1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government; appropriating money for environment and natural 
1.3 	resources; appropriating money for energy and commerce; modifying environment 
1.4 	and natural resources provisions; modifying commissioner's duties; modifying 
1.5 	provisions for water and soil conservation; prohibiting lead and cadmium in certain 
1.6 	consumer products; modifying farmed Cervidae provisions; establishing and 
1.7 	modifying energy, renewable energy, and utility provisions; establishing a 
1.8 	strengthen Minnesota homes program; modifying report requirements; requiring 
1.9 	reports; requiring rulemaking;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 
1.10 	16B.325, subdivision 2; 16B.58, by adding a subdivision; 16C.135, subdivision 
1.11 	3; 16C.137, subdivision 1; 35.155, subdivisions 1, 4, 10, 11, 12, by adding 
1.12 	subdivisions; 35.156, by adding subdivisions; 84.415, subdivision 3; 84.66, 
1.13 	subdivision 7; 86B.313, subdivision 4; 97A.465, subdivisions 3, 8; 97A.475, 
1.14 	subdivision 41; 97C.605, subdivisions 1, 2c, 3; 97C.611; 103B.101, subdivisions 
1.15 	9, 16, by adding a subdivision; 103B.103; 103C.501, subdivisions 1, 4, 5, 6; 
1.16 	103D.605, subdivision 5; 103F.505; 103F.511, by adding a subdivision; 115.01, 
1.17 	by adding subdivisions; 115.03, subdivision 1; 115A.1415; 115A.49; 115A.51; 
1.18 	115A.54, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a; 115A.565, subdivisions 1, 3; 116.07, subdivision 
1.19 	6; 116C.779, subdivision 1; 116C.7792; 168.27, by adding a subdivision; 171.07, 
1.20 	by adding a subdivision; 216B.16, subdivision 10; 216B.1641; 216B.1645, 
1.21 	subdivision 4; 216B.1691, by adding a subdivision; 216B.17, subdivision 1; 
1.22 	216B.2422, subdivision 2; 216B.62, subdivision 3b; 216C.02, subdivision 1; 
1.23 	216C.264, subdivision 5, by adding subdivisions; 216C.375, subdivisions 1, 3, 10, 
1.24 	11; 297A.94; 325F.072, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding a subdivision; Laws 2023, 
1.25 	chapter 9, section 19; Laws 2023, chapter 24, section 3; proposing coding for new 
1.26 	law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 16B; 65A; 86B; 103B; 103F; 103G; 116; 
1.27 	116C; 123B; 216B; 216C; 325E; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 
1.28 	16B.24, subdivision 13; 35.155, subdivision 14; 86B.101; 86B.305; 86B.313, 
1.29 	subdivisions 2, 3; 97C.605, subdivisions 2, 2a, 2b, 5; 103C.501, subdivisions 2, 
1.30 	3; 115.44, subdivision 9; 116.011; 325E.389; 325E.3891; Minnesota Rules, parts 
1.31 	6256.0500, subparts 2, 2a, 2b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 8400.0500; 8400.0550; 8400.0600, 
1.32 	subparts 4, 5; 8400.0900, subparts 1, 2, 4, 5; 8400.1650; 8400.1700; 8400.1750; 
1.33 	8400.1800; 8400.1900.
2.1 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

2.2 	ARTICLE 1
2.3 	ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES APPROPRIATIONS

2.4	Section 1. ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
2.5 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies 
2.6 	and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, 
2.7 	or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 
2.8 	The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under 
2.9 	them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively. 
2.10 	"The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium" 
2.11 	is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

2.12				APPROPRIATIONS
	
2.13				Available for the Year
	
2.14				Ending June 30
	
2.15					2024
		2025

2.16	Sec. 2. POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

2.17	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	310,237,000
	$
	258,986,000

2.18	Appropriations by Fund
	
2.19		2024
	2025
	
2.20	General
	185,420,000
	130,816,000
	
2.21
2.22	State Government 
Special Revenue
	85,000
	90,000
	
2.23	Environmental
	105,187,000
	107,833,000
	
2.24	Remediation
	19,545,000
	20,247,000
	
2.25 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.26 	purpose are specified in the following 
2.27 	subdivisions.
2.28 	The commissioner must present the agency's 
2.29 	biennial budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 
2.30 	to the legislature in a transparent way by 
2.31 	agency division, including the proposed 
2.32 	budget bill and presentations of the budget to 
2.33 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
2.34 	over the agency's budget.

3.1	Subd. 2.Environmental Analysis and Outcomes
 		108,726,000
		106,910,000

3.2	Appropriations by Fund
	
3.3		2024
	2025
	
3.4	General
	89,353,000
	87,472,000
	
3.5	Environmental
	19,174,000
	19,233,000
	
3.6	Remediation
	199,000
	205,000
	
3.7 	(a) $122,000 the first year and $125,000 the 
3.8 	second year are from the general fund for:
3.9 	(1) a municipal liaison to assist municipalities 
3.10 	in implementing and participating in the 
3.11 	rulemaking process for water quality standards 
3.12 	and navigating the NPDES/SDS permitting 
3.13 	process;
3.14 	(2) enhanced economic analysis in the 
3.15 	rulemaking process for water quality 
3.16 	standards, including more-specific analysis 
3.17 	and identification of cost-effective permitting;
3.18 	(3) developing statewide economic analyses 
3.19 	and templates to reduce the amount of 
3.20 	information and time required for 
3.21 	municipalities to apply for variances from 
3.22 	water quality standards; and
3.23 	(4) coordinating with the Public Facilities 
3.24 	Authority to identify and advocate for the 
3.25 	resources needed for municipalities to achieve 
3.26 	permit requirements.
3.27 	(b) $216,000 the first year and $219,000 the 
3.28 	second year are from the environmental fund 
3.29 	for a monitoring program under Minnesota 
3.30 	Statutes, section 116.454.
3.31 	(c) $132,000 the first year and $137,000 the 
3.32 	second year are for monitoring water quality 
3.33 	and operating assistance programs.
4.1 	(d) $390,000 the first year and $399,000 the 
4.2 	second year are from the environmental fund 
4.3 	for monitoring ambient air for hazardous 
4.4 	pollutants.
4.5 	(e) $106,000 the first year and $109,000 the 
4.6 	second year are from the environmental fund 
4.7 	for duties related to harmful chemicals in 
4.8 	children's products under Minnesota Statutes, 
4.9 	sections 116.9401 to 116.9407. Of this 
4.10 	amount, $68,000 the first year and $70,000 
4.11 	the second year are transferred to the 
4.12 	commissioner of health.
4.13 	(f) $128,000 the first year and $132,000 the 
4.14 	second year are from the environmental fund 
4.15 	for registering wastewater laboratories.
4.16 	(g) $1,492,000 the first year and $1,519,000 
4.17 	the second year are from the environmental 
4.18 	fund to continue perfluorochemical 
4.19 	biomonitoring in eastern metropolitan 
4.20 	communities, as recommended by the 
4.21 	Environmental Health Tracking and 
4.22 	Biomonitoring Advisory Panel, and to address 
4.23 	other environmental health risks, including air 
4.24 	quality. The communities must include Hmong 
4.25 	and other immigrant farming communities. 
4.26 	Of this amount, up to $1,226,000 the first year 
4.27 	and $1,248,000 the second year are for transfer 
4.28 	to the commissioner of health.
4.29 	(h) $61,000 the first year and $62,000 the 
4.30 	second year are from the environmental fund 
4.31 	for the listing procedures for impaired waters 
4.32 	required under this act.
4.33 	(i) $72,000 the first year and $74,000 the 
4.34 	second year are from the remediation fund for 
5.1 	the leaking underground storage tank program 
5.2 	to investigate, clean up, and prevent future 
5.3 	releases from underground petroleum storage 
5.4 	tanks and for the petroleum remediation 
5.5 	program for vapor assessment and 
5.6 	remediation. These same annual amounts are 
5.7 	transferred from the petroleum tank fund to 
5.8 	the remediation fund.
5.9 	(j) $500,000 the first year is to facilitate the 
5.10 	collaboration and modeling of greenhouse gas 
5.11 	impacts, costs, and benefits of strategies to 
5.12 	reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions. 
5.13 	This is a onetime appropriation.
5.14 	(k) $87,206,000 the first year and $87,210,000 
5.15 	the second year are to establish and implement 
5.16 	a local government water infrastructure grant 
5.17 	program for local governmental units and 
5.18 	Tribal governments. Of this amount, 
5.19 	$81,305,000 the first year and $86,380,000 
5.20 	the second year are for grants to support 
5.21 	communities in planning and implementing 
5.22 	projects that will allow for adaptation for a 
5.23 	changing climate; $5,000,000 the first year is 
5.24 	for a grant to St. Louis County to plan, design, 
5.25 	and construct one or more facilities, structures, 
5.26 	or other solutions to protect Lake Superior and 
5.27 	other waters in the Great Lakes watershed 
5.28 	from PFAS contamination from landfill 
5.29 	runoff; and $75,000 the first year is for a grant 
5.30 	to the city of Fergus Falls for a two-year water 
5.31 	improvement pilot project to address water 
5.32 	quality concerns at Lake Alice. The grant may 
5.33 	be used to contract for water quality 
5.34 	improvement services, testing, necessary 
5.35 	infrastructure, training, and maintenance. This  
6.1 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2027. 
6.2 	The base amount for fiscal year 2026 and later 
6.3 	is $270,000.
6.4 	(l) $715,000 the first year and $200,000 the 
6.5 	second year are from the environmental fund 
6.6 	to implement Minnesota Statutes, section 
6.7 	116.065, relating to cumulative impacts. The 
6.8 	base is $200,000 in fiscal year 2026 and 
6.9 	beyond.
6.10 	(m) $907,000 the first year and $955,000 the 
6.11 	second year are from the environmental fund 
6.12 	to develop and implement a program related 
6.13 	to emerging issues, including Minnesota's 
6.14 	PFAS Blueprint.
6.15 	(n) $1,320,000 the first year and $1,320,000 
6.16 	the second year are from the environmental 
6.17 	fund to support improved management of data 
6.18 	collected by the agency and its partners and 
6.19 	regulated parties.
6.20 	(o) $393,000 the first year is from the general 
6.21 	fund to develop and implement the protocol 
6.22 	for the state response to fish kills under 
6.23 	Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.2165. The 
6.24 	commissioner may transfer money under this 
6.25 	paragraph to other agencies participating in 
6.26 	developing the protocol. This is a onetime 
6.27 	appropriation.
6.28 	(p) $500,000 the first year is from the general 
6.29 	fund for a report on requirements and options 
6.30 	for eliminating or reducing PFAS in firefighter 
6.31 	turnout gear. The report must include 
6.32 	recommendations for future disposal of turnout 
6.33 	gear and protocols for PFAS biomonitoring 
6.34 	in firefighters. This is a onetime appropriation.
7.1 	(q) $500,000 the first year is from the general 
7.2 	fund to develop protocols to be used by 
7.3 	agencies and departments for sampling and 
7.4 	testing groundwater, surface water, public 
7.5 	drinking water, and private wells for 
7.6 	microplastics and nanoplastics and to begin 
7.7 	implementation. The commissioner of the 
7.8 	Pollution Control Agency may transfer money 
7.9 	appropriated under this paragraph to the 
7.10 	commissioners of agriculture, natural 
7.11 	resources, and health to implement the 
7.12 	protocols developed under this paragraph. This 
7.13 	is a onetime appropriation and is available 
7.14 	until June 30, 2025.
7.15 	(r) $1,163,000 the first year and $1,115,000 
7.16 	the second year are from the environmental 
7.17 	fund for implementing Minnesota Statutes, 
7.18 	section 116.943, relating to products 
7.19 	containing PFAS.

7.20	Subd. 3.Industrial
 		41,953,000
		22,908,000

7.21	Appropriations by Fund
	
7.22		2024
	2025
	
7.23	General
	23,664,000
	3,964,000
	
7.24	Environmental
	16,568,000
	17,171,000
	
7.25	Remediation
	1,721,000
	1,773,000
	
7.26 	(a) $1,621,000 the first year and $1,670,000 
7.27 	the second year are from the remediation fund 
7.28 	for the leaking underground storage tank 
7.29 	program to investigate, clean up, and prevent 
7.30 	future releases from underground petroleum 
7.31 	storage tanks and for the petroleum 
7.32 	remediation program for vapor assessment 
7.33 	and remediation. These same annual amounts 
7.34 	are transferred from the petroleum tank fund 
7.35 	to the remediation fund.
8.1 	(b) $448,000 the first year and $457,000 the 
8.2 	second year are from the environmental fund 
8.3 	to further evaluate the use and reduction of 
8.4 	trichloroethylene around Minnesota and 
8.5 	identify its potential health effects on 
8.6 	communities. Of this amount, $145,000 the 
8.7 	first year and $149,000 the second year are 
8.8 	transferred to the commissioner of health.
8.9 	(c) $4,000 the first year and $4,000 the second 
8.10 	year are from the environmental fund to 
8.11 	purchase air emissions monitoring equipment 
8.12 	to support compliance and enforcement 
8.13 	activities.
8.14 	(d) $3,200,000 the first year and $3,200,000 
8.15 	the second year are to provide air emission 
8.16 	reduction grants. Of this amount, $2,800,000 
8.17 	each year is for grants to reduce air pollution 
8.18 	at regulated facilities within environmental 
8.19 	justice areas. This appropriation is available 
8.20 	until June 30, 2027, and is a onetime 
8.21 	appropriation.
8.22 	(e) $40,000 the first year and $40,000 the 
8.23 	second year are for air compliance equipment 
8.24 	maintenance. This is a onetime appropriation.
8.25 	(f) $19,100,000 the first year and $300,000 
8.26 	the second year are to support research on 
8.27 	innovative technologies to treat 
8.28 	difficult-to-manage pollutants and for 
8.29 	implementation grants based on this research 
8.30 	at taconite facilities. Of this amount the first 
8.31 	year, $2,100,000 is for research and 
8.32 	$16,700,000 is for grants. This appropriation 
8.33 	is available until June 30, 2027. This is a 
8.34 	onetime appropriation.
9.1 	(g) $900,000 the first year is from the general 
9.2 	fund for a grant to the Board of Regents of the 
9.3 	University of Minnesota for academic and 
9.4 	applied research through the MnDRIVE 
9.5 	program at the Natural Resources Research 
9.6 	Institute to develop and demonstrate 
9.7 	technologies that enhance the long-term health 
9.8 	and management of Minnesota's water and 
9.9 	mineral resources. This appropriation is for 
9.10 	continued characterization of Minnesota's iron 
9.11 	resources and development of next-generation 
9.12 	process technologies for iron products and 
9.13 	reduced effluent. This research must be 
9.14 	conducted in consultation with the Mineral 
9.15 	Coordinating Committee established under 
9.16 	Minnesota Statutes, section 93.0015. This is 
9.17 	a onetime appropriation.
9.18 	(h) The total general fund base budget for the 
9.19 	industrial division for fiscal year 2026 and 
9.20 	later is $0.

9.21	Subd. 4.Municipal
 		10,555,000
		11,203,000

9.22	Appropriations by Fund
	
9.23		2024
	2025
	
9.24	General
	641,000
	647,000
	
9.25
9.26	State Government 
Special Revenue
	85,000
	90,000
	
9.27	Environmental
	9,829,000
	10,466,000
	
9.28 	(a) $217,000 the first year and $223,000 the 
9.29 	second year are for:
9.30 	(1) a municipal liaison to assist municipalities 
9.31 	in implementing and participating in the 
9.32 	rulemaking process for water quality standards 
9.33 	and navigating the NPDES/SDS permitting 
9.34 	process;
10.1 	(2) enhanced economic analysis in the 
10.2 	rulemaking process for water quality 
10.3 	standards, including more-specific analysis 
10.4 	and identification of cost-effective permitting;
10.5 	(3) developing statewide economic analyses 
10.6 	and templates to reduce the amount of 
10.7 	information and time required for 
10.8 	municipalities to apply for variances from 
10.9 	water quality standards; and
10.10 	(4) coordinating with the Public Facilities 
10.11 	Authority to identify and advocate for the 
10.12 	resources needed for municipalities to achieve 
10.13 	permit requirements.
10.14 	(b) $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the 
10.15 	second year are from the environmental fund 
10.16 	for transfer to the Office of Administrative 
10.17 	Hearings to establish sanitary districts.
10.18 	(c) $1,240,000 the first year and $1,338,000 
10.19 	the second year are from the environmental 
10.20 	fund for subsurface sewage treatment system 
10.21 	(SSTS) program administration and 
10.22 	community technical assistance and education, 
10.23 	including grants and technical assistance to 
10.24 	communities for water-quality protection. Of 
10.25 	this amount, $350,000 each year is for 
10.26 	assistance to counties through grants for SSTS 
10.27 	program administration. A county receiving 
10.28 	a grant from this appropriation must submit 
10.29 	the results achieved with the grant to the 
10.30 	commissioner as part of its annual SSTS 
10.31 	report. Any unexpended balance in the first 
10.32 	year does not cancel but is available in the 
10.33 	second year.
11.1 	(d) $944,000 the first year and $1,044,000 the 
11.2 	second year are from the environmental fund 
11.3 	to address the need for continued increased 
11.4 	activity in new technology review, technical 
11.5 	assistance for local governments, and 
11.6 	enforcement under Minnesota Statutes, 
11.7 	sections 115.55 to 115.58, and to complete the 
11.8 	requirements of Laws 2003, chapter 128, 
11.9 	article 1, section 165.
11.10 	(e) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
11.11 	section 16A.28, the appropriations 
11.12 	encumbered on or before June 30, 2025, as 
11.13 	grants or contracts for subsurface sewage 
11.14 	treatment systems, surface water and 
11.15 	groundwater assessments, storm water, and 
11.16 	water-quality protection in this subdivision 
11.17 	are available until June 30, 2028.
11.18 	(f) The total general fund base budget for the 
11.19 	municipal division for fiscal year 2026 and 
11.20 	later is $223,000.

11.21	Subd. 5.Operations
 		31,218,000
		29,923,000

11.22	Appropriations by Fund
	
11.23		2024
	2025
	
11.24	General
	20,750,000
	19,359,000
	
11.25	Environmental
	7,851,000
	8,073,000
	
11.26	Remediation
	2,617,000
	2,491,000
	
11.27 	(a) $1,154,000 the first year and $1,124,000 
11.28 	the second year are from the remediation fund 
11.29 	for the leaking underground storage tank 
11.30 	program to investigate, clean up, and prevent 
11.31 	future releases from underground petroleum 
11.32 	storage tanks and for the petroleum 
11.33 	remediation program for vapor assessment 
11.34 	and remediation. These same annual amounts 
12.1 	are transferred from the petroleum tank fund 
12.2 	to the remediation fund.
12.3 	(b) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,109,000 
12.4 	the second year are to support agency 
12.5 	information technology services provided at 
12.6 	the enterprise and agency level.
12.7 	(c) $906,000 the first year and $919,000 the 
12.8 	second year are from the environmental fund 
12.9 	to develop and maintain systems to support 
12.10 	permitting and regulatory business processes 
12.11 	and agency data.
12.12 	(d) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 
12.13 	the second year are to provide technical 
12.14 	assistance to Tribal governments. This is a 
12.15 	onetime appropriation.
12.16 	(e) $15,750,000 the first year and $14,250,000 
12.17 	the second year are to support modernizing 
12.18 	and automating agency environmental 
12.19 	programs and data systems and how the 
12.20 	agency provides services to regulated parties, 
12.21 	partners, and the public. This appropriation is 
12.22 	available until June 30, 2027. This is a onetime 
12.23 	appropriation.
12.24 	(f) $1,100,000 the first year and $1,100,000 
12.25 	the second year are from the environmental 
12.26 	fund for workforce innovation. Of this amount, 
12.27 	$270,000 each year is for environmental career 
12.28 	pathways for students.

12.29	Subd. 6.Remediation
 		40,242,000
		16,022,000

12.30	Appropriations by Fund
	
12.31		2024
	2025
	
12.32	General
	25,000,000
	-0-
	
12.33	Environmental
	607,000
	628,000
	
12.34	Remediation
	14,635,000
	15,394,000
	
13.1 	(a) All money for environmental response, 
13.2 	compensation, and compliance in the 
13.3 	remediation fund not otherwise appropriated 
13.4 	is appropriated to the commissioners of the 
13.5 	Pollution Control Agency and agriculture for 
13.6 	purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 
13.7 	115B.20, subdivision 2, clauses (1), (2), (3), 
13.8 	(6), and (7). At the beginning of each fiscal 
13.9 	year, the two commissioners must jointly 
13.10 	submit to the commissioner of management 
13.11 	and budget an annual spending plan that 
13.12 	maximizes resource use and appropriately 
13.13 	allocates the money between the two 
13.14 	departments. This appropriation is available 
13.15 	until June 30, 2025.
13.16 	(b) $415,000 the first year and $426,000 the 
13.17 	second year are from the environmental fund 
13.18 	to manage contaminated sediment projects at 
13.19 	multiple sites identified in the St. Louis River 
13.20 	remedial action plan to restore water quality 
13.21 	in the St. Louis River Area of Concern.
13.22 	(c) $4,476,000 the first year and $4,622,000 
13.23 	the second year are from the remediation fund 
13.24 	for the leaking underground storage tank 
13.25 	program to investigate, clean up, and prevent 
13.26 	future releases from underground petroleum 
13.27 	storage tanks and for the petroleum 
13.28 	remediation program for vapor assessment 
13.29 	and remediation. These same annual amounts 
13.30 	are transferred from the petroleum tank fund 
13.31 	to the remediation fund.
13.32 	(d) $308,000 the first year and $316,000 the 
13.33 	second year are from the remediation fund for 
13.34 	transfer to the commissioner of health for 
13.35 	private water-supply monitoring and health 
14.1 	assessment costs in areas contaminated by 
14.2 	unpermitted mixed municipal solid waste 
14.3 	disposal facilities and drinking water 
14.4 	advisories and public information activities 
14.5 	for areas contaminated by hazardous releases.
14.6 	(e) $25,000,000 the first year is for grants to 
14.7 	support planning, designing, and preparing for 
14.8 	solutions for public water treatment systems 
14.9 	contaminated with PFAS. The grants are to 
14.10 	reimburse local public water supply operators 
14.11 	for source investigations, sampling and 
14.12 	treating private drinking water wells, and 
14.13 	evaluating solutions for treating private 
14.14 	drinking water wells. This appropriation is 
14.15 	available until June 30, 2027, and is a onetime 
14.16 	appropriation.

14.17	Subd. 7.Resource Management and Assistance
 		64,500,000
		58,904,000

14.18	Appropriations by Fund
	
14.19		2024
	2025
	
14.20	General
	21,047,000
	14,850,000
	
14.21	Environmental
	43,453,000
	44,054,000
	
14.22 	(a) Up to $150,000 the first year and $150,000 
14.23 	the second year may be transferred from the 
14.24 	environmental fund to the small business 
14.25 	environmental improvement loan account 
14.26 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.993.
14.27 	(b) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
14.28 	the second year are for competitive recycling 
14.29 	grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 
14.30 	115A.565. Of this amount, $300,000 the first 
14.31 	year and $300,000 the second year are from 
14.32 	the general fund, and $700,000 the first year 
14.33 	and $700,000 the second year are from the 
14.34 	environmental fund. This appropriation is 
14.35 	available until June 30, 2027.
15.1 	(c) $694,000 the first year and $694,000 the 
15.2 	second year are from the environmental fund 
15.3 	for emission-reduction activities and grants to 
15.4 	small businesses and other 
15.5 	nonpoint-emission-reduction efforts. Of this 
15.6 	amount, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 
15.7 	the second year are to continue work with 
15.8 	Clean Air Minnesota, and the commissioner 
15.9 	may enter into an agreement with 
15.10 	Environmental Initiative to support this effort.
15.11 	(d) $20,450,000 the first year and $20,450,000 
15.12 	the second year are from the environmental 
15.13 	fund for SCORE block grants to counties.
15.14 	(e) $119,000 the first year and $119,000 the 
15.15 	second year are from the environmental fund 
15.16 	for environmental assistance grants or loans 
15.17 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.0716.
15.18 	(f) $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the 
15.19 	second year are from the environmental fund 
15.20 	for grants to develop and expand recycling 
15.21 	markets for Minnesota businesses.
15.22 	(g) $767,000 the first year and $770,000 the 
15.23 	second year are from the environmental fund 
15.24 	for reducing and diverting food waste, 
15.25 	redirecting edible food for consumption, and 
15.26 	removing barriers to collecting and recovering 
15.27 	organic waste. Of this amount, $500,000 each 
15.28 	year is for grants to increase food rescue and 
15.29 	waste prevention. This appropriation is 
15.30 	available until June 30, 2027.
15.31 	(h) $2,797,000 the first year and $2,811,000 
15.32 	the second year are from the environmental 
15.33 	fund for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, 
15.34 	section 473.844.
16.1 	(i) $318,000 the first year and $324,000 the 
16.2 	second year are from the environmental fund 
16.3 	to address chemicals in products, including to 
16.4 	implement and enforce flame retardant 
16.5 	provisions under Minnesota Statutes, section 
16.6 	325F.071, and perfluoroalkyl and 
16.7 	polyfluoroalkyl substances in food packaging 
16.8 	provisions under Minnesota Statutes, section 
16.9 	325F.075. Of this amount, $78,000 the first 
16.10 	year and $80,000 the second year are 
16.11 	transferred to the commissioner of health.
16.12 	(j) $180,000 the first year and $140,000 the 
16.13 	second year are for quantifying climate-related 
16.14 	impacts from projects for environmental 
16.15 	review. This is a onetime appropriation.
16.16 	(k) $1,790,000 the first year and $70,000 the 
16.17 	second year are for accelerating pollution 
16.18 	prevention at small businesses. Of this amount, 
16.19 	$1,720,000 the first year is for zero-interest 
16.20 	loans to phase out high-polluting equipment, 
16.21 	products, and processes and replace with new 
16.22 	options. This appropriation is available until 
16.23 	June 30, 2027. This is a onetime appropriation.
16.24 	(l) $190,000 the first year and $190,000 the 
16.25 	second year are to support the Greenstep Cities 
16.26 	program. This is a onetime appropriation.
16.27 	(m) $420,000 the first year is to complete a 
16.28 	study on the viability of recycling solar energy 
16.29 	equipment. This is a onetime appropriation.
16.30 	(n) $17,000 the first year is for rulemaking for 
16.31 	the capital assistance program. This is a 
16.32 	onetime appropriation.
17.1 	(o) $650,000 the first year and $650,000 the 
17.2 	second year are from the environmental fund 
17.3 	for Minnesota GreenCorps investment.
17.4 	(p) $4,210,000 the first year and $210,000 the 
17.5 	second year are for PFAS reduction grants. 
17.6 	Of this amount, $4,000,000 the first year is 
17.7 	for grants to industry and public entities to 
17.8 	identify sources of PFAS entering facilities 
17.9 	and to develop pollution prevention and 
17.10 	reduction initiatives to reduce PFAS entering 
17.11 	facilities, prevent releases, and monitor the 
17.12 	effectiveness of these projects. This is a 
17.13 	ontetime appropriation and is available until 
17.14 	June 30, 2027.
17.15 	(q) $13,940,000 the first year and $13,940,000 
17.16 	the second year are for a waste prevention and 
17.17 	reduction grants and loans program. This is a 
17.18 	onetime appropriation and is available until 
17.19 	June 30, 2027.
17.20 	(r) Any unencumbered grant and loan balances 
17.21 	in the first year do not cancel but are available 
17.22 	for grants and loans in the second year. 
17.23 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
17.24 	16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or 
17.25 	before June 30, 2025, as contracts or grants 
17.26 	for environmental assistance awarded under 
17.27 	Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.0716; 
17.28 	technical and research assistance under 
17.29 	Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.152; 
17.30 	technical assistance under Minnesota Statutes, 
17.31 	section 115A.52; and pollution prevention 
17.32 	assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 
17.33 	115D.04, are available until June 30, 2027.
17.34 	(s) $150,000 the second year is from the 
17.35 	environmental fund for the lead and cadmium 
18.1 	in consumer products prohibition under 
18.2 	Minnesota Statutes, section 325E.3892.

18.3	Subd. 8.Watershed
 		10,968,000
		11,477,000

18.4	Appropriations by Fund
	
18.5		2024
	2025
	
18.6	General
	3,111,000
	3,111,000
	
18.7	Environmental
	7,484,000
	7,982,000
	
18.8	Remediation
	373,000
	384,000
	
18.9 	(a) $2,959,000 the first year and $2,959,000 
18.10 	the second year are for grants to delegated 
18.11 	counties to administer the county feedlot 
18.12 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
18.13 	116.0711, subdivisions 2 and 3. Money 
18.14 	remaining after the first year is available for 
18.15 	the second year.
18.16 	(b) $236,000 the first year and $241,000 the 
18.17 	second year are from the environmental fund 
18.18 	for the costs of implementing general 
18.19 	operating permits for feedlots over 1,000 
18.20 	animal units.
18.21 	(c) $125,000 the first year and $129,000 the 
18.22 	second year are from the remediation fund for 
18.23 	the leaking underground storage tank program 
18.24 	to investigate, clean up, and prevent future 
18.25 	releases from underground petroleum storage 
18.26 	tanks and for the petroleum remediation 
18.27 	program for vapor assessment and 
18.28 	remediation. These same annual amounts are 
18.29 	transferred from the petroleum tank fund to 
18.30 	the remediation fund.
18.31 	(d) The total general fund base budget for the 
18.32 	watershed division for fiscal year 2026 and 
18.33 	later is $1,959,000.

18.34	Subd. 9.Environmental Quality Board
 		2,075,000
		1,639,000

19.1	Appropriations by Fund
	
19.2		2024
	2025
	
19.3	General
	1,854,000
	1,413,000
	
19.4	Environmental
	221,000
	226,000
	
19.5 	$620,000 the first year and $140,000 the 
19.6 	second year are to develop a Minnesota-based 
19.7 	greenhouse gas sector and source-specific 
19.8 	guidance, including climate information, a 
19.9 	greenhouse gas calculator, and technical 
19.10 	assistance for users. This is a onetime 
19.11 	appropriation.

19.12	Subd. 10.Transfers
 					
19.13 	(a) The commissioner must transfer up to 
19.14 	$24,000,000 the first year and each fiscal year 
19.15 	thereafter from the environmental fund to the 
19.16 	remediation fund for purposes of the 
19.17 	remediation fund under Minnesota Statutes, 
19.18 	section 116.155, subdivision 2.
19.19 	(b) By June 30, 2024, the commissioner of 
19.20 	management and budget must transfer 
19.21 	$12,000,000 from the general fund to the 
19.22 	metropolitan landfill contingency action trust 
19.23 	account in the remediation fund.

19.24	Sec. 3. NATURAL RESOURCES

19.25	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	517,592,000
	$
	389,535,000

19.26	Appropriations by Fund
	
19.27		2024
	2025
	
19.28	General
	274,789,000
	149,796,000
	
19.29	Natural Resources
	115,396,000
	114,516,000
	
19.30	Game and Fish
	126,499,000
	124,404,000
	
19.31	Remediation
	117,000
	117,000
	
19.32	Permanent School
	791,000
	702,000
	
20.1 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
20.2 	purpose are specified in the following 
20.3 	subdivisions.

20.4
20.5	Subd. 2.Land and Mineral Resources 
Management
 		14,983,000
		9,328,000

20.6	Appropriations by Fund
	
20.7		2024
	2025
	
20.8	General
	10,083,000
	4,428,000
	
20.9	Natural Resources
	4,338,000
	4,338,000
	
20.10	Game and Fish
	344,000
	344,000
	
20.11	Permanent School
	218,000
	218,000
	
20.12 	(a) $319,000 the first year and $319,000 the 
20.13 	second year are for environmental research 
20.14 	relating to mine permitting, of which $200,000 
20.15 	each year is from the minerals management 
20.16 	account in the natural resources fund and 
20.17 	$119,000 each year is from the general fund.
20.18 	(b) $3,383,000 the first year and $3,383,000 
20.19 	the second year are from the minerals 
20.20 	management account in the natural resources 
20.21 	fund for use as provided under Minnesota 
20.22 	Statutes, section 93.2236, paragraph (c), for 
20.23 	mineral resource management, projects to 
20.24 	enhance future mineral income, and projects 
20.25 	to promote new mineral-resource 
20.26 	opportunities.
20.27 	(c) $218,000 the first year and $218,000 the 
20.28 	second year are transferred from the forest 
20.29 	suspense account to the permanent school fund 
20.30 	and are appropriated from the permanent 
20.31 	school fund to secure maximum long-term 
20.32 	economic return from the school trust lands 
20.33 	consistent with fiduciary responsibilities and 
20.34 	sound natural resources conservation and 
20.35 	management principles.
21.1 	(d) $338,000 the first year and $338,000 the 
21.2 	second year are from the water management 
21.3 	account in the natural resources fund for 
21.4 	mining hydrology.
21.5 	(e) $1,052,000 the first year and $242,000 the 
21.6 	second year are for modernizing utility 
21.7 	licensing for state lands and public waters. 
21.8 	The first year appropriation is available 
21.9 	through fiscal year 2026. This is a onetime 
21.10 	appropriation.
21.11 	(f) $5,388,000 the first year is for costs, 
21.12 	including land acquisition, associated with the 
21.13 	transfer of state-owned land within the 
21.14 	boundaries of Upper Sioux Agency State Park 
21.15 	to the Upper Sioux Community. This is a 
21.16 	onetime appropriation and is available until 
21.17 	June 30, 2027.
21.18 	(g) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is from the 
21.19 	general fund to address safety concerns at the 
21.20 	drill core library. This is a onetime 
21.21 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
21.22 	2026.
21.23 	(h) The total general fund base budget for the 
21.24 	land and mineral resources management 
21.25 	division for fiscal year 2026 and later is 
21.26 	$3,342,000.

