Purpose

• The bill would provide funding for capital improvements at Wright Technical Center in Buffalo. It authorizes a grant to Wright Technical Center, funded from the state’s bond proceeds, to cover predesign, design, construction, renovation, furnishing, and equipping of capital improvements and betterments. These improvements include upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and security systems, utility infrastructure, and site renovations to support ongoing operations at Wright Technical Center and its affiliated facilities.

Main Provisions

• Subdivision 1 (Appropriation): An amount of 10,500,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of education. This money is for a grant to Wright Technical Center for the described capital improvements (predesign, design, construction, renovation, furnishing, and equipping), including major projects to preserve or replace critical systems and infrastructure and to support ongoing operations.
• Subdivision 2 (Bond Sale): The commissioner of management and budget must sell and issue state bonds totaling up to 10,500,000 to fund the appropriation. The bond terms and process follow specified Minnesota statutes and constitutional requirements.

What This Changes in Law

• Enables a specific capital investment funded by state bond proceeds to be allocated as a grant to Wright Technical Center for substantial infrastructure and facility upgrades.
• Establishes the authorized bond financing mechanism (sale and issuance of state bonds) to cover the appropriated amount, in line with existing bond statutes and constitutional provisions.

Impact and Implications

• Creates a dedicated funding stream for capital improvements at Wright Technical Center and its affiliates, focusing on physical plant upgrades and modernization.
• Helps preserve or upgrade critical systems (mechanical, electrical, security, utilities) and improve site facilities to support ongoing operations.

Process and Oversight

• Funding and construction are to proceed under Minnesota’s established bond issuance framework (statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675) and constitutional requirements (Article XI, sections 4–7). This implies standard state oversight, auditing, and repayment through bond proceeds.

Beneficiaries

• Wright Technical Center and its affiliated facilities in Buffalo.

Timeline (Implied)

• The bill sets up the appropriation and bond authorization, but specific project timelines (design start, construction milestones) would be determined through state processes tied to the bond financing and the grant administration.

Summary of Key Concepts

• Capital improvements
• Bond proceeds fund
• Grant to Wright Technical Center
• Predesign, design, construct, renovate, furnish, and equip
• Mechanical, electrical, and security systems upgrades
• Utility infrastructure
• Site renovations
• Ongoing operations
• Bond sale and issuance
• State bonds up to 10,500,000
• Minnesota Statutes 16A.631-16A.675
• Minnesota Constitution Article XI (sections 4–7)

Relevant Terms - appropriation - bond proceeds fund - Wright Technical Center - grant - predesign - design - construct - renovate - furnish - equip - improvements - betterments - capital nature - affiliated facilities - Buffalo - mechanical systems - electrical systems - security systems - utility infrastructure - site renovations - ongoing operations - bond sale - bonds of the state - 10,500,000 - Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution article XI sections 4 to 7