The 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 lower-income applicants. The total amount of rebate certificates issued is capped at $2,000,000 for each of the calendar years 2024 and 2025, 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 and recommendations for improvement. The report will cover various aspects such as technical challenges, costs incurred, and evaluations of third-party vendors involved in the application system. Importantly, the commissioner is prohibited from using funds allocated for the rebate certificates to prepare this report, and the reporting requirement will expire either on December 31, 2026, or upon submission of the report, whichever comes first.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 289A.51