21.27	Subd. 3.Ecological and Water Resources
 		45,315,000
		44,413,000

21.28	Appropriations by Fund
	
21.29		2024
	2025
	
21.30	General
	25,949,000
	26,258,000
	
21.31	Natural Resources
	12,431,000
	12,431,000
	
21.32	Game and Fish
	6,935,000
	5,724,000
	
21.33 	(a) $4,222,000 the first year and $4,222,000 
21.34 	the second year are from the invasive species 
22.1 	account in the natural resources fund and 
22.2 	$2,831,000 the first year and $2,831,000 the 
22.3 	second year are from the general fund for 
22.4 	management, public awareness, assessment 
22.5 	and monitoring research, and water access 
22.6 	inspection to prevent the spread of invasive 
22.7 	species; management of invasive plants in 
22.8 	public waters; and management of terrestrial 
22.9 	invasive species on state-administered lands.
22.10 	(b) $5,556,000 the first year and $5,556,000 
22.11 	the second year are from the water 
22.12 	management account in the natural resources 
22.13 	fund for only the purposes specified in 
22.14 	Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.27, 
22.15 	subdivision 2.
22.16 	(c) $124,000 the first year and $124,000 the 
22.17 	second year are for a grant to the Mississippi 
22.18 	Headwaters Board for up to 50 percent of the 
22.19 	cost of implementing the comprehensive plan 
22.20 	for the upper Mississippi within areas under 
22.21 	the board's jurisdiction.
22.22 	(d) $10,000 the first year and $10,000 the 
22.23 	second year are for payment to the Leech Lake 
22.24 	Band of Chippewa Indians to implement the 
22.25 	band's portion of the comprehensive plan for 
22.26 	the upper Mississippi River.
22.27 	(e) $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the 
22.28 	second year are for grants for up to 50 percent 
22.29 	of the cost of implementing the Red River 
22.30 	mediation agreement. The base for fiscal year 
22.31 	2026 and later is $264,000.
22.32 	(f) $2,498,000 the first year and $2,498,000 
22.33 	the second year are from the heritage 
22.34 	enhancement account in the game and fish 
23.1 	fund for only the purposes specified in 
23.2 	Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, 
23.3 	paragraph (h), clause (1).
23.4 	(g) $1,150,000 the first year and $1,150,000 
23.5 	the second year are from the nongame wildlife 
23.6 	management account in the natural resources 
23.7 	fund for nongame wildlife management. 
23.8 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
23.9 	290.431, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 
23.10 	the second year may be used for nongame 
23.11 	wildlife information, education, and 
23.12 	promotion.
23.13 	(h) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
23.14 	section 84.943, $28,000 the first year and 
23.15 	$28,000 the second year from the critical 
23.16 	habitat private sector matching account may 
23.17 	be used to publicize the critical habitat license 
23.18 	plate match program.
23.19 	(i) $6,000,000 the first year and $6,000,000 
23.20 	the second year are for the following activities:
23.21 	(1) financial reimbursement and technical 
23.22 	support to soil and water conservation districts 
23.23 	or other local units of government for 
23.24 	groundwater-level monitoring;
23.25 	(2) surface water monitoring and analysis, 
23.26 	including installing monitoring gauges;
23.27 	(3) groundwater analysis to assist with 
23.28 	water-appropriation permitting decisions;
23.29 	(4) permit application review incorporating 
23.30 	surface water and groundwater technical 
23.31 	analysis;
23.32 	(5) precipitation data and analysis to improve 
23.33 	irrigation use;
24.1 	(6) information technology, including 
24.2 	electronic permitting and integrated data 
24.3 	systems; and
24.4 	(7) compliance and monitoring.
24.5 	(j) $410,000 the first year and $410,000 the 
24.6 	second year are from the heritage enhancement 
24.7 	account in the game and fish fund and 
24.8 	$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
24.9 	second year are from the general fund for 
24.10 	grants to the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive 
24.11 	Species Research Center at the University of 
24.12 	Minnesota to prioritize, support, and develop 
24.13 	research-based solutions that can reduce the 
24.14 	effects of aquatic invasive species in 
24.15 	Minnesota by preventing spread, controlling 
24.16 	populations, and managing ecosystems and to 
24.17 	advance knowledge to inspire action by others.
24.18 	(k) $134,000 the first year and $134,000 the 
24.19 	second year are for increased capacity for 
24.20 	broadband utility licensing for state lands and 
24.21 	public waters. This is a onetime appropriation.
24.22 	(l) $998,000 the first year and $568,000 the 
24.23 	second year are for protecting and restoring 
24.24 	carbon storage in state-administered peatlands. 
24.25 	This is a onetime appropriation and is 
24.26 	available until June 30, 2027.
24.27 	(m) $200,000 the first year is from the general 
24.28 	fund to the Board of Regents of the University 
24.29 	of Minnesota for the University of Minnesota 
24.30 	Water Council to develop a scope of work, 
24.31 	timeline, and budget for a plan to promote and 
24.32 	protect clean water in Minnesota for the next 
24.33 	50 years. The 50-year clean water plan must: 
24.34 	(1) provide a literature-based assessment of 
25.1 	the current status and trends regarding the 
25.2 	quality and quantity of all Minnesota waters, 
25.3 	both surface and subsurface; (2) identify gaps 
25.4 	in the data or understanding and provide 
25.5 	recommended action steps to address gaps; 
25.6 	(3) identify existing and potential future 
25.7 	threats to Minnesota's waters; and (4) propose 
25.8 	a road map of scenarios and policy 
25.9 	recommendations to allow the state to 
25.10 	proactively protect, remediate, and conserve 
25.11 	clean water for human use and biodiversity 
25.12 	for the next 50 years. The scope of work must 
25.13 	outline the steps and resources necessary to 
25.14 	develop the plan, including but not limited to 
25.15 	the data sets that are required and how the 
25.16 	University of Minnesota will obtain access; 
25.17 	the suite of proposed analysis methods; the 
25.18 	roles and responsibilities of project leaders, 
25.19 	key personnel, and stakeholders; the project 
25.20 	timeline with milestones; and a budget with 
25.21 	expected costs for tasks and milestones. By 
25.22 	December 1, 2023, the Board of Regents of 
25.23 	the University of Minnesota must submit the 
25.24 	scope of work to the chairs and ranking 
25.25 	minority members of the house of 
25.26 	representatives and senate committees and 
25.27 	divisions with jurisdiction over environment 
25.28 	and natural resources. This is a onetime 
25.29 	appropriation.
25.30 	(n) $943,000 the first year is from the heritage 
25.31 	enhancement account in the game and fish 
25.32 	fund to examine the effects of neonicotinoid 
25.33 	exposure on the reproduction and survival of 
25.34 	Minnesota's game species, including deer and 
25.35 	prairie chicken. This is a onetime 
26.1 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
26.2 	2027.
26.3 	(o) $395,000 the first year is to expand 
26.4 	invasive carp surveys and carp removal from 
26.5 	the Mississippi River, measure the efficacy of 
26.6 	invasive carp management practices, and pay 
26.7 	for related staffing costs. This is a onetime 
26.8 	appropriation.
26.9 	(p) $325,000 the first year is for a grant to the 
26.10 	Board of Regents of the University of 
26.11 	Minnesota to study the Mississippi River Lock 
26.12 	and Dam 5 spillway gate to optimize 
26.13 	management to reduce invasive carp passage. 
26.14 	This is a onetime appropriation.
26.15 	(q) $268,000 the first year is from the heritage 
26.16 	enhancement account in the game and fish 
26.17 	fund for native fish conservation and 
26.18 	classification. By August 1, 2023, a written 
26.19 	update on the progress of identifying necessary 
26.20 	protection and conservation measures for 
26.21 	native fish currently defined as rough fish 
26.22 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.015, 
26.23 	subdivision 43, including buffalo, sucker, 
26.24 	sheepshead, bowfin, gar, goldeye, and 
26.25 	bullhead, must be submitted to the chairs and 
26.26 	ranking minority members of the house of 
26.27 	representatives and senate committees and 
26.28 	divisions with jurisdiction over environment 
26.29 	and natural resources. By December 15, 2023, 
26.30 	a written report with recommendations for 
26.31 	statutory and rule changes to provide 
26.32 	necessary protection and conservation 
26.33 	measures and research needs for native fish 
26.34 	currently designated as rough fish must be 
26.35 	submitted to the chairs and ranking minority 
27.1 	members of the house of representatives and 
27.2 	senate committees and divisions with 
27.3 	jurisdiction over environment and natural 
27.4 	resources. The report must include 
27.5 	recommendations for amending Minnesota 
27.6 	Statutes to separately classify fish that are 
27.7 	native to Minnesota and that are currently 
27.8 	designated as rough fish and invasive fish that 
27.9 	are currently designated as rough fish. For the 
27.10 	purposes of this paragraph, native fish include 
27.11 	but are not limited to bowfin (Amia calva), 
27.12 	bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus), 
27.13 	smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus), burbot 
27.14 	(Lota lota), longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), 
27.15 	shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus), 
27.16 	goldeye (Hiodon alosoides), mooneye (Hiodon 
27.17 	tergisus), white sucker (Catostomus 
27.18 	commersonii), and invasive fish include but 
27.19 	are not limited to bighead carp 
27.20 	(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), grass carp 
27.21 	(Ctenopharyngodon idella), and silver carp 
27.22 	(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). This is a 
27.23 	onetime appropriation.
27.24 	(r) $40,000 the first year is for a grant to the 
27.25 	Stearns Coalition of Lake Associations to 
27.26 	manage aquatic invasive species. The 
27.27 	unencumbered balance of the general fund 
27.28 	appropriation in Laws 2021, First Special 
27.29 	Session chapter 6, article 1, section 3, 
27.30 	subdivision 3, paragraph (a), for the grant to 
27.31 	the Stearns Coalition of Lake Associations, 
27.32 	estimated to be $40,000, is canceled no later 
27.33 	than June 29, 2023.
28.1 	(s) The total general fund base budget for the 
28.2 	ecological and water resources division for 
28.3 	fiscal year 2026 and later is $25,120,000.

28.4	Subd. 4.Forest Management
 		70,325,000
		71,667,000

28.5	Appropriations by Fund
	
28.6		2024
	2025
	
28.7	General
	52,672,000
	53,989,000
	
28.8	Natural Resources
	16,161,000
	16,161,000
	
28.9	Game and Fish
	1,492,000
	1,517,000
	
28.10 	(a) $7,521,000 the first year and $7,521,000 
28.11 	the second year are for prevention, 
28.12 	presuppression, and suppression costs of 
28.13 	emergency firefighting and other costs 
28.14 	incurred under Minnesota Statutes, section 
28.15 	88.12. The amount necessary to pay for 
28.16 	presuppression and suppression costs during 
28.17 	the biennium is appropriated from the general 
28.18 	fund. By January 15 each year, the 
28.19 	commissioner of natural resources must submit 
28.20 	a report to the chairs and ranking minority 
28.21 	members of the house and senate committees 
28.22 	and divisions having jurisdiction over 
28.23 	environment and natural resources finance that 
28.24 	identifies all firefighting costs incurred and 
28.25 	reimbursements received in the prior fiscal 
28.26 	year. These appropriations may not be 
28.27 	transferred. Any reimbursement of firefighting 
28.28 	expenditures made to the commissioner from 
28.29 	any source other than federal mobilizations 
28.30 	must be deposited into the general fund.
28.31 	(b) $15,386,000 the first year and $15,386,000 
28.32 	the second year are from the forest 
28.33 	management investment account in the natural 
28.34 	resources fund for only the purposes specified 
29.1 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 89.039, 
29.2 	subdivision 2.
29.3 	(c) $1,492,000 the first year and $1,517,000 
29.4 	the second year are from the heritage 
29.5 	enhancement account in the game and fish 
29.6 	fund to advance ecological classification 
29.7 	systems (ECS), forest habitat, and invasive 
29.8 	species management.
29.9 	(d) $906,000 the first year and $926,000 the 
29.10 	second year are for the Forest Resources 
29.11 	Council to implement the Sustainable Forest 
29.12 	Resources Act.
29.13 	(e) $1,143,000 the first year and $1,143,000 
29.14 	the second year are for the Next Generation 
29.15 	Core Forestry data system. Of this 
29.16 	appropriation, $868,000 each year is from the 
29.17 	general fund and $275,000 each year is from 
29.18 	the forest management investment account in 
29.19 	the natural resources fund.
29.20 	(f) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
29.21 	second year are from the forest management 
29.22 	investment account in the natural resources 
29.23 	fund for forest road maintenance on state 
29.24 	forest roads.
29.25 	(g) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
29.26 	second year are for forest road maintenance 
29.27 	on county forest roads.
29.28 	(h) $2,086,000 the first year and $2,086,000 
29.29 	the second year are to support forest 
29.30 	management, cost-share assistance, and 
29.31 	inventory on private woodlands. This is a 
29.32 	onetime appropriation.
29.33 	(i) $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the 
29.34 	second year are to accelerate tree seed 
30.1 	collection to support a growing demand for 
30.2 	tree planting on public and private lands. This 
30.3 	is a onetime appropriation.
30.4 	(j) $8,900,000 the first year and $8,900,000 
30.5 	the second year are for grants to local and 
30.6 	Tribal governments and nonprofit 
30.7 	organizations to enhance community forest 
30.8 	ecosystem health and sustainability under 
30.9 	Minnesota Statutes, section 88.82, the 
30.10 	Minnesota ReLeaf program. This 
30.11 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2027. 
30.12 	Money appropriated for grants under this 
30.13 	paragraph may be used to pay reasonable costs 
30.14 	incurred by the commissioner of natural 
30.15 	resources to administer the grants. The base 
30.16 	is $400,000 beginning in fiscal year 2026.
30.17 	(k) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 
30.18 	the second year are for forest stand 
30.19 	improvement and to meet the reforestation 
30.20 	requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 
30.21 	89.002, subdivision 2. This is a onetime 
30.22 	appropriation.

30.23	Subd. 5.Parks and Trails Management
 		102,687,000
		105,420,000

30.24	Appropriations by Fund
	
30.25		2024
	2025
	
30.26	General
	32,794,000
	36,507,000
	
30.27	Natural Resources
	67,593,000
	66,613,000
	
30.28	Game and Fish
	2,300,000
	2,300,000
	
30.29 	(a) $8,985,000 the first year and $8,985,000 
30.30 	the second year are from the natural resources 
30.31 	fund for state trail, park, and recreation area 
30.32 	operations. This appropriation is from revenue 
30.33 	deposited in the natural resources fund under 
30.34 	Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, 
30.35 	paragraph (h), clause (2).
31.1 	(b) $20,828,000 the first year and $20,828,000 
31.2 	the second year are from the state parks 
31.3 	account in the natural resources fund to 
31.4 	operate and maintain state parks and state 
31.5 	recreation areas.
31.6 	(c) $1,140,000 the first year and $1,140,000 
31.7 	the second year are from the natural resources 
31.8 	fund for park and trail grants to local units of 
31.9 	government on land to be maintained for at 
31.10 	least 20 years for parks or trails. This 
31.11 	appropriation is from revenue deposited in the 
31.12 	natural resources fund under Minnesota 
31.13 	Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), 
31.14 	clause (4). Any unencumbered balance does 
31.15 	not cancel at the end of the first year and is 
31.16 	available for the second year.
31.17 	(d) $9,624,000 the first year and $9,624,000 
31.18 	the second year are from the snowmobile trails 
31.19 	and enforcement account in the natural 
31.20 	resources fund for the snowmobile 
31.21 	grants-in-aid program. Any unencumbered 
31.22 	balance does not cancel at the end of the first 
31.23 	year and is available for the second year.
31.24 	(e) $2,435,000 the first year and $2,435,000 
31.25 	the second year are from the natural resources 
31.26 	fund for the off-highway vehicle grants-in-aid 
31.27 	program. Of this amount, $1,960,000 each 
31.28 	year is from the all-terrain vehicle account; 
31.29 	$150,000 each year is from the off-highway 
31.30 	motorcycle account; and $325,000 each year 
31.31 	is from the off-road vehicle account. Any 
31.32 	unencumbered balance does not cancel at the 
31.33 	end of the first year and is available for the 
31.34 	second year.
32.1 	(f) $2,250,000 the first year and $2,250,000 
32.2 	the second year are from the state land and 
32.3 	water conservation account in the natural 
32.4 	resources fund for priorities established by the 
32.5 	commissioner for eligible state projects and 
32.6 	administrative and planning activities 
32.7 	consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 
32.8 	84.0264, and the federal Land and Water 
32.9 	Conservation Fund Act. Any unencumbered 
32.10 	balance does not cancel at the end of the first 
32.11 	year and is available for the second year.
32.12 	(g) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
32.13 	second year are for matching grants for local 
32.14 	parks and outdoor recreation areas under 
32.15 	Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019, 
32.16 	subdivision 2.
32.17 	(h) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
32.18 	second year are for matching grants for local 
32.19 	trail connections under Minnesota Statutes, 
32.20 	section 85.019, subdivision 4c.
32.21 	(i) $500,000 the first year and $750,000 the 
32.22 	second year are from the natural resources 
32.23 	fund for parks and trails of regional 
32.24 	significance outside of the seven-county 
32.25 	metropolitan area under Minnesota Statutes, 
32.26 	section 85.535, based on the recommendations 
32.27 	from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks 
32.28 	and Trails Commission. This appropriation is 
32.29 	from revenue deposited in the natural 
32.30 	resources fund under Minnesota Statutes, 
32.31 	section 297A.94, paragraph (i).
32.32 	(j) $300,000 the first year and $350,000 the 
32.33 	second year are from the natural resources 
32.34 	fund for projects and activities that connect 
32.35 	diverse and underserved Minnesotans through 
33.1 	expanding cultural environmental experiences, 
33.2 	exploration of their environment, and outdoor 
33.3 	recreational activities. This appropriation is 
33.4 	from revenue deposited in the natural 
33.5 	resources fund under Minnesota Statutes, 
33.6 	section 297A.94, paragraph (j).
33.7 	(k) $750,000 the first year is from the 
33.8 	all-terrain vehicle account in the natural 
33.9 	resources fund to the commissioner of natural 
33.10 	resources for a grant to St. Louis County to 
33.11 	match other funding sources for design, 
33.12 	right-of-way acquisition, permitting, and 
33.13 	construction of trails within the Voyageur 
33.14 	Country ATV trail system. This is a onetime 
33.15 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
33.16 	2026. This appropriation may be used as a 
33.17 	local match to a 2023 state bonding award.
33.18 	(l) $700,000 the first year is from the 
33.19 	all-terrain vehicle account in the natural 
33.20 	resources fund to the commissioner of natural 
33.21 	resources for a grant to St. Louis County to 
33.22 	match other funding sources for design, 
33.23 	right-of-way acquisition, permitting, and 
33.24 	construction of a new trail within the 
33.25 	Prospector trail system. This is a onetime 
33.26 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
33.27 	2026. This appropriation may be used as a 
33.28 	local match to a 2023 state bonding award.
33.29 	(m) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
33.30 	second year are from the all-terrain vehicle 
33.31 	account in the natural resources fund to the 
33.32 	commissioner of natural resources for a grant 
33.33 	to Aitkin County, in cooperation with the 
33.34 	Northwoods Regional ATV Trail Alliance, to 
33.35 	maintain and repair the Northwoods Regional 
34.1 	ATV trail system. This is a onetime 
34.2 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
34.3 	2026.
34.4 	(n) The total general fund base budget for the 
34.5 	parks and trails division for fiscal year 2026 
34.6 	and later is $35,507,000.

34.7	Subd. 6.Fish and Wildlife Management
 		96,212,000
		90,186,000

34.8	Appropriations by Fund
	
34.9		2024
	2025
	
34.10	General
	11,124,000
	4,332,000
	
34.11	Natural Resources
	1,982,000
	1,982,000
	
34.12	Game and Fish
	83,106,000
	83,872,000
	
34.13 	(a) $11,477,000 the first year and $11,702,000 
34.14 	the second year are from the heritage 
34.15 	enhancement account in the game and fish 
34.16 	fund only for activities specified under 
34.17 	Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, 
34.18 	paragraph (h), clause (1). Notwithstanding 
34.19 	Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, five 
34.20 	percent of this appropriation may be used for 
34.21 	expanding hunter and angler recruitment and 
34.22 	retention.
34.23 	(b) $982,000 the first year and $982,000 the 
34.24 	second year are from the general fund and 
34.25 	$1,675,000 the first year and $1,675,000 the 
34.26 	second year are from the game and fish fund 
34.27 	for statewide response and management of 
34.28 	chronic wasting disease. The commissioner 
34.29 	and the Board of Animal Health must each 
34.30 	submit annual reports on chronic wasting 
34.31 	disease activities funded in this biennium to 
34.32 	the chairs and ranking minority members of 
34.33 	the legislative committees and divisions with 
34.34 	jurisdiction over environment and natural 
34.35 	resources and agriculture. The base for the 
35.1 	general fund portion of this appropriation in 
35.2 	fiscal year 2026 and later is $282,000.
35.3 	(c) $8,546,000 the first year and $8,546,000 
35.4 	the second year are from the deer management 
35.5 	account for the purposes identified in 
35.6 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.075, 
35.7 	subdivision 1.
35.8 	(d) $134,000 the first year and $134,000 the 
35.9 	second year are for increased capacity for 
35.10 	broadband utility licensing for state lands and 
35.11 	public waters. This is a onetime appropriation.
35.12 	(e) $5,134,000 the first year is for enhancing 
35.13 	grasslands and restoring wetlands on 
35.14 	state-owned wildlife management areas to 
35.15 	sequester more carbon and enhance climate 
35.16 	resiliency. This is a onetime appropriation and 
35.17 	is available until June 30, 2027.
35.18 	(f) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
35.19 	second year are from the general fund and 
35.20 	$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
35.21 	second year are from the heritage enhancement 
35.22 	account in the game and fish fund for grants 
35.23 	for natural-resource-based education and 
35.24 	recreation programs serving youth under 
35.25 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.976, and for 
35.26 	grant administration. The general fund amount 
35.27 	is onetime.
35.28 	(g) $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the 
35.29 	second year are for the walk-in access program 
35.30 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.126.
35.31 	(h) $1,633,000 the first year is for a grant to 
35.32 	the Board of Regents of the University of 
35.33 	Minnesota for chronic wasting disease 
35.34 	contingency plans developed by the Center 
36.1 	for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. 
36.2 	This is a onetime appropriation.
36.3 	(i) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
36.4 	section 297A.94, $300,000 the first year and 
36.5 	$300,000 the second year are from the heritage 
36.6 	enhancement account in the game and fish 
36.7 	fund for shooting sports facility grants under 
36.8 	Minnesota Statutes, section 87A.10, including 
36.9 	grants for archery facilities. Grants must be 
36.10 	matched with a nonstate match, which may 
36.11 	include in-kind contributions. This is a 
36.12 	onetime appropriation and is available until 
36.13 	June 30, 2026. This appropriation must be 
36.14 	allocated as follows: (1) $200,000 each fiscal 
36.15 	year is for grants of $25,000 or less; and (2) 
36.16 	$100,000 each fiscal year is for grants in 
36.17 	excess of $25,000.

36.18	Subd. 7.Enforcement
 		63,472,000
		63,028,000

36.19	Appropriations by Fund
	
36.20		2024
	2025
	
36.21	General
	18,522,000
	19,653,000
	
36.22	Natural Resources
	12,511,000
	12,611,000
	
36.23	Game and Fish
	32,322,000
	30,647,000
	
36.24	Remediation
	117,000
	117,000
	
36.25 	(a) $1,718,000 the first year and $1,718,000 
36.26 	the second year are from the general fund for 
36.27 	enforcement efforts to prevent the spread of 
36.28 	aquatic invasive species.
36.29 	(b) $2,080,000 the first year and $1,892,000 
36.30 	the second year are from the heritage 
36.31 	enhancement account in the game and fish 
36.32 	fund for only the purposes specified under 
36.33 	Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, 
36.34 	paragraph (h), clause (1).
37.1 	(c) $1,082,000 the first year and $1,082,000 
37.2 	the second year are from the water recreation 
37.3 	account in the natural resources fund for grants 
37.4 	to counties for boat and water safety. Any 
37.5 	unencumbered balance does not cancel at the 
37.6 	end of the first year and is available for the 
37.7 	second year.
37.8 	(d) $315,000 the first year and $315,000 the 
37.9 	second year are from the snowmobile trails 
37.10 	and enforcement account in the natural 
37.11 	resources fund for grants to local law 
37.12 	enforcement agencies for snowmobile 
37.13 	enforcement activities. Any unencumbered 
37.14 	balance does not cancel at the end of the first 
37.15 	year and is available for the second year.
37.16 	(e) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
37.17 	second year are from the all-terrain vehicle 
37.18 	account in the natural resources fund for grants 
37.19 	to qualifying organizations to assist in safety 
37.20 	and environmental education and monitoring 
37.21 	trails on public lands under Minnesota 
37.22 	Statutes, section 84.9011. Grants issued under 
37.23 	this paragraph must be issued through a formal 
37.24 	agreement with the organization. By 
37.25 	December 15 each year, an organization 
37.26 	receiving a grant under this paragraph must 
37.27 	report to the commissioner with details on 
37.28 	expenditures and outcomes from the grant. Of 
37.29 	this appropriation, $25,000 each year is for 
37.30 	administering these grants. Any unencumbered 
37.31 	balance does not cancel at the end of the first 
37.32 	year and is available for the second year.
37.33 	(f) $510,000 the first year and $510,000 the 
37.34 	second year are from the natural resources 
37.35 	fund for grants to county law enforcement 
38.1 	agencies for off-highway vehicle enforcement 
38.2 	and public education activities based on 
38.3 	off-highway vehicle use in the county. Of this 
38.4 	amount, $498,000 each year is from the 
38.5 	all-terrain vehicle account, $11,000 each year 
38.6 	is from the off-highway motorcycle account, 
38.7 	and $1,000 each year is from the off-road 
38.8 	vehicle account. The county enforcement 
38.9 	agencies may use money received under this 
38.10 	appropriation to make grants to other local 
38.11 	enforcement agencies within the county that 
38.12 	have a high concentration of off-highway 
38.13 	vehicle use. Of this appropriation, $25,000 
38.14 	each year is for administering the grants. Any 
38.15 	unencumbered balance does not cancel at the 
38.16 	end of the first year and is available for the 
38.17 	second year.
38.18 	(g) $2,250,000 the first year and $2,250,000 
38.19 	the second year are appropriated for 
38.20 	inspections, investigations, and enforcement 
38.21 	activities taken in conjunction with the Board 
38.22 	of Animal Health for the white-tailed deer 
38.23 	farm program and for statewide response and 
38.24 	management of chronic wasting disease.
38.25 	(h) $3,050,000 the first year is for modernizing 
38.26 	the enforcement aviation fleet. This 
38.27 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.
38.28 	(i) $360,000 the first year and $360,000 the 
38.29 	second year are for training department 
38.30 	enforcement officers and for maintaining and 
38.31 	storing equipment for conservation officer 
38.32 	public safety responses. This is a onetime 
38.33 	appropriation.
38.34 	(j) The commissioner of natural resources shall 
38.35 	recruit and hire at least 2.5 full-time equivalent 
39.1 	positions to engage in outreach to members 
39.2 	of Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota 
39.3 	about hunting and fishing opportunities and 
39.4 	regulations in this state. No more than one 
39.5 	full-time equivalent position may be a 
39.6 	conservation officer and all positions filled 
39.7 	with this appropriation must be fluent in the 
39.8 	Hmong or Karen language.

39.9	Subd. 8.Operations Support
 		2,434,000
		1,408,000
	
39.10 	(a) $1,684,000 the first year and $1,408,000 
39.11 	second year are for information technology 
39.12 	security and modernization. This is a onetime 
39.13 	appropriation.
39.14 	(b) $750,000 the first year is for legal costs. 
39.15 	The unencumbered amount of the general fund 
39.16 	appropriation in Laws 2019, First Special 
39.17 	Session chapter 4, article 1, section 3, 
39.18 	subdivision 8, for legal costs, estimated to be 
39.19 	$750,000, is canceled no later than June 29, 
39.20 	2023.

39.21	Subd. 9.Pass Through Funds
 		4,164,000
		4,085,000

39.22	Appropriations by Fund
	
39.23		2024
	2025
	
39.24	General
	3,211,000
	3,221,000
	
39.25	Natural Resources
	380,000
	380,000
	
39.26	Permanent School
	573,000
	484,000
	
39.27 	(a) $380,000 the first year and $380,000 the 
39.28 	second year are from the natural resources 
39.29 	fund for grants to be divided equally between 
39.30 	the city of St. Paul for the Como Park Zoo and 
39.31 	Conservatory and the city of Duluth for the 
39.32 	Lake Superior Zoo. This appropriation is from 
39.33 	revenue deposited to the natural resources fund 
40.1 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, 
40.2 	paragraph (h), clause (5).
40.3 	(b) $211,000 the first year and $221,000 the 
40.4 	second year are for the Office of School Trust 
40.5 	Lands.
40.6 	(c) $250,000 the first year and $150,000 the 
40.7 	second year are transferred from the forest 
40.8 	suspense account to the permanent school fund 
40.9 	and are appropriated from the permanent 
40.10 	school fund for transaction and project 
40.11 	management costs for divesting of school trust 
40.12 	lands within Boundary Waters Canoe Area 
40.13 	Wilderness.
40.14 	(d) $323,000 the first year and $334,000 the 
40.15 	second year are transferred from the forest 
40.16 	suspense account to the permanent school fund 
40.17 	and are appropriated from the permanent 
40.18 	school fund for the Office of School Trust 
40.19 	Lands.
40.20 	(e) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 
40.21 	the second year are for proportional payments 
40.22 	to Tribes receiving payments under Minnesota 
40.23 	Statutes, section 97A.165.

40.24
40.25	Subd. 10.Get Out MORE (Modernizing Outdoor 
Recreation Experiences)
 		118,000,000
		-0-
	
40.26 	$118,000,000 the first year is for modernizing 
40.27 	Minnesota's state-managed outdoor recreation 
40.28 	experiences. Of this amount:
40.29 	(1) $28,000,000 is for enhancing access and 
40.30 	welcoming new users to public lands and 
40.31 	outdoor recreation facilities. Of this amount, 
40.32 	$400,000 is for a grant to the city of Silver 
40.33 	Bay for construction of the Silver Bay 
40.34 	Trailhead, and $500,000 is for a grant to the 
41.1 	city of Chisolm for trail development, 
41.2 	maintenance, and related amenities at Redhead 
41.3 	Mountain Bike Park;
41.4 	(2) $5,000,000 is for modernizing camping 
41.5 	and related infrastructure;
41.6 	(3) $35,000,000 is for modernizing boating 
41.7 	access. Of this amount, $1,900,000 is for the 
41.8 	construction of the Crane Lake Voyageurs 
41.9 	National Park Visitor Center and Campground 
41.10 	and for improvements and maintenance for 
41.11 	the state-operated boat ramp at Crane Lake;
41.12 	(4) $35,000,000 is for modernizing fish 
41.13 	hatcheries and fishing infrastructure; and
41.14 	(5) $15,000,000 is for restoring streams and 
41.15 	modernizing water-related infrastructure.
41.16 	The commissioner may reallocate across these 
41.17 	purposes based on project readiness and 
41.18 	priority. This is a onetime appropriation and 
41.19 	is available until June 30, 2029.

41.20	Subd. 11.Transfer
 					
41.21 	By June 30, 2024, the commissioner of 
41.22 	management and budget must transfer $58,000 
41.23 	from the water recreation account in the 
41.24 	natural resources fund to the driver services 
41.25 	operating account under Minnesota Statutes, 
41.26 	section 299A.705.

41.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. Subdivisions 2, 3, and 8 are effective the day following final 
41.28 	enactment.

41.29
41.30	Sec. 4. BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL 
RESOURCES
 	$
	58,766,000
	$
	58,954,000
	
41.31 	(a) $3,116,000 the first year and $3,116,000 
41.32 	the second year are for grants and payments 
41.33 	to soil and water conservation districts for 
42.1 	accomplishing the purposes of Minnesota 
42.2 	Statutes, chapter 103C, and for other general 
42.3 	purposes, nonpoint engineering, and 
42.4 	implementation and stewardship of the 
42.5 	reinvest in Minnesota reserve program. 
42.6 	Expenditures may be made from this 
42.7 	appropriation for supplies and services 
42.8 	benefiting soil and water conservation 
42.9 	districts. Any district receiving a payment 
42.10 	under this paragraph must maintain a website 
42.11 	that publishes, at a minimum, the district's 
42.12 	annual report, annual audit, annual budget, 
42.13 	and meeting notices.
42.14 	(b) $761,000 the first year and $761,000 the 
42.15 	second year are to implement, enforce, and 
42.16 	provide oversight for the Wetland 
42.17 	Conservation Act, including administering the 
42.18 	wetland banking program and in-lieu fee 
42.19 	mechanism.
42.20 	(c) $1,560,000 the first year and $1,560,000 
42.21 	the second year are for the following:
42.22 	(1) $1,460,000 each year is for cost-sharing 
42.23 	programs of soil and water conservation 
42.24 	districts for accomplishing projects and 
42.25 	practices consistent with Minnesota Statutes, 
42.26 	section 103C.501, including perennially 
42.27 	vegetated riparian buffers, erosion control, 
42.28 	water retention and treatment, water quality 
42.29 	cost-sharing for feedlots under 500 animal 
42.30 	units and nutrient and manure management 
42.31 	projects in watersheds where there are 
42.32 	impaired waters, and other high-priority 
42.33 	conservation practices; and
42.34 	(2) $100,000 each year is for county 
42.35 	cooperative weed management programs and 
43.1 	to restore native plants at selected invasive 
43.2 	species management sites.
43.3 	(d) $166,000 the first year and $166,000 the 
43.4 	second year are to provide technical assistance 
43.5 	to local drainage management officials and 
43.6 	for the costs of the Drainage Work Group. The 
43.7 	board must coordinate the activities of the 
43.8 	Drainage Work Group according to Minnesota 
43.9 	Statutes, section 103B.101, subdivision 13.
43.10 	(e) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the 
43.11 	second year are for a grant to the Red River 
43.12 	Basin Commission for water quality and 
43.13 	floodplain management, including program 
43.14 	administration. This appropriation must be 
43.15 	matched by nonstate funds.
43.16 	(f) $190,000 the first year and $190,000 the 
43.17 	second year are for grants to Area II 
43.18 	Minnesota River Basin Projects for floodplain 
43.19 	management. The base for fiscal year 2026 
43.20 	and later is $140,000.
43.21 	(g) $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the 
43.22 	second year are for conservation easement 
43.23 	stewardship.
43.24 	(h) $240,000 the first year and $240,000 the 
43.25 	second year are for a grant to the Lower 
43.26 	Minnesota River Watershed District to defray 
43.27 	the annual cost of operating and maintaining 
43.28 	sites for dredge spoil to sustain the state, 
43.29 	national, and international commercial and 
43.30 	recreational navigation on the lower Minnesota 
43.31 	River.
43.32 	(i) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 
43.33 	the second year are for the lawns to legumes 
43.34 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
44.1 	103B.104. The board may enter into 
44.2 	agreements with local governments, Metro 
44.3 	Blooms, and other organizations to support 
44.4 	this effort. This is a onetime appropriation and 
44.5 	is available until June 30, 2027.
44.6 	(j) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
44.7 	second year are for the habitat-friendly utilities 
44.8 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
44.9 	103B.105. This is a onetime appropriation and 
44.10 	is available until June 30, 2027.
44.11 	(k) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 
44.12 	the second year are for the habitat 
44.13 	enhancement landscape program under 
44.14 	Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.106. This is 
44.15 	a onetime appropriation and is available until 
44.16 	June 30, 2027.
44.17 	(l) $13,380,000 the first year and $13,380,000 
44.18 	the second year are for soil health activities to 
44.19 	achieve water quality, soil productivity, 
44.20 	climate change resiliency, or carbon 
44.21 	sequestration benefits consistent with 
44.22 	Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.06. This is 
44.23 	a onetime appropriation and is available until 
44.24 	June 30, 2027. The board may use grants to 
44.25 	local governments, including soil and water 
44.26 	conservation districts, and agreements with 
44.27 	the United States Department of Agriculture; 
44.28 	the University of Minnesota, Office for Soil 
44.29 	Health; AgCentric, Minnesota State Northern 
44.30 	Center of Excellence; and other practitioners 
44.31 	and partners to accomplish this work.
44.32 	(m) $8,000,000 the first year and $8,000,000 
44.33 	the second year are for conservation easements 
44.34 	and to restore and enhance grasslands and 
44.35 	adjacent lands consistent with Minnesota 
45.1 	Statutes, sections 103F.501 to 103F.531, for 
45.2 	the purposes of climate resiliency, adaptation, 
45.3 	carbon sequestration, and related benefits. Of 
45.4 	this amount, up to $422,500 is for deposit in 
45.5 	the water and soil conservation easement 
45.6 	stewardship account established under 
45.7 	Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.103. This is 
45.8 	a onetime appropriation and is available until 
45.9 	June 30, 2027.
45.10 	(n) $7,500,000 the first year and $7,500,000 
45.11 	the second year are to acquire conservation 
45.12 	easements and to restore and enhance 
45.13 	peatlands and adjacent lands consistent with 
45.14 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 103F.501 to 
45.15 	103F.531, for the purposes of climate 
45.16 	resiliency, adaptation, carbon sequestration, 
45.17 	and related benefits. Of this amount, up to 
45.18 	$299,000 is for deposit in the water and soil 
45.19 	conservation easement stewardship account 
45.20 	established under Minnesota Statutes, section 
45.21 	103B.103. This is a onetime appropriation and 
45.22 	is available until June 30, 2027.
45.23 	(o) $8,500,000 the first year and $8,500,000 
45.24 	the second year are for water quality and 
45.25 	storage practices and projects to protect 
45.26 	infrastructure, improve water quality and 
45.27 	related public benefits, and mitigate climate 
45.28 	change impacts consistent with Minnesota 
45.29 	Statutes, section 103F.05. This is a onetime 
45.30 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
45.31 	2027.
45.32 	(p) $4,673,000 the first year and $4,673,000 
45.33 	the second year are for natural resources block 
45.34 	grants to local governments to implement the 
45.35 	Wetland Conservation Act and shoreland 
46.1 	management program under Minnesota 
46.2 	Statutes, chapter 103F, and local water 
46.3 	management responsibilities under Minnesota 
46.4 	Statutes, chapter 103B. The board may reduce 
46.5 	the amount of the natural resources block grant 
46.6 	to a county by an amount equal to any 
46.7 	reduction in the county's general services 
46.8 	allocation to a soil and water conservation 
46.9 	district from the county's previous year 
46.10 	allocation when the board determines that the 
46.11 	reduction was disproportionate. The base for 
46.12 	fiscal year 2026 and later is $3,423,000.
46.13 	(q) $129,000 the first year and $136,000 the 
46.14 	second year are to accomplish the objectives 
46.15 	of Minnesota Statutes, section 10.65, and 
46.16 	related Tribal government coordination. The 
46.17 	base for fiscal year 2026 and each year 
46.18 	thereafter is $144,000.
46.19 	(r) The board may shift money in this section 
46.20 	and may adjust the technical and 
46.21 	administrative assistance portion of the funds 
46.22 	to leverage federal or other nonstate funds or 
46.23 	to address accountability, oversight, local 
46.24 	government performance, or high-priority 
46.25 	needs.
46.26 	(s) Returned grants and payments are available 
46.27 	for two years after they are returned or 
46.28 	regranted, whichever is later. Funds must be 
46.29 	regranted consistent with the purposes of this 
46.30 	section. If an appropriation for grants in either 
46.31 	year is insufficient, the appropriation in the 
46.32 	other year is available for it.
46.33 	(t) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
46.34 	section 16B.97, grants awarded from 
46.35 	appropriations in this section are exempt from 
47.1 	the Department of Administration, Office of 
47.2 	Grants Management Policy 08-08 Grant 
47.3 	Payments and 08-10 Grant Monitoring.

