6.2 ERMUSR 09-08-2020UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU Commission Michelle Canterbury – Executive Administrative Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 8, 20206.2
SUBJECT:
Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association Summer Conference Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
BACKGROUND:
Everyyear the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) holds their summer
conference. This year’s conference was scheduled to be held at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd, but
due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision was made to hold the conference virtually. The
virtual conference was held August 25-26.
DISCUSSION:
Typically, the conference offers excellent opportunities for networking and education for
municipal utility leaders from around the state. This year’s conference offered a variety of
sessions for education, with one networking session. As expected, virtual conferences are just
not the same, but it was very well done, nonetheless. Next summer’s 2021 conference is
already slated to be held at Cragun’s since we could not meet there this year.
Sessions included:
Coping with the Change, Stress and Communication Dynamics of COVID-19
MMUA – The Long Road to 2020
Advantages of Transmission Investing for Public Power
The Washington Scene
Leading Public Power and City Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic
Technical Specifications Manual 101: The Basics
State Legislative Developments
Issues Round-Up
Ms. Slominski and Mr. Tietz, who attended the conference, will provide an update at the time
of the commission meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association 2020 Legislative Report
______________________________________________________________________________
Page 1 of 1
96
2020 Legislative Report
1
97
Table of Contents
Section 1 - 2020 Legislative Overview ................................................................3
Section 2 - 2020 Session Laws of Interest
Regular Sessions Laws .....................................................................................5
Section 3 - 2020 Bills of Interest That Did Not Become Law
Regular Session .................................................................................................6
First Special Session .......................................................................................11
Second Special Session ..................................................................................12
On the cover:
gathering of the House for the second special session of 2020. Looking on are Patrick Duffy Murphy, chief clerk
of the House, and Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman (standing).
Courtesy of the Minnesota House of Representatives, media services. Photo by Paul Battaglia
MMUAMMUA Training Center
3131 Fernbrook Lane N.161 St. Anthony Ave.
Suite 200Suite 800Marshall, MN 56258
Plymouth, MN 55447-5337St. Paul, MN 55103
763-551-1230
1-800-422-0119 (MN)
MMUA relies on contract lobbyists, staff and most of all — members — for a successful government relations program.
For more information, contact us.
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98
The 2020 regular session of the Minnesota State Leg-ing bill, even given the demonstrated needs and contin-
islature convened at noon on February 11, 2020. While ued low interest rates, is the fact that COVID-19 played
each legislative session is different from past ones, at its a major role in the state going from a February forecast-
beginning, nobody could have predicted just how differ-
ent the 2020 session would become. induced loss of nearly $4 billion, resulting in a May
Even though the even-numbered year of a legislative
biennium is commonly referred to as the “short-session” requires the budget be balanced by then. With a lot of
(because the members usually opt to start later than the tough choices to be made, more than a few legislators
-expressed concerns about increasing the State’s debt ser-
uary in odd-numbered years), no one would ever know vice, particularly when the ultimate economic impact of
by looking at the number of bills that get introduced COVID-19 may not be known for some time. Of course,
there are also many who see a bonding bill as a jobs bill
year of the biennium. The House of Representatives saw due the construction projects it funds.
1,174 bills introduced in the regular session, and the
Senate saw 1,708 new bills. In fact, the volume of bills The pandemic had another interesting role in the per-
being processed forced the House and Senate to push ceived lack of urgency by some legislative leaders to pass
their deadlines back a week to give more time for hear-a bonding bill or other bills in a rushed fashion. Gover-
ing policy-based bills. nor Walz declared a peacetime emergency in mid-March
in order to address COVID-19 related issues. By law,
COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the Capitol literally shut days by the executive council, a group of all the state’s
down. The legislature, which was scheduled to take its
annual spring break about two weeks later, was forced to extend the Governor’s emergency powers in 30-day
to stop processing bills virtually overnight, and with an increments. However, the governing statutes also pro-
vide that the legislature can rescind the order. In order
legislative business, including a bonding bill that is usu-to afford the legislature its right to rescind, the law
ally the showcase piece of legislation in the even-num-provides that the legislature must be called into special
bered years.session should a thirty-day extension be issued when the
legislature is otherwise not in session. This meant that
When the legislature “returned” from their hiatus, a new everyone knew the Governor would be forced to call a
world of legislating, and with it a new world of lobbying,
was unveiled. Lobbyists and the general public were emergency powers in place through the then expected
prohibited from accessing the Capitol complex, and leg-peak in the pandemic. With a guaranteed special session
islators participated from multiple locations within the looming, there was less pressure to rush through negoti-
complex or from home. Due to the lost time for process-ations that would normally mark the end of a legislative
ing bills and the passing of deadlines while things were session.
