1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; requiring language that the state will purchase plug-in 
1.3 	hybrid electric vehicles when commercially available to be inserted in certain 
1.4 	bid documents; creating a task force.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. STATE PURCHASING OF PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC 
1.7 	VEHICLES.
 1.8 		Subdivision 1.Definition. (a) As used in sections 2 and 3, "plug-in hybrid electric 
1.9 	vehicle (PHEV)" means a vehicle containing an internal combustion engine that also 
1.10 	allows power to be delivered to the drive wheels by a battery-powered electric motor and 
1.11 	that meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. When connected to the 
1.12 	electrical grid via an electrical outlet, the vehicle must be able to recharge its battery. The 
1.13 	vehicle must have the ability to travel at least 20 miles, powered substantially by electricity.
1.14 	(b) As used in this section, "neighborhood electric vehicle" means an electrically 
1.15 	powered motor vehicle that has four wheels and has a speed attainable in one mile of at 
1.16 	least 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface.
1.17 		Subd. 2.Notice of state procurement policy in bid documents. All solicitation 
1.18 	documents for the purchase of a passenger automobile, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.19 	section 168.011, subdivision 7; pickup truck, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
1.20 	168.011, subdivision 29; or van, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 168.011, 
1.21 	subdivision 28, issued under the jurisdiction of the Department of Administration after 
1.22 	June 30, 2006, must contain the following language: "It is the intention of the state of 
1.23 	Minnesota to begin purchasing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and neighborhood electric 
1.24 	vehicles as soon as they become commercially available, meet the state's performance 
2.1 	specifications, and are priced no more than ten percent above the price for comparable 
2.2 	gasoline-powered vehicles. It is the intention of the state to purchase plug-in hybrid 
2.3 	electric vehicles and neighborhood electric vehicles whenever practicable after these 
2.4 	conditions have been met and as fleet needs dictate for at least five years  after these 
2.5 	conditions have been met.

2.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.7 	Sec. 2. PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE RETROFIT PROJECT.
 2.8 	The automotive engineering program at Minnesota State University - Mankato 
2.9 	is strongly encouraged to retrofit two flexible fuel vehicles to also operate as plug-in 
2.10 	hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV's). If the legislature does not appropriate funds for this 
2.11 	purpose, the Department of Administration and Minnesota State University - Mankato 
2.12 	may accept donations and work cooperatively with nonprofit agencies, higher education 
2.13 	institutions, and public agencies to procure vehicles and obtain other necessary funds to 
2.14 	conduct the retrofit. 

2.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.16 	Sec. 3. PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE TASK FORCE.
 2.17 		Subdivision 1.Establishment; membership. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle 
2.18 	task force is established. The task force shall consist of 13 members as follows: 
2.19 	(1) one representative each from Xcel Energy and Great River Energy;
2.20 	(2) one representative each from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the 
2.21 	Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency;
2.22 	(3) the director of the Travel Management Division of the Minnesota Department of 
2.23 	Administration, or the director's designee;
2.24 	(4) a representative from the University of Minnesota Department of Electrical 
2.25 	Engineering;
2.26 	(5) one representative each from Minnesota-based manufacturers of electric 
2.27 	batteries, automotive parts, and power electronics;
2.28 	(6) a representative from an environmental advocacy organization active in 
2.29 	electricity issues;
2.30 	(7) a representative of United Auto Workers Local 879; and
2.31 	(8) a representative of the Ford Motor Company.
3.1 		Subd. 2.Appointment. The chairs of the senate and house of representatives 
3.2 	committees with primary jurisdiction over energy policy shall jointly appoint the task 
3.3 	force members.
3.4 		Subd. 3.Cochairs. The task force shall have two cochairs, one appointed by each 
3.5 	of the appointing authorities established in subdivision 2.
3.6 		Subd. 4.Charge. (a) The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle task force shall identify 
3.7 	barriers to the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by state agencies, small 
3.8 	and large private fleets, and Minnesota drivers at-large and develop strategies to be 
3.9 	implemented over one-, three-, and five-year time frames to overcome those barriers. 
3.10 	Included in the analysis should be possible financial incentives to encourage Ford Motor 
3.11 	Company to produce plug-in hybrid, flexible-fueled vehicles at its St. Paul plant.
3.12 	(b) The task force shall consider and evaluate the data and information presented to 
3.13 	it under subdivision 5 in presenting its findings and recommendations.
3.14 		Subd. 5.Data and analysis. The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency 
3.15 	shall analyze and report to the task force the environmental impacts of purchasing plug-in 
3.16 	hybrid electric vehicles for the state-owned vehicle fleet and at penetration rates of ten 
3.17 	percent, 25 percent, and 50 percent of all motor vehicles registered in this state. The 
3.18 	analysis must compare, for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and current fleet vehicles, air 
3.19 	emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in 
3.20 	width, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide.
3.21 		Subd. 6.Expenses. Members of the task force are entitled to reimbursement 
3.22 	for expenses under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6. Member 
3.23 	reimbursements shall be paid for by the commissioner of commerce.
3.24 		Subd. 7.Staff. The state agencies represented on the commission shall provide 
3.25 	staff support.
3.26 		Subd. 8.Report. The task force shall present its findings and recommendations in a 
3.27 	report to the chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees with primary 
3.28 	jurisdiction over energy policy and state government operations by April 1, 2007.
3.29 		Subd. 9.Expiration. The task force expires on June 30, 2008.

3.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.