<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>development and environmental policy; requiring a report; creating a task force; <br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.8731, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>subdivision 4; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 116J.575, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>subdivision 1a; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter <br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>116J.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>    Section 1. <b>[116J.437] COORDINATING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND </b><br/>
<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var><b>ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>    Subdivision 1. <b>Definitions.</b> For the purpose of this section, "green economy" means <br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>products, processes, methods, technologies, or services intended to do one or more of <br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>the following:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>    (1) increase the use of energy from renewable sources, as defined in section <br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>216B.1691;<br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>    (2) increase the energy efficiency of the electric utility infrastructure system or <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>increase energy conservation related to electricity use, as provided in sections 216B.2401 <br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>and 216B.241;<br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>    (3) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as defined in section 216H.01, subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>2, or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through, but not limited to, carbon capture, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>storage, or sequestration;<br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>    (4) monitor, protect, restore, and preserve the quality of surface waters; or<br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>    (5) expand use of biofuels, including by expanding the feasibility or reducing the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.24"></a><var>1.24</var>cost of producing biofuels or the types of equipment, machinery, and vehicles that can use <br/>
<a id="pl.1.25"></a><var>1.25</var>biofuels.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Coordinating economic development and environmental policy.</b> The <br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>commissioner and the board shall cooperate to promote job training that complements <br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>green economy business development.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.2.0"></a><a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 116J.575, subdivision 1a, is <br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>    Subd. 1a. <b>Priorities.</b> (a) If applications for grants exceed the available <br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>appropriations, grants shall be made for sites that, in the commissioner's judgment, provide <br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>the highest return in public benefits for the public costs incurred. "Public benefits" include <br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>job creation, bioscience development, environmental benefits to the state and region, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>efficient use of public transportation, efficient use of existing infrastructure, provision of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>affordable housing, multiuse development that constitutes community rebuilding rather <br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>than single-use development, crime reduction, blight reduction, community stabilization, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>and property tax base maintenance or improvement. In making this judgment, the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>commissioner shall give priority to redevelopment projects with one or more of the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>following characteristics:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>    (1) the need for redevelopment in conjunction with contamination remediation needs;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>    (2) the redevelopment project meets current tax increment financing requirements <br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>for a redevelopment district and tax increments will contribute to the project;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>    (3) the redevelopment potential within the municipality;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>    (4) proximity to public transit if located in the metropolitan area; <br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>    (5) redevelopment costs related to expansion of a bioscience business in Minnesota; <br/>
<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>    (6) multijurisdictional projects that take into account the need for affordable housing, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>transportation, and environmental impact; or<br/>
<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>    (7) the project advances or promotes the green economy as defined in section <br/>
