HF2645 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Construction mitigation grants awarded to businesses affected by Trunk Highway 65 construction, report required, and money appropriated.
Related bill: SF2747
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The bill aims to provide financial support to small businesses affected by the construction on Trunk Highway 65 in Blaine, Minnesota. This support comes in the form of grants to help these businesses maintain operations during the disruption caused by the highway construction work.
Main Provisions
- Grant Establishment: The Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development is responsible for awarding grants to businesses impacted by the Trunk Highway 65 construction project. These grants are intended to help businesses continue their operations during the construction period.
- Eligibility: A "qualified business" eligible for these grants is one with up to 40 employees, either full-time or part-time. The business must experience significant impacts such as reduced road access, parking issues, or visibility problems for at least one month due to the construction.
- Grant Prioritization: Grants are prioritized based on the decline in business revenue, duration and proximity to construction, disruption of traffic, and issues with pedestrian access.
- Uses of Grant Funds: Businesses can use the grant money for expenses like employee payroll, operating costs, and facility expenses. The funds cannot be used for bonuses, purchasing new equipment, or making capital improvements.
Significant Changes
The bill introduces a structured grant system specifically for businesses affected by construction along Trunk Highway 65, which is not covered under existing Minnesota laws. It requires annual reports on the grants awarded, ensuring transparency and accountability until the project's completion.
Relevant Terms
- Trunk Highway 65 construction
- Construction mitigation grants
- Economic impact
- Qualified business
- Revenue decline
- Traffic disruption
- Payroll and operating expenses
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 24, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Transportation Finance and Policy |
| March 26, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Coordination with the business liaison designated for the project is required."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The bill references existing requirements for a business liaison under Minnesota Statutes section 160.165 for coordination on the Trunk Highway 65 construction mitigation grants.",
"modified": [
"Clarification on the consultation requirements for determining grant awards."
]
},
"citation": "160.165",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee