This bill establishes the Accessibility for the Arts and Cultural Economy Capital Grant Program in Minnesota. The program aims to provide grants for accessibility renovations and capital projects at arts and cultural facilities to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Key Provisions:

1. Grant Program Creation:

   • The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will administer the program.
     
   • DEED will distribute grants to one or more intermediary organizations (e.g., community development financial institutions, foundations, regional development agencies, or Tribal governments).

2. Eligibility:

   • The grant is available to arts or cultural facility owners/operators, including theaters, performing arts venues, galleries, and cultural centers. It does not include bars, restaurants, multinational/publicly owned companies, or adult entertainment establishments.
     
   • Eligible entities must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts or cultural organizations.
     
   • They must have derived at least 33% of their 2023 revenue from ticket sales for live events or rely on live entertainment events for revenue.
     
   • They must employ no more than 60 full-time equivalent employees and be located in Minnesota.
     
   • They must not have outstanding tax delinquency issues.

3. Grant Distribution:

   • Selection will be based on the project's significance, financial need, available matching funds, and the number of people served.
     
   • Priority will be given to projects that bring facilities into ADA compliance.
     
   • Geographic balance in grant distribution is also a priority.
     
   • The maximum grant amount per recipient is $2,000,000.

4. Reporting Requirements:

   • The intermediary organizations must submit an initial report to the Minnesota Legislature by January 15, 2026, and a final report upon full expenditure of funds. The reports will assess geographic and diverse community impacts of the grants.

5. Funding:

   • The bill appropriates $50 million from the state’s general fund for fiscal year 2026.
     
   • Of this amount, 0.1% is allocated to DEED for program administration.
     
   • The funding is one-time and available until December 31, 2028.

In summary, this bill provides funding to improve accessibility and infrastructure at arts and cultural facilities across Minnesota, focusing on ADA compliance and community impact.