47.4	Sec. 5. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
 	$
	28,490,000
	$
	10,990,000

47.5	Appropriations by Fund
	
47.6		2024
	2025
	
47.7	General
	20,040,000
	2,540,000
	
47.8	Natural Resources
	8,450,000
	8,450,000
	
47.9 	(a) $7,540,000 the first year and $2,540,000 
47.10 	the second year are for metropolitan-area 
47.11 	regional parks operation and maintenance 
47.12 	according to Minnesota Statutes, section 
47.13 	473.351.
47.14 	(b) $8,450,000 the first year and $8,450,000 
47.15 	the second year are from the natural resources 
47.16 	fund for metropolitan-area regional parks and 
47.17 	trails maintenance and operations. This 
47.18 	appropriation is from revenue deposited in the 
47.19 	natural resources fund under Minnesota 
47.20 	Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), 
47.21 	clause (3).
47.22 	(c) $2,500,000 the first year is for developing 
47.23 	a decision-making support tool set to help 
47.24 	local partners quantify the risks of a changing 
47.25 	climate and prioritize strategies that mitigate 
47.26 	those risks. This is a onetime appropriation 
47.27 	and is available until June 30, 2027.
47.28 	(d) $10,000,000 the first year is to modernize 
47.29 	regional parks and trails. This is a onetime 
47.30 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
47.31 	2027.

47.32
47.33	Sec. 6. CONSERVATION CORPS 
MINNESOTA
 	$
	945,000
	$
	945,000

48.1	Appropriations by Fund
	
48.2		2024
	2025
	
48.3	General
	455,000
	455,000
	
48.4	Natural Resources
	490,000
	490,000
	
48.5 	Conservation Corps Minnesota may receive 
48.6 	money appropriated from the natural resources 
48.7 	fund under this section only as provided in an 
48.8 	agreement with the commissioner of natural 
48.9 	resources.

48.10	Sec. 7. ZOOLOGICAL BOARD
 	$
	12,807,000
	$
	11,957,000

48.11	Appropriations by Fund
	
48.12		2024
	2025
	
48.13	General
	12,617,000
	11,767,000
	
48.14	Natural Resources
	190,000
	190,000
	
48.15 	(a) $190,000 the first year and $190,000 the 
48.16 	second year are from the natural resources 
48.17 	fund from revenue deposited under Minnesota 
48.18 	Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), 
48.19 	clause (5).
48.20 	(b) $850,000 the first year is to improve safety 
48.21 	and security at the Minnesota Zoo. This is a 
48.22 	onetime appropriation.

48.23	Sec. 8. SCIENCE MUSEUM
 	$
	1,200,000
	$
	1,260,000

48.24 	ARTICLE 2
48.25 	ENERGY FINANCE

48.26	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
48.27 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies 
48.28 	and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, 
48.29 	or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 
48.30 	The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under 
48.31 	them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively. 
48.32 	"The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium" 
49.1 	is fiscal years 2024 and 2025. If an appropriation in this act is enacted more than once in 
49.2 	the 2023 legislative session, the appropriation must be given effect only once.

49.3				APPROPRIATIONS
	
49.4				Available for the Year
	
49.5				Ending June 30
	
49.6					2024
		2025

49.7	Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

49.8	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	106,621,000
	$
	35,419,000

49.9	Appropriations by Fund
	
49.10		2024
	2025
	
49.11	General
	105,545,000
	34,322,000
	
49.12	Petroleum Tank
	1,076,000
	1,097,000
	
49.13 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
49.14 	purpose are specified in the following 
49.15 	subdivisions.

49.16	Subd. 2.Energy Resources
 		105,545,000
		34,322,000
	
49.17 	(a) $150,000 each year is to remediate 
49.18 	vermiculite insulation from households that 
49.19 	are eligible for weatherization assistance under 
49.20 	Minnesota's weatherization assistance program 
49.21 	state plan under Minnesota Statutes, section 
49.22 	216C.264. Remediation must be done in 
49.23 	conjunction with federal weatherization 
49.24 	assistance program services.
49.25 	(b) $15,000,000 in the first year is transferred 
49.26 	from the general fund to the solar for schools 
49.27 	program account in the special revenue fund 
49.28 	for grants under the solar for schools program 
49.29 	established under Minnesota Statutes, section 
49.30 	216C.375. The money under this paragraph 
49.31 	must be expended on schools located outside 
49.32 	the electric service territory of the public 
49.33 	utility that is subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
49.34 	section 116C.779.
50.1 	(c) $1,138,000 in the first year is transferred 
50.2 	from the general fund to the solar for schools 
50.3 	program account under Minnesota Statutes, 
50.4 	section 216C.375, to provide financial 
50.5 	assistance to schools that are state colleges 
50.6 	and universities to purchase and install solar 
50.7 	energy generating systems. This appropriation 
50.8 	must be expended on schools located outside 
50.9 	the electric service territory of the public 
50.10 	utility that is subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
50.11 	section 116C.779. Money under this paragraph 
50.12 	is available until June 30, 2034. Any money 
50.13 	remaining on June 30, 2034, cancels to the 
50.14 	general fund.
50.15 	(d) $189,000 each year is for activities 
50.16 	associated with a utility's implementation of 
50.17 	a natural gas innovation plan under Minnesota 
50.18 	Statutes, section 216B.2427.
50.19 	(e) $2,630,000 the first year and $21,018,000 
50.20 	the second year are for preweatherization work 
50.21 	to serve additional households and allow for 
50.22 	services that would otherwise be denied due 
50.23 	to current federal limitations related to the 
50.24 	federal weatherization assistance program. 
50.25 	Money under this paragraph is transferred 
50.26 	from the general fund to the preweatherization 
50.27 	account in the special revenue fund under 
50.28 	Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.264, 
50.29 	subdivision 1c. The base in fiscal year 2026 
50.30 	is $1,012,000 and the base in fiscal year 2027 
50.31 	is $690,000.
50.32 	(f) $3,739,000 each year is for the strengthen 
50.33 	Minnesota homes program under Minnesota 
50.34 	Statutes, section 65A.299, subdivision 4. 
50.35 	Money under this paragraph is transferred 
51.1 	from the general fund to strengthen Minnesota 
51.2 	homes account in the special revenue fund. 
51.3 	The base in fiscal year 2026 and later is 
51.4 	$1,239,000.
51.5 	(g) $300,000 the first year is to conduct an 
51.6 	advanced nuclear study. This is a onetime 
51.7 	appropriation.
51.8 	(h) $850,000 the first year is for a grant to the 
51.9 	Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission to 
51.10 	replace the roof on the ice rink and a 
51.11 	maintenance facility at the National Sports 
51.12 	Center in Blaine in order to install solar arrays. 
51.13 	This is a onetime appropriation.
51.14 	(i) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
51.15 	second year are for a grant to the clean energy 
51.16 	resource teams partnerships under Minnesota 
51.17 	Statutes, section 216C.385, subdivision 2, to 
51.18 	provide additional capacity to perform the 
51.19 	duties specified under Minnesota Statutes, 
51.20 	section 216C.385, subdivision 3.
51.21 	(j) $17,500,000 the first year is for a grant to 
51.22 	an investor-owned electric utility that has at 
51.23 	least 50,000 retail electric customers, but no 
51.24 	more than 200,000 retail electric customers, 
51.25 	to increase the capacity and improve the 
51.26 	reliability of an existing high-voltage direct 
51.27 	current transmission line that runs between 
51.28 	North Dakota and Minnesota. This is a 
51.29 	onetime appropriation and must be used to 
51.30 	support the cost-share component of a federal 
51.31 	grant application to a program enacted in the 
51.32 	federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 
51.33 	Public Law 117-58, and may otherwise be 
51.34 	used to reduce the cost of the high-voltage 
51.35 	direct current transmission project upgrade. 
52.1 	This appropriation is available until June 30, 
52.2 	2034.
52.3 	(k) $2,410,000 the first year and $2,410,000 
52.4 	the second year are for grants for the 
52.5 	development of clean energy projects by 
52.6 	Tribal nations or Tribal communities sharing 
52.7 	geographic borders with Minnesota. Of this 
52.8 	amount, $2,000,000 each year is for grants 
52.9 	and $410,000 each year is for technical 
52.10 	assistance and administrative support for the 
52.11 	Tribal Advocacy Council on Energy under 
52.12 	article 7, section 47. As part of the technical 
52.13 	assistance and administrative support for the 
52.14 	program, the commissioner must hire a Tribal 
52.15 	liaison to support the Tribal Advocacy Council 
52.16 	on Energy and advise the department on the 
52.17 	development of a culturally responsive clean 
52.18 	energy grants program based on the priorities 
52.19 	identified by the Tribal Advocacy Council on 
52.20 	Energy.
52.21 	(l) $3,000,000 the first year is for a grant to 
52.22 	Clean Energy Economy Minnesota for the 
52.23 	Minnesota Energy Alley initiative to secure 
52.24 	the state's energy and economic development 
52.25 	future. The appropriation may be used to 
52.26 	establish and support the initiative, provide 
52.27 	seed funding for businesses, develop a training 
52.28 	and development program, support recruitment 
52.29 	of entrepreneurs to Minnesota, and secure 
52.30 	funding from federal programs and corporate 
52.31 	partners to establish a self-sustaining, 
52.32 	long-term revenue model. This is a onetime 
52.33 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
52.34 	2027.
53.1 	(m) $500,000 the first year is for a grant to the 
53.2 	city of Anoka for feasibility studies as 
53.3 	described in this paragraph and design, 
53.4 	engineering, and environmental analysis 
53.5 	related to the repair and reconstruction of the 
53.6 	Rum River Dam. Findings from the feasibility 
53.7 	studies must be incorporated into the design 
53.8 	and engineering funded by this appropriation. 
53.9 	This appropriation is onetime and is available 
53.10 	until June 30, 2027. This appropriation 
53.11 	includes money for the following studies: (1) 
53.12 	a study to assess the feasibility of adding a 
53.13 	lock or other means for boats to traverse the 
53.14 	dam to navigate between the lower Rum River 
53.15 	and upper Rum River; (2) a study to assess 
53.16 	the feasibility of constructing the dam in a 
53.17 	manner that would facilitate recreational river 
53.18 	surfing at the dam site; and (3) a study to 
53.19 	assess the feasibility of constructing the dam 
53.20 	in a manner to generate hydroelectric power.
53.21 	(n) $3,500,000 the first year is for awarding 
53.22 	electric panel upgrade grants under Minnesota 
53.23 	Statutes, section 216C.46, and to reimburse 
53.24 	the reasonable cost of the department to 
53.25 	administer the program. Grants awarded with 
53.26 	funds appropriated under this subdivision must 
53.27 	be awarded only to owners of single-family 
53.28 	homes or multifamily buildings that are 
53.29 	located outside the electric service area of the 
53.30 	public utility subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
53.31 	section 116C.779. This is a onetime 
53.32 	appropriation and remains available until June 
53.33 	30, 2032. Any money that remains 
53.34 	unexpended on June 30, 2027, cancels to the 
53.35 	general fund.
54.1 	(o) $10,000,000 the first year is for distributed 
54.2 	energy grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
54.3 	section 216C.377. Money under this paragraph 
54.4 	is transferred from the general fund to the 
54.5 	distributed energy resources system upgrade 
54.6 	program account for eligible expenditures 
54.7 	under the distributed energy resources system 
54.8 	upgrade program. This is a onetime 
54.9 	appropriation.
54.10 	(p) $5,000,000 the first year is for the 
54.11 	Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance 
54.12 	Authority established under Minnesota 
54.13 	Statutes, section 216C.441, for the purposes 
54.14 	of Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.441. This 
54.15 	is a onetime appropriation.
54.16 	(q) $1,000,000 the first year is for 
54.17 	implementing energy benchmarking under 
54.18 	Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.331. This 
54.19 	appropriation is onetime and is available until 
54.20 	June 30, 2027.
54.21 	(r) $750,000 the first year is for grants to 
54.22 	qualifying utilities to support the development 
54.23 	of technology for implementing energy 
54.24 	benchmarking under Minnesota Statutes, 
54.25 	section 216C.331. This is a onetime 
54.26 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
54.27 	2026.
54.28 	(s) $750,000 the first year is for a grant to 
54.29 	Building Owners and Managers Association 
54.30 	Greater Minneapolis to establish partnerships 
54.31 	with three technical colleges and high school 
54.32 	career counselors with a goal of increasing the 
54.33 	number of building engineers across 
54.34 	Minnesota. This is a onetime appropriation 
54.35 	and is available until June 30, 2027. The grant 
55.1 	recipient must provide a detailed report 
55.2 	describing how the grant money was used to 
55.3 	the chairs and ranking minority members of 
55.4 	the legislative committees having jurisdiction 
55.5 	over higher education by January 15 of each 
55.6 	year until 2028. The report must describe the 
55.7 	progress made toward the goal of increasing 
55.8 	the number of building engineers and 
55.9 	strategies used.
55.10 	(t) $6,000,000 the first year is to implement 
55.11 	the heat pump rebate program under 
55.12 	Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.45, and to 
55.13 	reimburse the reasonable costs incurred by the 
55.14 	department to administer the program. Of this 
55.15 	amount: (1) $4,000,000 is to award rebates 
55.16 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.45, 
55.17 	subdivision 4; and (2) $2,000,000 is to conduct 
55.18 	contractor training and support under 
55.19 	Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.45, 
55.20 	subdivision 6. This is a onetime appropriation 
55.21 	and is available until June 30, 2027.
55.22 	(u) $2,000,000 the first year is to award 
55.23 	rebates to purchase or lease eligible electric 
55.24 	vehicles under Minnesota Statutes, section 
55.25 	216C.401. Rebates must be awarded under 
55.26 	this paragraph only to eligible purchasers 
55.27 	located outside the retail electric service area 
55.28 	of the public utility that is subject to 
55.29 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779. This is 
55.30 	a onetime appropriation and is available until 
55.31 	June 30, 2027.
55.32 	(v) $2,000,000 the first year is to award grants 
55.33 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.402, 
55.34 	to automobile dealers seeking certification to 
55.35 	sell electric vehicles. Grants must only be 
56.1 	awarded under this paragraph to eligible 
56.2 	dealers located outside the retail electric 
56.3 	service area of the public utility that is subject 
56.4 	to Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779. This 
56.5 	is a onetime appropriation and is available 
56.6 	until June 30, 2027.
56.7 	(w) $2,000,000 the first year is for grants to 
56.8 	install on-site energy storage systems, as 
56.9 	defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
56.10 	216B.2422, subdivision 1, paragraph (f), with 
56.11 	a capacity of 50 kilowatt hours or less and that 
56.12 	are located outside the electric service area of 
56.13 	the electric utility subject to Minnesota 
56.14 	Statutes, section 116C.779. To receive a grant 
56.15 	under this paragraph, an owner of the energy 
56.16 	storage system must be operating a solar 
56.17 	energy generating system at the same site as 
56.18 	the energy storage system or have filed an 
56.19 	application with a utility to interconnect a solar 
56.20 	energy generating system at the same site as 
56.21 	the energy storage system. This is a onetime 
56.22 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
56.23 	2027.
56.24 	(x) $500,000 the first year is for a feasibility 
56.25 	study to identify and process Minnesota iron 
56.26 	resources that could be suitable for upgrading 
56.27 	to long-term battery storage specifications. 
56.28 	The results of the feasibility study must be 
56.29 	submitted to the commissioner of commerce 
56.30 	and to the chairs and ranking minority 
56.31 	members of the house of representatives and 
56.32 	senate committees with jurisdiction over 
56.33 	energy policy no later than February 1, 2025. 
56.34 	This is a onetime appropriation.
57.1 	(y) $15,000,000 the first year is for electric 
57.2 	grid resiliency grants under article 7, section 
57.3 	48. This is a onetime appropriation and is 
57.4 	available until June 30, 2028.
57.5 	(z) $2,000,000 the first year is for electric 
57.6 	school bus grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
57.7 	section 216B.1616. Money under this 
57.8 	paragraph is transferred from the general fund 
57.9 	to the electric school bus program account. 
57.10 	This is a onetime appropriation.
57.11 	(aa) $1,000,000 the first year is for grants 
57.12 	under the Air Ventilation Program Act.

57.13
57.14	Subd. 3.Petroleum Tank Release Compensation 
Board
 		1,076,000
		1,097,000
	
57.15 	This appropriation is from the petroleum tank 
57.16 	fund.

57.17	Sec. 3. PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
 	$
	10,383,000
	$
	10,645,000

57.18	Sec. 4. AGRICULTURE
 	$
	12,892,000
	$
	0
	
57.19 	$12,892,000 the first year is for grants to 
57.20 	cooperatives to invest in green fertilizer 
57.21 	production facilities, as provided under article 
57.22 	7, section 50. This is a onetime appropriation 
57.23 	and is available until June 30, 2032.

57.24	Sec. 5. ADMINISTRATION
 	$
	1,512,000
	$
	0
	
57.25 	(a) $690,000 the first year is for a contract 
57.26 	with the Board of Regents of the University 
57.27 	of Minnesota for the Institute on the 
57.28 	Environment to research and provide 
57.29 	recommendations for establishing new energy 
57.30 	guidelines for state buildings under Minnesota 
57.31 	Statutes, section 16B.325, subdivision 2. The 
57.32 	grant agreement must require the director of 
57.33 	the Institute on the Environment to submit a 
57.34 	written report that summarizes the findings 
58.1 	and recommendations, including 
58.2 	recommendations for policy and legislative 
58.3 	changes, to the chairs and ranking minority 
58.4 	members of the legislative committees in the 
58.5 	house of representatives and the senate with 
58.6 	primary jurisdiction over energy policy and 
58.7 	capital investment.
58.8 	(b) $500,000 the first year is for grants and 
58.9 	the environmental analysis of construction 
58.10 	materials under Minnesota Statutes, section 
58.11 	16B.312. Of this amount, $300,000 is 
58.12 	transferred to the Department of 
58.13 	Transportation.
58.14 	(c) $322,000 the first year is for a grant to 
58.15 	Lake of the Woods County to demolish the 
58.16 	abandoned state-owned Williams School 
58.17 	building in the city of Williams and to abate 
58.18 	and remediate petroleum, pollutants, or 
58.19 	contaminants at the school site. This is a 
58.20 	onetime appropriation.

58.21 	ARTICLE 3
58.22 	RENEWABLE DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT APPROPRIATIONS

58.23	Section 1. RENEWABLE DEVELOPMENT FINANCE.
 	
58.24 	(a) The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the 
58.25 	agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
58.26 	section 116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph (j), the appropriations are from the renewable 
58.27 	development account in the special revenue fund established in Minnesota Statutes, section 
58.28 	116C.779, subdivision 1, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 
58.29 	The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under 
58.30 	them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively. 
58.31 	"The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium" 
58.32 	is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
58.33 	(b) If an appropriation in this article is enacted more than once in the 2023 regular or 
58.34 	special legislative session, the appropriation must be given effect only once.

59.1				APPROPRIATIONS
	
59.2				Available for the Year
	
59.3				Ending June 30
	
59.4					2024
		2025

59.5	Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

59.6	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	46,920,000
	$
	8,000,000
	
59.7 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
59.8 	purpose are specified in the following 
59.9 	subdivisions.

59.10	Subd. 2."Made in Minnesota" Administration
 					
59.11 	$100,000 each year is to administer the "Made 
59.12 	in Minnesota" solar energy production 
59.13 	incentive program under Minnesota Statutes, 
59.14 	section 216C.417. Any unspent amount 
59.15 	remaining on June 30, 2025, cancels to the 
59.16 	renewable development account.

59.17	Subd. 3.Third-Party Evaluator
 					
59.18 	$500,000 each year is for costs associated with 
59.19 	any third-party expert evaluation of a proposal 
59.20 	submitted in response to a request for proposal 
59.21 	to the Renewable Development Advisory 
59.22 	Group under Minnesota Statutes, section 
59.23 	116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph (l). No 
59.24 	portion of this appropriation may be expended 
59.25 	or retained by the commissioner of commerce. 
59.26 	Any money appropriated under this paragraph 
59.27 	that is unexpended at the end of a fiscal year 
59.28 	cancels to the renewable development account.

59.29	Subd. 4.Microgrid Research and Application
 					
59.30 	(a) $3,000,000 the first year and $400,000 the 
59.31 	second year are for a grant to the University 
59.32 	of St. Thomas Center for Microgrid Research 
59.33 	for the purposes of paragraph (b). The base in 
60.1 	fiscal year 2026 is $400,000 and $0 in fiscal 
60.2 	year 2027.
60.3 	(b) The appropriations in this subdivision must 
60.4 	be used by the University of St. Thomas 
60.5 	Center for Microgrid Research to:
60.6 	(1) increase the center's capacity to provide 
60.7 	industry partners opportunities to test 
60.8 	near-commercial microgrid products on a 
60.9 	real-world scale and to multiply opportunities 
60.10 	for innovative research;
60.11 	(2) procure advanced equipment and controls 
60.12 	to enable the extension of the university's 
60.13 	microgrid to additional buildings; and
60.14 	(3) expand (i) hands-on educational 
60.15 	opportunities for undergraduate and graduate 
60.16 	electrical engineering students to increase 
60.17 	understanding of microgrid operations, and 
60.18 	(ii) partnerships with community colleges.
60.19 	(c) $4,100,000 the first year is for a grant to 
60.20 	the University of St. Thomas Center for 
60.21 	Microgrid Research for capacity building and 
60.22 	matching requirements as a condition of 
60.23 	receiving federal funds. This appropriation is 
60.24 	available until June 30, 2027.

60.25
60.26	Subd. 5.Solar on State College and University 
Campuses
 					
60.27 	$1,138,000 the first year is to provide financial 
60.28 	assistance to schools that are state colleges 
60.29 	and universities to purchase and install solar 
60.30 	energy generating systems under Minnesota 
60.31 	Statutes, section 216C.376. This appropriation 
60.32 	must be expended on schools located inside 
60.33 	the electric service territory of the public 
60.34 	utility that is subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
61.1 	section 116C.779. This is a onetime 
61.2 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
61.3 	2025.

61.4
61.5	Subd. 6.Granite Falls Hydroelectric Generating 
Facility
 					
61.6 	$2,432,000 the first year is for a grant to the 
61.7 	city of Granite Falls for repair and overage 
61.8 	costs related to the city's existing hydroelectric 
61.9 	generating facility. This is a onetime 
61.10 	appropriation and any amount unexpended by 
61.11 	June 30, 2025, cancels to the renewable 
61.12 	development account.

61.13	Subd. 7.National Sports Center Solar Array
 					
61.14 	$4,150,000 the first year is to the Minnesota 
61.15 	Amateur Sports Commission to install solar 
61.16 	arrays. This appropriation may be used to 
61.17 	replace the roof and install solar arrays on an 
61.18 	ice rink and a maintenance facility at the 
61.19 	National Sports Center in Blaine. This is a 
61.20 	onetime appropriation.

61.21	Subd. 8.Electric Vehicle Rebates
 					
61.22 	(a) $2,000,000 the first year is to award rebates 
61.23 	to purchase or lease eligible electric vehicles 
61.24 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.401. 
61.25 	Rebates must be awarded under this paragraph 
61.26 	only to eligible purchasers located within the 
61.27 	retail electric service area of the public utility 
61.28 	that is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
61.29 	116C.779. This is a onetime appropriation and 
61.30 	is available until June 30, 2027.
61.31 	(b) $2,000,000 the first year is to award grants 
61.32 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.402, 
61.33 	to automobile dealers seeking certification 
61.34 	from an electric vehicle manufacturer to sell 
62.1 	electric vehicles. Rebates must only be 
62.2 	awarded under this paragraph to eligible 
62.3 	dealers located within the retail electric service 
62.4 	area of the public utility that is subject to 
62.5 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779. This is 
62.6 	a onetime appropriation and is available until 
62.7 	June 30, 2027.

62.8	Subd. 9.Area C Contingency Account
 					
62.9 	$3,000,000 the first year is transferred from 
62.10 	the renewable development account to the 
62.11 	Area C contingency account for the purposes 
62.12 	of Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.7793. 
62.13 	This appropriation is available until June 30, 
62.14 	2028, or five years after the Pollution Control 
62.15 	Agency issues any corrective action 
62.16 	determination regarding the remediation of 
62.17 	Area C under Minnesota Statutes, section 
62.18 	116C.7793, subdivision 3, whichever is later. 
62.19 	Any unexpended money remaining in the 
62.20 	account on June 30, 2028, cancels to the 
62.21 	renewable development account.

62.22	Subd. 10.Electric Panel Upgrade Grants
 					
62.23 	$3,500,000 the first year is for the purpose of 
62.24 	awarding electric panel upgrade grants under 
62.25 	Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.46, and to 
62.26 	reimburse the reasonable cost of the 
62.27 	department to administer the program. Grants 
62.28 	awarded with funds appropriated under this 
62.29 	subdivision must be awarded only to owners 
62.30 	of single-family homes or multifamily 
62.31 	buildings that are located within the electric 
62.32 	service area of the public utility subject to 
62.33 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779. This is 
62.34 	a onetime appropriation and remains available 
62.35 	until June 30, 2027. Any unexpended money 
63.1 	that remains unexpended on June 30, 2027, 
63.2 	cancels to the renewable development account.

63.3	Subd. 11.Emerald Ash Borer Wood Dehydrator
 					
63.4 	(a) $2,000,000 the second year is for a grant 
63.5 	to the owner of a biomass energy generation 
63.6 	plant in Shakopee that uses waste heat from 
63.7 	the generation of electricity in the malting 
63.8 	process to purchase a wood dehydrator to 
63.9 	facilitate disposal of wood that is infested by 
63.10 	emerald ash borer. This is a onetime 
63.11 	appropriation.
63.12 	(b) By October 1, 2024, the commissioner of 
63.13 	commerce must report to the chairs and 
63.14 	ranking minority members of the legislative 
63.15 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
63.16 	over commerce on the use of money 
63.17 	appropriated under this subdivision.

63.18	Subd. 12.Energy Storage Incentive Grants
 					
63.19 	$5,000,000 the first year is to award grants to 
63.20 	install energy storage systems under 
63.21 	Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.379, and to 
63.22 	pay the reasonable costs incurred by the 
63.23 	department to administer Minnesota Statutes, 
63.24 	section 216C.379. This is a onetime 
63.25 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
63.26 	2027.

63.27
63.28	Subd. 13.Distributive Energy Resources System 
Upgrades
 					
63.29 	$5,000,000 the second year is for eligible 
63.30 	expenditures under the distributed energy 
63.31 	resources system upgrade program established 
63.32 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.377. Of 
63.33 	this amount, $250,000 is to implement the 
63.34 	small interconnection cost-sharing program 
64.1 	ordered by the Public Utilities Commission 
64.2 	on December 19, 2022, in Docket 
64.3 	E002/M-18-714, to cover the costs of certain 
64.4 	distribution upgrades for customers of the 
64.5 	utility subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
64.6 	116C.779, seeking to interconnect distributed 
64.7 	generation of up to a certain size. The 
64.8 	appropriation under this subdivision may be 
64.9 	used for the reasonable costs of distribution 
64.10 	upgrades as defined in Minnesota Statutes, 
64.11 	section 216C.377, subdivision 1. Money under 
64.12 	this subdivision is transferred from the 
64.13 	renewable development account to the 
64.14 	distributed energy resource system upgrade 
64.15 	program account for the purposes of this 
64.16 	subdivision.

64.17	Subd. 14.Heat Pump Grants
 					
64.18 	$6,000,000 the first year is to implement the 
64.19 	heat pump rebate program under Minnesota 
64.20 	Statutes, section 216C.45, and to reimburse 
64.21 	the reasonable costs incurred by the 
64.22 	department to administer the program.

64.23	Subd. 15.Solar on Public Buildings
 					
64.24 	$5,000,000 the first year is transferred from 
64.25 	the renewable development account to the 
64.26 	solar on public buildings grant program 
64.27 	account for the grant program described in 
64.28 	Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.378. The 
64.29 	appropriation in this subdivision must be used 
64.30 	only to provide grants to public buildings 
64.31 	located within the electric service area of the 
64.32 	electric utility subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
64.33 	section 116C.779.

65.1	Subd. 16.Electric School Bus Grants
 					
65.2 	$5,000,000 the first year is transferred from 
65.3 	the renewable development account to the 
65.4 	electric school bus account for electric school 
65.5 	bus grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 
65.6 	216B.1616.

65.7
65.8	Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF 
ADMINISTRATION
 	$
	90,000
	$
	92,000
	
65.9 	$90,000 the first year and $92,000 the second 
65.10 	year are for software and administrative costs 
65.11 	associated with the state building energy 
65.12 	conservation improvement revolving loan 
65.13 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
65.14 	16B.87.

65.15
65.16	Sec. 4. DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT 
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
 	$
	5,000,000
	$
	0
	
65.17 	$5,000,000 the first year is for the community 
65.18 	energy transition grant program under 
65.19 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.55. This is 
65.20 	a onetime appropriation and is available until 
65.21 	June 30, 2028.

65.22	Sec. 5. AGRICULTURE
 	$
	0
	$
	9,000,000
	
65.23 	$9,000,000 the second year is for grants to 
65.24 	cooperatives to invest in green fertilizer 
65.25 	production facilities, as provided under article 
65.26 	7, section 50. This is a onetime appropriation 
65.27 	and is available until June 30, 2027.

65.28 	ARTICLE 4
65.29 	ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES MODIFICATIONS

65.30 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 35.155, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
65.31 		Subdivision 1.Running at large prohibited. (a) An owner may not allow farmed 
65.32 	Cervidae to run at large. The owner must make all reasonable efforts to return escaped 
65.33 	farmed Cervidae to their enclosures as soon as possible. The owner must immediately notify 
66.1 	the commissioner of natural resources of the escape of farmed Cervidae if the farmed 
66.2 	Cervidae are not returned or captured by the owner within 24 hours of their escape.
66.3 	(b) An owner is liable for expenses of another person in capturing, caring for, and 
66.4 	returning farmed Cervidae that have left their enclosures if the person capturing the farmed 
66.5 	Cervidae contacts the owner as soon as possible.
66.6 	(c) If an owner is unwilling or unable to capture escaped farmed Cervidae, the 
66.7 	commissioner of natural resources may destroy the escaped farmed Cervidae. The 
66.8 	commissioner of natural resources must allow the owner to attempt to capture the escaped 
66.9 	farmed Cervidae prior to destroying the farmed Cervidae. Farmed Cervidae that are not 
66.10 	captured by 24 hours after escape may be destroyed.
66.11 	(d) A hunter licensed by the commissioner of natural resources under chapter 97A may 
66.12 	kill and possess escaped farmed Cervidae in a lawful manner and is not liable to the owner 
66.13 	for the loss of the animal.
66.14 	(e) Escaped farmed Cervidae killed by a hunter or destroyed by the commissioner of 
66.15 	natural resources must be tested for chronic wasting disease.
66.16 	(f) The owner is responsible for proper disposal, as determined by the board, of farmed 
66.17 	Cervidae that are killed or destroyed under this subdivision and test positive for chronic 
66.18 	wasting disease.
66.19 	(g) An owner is liable for any additional costs associated with escaped farmed Cervidae 
66.20 	that are infected with chronic wasting disease. This paragraph may be enforced by the 
66.21 	attorney general on behalf of any state agency affected.

66.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2023.

66.23 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 35.155, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
66.24 		Subd. 4.Fencing. Farmed Cervidae must be confined in a manner designed to prevent 
66.25 	escape. All perimeter fences for farmed Cervidae must be at least 96 inches in height and 
66.26 	be constructed and maintained in a way that prevents the escape of farmed Cervidae or,
66.27 	entry into the premises by free-roaming Cervidae, and physical contact between farmed 
66.28 	Cervidae and free-roaming Cervidae. The Board of Animal Health may determine whether 
66.29 	the construction and maintenance of fencing is adequate under this subdivision and may 
66.30 	compel corrective action where it determines fencing is inadequate. After July 1, 2019, All 
66.31 	new fencing installed and all fencing used to repair deficiencies must be high tensile. By 
66.32 	December 1, 2019, All entry areas for farmed Cervidae enclosure areas must have two 
66.33 	redundant gates, which must be maintained to prevent the escape of animals through an 
67.1 	open gate. If a fence deficiency allows entry or exit by farmed or wild Cervidae, the owner 
67.2 	must immediately repair the deficiency. All other deficiencies must be repaired within a 
67.3 	reasonable time, as determined by the Board of Animal Health, not to exceed 45 14 days. 
67.4 	If a fence deficiency is detected during an inspection, the facility must be reinspected at 
67.5 	least once in the subsequent three months. The farmed Cervidae owner must pay a 
67.6 	reinspection fee equal to one-half the applicable annual inspection fee under subdivision 
67.7 	7a for each reinspection related to a fence violation. If the facility experiences more than 
67.8 	one escape incident in any six-month period or fails to correct a deficiency found during 
67.9 	an inspection, the board may revoke the facility's registration and order the owner to remove 
67.10 	or destroy the animals as directed by the board. If the board revokes a facility's registration, 
67.11 	the commissioner of natural resources may seize and destroy animals at the facility.

67.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2024.

67.13 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 35.155, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
67.14 		Subd. 10.Mandatory registration. (a) A person may not possess live Cervidae in 
67.15 	Minnesota unless the person is registered with the Board of Animal Health and meets all 
67.16 	the requirements for farmed Cervidae under this section. Cervidae possessed in violation 
67.17 	of this subdivision may be seized and destroyed by the commissioner of natural resources.
67.18 	(b) A person whose registration is revoked by the board is ineligible for future registration 
67.19 	under this section unless the board determines that the person has undertaken measures that 
67.20 	make future escapes extremely unlikely.
67.21 	(c) The board must not allow new registrations under this section for possessing 
67.22 	white-tailed deer. A valid registration may be sold or transferred only once under this 
67.23 	paragraph. Before the board approves a sale or transfer under this paragraph, the board must 
67.24 	verify that the herd is free from chronic wasting disease.

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

67.26 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 35.155, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
67.27 		Subd. 11.Mandatory surveillance for chronic wasting disease; depopulation. (a) 
67.28 	An inventory for each farmed Cervidae herd must be verified by an accredited veterinarian 
67.29 	and filed with the Board of Animal Health every 12 months.
67.30 	(b) Movement of farmed Cervidae from any premises to another location must be reported 
67.31 	to the Board of Animal Health within 14 days of the movement on forms approved by the 
68.1 	Board of Animal Health. A person must not move farmed white-tailed deer from a herd that 
68.2 	tests positive for chronic wasting disease from any premises to another location.
68.3 	(c) All animals from farmed Cervidae herds that are over 12 six months of age that die 
68.4 	or are slaughtered must be tested for chronic wasting disease.
68.5 	(d) The owner of a premises where chronic wasting disease is detected must:
68.6 	(1) allow and cooperate with inspections of the premises as determined by the Board of 
68.7 	Animal Health and Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and wildlife 
68.8 	managers;
68.9 	(1) (2) depopulate the premises of Cervidae after the federal indemnification process 
68.10 	has been completed or, if an indemnification application is not submitted, within a reasonable 
68.11 	time determined by the board in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources
68.12 	30 days;
68.13 	(2) (3) maintain the fencing required under subdivision 4 on the premises for five ten
68.14 	years after the date of detection; and
68.15 	(3) (4) post the fencing on the premises with biohazard signs as directed by the board.;
68.16 	(5) not raise farmed Cervidae on the premises for at least ten years;
68.17 	(6) before signing an agreement to sell or transfer the property, disclose in writing to 
68.18 	the buyer or transferee the date of depopulation and the requirements incumbent upon the 
68.19 	premises and the buyer or transferee under this paragraph; and
68.20 	(7) record with the county recorder or registrar of titles as appropriate, in the county 
68.21 	where the premises is located, a notice, in the form required by the board that meets the 
68.22 	recording requirements of sections 507.093 and 507.24, and that includes the nearest address 
68.23 	and the legal description of the premises, the date of detection, the date of depopulation, 
68.24 	the landowner requirements under this paragraph, and any other information required by 
68.25 	the board. The legal description must be the legal description of record with the county 
68.26 	recorder or registrar of titles and must not otherwise be the real estate tax statement legal 
68.27 	description for the premises. The notice expires and has no effect ten years after the date 
68.28 	of detection stated in the notice. An expired notice must be omitted by the registrar of titles 
68.29 	from future certificates of title.
68.30 	(e) An owner of farmed Cervidae that test positive for chronic wasting disease is 
68.31 	responsible for proper disposal of the animals, as determined by the board.

