HF197

Purpose

• The bill would authorize a one-time appropriation from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 to the commissioner of employment and economic development. The money is for a grant to Second Harvest Northland Food Bank to construct and renovate an expansion of its facility in the city of Duluth to serve as a food bank, including funding to purchase and install a new cooler and freezer system.

Main Provisions

• Source and recipient: An appropriation from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant to Second Harvest Northland Food Bank.
• Use of funds: To construct and renovate an expansion of the Duluth facility to serve as a food bank, and to purchase and install a new cooler and freezer system.
• Availability condition: The appropriation becomes available when the commissioner of management and budget determines that nonstate funds have been committed to complete the project.
• One-time and duration: This is a one-time appropriation, available until the project is completed or abandoned, and subject to Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642.

Significance and Impact

• This funding supports expanding capacity and infrastructure for a local food bank, enabling larger or more efficient operations in Duluth through building expansion and new refrigeration capacity.

Relation to Existing Law / Changes

• Establishes a capital investment-type appropriation for a food-bank facility project in Duluth. It relies on private (nonstate) funding commitments and uses standard sunset-style terms (available until project completion or abandonment) and statutory oversight (Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642).

Implementation and Oversight

• Administration: The grant is from the general fund to the Second Harvest Northland Food Bank via the commissioner of employment and economic development; the project includes constructing/renovating the facility and installing a new cooler/freezer system.
• Contingency: Availability is contingent on nonstate funds being committed; the project’s progression is governed by existing state statutes.

Relevant Terms - general fund, commissioner of employment and economic development, grant, Second Harvest Northland Food Bank, Duluth, construct, renovate, expansion, facility, food bank, cooler, freezer system, nonstate funds, committed, available, completed, abandoned, Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642, fiscal year 2026, onetime, capital investment.