shut down, the number of bills that received hearings
was greatly curtailed. Public participation in hearings Another bill that was unfortunately left hanging when
was essentially ended for anyone who could not access the session adjourned sine die on May 18 was MMUA’s
the on-line streaming of proceedings and lobbying was
limited to cell-phone access, “Zoom” discussions, and giv-Conservation and Optimization Act of 2020, (ECO).
ing on-line testimony by invite only. This made it very This bill was a carefully negotiated piece of legislation
-that took approximately three years of effort and was
versial or not deemed essential. A key example of this supported by approximately 40 different organizations
was the inability of the House to obtain the necessary ranging from MMUA and MREA on behalf of consum-
er-owned utilities (COUs) and Xcel, Minnesota Power,
The House bonding bill came in at just over $3 billion, and Ottertail Power on behalf of the Investor-Owned
higher than the Governor’s requested $2.6 billion, and Utilities (IOUs), as well as environmental and energy
much more than the $1.2 billion proposed by the Senate, conservation groups, low-income consumer advocates,
and other consumer advocacy associations. The bill was
requests. MMUA supported the inclusion of funding for also supported by the Minnesota Department of Com-
water and wastewater projects and grant programs, and
some utilities were trying to get their individual projects ECO would have repealed CIP’s minimum spending
funded.
and would have allowed additional efforts to qualify for
In addition to the normal challenges to passing a bond-
3
99
switching) but only after meeting tight standards. ECO to pay an electric customer’s unpaid bill. A subsequent
-release of additional aid expressly provides that those
ress ground to a halt in the Sente due to opposition from funds can be used for any unpaid utility bills for qual-
ifying individuals and families. MMUA has additional
member, Flint Hills Resources, primarily over the provi-information for interested communities, but the main
sions of the bill authorizing fuel switching.
The dramatic impact of COVID-19 also meant the end and then the council could give the approved funds to
of MMUA’s efforts to gain an exemption for utilities the utility to pay the customer’s bill.
from the state’s salary cap. There was simply no interest
in authorizing higher salaries for some while so many
were facing unemployment and wage cuts. Likewise, it did at the start of the First Special Session, the Senate
was not the right time to push for changes to pay-equity voted to rescind the Governor’s peacetime emergency
laws. MMUA remains committed to these issues and will declaration, and the House voted not to approve the
try again when the time is right, hopefully in 2021.Senate resolution, thus leaving the declaration in place
through mid-August. Aside from this resolution, the only
One MMUA effort that did make its way to the Gover-two issues addressed during the Second Special Session
nor’s desk and was signed into law was language clari-were police reform and bonding. A deal on a $1.8 billion
fying that cities can hire minors at least 16 years of age bonding bill was reached but failed to pass when House
to operate lawn mowing and related equipment provided Republicans once again refused to put up the six needed
they are trained on the safety protocols for operating the
equipment and wear appropriate safety gear. MMUA’s pass the bill out of protest to the Governor’s declaration
language was picked up by golf course operators, nego-extension. A similar position had doomed the bonding
bill during the First Special Session.
Labor and Industry, and amended onto a bill allowing
minors to operate rides at Valley Fair and County Fairs. As for the policing reform bill, after weeks of conver-
The lawn mowing section of the bill became effective on
May 28, 2020.came together around a package of reform efforts,
including a statewide ban on the use of chokeholds
and similar use of restraint unless necessary to protect
Special Session. Unfortunately, due to the death of
George Floyd while in police custody and continuing
COVID-19 concerns, almost all focus shifted onto police
reform demands and pandemic relief efforts. Senator
to investigate excessive use of force allegations. Addi-
get ECO into the mix by pointing out that the bill could tional issues such as restoring a felon’s right to vote and
be a job producer and would likely help keep utility bills requiring the Attorney General to prosecute any charges
low, and Senator Dave Osmek held an informational brought after any fatal use of force are expected to re-
hearing on the bill to highlight amendments added to turn in 2021.
address the concerns from the propane industry, but
the Chamber/Flint Hills opposition led Senate Majority A third special session was gaveled in at noon, August
Leader Paul Gazelka to issue a promise that ECO would
not be on the agenda (although 2021 was arguably left later. While four DFL members (2 in both the House and
open.) The First Special Session then ended after only a Senate) had lost to their primary challengers the night
week’s work due to a self-imposed deadline adopted by before, those outcomes had no immediate impact on the
the Senate.special session. The Senate voted to repeal the emergen-
cy declaration, but the House did not, so it remains in
One bill originally thought essential for passage during place until at least September 11 when the most recent
the First Special Session that did not pass was a bill ap-30-day extension expires. With no change in the effort
to repeal the declaration, the House did not bother to
governments for new or additional expenses they in-
curred due to COVID-19. Following the end of the First a bonding bill in August posed a risk to the authority to
Special Session, Governor Walz, relying on his emer-issue previously authorized sales. Speaker of the House
gency powers and some provisions of the federal CARES Melissa Hortman was hopeful that a bonding bill could
Act, released the funds pursuant to a formula negotiated pass in either the fourth special session in September or
with the Association of Minnesota Counties, the League -
of Minnesota Cities, and the Minnesota Association of cial sessions in November and December would lead us
Townships during the regular session. While none of to the 2021 regular session at which time the authority
-to extend the Governor’s declaration would shift back to
partment advisory indicates that the funds could be used the Executive Counsel and not the legislature.
4
100
The third special session did yield one bill – a pre-vetted say the move caused strained relations to become even
more bitter.
uses of CARES act money in the Human Services pro-
gram areas. The Senate then stunned virtually everyone MMUA’s government relations team will track each
additional special session and be available to support,
Department of Labor and Industry. After a couple hours’ amend, or oppose actions as needed.
terminates the commissioner and forces the governor to
The following is a summary of utility related session
laws signed by the Governor.-
gy transition account funded at $2 million for 2021to
Chapter 98
HF 3720 Tabkecommunities address the economic dislocation associat-
ed with the closing of a local electric generating plant.
Grants may be used for, but are not limited to: research-
years of age and directly employed by a municipality, ing, planning, and implementing activities designed to:
golf course, or resort, may operate lawn mowing and
including worker retraining and developing small
Statutes Section 181A.116 as amended, which adopts
by reference the American National Standards Institute
development strategies to attract new employers to the
2017. The minor must be trained on the safe operation of community (Note section 2 was drafted to help commu-
each piece of equipment to be used, including any safety nities affected by the closing of the Benson Fibrominn
rules or instruction in the operator’s manual. The minor
must wear applicable personal protective gear, and the Island Net Zero Project with the goal of the Prairie
employer must ensure the lawn mower and other equip-Island Indian Community developing an energy system
ment’s safety equipment is in place and functional.that results in net zero emissions. The Department of
Effective date: May 28, 2020.Commerce must contract with the Community to provide
up to $46.2 million over the next three years to stimulate
research, development, and implementation of renew-
HF 3242 Neu
Permits the city of North Branch to increase its Public Renewable Development Account to the Department
of Commerce for a grant to the City of Granite Falls to
than two members may also serve as city council mem-purchase a new turbine to expand the electric generating
bers.capacity of the city’s existing hydroelectric generating
facility with $400,000 of the amount to repair structural
Regular Session subpart of Section 3 of this Report.
SF 3331 OsmekEffective date: May 28, 2020.
Requires all utilities’ CIP plans to include a program
to promote LEDs. The requirement for all utilities’ CIP
high intensity discharge lamps is repealed.
Effective date: May 28, 2020.
