HF3920

Organizations eligible for grants required to engage with youth community organizations.
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)

Related bill: SF2591

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

The bill would have the Division of Social Equity award grants to eligible organizations through a competitive process to fund community investments in eligible communities. A key focus is on engaging youth and addressing communities that have been most affected by cannabis-related criminalization or incarceration.

Main provisions

Grant process and requirements
- Establishes a competitive grant process for awarding funds.
- Eligible organizations must submit a written application using an office-developed form describing the proposed community investment.
- Applications must include: 1) analysis of the community’s need for the proposed investment 2) description of the positive impact expected from the investment 3) evidence of the organization’s ability to achieve the impact 4) evidence of past success with similar investments 5) estimated cost of the proposed investment 6) sources and amounts of nonstate funds or in-kind contributions 7) description of the organization’s engagement with youth-centered community-based organizations serving youth aged 14 to 24 impacted by cannabis-related enforcement 8) any other information the office requests
Priority and selection criteria
- The office must give priority to:
- Organizations with a history of successful community investments, especially in areas now eligible for funding
- Proposals that support youth civic engagement, leadership, and youth-led health education
- Proposals with demonstrated community support for the investment
Scope and funding
- Investments may be funded in eligible communities across Minnesota (statewide).
- At least 50% of grants awarded each year must support youth civic engagement, leadership, and youth-led health education, with a preference for communities most affected by cannabis-related criminalization or incarceration.
Youth engagement requirement
- A specific requirement is that grant applications describe engagement with youth-centered organizations that work with youth ages 14 to 24 who have been most impacted by cannabis-related issues.

Significant changes to existing law

Expands the grant program under Minnesota Statutes to explicitly require engagement with youth-centered organizations and to focus significant grant funding on youth-related activities (civic engagement, leadership, and health education).
Adds explicit priority and geographic emphasis to support communities most affected by cannabis-related criminalization or incarceration.
Establishes mandatory criteria for grant applications and directs a portion of funding to youth-focused investments, with statewide reach.

Practical effect

More structured, transparent grant process with clear expectations for applicants.
Greater emphasis on youth participation and on addressing harms from cannabis-related enforcement.
Equity-focused distribution of funds across Minnesota, prioritizing communities most impacted.

Relevant Terms - Division of Social Equity - Grants - Eligible organizations - Competitive grant process - Community investment - Community need - Positive impact - Evidence of ability - Past success - Nonstate funds - In-kind contributions - Youth-centered community-based organizations - Youth (ages 14 to 24) - Cannabis-related criminalization or incarceration - Eligible communities - Youth civic engagement - Leadership - Youth-led health education - Geographic areas - Office - Priority criteria - Statewide funding

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 02, 2026	House		Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Commerce Finance and Policy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "The Division of Social Equity must award grants to eligible organizations through a competitive grant process.",
        "Applied grant application requirements include: (1) an analysis of the community's need for the proposed investment; (2) a description of the positive impact expected from the investment; (3) evidence of the organization's ability to achieve the stated impact; (4) evidence of past success in similar community investments; (5) an estimate of the cost of the proposed investment; (6) the sources and amounts of any nonstate funds or in-kind contributions; (7) a description of the organization's engagement with youth-centered, community-based organizations working with youth aged 14 to 24 who have been most impacted by cannabis-related usage, criminalization, or incarceration; (8) any additional information requested by the office.",
        "In awarding grants, the office shall give priority to: (a) applications from organizations with a history of successful community investments, especially in geographic areas that are now eligible communities; (b) applications that support youth civic engagement, leadership, and youth-led health education opportunities; (c) applications where there is demonstrated community support for the proposed investment.",
        "The office shall fund investments in eligible communities statewide.",
        "At least 50 percent of the grants awarded each year under this subdivision must be for supporting youth civic engagement, leadership, and youth-led health education opportunities, with a preference for communities that have been most impacted by cannabis-related criminalization or incarceration."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 342.70, Subd. 3 to create and govern a competitive grant process administered by the Division of Social Equity for grants to eligible organizations, including detailed application requirements and prioritized funding criteria focused on youth engagement and communities affected by cannabis-related criminalization.",
      "modified": [
        "Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 342.70, Subd. 3 is amended to read Subd. 3, Grants to organizations, establishing a competitive grant framework and associated requirements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "342.70 Subd.3",
    "subdivision": "Subd.3"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%

In Committee