HF4940

Purpose

• Provide funding for research and educational dairy facilities at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center through a capital investment appropriation and a bond sale.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation amount and source:
  • $20,000,000 appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the West Central Research and Outreach Center dairy facilities.
• Phase 1 (costs and scope):
  • $7,740,000 allocated for design, construction, furnishing, and equipping upgrades.
  • Upgrades include: HVAC system improvements, renovations to the utility room, staff restrooms and shower rooms, construction of a new truck weigh station and transfer alley.
  • Equipment and facilities for a milking operation, including robotic or autonomous milking and sanitation equipment, feed mills, and grain storage facilities.
• Phase 2 (costs and scope):
  • $12,260,000 allocated for design, construction, furnishing, and equipping a new building on the site.
  • Building components include: cow milking parlor, veterinary treatment area, feeding area, and holding area, plus spaces for research, education, and administrative functions.
  • Site work includes: concrete pads, road access, utilities, and manure and wastewater containment facilities.
• Bond sale authorization:
  • The Commissioner of Management and Budget shall issue up to $20,000,000 in state bonds to fund the appropriation.
  • Bond issuance must follow Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new appropriation and bond authorization to fund substantial upgrades and construction at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center.
• Establishes phased funding (Phase 1 and Phase 2) for a major dairy facilities project, including high-tech milking equipment and expanded research/education facilities.
• Requires bond issuance procedures consistent with state law and constitutional provisions.

Oversight and Administration

• The University of Minnesota Board of Regents is the recipient and administrator of the funds for the specified research and educational dairy facilities project.
• The bond sale is to be conducted by the state’s Commissioner of Management and Budget under applicable statutes and constitutional guidance.

Financial Details (At a glance)

• Total appropriation: 20,000,000
• Phase 1 funding: 7,740,000
• Phase 2 funding: 12,260,000
• Funding mechanism: Bond proceeds fund; bonds up to 20,000,000
• Target facility uses: Dairy research, education, milking operations, veterinary care, and related support infrastructure

Relevant Terms - West Central Research and Outreach Center - University of Minnesota - Board of Regents - capital investment - appropriation - bond proceeds fund - bonds - bond sale - Phase 1 - Phase 2 - HVAC upgrades - utility room - staff restrooms and showers - truck weigh station - transfer alley - milking facility - robotic milking - autonomous milking - sanitation equipment - feed mills - grain storage - cow milking parlor - veterinary treatment area - feeding area - holding area - research space - education space - administrative facilities - concrete pads - road access - utilities - manure containment - wastewater containment - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7