SF 2084 Osmek
To (1) increase the appropriation from Xcel’s Renewable
Development Account for its Solar Rewards program
5
101
The following are three lists of bills of particular interest HF 3033 Mekeland
SF 3876 Osmek
introduced during the Regular Session. The second list is To prohibit political subdivisions from banning the use of
of such bills introduced during the First Special Ses-natural gas in newly constructed buildings.
during the Second Special Session.
SF 3103 Hoffman
-To require all electric utilities to provide customers
um carry forward to the second year (but not to special semiannual reports on electric generation sources and
session). Once the legislature adjourns sine die, any bills associated air pollution emissions.
still in the hopper must be reintroduced in the next leg-
islative and/or in any special session called in between.
Bills introduced in a special session do not carry forward SF 3314 Dibble
to any other session whether regular or special.To appropriate $400,000 to assess climate change im-
pacts on state-owned assets.
Links to the session laws and bills summarized in this
Report can be found at www.leg.state.mn.us. And of HF 3076 Freiberg
course members are welcome to contact the Government SF 3108 Marty
Relations team at MMUA.To reduce greenhouse gas emissions reductions from
HF 3083 Wazlawik
A. Regular Session
SF 3803 Eaton
To prevent homeowner associations from prohibiting
HF 2836 Hornstein
rooftop solar installation by members.
SF 3143 Dibble
To establish a climate change advisory council, eliminate
HF 3101 Christensen
No Senate companion bill
qualifying sources under the RES, require utilities sub-
To require all electric utilities to include their renewable
ject to the RES to provide only carbon-free electricity by
energy program information with each customer bill.
2030, add local workforce provisions to the RES, suspend
new fossil fuel handling facility construction permits
HF 3149 Swedzinski
pending a state greenhouse gas reduction progress
No Senate companion bill
To require rate impact analysis before passage of any
the federal “Green New Deal” type policy proposals.
legislation affecting the cost of energy.
HF 2966 Mekeland
SF 3230 Utke
No Senate companion bill
To establish liability and vicarious liability for trespass
To prohibit IOU cost recovery for solar panels made with
to critical infrastructure and make it a crime to recruit
child labor.
or educate individuals to trespass on or damage critical
infrastructure.
SF 3139 Koran
HF 2969 Garofalo
To prohibit any disposable paper-type product (wipes)
No Senate companion bill
-
septic safe or sewer safe unless it either meets the test
ment fund to supplement federal funds for Minnesotans
-
under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Pro-
mission or complies with the most recent code of practice
gram (LIHEAP).
for product labeling of the association of the nonwoven
fabrics industry, that has been approved by the Minneso-
HF 3020 Miller
ta Pollution Control Agency. (See also, NHC / SF 4428 in
SF 3062 Lang
the Regular Session subpart of Section 3 of this Report.)
repair and expand the generating capacity of the Granite
HF 3209 Stephenson
Falls hydroelectric generating facility.
No Senate companion bill
operations of non-renewable, electric utility generators.
6
102
HF 3236 LippertHF 3436 Acomb
SF 3123 Housley
To acquire land for wellhead protection and ash tree
program.
a revolving loan fund for energy conservation in schools,
and establish grant programs for: residential energy
SF 3013 Weber
--
native resource plans with the PUC to advance Minne-tance to cities to address climate change, composting in
sota’s renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction multifamily buildings, solar energy systems for school
goals by selling renewable natural gas.districts, residential solar, innovative distributed ener-
gy projects, electric buses, electric vehicle rebates and
conservation reserve enrollments.
To appropriate money to repair and expand the generat-HF 3438 Bierman
ing capacity of the Granite Falls hydroelectric generat-No Senate companion bill
ing facility.To require all utilities to post electricity rate schedules
on their websites and submit them to the PUC for post-
HF 3340 Edelsoning on its website.
To authorize cities, local government agencies and HF 3441 Kresha
colleges to use energy forward pricing mechanisms for No Senate companion bill
budget risk reduction and add unleaded gasoline to the To require investor-owned natural gas utilities to re-
list of eligible energy sources.spond to capacity inquiries from potential or existing
customers within 72 hours.
