2025 Session Last amended: 2015 session

§ 12A.15 — Public Safety

Plain-Language Summary

This section authorizes the commissioner of public safety to pay 100% of the nonfederal share for state agencies, local governments, and utility cooperatives under the FEMA Public Assistance cost-sharing program, fund debris removal from residences and farms, provide technical assistance and grants for long-term recovery coordination, and waive the normal contract approval procedures for disaster assistance distribution.

12A.15 PUBLIC SAFETY.

State appropriations may be used to pay 100 percent of the nonfederal share for state agencies, local governments, and utility cooperatives under section 12.221. An appropriation from the bond proceeds fund may be used as cost-share for federal disaster assistance for publicly owned capital improvement projects. §

Subd. 2.Grants for debris removal.

Within the limits of general fund appropriations in law, the commissioner may make grants to counties for costs related to the burial and removal of debris resulting from the disaster from residences and farms. The commissioner may require documentation of costs. Grants are available for debris removal and burial costs not covered by private insurance or federal reimbursement. §

Subd. 2a.Long-term recovery assistance.

The commissioner may use appropriations to provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions or to make grants to counties, regional consortia, and nonprofit organizations working in the disaster area to provide assistance in coordinating long-term recovery activities related to the disaster. §

Subd. 3.Waiver of contract approval procedures.

State and federal disaster assistance distributed by the commissioner of public safety is not subject to the contract approval procedures of chapter 16A, 16B, or 16C, or any other law. The commissioner of public safety may adopt internal procedures to administer and monitor these aids and grants.

History:

2008 c 247 s 15; 2009 c 93 art 2 s 15; 2011 c 67 s 10; 2014 c 312 art 7 s 9; 1Sp2015 c 1 art 3 s 1

History: History: 2008 c 247 s 15; 2009 c 93 art 2 s 15; 2011 c 67 s 10; 2014 c 312 art 7 s 9; 1Sp2015 c 1 art 3 s 1

Practical Notes

The 100% state coverage of the nonfederal share is a significant benefit — local governments normally would have to fund that 25% themselves. Debris removal grants cover costs not reimbursed by private insurance or FEMA. The waiver of contract approval procedures allows the commissioner to distribute disaster assistance quickly without bureaucratic delays. Counties should document all debris removal and recovery costs from the start of the disaster.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes