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HF 1623

Children's museums grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Backer and 4 co-sponsors

The bill would create state grants and appropriate funds to support Minnesota children’s museums and their programs.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Legacy Finance
#museumsandtheaters
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Bill Summary · HF 1623

HF 1623 — Children's museums grant funding provided, and money appropriated

Overview

HF 1623 is a Minnesota House of Representatives bill introduced on February 27, 2025. Its primary aim is to provide grant funding to children’s museums and to appropriate state funds for this purpose. The bill falls under the subject “Museums and Theaters” and is currently in the introduction stage, having been referred to the Legacy Finance committee. A Senate companion bill is SF 1901.

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes state support for children’s museums by creating grant funding opportunities.
  • Seeks to appropriate state money to fund these grants, enabling eligible museums to implement programs, exhibits, or services that benefit children and families.

Key provisions (as currently stated)

  • Authorization of grants for Minnesota children’s museums.
  • Appropriation of funds dedicated to those grants.
  • Administrative framework and eligibility requirements are not detailed in the available text; specific criteria, grant sizes, and reporting requirements would be addressed in future amendments and committee discussions.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Minnesota children’s museums and, by extension, their staff, volunteers, and visitors (especially families and youth).
  • Indirect beneficiaries: families and communities served by the funded museums through enhanced programming, education outreach, and access.
  • The provision would influence budgeting and programming at recipient museums, subject to future rulemaking and oversight.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduction and first reading.
  • First Reading: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to: Legacy Finance, indicating the bill will be evaluated for fiscal impact and funding feasibility.
  • Related legislation: Companion bill SF 1901 (Senate).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Fiscal impact: Requires new state appropriations; the scale would depend on the grant program’s design (number of museums eligible, grant amounts, duration, matching requirements, etc.). Specific dollar figures and funding mechanisms are not provided in the current text.
  • program design considerations likely to be addressed in committee: eligibility criteria, grant cycles, reporting and accountability, performance metrics, and oversight.
  • Policy alignment: Fits within a broader goal of supporting education, informal learning, and access to cultural institutions for Minnesota residents.

Next steps

  • HF 1623 will move through the Legacy Finance committee, where sponsors may propose detailed funding language, eligibility rules, and reporting requirements.
  • The bill could see amendments, potential fiscal notes, and eventual floor consideration in the House.
  • If advanced, a companion or cross-chamber negotiations with SF 1901 would be anticipated before final passage.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to similar grant programs or draft a one-page briefing for stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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