HF 3368 Long
SF 3299 OsmekHF 3470 Fischer
tariff with the PUC.To require the MPCA to provide information to county
attorneys for possible prosecution of air permit violators.
HF 3378 Wazlawik
SF 3341 ChamberlainHF 3472 Fischer
To require water pollution enforcement actions to be ac-
companied by an MPCA public hearing in the local area
to inform the public about the violation.person who provides information to the MPCA that is in-
strumental in revealing the violation of a facility permit
HF 3406 Stephensonor environmental statute, standard or rule.
No Senate companion bill
To set conditions for state agencies to enter into guar-
SF 3413 Westrom
activities, training, and grants to reduce chloride pollu-
HF 3423 Sandelltion.
SF 3401 Bigham
To direct money from the Clean Water Fund to the
-
To establish and fund a net-zero emissions project for
the Prairie Island Indian Community from Xcel’s Re-
No Senate companion bill4469 in this Regular Session subpart of Section3 of this
To inventory and assess the state’s wastewater infra-Report.)
structure for its vulnerability to impacts from climate
change.
SF 3311 Ingebrigtsen
HF 3432 FreibergTo clarify that agency interpretive statements may not
SF 3632 Frentzbe treated as if they are properly adopted rules, clarify
To establish a revolving loan fund for energy conserva-that certain fee increases require legislative approval,
tion measures in state buildings.grant 16-year regulatory certainty for industrial waste-
water permittees, place restrictions on using trichlo-
roethylene, double the frequency of Pollution Control
7
103
HF 3938 Hausman
analysis of Wisconsin’s Green Tier Program, require
the Pollution Control Agency to seek approval of the To reestablish the previously repealed strategy planning
state’s Clean Air Act implementation plan to prevent process for an end to Minnesota’s contributions to green-
MPCA from applying a national or state ambient air house gases from fossil fuels.
emissions levels.(Note, A ban on TCE was adopted in a HF 3942 Lippert
separate legislation.)SF 4432 Wiger
To appropriate funds for a multi-county pilot project to
develop and implement a method for displaying geo-
SF 3666 Franzenlogic atlas data on an aquifer or watershed basis and
To appropriate $1 million from the general fund for the
UofM to study the potential for carbon sequestration on budget and water limits
public and private lands.
HF 3943 Lippert
SF 4427 Wiger
No Senate companion billTo require a report on ways to ensure sustainability of
To establish a Solar for Schools program.groundwater and surface water.
HF 3676 Koegel
SF 4039 RarickSF 3386 Dibble
To establish a board to make recommendations to the To double the CIP low-income spending requirement for
Department of Labor and Industry regarding thermal
insulation systems including licensing of installation and pre-weatherization measures eligible.
maintenance mechanics.
HF 3967 Heintzeman
HF 3718 LuceroSF 4431 Wiger
SF 3198 KleinTo appropriate funds to develop a statewide plan to
To repeal the ban on new nuclear power plants in Min-reduce chloride contamination in waters of the state, and
nesota.for training to reduce chloride.
HF 3781 LongHF 3968 Heintzeman
SF 3389 Senjem
To fund Xcel’s Solar Rewards program from Xcel’s Re-To give preference for water allocation permits to golf
newable Development Account through 2024courses that implement best management practices.
HF 3796 HornsteinHF 3971 Torkelson
SF 4311 MartySF 4430 Wiger
To reestablish the Advisory Council on Water Supply
and mixed municipal solid waste.Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. (See also,
HF 3893 LongSection 3 of this Report.)
SF 3470 Dibble
To appropriate $890,000 from the general fund and HF 3982 Vang
No Senate companion bill
political subdivisions to install public electric vehicle To establish a grant program in the MPCA to encourage
charging equipment throughout the state.cities to address climate change.
HF 3894 Long
No Senate companion bill
To establish a rebate program for electric vehicle pur-To allow the MPCA the option to use independent, sci-
chases.-
gate health risk limits from non-carcinogenic systemic
HF 3931 Longgroundwater toxicants, instead of EPA methods.
