SF1960

Purpose

• The bill seeks to fund the construction, furnishing, and equipping of a new National Loon Center building in the city of Crosslake, along with adjacent outdoor public space improvements. The project is intended to provide visitor education and exhibit facilities for the general public.

Key Provisions

• Subdivision 1 — Appropriation:

  • An amount of 6,500,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund.
  • This money goes to the Commissioner of Natural Resources as a grant to the city of Crosslake.
  • The funds are to be used to construct, furnish, and equip the new National Loon Center building and related outdoor improvements, including surface parking areas.
  • The goal is to create facilities that educate visitors and house public exhibits.

• Subdivision 2 — Bond Sale:

  • The Commissioner of Management and Budget must sell and issue state bonds totaling up to 6,500,000 to fund the appropriation.
  • Bonds are to be issued under the terms of Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution article XI (sections 4 to 7).

Significance and Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new capital investment appropriation specifically for the Crosslake National Loon Center project.
• Authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds to finance this project, using the bond proceeds fund.
• Describes the roles of state agencies (Department of Natural Resources as grant recipient via the city, and the Department of Management and Budget as bond issuer) and ties the financing to existing statutory and constitutional frameworks.

Practical Impact

• The state will provide up to 6.5 million in bond-financed funding to support a public facility in Crosslake that focuses on loon-related education and exhibits.
• The project includes both indoor building needs and outdoor public space improvements, plus parking, to accommodate visitors.

Relevant Terms - Crosslake - National Loon Center - grant - City of Crosslake - Commissioner of Natural Resources - bond proceeds fund - appropriation - construct, furnish, equip - outdoor public space improvements - surface lot parking - visitor education - exhibits - general public - bond sale - Commissioner of Management and Budget - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI, sections 4 to 7