Purpose

This bill authorizes a capital investment to expand and renovate the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. It aims to upgrade the facility by funding design, construction, renovation, furnishing, and equipping, with renovations focused on accessibility, safety, and energy efficiency. It also allows the state to enter into a lease or management arrangement for operating the programs housed in the center.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation: A total of 8,150,000 dollars is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation to design, construct, renovate, furnish, and equip the renovation of the Minnesota Discovery Center buildings in Chisholm.
• Upgrades funded: Improvements include replacement of windows and doors, ADA compliance improvements to bathrooms and entrances, removal and replacement of failing infrastructure, and other improvements to boost energy efficiency.
• Lease/Management option: The state may enter into a lease or management agreement under Minnesota Statutes section 16A.695 for operation of the programs housed within the facility.

Financing and Bonding

• Bond sale: The money appropriated will be raised by selling and issuing bonds of up to 8,150,000 dollars, following the terms and effects prescribed by Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and by the Minnesota Constitution article XI sections 4 to 7.

Oversight and Administration

• Administration: The appropriation and project are administered through the commissioner of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation.
• Bond process: The commissioner of Management and Budget is responsible for the bond sale and issuance, under the specified statutory and constitutional framework.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new capital investment appropriation specifically for the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm and authorizes related bond issuance.
• Establishes authorization for a lease or management agreement for operating the facility’s programs, which may affect how the center is managed and run.
• Introduces new funding mechanisms (bond proceeds fund appropriation) and clarifies the bonding process under existing statutes and the state constitution for this project.

Implementation Notes

• The project emphasizes accessibility (ADA compliance) and energy efficiency, aligning with common modernization goals for public facilities.
• The scope includes both interior upgrades (bathrooms, entrances, infrastructure) and broader building improvements.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Discovery Center - Chisholm - Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation - bond proceeds fund - appropriation - design, construct, renovate, furnish, equip - upgrades - windows and doors replacement - Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance - bathrooms and entrances improvements - infrastructure - energy efficiency - lease or management agreement - Minnesota Statutes section 16A.695 - management/operations of programs - bond sale - Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution article XI sections 4 to 7