Purpose of the Bill

The primary purpose of this bill is to allocate financial resources to the organization Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES). This funding is aimed at addressing disparities in employment, economic opportunities, and technology access for individuals who are low-income, unemployed, or underemployed.

Main Provisions

• The bill proposes a total appropriation of $4,000,000, divided into $2,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 and 2027.
• The funds are designated specifically for CLUES to support programs that provide short-term certifications and develop transferable skills in high-demand fields.
• Additional focus is placed on enhancing workforce readiness, providing customized financial capabilities, and offering employment support services.
• It mandates that at least 50% of the allocated funds be used for programming in greater Minnesota areas outside the primary metropolitan regions.
• These financial allocations are specified as one-time appropriations, indicating that they are not intended to establish ongoing support beyond the specified fiscal years.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill introduces new funding allocations targeting economic development programs led by a specific community organization, CLUES, to aid in reducing employment and technology access disparities.

Relevant Terms

economic development, appropriation, grant, Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES), low-income, unemployed, underemployed, technology access disparities, short-term certifications, transferable skills, high-demand fields, workforce readiness, financial capability, employment supports, greater Minnesota.