<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>116J.437.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>    (b) The factors in paragraph (a) are not listed in a rank order of priority; rather, the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>commissioner may weigh each factor, depending upon the facts and circumstances, as <br/>
<a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>the commissioner considers appropriate. The commissioner may consider other factors <br/>
<a id="pl.2.30"></a><var>2.30</var>that affect the net return of public benefits for completion of the redevelopment plan. The <br/>
<a id="pl.2.31"></a><var>2.31</var>commissioner, notwithstanding the listing of priorities and the goal of maximizing the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.32"></a><var>2.32</var>return of public benefits, shall make grants that distribute available money to sites both <br/>
<a id="pl.2.33"></a><var>2.33</var>within and outside of the metropolitan area. Unless sufficient applications are not received <br/>
<a id="pl.2.34"></a><var>2.34</var>for qualifying sites outside of the metropolitan area, at least 50 percent of the money <br/>
<a id="pl.2.35"></a><var>2.35</var>provided as grants must be made for sites located outside of the metropolitan area.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.3.0"></a><a id="pl.3.1"></a><var>3.1</var>    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.8731, subdivision 4, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.2"></a><var>3.2</var>    Subd. 4. <b>Eligible projects.</b> Assistance must be evaluated on the existence of the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.3"></a><var>3.3</var>following conditions:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.4"></a><var>3.4</var>    (1) creation of new jobs, retention of existing jobs, or improvements in the quality of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.5"></a><var>3.5</var>existing jobs as measured by the wages, skills, or education associated with those jobs;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.6"></a><var>3.6</var>    (2) increase in the tax base;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.7"></a><var>3.7</var>    (3) the project can demonstrate that investment of public dollars induces private <br/>
<a id="pl.3.8"></a><var>3.8</var>funds;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.9"></a><var>3.9</var>    (4) the project can demonstrate an excessive public infrastructure or improvement <br/>
<a id="pl.3.10"></a><var>3.10</var>cost beyond the means of the affected community and private participants in the project;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.11"></a><var>3.11</var>    (5) the project provides higher wage levels to the community or will add value to <br/>
<a id="pl.3.12"></a><var>3.12</var>current workforce skills;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.13"></a><var>3.13</var>    (6) whether assistance is necessary to retain existing business; and<br/>
<a id="pl.3.14"></a><var>3.14</var>    (7) whether assistance is necessary to attract out-of-state business; and<br/>
<a id="pl.3.15"></a><var>3.15</var>    (8) the project promotes or advances the green economy as defined in section <br/>
<a id="pl.3.16"></a><var>3.16</var>116J.437.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.17"></a><var>3.17</var>    A grant or loan cannot be made based solely on a finding that the conditions in <br/>
<a id="pl.3.18"></a><var>3.18</var>clause (6) or (7) exist. A finding must be made that a condition in clause (1), (2), (3), <br/>
<a id="pl.3.19"></a><var>3.19</var>(4), or (5) also exists.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.20"></a><var>3.20</var>    Applications recommended for funding shall be submitted to the commissioner.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.4.0"></a><a id="pl.3.21"></a><var>3.21</var>    Sec. 4. <b>REPORT.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.3.22"></a><var>3.22</var>    The commissioner of commerce, in consultation with the commissioner of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.23"></a><var>3.23</var>employment and economic development, must analyze all state grant and loan programs <br/>
<a id="pl.3.24"></a><var>3.24</var>administered by a state agency to develop a plan specific to each program to optimize the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.25"></a><var>3.25</var>growth of the green economy, as defined in section 1, through program activities. The <br/>
<a id="pl.3.26"></a><var>3.26</var>report, along with any necessary implementing legislation, must be submitted to the chairs <br/>
<a id="pl.3.27"></a><var>3.27</var>of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over energy, environmental, and <br/>
<a id="pl.3.28"></a><var>3.28</var>economic development finance or policy issues by January 15, 2009.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.5.0"></a><a id="pl.3.29"></a><var>3.29</var>    Sec. 5. <b>GREEN ECONOMY TRANSFORMATION TASK FORCE.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.3.30"></a><var>3.30</var>    Subdivision 1. <b>Task force.</b> (a) A Green Economy Transformation Task Force is <br/>
<a id="pl.3.31"></a><var>3.31</var>created to advise and assist the governor and legislature regarding activities to transform <br/>
<a id="pl.3.32"></a><var>3.32</var>the state's economy, and to develop a statewide action plan as provided under subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.3.33"></a><var>3.33</var>2. The task force shall consist of:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.1"></a><var>4.1</var>    (1) three legislators from the house of representatives, including one minority <br/>
<a id="pl.4.2"></a><var>4.2</var>caucus member, appointed by the speaker, and three legislators from the senate, including <br/>