SF 3213 Rarick
To establish a type of community solar garden called a
-To require all new state buildings to utilize renewable
dential subscribers and meeting other requirements.energy sources to meet Sustainable Building 2030 guide-
lines.
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104
HF 4123 Christensensearch and Outreach Center for a project to develop and
SF 4149 Senjemadvance energy storage utilizing hydrogen and ammonia
To establish a revolving loan fund for energy conserva-production from renewable energy resources.
tion in schools
HF 4381 Long
SF 4281 Marty
No Senate companion billTo determine utilities’ avoided cost for renewable energy
To establish a residential energy conservation grant in the same way as non-renewable. (Requested by the
program.Minnesota Solar Energy Industry Association.)
HF 4162 ScottHF 4397 Brand
No Senate companion bill SF 4207 Rest
To remove the authority of the Commissioner of Admin-To tax emissions from coal, gas, petroleum liquids, mu-
istration to issues advisory opinions construing clause
from out-of-state generation of electricity used in Min-
the general welfare, health, or safety of the public.be paid as dividends from the carbon tax revenue and to
-
cy and renewable energy projects. (This bill is frequently
referred to as the “Carbon Assessment and Dividend
To appropriate funds to the Pollution Control Agency to Act” or “CADA”).
-
HF 4398 Brand
No Senate companion bill
To require the Board of Water and Soil Resources to es-
SF 4422 Simonsontablish a grant program for soil and water conservation
To extend the Cold Weather Rule period 30 days to Octo-districts, local governments, and landowners for protect-
ber 1 through April 30.ing infrastructure and improving water quality.
HF 4198 SandellHF 4432 Backer
No Senate companion billSF 4406 Utke
-To exempt from sales and use tax electricity used for:
stalled cost for residential solar systems that produce primary residential heating, industrial processing, pro-
duction of periodical publications and television commer-
energy consumed.cials and certain taxable services.
HF 4239 LongHF 4433 Wagenius
SF 4376 DibbleNo Senate companion bill
-To protect water sources containing less than one
ings.tritium unit, condition water permits on source sustain-
ability for future generations and require public meet-
HF 4294 Becker-Finnings prior to issuing appropriation permits for 216,000
SF 4421 Simonsongallons or more per day.
To require the Department of Commerce to assist any
tribal advocacy council on energy established by the 11
federally recognized Indian tribes in Minnesota.SF 4409 Rarick
To modernize the Conservation Improvement Program
HF 4299 Lippert(CIP) by authorizing utilities’ to develop plans of up to
SF 4282 Webera three-year duration and to average their conservation
To add eligibility for PACE loans for permanent im--
provements to farmland that result in improved produc-mum spend mandate for utilities that average their con-
tivity or resiliency and reduced environmental impact-
HF 4311 Hansen
To appropriate money from the Clean Water Fund.(This bill is known as the “Energy Conservation and
Optimization Act Of 2020: or “ECO”. (See also, HF 61 /
SF 3907 Westrom of this Report).
To appropriate money to the UofM’s West Central Re-
9
105
the Prairie Island Indian Community from Xcel’s Re-
To reestablish the Advisory Council on Water Supply and appropriate RDA funds for Xcel’s Solar Rewards
Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. (See also, -
HF 3971 /SF 4430 in this Regular Session subpart of tomers and appropriate RDA money to fund it. (See also,
Section 3 of this Report.
Session subpart of Section 3, and Chapter 118 of the
2020 Session Laws in Section 2 of this Report.)
SF 4007 Eken
To appropriate funds to the Board of Water and Soil
Resources to assess water quality modeling, tools and
estimators used to assess the outcomes of best manage-To require legislative approval to extend the duration
ment practices.of a peacetime emergency declared by the Governor and
limit the duration of extensions.
No Senate companion bill
To allow public drainage authorities to conduct repairs
without permission from the Department of Natural To allow local governments to determine their own fees
Resources.for small wireless facilities and make other related
changes favorable to local governments.
No Senate companion billHF 4628 Runbeck
To make appropriations and policy for Transportation No Senate companion bill
and related Departments and programs. Authorizes To allow public employees to be furloughed one week per
limited use of vacuum excavation for locating purposes. month through the end of 2020.
