MN HF89

Establishes a special master panel of 3-9 attorneys appointed by the governor to award disaster assistance compensation to persons damaged by civil unrest in Minnesota during May 25 - June 8, 2020.

Eligible recipients include nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses with 50 or fewer employees, property owners, and residents located within designated zones in Minneapolis (Lake Street and West Broadway corridors) and Saint Paul (University Avenue corridor), plus any additional zones designated by the governor.

Panel awards cover physical damage to structures and personal property, and economic losses including lost inventory and employee wages, but exclude future earnings and attorney fees; damage must not be insurable under applicable insurance policies.

Awards are final and not subject to judicial review; panel determinations and damage calculations cannot be used in subsequent court proceedings; award payments do not reduce payments from insurance companies, third parties, or public assistance eligibility.

Appropriates $125,000,000 for compensation awards and $5,000,000 for administrative expenses in fiscal year 2021; requires report to legislature by April 15, 2021 detailing compensation paid and administrative costs.