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SF525 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Chisholm Minnesota Discovery Center renovation and expansion bond issue and appropriation

Related bill: HF579

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • Authorizes an appropriation of $8,150,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Commissioner of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation. The money is to be used to design, construct, renovate, furnish, and equip the renovation of the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. The project includes upgrades such as replacing windows and doors, improving ADA accessibility, upgrading bathrooms and entrances, removing and replacing failing infrastructure, and other improvements to boost energy efficiency. The state may enter into a lease or management agreement under Minnesota law for operating the programs housed at the facility.

Main Provisions

  • Subdivision 1 (Appropriation): Provides $8,150,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the designated state agency to carry out the renovation and related improvements at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm.
  • Subdivision 1 (Additional provision): Allows for lease or management agreements under the relevant statute for operating programs located within the renovated facility.
  • Subdivision 2 (Bond sale): Requires the Commissioner of Management and Budget to issue bonds up to $8,150,000 to pay for the appropriation, following the terms of specified state statutes and the state constitution.

Financing and Administration

  • Funding comes from the state’s bond proceeds fund, meaning the project will be financed with state debt. The bonds are to be sold and issued by the state, under the cited Minnesota Statutes and constitutional provisions. The Department of Management and Budget handles the bond sale, and the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation department oversees the construction and related improvements.

Significance and Potential Impacts

  • Helps modernize and expand the Minnesota Discovery Center with energy efficiency and accessibility improvements, which can enhance visitor experience and compliance with accessibility laws.
  • Creates potential long-term operation arrangements (lease or management) for the facility’s programs, influencing how the center is run alongside the capital investment.

Relevant Terms

  • appropriation
  • bond proceeds fund
  • Minnesota Discovery Center
  • Chisholm
  • Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation
  • upgrades
  • Americans with Disabilities Act compliance (ADA compliance)
  • energy efficiency
  • windows and doors replacement
  • bathrooms and entrances improvements
  • infrastructure
  • lease or management agreement
  • Minnesota Statutes §16A695
  • Minnesota Statutes §16A631–§16A675
  • Minnesota Constitution Article XI (sections 4–7)
  • bond sale
  • Commissioner of Management and Budget

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
January 23, 2025SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
January 23, 2025SenateActionReferred toCapital Investment

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statutes section 16A695 authorizing a lease or management agreement for operation of programs housed within the Minnesota Discovery Center facility.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "16A695",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statutes sections 16A631 to 16A675 for the authority to sell and issue bonds in support of the appropriation.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "16A631 to 16A675",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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