Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota Senate Bill SF3160 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1.1 A bill for an act
2	2	1.2 relating to state government; requiring the commemoration of John Francis Wheaton
3	3	1.3 on the Capitol complex; requiring community and educational initiatives and
4	4	1.4 annual reports; appropriating money.
5	5	1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
6	6	1.6 Section 1. PURPOSE AND FINDINGS.
7	7	1.7 Subdivision 1.Purpose.The purpose of this act is to recognize the historic contributions
8	8	1.8of John Francis "J. Frank" Wheaton, the first African American elected to the Minnesota
9	9	1.9legislature, by requiring a commemorative work in his honor on the State Capitol grounds.
10	10	1.10This work will serve as a lasting tribute to Representative Wheaton's legacy in advancing
11	11	1.11civil rights, racial justice, and public service in Minnesota.
12	12	1.12 Subd. 2.Findings.The legislature finds that:
13	13	1.13 (1) John Francis Wheaton was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in
14	14	1.141898 and served from 1899 to 1901;
15	15	1.15 (2) Representative Wheaton was a strong advocate for civil rights, education, and
16	16	1.16economic opportunities for African Americans in Minnesota;
17	17	1.17 (3) Representative Wheaton's leadership paved the way for future African American
18	18	1.18legislators and civic leaders in the state; and
19	19	1.19 (4) establishing a permanent tribute to Representative Wheaton at the Minnesota State
20	20	1.20Capitol will educate the public and inspire future generations.
21	21	1Section 1.
22	22	25-04844 as introduced03/18/25 REVISOR SGS/AD
23	23	SENATE
24	24	STATE OF MINNESOTA
25	25	S.F. No. 3160NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
26	26	(SENATE AUTHORS: MAYE QUADE and Oumou Verbeten)
27	27	OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
28	28	Introduction and first reading04/01/2025
29	29	Referred to State and Local Government 2.1 Sec. 2. DESIGN AND INSTALLATION.
30	30	2.2 Subdivision 1.Design process.The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board
31	31	2.3must conduct the commemorative works process pursuant to Minnesota Rules, part
32	32	2.42400.2703, and the commissioner of administration must install a commemorative work
33	33	2.5honoring John Francis Wheaton. The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board must
34	34	2.6issue a public call for artists to ensure an inclusive design process that reflects Wheaton's
35	35	2.7historical significance. When selecting the final design, the Capitol Area Architectural and
36	36	2.8Planning Board must consult community leaders, civil rights organizations, historians, and
37	37	2.9Representative Wheaton's descendants or representatives from the African American
38	38	2.10community.
39	39	2.11 Subd. 2.Progress report.The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, in
40	40	2.12consultation with the commissioner of administration, must provide an annual report to the
41	41	2.13legislature on the status of the project that addresses project progress, including but not
42	42	2.14limited to project design, funding, and community engagement efforts.
43	43	2.15 Subd. 3.Completion timeline.The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board must
44	44	2.16complete the design and site selection phases by December 31, 2026, and the commissioner
45	45	2.17of administration must complete the installation phase by December 31, 2027.
46	46	2.18 Sec. 3. EDUCATIONAL, HISTORICAL, AND CULTURAL INITIATIVES.
47	47	2.19 Subdivision 1.Educational curriculum and public awareness.The commissioner of
48	48	2.20education must develop educational materials about John Francis Wheaton's contributions
49	49	2.21to be incorporated into Minnesota history curricula in primary and secondary schools. The
50	50	2.22materials must include digital resources, lesson plans, and documentary content for classroom
51	51	2.23use.
52	52	2.24 Subd. 2.Historical and cultural programs.The Minnesota Historical Society, in
53	53	2.25partnership with African American cultural organizations, must:
54	54	2.26 (1) develop programming, including lectures, exhibits, and panel discussions, to highlight
55	55	2.27Wheaton's impact; and
56	56	2.28 (2) establish and promote an annual "J. Frank Wheaton Legacy Day" to commemorate
57	57	2.29his contributions and encourage civic engagement, particularly among young people.
58	58	2.30 Sec. 4. FORMAL DEDICATION CEREMONY.
59	59	2.31 Upon completion of the commemorative work required under this act, the Capitol Area
60	60	2.32Architectural and Planning Board must host an official dedication ceremony at the Minnesota
61	61	2Sec. 4.
62	62	25-04844 as introduced03/18/25 REVISOR SGS/AD 3.1State Capitol and invite the governor, legislators, representatives of the African American
63	63	3.2community, educators, historians, and the general public to participate. The ceremony must
64	64	3.3include historical reflections on Representative Wheaton's legacy, student presentations,
65	65	3.4and community-led discussions on representation in government.
66	66	3.5 Sec. 5. APPROPRIATION.
67	67	3.6 Subdivision 1.Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board.$....... in fiscal year
68	68	3.72026 is appropriated from the general fund to the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning
69	69	3.8Board for purposes of this act. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028.
70	70	3.9 Subd. 2.Department of Administration.$....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from
71	71	3.10the general fund to the commissioner of administration for purposes of this act. This
72	72	3.11appropriation is available until June 30, 2028.
73	73	3.12 Sec. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
74	74	3.13 This act is effective the day following final enactment.
75	75	3Sec. 6.
76	76	25-04844 as introduced03/18/25 REVISOR SGS/AD