69.1 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 35.155, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
69.2 	read:
69.3 		Subd. 11a.Liability. (a) A herd owner is liable in a civil action to a person injured by 
69.4 	the owner's sale or unlawful disposal of farmed Cervidae if the herd owner knew or 
69.5 	reasonably should have known that the farmed Cervidae were infected with or exposed to 
69.6 	chronic wasting disease. Action may be brought in a county where the farmed Cervidae are 
69.7 	sold, delivered, or unlawfully disposed.
69.8 	(b) A herd owner is liable to the state for costs associated with the owner's unlawful 
69.9 	disposal of farmed Cervidae infected with or exposed to chronic wasting disease. This 
69.10 	paragraph may be enforced by the attorney general on behalf of any state agency affected.

69.11 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 35.155, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
69.12 		Subd. 12.Importation. (a) A person must not import live Cervidae or Cervidae semen
69.13 	into the state from a herd that is:
69.14 	(1) infected with or has been exposed to chronic wasting disease; or
69.15 	(2) from a known state or province where chronic wasting disease endemic area, as 
69.16 	determined by the board is present in farmed or wild Cervidae populations.
69.17 	(b) A person may import live Cervidae or Cervidae semen into the state only from a 
69.18 	herd that:
69.19 	(1) is not in a known located in a state or province where chronic wasting disease endemic 
69.20 	area, as determined by the board, is present in farmed or wild Cervidae populations; and 
69.21 	the herd
69.22 	(2) has been subject to a state or provincial approved state- or provincial-approved
69.23 	chronic wasting disease monitoring program for at least three years.
69.24 	(c) Cervidae or Cervidae semen imported in violation of this section may be seized and 
69.25 	destroyed by the commissioner of natural resources.
69.26 	(d) Nothing in this section prohibits a person from importing Cervidae semen from a 
69.27 	herd certified as low-risk for chronic wasting disease under the chronic wasting disease 
69.28 	voluntary herd certification program operated by the United States Department of 
69.29 	Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
69.30 	(e) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prevent:
70.1 	(1) interstate transfer of animals between two facilities accredited by the Association of 
70.2 	Zoos and Aquariums; or
70.3 	(2) importation of orphaned wild Cervidae for placement at an institution accredited by 
70.4 	the Association of Zoos and Aquariums when approved on a case-by-case basis by the 
70.5 	commissioner of natural resources.

70.6 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 35.155, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
70.7 	read:
70.8 		Subd. 15.Cooperation with Board of Animal Health. The commissioner of natural 
70.9 	resources may contract with the Board of Animal Health to administer some or all of sections 
70.10 	35.153 to 35.156 for farmed white-tailed deer.

70.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

70.12 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 35.156, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
70.13 	read:
70.14 		Subd. 3.Consultation required. The Board of Animal Health and the commissioner 
70.15 	of natural resources must consult the Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach 
70.16 	at the University of Minnesota and incorporate peer-reviewed scientific information when 
70.17 	administering and enforcing section 35.155 and associated rules pertaining to chronic wasting 
70.18 	disease and farmed Cervidae.

70.19 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 35.156, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
70.20 	read:
70.21 		Subd. 4.Notice required. The Board of Animal Health must promptly notify affected 
70.22 	local units of government and Tribal governments when an animal in a farmed Cervidae 
70.23 	herd tests positive for chronic wasting disease.

70.24 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 35.156, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
70.25 	read:
70.26 		Subd. 5.Annual testing required. (a) Once the United States Department of Agriculture 
70.27 	has determined that the RT-QuIC test is capable of accurately detecting chronic wasting 
70.28 	disease in white-tailed deer, the Board of Animal Health must have each farmed white-tailed 
70.29 	deer possessed by a person registered under section 35.155 annually tested for chronic 
70.30 	wasting disease using a real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) test offered by 
70.31 	a public or private diagnostic laboratory. Live-animal testing must consist of an ear biopsy, 
71.1 	the collection of which must be managed by the Board of Animal Health, with each laboratory 
71.2 	reporting RT-QuIC results to both the commissioner of natural resources and the Board of 
71.3 	Animal Health in the form required by both agencies. If a white-tailed deer tests positive, 
71.4 	the owner must have the animal tested a second time using an RT-QuIC test performed on 
71.5 	both a second ear biopsy and a tonsil or rectal biopsy.
71.6 	(b) If a farmed white-tailed deer tests positive using an RT-QuIC test performed on both 
71.7 	a second ear biopsy and a tonsil or rectal biopsy, the owner must have the animal destroyed 
71.8 	and tested for chronic wasting disease using a postmortem test approved by the Board of 
71.9 	Animal Health.
71.10 	(c) If a farmed white-tailed deer tests positive for chronic wasting disease under paragraph 
71.11 	(b), the owner must depopulate the premises of farmed Cervidae as required under section 
71.12 	35.155, subdivision 11.

71.13 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.415, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
71.14 		Subd. 3.Application, form. The application for license or permit shall be in 
71.15 	quadruplicate, and shall must include with each copy a legal description of the lands or 
71.16 	waters affected, a metes and bounds description of the required right-of-way, a map showing 
71.17 	said features, and a detailed design of any structures necessary, or in lieu thereof shall be 
71.18 	in such other form, and include such other descriptions, maps or designs, as the commissioner 
71.19 	may require. The commissioner may at any time order such changes or modifications 
71.20 	respecting construction or maintenance of structures or other conditions of the license or 
71.21 	permit as the commissioner deems necessary to protect the public health and safety.

71.22 	Sec. 12. [86B.30] DEFINITIONS.
71.23 		Subdivision 1.Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to sections 86B.30 
71.24 	to 86B.341.
71.25 		Subd. 2.Accompanying operator. "Accompanying operator" means a person 21 years 
71.26 	of age or older who:
71.27 	(1) is in a personal watercraft or other type of motorboat;
71.28 	(2) is within immediate reach of the controls of the motor; and
71.29 	(3) possesses a valid operator's permit or is an exempt operator.
71.30 		Subd. 3.Adult operator. "Adult operator" means a motorboat operator, including a 
71.31 	personal watercraft operator, who is 12 years of age or older and who was:
72.1 	(1) effective July 1, 2025, born on or after July 1, 2004;
72.2 	(2) effective July 1, 2026, born on or after July 1, 2000;
72.3 	(3) effective July 1, 2027, born on or after July 1, 1996; and
72.4 	(4) effective July 1, 2028, born on or after July 1, 1987.
72.5 		Subd. 4.Exempt operator. "Exempt operator" means a motorboat operator, including 
72.6 	a personal watercraft operator, who is 12 years of age or older and who:
72.7 	(1) possesses a valid license to operate a motorboat issued for maritime personnel by 
72.8 	the United States Coast Guard under Code of Federal Regulations, title 46, part 10, or a 
72.9 	marine certificate issued by the Canadian government;
72.10 	(2) is not a resident of the state, is temporarily using the waters of the state for a period 
72.11 	not to exceed 60 days, and:
72.12 	(i) meets any applicable requirements of the state or country of residency; or
72.13 	(ii) possesses a Canadian pleasure craft operator's card;
72.14 	(3) is operating a motorboat under a dealer's license according to section 86B.405; or
72.15 	(4) is operating a motorboat during an emergency.
72.16 		Subd. 5.Motorboat rental business. "Motorboat rental business" means a person 
72.17 	engaged in the business of renting or leasing motorboats, including personal watercraft, for 
72.18 	a period not exceeding 30 days. Motorboat rental business includes a person's agents and 
72.19 	employees but does not include a resort business.
72.20 		Subd. 6.Resort business. "Resort business" means a person engaged in the business of 
72.21 	providing lodging and recreational services to transient guests classified as a resort under 
72.22 	section 273.13, subdivision 22 or 25. A resort business includes a person's agents and 
72.23 	employees.
72.24 		Subd. 7.Young operator. "Young operator" means a motorboat operator, including a 
72.25 	personal watercraft operator, younger than 12 years of age.

72.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

72.27 	Sec. 13. [86B.302] WATERCRAFT OPERATOR'S PERMIT.
72.28 		Subdivision 1.Generally. The commissioner must issue a watercraft operator's permit 
72.29 	to a person 12 years of age or older who successfully completes a water safety course and 
72.30 	written test according to section 86B.304, paragraph (a), or who provides proof of completing 
73.1 	a program subject to a reciprocity agreement or certified by the commissioner as substantially 
73.2 	similar.
73.3 		Subd. 2.Issuing permit to certain young operators. The commissioner may issue a 
73.4 	permit under this section to a person who is at least 11 years of age, but the permit is not 
73.5 	valid until the person becomes an adult operator.
73.6 		Subd. 3.Personal possession required. (a) A person who is required to have a watercraft 
73.7 	operator's permit must have in personal possession:
73.8 	(1) a valid watercraft operator's permit;
73.9 	(2) a driver's license that has a valid watercraft operator's permit indicator issued under 
73.10 	section 171.07, subdivision 20; or
73.11 	(3) an identification card that has a valid watercraft operator's permit indicator issued 
73.12 	under section 171.07, subdivision 20.
73.13 	(b) A person who is required to have a watercraft operator's permit must display one of 
73.14 	the documents described in paragraph (a) to a conservation officer or peace officer upon 
73.15 	request.
73.16 		Subd. 4.Using electronic device to display proof of permit. If a person uses an 
73.17 	electronic device to display a document described in subdivision 3 to a conservation officer 
73.18 	or peace officer:
73.19 	(1) the officer is immune from liability for any damage to the device, unless the officer 
73.20 	does not exercise due care in handling the device; and
73.21 	(2) this does not constitute consent for the officer to access other contents on the device.

73.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

73.23 	Sec. 14. [86B.303] OPERATING PERSONAL WATERCRAFT AND OTHER 
73.24 	MOTORBOATS.
73.25 		Subdivision 1.Adult operators. An adult operator may not operate a motorboat, 
73.26 	including a personal watercraft, unless:
73.27 	(1) the adult operator possesses a valid watercraft operator's permit;
73.28 	(2) the adult operator is an exempt operator; or
73.29 	(3) an accompanying operator is in the motorboat.
74.1 		Subd. 2.Young operators. (a) A young operator may not operate a personal watercraft 
74.2 	or any motorboat powered by a motor with a factory rating of more than 75 horsepower.
74.3 	(b) A young operator may operate a motorboat that is not a personal watercraft and that 
74.4 	is powered by a motor with a factory rating of less than 75 horsepower if an accompanying 
74.5 	operator is in the motorboat.
74.6 		Subd. 3.Accompanying operators. For purposes of this section and section 169A.20, 
74.7 	an accompanying operator, as well as the actual operator, is operating and is in physical 
74.8 	control of a motorboat.
74.9 		Subd. 4.Owners may not allow unlawful use. An owner or other person in lawful 
74.10 	control of a motorboat may not allow the motorboat to be operated contrary to this section.
74.11 		Subd. 5.Exception for low-powered motorboats. Notwithstanding the other provisions 
74.12 	of this section, a person of any age may operate a motorboat that is not a personal watercraft 
74.13 	that is powered by a motor with a factory rating of 25 horsepower or less without possessing 
74.14 	a valid watercraft operator's permit and without an accompanying operator in the motorboat.

74.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

74.16 	Sec. 15. [86B.304] WATERCRAFT SAFETY PROGRAM.
74.17 	(a) The commissioner must establish a water safety course and testing program for 
74.18 	personal watercraft and watercraft operators and must prescribe a written test as part of the 
74.19 	course. The course must be approved by the National Association of State Boating Law 
74.20 	Administrators and must be available online. The commissioner may allow designated water 
74.21 	safety courses administered by third parties to meet the requirements of this paragraph and 
74.22 	may enter into reciprocity agreements or otherwise certify boat safety education programs 
74.23 	from other states that are substantially similar to in-state programs. The commissioner must 
74.24 	establish a working group of interested parties to develop course content and implementation. 
74.25 	The course must include content on best management practices for mitigating aquatic 
74.26 	invasive species, reducing conflicts among user groups, and limiting the ecological impacts 
74.27 	of watercraft.
74.28 	(b) The commissioner must create or designate a short boater safety examination to be 
74.29 	administered by motorboat rental businesses, as required by section 86B.306, subdivision 
74.30 	3. The examination developed under this paragraph must be one that can be administered 
74.31 	electronically or on paper, at the option of the motorboat rental business administering the 
74.32 	examination.

74.33 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

75.1 	Sec. 16. [86B.306] MOTORBOAT RENTAL BUSINESSES.
75.2 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. A motorboat rental business must not rent or lease a 
75.3 	motorboat, including a personal watercraft, to any person for operation on waters of this 
75.4 	state unless the renter or lessee:
75.5 	(1) has a valid watercraft operator's permit or is an exempt operator; and
75.6 	(2) is 18 years of age or older.
75.7 		Subd. 2.Authorized operators. A motorboat rental business must list on each motorboat 
75.8 	rental or lease agreement the name and age of each operator who is authorized to operate 
75.9 	the motorboat or personal watercraft. The renter or lessee of the motorboat must ensure that 
75.10 	only listed authorized operators operate the motorboat or personal watercraft.
75.11 		Subd. 3.Summary of boating regulations; examination. (a) A motorboat rental 
75.12 	business must provide each authorized operator a summary of the statutes and rules governing 
75.13 	operation of motorboats and personal watercraft in the state and instructions for safe 
75.14 	operation.
75.15 	(b) Each authorized operator must review the summary provided under this subdivision 
75.16 	and must take a short boater safety examination in a form approved by the commissioner 
75.17 	before the motorboat or personal watercraft leaves the motorboat rental business premises, 
75.18 	unless the authorized operator has taken the examination during the previous 60 days.
75.19 		Subd. 4.Safety equipment for personal watercraft. A motorboat rental business must 
75.20 	provide to all persons who rent a personal watercraft, at no additional cost, a United States 
75.21 	Coast Guard (USCG) approved wearable personal flotation device with a USCG label 
75.22 	indicating it either is approved for or does not prohibit use with personal watercraft or 
75.23 	water-skiing and any other required safety equipment.

75.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

75.25 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 86B.313, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
75.26 		Subd. 4.Dealers and rental operations. (a) A dealer of personal watercraft shall 
75.27 	distribute a summary of the laws and rules governing the operation of personal watercraft 
75.28 	and, upon request, shall provide instruction to a purchaser regarding:
75.29 	(1) the laws and rules governing personal watercraft; and
75.30 	(2) the safe operation of personal watercraft.
75.31 	(b) A person who offers personal watercraft for rent:
76.1 	(1) shall provide a summary of the laws and rules governing the operation of personal 
76.2 	watercraft and provide instruction regarding the laws and rules and the safe operation of 
76.3 	personal watercraft to each person renting a personal watercraft;
76.4 	(2) shall provide a United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved wearable personal 
76.5 	flotation device with a USCG label indicating it either is approved for or does not prohibit 
76.6 	use with personal watercraft or water-skiing and any other required safety equipment to all 
76.7 	persons who rent a personal watercraft at no additional cost; and
76.8 	(3) shall require that a watercraft operator's permit from this state or from the operator's 
76.9 	state of residence be shown each time a personal watercraft is rented to any person younger 
76.10 	than age 18 and shall record the permit on the form provided by the commissioner.
76.11 	(c) Each dealer of personal watercraft or person offering personal watercraft for rent
76.12 	shall have the person who purchases or rents a personal watercraft sign a form provided by 
76.13 	the commissioner acknowledging that the purchaser or renter has been provided a copy of 
76.14 	the laws and rules regarding personal watercraft operation and has read them. The form 
76.15 	must be retained by the dealer or person offering personal watercraft for rent for a period 
76.16 	of six months following the date of signature and must be made available for inspection by 
76.17 	sheriff's deputies or conservation officers during normal business hours.

76.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

76.19 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.465, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
76.20 		Subd. 3.Nonresidents stationed in state; spouses. (a) The commissioner may issue a 
76.21 	resident license to take fish or game to a person in the armed forces of the United States 
76.22 	that is stationed in the state. This subdivision paragraph does not apply to the taking of
76.23 	moose or elk.
76.24 	(b) The commissioner may issue a resident angling license to a person in the armed 
76.25 	forces of the United States that is stationed in the state and to the spouse of a person in the 
76.26 	armed forces of the United States that is stationed in the state.

76.27 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.465, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
76.28 		Subd. 8.Nonresident active members of National Guard; spouses. (a) A nonresident 
76.29 	that is an active a member of the state's National Guard may obtain a resident license to 
76.30 	take fish or game. This subdivision paragraph does not apply to the taking of moose or elk.
76.31 	(b) A nonresident that is a member of the National Guard or that is the spouse of a 
76.32 	member of the National Guard may obtain a resident license to take fish.
77.1 	(c) For purposes of this section, the term "member of the National Guard" means an 
77.2 	active member of the state's National Guard or an active member of another state's National 
77.3 	Guard who is temporarily stationed in this state.

77.4 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.475, subdivision 41, is amended to read:
77.5 		Subd. 41.Turtle licenses license. (a) The fee for a turtle seller's license to sell turtles 
77.6 	and to take, transport, buy, and possess turtles for sale is $250.
77.7 	(b) The fee for a recreational turtle license to take, transport, and possess turtles for 
77.8 	personal use is $25 $5.
77.9 	(c) The fee for a turtle seller's apprentice license is $100.

77.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

77.11 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.605, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
77.12 		Subdivision 1.Resident angling license required Taking turtles; requirements. In 
77.13 	addition to any other license required in this section,(a) A person may not take, possess, 
77.14 	or transport turtles without a resident angling license, except as provided in subdivision 2c
77.15 	and a recreational turtle license.
77.16 	(b) Turtles taken from the wild are for personal use only and may not be resold.

77.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

77.18 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.605, subdivision 2c, is amended to read:
77.19 		Subd. 2c.License exemptions. (a) A person does not need a turtle seller's license or an 
77.20 	angling license the licenses specified under subdivision 1:
77.21 	(1) when buying turtles for resale at a retail outlet;
77.22 	(1) when buying turtles from a licensed aquatic farm or licensed private fish hatchery 
77.23 	for resale at a retail outlet or restaurant;
77.24 	(2) when buying a turtle at a retail outlet;
77.25 	(3) if the person is a nonresident buying a turtle from a licensed turtle seller for export 
77.26 	out of state. Shipping documents provided by the turtle seller must accompany each shipment 
77.27 	exported out of state by a nonresident. Shipping documents must include: name, address, 
77.28 	city, state, and zip code of the buyer; number of each species of turtle; and name and license 
77.29 	number of the turtle seller; or
78.1 	(4) (3) to take, possess, and rent or sell up to 25 turtles greater than four inches in length 
78.2 	for the purpose of providing the turtles to participants at a nonprofit turtle race, if the person 
78.3 	is a resident under age 18. The person is responsible for the well-being of the turtles.; or
78.4 	(4) when possessing turtles if under 16 years of age. Notwithstanding any other law to 
78.5 	the contrary, a person under the age of 16 may possess, without a license, up to three snapping 
78.6 	or western painted turtles, provided the turtles are possessed for personal use and are within 
78.7 	the applicable length and width requirements.
78.8 	(b) A person with an aquatic farm license with a turtle endorsement or a private fish 
78.9 	hatchery license with a turtle endorsement may sell, obtain, possess, transport, and propagate 
78.10 	turtles and turtle eggs without the licenses specified under subdivision 1.
78.11 	(c) Turtles possessed under this subdivision may not be released back into the wild.

78.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

78.13 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.605, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
78.14 		Subd. 3.Taking; methods prohibited. (a) A person may not take turtles by using:
78.15 	(1) explosives, drugs, poisons, lime, and other harmful substances;
78.16 	(2) traps, except as provided in paragraph (b) and rules adopted under this section;
78.17 	(3) nets other than anglers' fish landing nets;
78.18 	(4) commercial equipment, except as provided in rules adopted under this section;
78.19 	(5) firearms and ammunition;
78.20 	(6) bow and arrow or crossbow; or
78.21 	(7) spears, harpoons, or any other implements that impale turtles.
78.22 	(b) Until new rules are adopted under this section, a person with a turtle seller's license 
78.23 	may take turtles with a floating turtle trap that:
78.24 	(1) has one or more openings above the water surface that measure at least ten inches 
78.25 	by four inches; and
78.26 	(2) has a mesh size of not less than one-half inch, bar measure.

78.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

79.1 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.611, is amended to read:
79.2 	97C.611 TURTLE SPECIES; LIMITS.
79.3 		Subdivision 1.Snapping turtles. A person may not possess more than three snapping 
79.4 	turtles of the species Chelydra serpentinawithout a turtle seller's license. Until new rules 
79.5 	are adopted under section 97C.605, a person may not take snapping turtles of a size less 
79.6 	than ten inches wide including curvature, measured from side to side across the shell at 
79.7 	midpoint. After new rules are adopted under section 97C.605, a person may only take 
79.8 	snapping turtles of a size specified in the adopted rules.
79.9 		Subd. 2.Western painted turtles. (a) A person may not possess more than three Western 
79.10 	painted turtles of the species Chrysemys pictawithout a turtle seller's license. Western 
79.11 	painted turtles must be between 4 and 5-1/2 inches in shell length.
79.12 	(b) This subdivision does not apply to persons acting under section 97C.605, subdivision 
79.13 	2c, clause (4) paragraph (a).
79.14 		Subd. 3.Spiny softshell. A person may not possess spiny softshell turtles of the species 
79.15 	Apalone spinifera after December 1, 2021, without an aquatic farm or private fish hatchery 
79.16 	license with a turtle endorsement.
79.17 		Subd. 4.Other species. A person may not possess any other species of turtle without
79.18 	except with an aquatic farm or private fish hatchery license with a turtle endorsement or as 
79.19 	specified under section 97C.605, subdivision 2c.

79.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

79.21 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103B.101, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
79.22 		Subd. 9.Powers and duties. (a) In addition to the powers and duties prescribed 
79.23 	elsewhere, the board shall:
79.24 	(1) coordinate the water and soil resources planning and implementation activities of 
79.25 	counties, soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, watershed management 
79.26 	organizations, and any other local units of government through its various authorities for 
79.27 	approval of local plans, administration of state grants, contracts and easements, and by other 
79.28 	means as may be appropriate;
79.29 	(2) facilitate communication and coordination among state agencies in cooperation with 
79.30 	the Environmental Quality Board, and between state and local units of government, in order 
79.31 	to make the expertise and resources of state agencies involved in water and soil resources 
79.32 	management available to the local units of government to the greatest extent possible;
80.1 	(3) coordinate state and local interests with respect to the study in southwestern Minnesota 
80.2 	under United States Code, title 16, section 1009;
80.3 	(4) develop information and education programs designed to increase awareness of local 
80.4 	water and soil resources problems and awareness of opportunities for local government 
80.5 	involvement in preventing or solving them;
80.6 	(5) provide a forum for the discussion of local issues and opportunities relating to water 
80.7 	and soil resources management;
80.8 	(6) adopt an annual budget and work program that integrate the various functions and 
80.9 	responsibilities assigned to it by law; and
80.10 	(7) report assessments to the governor and the legislature by October 15 of each 
80.11 	even-numbered year with an assessment of board programs and recommendations for any 
80.12 	program changes and board membership changes necessary to improve state and local efforts 
80.13 	in water and soil resources management.
80.14 	(b) The board may accept grants, gifts, donations, or contributions in money, services, 
80.15 	materials, or otherwise from the United States, a state agency, or other source to achieve 
80.16 	an authorized or delegated purpose. The board may enter into a contract or agreement 
80.17 	necessary or appropriate to accomplish the transfer. The board may conduct or participate 
80.18 	in local, state, or federal programs or projects that have as one purpose or effect the 
80.19 	preservation or enhancement of water and soil resources and may enter into and administer 
80.20 	agreements with local governments or landowners or their designated agents as part of those 
80.21 	programs or projects. The board may receive and expend money to acquire conservation 
80.22 	easements, as defined in chapter 84C, on behalf of the state and federal government consistent 
80.23 	with the Camp Ripley's Army Compatible Use Buffer Project, Sentinel Landscape program, 
80.24 	or related conservation programs. The board may enter into agreements, including grant 
80.25 	agreements, with Tribal nations, federal agencies, higher education institutions, local 
80.26 	governments, and private sector organizations to carry out programs and other responsibilities 
80.27 	prescribed or allowed by statute.
80.28 	(c) Any money received is hereby deposited in an account in a fund other than the general 
80.29 	fund and appropriated and dedicated for the purpose for which it is granted.

80.30 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103B.101, subdivision 16, is amended to read:
80.31 		Subd. 16.Water quality Conservation practices; standardized specifications. (a) 
80.32 	The board of Water and Soil Resources shall must work with state and federal agencies,
80.33 	Tribal Nations, academic institutions, local governments, practitioners, and stakeholders to 
81.1 	foster mutual understanding and provide recommendations for standardized specifications 
81.2 	for water quality and soil conservation protection and improvement practices and, projects., 
81.3 	and systems for:
81.4 	(1) erosion or sedimentation control;
81.5 	(2) improvements to water quality or water quantity;
81.6 	(3) habitat restoration and enhancement;
81.7 	(4) energy conservation; and
81.8 	(5) climate adaptation, resiliency, or mitigation.
81.9 	(b) The board may convene working groups or work teams to develop information, 
81.10 	education, and recommendations.

81.11 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103B.101, is amended by adding a subdivision 
81.12 	to read:
81.13 		Subd. 18.Guidelines for establishing and enhancing native vegetation. (a) The board 
81.14 	must work with state and federal agencies, Tribal Nations, academic institutions, local 
81.15 	governments, practitioners, and stakeholders to foster mutual understanding and to provide 
81.16 	recommendations for standardized specifications to establish and enhance native vegetation 
81.17 	to provide benefits for:
81.18 	(1) water quality;
81.19 	(2) soil conservation;
81.20 	(3) habitat enhancement;
81.21 	(4) energy conservation; and
81.22 	(5) climate adaptation, resiliency, or mitigation.
81.23 	(b) The board may convene working groups or work teams to develop information, 
81.24 	education, and recommendations.

81.25 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103B.103, is amended to read:
81.26 	103B.103 EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP ACCOUNTS.
81.27 		Subdivision 1.Accounts established; sources. (a) The water and soil conservation 
81.28 	easement stewardship account and the mitigation easement stewardship account are created 
81.29 	in the special revenue fund. The accounts consist of money credited to the accounts and 
82.1 	interest and other earnings on money in the accounts. The State Board of Investment must 
82.2 	manage the accounts to maximize long-term gain.
82.3 	(b) Revenue from contributions and money appropriated for any purposes of the account 
82.4 	as described in subdivision 2 must be deposited in the water and soil conservation easement 
82.5 	stewardship account. Revenue from contributions, wetland banking mitigation fees designated 
82.6 	for stewardship purposes by the board, easement stewardship payments authorized under 
82.7 	subdivision 3, and money appropriated for any purposes of the account as described in 
82.8 	subdivision 2 must be deposited in the mitigation easement stewardship account.
82.9 		Subd. 2.Appropriation; purposes of accounts. Five percent of the balance on July 1 
82.10 	each year in the water and soil conservation easement stewardship account and five percent 
82.11 	of the balance on July 1 each year in the mitigation easement stewardship account are 
82.12 	annually appropriated to the board and may be spent only to cover the costs of managing 
82.13 	easements held by the board, including costs associated with:
82.14 	(1) repairing or replacing structures;
82.15 	(2) monitoring,;
82.16 	(3) landowner contacts,;
82.17 	(4) records storage and management,;
82.18 	(5) processing landowner notices,;
82.19 	(6) requests for approval or amendments,;
82.20 	(7) enforcement,; and
82.21 	(8) legal services associated with easement management activities.
82.22 		Subd. 3.Financial contributions. The board shall seek a financial contribution to the 
82.23 	water and soil conservation easement stewardship account for each conservation easement 
82.24 	acquired by the board. The board shall seek a financial contribution or assess an easement 
82.25 	stewardship payment to the mitigation easement stewardship account for each wetland 
82.26 	banking mitigation easement acquired by the board. Unless otherwise provided by law, the 
82.27 	board shall determine the amount of the contribution or payment, which must be an amount 
82.28 	calculated to earn sufficient money to meet the costs of managing the easement at a level 
82.29 	that neither significantly overrecovers nor underrecovers the costs. In determining the 
82.30 	amount of the financial contribution, the board shall consider:
82.31 	(1) the estimated annual staff hours needed to manage the conservation easement, taking 
82.32 	into consideration factors such as easement type, size, location, and complexity;
83.1 	(2) the average hourly wages for the class or classes of state and local employees expected 
83.2 	to manage the easement;
83.3 	(3) the estimated annual travel expenses to manage the easement;
83.4 	(4) the estimated annual miscellaneous costs to manage the easement, including supplies 
83.5 	and equipment, information technology support, and aerial flyovers;
83.6 	(5) the estimated annualized costs of legal services, including the cost to enforce the 
83.7 	easement in the event of a violation;
83.8 	(6) the estimated annualized costs for repairing or replacing water control structures;
83.9 	and
83.10 	(6) (7) the expected rate of return on investments in the account.

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

83.12 	Sec. 29. [103B.104] LAWNS TO LEGUMES PROGRAM.
83.13 	(a) The Board of Water and Soil Resources may provide financial and technical assistance 
83.14 	to plant residential landscapes and community spaces with native vegetation and 
83.15 	pollinator-friendly forbs and legumes to:
83.16 	(1) protect a diversity of pollinators with declining populations; and
83.17 	(2) provide additional benefits for water management, carbon sequestration, and landscape 
83.18 	and climate resiliency.
83.19 	(b) The board must establish criteria for grants or payments awarded under this section. 
83.20 	Grants or payments awarded under this section may give priority consideration for proposals 
83.21 	in areas identified by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as areas where there is a 
83.22 	high potential for rusty patched bumble bees and other priority species to be present.
83.23 	(c) The board may collaborate with and enter into agreements with federal, state, and 
83.24 	local agencies; Tribal Nations; nonprofit organizations; and contractors to implement and 
83.25 	promote the program.

83.26 	Sec. 30. [103B.105] HABITAT-FRIENDLY UTILITIES PROGRAM.
83.27 	(a) The Board of Water and Soil Resources may provide financial and technical assistance 
83.28 	to promote the successful establishment of native vegetation as part of utility projects, 
83.29 	including solar and wind projects, pipelines, and electrical transmission corridors, to:
83.30 	(1) ensure the integrity and resiliency of Minnesota landscapes; and
84.1 	(2) protect habitat and water resources.
84.2 	(b) The board must establish criteria for grants or payments awarded under this section. 
84.3 	Grants or payments awarded under this section may prioritize proposals in areas identified 
84.4 	by state and federal agencies and conservation partners for protecting high-priority natural 
84.5 	resources and wildlife species.
84.6 	(c) The board may collaborate with and enter into agreements with federal, state, and 
84.7 	local agencies; Tribal Nations; utility companies; nonprofit organizations; and contractors 
84.8 	to implement and promote the program.

84.9 	Sec. 31. [103B.106] HABITAT ENHANCEMENT LANDSCAPE PROGRAM.
84.10 	(a) The Board of Water and Soil Resources may provide financial and technical assistance 
84.11 	to establish or enhance areas of diverse native vegetation to:
84.12 	(1) support declining populations of bees, butterflies, dragonflies, birds, and other wildlife 
84.13 	species that are essential for ecosystems and food production across conservation lands, 
84.14 	open spaces, and natural areas; and
84.15 	(2) provide additional benefits for water management, carbon sequestration, and landscape 
84.16 	and climate resiliency.
84.17 	(b) The board must establish criteria for grants or payments awarded under this section. 
84.18 	Grants or payments awarded under this section may prioritize proposals in areas identified 
84.19 	by state and federal agencies and conservation partners as high priority for protecting 
84.20 	endangered or threatened pollinator and other species.
84.21 	(c) The board may collaborate with and enter into agreements with federal, state, and 
84.22 	local agencies; Tribal Nations; nonprofit organizations; and contractors to implement and 
84.23 	promote the program.

84.24 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.501, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
84.25 		Subdivision 1.Cost-share Program authorization. The state board may allocate 
84.26 	available funds to districts to share the cost of systems orfor practices, projects, and systems
84.27 	for:
84.28 	(1) erosion or sedimentation control or;
84.29 	(2) improvements to water quality improvement that are designed to protect and improve 
84.30 	soil and water resources. or water quantity;
84.31 	(3) habitat enhancement;
85.1 	(4) plant biodiversity;
85.2 	(5) energy conservation; or
85.3 	(6) climate adaptation, resiliency, or mitigation.

85.4 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.501, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
85.5 		Subd. 4.Cost-sharing Use of funds. (a) The state board shall allocate cost-sharing funds 
85.6 	to areas with high-priority erosion, sedimentation, or water quality problems or water quantity 
85.7 	problems due to altered hydrology. The areas must be selected based on priorities established 
85.8 	by the state board.
85.9 	(b) The allocated funds must be used for:
85.10 	(1) for conservation practices for high-priority problems activities, including technical 
85.11 	and financial assistance, identified in the comprehensive and annual work plans of the 
85.12 	districts, for the technical assistance portion of the grant funds state-approved plans that are 
85.13 	related to water and natural resources and established under chapters 103B, 103C, 103D, 
85.14 	103F, 103G, and 114D;
85.15 	(2) to leverage federal or other nonstate funds,; or
85.16 	(3) to address high-priority needs identified in local water management plans or 
85.17 	comprehensive watershed management plans by the district based on public input.

85.18 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.501, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
85.19 		Subd. 5.Contracts by districts. (a) A district board may contract on a cost-share basis 
85.20 	to furnish financial aid to provide technical and financial assistance to a land occupier or 
85.21 	to a state or federal agency for permanent systems practices and projects for:
85.22 	(1) erosion or sedimentation control or;
85.23 	(2) improvements to water quality or water quantity improvements that are consistent 
85.24 	with the district's comprehensive and annual work plans.;
85.25 	(3) habitat enhancement;
85.26 	(4) plant biodiversity;
85.27 	(5) energy conservation; or
85.28 	(6) climate adaptation, resiliency, or mitigation.
86.1 	(b) A district board, with approval from the state board and, consistent with state board 
86.2 	rules and policies, may contract on a cost-share basis to furnish financial aid to a land 
86.3 	occupier forto provide technical and financial assistance for structural and nonstructural 
86.4 	land management practices that are part of a planned erosion control or water quality 
86.5 	improvement plan and projects.
86.6 	(c) The duration of the contract must, at a minimum, be the time required to complete 
86.7 	the planned systems. A contract must specify that the land occupier is liable for monetary 
86.8 	damages and penalties in an amount up to 150 percent of the financial assistance received 
86.9 	from the district, for failure to complete the systems or practices in a timely manner or 
86.10 	maintain the systems or practices as specified in the contract.
86.11 	(d) A contract may provide for cooperation or funding with federal agencies. A land 
86.12 	occupier or state agency may provide the cost-sharing portion of the contract through services 
86.13 	in kind.
86.14 	(e) (c) The state board or the district board may not furnish any financial aid assistance
86.15 	for practices designed only to increase land productivity.
86.16 	(f) (d) When a district board determines that long-term maintenance of a system or 
86.17 	practice is desirable, the district or the state board may require that maintenance be made 
86.18 	a covenant upon the land for the effective life of the practice. A covenant under this 
86.19 	subdivision shall be construed in the same manner as a conservation restriction under section 
86.20 	84.65.

86.21 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.501, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
86.22 		Subd. 6.Policies and rules. (a) The state board may adopt rules and shall adopt policies 
86.23 	prescribing:
86.24 	(1) procedures and criteria for allocating funds for cost-sharing contracts; and
86.25 	(2) standards and guidelines for cost-sharing implementing the conservation contracts;
86.26 	program.
86.27 	(3) the scope and content of district comprehensive plans, plan amendments, and annual 
86.28 	work plans;
86.29 	(4) standards and methods necessary to plan and implement a priority cost-sharing 
86.30 	program, including guidelines to identify high priority erosion, sedimentation, and water 
86.31 	quality problems and water quantity problems due to altered hydrology;
87.1 	(5) the share of the cost of conservation practices to be paid from cost-sharing funds; 
87.2 	and
87.3 	(6) requirements for districts to document their efforts to identify and contact land 
87.4 	occupiers with high priority problems.
87.5 	(b) The rules may provide that cost sharing may be used for windbreaks and shelterbelts 
87.6 	for the purposes of energy conservation and snow protection.

