SF3169

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to provide funding for flood hazard mitigation through the Redpath impoundment project, which is designed to prevent or reduce flood damage. It facilitates state financial support to public projects that improve infrastructure against flooding.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of Funds: The bill allocates $13,700,000 from the bond proceeds fund specifically for flood hazard mitigation grants. These grants will support publicly owned capital improvements relating to flood prevention.
• Project Criteria: Projects must aim to prevent flood damage and, where feasible, meet a safety standard of three feet above the 100-year flood elevation. The decision-making authority regarding project priorities is given to the commissioner of natural resources, based on need.
• Project Flexibility: If a designated project is not ready to proceed or uses less funding than allocated, the commissioner has the authority to reallocate those funds to other priority projects.
• Local Financial Support: The appropriation includes provisions for local cost-sharing in cases where the project cost exceeds a calculated threshold based on median household income.

Significant Changes

• Bond Issuance: The bill authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds up to $13,700,000 to finance these flood hazard mitigation efforts. This involves adhering to state statutes and constitutional requirements regarding bond sales.

Relevant Terms

• Redpath impoundment
• Flood hazard mitigation
• State bonds
• Capital improvements
• Bois de Sioux Watershed District
• 100-year flood elevation