HF5127

Purpose

This bill aims to provide financial support for renovating a space at the Hormel Institute in Austin to create a learning laboratory focused on workforce development. The lab would support education and training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and bioimaging for learners from kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as for professional training.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation: The bill allocates 5,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development. This money is for a grant to the Austin Port Authority to design, construct, furnish, and equip the renovation of space at the Hormel Institute facility in Austin. The goal is to establish a learning laboratory that supports workforce development and STEM/bioimaging education for K–12 students and related training.
• Bond sale: To fund the appropriation, the commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue state bonds up to 5,000,000. The sale must follow Minnesota law (as specified in statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

Significant Changes to Law

• Creates or expands a dedicated funding mechanism (bond proceeds fund) to support a specific education and workforce development project at the Hormel Institute in Austin.
• Establishes a funded grant pathway through the Austin Port Authority, tied to the renovation of a research facility to serve as a STEM and bioimaging education hub.
• Increases state debt authority to raise up to 5,000,000 for this project, with compliance requirements drawn from existing bond and constitutional provisions.

Relevant terms include: Hormel Institute, Austin Port Authority, bioimaging education, learning laboratory, workforce development, K–12 engagement, STEM, grant, bond proceeds fund, state bonds, bond sale, commissioner of employment and economic development, commissioner of management and budget, Minnesota Statutes 16A.631-16A.675, Minnesota Constitution Article XI.

Relevant Terms Hormel Institute Austin Port Authority bioimaging education learning laboratory workforce development K–12 engagement STEM grant bond proceeds fund state bonds bond sale commissioner of employment and economic development commissioner of management and budget Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 Minnesota Constitution Article XI design, construct, furnish, equip renovation Austin, Minnesota