87.7 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.605, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
87.8 		Subd. 5.Establishment order. After the project hearing, if the managers find that the 
87.9 	project will be conducive to public health, will promote the general welfare, and is in 
87.10 	compliance complies with the watershed management plan and the provisions of this chapter, 
87.11 	the board managers must, by order, establish the project. The establishment order must 
87.12 	include the findings of the managers.

87.13 	Sec. 37. [103F.06] SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES PROGRAM.
87.14 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) In this section, the following terms have the meanings 
87.15 	given:
87.16 	(1) "board" means the Board of Water and Soil Resources;
87.17 	(2) "local units of government" has the meaning given under section 103B.305, 
87.18 	subdivision 5; and
87.19 	(3) "soil health" has the meaning given under section 103C.101, subdivision 10a.
87.20 		Subd. 2.Establishment. (a) The board must administer a financial and technical support 
87.21 	program to produce soil health practices that achieve water quality, soil productivity, climate 
87.22 	change resiliency, or carbon sequestration benefits.
87.23 	(b) The program must include but is not limited to no till, field borders, prairie strips, 
87.24 	cover crops, and other practices sanctioned by the board or the United States Department 
87.25 	of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
87.26 		Subd. 3.Financial and technical assistance. (a) The board may provide financial and 
87.27 	technical support to local units of government, private sector organizations, and farmers to 
87.28 	establish soil health practices and related practices with climate and water-quality benefits.
87.29 	(b) The board must establish practices and costs that are eligible for financial and technical 
87.30 	support under this section.
88.1 		Subd. 4.Program implementation. (a) The board may employ staff or enter into external 
88.2 	agreements to implement this section.
88.3 	(b) The board must assist local units of government in achieving the objectives of the 
88.4 	program, including assessing practice standards and program effectiveness.
88.5 		Subd. 5.Federal aid availability. The board must regularly review availability of federal 
88.6 	funds and programs to supplement or complement state and other efforts consistent with 
88.7 	the purposes of this section.
88.8 		Subd. 6.Soil health practices. The board, in consultation with the commissioner of 
88.9 	agriculture, may cooperate with the United States Department of Agriculture, other federal 
88.10 	and state agencies, local governments, and private sector organizations to establish soil 
88.11 	health goals for the state that will achieve water quality, soil productivity, climate change 
88.12 	resiliency, and carbon sequestration benefits.
88.13 		Subd. 7.Carbon market applicability. The board, in consultation with the commissioner 
88.14 	of agriculture, may cooperate with the United States Department of Agriculture, other federal 
88.15 	and state agencies, local governments, and private sector organizations to align or incorporate 
88.16 	soil health practices with carbon trading, mitigation, or offset markets and related tracking 
88.17 	or recognition efforts.

88.18 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.505, is amended to read:
88.19 	103F.505 PURPOSE AND POLICY.
88.20 	(a) It is the purpose of sections 103F.505 to 103F.531 to restore certain marginal 
88.21 	agricultural land and protect environmentally sensitive areas to:
88.22 	(1) enhance soil and water quality,;
88.23 	(2) minimize damage to flood-prone areas,;
88.24 	(3) sequester carbon, and;
88.25 	(4) support native plant, fish, and wildlife habitats.; and
88.26 	(5) establish perennial vegetation.
88.27 	(b) It is state policy to encourage the:
88.28 	(1) restoration of wetlands and riparian lands and promote the retirement;
88.29 	(2) restoration and protection of marginal, highly erodible land, particularly land adjacent 
88.30 	to public waters, drainage systems, wetlands, and locally designated priority waters.; and
89.1 	(3) protection of environmentally sensitive areas, including wellhead protection areas, 
89.2 	grasslands, peatlands, shorelands, and forest lands in priority areas.

89.3 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.511, is amended by adding a subdivision 
89.4 	to read:
89.5 		Subd. 5a.Grasslands. "Grasslands" means landscapes that are or were formerly 
89.6 	dominated by grasses, that have a low percentage of trees and shrubs, and that provide 
89.7 	economic and ecosystem services such as grazing, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, 
89.8 	and water filtration and retention.

89.9 	Sec. 40. [103F.519] REINVEST IN MINNESOTA WORKING LANDS PROGRAM.
89.10 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The board may establish and administer a reinvest in 
89.11 	Minnesota working lands program that is in addition to the program established under 
89.12 	section 103F.515. Selecting land for the program must be based on the land's potential for:
89.13 	(1) protecting or improving water quality;
89.14 	(2) reducing erosion;
89.15 	(3) improving soil health;
89.16 	(4) reducing chemical inputs;
89.17 	(5) improving carbon storage; and
89.18 	(6) increasing biodiversity and habitat for fish, wildlife, and native plants.
89.19 		Subd. 2.Applicability. Section 103F.515 applies to this section except as otherwise 
89.20 	provided in subdivisions 1, 3, and 4.
89.21 		Subd. 3.Nature of property rights acquired. Notwithstanding section 103F.515, 
89.22 	subdivision 4, paragraph (a), the board may authorize haying and livestock grazing, perennial 
89.23 	or winter annual cover crop production, forest management, or other activities that the board 
89.24 	determines are consistent with section 103F.505 or appropriation conditions or criteria.
89.25 		Subd. 4.Payments for easements. The board must establish payment rates for acquiring 
89.26 	easements and for related practices. The board must consider market factors as well as 
89.27 	easement terms, including length and allowable uses, when establishing rates.

90.1 	Sec. 41. [103G.216] REPORTING FISH KILLS IN PUBLIC WATERS.
90.2 		Subdivision 1.Definition. For the purposes of this section and section 103G.2165, "fish 
90.3 	kill" means an incident resulting in the death of 25 or more fish within one linear mile of a 
90.4 	flowing water or 25 or more fish within a square mile of a nonflowing water.
90.5 		Subd. 2.Reporting requirement. A state or county staff person or official who learns 
90.6 	of a fish kill in public waters must report the location of the fish kill to the Minnesota state 
90.7 	duty officer within one hour of being notified of a fish kill or within four hours of first 
90.8 	observing the fish kill. The Minnesota state duty officer must alert the Departments of 
90.9 	Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources and the Pollution Control Agency of the location 
90.10 	of the fish kill within one hour of being notified of the fish kill. When a fish kill is reported, 
90.11 	it must be posted to the EQB Monitor in the next scheduled posting.

90.12 	Sec. 42. [103G.2165] DEVELOPMENT OF FISH KILL RESPONSE PROTOCOL.
90.13 		Subdivision 1.Development of protocol. By June 30, 2024, the commissioners of 
90.14 	agriculture, health, and natural resources and the commissioner of the Pollution Control 
90.15 	Agency must update the fish kill response guidance by developing a protocol. The protocol 
90.16 	must consist of steps that state agencies responding to a report of a fish kill under section 
90.17 	103G.216 must take to ascertain cause of or contributing factors to the fish kill based on 
90.18 	scientific data and information gathered through investigation, as well as a communication 
90.19 	plan to inform the public of potential hazards. The protocol must address:
90.20 	(1) how to approach sampling for aquatic life in most fish kill situations;
90.21 	(2) the types of locations from which samples described in clause (1) should be taken;
90.22 	(3) the types of locations where water samples should be taken from the body of water 
90.23 	in which the fish kill occurred, as well as tributary streams and private wells with landowner 
90.24 	consent that should also be sampled;
90.25 	(4) the types of locations from which soil and groundwater samples should be taken to 
90.26 	ascertain whether contaminants traveled overland or underground to reach the body of water 
90.27 	in which the fish kill occurred;
90.28 	(5) where other sampling should occur to determine the presence of contaminants that 
90.29 	may have contributed to the fish kill;
90.30 	(6) developing a comprehensive list of contaminants, including degradation products, 
90.31 	for which the materials sampled in clauses (3) to (5) should be tested;
91.1 	(7) the appropriate concentration limits to be used in testing samples for the presence 
91.2 	of contaminants, allowing for the possibility that the fish kill may have resulted from the 
91.3 	interaction of two or more contaminants present at concentrations below the level associated 
91.4 	with toxic effects resulting from exposure to each individual chemical;
91.5 	(8) proper handling, storage, and treatment necessary to preserve the integrity of the 
91.6 	samples described in this subdivision to maximize the information the samples can yield 
91.7 	regarding the cause of the fish kill;
91.8 	(9) the organs and other parts of the fish and other aquatic creatures that should be 
91.9 	analyzed to maximize the information the samples can yield regarding the cause of the fish 
91.10 	kill;
91.11 	(10) identifying a rapid response team of interagency staff or an independent contractor 
91.12 	with the necessary data collection equipment that can travel to the site of the fish kill to 
91.13 	collect samples within 24 to 48 hours of the incident;
91.14 	(11) a communications plan with a health-risk assessment to notify potentially impacted 
91.15 	downstream users of the surface water of the potential hazards and those in the vicinity 
91.16 	whose public or private water supply, including surface water or groundwater, may be 
91.17 	impacted; and
91.18 	(12) the proposed content and timing for investigation reports filed following fish kills. 
91.19 	Investigation reports should identify the probable causes and include recommendations to 
91.20 	prevent similar incidents in the future.
91.21 		Subd. 2.Review of protocol. The Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural 
91.22 	Resources and the Pollution Control Agency must post the draft protocol to their websites 
91.23 	for a 60-day period for public review and comment. The Departments of Agriculture, Health, 
91.24 	and Natural Resources and the Pollution Control Agency must hold one or more public 
91.25 	informational meetings on the draft protocol. The Departments of Agriculture, Health, and 
91.26 	Natural Resources and the Pollution Control Agency must consider comments submitted 
91.27 	during the public comment period before posting the final protocol to their websites.
91.28 		Subd. 3.Implementation. Once the protocol has been published, the relevant state 
91.29 	agencies must follow the protocol and must maintain data related to each fish kill response 
91.30 	documenting the extent to which the protocol was followed and any reasons why it was not. 
91.31 	Once the protocol is in effect, investigation reports for fish kills must be posted to the EQB 
91.32 	Monitor.
92.1 		Subd. 4.Updating protocol. The updated protocol must be reviewed by the 
92.2 	commissioners of agriculture, health, and natural resources, and the commissioner of the 
92.3 	Pollution Control Agency at least every five years according to the procedures in this section.

92.4 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
92.5 	read:
92.6 		Subd. 8a.Microplastics. "Microplastics" means particles of plastic less than 500 
92.7 	micrometers in size.

92.8 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
92.9 	read:
92.10 		Subd. 8b.Nanoplastics. "Nanoplastics" means plastic particles less than or equal to 100 
92.11 	nanometers in size.

92.12 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
92.13 	read:
92.14 		Subd. 10a.Plastic. "Plastic" means a synthetic material made from linking monomers 
92.15 	through a chemical reaction to create a polymer chain that can be molded or extruded at 
92.16 	high heat into various solid forms that retain their defined shapes during their life cycle and 
92.17 	after disposal. Plastic does not mean natural polymers that have not been chemically 
92.18 	modified.

92.19 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
92.20 		Subdivision 1.Generally. (a) The agency commissioner is hereby given and charged 
92.21 	with the following powers and duties:
92.22 	(a)(1) to administer and enforce all laws relating to the pollution of any of the waters 
92.23 	of the state;
92.24 	(b)(2) to investigate the extent, character, and effect of the pollution of the waters of 
92.25 	this state and to gather data and information necessary or desirable in the administration or 
92.26 	enforcement of pollution laws, and to make such classification of the waters of the state as 
92.27 	it may deem advisable;
92.28 	(c) (3) to establish and alter such reasonable pollution standards for any waters of the 
92.29 	state in relation to the public use to which they are or may be put as it shall deem necessary 
93.1 	for the purposes of this chapter and, with respect to the pollution of waters of the state, 
93.2 	chapter 116;
93.3 	(d) (4) to encourage waste treatment, including advanced waste treatment, instead of 
93.4 	stream low-flow augmentation for dilution purposes to control and prevent pollution;
93.5 	(e) (5) to adopt, issue, reissue, modify, deny, or revoke, enter into or enforce reasonable 
93.6 	orders, permits, variances, standards, rules, schedules of compliance, and stipulation 
93.7 	agreements, under such conditions as it may prescribe, in order to prevent, control or abate 
93.8 	water pollution, or for the installation or operation of disposal systems or parts thereof, or 
93.9 	for other equipment and facilities:
93.10 	(1) (i) requiring the discontinuance of the discharge of sewage, industrial waste or other 
93.11 	wastes into any waters of the state resulting in pollution in excess of the applicable pollution 
93.12 	standard established under this chapter;
93.13 	(2) (ii) prohibiting or directing the abatement of any discharge of sewage, industrial 
93.14 	waste, or other wastes, into any waters of the state or the deposit thereof or the discharge 
93.15 	into any municipal disposal system where the same is likely to get into any waters of the 
93.16 	state in violation of this chapter and, with respect to the pollution of waters of the state, 
93.17 	chapter 116, or standards or rules promulgated or permits issued pursuant thereto, and 
93.18 	specifying the schedule of compliance within which such prohibition or abatement must be 
93.19 	accomplished;
93.20 	(3) (iii) prohibiting the storage of any liquid or solid substance or other pollutant in a 
93.21 	manner which does not reasonably assure proper retention against entry into any waters of 
93.22 	the state that would be likely to pollute any waters of the state;
93.23 	(4) (iv) requiring the construction, installation, maintenance, and operation by any person 
93.24 	of any disposal system or any part thereof, or other equipment and facilities, or the 
93.25 	reconstruction, alteration, or enlargement of its existing disposal system or any part thereof, 
93.26 	or the adoption of other remedial measures to prevent, control or abate any discharge or 
93.27 	deposit of sewage, industrial waste or other wastes by any person;
93.28 	(5) (v) establishing, and from time to time revising, standards of performance for new 
93.29 	sources taking into consideration, among other things, classes, types, sizes, and categories 
93.30 	of sources, processes, pollution control technology, cost of achieving such effluent reduction, 
93.31 	and any nonwater quality environmental impact and energy requirements. Said standards 
93.32 	of performance for new sources shall encompass those standards for the control of the 
93.33 	discharge of pollutants which reflect the greatest degree of effluent reduction which the 
93.34 	agency determines to be achievable through application of the best available demonstrated 
94.1 	control technology, processes, operating methods, or other alternatives, including, where 
94.2 	practicable, a standard permitting no discharge of pollutants. New sources shall encompass 
94.3 	buildings, structures, facilities, or installations from which there is or may be the discharge 
94.4 	of pollutants, the construction of which is commenced after the publication by the agency 
94.5 	of proposed rules prescribing a standard of performance which will be applicable to such 
94.6 	source. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of this state, any point source the 
94.7 	construction of which is commenced after May 20, 1973, and which is so constructed as to 
94.8 	meet all applicable standards of performance for new sources shall, consistent with and 
94.9 	subject to the provisions of section 306(d) of the Amendments of 1972 to the Federal Water 
94.10 	Pollution Control Act, not be subject to any more stringent standard of performance for new 
94.11 	sources during a ten-year period beginning on the date of completion of such construction 
94.12 	or during the period of depreciation or amortization of such facility for the purposes of 
94.13 	section 167 or 169, or both, of the Federal Internal Revenue Code of 1954, whichever period 
94.14 	ends first. Construction shall encompass any placement, assembly, or installation of facilities 
94.15 	or equipment, including contractual obligations to purchase such facilities or equipment, at 
94.16 	the premises where such equipment will be used, including preparation work at such 
94.17 	premises;
94.18 	(6) (vi) establishing and revising pretreatment standards to prevent or abate the discharge 
94.19 	of any pollutant into any publicly owned disposal system, which pollutant interferes with, 
94.20 	passes through, or otherwise is incompatible with such disposal system;
94.21 	(7) (vii) requiring the owner or operator of any disposal system or any point source to 
94.22 	establish and maintain such records, make such reports, install, use, and maintain such 
94.23 	monitoring equipment or methods, including where appropriate biological monitoring 
94.24 	methods, sample such effluents in accordance with such methods, at such locations, at such 
94.25 	intervals, and in such a manner as the agency shall prescribe, and providing such other 
94.26 	information as the agency may reasonably require;
94.27 	(8) (viii) notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and with respect to the 
94.28 	pollution of waters of the state, chapter 116, requiring the achievement of more stringent 
94.29 	limitations than otherwise imposed by effluent limitations in order to meet any applicable 
94.30 	water quality standard by establishing new effluent limitations, based upon section 115.01, 
94.31 	subdivision 13, clause (b), including alternative effluent control strategies for any point 
94.32 	source or group of point sources to insure the integrity of water quality classifications, 
94.33 	whenever the agency determines that discharges of pollutants from such point source or 
94.34 	sources, with the application of effluent limitations required to comply with any standard 
94.35 	of best available technology, would interfere with the attainment or maintenance of the 
95.1 	water quality classification in a specific portion of the waters of the state. Prior to 
95.2 	establishment of any such effluent limitation, the agency shall hold a public hearing to 
95.3 	determine the relationship of the economic and social costs of achieving such limitation or 
95.4 	limitations, including any economic or social dislocation in the affected community or 
95.5 	communities, to the social and economic benefits to be obtained and to determine whether 
95.6 	or not such effluent limitation can be implemented with available technology or other 
95.7 	alternative control strategies. If a person affected by such limitation demonstrates at such 
95.8 	hearing that, whether or not such technology or other alternative control strategies are 
95.9 	available, there is no reasonable relationship between the economic and social costs and 
95.10 	the benefits to be obtained, such limitation shall not become effective and shall be adjusted 
95.11 	as it applies to such person;
95.12 	(9) (ix) modifying, in its discretion, any requirement or limitation based upon best 
95.13 	available technology with respect to any point source for which a permit application is filed 
95.14 	after July 1, 1977, upon a showing by the owner or operator of such point source satisfactory 
95.15 	to the agency that such modified requirements will represent the maximum use of technology 
95.16 	within the economic capability of the owner or operator and will result in reasonable further 
95.17 	progress toward the elimination of the discharge of pollutants; and
95.18 	(10) (x) requiring that applicants for wastewater discharge permits evaluate in their 
95.19 	applications the potential reuses of the discharged wastewater;
95.20 	(f) (6) to require to be submitted and to approve plans and specifications for disposal 
95.21 	systems or point sources, or any part thereof and to inspect the construction thereof for 
95.22 	compliance with the approved plans and specifications thereof;
95.23 	(g) (7) to prescribe and alter rules, not inconsistent with law, for the conduct of the 
95.24 	agency and other matters within the scope of the powers granted to and imposed upon it by 
95.25 	this chapter and, with respect to pollution of waters of the state, in chapter 116, provided 
95.26 	that every rule affecting any other department or agency of the state or any person other 
95.27 	than a member or employee of the agency shall be filed with the secretary of state;
95.28 	(h) (8) to conduct such investigations, issue such notices, public and otherwise, and hold 
95.29 	such hearings as are necessary or which it may deem advisable for the discharge of its duties 
95.30 	under this chapter and, with respect to the pollution of waters of the state, under chapter 
95.31 	116, including, but not limited to, the issuance of permits, and to authorize any member, 
95.32 	employee, or agent appointed by it to conduct such investigations or, issue such notices and 
95.33 	hold such hearings;
96.1 	(i) (9) for the purpose of water pollution control planning by the state and pursuant to 
96.2 	the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, to establish and revise planning areas, 
96.3 	adopt plans and programs and continuing planning processes, including, but not limited to, 
96.4 	basin plans and areawide waste treatment management plans, and to provide for the 
96.5 	implementation of any such plans by means of, including, but not limited to, standards, plan 
96.6 	elements, procedures for revision, intergovernmental cooperation, residual treatment process 
96.7 	waste controls, and needs inventory and ranking for construction of disposal systems;
96.8 	(j) (10) to train water pollution control personnel, and charge suchtraining fees therefor
96.9 	as are necessary to cover the agency's costs. All such fees received shall must be paid into 
96.10 	the state treasury and credited to the Pollution Control Agency training account;
96.11 	(11) to provide chloride reduction training and charge training fees as necessary to cover 
96.12 	the agency's costs not to exceed $350. All training fees received must be paid into the state 
96.13 	treasury and credited to the Pollution Control Agency training account;
96.14 	(k) (12) to impose as additional conditions in permits to publicly owned disposal systems 
96.15 	appropriate measures to insure compliance by industrial and other users with any pretreatment 
96.16 	standard, including, but not limited to, those related to toxic pollutants, and any system of 
96.17 	user charges ratably as is hereby required under state law or said Federal Water Pollution 
96.18 	Control Act, as amended, or any regulations or guidelines promulgated thereunder;
96.19 	(l) (13) to set a period not to exceed five years for the duration of any national pollutant 
96.20 	discharge elimination system permit or not to exceed ten years for any permit issued as a 
96.21 	state disposal system permit only;
96.22 	(m) (14) to require each governmental subdivision identified as a permittee for a 
96.23 	wastewater treatment works to evaluate in every odd-numbered year the condition of its 
96.24 	existing system and identify future capital improvements that will be needed to attain or 
96.25 	maintain compliance with a national pollutant discharge elimination system or state disposal 
96.26 	system permit; and
96.27 	(n) (15) to train subsurface sewage treatment system personnel, including persons who 
96.28 	design, construct, install, inspect, service, and operate subsurface sewage treatment systems, 
96.29 	and charge fees as necessary to pay the agency's costs. All fees received must be paid into 
96.30 	the state treasury and credited to the agency's training account. Money in the account is 
96.31 	appropriated to the agency to pay expenses related to training.
96.32 	(b) The information required in paragraph (a), clause (m) (14), must be submitted in 
96.33 	every odd-numbered year to the commissioner on a form provided by the commissioner. 
97.1 	The commissioner shall provide technical assistance if requested by the governmental 
97.2 	subdivision.
97.3 	(c) The powers and duties given the agency in this subdivision also apply to permits 
97.4 	issued under chapter 114C.

97.5 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115A.1415, is amended to read:
97.6 	115A.1415 ARCHITECTURAL PAINT; PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM; 
97.7 	STEWARDSHIP PLAN.
97.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the 
97.9 	meanings given:
97.10 	(1) "architectural paint" means interior and exterior architectural coatings sold in 
97.11 	containers of five gallons or less. Architectural paint does not include industrial coatings, 
97.12 	original equipment coatings, or specialty coatings;
97.13 	(2) "brand" means a name, symbol, word, or mark that identifies architectural paint, 
97.14 	rather than its components, and attributes the paint to the owner or licensee of the brand as 
97.15 	the producer;
97.16 	(3) "discarded paint" means architectural paint that is no longer used for its manufactured 
97.17 	purpose;
97.18 	(4) "producer" means a person that:
97.19 	(i) has legal ownership of the brand, brand name, or cobrand of architectural paint sold 
97.20 	in the state;
97.21 	(ii) imports architectural paint branded by a producer that meets item (i) when the 
97.22 	producer has no physical presence in the United States;
97.23 	(iii) if items (i) and (ii) do not apply, makes unbranded architectural paint that is sold in 
97.24 	the state; or
97.25 	(iv) sells architectural paint at wholesale or retail, does not have legal ownership of the 
97.26 	brand, and elects to fulfill the responsibilities of the producer for the architectural paint by 
97.27 	certifying that election in writing to the commissioner;
97.28 	(5) "recycling" means the process of collecting and preparing recyclable materials and 
97.29 	reusing the materials in their original form or using them in manufacturing processes that 
97.30 	do not cause the destruction of recyclable materials in a manner that precludes further use;
98.1 	(6) "retailer" means any person who offers architectural paint for sale at retail in the 
98.2 	state;
98.3 	(7) "reuse" means donating or selling collected architectural paint back into the market 
98.4 	for its original intended use, when the architectural paint retains its original purpose and 
98.5 	performance characteristics;
98.6 	(8) "sale" or "sell" means transfer of title of architectural paint for consideration, including 
98.7 	a remote sale conducted through a sales outlet, catalog, website, or similar electronic means. 
98.8 	Sale or sell includes a lease through which architectural paint is provided to a consumer by 
98.9 	a producer, wholesaler, or retailer;
98.10 	(9) "stewardship assessment" means the amount added to the purchase price of 
98.11 	architectural paint sold in the state that is necessary to cover the cost of collecting, 
98.12 	transporting, and processing postconsumer architectural paint by the producer or stewardship 
98.13 	organization pursuant to a product stewardship program to implement a product stewardship 
98.14 	program according to an approved stewardship plan;
98.15 	(10) "stewardship organization" means an organization appointed by one or more 
98.16 	producers to act as an agent on behalf of the producer to design, submit, and administer a 
98.17 	product stewardship program under this section; and
98.18 	(11) "stewardship plan" means a detailed plan describing the manner in which a product 
98.19 	stewardship program under subdivision 2 will be implemented.
98.20 		Subd. 2.Product stewardship program. For architectural paint sold in the state, 
98.21 	producers must, individually or through a stewardship organization, implement and finance 
98.22 	a statewide product stewardship program that manages the architectural paint by reducing 
98.23 	the paint's waste generation, promoting its reuse and recycling, and providing for negotiation 
98.24 	and execution of agreements to collect, transport, and process the architectural paint for 
98.25 	end-of-life recycling and reuse.
98.26 		Subd. 3.Participation required to sell. (a) On and after July 1, 2014, or three months 
98.27 	after program plan approval, whichever is sooner, No producer, wholesaler, or retailer may 
98.28 	sell or offer for sale in the state architectural paint unless the paint's producer participates 
98.29 	in an approved stewardship plan, either individually or through a stewardship organization.
98.30 	(b) Each producer must operate a product stewardship program approved by the agency
98.31 	commissioner or enter into an agreement with a stewardship organization to operate, on the 
98.32 	producer's behalf, a product stewardship program approved by the agency commissioner.
99.1 		Subd. 4.Stewardship plan required. (a) On or before March 1, 2014, and Before 
99.2 	offering architectural paint for sale in the state, a producer must submit a stewardship plan 
99.3 	to the agency commissioner and receive approval of the plan or must submit documentation 
99.4 	to the agency commissioner that demonstrates the producer has entered into an agreement 
99.5 	with a stewardship organization to be an active participant in an approved product 
99.6 	stewardship program as described in subdivision 2. A stewardship plan must include all 
99.7 	elements required under subdivision 5.
99.8 	(b) An A proposed amendment to the plan, if determined necessary by the commissioner, 
99.9 	must be submitted to the commissioner for review and approval or rejection every five 
99.10 	years.
99.11 	(c) It is the responsibility of The entities responsible for each stewardship plan to must
99.12 	notify the agency commissioner within 30 days of any significant proposed changes or 
99.13 	modifications to the plan or its implementation. Within 30 days of the notification, a written 
99.14 	proposed plan revision amendment must be submitted to the agency commissioner for 
99.15 	review and approval or rejection.
99.16 		Subd. 5.Plan content. A stewardship plan must contain:
99.17 	(1) certification that the product stewardship program will accept all discarded paint 
99.18 	regardless of which producer produced the architectural paint and its individual components;
99.19 	(2) contact information for the individual and the entity submitting the stewardship plan, 
99.20 	a list of all producers participating in the product stewardship program, and the brands 
99.21 	covered by the product stewardship program;
99.22 	(3) a description of the methods by which the discarded paint will be collected in all 
99.23 	areas in the state without relying on end-of-life fees, including an explanation of how the 
99.24 	collection system will be convenient and adequate to serve the needs of small businesses 
99.25 	and residents in both urban and rural areas on an ongoing basis and a discussion of how the 
99.26 	existing household hazardous waste infrastructure will be considered when selecting 
99.27 	collection sites;
99.28 	(4) a description of how the adequacy of the collection program will be monitored and 
99.29 	maintained;
99.30 	(5) the names and locations of collectors, transporters, and recyclers that will manage 
99.31 	discarded paint;
100.1 	(6) a description of how the discarded paint and the paint's components will be safely 
100.2 	and securely transported, tracked, and handled from collection through final recycling and 
100.3 	processing;
100.4 	(7) a description of the method that will be used to reuse, deconstruct, or recycle the 
100.5 	discarded paint to ensure that the paint's components, to the extent feasible, are transformed 
100.6 	or remanufactured into finished products for use;
100.7 	(8) a description of the promotion and outreach activities that will be used to encourage 
100.8 	participation in the collection and recycling programs and how the activities' effectiveness 
100.9 	will be evaluated and the program modified, if necessary;
100.10 	(9) the proposed stewardship assessment. The producer or stewardship organization 
100.11 	shall propose a uniform stewardship assessment for any architectural paint sold in the state. 
100.12 	The proposed stewardship assessment shall be reviewed by an independent auditor to ensure 
100.13 	that the assessment does not exceed the costs of the product stewardship program and the 
100.14 	independent auditor shall recommend an amount for the stewardship assessment. The agency 
100.15 	must approve the stewardship assessment established according to subdivision 5a;
100.16 	(10) evidence of adequate insurance and financial assurance that may be required for 
100.17 	collection, handling, and disposal operations;
100.18 	(11) five-year performance goals, including an estimate of the percentage of discarded 
100.19 	paint that will be collected, reused, and recycled during each of the first five years of the 
100.20 	stewardship plan. The performance goals must include a specific goal for the amount of 
100.21 	discarded paint that will be collected and recycled and reused during each year of the plan. 
100.22 	The performance goals must be based on:
100.23 	(i) the most recent collection data available for the state;
100.24 	(ii) the estimated amount of architectural paint disposed of annually;
100.25 	(iii) the weight of the architectural paint that is expected to be available for collection 
100.26 	annually; and
100.27 	(iv) actual collection data from other existing stewardship programs.
100.28 	The stewardship plan must state the methodology used to determine these goals; and
100.29 	(12) a discussion of the status of end markets for collected architectural paint and what, 
100.30 	if any, additional end markets are needed to improve the functioning of the program.
100.31 		Subd. 5a.Stewardship assessment. The producer or stewardship organization must 
100.32 	propose a uniform stewardship assessment for any architectural paint sold in the state that 
101.1 	covers but does not exceed the costs of developing the stewardship plan, operating and 
101.2 	administering the program in accordance with the stewardship plan and the requirements 
101.3 	of this section, and maintaining a financial reserve. A stewardship organization or producer 
101.4 	must not maintain a financial reserve in excess of 75 percent of the organization's annual 
101.5 	operating expenses. The producer or stewardship organization must retain an independent 
101.6 	auditor to review the proposed stewardship assessment to ensure that the assessment meets 
101.7 	the requirements of this section. The independent auditor must recommend an amount for 
101.8 	the stewardship assessment. If the financial reserve exceeds 75 percent of the producer or 
101.9 	stewardship organization's annual operating expenses, the producer or stewardship 
101.10 	organization must submit a proposed plan amendment according to subdivision 4, paragraph 
101.11 	(c), to comply with this subdivision. The commissioner must review and approve or reject 
101.12 	the stewardship assessment according to subdivision 7.
101.13 		Subd. 6.Consultation required. Each stewardship organization or individual producer 
101.14 	submitting a stewardship plan or plan amendment must consult with stakeholders including 
101.15 	retailers, contractors, collectors, recyclers, local government, and customers during the 
101.16 	development of the plan or plan amendment.
101.17 		Subd. 7.Agency Commissioner review and approval. (a) Within 90 days after receipt 
101.18 	of receiving a proposed stewardship plan, the agency shall commissioner must determine 
101.19 	whether the plan complies with subdivision 4 this section. If the agency commissioner
101.20 	approves a plan, the agency shall commissioner must notify the applicant of the plan approval 
101.21 	in writing. If the agency commissioner rejects a plan, the agency shall commissioner must
101.22 	notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for rejecting the plan.
101.23 	(b) An applicant whose plan is rejected by the agency commissioner must submit a 
101.24 	revised stewardship plan to the agencycommissioner within 60 days after receiving notice 
101.25 	of rejection. A stewardship organization may submit a revised stewardship plan to the 
101.26 	commissioner on not more than two consecutive occasions. If, after the second consecutive 
101.27 	submission, the commissioner determines that the revised stewardship plan still does not 
101.28 	meet the requirements of this section, the commissioner must modify the stewardship plan 
101.29 	as necessary to meet the requirements of this section and approve the stewardship plan.
101.30 	(b) (c) Any proposed changes amendment to a stewardship plan must be reviewed and 
101.31 	approved or rejected by the agency commissioner in writing according to this subdivision.
101.32 		Subd. 8.Plan availability. All draft proposed stewardship plans and amendments and 
101.33 	approved stewardship plans shall and amendments must be placed on the agency's website 
102.1 	for at least 30 days and made available at the agency's headquarters for public review and 
102.2 	comment.
102.3 		Subd. 9.Conduct authorized. A producer or stewardship organization that organizes 
102.4 	collection, transport, and processing of architectural paint under this section is immune from 
102.5 	liability for the conduct under state laws relating to antitrust, restraint of trade, unfair trade 
102.6 	practices, and other regulation of trade or commerce only to the extent that the conduct is 
102.7 	necessary to plan and implement the producer's or organization's chosen organized collection 
102.8 	or recycling system.
102.9 		Subd. 10.Producer responsibilities. (a) On and after the date of implementation of a 
102.10 	product stewardship program according to this section, a producer of architectural paint 
102.11 	must add the stewardship assessment, as established under subdivision 5, clause (9) 5a, to 
102.12 	the cost of architectural paint sold to retailers and distributors in the state by the producer.
102.13 	(b) Producers of architectural paint or the stewardship organization shall must provide 
102.14 	consumers with educational materials regarding the stewardship assessment and product 
102.15 	stewardship program. The materials must include, but are not limited to, information 
102.16 	regarding available end-of-life management options for architectural paint offered through 
102.17 	the product stewardship program and information that notifies consumers that a charge for 
102.18 	the operation of the product stewardship program is included in the purchase price of 
102.19 	architectural paint sold in the state.
102.20 		Subd. 11.Retailer responsibilities. (a) On and after July 1, 2014, or three months after 
102.21 	program plan approval, whichever is sooner, No architectural paint may be sold in the state 
102.22 	unless the paint's producer is participating in an approved stewardship plan.
102.23 	(b) On and after the implementation date of a product stewardship program according 
102.24 	to this section, each retailer or distributor, as applicable, must ensure that the full amount 
102.25 	of the stewardship assessment added to the cost of architectural paint by producers under 
102.26 	subdivision 10 is included in the purchase price of all architectural paint sold in the state.
102.27 	(c) Any retailer may participate, on a voluntary basis, as a designated collection point 
102.28 	pursuant to a product stewardship program under this section and in accordance with 
102.29 	applicable law.
102.30 	(d) No retailer or distributor shall be found to be in violation of this subdivision if, on 
102.31 	the date the architectural paint was ordered from the producer or its agent, the producer was 
102.32 	listed as compliant on the agency's website according to subdivision 14.
103.1 		Subd. 12.Stewardship reports. Beginning October 1, 2015, By April 1 each year,
103.2 	producers of architectural paint sold in the state must individually or through a stewardship 
103.3 	organization submit an annual report to the agency commissioner describing the product 
103.4 	stewardship program for the preceding calendar year. At a minimum, the report must contain:
103.5 	(1) a description of the methods used to collect, transport, and process architectural paint 
103.6 	in all regions of the state;
103.7 	(2) the weight of all architectural paint collected in all regions of the state and a 
103.8 	comparison to the performance goals and recycling rates established in the stewardship 
103.9 	plan;
103.10 	(3) the amount of unwanted architectural paint collected in the state by method of 
103.11 	disposition, including reuse, recycling, and other methods of processing;
103.12 	(4) samples of educational materials provided to consumers and an evaluation of the 
103.13 	effectiveness of the materials and the methods used to disseminate the materials; and
103.14 	(5) an independent financial audit.
103.15 		Subd. 13.Data classification. Trade secret and sales information, as defined under 
103.16 	section 13.37, submitted to the agency commissioner under this section are private or 
103.17 	nonpublic data under section 13.37.
103.18 		Subd. 14.Agency Commissioner responsibilities. The agency shall commissioner must
103.19 	provide, on its the agency's website, a list of all compliant producers and brands participating 
103.20 	in stewardship plans that the agency commissioner has approved and a list of all producers 
103.21 	and brands the agency commissioner has identified as noncompliant with this section.
103.22 		Subd. 15.Local government responsibilities. (a) A city, county, or other public agency 
103.23 	may choose to participate voluntarily in a product stewardship program.
103.24 	(b) Cities, counties, and other public agencies are encouraged to work with producers 
103.25 	and stewardship organizations to assist in meeting product stewardship program reuse and 
103.26 	recycling obligations, by providing education and outreach or using other strategies.
103.27 	(c) A city, county, or other public agency that participates in a product stewardship 
103.28 	program must report for the first year of the program to the agency commissioner using the 
103.29 	reporting form provided by the agency commissioner on the cost savings as a result of 
103.30 	participation and must describe how the savings were used.
103.31 		Subd. 16.Administrative fee. (a) The stewardship organization or individual producer 
103.32 	submitting a stewardship plan shall must pay an annual administrative fee to the 
104.1 	commissioner. The agency commissioner may establish a variable fee based on relevant 
104.2 	factors, including, but not limited to, the portion of architectural paint sold in the state by 
104.3 	members of the organization compared to the total amount of architectural paint sold in the 
104.4 	state by all organizations submitting a stewardship plan.
104.5 	(b) Prior to July 1, 2014, and Before July 1 annually thereafter each year, the agency 
104.6 	shall commissioner must identify the costs it the agency incurs under this section. The 
104.7 	agency shall commissioner must set the fee at an amount that, when paid by every 
104.8 	stewardship organization or individual producer that submits a stewardship plan, is adequate 
104.9 	to reimburse the agency's full costs of administering this section. The total amount of annual 
104.10 	fees collected under this subdivision must not exceed the amount necessary to reimburse 
104.11 	costs incurred by the agency to administer this section.
104.12 	(c) A stewardship organization or individual producer subject to this subdivision must 
104.13 	pay the agency's commissioner's administrative fee under paragraph (a) on or before July 
104.14 	1, 2014, and annually thereafter each year. Each year after the initial payment, the annual 
104.15 	administrative fee may not exceed five percent of the aggregate stewardship assessment 
104.16 	added to the cost of all architectural paint sold by producers in the state for the preceding 
104.17 	calendar year.
104.18 	(d) All fees received under this section shall must be deposited in the state treasury and 
104.19 	credited to a product stewardship account in the special revenue fund. For fiscal years 2014, 
104.20 	2015, 2016, and 2017, The amount collected under this section is annually appropriated to 
104.21 	the agency commissioner to implement and enforce this section.
104.22 		Subd. 17.Duty to provide information. Upon request of the commissioner for purposes 
104.23 	of determining compliance with this section, a person must furnish to the commissioner 
104.24 	any information that the person has or may reasonably obtain.

