Community festival grant program funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 1559 appropriates $1.25 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage fund to support community festivals. The Minnesota Humanities Center will distribute these grants to community organizations, cities, and counties for event programming, staffing, outreach, transportation, facilities, and signage. Up to $200,000 of the total can reimburse county sheriff departments for public safety costs at these events. The bill specifically prioritizes funding for named festivals including the Somali Museum Annual Celebration, Twin Cities Jazz Fest, Hmong Festival, and Rondo Days in St. Paul.