The Minnesota Migration Act is a proposed bill that establishes the Minnesota Migration Act Advisory Council and creates a Minnesota Migration Act account in Minnesota’s special revenue fund. The bill aims to study and address the historical and present effects of slavery and institutional racism on Black Minnesotans who are descendants of chattel slavery. It includes provisions for grants, an acknowledgment and apology from the state, and recommendations for reparations.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

1. Findings & Acknowledgment:

   • Recognizes that slavery and systemic racism contributed to immense economic benefits for certain institutions while oppressing Black Americans.
   • Highlights specific instances of discrimination and harm in Minnesota, such as the Dred Scott case, redlining, racial covenants, the destruction of the Rondo neighborhood, and the police killings of George Floyd, Philando Castile, Hardel Sherrell, and Jamar Clark.
   • Issues a formal apology for slavery, racial violence, and systemic racism.

2. Minnesota Migration Act Advisory Council:

   • A 19-member advisory council is created, with members appointed by the Department of Human Rights in consultation with the Governor and the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage.
   • Members will include legislators, educators, business leaders, faith leaders, health care professionals, community activists, economists, historians, and two youth members.
   • The council will research the economic benefits of slavery, identify institutions that profited from it, and establish criteria for distributing reparative grants.

3. Grants & Funding:

   • Grants will be given to descendants of enslaved people in Minnesota and to initiatives that address systemic racial disparities.
   • The Commissioner of Human Rights will oversee the administration of these grants.
   • An initial $100 million appropriation in fiscal year 2026 will fund the advisory council and the grants.

4. Goals and Accountability:

   • The council will set measurable benchmarks and regularly report on progress and grant distributions to the legislature.
   • The first legislative report will be due by March 31, 2026, with annual updates thereafter.

5. Duration of the Advisory Council:

   • The council will exist for five years from the date of enactment.

Overall Purpose:

The Minnesota Migration Act is designed to study the impact of slavery and systemic racism in Minnesota and take concrete steps toward economic and social reparations for Black Minnesotans who are descendants of enslaved people. Through the advisory council, grants, and state acknowledgment, the bill aims to address racial disparities in housing, business, healthcare, education, and law enforcement.

If passed, this would mark a major step in reparations efforts at the state level, aligning Minnesota with other cities and states that have explored similar initiatives.