Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish an "Essential Public Health Functions Contingency Account" to ensure continued funding for critical public health activities in Minnesota. This account is designed to respond to situations where federal funding for essential public health functions is unexpectedly reduced or eliminated.

Main Provisions

• Creation of the Contingency Account: An account is set up within the state treasury to be used specifically for maintaining essential public health functions.

• Criteria for Use: The Minnesota Commissioner of Health can use the funds only if there is a significant and unexpected reduction or loss of federal funding for essential health functions that the commissioner either performs or funds.

• Use of Funds: The funds can be spent on activities necessary to prevent or control health threats, such as disease investigations, public alerts, and managing waterborne disease outbreaks.

• Expenditure Procedure: Before accessing the funds, the commissioner must notify key legislative figures and seek guidance from the Legislative Advisory Commission, following specific procedural guidelines.

• Annual Reporting: The commissioner must report annually on any expenditures from the account, detailing the amount and purpose of each expenditure and how much federal funding was reduced or eliminated.

Significant Changes

• New Financial Resource: Introduces a financial safety net for essential public health functions to mitigate the impact of federal funding cuts.

• Legislative Oversight and Reporting: Establishes a structured process for legislative oversight and transparency in expenditure from the contingency fund.

• One-Time Fund Transfer: There will be a one-time transfer from the general fund to the newly established account to provide initial funding.

Relevant Terms

• Public health
• Contingency account
• Federal funding reduction
• Disease control and investigation
• Waterborne disease outbreak
• Legislative Advisory Commission
• Health finance and policy reporting