Purpose

• Provide a one-time state appropriation to fund a water treatment project in Hastings. The goal is to improve drinking water by removing PFAS and nitrates and to connect the Minnesota Veterans Home to the water system.

Main provisions

• Funding: A one-time appropriation of 16,600,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund.
• Administration: Money is provided to the Public Facilities Authority to administer a grant to the city of Hastings.
• Project scope: The grant supports predesign, design, construction, and equipping of the Eastern Water Treatment Plant and related piping.
• Water quality goals: Remove PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and nitrates from the city’s drinking water.
• Interconnection: Includes interconnecting the Minnesota Veterans Home to the improved water system.
• Project status: The funds are available until the project is completed or abandoned, subject to Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642.

Significance and impact

• This bill funds a capital investment aimed at improving public health by reducing contaminants in drinking water.
• It uses the Public Facilities Authority as the grant administrator and channels state funds to the city of Hastings for critical water infrastructure.
• It directly ties the water system upgrade to service for the Minnesota Veterans Home.

Significance of changes to law

• Establishes a new one-time appropriation rather than ongoing funding. It does not appear to modify existing statutory requirements beyond authorizing the grant and project financing.

Implementation notes

• The project must proceed under the standard appropriation rules, with availability ending only when completed or abandoned (per 16A.642).

Relevant Terms PFAS, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, nitrates, drinking water, Hastings, Eastern Water Treatment Plant, Minnesota Veterans Home, interconnect, Public Facilities Authority, general fund, one-time appropriation, fiscal year 2026, predirect/design/construct/equip, grant.