104.25 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115A.49, is amended to read:
104.26 	115A.49 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECTS CAPITAL ASSISTANCE 
104.27 	PROGRAM.
104.28 	(a) There is established a program to encourage and assist cities, counties, solid waste 
104.29 	management districts, and sanitary districts in the development and implementation of solid 
104.30 	waste management projects and to transfer the knowledge and experience gained from such 
104.31 	projects to other communities in the state.
104.32 	(b) The program must be administered to encourage local communities to develop 
104.33 	feasible and prudent alternatives to disposal, including:
105.1 	(1) waste reduction;
105.2 	(2) reuse;
105.3 	(3) recycling;
105.4 	(4) composting source-separated compostable materials or yard waste;
105.5 	(5) resource recovery;
105.6 	(6) waste separation by generators, collectors, and other persons; and
105.7 	(7) waste processing.
105.8 	(c) The commissioner shall administer the program in accordance with the requirements 
105.9 	of according to sections 115A.49 to 115A.54 and rules promulgated adopted under chapter 
105.10 	14. In administering the program, the commissioner shall give priority to projects in the 
105.11 	order of preference of the waste management practices listed in section 115A.02. The 
105.12 	commissioner shall give special consideration to areas where natural geologic and soil 
105.13 	conditions are especially unsuitable for land disposal of solid waste; areas where the capacity 
105.14 	of existing solid waste disposal facilities is determined by the commissioner to be less than 
105.15 	five years; and projects serving more than one local government unit.

105.16 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115A.51, is amended to read:
105.17 	115A.51 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.
105.18 	(a) Applications for assistance under the program must demonstrate:
105.19 	(1) that the project is conceptually and technically feasible;
105.20 	(2) that affected political subdivisions are committed to implement the project, to provide 
105.21 	necessary local financing, and to accept and exercise the government powers necessary to 
105.22 	the project;
105.23 	(3) that operating revenues from the project, considering the availability and security of 
105.24 	sources of solid waste and of markets for recovered resources or the availability of materials 
105.25 	for waste reduction or reuse, together with any proposed federal, state, or local financial 
105.26 	assistance, will be sufficient to pay all costs over the projected life of the project;
105.27 	(4) that the applicant has evaluated the feasible and prudent alternatives to disposal, 
105.28 	including using existing solid waste management facilities and facilities conducting waste 
105.29 	reduction or reuse with reasonably available capacity sufficient to accomplish the goals of 
105.30 	the proposed project, and has compared and evaluated the costs of the alternatives, including 
105.31 	capital and operating costs, and the effects of the alternatives on the cost to generators;
106.1 	(5) that the applicant has identified:
106.2 	(i) waste management objectives in applicable county and regional solid waste 
106.3 	management plans consistent with section 115A.46, subdivision 2, paragraphs (e) and (f), 
106.4 	or 473.149, subdivision 1; and
106.5 	(ii) other solid waste management facilities and facilities conducting waste reduction or 
106.6 	reuse identified in the county and regional plans; and
106.7 	(6) that the applicant has conducted a comparative analysis of the project against existing 
106.8 	public and private solid waste management facilities and facilities conducting waste reduction 
106.9 	or reuse, including an analysis of potential displacement of those facilities, to determine 
106.10 	whether the project is the most appropriate alternative to achieve the identified waste 
106.11 	management objectives that considers:
106.12 	(i) conformity with approved county or regional solid waste management plans;
106.13 	(ii) consistency with the state's solid waste hierarchy and section 115A.46, subdivision 
106.14 	2, paragraphs (e) and (f), or 473.149, subdivision 1; and
106.15 	(iii) environmental standards related to public health, air, surface water, and groundwater.;
106.16 	(7) that the applicant has evaluated the project's environmental impact on climate change, 
106.17 	including greenhouse gas emissions; and
106.18 	(8) that the applicant has reviewed the project's impact on overburdened areas, conducted 
106.19 	stakeholder engagement, and assessed community input.
106.20 	(b) The commissioner may must require completion of a comprehensive solid waste 
106.21 	management plan conforming to the requirements of section 115A.46, before accepting an 
106.22 	application. Within five days of filing an application with the agency, the applicant must 
106.23 	submit a copy of the application to each solid waste management facility, including each 
106.24 	facility used for waste reduction or reuse, mentioned in the portion of the application 
106.25 	addressing the requirements of paragraph (a), clauses (5) and (6).

106.26 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115A.54, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
106.27 		Subdivision 1.Purposes; public interest; declaration of policy. The legislature finds 
106.28 	that the establishment of waste processing acquiring, establishing, and improving facilities 
106.29 	that conduct waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting source-separated compostable 
106.30 	materials or yard waste, resource recovery, and waste processing and transfer stations serving 
106.31 	such facilities is needed to reduce and manage properly the solid waste generated in the 
106.32 	state and to conserve and protect the natural resources in the state and the health, safety, 
107.1 	and welfare of its citizens; that opportunities to acquire, establish, and improve the facilities 
107.2 	and transfer stations are not being fully realized by individual political subdivisions or by 
107.3 	agreements among subdivisions; and that therefore it is necessary to provide capital assistance 
107.4 	to stimulate and encourage the acquisition, establishment, and betterment improvement of 
107.5 	the facilities and transfer stations.

107.6 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115A.54, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
107.7 		Subd. 2.Administration; assurance of funds. The commissioner shall provide technical 
107.8 	and financial assistance for the acquisition and betterment of to acquire, establish, and 
107.9 	improve the facilities and transfer stations from revenues derived from the issuance of
107.10 	issuing bonds authorized by section 115A.58. Facilities for the incineration of incinerating
107.11 	solid waste without resource recovery are not eligible for assistance. Money appropriated 
107.12 	for the purposes of the demonstration program may be distributed as grants or loans. An 
107.13 	individual project may receive assistance totaling up to 100 percent of the capital cost of 
107.14 	the project and grants up to 50 75 percent of the capital cost of the project. No grant or loan 
107.15 	shall be disbursed to any recipient until the commissioner has determined the total estimated 
107.16 	capital cost of the project and ascertained that financing of the cost is assured by funds 
107.17 	provided by the state, by an agency of the federal government within the amount of funds 
107.18 	then appropriated to that agency and allocated by it to projects within the state, by any 
107.19 	person, or by the appropriation of proceeds of bonds or other funds of the recipient to a fund 
107.20 	for the construction of constructing the project.

107.21 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115A.54, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
107.22 		Subd. 2a.Solid waste management projects. (a) The commissioner shall provide 
107.23 	technical and financial assistance for the acquisition and betterment of to acquire, establish, 
107.24 	and improve solid waste management projects as provided in this subdivision and section 
107.25 	115A.52. Money appropriated for the purposes of this subdivision must be distributed as 
107.26 	grants.
107.27 	(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), a project may receive grant assistance up to 25 
107.28 	percent of the capital cost of the project or $2,000,000 $5,000,000, whichever is less, except 
107.29 	that projects constructed as a result of intercounty cooperative agreements may receive the 
107.30 	lesser of:
107.31 	(1) grant assistance up to 25 percent of the capital cost of the project; or
107.32 	(2) $2,000,000 $5,000,000 times the number of participating counties, whichever is less.
108.1 	(c) A recycling project or, a project to compost or cocompost source-separated 
108.2 	compostable material or yard waste, or a project to manage household hazardous waste may 
108.3 	receive grant assistance up to 50 percent of the capital cost of the project or $2,000,000
108.4 	$5,000,000, whichever is less, except that projects completed as a result of intercounty 
108.5 	cooperative agreements may receive the lesser of:
108.6 	(1) grant assistance up to 50 percent of the capital cost of the project; or
108.7 	(2) $2,000,000 $5,000,000 times the number of participating counties, whichever is less.
108.8 	(d) The following projects may also receive grant assistance in the amounts specified 
108.9 	in this paragraph (c):
108.10 	(1) a project to improve control of or reduce air emissions at an existing resource recovery 
108.11 	facility; and
108.12 	(2) a project to substantially increase the recovery of materials or energy, substantially 
108.13 	reduce the amount or toxicity of waste processing residuals, or expand the capacity of an 
108.14 	existing resource recovery facility to meet the resource recovery needs of an expanded 
108.15 	region if each county from which waste is or would be received has achieved a recycling 
108.16 	rate in excess of the goals in section 115A.551, and is implementing aggressive waste 
108.17 	reduction and household hazardous waste management programs.
108.18 	(e) A waste reduction project or reuse project may receive grant assistance up to 75 
108.19 	percent of the capital cost of the project or $5,000,000, whichever is less, except that projects 
108.20 	completed as a result of intercounty cooperative agreements may receive the lesser of:
108.21 	(1) grant assistance up to 75 percent of the capital cost of the project; or
108.22 	(2) $5,000,000 times the number of participating counties.
108.23 	(d) (f) Notwithstanding paragraph (e) (g), the commissioner may award grants for transfer 
108.24 	stations that will initially transfer waste to landfills if the transfer stations are part of a 
108.25 	planned resource recovery project, the county where the planned resource recovery facility 
108.26 	will be located has a comprehensive solid waste management plan approved by the 
108.27 	commissioner, and the solid waste management plan proposes the development of the 
108.28 	resource recovery facility. If the proposed resource recovery facility is not in place and 
108.29 	operating within 16 years of the date of the grant award, the recipient shall repay the grant 
108.30 	amount to the state.
108.31 	(e) (g) Projects without waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting source-separated 
108.32 	compostable material or yard waste, or resource recovery are not eligible for assistance.
108.33 	Solid waste disposal facilities and equipment are not eligible for assistance.
109.1 	(f) (h) In addition to any assistance received under paragraph (b) or, (c), (d), or (e), a 
109.2 	project may receive grant assistance for the cost of tests necessary to determine the 
109.3 	appropriate pollution control equipment for the project or the environmental effects of the 
109.4 	use of any product or material produced by the project.
109.5 	(g) (i) In addition to the application requirements of section 115A.51, an application for 
109.6 	a project serving eligible jurisdictions in only a single county must demonstrate that 
109.7 	cooperation with jurisdictions in other counties to develop the project is not needed or not 
109.8 	feasible. Each application must also demonstrate that the project is not financially prudent 
109.9 	without the state assistance, because of the applicant's financial capacity and the problems 
109.10 	inherent in the waste management situation in the area, particularly transportation distances 
109.11 	and limited waste supply and markets for resources recovered.
109.12 	(h) (j) For the purposes of this subdivision, a "project" means acquisition, establishment, 
109.13 	or improvement of a processing facility, that conducts waste reduction, reuse, recycling, 
109.14 	composting source-separated compostable materials or yard waste, resource recovery, or 
109.15 	waste processing, together with any transfer stations, transmission facilities, and other related 
109.16 	and appurtenant facilities primarily serving the processing facility.
109.17 	(k) The commissioner shall adopt rules for the program by July 1, 1985.
109.18 	(i) (l) Notwithstanding anything in this subdivision to the contrary, a project to construct 
109.19 	a new mixed municipal solid waste transfer station that has an enforceable commitment of 
109.20 	at least ten years, or of sufficient length to retire bonds sold for the facility, to serve an 
109.21 	existing resource recovery facility may receive grant assistance up to 75 percent of the 
109.22 	capital cost of the project if addition of the transfer station will increase substantially the 
109.23 	geographical area served by the resource recovery facility and the ability of the resource 
109.24 	recovery facility to operate more efficiently on a regional basis and the facility meets the 
109.25 	criteria in paragraph (c) (d), the second clause (2). A transfer station eligible for assistance 
109.26 	under this paragraph is not eligible for assistance under any other paragraph of this 
109.27 	subdivision.

109.28 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115A.565, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
109.29 		Subdivision 1.Grant program established. The commissioner must make competitive 
109.30 	grants to political subdivisions or federally recognized Tribes to establish curbside recycling 
109.31 	or composting, increase for waste reduction, reuse, recycling or, and composting, reduce 
109.32 	the amount of recyclable materials entering disposal facilities, or reduce the costs associated 
109.33 	with hauling waste by locating collection sites as close as possible to the site where the 
109.34 	waste is generated of source-separated compostable materials or yard waste. To be eligible 
110.1 	for grants under this section, a political subdivision or federally recognized Tribe must be 
110.2 	located outside the seven-county metropolitan area and a city must have a population of 
110.3 	less than 45,000.

110.4 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115A.565, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
110.5 		Subd. 3.Priorities; eligible projects. (a) If applications for grants exceed the available 
110.6 	appropriations, grants must be made for projects that, in the commissioner's judgment, 
110.7 	provide the highest return in public benefits.
110.8 	(b) To be eligible to receive a grant, a project must:
110.9 	(1) be locally administered;
110.10 	(2) have an educational component and measurable outcomes;
110.11 	(3) request $250,000 or less;
110.12 	(4) demonstrate local direct and indirect matching support of at least a quarter amount 
110.13 	of the grant request; and
110.14 	(5) include at least one of the following elements:
110.15 	(i) transition to residential recycling through curbside or centrally located collection 
110.16 	sites;
110.17 	(ii) development of local recycling systems to support curbside recycling; or
110.18 	(iii) development or expansion of local recycling systems to support recycling bulk 
110.19 	materials, including, but not limited to, electronic waste.
110.20 	(i) waste reduction;
110.21 	(ii) reuse;
110.22 	(iii) recycling; or
110.23 	(iv) composting of source-separated compostable materials or yard waste; and
110.24 	(6) demonstrate that the project will reduce waste generation through waste reduction 
110.25 	or reuse or that the project will increase the amount of recyclable materials or 
110.26 	source-separated compostable materials diverted from a disposal facility.

111.1 	Sec. 55. [116.065] CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ANALYSIS; PERMIT DECISIONS 
111.2 	IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AREAS.
111.3 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
111.4 	the meanings given.
111.5 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
111.6 	(c) "Cumulative impacts" means the impacts of aggregated levels of past and current 
111.7 	air, water, and land pollution in a defined geographic area to which current residents are 
111.8 	exposed.
111.9 	(d) "Environmental justice" means:
111.10 	(1) communities of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income communities have 
111.11 	a healthy environment and are treated fairly when environmental statutes, rules, and policies 
111.12 	are developed, adopted, implemented, and enforced; and
111.13 	(2) in all decisions that have the potential to affect the environment of an environmental 
111.14 	justice area or the public health of its residents, due consideration is given to the history of 
111.15 	the area's and its residents' cumulative exposure to pollutants and to any current 
111.16 	socioeconomic conditions that increase the physical sensitivity of those residents to additional 
111.17 	exposure to pollutants.
111.18 	(e) "Environmental justice area" means one or more census tracts in Minnesota:
111.19 	(1) in which, based on the most recent data published by the United States Census Bureau:
111.20 	(i) 40 percent or more of the population is nonwhite;
111.21 	(ii) 35 percent or more of the households have an income at or below 200 percent of the 
111.22 	federal poverty level; or
111.23 	(iii) 40 percent or more of the population over the age of five has limited English 
111.24 	proficiency; or
111.25 	(2) located within Indian Country, as defined in United States Code, title 18, section 
111.26 	1151.
111.27 	(f) "Environmental stressors" mean factors that may make residents of an environmental 
111.28 	justice area particularly sensitive to exposure to pollutants. Environmental stressors include 
111.29 	social and environmental factors, including but not limited to poverty, substandard housing, 
111.30 	food insecurity, elevated rates of disease, and poor access to health insurance and medical 
111.31 	care.
112.1 		Subd. 2.Cumulative impacts analysis; when required. (a) Except as provided in 
112.2 	paragraph (b), this subdivision applies to the following permit applications for the 
112.3 	construction of a new facility or the expansion of an existing facility within the seven-county 
112.4 	metropolitan area or within Indian Country, as defined in United States Code, title 18, 
112.5 	section 1151:
112.6 	(1) a major source air permit, as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 7007.0200, subpart 
112.7 	2;
112.8 	(2) a state air permit required under Minnesota Rules, part 7007.0250, subpart 6;
112.9 	(3) an individual permit for a solid waste disposal facility proposing to receive or increase 
112.10 	capacity by 100,000 cubic yards or more of waste annually; and
112.11 	(4) a permit required for the treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste.
112.12 	(b) This section does not apply to the construction of a new facility or the expansion of 
112.13 	an existing facility by a person acting under a permit to mine iron, taconite, or nonferrous 
112.14 	metallic minerals, or to a permit application for the construction of a new facility or the 
112.15 	expansion of an existing facility in the Taconite Assistance Area, as defined in section 
112.16 	273.1341.
112.17 	(c) The owner or operator of a facility subject to paragraph (a), clause (1), must conduct 
112.18 	a cumulative impacts analysis if the facility is located in or, as determined by the 
112.19 	commissioner, may affect the environment or health of residents in an environmental justice 
112.20 	area and:
112.21 	(1) the proposed facility or expansion exceeds the benchmarks established in rules 
112.22 	adopted under subdivision 5 for requiring a cumulative impacts analysis; or
112.23 	(2) a petition signed by at least 100 persons residing or owning property in the affected 
112.24 	environmental justice area is submitted to the commissioner and supported by material 
112.25 	evidence demonstrating, to the satisfaction of the commissioner, that a potential adverse 
112.26 	cumulative impact on the environment or health of the residents of the environmental justice 
112.27 	area may result if the permit is issued.
112.28 	In making this determination, the commissioner may consider material evidence submitted 
112.29 	by the owner or operator of the facility seeking the permit that issuance of the permit will 
112.30 	not result in a potential adverse cumulative impact in the environmental justice area.
112.31 	(d) The commissioner may require an owner or operator of a facility described in 
112.32 	paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (4), that is seeking reissuance of a permit to conduct a cumulative 
112.33 	impacts analysis if the commissioner has material evidence that demonstrates that a potential 
113.1 	adverse cumulative impact on the environment or health of the residents of the environmental 
113.2 	justice area may result if the permit is issued and:
113.3 	(1) the facility is located within one mile of the boundary of an environmental justice 
113.4 	area within the seven-county metropolitan area;
113.5 	(2) the facility is located within one mile of Indian Country, as defined in United States 
113.6 	Code, title 18, section 1151; or
113.7 	(3) the proposed facility does not exceed the benchmarks established in rules adopted 
113.8 	under subdivision 5 for requiring a cumulative impacts analysis.
113.9 	In making this determination, the commissioner may consider material evidence submitted 
113.10 	by the owner or operator of the facility seeking the permit that reissuance of the permit will 
113.11 	not result in a potential adverse cumulative effect in the environmental justice area.
113.12 		Subd. 3.Cumulative impacts analysis; public meeting requirements. (a) Any owner 
113.13 	or operator required to conduct a cumulative impacts analysis under subdivision 2 must 
113.14 	hold at least two public meetings in the affected environmental justice area before the 
113.15 	commissioner issues or denies a permit. The first public meeting must be held before 
113.16 	conducting a cumulative impacts analysis, and the second must be held after conducting 
113.17 	the analysis.
113.18 	(b) The owner or operator must:
113.19 	(1) publish notice containing the date, time, and location of the public meetings and a 
113.20 	brief description of the permit or project in a newspaper of general circulation in the 
113.21 	environmental justice area at least 30 days before the meetings;
113.22 	(2) post physical signage in the environmental justice area impacted, as directed by the 
113.23 	commissioner; and
113.24 	(3) provide the commissioner with notice of the public meeting and a copy of the 
113.25 	cumulative impacts analysis at least 45 days before the second public meeting.
113.26 	(c) The commissioner must post the notice and cumulative impacts analysis on the 
113.27 	agency website at least 30 days before the second public meeting.
113.28 	(d) The permit applicant or permit holder must:
113.29 	(1) provide an opportunity for robust public and Tribal engagement at the public meetings;
113.30 	(2) accept written and oral comments, as directed by the commissioner, from any 
113.31 	interested party; and
114.1 	(3) provide an electronic copy of all written comments and a transcript of oral comments 
114.2 	to the agency within 30 days of the public meetings.
114.3 	(e) If the permit applicant or permit holder is applying for more than one permit that 
114.4 	may affect the same environmental justice area, the permit applicant or permit holder may 
114.5 	request that the commissioner require that the facility hold two public meetings that address 
114.6 	all of the permits sought. The commissioner may approve or deny the request.
114.7 	(f) The commissioner may incorporate conditions in a permit for a facility located in or 
114.8 	affecting an environmental justice area to hold multiple in-person meetings with residents 
114.9 	of the environmental justice area affected by the facility to share information and discuss 
114.10 	community concerns.
114.11 		Subd. 4.Environmental justice area; permit decisions. (a) In determining whether to 
114.12 	issue or deny a permit, the commissioner must consider the testimony presented and 
114.13 	comments submitted in public meetings held under subdivision 3. The permit may be issued 
114.14 	no earlier than 30 days following the last public meeting.
114.15 	(b) The commissioner must deny an application for a permit subject to this section for 
114.16 	a facility in an environmental justice area if the commissioner finds that issuing the permit 
114.17 	in combination with the environmental stressors present in the environmental justice area 
114.18 	would contribute to adverse cumulative environmental stressors in the environmental justice 
114.19 	area, unless:
114.20 	(1) the commissioner enters into a community benefit agreement with the facility owner 
114.21 	or operator, in consultation with community-based organizations representing the interests 
114.22 	of residents of the environmental justice area; and
114.23 	(2) there is a compelling public interest to issue the permit, as determined by the 
114.24 	commissioner, based on criteria established in rules adopted under subdivision 5.
114.25 	(c) If the commissioner determines that a compelling public interest exists and the 
114.26 	commissioner enters into a community benefit agreement with the facility owner or operator, 
114.27 	the commissioner may grant a permit that imposes conditions on the construction and 
114.28 	operation of the facility to protect public health and the environment.
114.29 	(d) Issuance of a permit under this section must include a requirement that the facility 
114.30 	provide information to the community describing the health risks that the facility poses.
114.31 	(e) A community benefit agreement must be signed on or before the date a new permit 
114.32 	or major source permit amendment is issued in an environmental justice area.
115.1 	(f) The commissioner must publish and maintain on the agency website a list of 
115.2 	environmental justice areas in the state.
115.3 		Subd. 5.Rulemaking. (a) The commissioner must adopt rules under chapter 14 to 
115.4 	implement and govern the cumulative impacts analysis and issuance or denial of permits 
115.5 	for facilities that impact environmental justice areas as provided in this section. 
115.6 	Notwithstanding section 14.125, the agency must publish notice of intent to adopt rules 
115.7 	within 36 months of the effective date of this section, or the authority for the rules expires.
115.8 	(b) During the rulemaking process, the Pollution Control Agency must engage in robust 
115.9 	public engagement, including public meetings, and Tribal consultation.
115.10 	(c) Rules adopted under this section must:
115.11 	(1) define conditions, criteria, or circumstances that qualify as a compelling public 
115.12 	interest, which:
115.13 	(i) must consider whether the economic benefit considered will directly or substantially 
115.14 	benefit residents of the affected environmental justice area;
115.15 	(ii) must include noneconomic considerations; and
115.16 	(iii) must take into account public comments made at public meetings held under 
115.17 	subdivision 3;
115.18 	(2) establish benchmarks to assist the commissioner's determination regarding the need 
115.19 	for a cumulative impacts analysis;
115.20 	(3) establish the content of a community benefit agreement and procedures for entering 
115.21 	into community benefit agreements, which must include consultation with members of the 
115.22 	public and community-based organizations or coalitions representing the interests of residents 
115.23 	within the environmental justice area;
115.24 	(4) establish a petition process and form submitted to the agency by environmental 
115.25 	justice area residents to support the need for a cumulative impact analysis;
115.26 	(5) establish and define criteria for requiring a cumulative impact analysis; and
115.27 	(6) establish a process for conducting a cumulative impacts analysis.
115.28 	(d) The agency must provide translation services and translated materials upon request 
115.29 	during rulemaking meetings.
115.30 	(e) The agency must use multiple communication methods to inform residents of 
115.31 	environmental justice areas in the public meetings held for the rulemaking.

116.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. Subdivisions 1 and 5 are effective the day following final 
116.2 	enactment. The remainder of this section is effective on January 1, 2027.

116.3 	Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116.07, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
116.4 		Subd. 6.Pollution Control Agency; exercise of powers. In exercising all its powers 
116.5 	the Pollution Control Agency shall give due consideration to must:
116.6 	(1) consider the establishment, maintenance, operation and expansion of business, 
116.7 	commerce, trade, industry, traffic, and other economic factors and other material matters 
116.8 	affecting the feasibility and practicability of any proposed action, including, but not limited 
116.9 	to, the burden on a municipality of any tax which may result therefrom, and shall must take 
116.10 	or provide for such action as may be reasonable, feasible, and practical under the 
116.11 	circumstances; and
116.12 	(2) to the extent reasonable, feasible, and practical under the circumstances:
116.13 	(i) ensure that actions or programs that have a direct, indirect, or cumulative impact on 
116.14 	environmental justice areas incorporate community-focused practices and procedures in 
116.15 	agency processes, including communication, outreach, engagement, and education to enhance 
116.16 	meaningful, timely, and transparent community access;
116.17 	(ii) collaborate with other state agencies to identify, develop, and implement means to 
116.18 	eliminate and reverse environmental and health inequities and disparities;
116.19 	(iii) promote the utility and availability of environmental data and analysis for 
116.20 	environmental justice areas, other agencies, federally recognized Tribal governments, and 
116.21 	the public;
116.22 	(iv) encourage coordination and collaboration with residents of environmental justice 
116.23 	areas to address environmental and health inequities and disparities; and
116.24 	(v) ensure environmental justice values are represented to the agency from a 
116.25 	commissioner-appointed environmental justice advisory committee that is composed of 
116.26 	diverse members and that is developed and operated in a manner open to the public and in 
116.27 	accordance with the duties described in the bylaws and charter adopted and maintained by 
116.28 	the commissioner.

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

117.1 	Sec. 57. [116.943] PRODUCTS CONTAINING PFAS.
117.2 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
117.3 	the meanings given.
117.4 	(b) "Adult mattress" means a mattress other than a crib mattress or toddler mattress.
117.5 	(c) "Air care product" means a chemically formulated consumer product labeled to 
117.6 	indicate that the purpose of the product is to enhance or condition the indoor environment 
117.7 	by eliminating odors or freshening the air.
117.8 	(d) "Automotive maintenance product" means a chemically formulated consumer product 
117.9 	labeled to indicate that the purpose of the product is to maintain the appearance of a motor 
117.10 	vehicle, including products for washing, waxing, polishing, cleaning, or treating the exterior 
117.11 	or interior surfaces of motor vehicles. Automotive maintenance product does not include 
117.12 	automotive paint or paint repair products.
117.13 	(e) "Carpet or rug" means a fabric marketed or intended for use as a floor covering.
117.14 	(f) "Cleaning product" means a finished product used primarily for domestic, commercial, 
117.15 	or institutional cleaning purposes, including but not limited to an air care product, an 
117.16 	automotive maintenance product, a general cleaning product, or a polish or floor maintenance 
117.17 	product.
117.18 	(g) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency.
117.19 	(h) "Cookware" means durable houseware items used to prepare, dispense, or store food, 
117.20 	foodstuffs, or beverages. Cookware includes but is not limited to pots, pans, skillets, grills, 
117.21 	baking sheets, baking molds, trays, bowls, and cooking utensils.
117.22 	(i) "Cosmetic" means articles, excluding soap:
117.23 	(1) intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise 
117.24 	applied to the human body or any part thereof for the purpose of cleansing, beautifying, 
117.25 	promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance; and
117.26 	(2) intended for use as a component of any such article.
117.27 	(j) "Currently unavoidable use" means a use of PFAS that the commissioner has 
117.28 	determined by rule under this section to be essential for health, safety, or the functioning 
117.29 	of society and for which alternatives are not reasonably available.
117.30 	(k) "Fabric treatment" means a substance applied to fabric to give the fabric one or more 
117.31 	characteristics, including but not limited to stain resistance or water resistance.
118.1 	(l) "Intentionally added" means PFAS deliberately added during the manufacture of a 
118.2 	product where the continued presence of PFAS is desired in the final product or one of the 
118.3 	product's components to perform a specific function.
118.4 	(m) "Juvenile product" means a product designed or marketed for use by infants and 
118.5 	children under 12 years of age:
118.6 	(1) including but not limited to a baby or toddler foam pillow; bassinet; bedside sleeper; 
118.7 	booster seat; changing pad; child restraint system for use in motor vehicles and aircraft; 
118.8 	co-sleeper; crib mattress; highchair; highchair pad; infant bouncer; infant carrier; infant 
118.9 	seat; infant sleep positioner; infant swing; infant travel bed; infant walker; nap cot; nursing 
118.10 	pad; nursing pillow; play mat; playpen; play yard; polyurethane foam mat, pad, or pillow; 
118.11 	portable foam nap mat; portable infant sleeper; portable hook-on chair; soft-sided portable 
118.12 	crib; stroller; and toddler mattress; and
118.13 	(2) not including a children's electronic product such as a personal computer, audio and 
118.14 	video equipment, calculator, wireless phone, game console, handheld device incorporating 
118.15 	a video screen, or any associated peripheral such as a mouse, keyboard, power supply unit, 
118.16 	or power cord; or an adult mattress.
118.17 	(n) "Manufacturer" means the person that creates or produces a product or whose brand 
118.18 	name is affixed to the product. In the case of a product imported into the United States, 
118.19 	manufacturer includes the importer or first domestic distributor of the product if the person 
118.20 	that manufactured or assembled the product or whose brand name is affixed to the product 
118.21 	does not have a presence in the United States.
118.22 	(o) "Medical device" has the meaning given "device" under United States Code, title 
118.23 	21, section 321, subsection (h).
118.24 	(p) "Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" or "PFAS" means a class of 
118.25 	fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.
118.26 	(q) "Product" means an item manufactured, assembled, packaged, or otherwise prepared 
118.27 	for sale to consumers, including but not limited to its product components, sold or distributed 
118.28 	for personal, residential, commercial, or industrial use, including for use in making other 
118.29 	products.
118.30 	(r) "Product component" means an identifiable component of a product, regardless of 
118.31 	whether the manufacturer of the product is the manufacturer of the component.
119.1 	(s) "Ski wax" means a lubricant applied to the bottom of snow runners, including but 
119.2 	not limited to skis and snowboards, to improve their grip or glide properties. Ski wax includes 
119.3 	related tuning products.
119.4 	(t) "Textile" means an item made in whole or part from a natural or synthetic fiber, yarn, 
119.5 	or fabric. Textile includes but is not limited to leather, cotton, silk, jute, hemp, wool, viscose, 
119.6 	nylon, and polyester.
119.7 	(u) "Textile furnishings" means textile goods of a type customarily used in households 
119.8 	and businesses, including but not limited to draperies, floor coverings, furnishings, bedding, 
119.9 	towels, and tablecloths.
119.10 	(v) "Upholstered furniture" means an article of furniture that is designed to be used for 
119.11 	sitting, resting, or reclining and that is wholly or partly stuffed or filled with any filling 
119.12 	material.
119.13 		Subd. 2.Information required. (a) On or before January 1, 2026, a manufacturer of a 
119.14 	product sold, offered for sale, or distributed in the state that contains intentionally added 
119.15 	PFAS must submit to the commissioner information that includes:
119.16 	(1) a brief description of the product, including a universal product code (UPC), stock 
119.17 	keeping unit (SKU), or other numeric code assigned to the product;
119.18 	(2) the purpose for which PFAS are used in the product, including in any product 
119.19 	components;
119.20 	(3) the amount of each PFAS, identified by its chemical abstracts service registry number, 
119.21 	in the product, reported as an exact quantity determined using commercially available 
119.22 	analytical methods or as falling within a range approved for reporting purposes by the 
119.23 	commissioner;
119.24 	(4) the name and address of the manufacturer and the name, address, and phone number 
119.25 	of a contact person for the manufacturer; and
119.26 	(5) any additional information requested by the commissioner as necessary to implement 
119.27 	the requirements of this section.
119.28 	(b) With the approval of the commissioner, a manufacturer may supply the information 
119.29 	required in paragraph (a) for a category or type of product rather than for each individual 
119.30 	product.
119.31 	(c) A manufacturer must submit the information required under this subdivision whenever 
119.32 	a new product that contains intentionally added PFAS is sold, offered for sale, or distributed 
120.1 	in the state and update and revise the information whenever there is significant change in 
120.2 	the information or when requested to do so by the commissioner.
120.3 	(d) A person may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale in the state a product 
120.4 	containing intentionally added PFAS if the manufacturer has failed to provide the information 
120.5 	required under this subdivision and the person has received notification under subdivision 
120.6 	4.
120.7 		Subd. 3.Information requirement waivers; extensions. (a) The commissioner may 
120.8 	waive all or part of the information requirement under subdivision 2 if the commissioner 
120.9 	determines that substantially equivalent information is already publicly available. The 
120.10 	commissioner may grant a waiver under this paragraph to a manufacturer or a group of 
120.11 	manufacturers for multiple products or a product category.
120.12 	(b) The commissioner may enter into an agreement with one or more other states or 
120.13 	political subdivisions of a state to collect information and may accept information to a shared 
120.14 	system as meeting the information requirement under subdivision 2.
120.15 	(c) The commissioner may extend the deadline for submission by a manufacturer of the 
120.16 	information required under subdivision 2 if the commissioner determines that more time is 
120.17 	needed by the manufacturer to comply with the submission requirement.
120.18 		Subd. 4.Testing required and certificate of compliance. (a) If the commissioner has 
120.19 	reason to believe that a product contains intentionally added PFAS and the product is being 
120.20 	offered for sale in the state, the commissioner may direct the manufacturer of the product 
120.21 	to, within 30 days, provide the commissioner with testing results that demonstrate the amount 
120.22 	of each of the PFAS, identified by its chemical abstracts service registry number, in the 
120.23 	product, reported as an exact quantity determined using commercially available analytical 
120.24 	methods or as falling within a range approved for reporting purposes by the commissioner.
120.25 	(b) If testing demonstrates that the product does not contain intentionally added PFAS, 
120.26 	the manufacturer must provide the commissioner a certificate attesting that the product does 
120.27 	not contain intentionally added PFAS, including testing results and any other relevant 
120.28 	information.
120.29 	(c) If testing demonstrates that the product contains intentionally added PFAS, the 
120.30 	manufacturer must provide the commissioner with the testing results and the information 
120.31 	required under subdivision 2.
121.1 	(d) A manufacturer must notify persons who sell or offer for sale a product prohibited 
121.2 	under subdivision 2 or 5 that the sale of that product is prohibited in this state and provide 
121.3 	the commissioner with a list of the names and addresses of those notified.
121.4 	(e) The commissioner may notify persons who sell or offer for sale a product prohibited 
121.5 	under subdivision 2 or 5 that the sale of that product is prohibited in this state.
121.6 		Subd. 5.Prohibitions. (a) Beginning January 1, 2025, a person may not sell, offer for 
121.7 	sale, or distribute for sale in this state the following products if the product contains 
121.8 	intentionally added PFAS:
121.9 	(1) carpets or rugs;
121.10 	(2) cleaning products;
121.11 	(3) cookware;
121.12 	(4) cosmetics;
121.13 	(5) dental floss;
121.14 	(6) fabric treatments;
121.15 	(7) juvenile products;
121.16 	(8) menstruation products;
121.17 	(9) textile furnishings;
121.18 	(10) ski wax; or
121.19 	(11) upholstered furniture.
121.20 	(b) The commissioner may by rule identify additional products by category or use that 
121.21 	may not be sold, offered for sale, or distributed for sale in this state if they contain 
121.22 	intentionally added PFAS and designate effective dates. A prohibition adopted under this 
121.23 	paragraph must be effective no earlier than January 1, 2025, and no later than January 1, 
121.24 	2032. The commissioner must prioritize the prohibition of the sale of product categories 
121.25 	that, in the commissioner's judgment, are most likely to contaminate or harm the state's 
121.26 	environment and natural resources if they contain intentionally added PFAS.
121.27 	(c) Beginning January 1, 2032, a person may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale 
121.28 	in this state any product that contains intentionally added PFAS, unless the commissioner 
121.29 	has determined by rule that the use of PFAS in the product is a currently unavoidable use. 
121.30 	The commissioner may specify specific products or product categories for which the 
121.31 	commissioner has determined the use of PFAS is a currently unavoidable use. The 
122.1 	commissioner may not determine that the use of PFAS in a product is a currently unavoidable 
122.2 	use if the product is listed in paragraph (a).
122.3 		Subd. 6.Fees. The commissioner may establish by rule a fee payable by a manufacturer 
122.4 	to the commissioner upon submission of the information required under subdivision 2 to 
122.5 	cover the agency's reasonable costs to implement this section. Fees collected under this 
122.6 	subdivision must be deposited in an account in the environmental fund.
122.7 		Subd. 7.Enforcement. (a) The commissioner may enforce this section under sections 
122.8 	115.071 and 116.072. The commissioner may coordinate with the commissioners of 
122.9 	commerce and health in enforcing this section.
122.10 	(b) When requested by the commissioner, a person must furnish to the commissioner 
122.11 	any information that the person may have or may reasonably obtain that is relevant to show 
122.12 	compliance with this section.
122.13 		Subd. 8.Exemptions. (a) This section does not apply to:
122.14 	(1) a product for which federal law governs the presence of PFAS in the product in a 
122.15 	manner that preempts state authority;
122.16 	(2) a product regulated under section 325F.072 or 325F.075; or
122.17 	(3) the sale or resale of a used product.
122.18 	(b) Subdivisions 4 and 5 do not apply to a prosthetic or orthotic device, or to any product 
122.19 	that is a medical device or drug or that is otherwise used in a medical setting or in medical 
122.20 	applications regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
122.21 		Subd. 9.Rules. The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to implement this section. 
122.22 	Section 14.125 does not apply to the commissioner's rulemaking authority under this section.

