This bill focuses on enhancing Minnesota's water infrastructure funding programs by making significant amendments to existing statutes and establishing a new grant program for emerging contaminants. Key changes include increasing the maximum grant amounts for governmental units receiving funding from the USDA/RECD and the clean water revolving fund from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 per project or $20,000 per existing connection, and for the point source implementation grants program from $7,000,000 to $12,000,000. Additionally, the bill introduces a new emerging contaminants grant program, which will provide up to 80% of the cost for drinking water infrastructure projects addressing health advisory exceedances for contaminants as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The bill appropriates a total of $299,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund for various water infrastructure initiatives, including $18,000,000 specifically for the emerging contaminants grant program, $121,000,000 for the water infrastructure funding program, and another $121,000,000 for the point source implementation grants program. To fund these appropriations, the commissioner of management and budget is authorized to sell and issue state bonds up to the total amount appropriated. The bill aims to improve water quality and infrastructure across Minnesota while addressing emerging contaminants that pose health risks to residents.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 446A.072, 446A.073