This bill proposes significant changes to Minnesota's water infrastructure funding programs, including the establishment of an emerging contaminants grant program. It amends existing statutes to increase the maximum grant amounts for governmental units receiving funding from the USDA/RECD and the clean water revolving fund, raising the limit from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 per project. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum grant amount for the point source implementation grants program from $7,000,000 to $12,000,000. The new emerging contaminants grant program will provide funding for drinking water infrastructure projects that address health advisory exceedances for emerging contaminants, with grants covering up to 80% of project costs.

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. It also allocates funds to match federal grants for clean water and drinking water revolving funds, as well as for grants to municipalities under the water infrastructure funding and point source implementation grants programs. To finance these appropriations, the commissioner of management and budget is authorized to sell and issue state bonds up to the total amount appropriated. The provisions of this bill will take effect the day following its final enactment.

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