Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to allocate state funds to support a specific educational and cultural initiative within Minnesota. It aims to enhance educational opportunities and cultural engagement among youth in urban areas.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocation: The bill proposes that $250,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 be appropriated. These funds will come from the state's arts and cultural heritage fund.

• Beneficiary: The funds are designated for the Minnesota Humanities Center, which is to facilitate a grant to the Minnesota Urban Debate League.

• Intended Use of Funds: The bill specifies that the allocated funds are to be used for improving professional development programming and expanding services to reach more youth in different geographic areas.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

While this bill does not explicitly amend existing laws, it introduces a new appropriation—allocating a specific amount of funding for a targeted purpose over a defined timeframe. This marks an initiative to enhance urban youth engagement in educational and cultural activities through debate opportunities.

Relevant Terms: arts and cultural heritage, appropriation, Minnesota Humanities Center, Minnesota Urban Debate League, professional development, youth services, geographic expansion.