (bond proceeds fund) and sets conditions for matching federal funds, but relies on existing statutory and constitutional frameworks for bond issuance and project approval.

Relevant Terms - air traffic control tower base building - Duluth International Airport - grant - design - construct - furnish - equip - office spaces - equipment rooms - workspaces - logistic support spaces - site support area preparation - demolition of obsolete buildings - utilities - stormwater retention system - fuel tank replacement - bond proceeds fund - appropriation - matching funds - federal funding - commissioner of transportation - Duluth Airport Authority - bond sale - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7 - capital investment - state bonds