Purpose

This bill provides a one-time State of Minnesota funding action to support a Hmong cultural facility. Specifically, it appropriates money to the state’s general fund to fund a grant for the Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota to develop a new building in St. Paul that will host programming and resources to celebrate Hmong culture and boost cross-cultural awareness.

Main Provisions

• Amount and source: $2,000,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2026.
• Recipient: Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• Use of funds: To predesign, design, construct, renovate, furnish, and equip a building in the city of St. Paul.
• Purpose of the building: To provide programming and resources that celebrate Hmong culture and enhance cross-cultural awareness.
• Administration: The appropriation is for a grant administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development.
• Timing and status: This is a one-time appropriation and is available until the project is completed or abandoned, subject to Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642.

Relationship to Existing Law / Changes

• The bill creates a new one-time capital investment grant rather than adjusting ongoing programs or statutes. It designates a specific use and recipient for a new facility in St. Paul and ties the funding to state procurement and project completion rules under state law.

Fiscal and Implementation Details

• The grant comes from the general fund and is directed to a single nonprofit organization for a building project in St. Paul.
• The project timeline is governed by the standard onetime appropriation rules, meaning funds are available until completion or abandonment per 16A.642.

Potential Impacts

• Cultural impact: Supports Hmong cultural programming and resources, potentially expanding cultural education and community engagement.
• Economic/urban impact: Creates a dedicated facility in St. Paul that may serve as a cultural hub and may influence local economic activity related to programming, events, and partnerships.
• Accessibility and awareness: Aims to enhance cross-cultural awareness and understanding within the community and beyond.

Implementation Considerations

• Because this is a one-time appropriation for a capital project, timely planning, design, construction, and oversight will be essential to ensure completion or appropriate abandonment if needed.

Summary

The bill allocates a one-time, $2 million grant from the general fund to the Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota to build and outfit a new facility in St. Paul, intended to celebrate Hmong culture and improve cross-cultural understanding through programming and resources. The project must be completed or abandoned under applicable state law (16A.642).

Relevant Terms general fund appropriation grant Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota Inc. St. Paul commissioner of employment and economic development predesign design construct renovate furnish equip building programming and resources celebrate Hmong culture cross-cultural awareness one-time Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642 capital investment fiscal year 2026 nonprofit corporation