This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 289A.51, subdivision 4, to modify the electric-assisted bicycle rebate program. Key changes include the postponement of the application opening date from 2024 to 2025 and the transition from a first-come, first-served allocation system to a lottery system for distributing 40 percent of rebate certificates to married taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $78,000 and other filers with an income below $41,000. The total amount of rebate certificates issued in each of the calendar years 2024 and 2025 is capped at $2,000,000, with unallocated amounts rolling over to the next year. Additionally, rebate certificates will expire two months after issuance if not assigned to a retailer.

The bill also 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, costs incurred, and recommendations for future improvements. The report must cover various aspects, such as technical challenges, a timeline of events leading to system failures, and evaluations of any third-party vendors involved. Importantly, the commissioner is prohibited from using funds allocated for the rebate certificates to prepare this report, and the reporting requirement will expire either upon submission of the report or on December 31, 2026, whichever comes first.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 289A.51