This bill amends the electric-assisted bicycle rebate program in Minnesota, specifically modifying the eligibility criteria and the rebate amounts. The rebate amount is now set at 75 percent of the purchase price, capped at $750, down from the previous cap of $1,500. Additionally, eligibility for the rebate is limited to individuals with adjusted gross incomes not exceeding $78,000 for married couples filing jointly and $41,000 for all other individuals. The bill also introduces a new requirement for the commissioner of revenue to allocate rebate certificates through a random lottery system if the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available certificates, replacing the previous first-come, first-served approach.

Furthermore, the bill mandates a report from the commissioner of revenue by January 15, 2026, detailing the operation of the rebate program, including challenges faced during the application process and recommendations for improvement. The report will also evaluate any third-party vendors involved in the program and outline the anticipated programming for the lottery system. The bill specifies that no funds allocated for the rebate certificates can be used for preparing the report, and this reporting requirement will expire either on December 31, 2026, or upon submission of the report, whichever comes first.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 289A.51
1st Engrossment: 289A.51