SF5125

Purpose

• The bill would authorize a capital investment package to fund the design of a regional wastewater facility by providing grants and by issuing state bonds.

Main Provisions

• Subdivision 1 — Appropriation:
  • Appropriates 4,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Public Facilities Authority.
  • Grants would be provided to the cities of Winthrop, New Auburn, and Lafayette (or any two or more of these cities) to design the STREAMS regional wastewater treatment facility, officially named the Southwest Minnesota Treatment and Reuse for Economies and Advanced Management of Sustainability (STREAMS).
• Subdivision 2 — Bond sale:
  • Requires the commissioner of management and budget to sell and issue up to 4,000,000 in state bonds to fund the appropriation.
  • Bond issuance would follow Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution Article XI (sections 4 to 7).

Funding and Bond Details

• The money comes from the bond proceeds fund, and the sale of bonds is authorized specifically to cover the design grants for the STREAMS project.

Involved Entities

• Public Facilities Authority (receiving the appropriation for design grants)
• Commissioner of Management and Budget (authorized to issue the bonds)
• Cities of Winthrop, New Auburn, and Lafayette (eligible to receive design grants)

Significance and Potential Impact

• Creates a dedicated funding stream and bonding authority to plan a regional wastewater facility in southwest Minnesota.
• Signals a state role in financing the design phase of a regional infrastructure project, potentially enabling further phases (e.g., construction and operation) in the future.

Relationship to Existing Law

• Establishes a new appropriation and bond issuance plan tied to the STREAMS project.
• Uses existing bonding authority and statute framework (Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675) and constitutional provisions (Article XI) to authorize and govern the bond sale.

Relevant Terms - STREAMS regional wastewater treatment facility - Southwest Minnesota Treatment and Reuse for Economies and Advanced Management of Sustainability - Public Facilities Authority - bond proceeds fund - grants - design - Winthrop - New Auburn - Lafayette - bonds - 4,000,000 (four million) - Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7