House Capital Investment Committee [Source] Translate

The meeting began with a welcome and acknowledgment of attendees, noting the initial absence of a quorum, which was later established. The committee discussed state agency matters, focusing on the governor's bonding recommendations. Commissioner Tom Peterson from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture introduced his team and outlined two key recommendations: the Rural Finance Authority and a potato facility in East Grand Forks. Matt McDevitt, Ag Finance Supervisor for the Rural Finance Authority, provided an overview of low-interest loan programs for agricultural activities, mentioning a $50 million appropriation from 2023 and a request for an additional $20 million. He highlighted the authority's successful track record, with a low loss rate on loans and over $139 million in active loans, addressing questions about loan defaults. Nick Milanowski discussed the need for upgrades to the potato inspection facility in East Grand Forks, emphasizing its importance to the $240 million potato industry and the necessity for bonding dollars to improve energy efficiency and address deferred maintenance. Representatives from the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, including Neil Ladd, updated the committee on previously appropriated funds and requested $4.5 million for 2026 for energy efficiency upgrades and accessibility improvements at the National Sports Center, highlighting its economic impact. The meeting included discussions about the absence of Olympic gold medalists, particularly the U.S. women's hockey team, and the potential for their presence at future meetings. Representative Perez-Vega inquired about the distribution of Mighty Ducks grants to inner-city ice arenas, emphasizing the need for support for local ice arenas. Representative Skraba raised concerns about infrastructure issues in greater Minnesota. Commissioner Paul Schnell presented the Department of Corrections' 2026 bonding priorities, outlining challenges such as the closure of the Stillwater Correctional Facility and a backlog of over $781 million in deferred maintenance. He detailed four capital investment priorities and discussed the future of the Stillwater facility, indicating a study is underway for potential redevelopment options. Concerns were raised about the operations and conditions at the Rush City facility, including the management of high-risk individuals. Commissioner Schnell emphasized the importance of security and intervention services. Nancy Freeman, Chief Operating Officer for Direct Care and Treatment, discussed the need for infrastructure improvements, including a $42.5 million request for asset preservation. Bobbi Burnham from the Department of Education presented on the Mary C. Murphy Library Construction Grant proposal, highlighting the significant usage of public libraries and the need for infrastructure improvements. The meeting concluded with discussions about library ownership and maintenance, emphasizing their cultural significance and role in community engagement. Kevin McKinnon, Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development at DEED, discussed two programs in the governor's bonding proposal: the Business Development Public Infrastructure (BDPI) program and the Transportation Economic Development Infrastructure (TEDI) program, each requesting $2.5 million. Representatives raised questions about collaboration between DEED and MnDOT and the lack of funding for these programs, emphasizing their importance for economic development. The next meeting was scheduled for February 26th.