SF81

Purpose

• The bill provides funding from the state general fund to reimburse a specific school district for the costs of removing and replacing an American Indian mascot, in order to comply with Minnesota Statutes section 121A.041.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation to the Department of Education: The bill designates a general-fund appropriation in the fiscal year to support reimbursements to the school district.
• Reimbursement to Independent School District No. 99 Esko: The bill authorizes reimbursement to Esko for costs tied to removing and replacing the American Indian mascot on school facilities and equipment, to satisfy the requirements of Minnesota Statutes section 121A.041.
• Eligible expenses: Reimbursable costs cover a wide range of items connected to removing and replacing the mascot, including:
  • athletic uniforms
  • clocks
  • school signage
  • tribute markers
  • chairs
  • tables
  • entryway flooring
  • gymnasium flooring
  • athletic field artificial turf
  • gymnasium wall mats
• Eligibility timing: An expense must have been incurred on or after June 1, 2023 to qualify for reimbursement.
• One-time and time-limited: This appropriation is a one-time funding action and is available for use through June 30, 2028.

How this changes the law

• The bill does not change existing statutes itself but provides a dedicated funding mechanism to reimburse a school district for costs incurred to remove and replace an American Indian mascot to comply with state law (Minnesota Statutes section 121A.041). It creates a defined timeline for eligibility and a deadline for using the funds, effectively enabling compliance-related expenses to be covered.

Practical Impact

• For Esko, this means financial support from the state to cover a broad set of cost items associated with replacing the mascot, reducing the burden on the district and ensuring alignment with state anti-mascot requirements.
• The Department of Education administers the reimbursement process and must ensure expenses meet eligibility criteria and are incurred within the specified timeframe.

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Relevant Terms - American Indian mascot - mascot removal - Independent School District No. 99 Esko (Esko) - reimbursement - Department of Education - general fund - appropriation - Minnesota Statutes section 121A.041 - removal and replacement costs - school facilities and equipment - athletic uniforms - clocks - school signage - tribute markers - chairs - tables - entryway flooring - gymnasium flooring - athletic field artificial turf - gymnasium wall mats - incurred on or after June 1, 2023 - onetime appropriation - available until June 30, 2028