Funding provided for Legacy Coordination Network Education Fund, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by María Isa Pérez-Vega

Provides $50,000 in FY2026 from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund to fund the Legacy Coordination Network Education Fund for Black History Month programs and education on African

Introduction and first reading, referred to Legacy Finance

#arts

Basic Information

Session: 2025-2026

Jurisdiction: Minnesota

Bill Title: Funding provided for Legacy Coordination Network Education Fund, and money appropriated

Introduced / Referred: First reading on April 21, 2025; referred to the Committee on Legacy Finance

Sponsor: Primary sponsor (as introduced) with co-sponsor María Isa Pérez-Vega

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to provide funding from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund to support the Minnesota Humanities Center’s Legacy Coordination Network (LCN) Education Fund.

The focus is on activities related to Minnesota African Diaspora Black History Month and broader educational outreach about the historical and cultural contributions of African-heritage communities in Minnesota.

Overall goal: enhance programming and outreach to educate youth and the general public about African-heritage history and impact in Minnesota.

Key Provisions and Funding Details

Appropriation Amount: $50,000 for fiscal year 2026.

Source of Funds: Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Recipient/Administration: Funds to be appropriated to the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Humanities Center (for grants to the Legacy Coordination Network Education Fund).

Authorized Activities:

Programming related to Minnesota African Diaspora Black History Month.
Educational outreach activities targeted at teaching youth and the general public about the historical and cultural contributions of African-heritage communities in Minnesota.

Who/What Is Affected

Beneficiaries:

The Minnesota Humanities Center, specifically its Board of Directors, which will administer grants to the Legacy Coordination Network Education Fund.
The Legacy Coordination Network Education Fund itself as the grant recipient and program implementer.

Audience Reach:

Youth and the general public in Minnesota who participate in or are exposed to Black History Month programming and related educational outreach.

Cultural/Educational Impact:

Emphasis on African-heritage history and contributions within Minnesota.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Effective Date: Not specified in the text provided beyond a fiscal year 2026 appropriation; typically, such appropriations take effect in the upcoming fiscal year unless otherwise specified.

Implementation Timeline: The appropriation is for FY 2026, suggesting program activities would occur during that fiscal year.

Next Steps in Process: After introduction and assignment to the Legacy Finance committee, the bill would need to pass both chambers (House and Senate) and be signed into law by the governor to become effective.

Practical Considerations

The bill establishes a targeted use of Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund resources to support a specific educational initiative tied to African Diaspora history in Minnesota.

It provides a modest, one-year funding amount ($50,000) for the upcoming fiscal year, with a structure that routes funds through the Minnesota Humanities Center to the Legacy Coordination Network Education Fund.

The bill appears to be a focused appropriation rather than a broad program expansion, concentrating on awareness, education, and outreach around Black History Month and related cultural contributions.

If you’d like, I can add a short comparison to similar past or current appropriations or provide a one-page briefing for a legislative office.

Bill