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Bill to add $15 million for Greater Minnesota housing infrastructure advances with technical amendment

Minnesota Senate Committee on Capital Investment ยท April 8, 2026

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Summary

Sen. Hochschild offered Senate File 4571 to invest $15 million in Greater Minnesota housing infrastructure grants; local officials testified that small infrastructure grants unlock housing projects, and the committee adopted an A2 technical amendment clarifying the program's Greater Minnesota focus before laying the bill over for possible inclusion.

Sen. Hochschild told the Senate Capital Investment Committee that Senate File 4571 would provide $15 million in general obligation bonding to the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grant Program to fund water, sewer, streets and other public infrastructure to support housing development in outstate communities.

"This bill provides 15,000,000 in GO bond capital into the Greater Minnesota housing infrastructure grant program," Sen. Hochschild said, adding the program would be expanded to support workforce housing in addition to affordable and homeownership development.

Local officials described how modest grants can unlock development. Jeff Brand, executive director of the Cook County HRA, said his county needs hundreds of housing units and cited higher construction costs caused by bedrock and remote locations. Josh Malchow, city administrator in Slaton, said a $25,000 grant to relocate a storm sewer enabled the construction of an accessible duplex for seniors. Greg LaRue, Becker city administrator, said a $430,000 grant opened 17 acres that could yield about 198 housing units and attracted roughly $22 million in private investment.

Committee members discussed the A2 author's amendment, which Sen. Hochschild said simply clarifies that the program is intended for Greater Minnesota and not the metropolitan area. Sen. Dibble moved the A2 amendment and the committee adopted it by voice vote. Sen. Pratt raised a separate concern about $136 million in interest earned by Minnesota Housing Finance Agency since 2023 and urged the authors to consider whether those funds could be used instead of adding to taxpayers' bonding burden.

The measure was laid over for possible inclusion in the bonding package.