122.23 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 171.07, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
122.24 	read:
122.25 		Subd. 20.Watercraft operator's permit. (a) The department must maintain in its 
122.26 	records information transmitted electronically from the commissioner of natural resources 
122.27 	identifying each person to whom the commissioner has issued a watercraft operator's permit. 
122.28 	The records transmitted from the Department of Natural Resources must contain the full 
122.29 	name and date of birth as required for the driver's license or identification card. Records 
122.30 	that are not matched to a driver's license or identification card record may be deleted after 
122.31 	seven years.
123.1 	(b) After receiving information under paragraph (a) that a person has received a watercraft 
123.2 	operator's permit, the department must include on all drivers' licenses or Minnesota 
123.3 	identification cards subsequently issued to the person a graphic or written indication that 
123.4 	the person has received the permit.
123.5 	(c) If a person who has received a watercraft operator's permit applies for a driver's 
123.6 	license or Minnesota identification card before that information has been transmitted to the 
123.7 	department, the department may accept a copy of the certificate as proof of its issuance and 
123.8 	must then follow the procedures in paragraph (b).

123.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

123.10 	Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297A.94, is amended to read:
123.11 	297A.94 DEPOSIT OF REVENUES.
123.12 	(a) Except as provided in this section, the commissioner shall deposit the revenues, 
123.13 	including interest and penalties, derived from the taxes imposed by this chapter in the state 
123.14 	treasury and credit them to the general fund.
123.15 	(b) The commissioner shall deposit taxes in the Minnesota agricultural and economic 
123.16 	account in the special revenue fund if:
123.17 	(1) the taxes are derived from sales and use of property and services purchased for the 
123.18 	construction and operation of an agricultural resource project; and
123.19 	(2) the purchase was made on or after the date on which a conditional commitment was 
123.20 	made for a loan guaranty for the project under section 41A.04, subdivision 3.
123.21 	The commissioner of management and budget shall certify to the commissioner the date on 
123.22 	which the project received the conditional commitment. The amount deposited in the loan 
123.23 	guaranty account must be reduced by any refunds and by the costs incurred by the Department 
123.24 	of Revenue to administer and enforce the assessment and collection of the taxes.
123.25 	(c) The commissioner shall deposit the revenues, including interest and penalties, derived 
123.26 	from the taxes imposed on sales and purchases included in section 297A.61, subdivision 3, 
123.27 	paragraph (g), clauses (1) and (4), in the state treasury, and credit them as follows:
123.28 	(1) first to the general obligation special tax bond debt service account in each fiscal 
123.29 	year the amount required by section 16A.661, subdivision 3, paragraph (b); and
123.30 	(2) after the requirements of clause (1) have been met, the balance to the general fund.
124.1 	(d) Beginning with sales taxes remitted after July 1, 2017, the commissioner shall deposit 
124.2 	in the state treasury the revenues collected under section 297A.64, subdivision 1, including 
124.3 	interest and penalties and minus refunds, and credit them to the highway user tax distribution 
124.4 	fund.
124.5 	(e) The commissioner shall deposit the revenues, including interest and penalties, 
124.6 	collected under section 297A.64, subdivision 5, in the state treasury and credit them to the 
124.7 	general fund. By July 15 of each year the commissioner shall transfer to the highway user 
124.8 	tax distribution fund an amount equal to the excess fees collected under section 297A.64, 
124.9 	subdivision 5, for the previous calendar year.
124.10 	(f) Beginning with sales taxes remitted after July 1, 2017, in conjunction with the deposit 
124.11 	of revenues under paragraph (d), the commissioner shall deposit into the state treasury and 
124.12 	credit to the highway user tax distribution fund an amount equal to the estimated revenues 
124.13 	derived from the tax rate imposed under section 297A.62, subdivision 1, on the lease or 
124.14 	rental for not more than 28 days of rental motor vehicles subject to section 297A.64. The 
124.15 	commissioner shall estimate the amount of sales tax revenue deposited under this paragraph 
124.16 	based on the amount of revenue deposited under paragraph (d).
124.17 	(g) The commissioner shall deposit an amount of the remittances monthly into the state 
124.18 	treasury and credit them to the highway user tax distribution fund as a portion of the estimated 
124.19 	amount of taxes collected from the sale and purchase of motor vehicle repair and replacement 
124.20 	parts in that month. The monthly deposit amount is $12,137,000. For purposes of this 
124.21 	paragraph, "motor vehicle" has the meaning given in section 297B.01, subdivision 11, and 
124.22 	"motor vehicle repair and replacement parts" includes (i) all parts, tires, accessories, and 
124.23 	equipment incorporated into or affixed to the motor vehicle as part of the motor vehicle 
124.24 	maintenance and repair, and (ii) paint, oil, and other fluids that remain on or in the motor 
124.25 	vehicle as part of the motor vehicle maintenance or repair. For purposes of this paragraph, 
124.26 	"tire" means any tire of the type used on highway vehicles, if wholly or partially made of 
124.27 	rubber and if marked according to federal regulations for highway use.
124.28 	(h) 72.43 Eighty-two percent of the revenues, including interest and penalties, transmitted 
124.29 	to the commissioner under section 297A.65, must be deposited by the commissioner in the 
124.30 	state treasury as follows:
124.31 	(1) 50 percent of the receipts must be deposited in the heritage enhancement account in 
124.32 	the game and fish fund, and may be spent only on activities that improve, enhance, or protect 
124.33 	fish and wildlife resources, including conservation, restoration, and enhancement of land, 
124.34 	water, and other natural resources of the state;
125.1 	(2) 22.5 percent of the receipts must be deposited in the natural resources fund, and may 
125.2 	be spent only for state parks and trails;
125.3 	(3) 22.5 percent of the receipts must be deposited in the natural resources fund, and may 
125.4 	be spent only on metropolitan park and trail grants;
125.5 	(4) three percent of the receipts must be deposited in the natural resources fund, and 
125.6 	may be spent only on local trail grants; and
125.7 	(5) two percent of the receipts must be deposited in the natural resources fund, and may 
125.8 	be spent only for the Minnesota Zoological Garden, the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 
125.9 	and the Duluth Zoo.
125.10 	(i) Two percent of the revenues, including interest and penalties, transmitted to the 
125.11 	commissioner under section 297A.65 must be deposited in a regional parks and trails account 
125.12 	in the natural resources fund and may only be spent for parks and trails of regional 
125.13 	significance outside of the seven-county metropolitan area under section 85.535, based on 
125.14 	recommendations from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission under 
125.15 	section 85.536.
125.16 	(j) One percent of the revenues, including interest and penalties, transmitted to the 
125.17 	commissioner under section 297A.65 must be deposited in an outdoor recreational 
125.18 	opportunities for underserved communities account in the natural resources fund and may 
125.19 	only be spent on projects and activities that connect diverse and underserved Minnesotans 
125.20 	through expanding cultural environmental experiences, exploration of their environment, 
125.21 	and outdoor recreational activities.
125.22 	(i) (k) The revenue dedicated under paragraph (h) may not be used as a substitute for 
125.23 	traditional sources of funding for the purposes specified, but the dedicated revenue shall 
125.24 	supplement traditional sources of funding for those purposes. Land acquired with money 
125.25 	deposited in the game and fish fund under paragraph (h) must be open to public hunting 
125.26 	and fishing during the open season, except that in aquatic management areas or on lands 
125.27 	where angling easements have been acquired, fishing may be prohibited during certain times 
125.28 	of the year and hunting may be prohibited. At least 87 percent of the money deposited in 
125.29 	the game and fish fund for improvement, enhancement, or protection of fish and wildlife 
125.30 	resources under paragraph (h) must be allocated for field operations.
125.31 	(j) (l) The commissioner must deposit the revenues, including interest and penalties 
125.32 	minus any refunds, derived from the sale of items regulated under section 624.20, subdivision 
125.33 	1, that may be sold to persons 18 years old or older and that are not prohibited from use by 
125.34 	the general public under section 624.21, in the state treasury and credit:
126.1 	(1) 25 percent to the volunteer fire assistance grant account established under section 
126.2 	88.068;
126.3 	(2) 25 percent to the fire safety account established under section 297I.06, subdivision 
126.4 	3; and
126.5 	(3) the remainder to the general fund.
126.6 	For purposes of this paragraph, the percentage of total sales and use tax revenue derived 
126.7 	from the sale of items regulated under section 624.20, subdivision 1, that are allowed to be 
126.8 	sold to persons 18 years old or older and are not prohibited from use by the general public 
126.9 	under section 624.21, is a set percentage of the total sales and use tax revenues collected in 
126.10 	the state, with the percentage determined under Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 
126.11 	1, article 3, section 39.
126.12 	(k) (m) The revenues deposited under paragraphs (a) to (j) (l) do not include the revenues, 
126.13 	including interest and penalties, generated by the sales tax imposed under section 297A.62, 
126.14 	subdivision 1a, which must be deposited as provided under the Minnesota Constitution, 
126.15 	article XI, section 15.

126.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.

126.17 	Sec. 60. [325E.3892] LEAD AND CADMIUM IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS; 
126.18 	PROHIBITION.
126.19 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section, "covered product" means any 
126.20 	of the following products or product components:
126.21 	(1) jewelry;
126.22 	(2) toys;
126.23 	(3) cosmetics and personal care products;
126.24 	(4) puzzles, board games, card games, and similar games;
126.25 	(5) play sets and play structures;
126.26 	(6) outdoor games;
126.27 	(7) school supplies;
126.28 	(8) pots and pans;
126.29 	(9) cups, bowls, and other food containers;
126.30 	(10) craft supplies and jewelry-making supplies;
127.1 	(11) chalk, crayons, paints, and other art supplies;
127.2 	(12) fidget spinners;
127.3 	(13) costumes, costume accessories, and children's and seasonal party supplies;
127.4 	(14) keys, key chains, and key rings; and
127.5 	(15) clothing, footwear, headwear, and accessories.
127.6 		Subd. 2.Prohibition. (a) A person must not import, manufacture, sell, hold for sale, or 
127.7 	distribute or offer for use in this state any covered product containing:
127.8 	(1) lead at more than 0.009 percent by total weight (90 parts per million); or
127.9 	(2) cadmium at more than 0.0075 percent by total weight (75 parts per million).
127.10 	(b) This section does not apply to covered products containing lead or cadmium, or both, 
127.11 	when regulation is preempted by federal law.
127.12 		Subd. 3.Enforcement. The commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency, commerce, 
127.13 	and health may coordinate to enforce this section. The commissioner of the Pollution Control 
127.14 	Agency or commerce may, with the attorney general, enforce any federal restrictions on 
127.15 	the sale of products containing lead or cadmium, or both, as allowed under federal law. The 
127.16 	commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency may enforce this section under sections 
127.17 	115.071 and 116.072. The commissioner of commerce may enforce this section under 
127.18 	sections 45.027, subdivisions 1 to 6; 325F.10 to 325F.12; and 325F.14 to 325F.16. The 
127.19 	attorney general may enforce this section under section 8.31.

127.20 	Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 325F.072, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
127.21 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
127.22 	the meanings given.
127.23 	(b) "Class B firefighting foam" means foam designed for flammable liquid fires to 
127.24 	prevent or extinguish a fire in flammable liquids, combustible liquids, petroleum greases, 
127.25 	tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents, lacquers, alcohols, and flammable gases.
127.26 	(c) "PFAS chemicals" or "perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" means, for 
127.27 	the purposes of firefighting agents, a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at 
127.28 	least one fully fluorinated carbon atom and designed to be fully functional in class B 
127.29 	firefighting foam formulations.
127.30 	(d) "Political subdivision" means a county, city, town, or a metropolitan airports 
127.31 	commission organized and existing under sections 473.601 to 473.679.
128.1 	(e) "State agency" means an agency as defined in section 16B.01, subdivision 2.
128.2 	(f) "Testing" means calibration testing, conformance testing, and fixed system testing.

128.3 	Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 325F.072, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
128.4 		Subd. 3.Prohibition of testing and training. (a) Beginning July 1, 2020, No person, 
128.5 	political subdivision, or state agency shall discharge class B firefighting foam that contains 
128.6 	intentionally added manufacture or knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or 
128.7 	distribute for use in this state, and no person shall use in this state, class B firefighting foam 
128.8 	containing PFAS chemicals:.
128.9 	(1) for testing purposes, unless the testing facility has implemented appropriate 
128.10 	containment, treatment, and disposal measures to prevent releases of foam to the environment; 
128.11 	or
128.12 	(2) for training purposes, unless otherwise required by law, and with the condition that 
128.13 	the training event has implemented appropriate containment, treatment, and disposal measures 
128.14 	to prevent releases of foam to the environment. For training purposes, class B foam that 
128.15 	contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals shall not be used.
128.16 	(b) This section does not restrict:
128.17 	(1) the manufacture, sale, or distribution of class B firefighting foam that contains 
128.18 	intentionally added PFAS chemicals; or
128.19 	(2) the discharge or other use of class B firefighting foams that contain intentionally 
128.20 	added PFAS chemicals in emergency firefighting or fire prevention operations.
128.21 	(b) This subdivision does not apply to the manufacture, sale, distribution, or use of class 
128.22 	B firefighting foam for which the inclusion of PFAS chemicals is required by federal law, 
128.23 	including but not limited to Code of Federal Regulations, title 14, section 139.317. If a 
128.24 	federal requirement to include PFAS chemicals in class B firefighting foam is revoked after 
128.25 	January 1, 2024, class B firefighting foam subject to the revoked requirements is no longer 
128.26 	exempt under this paragraph effective one year after the day of revocation.
128.27 	(c) This subdivision does not apply to the manufacture, sale, distribution, or use of class 
128.28 	B firefighting foam for purposes of use at an airport, as defined under section 360.013, 
128.29 	subdivision 39, until the state fire marshal makes a determination that:
128.30 	(1) the Federal Aviation Administration has provided policy guidance on the transition 
128.31 	to fluorine-free firefighting foam;
129.1 	(2) a fluorine-free firefighting foam product is included in the Federal Aviation 
129.2 	Administration's Qualified Product Database; and
129.3 	(3) a firefighting foam product included in the database under clause (2) is commercially 
129.4 	available in quantities sufficient to reliably meet the requirements under Code of Federal 
129.5 	Regulations, title 14, part 139.
129.6 	(d) Until the state fire marshal makes a determination under paragraph (c), the operator 
129.7 	of an airport using class B firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals must, on or before 
129.8 	December 31 each calendar year, submit a report to the state fire marshal regarding the 
129.9 	status of the airport's conversion to class B firefighting foam products without intentionally 
129.10 	added PFAS, the disposal of class B firefighting foam products with intentionally added 
129.11 	PFAS, and an assessment of the factors listed in paragraph (c) as applied to the airport.

129.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

129.13 	Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 325F.072, is amended by adding a subdivision 
129.14 	to read:
129.15 		Subd. 3a.Discharge for testing and training. A person, political subdivision, or state 
129.16 	agency exempted from the prohibitions under subdivision 3 may not discharge class B 
129.17 	firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals for:
129.18 	(1) testing purposes, unless the testing facility has implemented appropriate containment, 
129.19 	treatment, and disposal measures to prevent releases of foam to the environment; or
129.20 	(2) training purposes, unless otherwise required by law, and with the condition that the 
129.21 	training event has implemented appropriate containment, treatment, and disposal measures 
129.22 	to prevent releases of foam to the environment.

129.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

129.24 	Sec. 64. 50-YEAR CLEAN WATER PLAN SCOPE OF WORK.
 129.25 	(a) The University of Minnesota Water Council is requested to develop a scope of work, 
129.26 	timeline, and budget for a plan to promote and protect clean water in Minnesota for the next 
129.27 	50 years. The 50-year clean water plan must:
129.28 	(1) provide a literature-based assessment of the current status and trends regarding the 
129.29 	quality and quantity of all Minnesota waters, both surface and subsurface;
129.30 	(2) identify gaps in the data or understanding and provide recommended action steps to 
129.31 	address gaps;
130.1 	(3) identify existing and potential future threats to Minnesota's waters; and
130.2 	(4) propose a road map of scenarios and policy recommendations to allow the state to 
130.3 	proactively protect, remediate, and conserve clean water for human use and biodiversity 
130.4 	for the next 50 years.
130.5 	(b) The scope of work must outline the steps and resources necessary to develop the 
130.6 	plan, including but not limited to:
130.7 	(1) the data sets that are required and how the University of Minnesota will obtain access;
130.8 	(2) the suite of proposed analysis methods;
130.9 	(3) the roles and responsibilities of project leaders, key personnel, and stakeholders;
130.10 	(4) the project timeline with milestones; and
130.11 	(5) a budget with expected costs for tasks and milestones.
130.12 	(c) By December 1, 2023, the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota is 
130.13 	requested to submit the scope of work to the chairs and ranking minority members of the 
130.14 	house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over 
130.15 	environment and natural resources.

130.16 	Sec. 65. REPORT REQUIRED; RECYCLING AND REUSING SOLAR 
130.17 	PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES AND INSTALLATION COMPONENTS.
 130.18 	(a) The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, in consultation with the 
130.19 	commissioners of commerce and employment and economic development, must coordinate 
130.20 	preparation of a report on developing a statewide system to reuse and recycle solar 
130.21 	photovoltaic modules and installation components in the state.
130.22 	(b) The report must include options for a system to collect, reuse, and recycle solar 
130.23 	photovoltaic modules and installation components at end of life. Any system option included 
130.24 	in the report must be convenient and accessible throughout the state, recover 100 percent 
130.25 	of discarded components, and maximize value and materials recovery. Any system option 
130.26 	developed must include analysis of:
130.27 	(1) the reuse and recycling values of solar photovoltaic modules, installation components, 
130.28 	and recovered materials;
130.29 	(2) system infrastructure and technology needs;
130.30 	(3) how to maximize in-state employment and economic development;
130.31 	(4) net costs for the program; and
131.1 	(5) potential benefits and negative impacts of the plan on environmental justice and 
131.2 	Tribal communities.
131.3 	(c) The report must include a survey of solar photovoltaic modules and installation 
131.4 	components that are currently coming out of service and those projected to come out of 
131.5 	service in the future in Minnesota. The report must include a description of how solar 
131.6 	photovoltaic modules and installation components are currently being managed at end of 
131.7 	life and how they would likely be managed in the future without the proposed reuse and 
131.8 	recycling system.
131.9 	(d) After completing the report, the commissioner must convene a working group to 
131.10 	advise on developing policy recommendations for a statewide system to manage solar 
131.11 	photovoltaic modules and installation components. The working group must include but is 
131.12 	not limited to:
131.13 	(1) the commissioners of commerce and employment and economic development or 
131.14 	their designees;
131.15 	(2) representatives of the solar industry and electric utilities;
131.16 	(3) representatives of state, local, and Tribal governments; and
131.17 	(4) other relevant stakeholders.
131.18 	(e) By January 15, 2025, the commissioner must submit the report and the policy 
131.19 	recommendations developed under this section to the chairs and ranking minority members 
131.20 	of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural 
131.21 	resources policy and finance and energy policy and finance.

131.22 	Sec. 66. STATUTORY AND RULE REVISIONS TO PREVENT FISH KILLS IN 
131.23 	DRIFTLESS AREA.
 131.24 	By January 15, 2024, the commissioners of agriculture, health, and natural resources 
131.25 	and the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency must make recommendations to the 
131.26 	legislature for statutes and rules that should be amended to prevent fish kills within the 
131.27 	boundaries of the Department of Natural Resources Paleozoic Plateau ecological section.

131.28 	Sec. 67. TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FOR TERMINALS AND OIL REFINERIES.
 131.29 		Subdivision 1.Temporary exemption. Minnesota Statutes, section 325F.072, subdivision 
131.30 	3, does not apply to the manufacture, sale, distribution, or use of class B firefighting foam 
131.31 	for the purposes of use at a terminal or oil refinery until January 1, 2026.
132.1 		Subd. 2.Extension; waiver. (a) A person who operates a terminal or oil refinery may 
132.2 	apply to the state fire marshal for a waiver to extend the exemption under subdivision 1 
132.3 	beyond January 1, 2026, as provided in this subdivision.
132.4 	(b) The state fire marshal may grant a waiver to extend the exemption under subdivision 
132.5 	1 for a specific use if the applicant provides all of the following:
132.6 	(1) clear and convincing evidence that there is no commercially available replacement 
132.7 	that does not contain intentionally added PFAS chemicals and that is capable of suppressing 
132.8 	fire for that specific use;
132.9 	(2) information on the amount of firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS 
132.10 	chemicals stored, used, or released on-site on an annual basis;
132.11 	(3) a detailed plan, with timelines, for the operator of the terminal or oil refinery to 
132.12 	transition to firefighting foam that does not contain intentionally added PFAS chemicals 
132.13 	for that specific use; and
132.14 	(4) a plan for meeting the requirements under subdivision 3.
132.15 	(c) The state fire marshal must ensure there is an opportunity for public comment during 
132.16 	the waiver process. The state fire marshal must consider both information provided by the 
132.17 	applicant and information provided through public comment when making a decision on 
132.18 	whether to grant a waiver. The term of a waiver must not exceed two years. The state fire 
132.19 	marshal must not grant a waiver for a specific use if any other terminal or oil refinery is 
132.20 	known to have transitioned to commercially available class B firefighting foam that does 
132.21 	not contain intentionally added PFAS chemicals for that specific use. All waivers must 
132.22 	expire by January 1, 2028. A person that anticipates applying for a waiver for a terminal or 
132.23 	oil refinery must submit a notice of intent to the state fire marshal by January 1, 2025, in 
132.24 	order to be considered for a waiver beyond January 1, 2026. The state fire marshal must 
132.25 	notify the waiver applicant of a decision within six months of the waiver submission date.
132.26 	(d) The state fire marshal must provide an applicant for a waiver under this subdivision 
132.27 	an opportunity to:
132.28 	(1) correct deficiencies when applying for a waiver; and
132.29 	(2) provide evidence to dispute a determination that another terminal or oil refinery is 
132.30 	known to have transitioned to commercially available class B firefighting foam that does 
132.31 	not contain intentionally added PFAS chemicals for that specific use, including evidence 
132.32 	that the specific use is different.
133.1 		Subd. 3.Use requirements. (a) A person that uses class B firefighting foam containing 
133.2 	intentionally added PFAS chemicals under this section must:
133.3 	(1) implement tactics that have been demonstrated to prevent release directly to the 
133.4 	environment, such as to unsealed ground, soakage pits, waterways, or uncontrolled drains;
133.5 	(2) attempt to fully contain all firefighting foams with PFAS on-site using demonstrated 
133.6 	practices designed to contain all PFAS releases;
133.7 	(3) implement containment measures such as bunds and ponds that are controlled, are 
133.8 	impervious to PFAS chemicals, and do not allow fire water, wastewater, runoff, and other 
133.9 	wastes to be released to the environment, such as to soils, groundwater, waterways, or 
133.10 	stormwater; and
133.11 	(4) dispose of all fire water, wastewater, runoff, impacted soils, and other wastes in a 
133.12 	way that prevents releases to the environment.
133.13 	(b) A terminal or oil refinery that has received a waiver under this section may provide 
133.14 	and use class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals in the 
133.15 	form of mutual aid to another terminal or oil refinery at the request of authorities only if 
133.16 	the other terminal or oil refinery also has a waiver.

133.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

133.18 	Sec. 68. TRANSFER OF DUTIES; FARMED WHITE-TAILED DEER.
 133.19 	(a) Responsibility for administering and enforcing the statutes and rules listed in clauses 
133.20 	(1) and (2) for farmed white-tailed deer are, except as provided in paragraph (c), transferred 
133.21 	pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, from the Board of Animal Health to the 
133.22 	commissioner of natural resources:
133.23 	(1) Minnesota Statutes, sections 35.153 to 35.156; and
133.24 	(2) Minnesota Rules, parts 1721.0370 to 1721.0420.
133.25 	(b) The Board of Animal Health retains responsibility for administering and enforcing 
133.26 	the statutes and rules listed in paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2), for all other farmed Cervidae.
133.27 	(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, subdivision 7, the transfer of 
133.28 	personnel will not take place. The commissioner of natural resources may contract with the 
133.29 	Board of Animal Health for any veterinary services required to administer this program.

133.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

134.1 	Sec. 69. TURTLE SELLER'S LICENSES; TRANSFER AND RENEWAL.
 134.2 	The commissioner of natural resources must not renew or transfer a turtle seller's license 
134.3 	after the effective date of this section.

134.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

134.5 	Sec. 70. UPPER SIOUX AGENCY STATE PARK; LAND TRANSFER.
 134.6 	(a) The commissioner of natural resources must convey for no consideration all 
134.7 	state-owned land within the boundaries of Upper Sioux Agency State Park to the Upper 
134.8 	Sioux Community. By September 15, 2023, the commissioner must identify all state-owned 
134.9 	land within Upper Sioux Agency State Park and any funding restrictions or other legal 
134.10 	barriers to conveying the land. Lands without restrictions or barriers to being conveyed 
134.11 	must be conveyed to the Upper Sioux Community by December 1, 2023.
134.12 	(b) By December 15, 2023, the commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and 
134.13 	ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment 
134.14 	and natural resources that identifies all barriers to conveying land within Upper Sioux 
134.15 	Agency State Park and recommendations for addressing those barriers, including any 
134.16 	legislation needed to eliminate those barriers.

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

134.18 	Sec. 71. WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA WATER-USE STAKEHOLDER GROUP.
 134.19 	The commissioner of natural resources must convene a group of stakeholders to advise 
134.20 	the commissioner and the legislature on options for ensuring communities in the White Bear 
134.21 	Lake area have access to sufficient safe drinking water to allow for municipal growth while 
134.22 	simultaneously ensuring the sustainability of surface water and groundwater sources to 
134.23 	supply the needs of future generations. By March 1, 2024, the commissioner must report 
134.24 	any recommendations of the stakeholder group to the chairs and ranking minority members 
134.25 	of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over 
134.26 	environment and natural resources.

134.27 	Sec. 72. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 134.28 	The revisor of statutes must recodify the relevant sections in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
134.29 	35, and Minnesota Rules, chapter 1721, as necessary to conform with section 68. The revisor 
134.30 	must also change the responsible agency, remove obsolete language, and make necessary 
134.31 	cross-reference changes consistent with section 68 and the renumbering.

135.1 	Sec. 73. REPEALER.
 135.2 	(a) Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 103C.501, subdivisions 2 and 3; 115.44, subdivision 
135.3 	9; 116.011; 325E.389; and 325E.3891, are repealed.
135.4 	(b) Minnesota Rules, parts 8400.0500; 8400.0550; 8400.0600, subparts 4 and 5; 
135.5 	8400.0900, subparts 1, 2, 4, and 5; 8400.1650; 8400.1700; 8400.1750; 8400.1800; and 
135.6 	8400.1900, are repealed.
135.7 	(c) Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 35.155, subdivision 14; 86B.101; 86B.305; and 
135.8 	86B.313, subdivisions 2 and 3, are repealed.
135.9 	(d) Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.605, subdivisions 2, 2a, 2b, and 5, are repealed.
135.10 	(e) Minnesota Rules, part 6256.0500, subparts 2, 2a, 2b, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, are repealed.

135.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. Paragraph (c) is effective July 1, 2025. Paragraphs (d) and (e) 
135.12 	are effective January 1, 2024.

135.13 	ARTICLE 5
135.14 	STATE LANDS

135.15 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.66, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
135.16 		Subd. 7.Landowner responsibilities. The commissioner may enroll eligible land in 
135.17 	the program by signing an easement in recordable form with a landowner in which the 
135.18 	landowner agrees to:
135.19 	(1) convey to the state a permanent easement that is not subject to any prior title, lien, 
135.20 	or encumbrance, except for preexisting easements that are acceptable to the commissioner; 
135.21 	and
135.22 	(2) manage the land in a manner consistent with the purposes for which the land was 
135.23 	selected for the program and not convert the land to other uses.

135.24 	Sec. 2. Laws 2023, chapter 9, section 19, is amended to read:
135.25 	Sec. 19. LAND EXCHANGE; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 135.26 		Subdivision 1.Authority. (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.461, and 
135.27 	the riparian restrictions in Minnesota Statutes, section 94.342, subdivision 3, St. Louis 
135.28 	County may, with the approval of the Land Exchange Board as required under the Minnesota 
135.29 	Constitution, article XI, section 10, and according to the remaining provisions of Minnesota 
135.30 	Statutes, sections 94.342 to 94.347, exchange the land described in paragraph (c).
136.1 	(b) The conveyance must be in the form approved by the attorney general. The attorney 
136.2 	general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure 
136.3 	accuracy.
136.4 	(c) The lands that may be conveyed are located in St. Louis County and are described 
136.5 	as:
136.6 	(1) Sections 1 and 2, Township 53 North, Range 18 West;
136.7 	(2) Sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31, and 32, Township 54 North, Range 17 West;
136.8 	(3) Sections 24, 25, 26, and 35, Township 54 North, Range 18 West;
136.9 	(4) Sections 22, 23, 26, and 27, Township 54 North, Range 19 West; and
136.10 	(5) Sections 8, 9, 17, and 18, Township 55 North, Range 18 West.
136.11 		Subd. 2.Exchange for greater than substantially equal value. Notwithstanding 
136.12 	Minnesota Statutes, section 94.344, subdivisions 3 and 5, or any other law to the contrary, 
136.13 	the county may require the exchange partner to exchange lands or a combination of lands 
136.14 	and money valued in the amount of at least 125 percent of the state land referenced in 
136.15 	subdivision 1, paragraph (c), in determining whether the proposal is in the best interests of 
136.16 	the state.

136.17 	Sec. 3. ADDITIONS TO STATE PARKS.
 136.18 		Subdivision 1.[85.012] [Subd. 21.] Frontenac State Park, Goodhue County. The 
136.19 	following area is added to Frontenac State Park, Goodhue County:
136.20 	That part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 10, Township 112 North, Range 13 West, 
136.21 	and that part of the Southwest Quarter of Section 11, Township 112 North, Range 13 
136.22 	West, Goodhue County, Minnesota, described as follows: Commencing at the northeast 
136.23 	corner of the Southeast Quarter of said Section 10; thence southerly on an assumed 
136.24 	azimuth from North of 189 degrees 34 minutes 33 seconds, along the east line of the 
136.25 	Southeast Quarter of said Section 10, a distance of 1,100.31 feet; thence westerly 269 
136.26 	degrees 34 minutes 33 seconds azimuth, a distance of 80.53 feet to the point of beginning 
136.27 	of the land to be described; thence northerly 340 degrees 42 minutes 19 seconds azimuth, 
136.28 	a distance of 300.00 feet; thence easterly 100 degrees 22 minutes 46 seconds azimuth, 
136.29 	a distance of 286.97 feet to the centerline of County Road Number 2, as now located 
136.30 	and established; thence southerly and southwesterly, along said centerline, to the 
136.31 	intersection with a line drawn southerly 160 degrees 42 minutes 19 seconds azimuth 
137.1 	from the point of beginning; thence northerly 340 degrees 42 minutes 19 seconds azimuth, 
137.2 	a distance of 51.66 feet to the point of beginning.
137.3 	EXCEPT the following described premises:
137.4 	Part of the Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 10, Township 112 
137.5 	North, Range 13 West, Goodhue County, shown as Parcel 6 on the plat designated as 
137.6 	Goodhue County Right-of-Way Plat No. 23 on file and of record in the Office of the 
137.7 	County Recorder in and for Goodhue County, Minnesota.
137.8 	ALSO EXCEPT the following:
137.9 	Part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 11, Township 112 
137.10 	North, Range 13 West, Goodhue County, shown as Parcel 1 on the plat designated as 
137.11 	Goodhue County Highway Right-Of-Way Plat No. 24 on file and of record in the Office 
137.12 	of the County Recorder in and for Goodhue County, Minnesota.
137.13 		Subd. 2.[85.012] [Subd. 60.] William O'Brien State Park, Washington County. The 
137.14 	following area is added to William O'Brien State Park, Washington County:
137.15 	The South Half of the Northwest Quarter, except the East 2 rods thereof, Section 25, 
137.16 	Township 32, Range 20.

137.17 	Sec. 4. ADDITION TO STATE FOREST.
 137.18 	[89.021] [Subd. 42a.] Riverlands State Forest. Those parts of St. Louis County 
137.19 	described as follows are added to Riverlands State Forest:
137.20 	That part of Government Lot 8, Section 30, Township 51 North, Range 19, St. Louis 
137.21 	County, Minnesota, lying northwesterly of the railroad right-of-way.

137.22 	Sec. 5. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC 
137.23 	WATER; AITKIN COUNTY.
 137.24 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the 
137.25 	commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land bordering public 
137.26 	water that is described in paragraph (c).
137.27 	(b) The commissioner may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct 
137.28 	errors and ensure accuracy.
137.29 	(c) The land that may be sold is located in Aitkin County and is described as:
138.1 	The West 16.25 feet of that part of the 32.50-foot-wide road, as delineated on the Plat 
138.2 	of Sugar Lake Addition, according to the plat of record and on file in the Office of the 
138.3 	County Recorder in and for Aitkin County, Minnesota lying northerly of the following 
138.4 	described line: Commencing at the iron monument at the southwest corner of Section 
138.5 	2, Township 45, Range 25, said Aitkin County, Minnesota; thence North 0 degrees 00 
138.6 	minutes 23 seconds West, assumed bearing, 2,020.36 feet along the west line of said 
138.7 	Section 2 to the point of beginning of the line to be described; thence North 89 degrees 
138.8 	59 minutes 37 seconds East 32.50 feet to the west line of Lot 1 said Sugar Lake Addition 
138.9 	and said line there terminating.
138.10 	(d) The land borders Sugar Lake. The Department of Natural Resources has determined 
138.11 	that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes and that the state's land management 
138.12 	interests would best be served if the land was returned to private ownership.