-
OPS) from the Gopher State One-Call (GSOC) regard-
ing positive response data collected from all locates. No Senate companion bill
Requires damage reports from all persons, not just To allow the Shakopee City Council to abolish the Sha-
excavators. Changes penalties in excavation sections of kopee Public Utilities Commission and assume control
Minnesota Statutes to match federal penalties. (Note - of the city utilities or transfer certain functions of the
MMUA joined forces with several allies to oppose this commission to the city council.
legislation. This “steering group” lobbied against this bill
and met with the Governor’s staff to outline the basis
for the opposition. A commitment was made to continue SF 4614 Goggin
discussions amongst all stakeholder on both sides of the
bill. Those conversations were just getting underway at in the state.
the time this Report went to press.)
HF 4664 Scott
SF 4606 Limmer
No Senate companion billTo limit legal liability for a person who designs, man-
To suspend foreclosures and evictions. Appropriates ufactures, labels, sells, distributes or donates PPE,
grant money for rent, mortgage, and utility payments.medical devices, medications or COVID-19 tests used by
a government entity, health care personnel or essential
SF 4499 Ingebrigtsencertain persons that claims injury, damage, death or
To make appropriation for Environment and Natural Re-economic loss related to COVID-19.
sources and reestablish the Advisory Council on Water
Supply Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. HF 4673 Marquart
No Senate companion bill
this Regular Session subpart of Section 3 of this Report.)To authorize and calculate payments from the coro-
navirus relief fund to cities, towns, and counties for
COVID-19 related expenses. (See also, HF 4683/SF
SF 4493 Chamberlin
To exempt property tax refunds from attachment, gar-Report, as well as the overview of the Governor’s actions
nishment, or sale.found in Section 1 of this Report.)
HF 4676 Wagenius
SF 4469 OsmekSF 4630 Marty
To establish and fund a net-zero emissions project for To authorize renewal of the District Energy cogeneration
10
106
plant PPA in downtown St. Paul to include acceptance
B. First Special Session
of ash tree material from all ash borer affected counties
and require development of a plan to electrify the plant
HF 28 Hansen
with renewable resources.(See also, SF19 / NHC in the
No Senate companion bill
First Special Session subpart of Section 3 of this Report,
To make appropriations for Environment and Natural
of Section 3 of this Report.
to prohibit any disposable paper-type product (wipes)
HF 4683 Garofalo
septic safe or sewer safe unless it either meets the test
To authorize and calculate payments from the coro-
-
navirus relief fund to cities, towns, and counties for
mission or complies with the most recent code of practice
COVID-19 related expenses. (See also, HF 4673 / NSC
for product labeling of the association of the nonwoven
in this Regular Session subpart, of Section 3, and the
fabrics industry, that has been approved by the Minne-
overview of the Governor’s actions as outlined in Section
sota Pollution Control Agency. (See also, HF 3181 / SF
1, of this Report.)
3139 in the Regular Session subpart of Section 3 of this
Report.)
SF 4622 Senjem
HF 61 Stephenson
To establish the coronavirus relief fund to hold funds
appropriated by the federal government to Minnesota.
To modernize Conservation Improvement Program. (This
No House companion bill
above in the Regular Session subpart of Section 3, and in
SF 3761 Koran
the overview of this issue in Section 1 of this Report.)
To require the Clean Water Council to report the num-
ber of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)positions supported
with Clean Water Fund money in each program area.
To establish a claims process paid from Xcel’s Renewable
No House companion bill
Development Account for businesses affected by loss of
business due to the closure of the Benson, MN Fibro-
-
minn poultry waste-to-energy plant.
tems on state-owned buildings and adjacent lands.
HF 126 Baker
No House companion bill
SF 38 Lang
-
To allow municipal gas agencies to enter contracts for
velopment Account to convert the Benson Fibrominn
prepaid electricity.
poultry waste-to-energy plant into a fertilizer production
plant.
