St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation authorizing the Minnesota Management and Budget agency (MMB) to extend grants issued by the state before June 30, 2020. The bill is authored by State Representative Michael Nelson (DFL - Brooklyn Park), chair of the House State Government Finance Division.
“As we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has impacted our communities, we need to continue to look for ways to deliver resources and flexibility to those who need it,” said Rep. Michael Nelson. “Should the situation warrant it, this bill gives MMB the ability to extend grants to recipients, such as the U of M researchers who currently have a difficult time meeting the requirements of their grant due to the pandemic.”
Upon approval from MMB, grants could be extended up to two years beyond the year they were scheduled to expire. The focus of the legislation would help entities whose performance under the grant has been frustrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will allow for continuity of funding for some organizations, and will prevent the trouble and expense of cracking down on individual grantees that may not have adequately performed because of the conditions of the pandemic. Under current law, MMB can grant encumbrances up to one year.
MMB would be required to report extended grants to the Minnesota Legislature.
The legislation can be found here, and a video recording of the floor debate is available here.
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