<a id="pl.4.3"></a><var>4.3</var>one minority caucus member, appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the <br/>
<a id="pl.4.4"></a><var>4.4</var>Committee on Rules and Administration;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.5"></a><var>4.5</var>    (2) six representatives from state agencies and institutions appointed by the <br/>
<a id="pl.4.6"></a><var>4.6</var>governor, including one member from the Office of Energy Security, one member from <br/>
<a id="pl.4.7"></a><var>4.7</var>the Department of Employment and Economic Security, one member from the Job Skills <br/>
<a id="pl.4.8"></a><var>4.8</var>Partnership Board, one member from the University of Minnesota, one member from <br/>
<a id="pl.4.9"></a><var>4.9</var>Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and one additional member; and<br/>
<a id="pl.4.10"></a><var>4.10</var>    (3) six persons from the private sector appointed by the cochairs of the task force, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.11"></a><var>4.11</var>including one member representing the utility industry, one member representing labor, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.12"></a><var>4.12</var>one member representing manufacturing, one member representing financial institutions, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.13"></a><var>4.13</var>one member representing venture capital, and one additional member. A cochair shall <br/>
<a id="pl.4.14"></a><var>4.14</var>be named from among the legislative members by the appointing authority of each <br/>
<a id="pl.4.15"></a><var>4.15</var>legislative body.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.16"></a><var>4.16</var>The governor is exempt from the requirements of the open appointments process for <br/>
<a id="pl.4.17"></a><var>4.17</var>purposes of appointing task force members.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.18"></a><var>4.18</var>    (b) The Department of Commerce shall provide staff support to the task force. The <br/>
<a id="pl.4.19"></a><var>4.19</var>task force may accept outside resources to help support its efforts.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.20"></a><var>4.20</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Duties.</b> (a) By January 15, 2009, the task force shall develop and present to <br/>
<a id="pl.4.21"></a><var>4.21</var>the legislature and the governor a statewide action plan, including necessary legislation <br/>
<a id="pl.4.22"></a><var>4.22</var>and budget requests, for transforming the economic system of the state to respond to and <br/>
<a id="pl.4.23"></a><var>4.23</var>benefit from the environmental and energy policies of the state contained in the:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.24"></a><var>4.24</var>    (1) renewable energy standard in Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.1691, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.25"></a><var>4.25</var>subdivision 2a;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.26"></a><var>4.26</var>    (2) energy conservation requirement in Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.241, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.27"></a><var>4.27</var>subdivision 1c;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.28"></a><var>4.28</var>    (3) greenhouse gas emission reduction goals in Minnesota Statutes, section 216H.02, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.29"></a><var>4.29</var>subdivision 1;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.30"></a><var>4.30</var>    (4) Clean Water Legacy Act in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 114D; and <br/>
<a id="pl.4.31"></a><var>4.31</var>    (5) biofuels 25 by 2025 initiative in Minnesota Statutes, sections 41A.10, subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.4.32"></a><var>4.32</var>2, and 41A.11.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.33"></a><var>4.33</var>    (b) The plan may consist of legislative actions, administrative actions of <br/>
<a id="pl.4.34"></a><var>4.34</var>governmental entities, collaborative actions, and actions of individuals and individual <br/>
<a id="pl.4.35"></a><var>4.35</var>organizations. The plan must be developed following the analysis described in this <br/>
<a id="pl.4.36"></a><var>4.36</var>paragraph and must be based on the analysis. The analysis must include:<br/>
<a id="pl.5.1"></a><var>5.1</var>    (1) a market analysis of the business opportunities and needs created by the laws <br/>
<a id="pl.5.2"></a><var>5.2</var>enumerated in paragraph (a), including local, state, national, and international markets;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.3"></a><var>5.3</var>    (2) an analysis of the labor force needs related to the market analysis opportunities <br/>
<a id="pl.5.4"></a><var>5.4</var>identified in clause (1), including educational, training, and retraining needs; and<br/>
<a id="pl.5.5"></a><var>5.5</var>    (3) an inventory of the current labor and business assets available to respond to the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.6"></a><var>5.6</var>opportunities identified in clause (1) and the labor needs identified in clause (2).<br/>
<a id="pl.5.7"></a><var>5.7</var>The task force shall contract for the analysis required by this paragraph.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.8"></a><var>5.8</var>    (c) The task force expires June 30, 2009.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.6.0"></a><a id="pl.5.9"></a><var>5.9</var>    Sec. 6. <b>APPROPRIATION.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.5.10"></a><var>5.10</var>    $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.5.11"></a><var>5.11</var>of commerce for the purpose of section 5.<br/>