No House companion bill
SF 4428 Wiger
HF 128 Marquart
To prohibit any disposable paper-type product (wipes)
SF 47 Rosen
To authorize and calculate payments from the coro-
septic safe or sewer safe unless it either meets the test
navirus relief fund to cities, towns, and counties for
-
COVID-19 related expenses. (See also, HF 4673/ SF
mission or complies with the most recent code of practice
for product labeling of the association of the nonwoven
the overview of the Governor’s action as summarized in
fabrics industry, that has been approved by the Minne-
Section 1, of this Report.)
sota Pollution Control Agency. (See also, HF 3181 / SF
3139 in this Regular Session subpart of Section 3 of this
HF 149 Lislegard
Report.)
SF 124 Osmek
No House companion bill
Development Account to develop and advance energy
storage systems that utilize hydrogen and ammonia pro-
To suspend foreclosures and evictions and appropriate
duction from renewables and other sources of clean en-
money for grants to Minnesotans to make past-due rent,
mortgage, and utility payments.
Development Account to expand the City of Mountain
Iron’s solar module manufacturing plant. (See also, HF
Special Session subpart of Section 3, of this Report.)
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HF 160 Hausman
C. Second Special Session
No Senate companion bill
To suspend foreclosures and evictions and appropriate
money for grants to make rent, mortgage, and utility
HF 3 Murphy
payments.
SF 43 Senjem
To authorize the issuance of State general obligation
HF 163 Scott
bonds, trunk highway bonds, and appropriation bonds
No Senate companion bill
for infrastructure construction, reconstruction, and re-
To limit legal liability for a person who designs, man-
pair of capital projects around the State.
ufactures, labels, sells, distributes or donates PPE,
medical devices, medications or COVID-19 tests used by
a government entity, health care personnel or essential
No Senate companion bill
To address advanced biofuel, renewable chemical, and
certain persons that claims injury, damage, death or
biomass thermal incentive programs and appropriate
economic loss related to COVID-19.
money for bioincentive programs, an ammonia pro-
duction pilot demonstration project, and a grant to
No House companion bill
the Mountain Iron Economic Development Authority
SF 19 Marty
to expand a city-owned building housing a solar panel
To authorize renewal of the District Energy cogeneration
manufacturer.
plant PPA in downtown St. Paul to include acceptance
of ash tree material from all ash borer affected counties
HF 29 Wagenius
and require development of a plan to electrify the plant
with renewable resources. (See also, HF 4626 / SF 4630
To authorize a renewal of the District Energy cogenera-
in the Regular Session subpart of Section 3, and HF 29 /
tion plant’s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA in down-
town St. Paul, to include acceptance of ash tree material
of this Report.)
from all ash borer affected counties, and requires devel-
opment of a plan to electrify the plant with renewable
No House Senate companion bill
resources. (See also, HF 4676 / SF 4630 in the Regular
SF 21 Matthews
Session subpart of Section 3, of this Report.)
To require the Commerce Department to grant co-ops
HF 66 Munson
-
No Senate companion bill
ture improvements by co-ops and municipals to count
To authorize state bonds for water and lighting infra-
conservation measures
issuance of state bonds.
No House companion bill
HF 67 Lislegard
SF 22 Kiffmeyer
SF 48 Tomassoni
To require the Commerce Department to grant co-ops
To appropriate money for an ammonia production pilot
demonstration project, and a grant to Mountain Iron
upon request, unless a lack of good faith effort by the
Economic Development Authority to expand a city-
-
owned building housing a solar panel manufacturer. (See
ergy savings from infrastructure improvements by co-ops
of section 3, and HF 149 / SF 124 in the First Special
savings from energy conservation measures.
Session subpart of Section 3 of this Report.)
No House companion bill
SF 34 Senjem
No Senate companion bill
To require electric utilities in their Integrated Resource
-
incentives for the production of wood pellets burned to
produce heat or electricity that are produced in Minne-
sota facilities that dry and process residue material from
-
forests or sawmill.
lish state transmission planning to account for retir-
ing generation facilities and to create an IRP group to
biennially share best practices, promote coordination
across resource plans and determine what other resource
nuclear generation. Commonly referred to as the Clean
Energy First bill.
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