Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to allocate funds to support free voice mail services for homeless and low-income individuals in Minnesota. This aims to provide them with a stable means of communication, which is essential for finding housing and employment.

Main Provisions

• Funding Detail: The bill proposes a financial appropriation of $85,000 annually for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027. These funds are to be allocated from the general fund to the commissioner of housing finance.
• Grant Recipient: The funds will be granted to Open Access Connections, a service provider dedicated to offering free voice mail services.
• Target Beneficiaries: The service is intended to primarily aid homeless and low-income populations across Minnesota.
• Geographic Focus: The bill mandates that $15,000 of the annual appropriation should specifically enhance the community voice mail services in areas outside the seven-county metropolitan region of Minnesota, promoting access in greater Minnesota.

Significant Changes

• This bill enhances existing support structures by extending and focusing funding specifically on voice mail communication tools. It emphasizes increased service availability in greater Minnesota, an area previously underserved compared to the metropolitan regions.

Relevant Terms

• Appropriation
• Open Access Connections
• Homeless and low-income support
• Free voice mail services
• Greater Minnesota
• Seven-county metropolitan area