HF 2363

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/22/2021 02:07pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; establishing a task force to analyze options for increasing the
provision of weatherization services to low-income households; requiring a report;
appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. TASK FORCE ON EXPANDING THE PROVISION OF
WEATHERIZATION SERVICES.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.

(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce.

(c) "Weatherization Assistance Program" means the federal program described in Code
of Federal Regulations, title 10, part 440 et seq., designed to assist low-income households
to cost-effectively reduce energy use.

(d) "Weatherization service providers" means the network of contracted entities that
administer the Weatherization Assistance Program.

(e) "Weatherization assistance services" means the energy conservation measures installed
in households under the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Subd. 2.

Establishment.

A task force is established to explore ways to expand existing
funding sources and identify potential new funding sources in order to increase the number
of low-income Minnesota households served or the scope of services provided by the
Weatherization Assistance Program.

Subd. 3.

Membership.

(a) No later than August 1, 2021, the commissioner must appoint
members to the task force representing the following stakeholders:

(1) a statewide association representing Weatherization Assistance Program providers;

(2) individual Weatherization Assistance Program service providers;

(3) investor-owned utilities;

(4) electric cooperatives and municipal utilities;

(5) low-income energy advocates;

(6) Tribal nations; and

(7) delivered fuel dealers.

(b) Task force members serve without compensation.

(c) The commissioner must fill task force vacancies to maintain the representation
required under paragraph (a).

Subd. 4.

Meetings; officers.

(a) The commissioner must convene the first meeting of
the task force no later than August 15, 2021.

(b) At the task force's first meeting, the task force must elect a chair and vice-chair from
among its members and may elect other officers as necessary.

(c) The task force must meet according to a schedule determined by the task force, and
may also meet at the call of the chair. The task force must meet as often as necessary to
accomplish the duties listed under subdivision 5.

(d) Task force meetings are subject to the open meeting provisions of Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 13D.

Subd. 5.

Duties.

The task force must:

(1) develop a strategy to reduce, each year, a targeted number of eligible households
denied weatherization services due to unaddressed health, environmental, or structural
hazards in the home;

(2) explore new sources of funding in order to increase the number of households
receiving weatherization assistance services;

(3) analyze existing program models in other states that offer services that complement
the Weatherization Assistance Program;

(4) analyze the current distribution of weatherization services across ethnic groups,
among different regions of Minnesota, in urban, suburban, and rural areas, and with respect
to other demographic factors in order to determine how to distribute weatherization services
more equitably throughout Minnesota;

(5) discuss how additional funding would impact the ability of weatherization assistance
service providers to provide weatherization assistance services to more eligible households;

(6) identify services that a supplemental funding program could provide to address
necessary repairs to homes that the federal Weatherization Assistance Program requires
before weatherization assistance is provided, but which cannot be funded with federal
Weatherization Assistance Program funds; and

(7) examine other related issues the task force deems relevant.

Subd. 6.

Administrative support.

The commissioner must provide administrative
support and physical or virtual meeting space needed to complete the task force's work.

Subd. 7.

Report.

No later than February 1, 2022, the task force must submit a report on
its findings and recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate
and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over energy. The report must
include recommendations for legislation to supplement funding for the Weatherization
Assistance Program.

Subd. 8.

Expiration.

This section expires April 15, 2022.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.

$....... in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
commerce to implement the task force on expanding weatherization assistance services
established under section 1. Any unexpended funds cancel to the general fund at the end of
the fiscal year. This is a onetime appropriation.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2021.