MN SF3478

Appropriates funds from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal year 2025 to provide grants to public schools for capital improvement projects to remove and replace American Indian mascots in compliance with Minnesota Statutes section 121A.041.

Public schools may apply for grants covering construction costs to remove and replace American Indian mascots on school facilities including building facades, gymnasium floors, athletic fields, and school signage.

Grant funds cannot be used for predesign, design, planning phases, or noncapital expenditures such as uniforms or stationery.

Commissioner may award grants for construction costs incurred on or after July 1, 2022, with each qualifying school receiving no more than a specified maximum amount (amount not specified in bill as introduced).

Appropriation is available until June 30, 2026, and is designated as a onetime appropriation; if a school district issued bonds for the project, grant funds must be deposited into the district's debt redemption fund.