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Panel hears bill to redirect National Sports Center sales tax revenue to deferred‑maintenance account
Summary
Senate File 378 would establish an 'Amateur Sports Account' funded by sales taxes derived from the National Sports Center and appropriate those funds for deferred maintenance at the state‑owned facility in Blaine; sponsors and facility officials argued deferred upkeep threatens a high‑impact venue’s operations.
Senate File 378, sponsored by Senator Jerry Croon, would establish an Amateur Sports Account to deposit sales tax revenue generated at the National Sports Center (NSC) and appropriate those funds for deferred maintenance at the state‑owned campus in Blaine.
Senator Croon said the bill creates a dedicated funding mechanism and includes a use requirement restricting deposits to deferred maintenance identified via the Minnesota Enterprise Real Property Facilities Condition Assessment. “The funds are appropriated to the Commission for deferred maintenance costs at the National Sports Center in Blaine,” Croon said.
Todd Johnson, executive director of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, described the NSC as a state asset with “nearly $100,000,000 in economic impact” and said the campus is 30 years old and facing urgent maintenance needs, including conversion from phased‑out refrigerants and recent compressor failures in the ice facility. Johnson said emergency funds from the Department of Administration have been used for urgent repairs but are not a long‑term solution.
Senators questioned ownership, the precedent of returning locally generated taxes to a specific facility, and whether the NSC receives state operating funds — witnesses said the buildings are state‑owned and the center is largely self‑sufficient operationally. Revenue estimates presented during testimony indicated roughly $360,000 in annual sales tax revenue could be redirected under the bill’s formula.
Senator Croon said the plan would create a predictable revenue stream to address deferred maintenance without requesting on‑going operating subsidies. After questions, the committee laid Senate File 378, as amended, over for possible consideration in the omnibus tax bill.
