HF 4240

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/26/2024 02:20pm

A bill for an act
relating to climate change; establishing a local climate planning and action hub in
the Pollution Control Agency; establishing an account; requiring a report;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
216C.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [216C.443] LOCAL CLIMATE PLANNING AND ACTION HUB.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, "eligible entity" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) a county, home rule charter or statutory city or town, the Metropolitan Council, a
regional development commission established under section 462.387, or any other local
political subdivision; or
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new text begin (2) a Tribal government, as defined in section 116J.64, subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A local climate planning and action hub is established in the
Pollution Control Agency to serve as a resource for eligible applicants seeking to: (1) develop
and implement plans, policies, and projects to reduce local contributions to the causes of
climate change; and (2) adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The duties of the local climate planning and action hub include, at a
minimum:
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new text begin (1) making periodic geographic-specific data that measures local contributions to climate
change available to counties, Tribal governments, cities participating in the Pollution Control
Agency's GreenStep Cities program, and other cities with a population of 25,000 or greater;
new text end

new text begin (2) serving as a clearinghouse to collect and disseminate (i) community-scale best
practices, and (ii) options to implement climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies;
new text end

new text begin (3) providing technical assistance and training to eligible applicants regarding data
development and analysis, planning, policy development and implementation, and program
design and implementation;
new text end

new text begin (4) supporting efforts to obtain funding for climate change projects, including:
new text end

new text begin (i) monitoring funding opportunities available from federal, state, and foundation sources
and proactively notifying eligible entities that may be interested in pursuing the funding
opportunities;
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new text begin (ii) assisting with grant development and writing and reports to funders on grant activities;
new text end

new text begin (iii) providing matching funds to access funding from sources other than federal funds
under section 216C.391; and
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new text begin (iv) awarding grants to implement programs and projects, obtain community support
and engagement, and measure project results; and
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new text begin (5) providing tools to measure progress toward project and community climate goals.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Collaboration; coordination. new text end

new text begin In carrying out the duties under this section, the
local climate planning and action hub must coordinate with and utilize the expertise of the
agency's GreenStep Cities program, the Clean Energy Resource Teams, the Minnesota
Climate Innovation Finance Authority, the Department of Commerce staff operating the
state competitiveness fund under section 216C.391, University of Minnesota Extension,
and other organizations experienced in assisting communities to address climate change
issues.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin Beginning July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter, the commissioner
must submit a written report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and
house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources
policy and energy policy summarizing the activities of the local climate planning and action
hub, including a list of communities assisted, the type of assistance provided, and grants
made to eligible applicants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Account established; appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) A local climate planning and action
hub account is established as a separate account in the special revenue fund in the state
treasury. The commissioner must credit to the account appropriations and transfers made
to the account. Earnings, including interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from
assets of the account, must be credited to the account. Money in the account at the end of
a fiscal year does not cancel to the general fund but remains available in the account. The
commissioner must manage the account.
new text end

new text begin (b) Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner and must be used only:
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new text begin (1) for grant awards made under this section; and
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new text begin (2) to pay the reasonable costs incurred by the agency to administer this section.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2025 and $....... in fiscal year 2026 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency to carry out the duties required
under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.443. Of this amount, up to $....... each year may be
used for grants awarded under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.443, subdivision 3, clause
(4), items (iii) and (iv).
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end