Purpose

• Provide statewide funding to support the installation and acquisition of electric bus charging infrastructure for electric school buses. The bill would allocate grants to eligible applicants to install Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations, under the electric school bus deployment program referenced in Minnesota statutes. It also authorizes the sale of state bonds to finance this appropriation.

Key Provisions

• Subdivision 1 – Appropriation: An amount of 1,000,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the Commissioner of Commerce. The money is for grants to eligible applicants (as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 216C.374) to acquire and install Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations for electric school buses used to transport students. Grants are awarded in accordance with the electric school bus deployment program under 216C.374.
• Subdivision 2 – Bond Sale: The Commissioner of Management and Budget must sell and issue bonds of the state up to 1,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to finance the appropriation. This is governed by Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution article XI, sections 4 to 7.

How Funds Are Used

• Funds are designated for grants to eligible applicants to purchase and install charging stations (Level 2 and Level 3) for electric school buses, enabling statewide deployment and operation.

Administration and Oversight

• The Commissioner of Commerce administers the grant program to eligible applicants.
• The sale and issuance of bonds to fund the appropriation are overseen by the Commissioner of Management and Budget in accordance with state bond laws and constitutional provisions.

Impact on Existing Law

• Creates a new appropriation and bond authorization specifically for electric school bus charging infrastructure, tying the funding to the existing electric school bus deployment program (216C.374).

Fiscal Context

• One-time appropriation of 1,000,000 funded through the bond proceeds fund. Bonds would be issued under the usual state borrowing statutes, with related debt-management requirements.

Significance

• Aims to advance electric school bus adoption by expanding charging infrastructure, supporting cleaner student transportation, and aligning with state efforts to deploy electric school buses.

Relevant Terms - electric bus charging stations - Level 2 charging stations - Level 3 charging stations - electric school bus deployment program - grants - eligible applicants - Minnesota Statutes 216C.374 - bond proceeds fund - bonds - bond sale - Commissioner of Commerce - Commissioner of Management and Budget - Minnesota Constitution article XI - 16A.631 to 16A.675