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SF3641 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Minnesota Zoo asset preservation bond issue and appropriation

Related bill: HF3628

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill would authorize a capital investment to preserve and improve the Minnesota Zoo. It would provide funding and authority to issue state bonds to support asset preservation, infrastructure upgrades, and exhibits, improving safety, animal welfare, and guest experience.

Main Provisions

  • Appropriation of funding:
    • $30,000,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the Minnesota Zoological Board.
    • The money is for capital asset preservation improvements and betterments to infrastructure and exhibits at the Minnesota Zoo.
    • The funds are to be spent in accordance with Minnesota Statutes section 16B.307, with a broad allowance for modernization needs.
    • Specific eligible uses include replacing buildings that are in poor condition or outdated, constructing and renovating trails and roads on the zoo site, renovating animal exhibits to meet modern animal welfare standards, addressing animal and staff safety issues, and improving the viewing experience for guests.
  • Bond financing:
    • The Commissioner of Management and Budget shall sell and issue bonds up to $30,000,000 to fund this appropriation.
    • Bond issuance must follow Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Notable Changes to Law

  • The bill explicitly allows the appropriation to be used for building replacement and other improvements beyond the usual limits of money under Minnesota Statutes section 16B.307. This provides a broad exception to current restrictions to enable modernization and safety enhancements at the Minnesota Zoo.

Financing Details

  • Source: bond proceeds fund.
  • Amount: up to $30,000,000.
  • Process: sale and issuance of state bonds under existing bonding statutes and constitutional authority.

Impacts and Goals

  • Modernize and upgrade zoo infrastructure, trails, roads, and exhibits.
  • Improve animal welfare standards and safety for animals and staff.
  • Enhance the guest viewing experience at the Minnesota Zoo.

Relevant Terms

  • Minnesota Zoo
  • Minnesota Zoological Board
  • capital asset preservation
  • infrastructure and exhibits improvements
  • bond proceeds fund
  • appropriation
  • animal welfare standards
  • animal safety
  • staff safety
  • guest viewing experience
  • replacement of buildings
  • trails and roads
  • Minnesota Statutes section 16B.307
  • Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675
  • Minnesota Constitution article XI sections 4 to 7
  • bond sale / bonding authority
  • Commissioner of Management and Budget

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 19, 2026SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
February 19, 2026SenateActionReferred toCapital Investment

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "No amendments to 16B.307 are enacted; the statute is cited to authorize the appropriation's permissible uses."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes section 16B.307 to govern the uses of money appropriated for asset preservation and related improvements at the Minnesota Zoo.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "16B.307",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "No amendments to 16A.631 to 16A.675 are enacted; the statute is cited to govern bond proceedings."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 to authorize and govern the sale and issuance of state bonds for the appropriation.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "16A.631 to 16A.675",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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