A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing the Minnesota food bank program;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
256D.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [256D.66] MINNESOTA FOOD BANK PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin The Minnesota food bank program is established in the Department of Human Services.
The commissioner of human services shall distribute money appropriated to the Minnesota
food bank program to all regional food banks the commissioner contracts with for the
purposes of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).The commissioner shall
distribute money under this section in accordance with the federal TEFAP formula and
guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture. Money distributed under this
section must be used by all regional food banks to purchase food that will be distributed
free of charge to TEFAP partner agencies. Money distributed under this section must also
cover the handling and delivery fees typically paid by food shelves to food banks to ensure
costs associated with money under this section are not incurred at the local level.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES.
new text end

new text begin (a) If a version of the bill codifying the Department of Children, Youth, and Families
referenced in Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 35, is passed in the 2024 session,
the responsibilities for the Minnesota food bank program under Minnesota Statutes, section
256D.66, shall transfer from the commissioner of human services to the commissioner of
children, youth, and families. Minnesota Statutes, section 256D.66, is incorporated into the
transfer of duties and responsibilities in Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30, and
the commissioner shall give the notices of when the transfer is effective as required by
subdivision 1 of that section.
new text end

new text begin (b) If the bill referenced in paragraph (a) is passed, the revisor of statutes shall renumber
Minnesota Statutes, section 256D.66, within chapter 142F. The revisor shall also change
any references to the Department of Human Services to the Department of Children, Youth,
and Families, and references to the commissioner of human services to the commissioner
of children, youth, and families.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA FOOD BANK PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $5,000,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2025 from the general fund to the commissioner
of human services for the Minnesota food bank program under Minnesota Statutes, section
256D.66. The base for this appropriation is $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $5,000,000
in fiscal year 2027. This appropriation will transfer to the commissioner of children, youth,
and families upon the transfer of responsibility for the Minnesota food bank program pursuant
to Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30. Any unexpended balance of this
appropriation at the time of transfer shall be appropriated to the commissioner of children,
youth, and families pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, subdivision 6.
new text end

Section 1.

new text begin [256D.66] MINNESOTA FOOD BANK PROGRAM. new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES.new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA FOOD BANK PROGRAM.new text end

new text begin [256D.66] MINNESOTA FOOD BANK PROGRAM.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA FOOD BANK PROGRAM.
new text end