Bill > SF862

This bill modifies and establishes several water infrastructure funding programs in Minnesota, increasing maximum grant amounts and creating a new program for emerging contaminants. The bill raises the maximum grant amount from $5 million to $10 million for several existing water infrastructure programs, including those for governmental units receiving USDA grants, clean water revolving fund loans, and drinking water revolving fund loans. It establishes a new Emerging Contaminants Grants program that will provide up to 80% funding (maximum $12 million) for drinking water infrastructure projects addressing confirmed exceedances of health advisory levels for contaminants. The program prioritizes projects in areas with higher socioeconomic challenges, using a supplemental demographic index developed by the EPA. The bill also appropriates $299 million in bond proceeds, with specific allocations including $18 million for emerging contaminants grants, $39 million to match federal revolving loan fund grants, $121 million for water infrastructure funding, and $121 million for point source implementation grants. The legislation includes provisions for grant applications, eligibility criteria, fund reservations, and potential recovery of expenses, with an emphasis on supporting water quality improvements and infrastructure upgrades in Minnesota communities.

Budget and Finance

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0862&ssn=0&y=2025