138.13 	Sec. 6. PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC 
138.14 	WATER; BECKER COUNTY.
 138.15 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the 
138.16 	commissioner of natural resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public 
138.17 	water that is described in paragraph (c).
138.18 	(b) The commissioner may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct 
138.19 	errors and ensure accuracy.
138.20 	(c) The land that may be sold is located in Becker County and is described as:
138.21 	All that part of Government Lot 2, Section 12, Township 139 North, Range 40 West of 
138.22 	the 5th P.M., bounded by the water's edge of Cotton Lake and the following described 
138.23 	lines: Commencing at the North quarter corner of said Section 12, from which the 
138.24 	northwest corner of said section bears North 90 degrees 00 minutes West; thence South 
138.25 	00 degrees 00 minutes East, 325.0 feet; thence North 90 degrees 00 minutes East, 72.0 
138.26 	feet to the point of beginning and the centerline of County State-Aid Highway No. 29; 
138.27 	thence South 25 degrees 52 minutes East, 222.27 feet along the centerline of said 
138.28 	highway; thence North 90 degrees 00 minutes West, 284.0 feet, more or less, to the 
138.29 	water's edge of Cotton Lake and there terminating; and from the point of beginning, 
138.30 	North 90 degrees 00 minutes West, 249.1 feet, more or less, to the water's edge of Cotton 
138.31 	Lake and there terminating.
138.32 	(d) The land borders Cotton Lake and is not contiguous to other state lands. The 
138.33 	Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural 
139.1 	resource purposes and that the state's land management interests would best be served if 
139.2 	the land was returned to private ownership.

139.3 	Sec. 7. PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC 
139.4 	WATER; BECKER COUNTY.
 139.5 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the 
139.6 	commissioner of natural resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public 
139.7 	water that is described in paragraph (c).
139.8 	(b) The commissioner may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct 
139.9 	errors and ensure accuracy.
139.10 	(c) The land that may be sold is located in Becker County and is described as:
139.11 	Lot 1, Pearl Hill, according to the certified plat on file and of record in the Office of the 
139.12 	Register of Deeds in and for Becker County, Minnesota, and being a part of Government 
139.13 	Lots 2 and 3, Section 13, Township 138 North, Range 42 West.
139.14 	(d) The land borders Pearl Lake and is not contiguous to other state lands. The Department 
139.15 	of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes 
139.16 	and that the state's land management interests would best be served if the land was returned 
139.17 	to private ownership.

139.18 	Sec. 8. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; 
139.19 	CROW WING COUNTY.
 139.20 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the 
139.21 	commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land that is described 
139.22 	in paragraph (c).
139.23 	(b) The commissioner may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct 
139.24 	errors and ensure accuracy.
139.25 	(c) The land that may be conveyed is located in Crow Wing County and is described as:
139.26 	That part of Government Lot 2, Section 11, Township 44, Range 28, Crow Wing County, 
139.27 	Minnesota, described as follows: Commencing at the southeast corner of said Government 
139.28 	Lot 2; thence South 89 degrees 08 minutes 05 seconds West, assumed bearing along the 
139.29 	south line of said Government Lot 2 a distance of 203.73 feet to the westerly right-of-way 
139.30 	of State Highway No. 18; thence North 24 degrees 13 minutes 27 seconds West, along 
139.31 	said westerly right-of-way 692.40 feet, to the point of beginning; thence continuing 
140.1 	North 24 degrees 13 minutes 27 seconds West along said westerly right-of-way 70.31 
140.2 	feet; thence North 89 degrees 25 minutes 27 seconds West 90.00 feet; thence South 11 
140.3 	degrees 16 minutes 29 seconds East 87.00 feet; thence North 78 degrees 43 minutes 31 
140.4 	seconds East 103.84 feet to the point of beginning. Said parcel contains 0.17 acres of 
140.5 	land, more or less, and is subject to existing easements of record.
140.6 	(d) The tax parcel from which the land will be split borders Borden Lake, but the land 
140.7 	to be sold does not border Borden Lake. The Department of Natural Resources has 
140.8 	determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes and that the state's land 
140.9 	management interests would best be served if the land were returned to private ownership.

140.10 	Sec. 9. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND; ITASCA COUNTY.
 140.11 	(a) Notwithstanding the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or 
140.12 	other law to the contrary, Itasca County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited land 
140.13 	described in paragraph (c).
140.14 	(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney 
140.15 	general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
140.16 	(c) The land to be sold is located in Itasca County and is described as: the Northwest 
140.17 	Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, Section 25, Township 56, Range 25 (parcel identification 
140.18 	number 02-025-4200).
140.19 	(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best 
140.20 	be served if the lands were returned to private ownership.

140.21 	Sec. 10. PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING 
140.22 	PUBLIC WATER; KANDIYOHI COUNTY.
 140.23 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the 
140.24 	commissioner of natural resources may sell by public or private sale the surplus land that 
140.25 	is described in paragraph (c), subject to the state's reservation of a perpetual flowage 
140.26 	easement.
140.27 	(b) The commissioner may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct 
140.28 	errors and ensure accuracy.
140.29 	(c) The land that may be sold is located in Kandiyohi County and is described as:
141.1 	Lots 18 and 19 of First Addition to Walleye Beach, according to the plat thereof on file 
141.2 	and of record in the Office of the Register of Deeds in and for Kandiyohi County, 
141.3 	Minnesota.
141.4 	(d) The land borders Florida Lake and is not contiguous to other state lands. The 
141.5 	Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural 
141.6 	resource purposes and that the state's land management interests would best be served if 
141.7 	the land was returned to private ownership.

141.8 	Sec. 11. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LANDS; KOOCHICHING 
141.9 	COUNTY.
 141.10 	(a) Notwithstanding the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or 
141.11 	any other law to the contrary, Koochiching County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited 
141.12 	lands described in paragraph (c).
141.13 	(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney 
141.14 	general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
141.15 	(c) The land to be sold is located in Koochiching County and is described as:
141.16 	That part of Lot 53, Plat of Riverview Acres, according to the recorded plat thereof on 
141.17 	file in the Office of the County Recorder, Koochiching County, Minnesota, lying 
141.18 	northwesterly of the following described line: Commencing at the northwest corner of 
141.19 	said Lot 53; thence South 89 degrees 59 minutes 47 seconds East 31.00 feet along the 
141.20 	north line of said Lot 53 to the point of beginning of the line to be described; thence 
141.21 	South 67 degrees 10 minutes 42 seconds West 33.51 feet to the west line of said Lot 53 
141.22 	and there terminating. Said parcel contains 200 square feet, more or less.
141.23 	(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best 
141.24 	be served if the lands were returned to private ownership.

141.25 	Sec. 12. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LANDS; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 141.26 	(a) Notwithstanding the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or 
141.27 	other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited land 
141.28 	described in paragraph (c).
141.29 	(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney 
141.30 	general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
141.31 	(c) The land to be sold is located in St. Louis County and is described as:
142.1 	Lot 6, Block 12, Chambers First Division of Duluth (parcel number 010-0460-00660).
142.2 	(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best 
142.3 	be served if the land was returned to private ownership to resolve a structure encroachment.

142.4 	Sec. 13. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LANDS; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 142.5 	(a) Notwithstanding the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or 
142.6 	other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited land 
142.7 	described in paragraph (c).
142.8 	(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney 
142.9 	general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
142.10 	(c) The land to be sold is located in St. Louis County and is described as:
142.11 	The West 3 feet of the North 20 feet of Lot 87, Block 75, Duluth Proper Third Division 
142.12 	(parcel number 010-1310-01945).
142.13 	(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best 
142.14 	be served if the land was returned to private ownership to resolve a structure encroachment.

142.15 	Sec. 14. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LANDS; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 142.16 	(a) Notwithstanding the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or 
142.17 	other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited land 
142.18 	described in paragraph (c).
142.19 	(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney 
142.20 	general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
142.21 	(c) The land to be sold is located in St. Louis County and is described as:
142.22 	Lot 90, except the North 100 feet and except the East Half of the South 50 feet of Lot 
142.23 	90 and except the West 6 feet of the South 50 feet of the West Half of Lot 90, Block 75, 
142.24 	Duluth Proper Third Division (parcel number 010-1310-02125).
142.25 	(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best 
142.26 	be served if the land was returned to private ownership to resolve a structure encroachment.

142.27 	Sec. 15. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LANDS; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 142.28 	(a) Notwithstanding the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or 
142.29 	other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited land 
142.30 	described in paragraph (c).
143.1 	(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney 
143.2 	general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
143.3 	(c) The land to be sold is located in St. Louis County and is described as:
143.4 	Block 11, Endion Park Division of Duluth (parcel number 010-1490-00860).
143.5 	(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best 
143.6 	be served if the land was returned to private ownership to resolve a structure encroachment.

143.7 	Sec. 16. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LANDS; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 143.8 	(a) Notwithstanding the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or 
143.9 	other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited lands 
143.10 	described in paragraph (c).
143.11 	(b) The conveyances must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney 
143.12 	general may make changes to the land descriptions to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
143.13 	(c) The lands to be sold are located in St. Louis County and are described as:
143.14 	(1) Lots 52, 54, and 56, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street Duluth (parcel number 
143.15 	010-1620-01260);
143.16 	(2) Lots 58 and 60, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street Duluth (parcel number 010-1620-01290);
143.17 	(3) Lots 21 thru 39, odd numbers, and Lot 41 except the North 52 feet, and except the 
143.18 	North 52 feet of Lots 43, 45, and 47, and Lots 49 and 51 except that part lying North of a 
143.19 	line drawn from a point on the westerly line of Lot 49 and 52 feet South of the northwest 
143.20 	corner to a point on the easterly line of Lot 51 38.1 feet South of the northeast corner, and 
143.21 	all of Lots 53, 55, 57, and 59, and except that part of Lots 21 thru 39, odd numbered lots, 
143.22 	lying 20 feet northerly and 20 feet southerly of a line beginning at a point on the west line 
143.23 	of Lot 21 13.56 feet South of the northwest corner of Lot 21; thence to a point 54.83 feet 
143.24 	South of the northeast corner along the east line of Lot 39, and except the southerly 46 feet 
143.25 	of the northerly 98 feet of Lots 41, 43, and 45, and except that part of Lots 47 thru 57, odd 
143.26 	numbered lots, described as beginning at a point on the west line of Lot 47 52 feet South 
143.27 	of the northwest corner of Lot 47; thence easterly 40 feet to a point on the east line of Lot 
143.28 	47 52 feet South of the northeast corner of Lot 47; thence northeasterly 81.22 feet to a point 
143.29 	on the east line of Lot 51 38.1 feet South of the northeast corner of Lot 51; thence North 
143.30 	17.3 feet to a point on the east line of Lot 51 20.8 feet South of the northeast corner of Lot 
143.31 	51; thence northeasterly 82.68 feet to the northwest corner of Lot 57; thence East 40 feet 
143.32 	to the northeast corner of Lot 57; thence South 64.1 feet along the east line of Lot 57; thence 
144.1 	southwesterly 242.22 feet to a point on the west line of Lot 47 98 feet South of the northwest 
144.2 	corner of Lot 47; thence North 46 feet along the west line of Lot 47 to the point of beginning, 
144.3 	and except Lot 59, and except that part of Lots 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, and 39 lying 
144.4 	southerly of a line run parallel with and distant 20 feet southerly of the following described 
144.5 	line: beginning at a point on the west line of Lot 21, distant 13.56 feet South of the northwest 
144.6 	corner thereof; thence southeasterly to a point on the east line of said Lot 39, distant 54.83 
144.7 	feet South of the northeast corner thereof and there terminating, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street 
144.8 	Duluth (parcel number 010-1620-00290); and
144.9 	(4) that part of Lots 21 thru 39, odd numbered lots, lying 20 feet northerly and 20 feet 
144.10 	southerly of a line beginning at a point on the west line of Lot 21 13.56 feet South of the 
144.11 	northwest corner of Lot 21; thence to a point 54.83 feet South of the northeast corner along 
144.12 	the east line of Lot 39 and the southerly 46 feet of the northerly 98 feet of Lots 41, 43, and 
144.13 	45, and that part of Lots 47 thru 57, odd numbered lots, described as beginning at a point 
144.14 	on the west line of Lot 47 52 feet South of the northwest corner of Lot 47; thence easterly 
144.15 	40 feet to a point on the east line of Lot 47 52 feet South of the northeast corner of Lot 47; 
144.16 	thence northeasterly 81.22 feet to a point on the east line of Lot 51 38.1 feet South of the 
144.17 	northeast corner of Lot 51; thence North 17.3 feet to a point on the east line of Lot 51 20.8 
144.18 	feet South of the northeast corner of Lot 51; thence northeasterly 82.68 feet to the northwest 
144.19 	corner of Lot 57; thence East 40 feet to the northeast corner of Lot 57; thence South 64.1 
144.20 	feet along the east line of Lot 57; thence southwesterly 242.22 feet to a point on the west 
144.21 	line of Lot 47 98 feet South of the northwest corner of Lot 47; thence North 46 feet along 
144.22 	the west line of Lot 47 to the point of beginning, and Lot 59, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street 
144.23 	Duluth (parcel number 010-1620-00291).
144.24 	(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best 
144.25 	be served if the lands were returned to private ownership for the Mission Creek Cemetery.

144.26 	Sec. 17. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LANDS; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 144.27 	(a) Notwithstanding the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or 
144.28 	other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited lands 
144.29 	described in paragraph (c).
144.30 	(b) The conveyances must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney 
144.31 	general may make changes to the land descriptions to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
144.32 	(c) The lands to be sold are located in St. Louis County and are described as:
144.33 	(1) Lot 28, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street Duluth (part of parcel number 010-1620-01140);
145.1 	(2) Lot 30, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street Duluth (part of parcel number 010-1620-01150);
145.2 	(3) Lot 32, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street Duluth (part of parcel number 010-1620-01160);
145.3 	(4) Lot 34, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street Duluth (part of parcel number 010-1620-01170);
145.4 	(5) Lot 36, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street Duluth (part of parcel number 010-1620-01180);
145.5 	(6) Lot 38, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street Duluth (part of parcel number 010-1620-01190);
145.6 	(7) Lots 40 thru 48, even numbered lots, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street Duluth (part of 
145.7 	parcel number 010-1620-01200); and
145.8 	(8) Lot 50, Fond Du Lac Fourth Street Duluth (part of parcel number 010-1620-01250).
145.9 	(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best 
145.10 	be served if the lands were returned to private ownership for the Mission Creek Cemetery.

145.11 	Sec. 18. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LANDS; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 145.12 	(a) Notwithstanding the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or 
145.13 	other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited land 
145.14 	described in paragraph (c).
145.15 	(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney 
145.16 	general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
145.17 	(c) The land to be sold is located in St. Louis County and is described as:
145.18 	The South Half of Section 31, Township 50, Range 20, Town of Fine Lakes (part of 
145.19 	parcel number 355-0010-04960).
145.20 	(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best 
145.21 	be served if the land was returned to private ownership to resolve a structure encroachment.

145.22 	Sec. 19. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; 
145.23 	SHERBURNE COUNTY.
 145.24 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the 
145.25 	commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land bordering public 
145.26 	water that is described in paragraph (c) for less than market value.
145.27 	(b) The commissioner may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct 
145.28 	errors and ensure accuracy.
145.29 	(c) The land that may be conveyed is located in Sherburne County and is described as:
146.1 	That part of Government Lot 6, Section 31, Township 34 North, Range 27 West, 
146.2 	Sherburne County, Minnesota, described as follows: Commencing at the most northerly 
146.3 	corner of Outlot A, Eagle Lake Estates, according to the plat thereof on file and of record 
146.4 	in the Office of the County Recorder in and for Sherburne County, Minnesota, being an 
146.5 	existing iron monument with an aluminum cap stamped "Judicial Landmark 16095" 
146.6 	(JLM); thence southwesterly 146.20 feet along the easterly line of said Outlot A on a 
146.7 	curve concave to the southeast, having a central angle of 14 degrees 41 minutes 15 
146.8 	seconds, radius of 570.32 feet, and a chord bearing of South 29 degrees 12 minutes 20 
146.9 	seconds West, to a JLM; thence South 21 degrees 51 minutes 43 seconds West, along 
146.10 	said easterly line, 196.53 feet to the point of beginning; thence continuing South 21 
146.11 	degrees 51 minutes 43 seconds West, along said easterly line, 35.00 feet to a JLM; thence 
146.12 	South 89 degrees 38 minutes 17 seconds East, along the northerly line of said Outlot A, 
146.13 	87 feet, more or less, to the water's edge of Eagle Lake; thence northerly along said 
146.14 	water's edge, 45 feet, more or less, to a line bearing North 80 degrees 55 minutes 20 
146.15 	seconds East from the point of beginning; thence South 80 degrees 55 minutes 20 seconds 
146.16 	West 70 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning.
146.17 	(d) The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for 
146.18 	natural resource purposes and that the state's land management interests would best be 
146.19 	served if the land were returned to private ownership.

146.20 	Sec. 20. LEASE; TAX-FORFEITED LAND; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 146.21 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 282.04, or other law to the contrary, 
146.22 	St. Louis County may lease the tax-forfeited lands described in paragraph (b) for 
146.23 	consideration of more than $50,000 per year and for a period exceeding 25 years to support 
146.24 	new capital investment to support business expansion in the port.
146.25 	(b) The lands to be leased are located in St. Louis County and are described as:
146.26 	(1) that part of Out Lot Q described as follows: Commencing at the intersection of the 
146.27 	extended center line of 50th Avenue West the United States government dock line as now 
146.28 	established running thence North along said extended center line of 50th Avenue West a 
146.29 	distance of 1261 feet; thence southerly parallel with the southwesterly line of Lesure Street 
146.30 	to intersection with the said dock line; thence westerly along said dock line to place of 
146.31 	beginning (parcel number: 010-0130-00310) except public waters; and
146.32 	(2) that part of Out Lots Q and R as follows: Commencing at the intersection of extended 
146.33 	center line of 50th Avenue West and the United States government dock line running thence 
146.34 	North along said extended center line of 50th Avenue West 1261 feet to the place of 
147.1 	beginning; thence southerly parallel with the southwest line of Lesure Street to intersection 
147.2 	with said dock line; thence easterly along said dock line to a point 550 feet southwesterly 
147.3 	from said southwesterly line of Lesure Street measured at right angles thereto; thence 
147.4 	northwesterly parallel with said southwestern line of Lesure Street to said extended center 
147.5 	line of said 50th Avenue West thence southerly along center line to place of beginning, 
147.6 	excluding the railroad right-of-way (parcel number: 010-0130-00320) except public waters.

147.7 	Sec. 21. EXCHANGE OF STATE LAND; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 147.8 		Subdivision 1.Authority. (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.461, and 
147.9 	the riparian restrictions in Minnesota Statutes, section 94.342, subdivision 3, the 
147.10 	commissioner of natural resources may, with the approval of the Land Exchange Board, as 
147.11 	required under the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 10, and according to the 
147.12 	remaining provisions of Minnesota Statutes, sections 94.342 to 94.347, exchange the land 
147.13 	described in paragraph (c).
147.14 	(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the commissioner. The commissioner 
147.15 	may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
147.16 	(c) The state lands that may be conveyed are located in St. Louis County and are described 
147.17 	as:
147.18 	(1) Section 6, Township 53 North, Range 17 West;
147.19 	(2) the Northeast Quarter of Section 29, Township 54 North, Range 17 West;
147.20 	(3) the South Half of Section 30, Township 54 North, Range 17 West;
147.21 	(4) the Northwest Quarter of Section 31, Township 54 North, Range 17 West; and
147.22 	(5) Section 36, Township 54 North, Range 18 West.
147.23 	(d) The state land administered by the commissioner of natural resources borders Jenkins 
147.24 	Creek in portions of Sections 30 and 31 of Township 54 North, Range 17 West and includes 
147.25 	approximately 210 feet of water frontage on Nichols Lake on Lot 7 of Section 6, Township 
147.26 	53 North, Range 17 West. The private land to be exchanged is forest land. While the 
147.27 	exchange proposal does not provide at least equal opportunity for access to waters by the 
147.28 	public, the land to be acquired by the commissioner in the exchange will increase the total 
147.29 	riparian frontage of future state-administered lands and improve access to adjacent state 
147.30 	forest lands.
147.31 		Subd. 2.Exchange for greater than substantially equal value. (a) Notwithstanding 
147.32 	Minnesota Statutes, section 94.343, subdivisions 3 and 5, or any other law to the contrary, 
148.1 	the commissioner shall require the exchange partner to exchange lands or a combination of 
148.2 	lands and money valued in the amount of at least 125 percent of the state land referenced 
148.3 	in subdivision 1, paragraph (c), in determining whether the proposal is in the best interests 
148.4 	of the school trust.
148.5 	(b) Any money received under this subdivision shall be deposited in the permanent 
148.6 	school fund pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.32.

148.7 	Sec. 22. PRIVATE SALE OF LAND; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
 148.8 	(a) Notwithstanding the public sale and competitive bidding provisions of Minnesota 
148.9 	Statutes, chapter 373, or other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may sell by private sale 
148.10 	the fee owned lands described in paragraph (b).
148.11 	(b) The lands to be sold are located in St. Louis County and are described as:
148.12 	(1) the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 26, Township 54 North, 
148.13 	Range 18 West of the 4th Principal Meridian; and
148.14 	(2) the Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 25, Township 54 North, 
148.15 	Range 18 West of the 4th Principal Meridian.
148.16 	(c) St. Louis County has determined that county interests are best served by sale of these 
148.17 	parcels.

148.18 	Sec. 23. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 148.19 	This article is effective the day following final enactment.

148.20 	ARTICLE 6
148.21 	STRENGTHEN MINNESOTA HOMES

148.22 	Section 1. [65A.298] HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE; FORTIFIED PROGRAM 
148.23 	STANDARDS.
148.24 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following term has the 
148.25 	meaning given.
148.26 	(b) "Insurable property" means a residential property designated as meeting the Fortified 
148.27 	program standards as administered by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety 
148.28 	(IBHS).
149.1 		Subd. 2.Fortified new property. (a) An insurer must provide a premium discount or 
149.2 	an insurance rate reduction to an owner who builds or locates a new insurable property in 
149.3 	Minnesota.
149.4 	(b) An owner of insurable property claiming a premium discount or rate reduction under 
149.5 	this subdivision must submit a certificate issued by IBHS showing proof of compliance 
149.6 	with the Fortified program standards to the insurer prior to receiving the premium discount 
149.7 	or rate reduction.
149.8 		Subd. 3.Fortified existing property. (a) An insurer must provide a premium discount 
149.9 	or insurance rate reduction to an owner who retrofits an existing property to meet the 
149.10 	requirements to be an insurable property in Minnesota.
149.11 	(b) An owner of insurable property claiming a premium discount or rate reduction under 
149.12 	this subdivision must submit a certificate issued by IBHS showing proof of compliance 
149.13 	with the Fortified program standards to the insurer prior to receiving the premium discount 
149.14 	or rate reduction.
149.15 		Subd. 4.Insurers. (a) An insurer must submit to the commissioner actuarially justified 
149.16 	rates and a rating plan for a person who builds or locates a new insurable property in 
149.17 	Minnesota.
149.18 	(b) An insurer must submit to the commissioner actuarially justified rates and a rating 
149.19 	plan for a person who retrofits an existing property to meet the requirements to be an 
149.20 	insurable property.
149.21 	(c) An insurer may offer, in addition to the premium discount and insurance rate 
149.22 	reductions required under subdivisions 2 and 3, more generous mitigation adjustments to 
149.23 	an owner of insurable property.
149.24 	(d) Any premium discount, rate reduction, or mitigation adjustment offered by an insurer 
149.25 	under this section applies only to policies that include wind coverage and may be applied 
149.26 	(1) only to the portion of the premium for wind coverage or; (2) for the total premium, if 
149.27 	the insurer does not separate the premium for wind coverage in the insurer's rate filing.

149.28 	Sec. 2. [65A.299] STRENGTHEN MINNESOTA HOMES PROGRAM.
149.29 		Subdivision 1.Short title. This section may be cited as the "Strengthen Minnesota 
149.30 	Homes Act."
149.31 		Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision have 
149.32 	the meanings given.
150.1 	(b) "Insurable property" has the meaning given in section 65A.298, subdivision 1.
150.2 	(c) "Program" means the Strengthen Minnesota Homes program established under this 
150.3 	section.
150.4 		Subd. 3.Program established; purpose, permitted activities. The Strengthen Minnesota 
150.5 	Homes program is established within the Department of Commerce. The purpose of the 
150.6 	program is to provide grants to retrofit insurable property to resist loss due to common 
150.7 	perils, including but not limited to tornadoes or other catastrophic windstorm events.
150.8 		Subd. 4.Strengthen Minnesota homes account; appropriation. (a) A strengthen 
150.9 	Minnesota homes account is created as a separate account in the special revenue fund of 
150.10 	the state treasury. The account consists of money provided by law and any other money 
150.11 	donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account. Earnings, including 
150.12 	interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from assets of the account, must be 
150.13 	credited to the account. Money remaining in the account at the end of a fiscal year does not 
150.14 	cancel to the general fund and remains in the account until expended. The commissioner 
150.15 	must manage the account.
150.16 	(b) Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner to pay for (1) grants issued 
150.17 	under the program, and (2) the reasonable costs incurred by the commissioner to administer 
150.18 	the program.
150.19 		Subd. 5.Use of grants. (a) A grant under this section must be used to retrofit an insurable 
150.20 	property.
150.21 	(b) Grant money provided under this section must not be used for maintenance or repairs, 
150.22 	but may be used in conjunction with repairs or reconstruction necessitated by damage from 
150.23 	wind or hail.
150.24 	(c) A project funded by a grant under this section must be completed within three months 
150.25 	of the date the grant is approved. Failure to complete the project in a timely manner may 
150.26 	result in forfeiture of the grant.
150.27 		Subd. 6.Applicant eligibility. The commissioner must develop (1) administrative 
150.28 	procedures to implement this section, and (2) criteria used to determine whether an applicant 
150.29 	is eligible for a grant under this section.
150.30 		Subd. 7.Contractor eligibility; conflicts of interest. (a) To be eligible to work as a 
150.31 	contractor on a project funded by a grant under this section, the contractor must meet all of 
150.32 	the following program requirements and must maintain a current copy of all certificates, 
151.1 	licenses, and proof of insurance coverage with the program office. The eligible contractor 
151.2 	must:
151.3 	(1) hold a valid residential building contractor and residential remodeler license issued 
151.4 	by the commissioner of labor and industry;
151.5 	(2) not be subject to disciplinary action by the commissioner of labor and industry;
151.6 	(3) hold any other valid state or jurisdictional business license or work permits required 
151.7 	by law;
151.8 	(4) possess an in-force general liability policy with $1,000,000 in liability coverage;
151.9 	(5) possess an in-force workers' compensation policy with $1,000,000 in coverage;
151.10 	(6) possess a certificate of compliance from the commissioner of revenue;
151.11 	(7) successfully complete the Fortified Roof for High Wind and Hail training provided 
151.12 	by the IBHS or IBHS's successor and maintain an active certification and provide a certificate 
151.13 	of successful completion. The training may be offered as separate courses;
151.14 	(8) agree to the terms and successfully register as a vendor with the commissioner of 
151.15 	management and budget and receive direct deposit of payment for mitigation work performed 
151.16 	under the program;
151.17 	(9) maintain Internet access and keep a valid email address on file with the program and 
151.18 	remain active in the commissioner of management and budget's vendor and supplier portal 
151.19 	while working on the program;
151.20 	(10) maintain an active email address for the communication with the program;
151.21 	(11) successfully complete the program training; and
151.22 	(12) agree to follow program procedures and rules established under this section and by 
151.23 	the commissioner.
151.24 	(b) An eligible contractor must not have a financial interest, other than payment on 
151.25 	behalf of the homeowner, in any project for which the eligible contractor performs work 
151.26 	toward a fortified designation under the program. An eligible contractor is prohibited from 
151.27 	acting as the evaluator for a fortified designation on any project funded by the program. An 
151.28 	eligible contractor must report to the commissioner regarding any potential conflict of 
151.29 	interest before work commences on any job funded by the program.
151.30 		Subd. 8.Evaluator eligibility; conflicts of interest. (a) To be eligible to work on the 
151.31 	program as an evaluator, the evaluator must meet all program eligibility requirements and 
152.1 	must submit to the commissioner and maintain a copy of all current certificates and licenses. 
152.2 	The evaluator must:
152.3 	(1) be in good standing with IBHS and maintain an active certification as a fortified 
152.4 	home evaluator for high wind and hail or a successor certification;
152.5 	(2) possess a Minnesota business license and be registered with the secretary of state; 
152.6 	and
152.7 	(3) successfully complete the program training.
152.8 	(b) An evaluator must not have a financial interest in any project that the evaluator 
152.9 	inspects for designation purposes for the program. An evaluator must not be an eligible 
152.10 	contractor or supplier of any material, product, or system installed in any home that the 
152.11 	evaluator inspects for designation purposes for the program. An evaluator must not be a 
152.12 	sales agent for any home being designated for the program. An evaluator must inform the 
152.13 	commissioner of any potential conflict of interest impacting the evaluator's participation in 
152.14 	the program.
152.15 		Subd. 9.Grant approval; allocation. (a) The commissioner must review all applications 
152.16 	for completeness and must perform appropriate audits to verify (1) the accuracy of the 
152.17 	information on the application, and (2) that the applicant meets all eligibility rules. All 
152.18 	verified applicants must be placed in the order the application was received. Grants must 
152.19 	be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability of money for the 
152.20 	program.
152.21 	(b) When a grant is approved, an approval letter must be sent to the applicant.
152.22 	(c) An eligible contractor is prohibited from beginning work until a grant is approved.
152.23 	(d) In order to ensure equitable distribution of grants in proportion to the income 
152.24 	demographics in counties where the program is made available, grant applications must be 
152.25 	accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The commissioner may establish pilot projects 
152.26 	as needed to establish a sustainable program distribution system in any geographic area 
152.27 	within Minnesota.
152.28 		Subd. 10.Grant award process; release of grant money. (a) After a grant application 
152.29 	is approved, the eligible contractor selected by the homeowner may begin the mitigation 
152.30 	work.
152.31 	(b) Once the mitigation work is completed, the eligible contractor must submit a copy 
152.32 	of the signed contract to the commissioner, along with an invoice seeking payment and an 
152.33 	affidavit stating the fortified standards were met by the work.
153.1 	(c) The IBHS evaluator must conduct all required evaluations, including a required 
153.2 	interim inspection during construction and the final inspection, and must confirm that the 
153.3 	work was completed according to the mitigation specifications.
153.4 	(d) Grant money must be released on behalf of an approved applicant only after a fortified 
153.5 	designation certificate has been issued for the home. The program or another designated 
153.6 	entity must, on behalf of the homeowner, directly pay the eligible contractor that performed 
153.7 	the mitigation work. The program or the program's designated entity must pay the eligible 
153.8 	contractor the costs covered by the grant. The homeowner must pay the eligible contractor 
153.9 	for the remaining cost after receiving an IBHS fortified certificate.
153.10 	(e) The program must confirm that the homeowner's insurer provides the appropriate 
153.11 	premium credit.
153.12 	(f) The program must conduct random reinspections to detect any fraud and must submit 
153.13 	any irregularities to the attorney general.
153.14 		Subd. 11.Limitations. (a) This section does not create an entitlement for property 
153.15 	owners or obligate the state of Minnesota to pay for residential property in Minnesota to be 
153.16 	inspected or retrofitted. The program under this section is subject to legislative appropriations, 
153.17 	the receipt of federal grants or money, or the receipt of other sources of grants or money. 
153.18 	The department may obtain grants or other money from the federal government or other 
153.19 	funding sources to support and enhance program activities.
153.20 	(b) All mitigation under this section is contingent upon securing all required local permits 
153.21 	and applicable inspections to comply with local building codes and applicable Fortified 
153.22 	program standards. A mitigation project receiving a grant under this section is subject to 
153.23 	random reinspection at a later date.

153.24 	ARTICLE 7
153.25 	ENERGY POLICY

153.26 	Section 1. [16B.312] CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS; ENVIRONMENTAL 
153.27 	ANALYSIS.
153.28 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
153.29 	the meanings given.
153.30 	(b) "Carbon steel" means steel in which the main alloying element is carbon and whose 
153.31 	properties are chiefly dependent on the percentage of carbon present.
153.32 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of administration.
154.1 	(d) "Electric arc furnace" means a furnace that produces molten alloy metal and heats 
154.2 	the charge materials with electric arcs from carbon electrodes.
154.3 	(e) "Eligible material" means:
154.4 	(1) carbon steel rebar;
154.5 	(2) structural steel;
154.6 	(3) concrete; or
154.7 	(4) asphalt paving mixtures.
154.8 	(f) "Eligible project" means:
154.9 	(1) new construction of a state building larger than 50,000 gross square feet of occupied 
154.10 	or conditioned space;
154.11 	(2) renovation of more than 50,000 gross square feet of occupied or conditioned space 
154.12 	in a state building whose renovation cost exceeds 50 percent of the building's assessed value; 
154.13 	or
154.14 	(3) new construction or reconstruction of two or more lane-miles of a trunk highway.
154.15 	(g) "Environmental product declaration" means a supply chain specific type III 
154.16 	environmental product declaration that:
154.17 	(1) contains a material production lifecycle assessment of the environmental impacts of 
154.18 	manufacturing a specific product by a specific firm, including the impacts of extracting and 
154.19 	producing the raw materials and components that compose the product;
154.20 	(2) is verified by a third party; and
154.21 	(3) meets the ISO 14025 standard developed and maintained by the International 
154.22 	Organization for Standardization (ISO).
154.23 	(h) "Global warming potential" has the meaning given in section 216H.10, subdivision 
154.24 	6.
154.25 	(i) "Greenhouse gas" has the meaning given to "statewide greenhouse gas emissions" 
154.26 	in section 216H.01, subdivision 2.
154.27 	(j) "Integrated steel production" means the production of iron and subsequently steel 
154.28 	primarily from iron ore or iron ore pellets.
155.1 	(k) "Lifecycle" means an analysis that includes the environmental impacts of all stages 
155.2 	of a specific product's production, from mining and processing the product's raw materials 
155.3 	to the process of manufacturing the product.
155.4 	(l) "Rebar" means a steel reinforcing bar or rod encased in concrete.
155.5 	(m) "Secondary steel production" means the production of steel from primarily ferrous 
155.6 	scrap and other metallic inputs that are melted and refined in an electric arc furnace.
155.7 	(n) "State building" means a building owned by the state of Minnesota or a Minnesota 
155.8 	state agency.
155.9 	(o) "Structural steel" means steel that is classified by the shape of the steel's 
155.10 	cross-sections, such as I, T, and C shapes.
155.11 	(p) "Supply chain specific" means an environmental product declaration that includes 
155.12 	specific data for the production processes of the materials and components composing a 
155.13 	product that contribute at least 80 percent of the product's material production lifecycle 
155.14 	global warming potential, as defined in ISO standard 21930.
155.15 		Subd. 2.Standard; maximum global warming potential. (a) The commissioner shall, 
155.16 	after reviewing the recommendations from the Environmental Standards Procurement Task 
155.17 	Force made under subdivision 5, paragraph (c), establish and publish a maximum acceptable 
155.18 	global warming potential for each eligible material used in an eligible project, in accordance 
155.19 	with the following schedule:
155.20 	(1) for concrete used in buildings, no later than January 15, 2026; and
155.21 	(2) for carbon steel rebar and structural steel and, after conferring with the commissioner 
155.22 	of transportation, for asphalt paving mixtures and concrete pavement, no later than January 
155.23 	15, 2028.
155.24 	(b) The commissioner shall, after considering nationally or internationally recognized 
155.25 	databases of environmental product declarations for an eligible material, establish the 
155.26 	maximum acceptable global warming potential for the eligible material.
155.27 	(c) The commissioner may set different maximum global warming potentials for different 
155.28 	specific products and subproduct categories that are examples of the same eligible material 
155.29 	based on distinctions between eligible material production and manufacturing processes, 
155.30 	such as integrated versus secondary steel production.
155.31 	(d) The commissioner must establish maximum global warming potentials that are 
155.32 	consistent with criteria in an environmental product declaration.
156.1 	(e) Not later than three years after establishing the maximum global warming potential 
156.2 	for an eligible material under paragraph (a) and not longer than every three years thereafter 
156.3 	the commissioner, after conferring with the commissioner of transportation with respect to 
156.4 	asphalt paving mixtures and concrete pavement, shall review the maximum acceptable 
156.5 	global warming potential for each eligible material and for specific eligible material products. 
156.6 	The commissioner may adjust any of the values downward to reflect industry improvements 
156.7 	if, based on the process described in paragraph (b), the commissioner determines the industry 
156.8 	average has declined.
156.9 		Subd. 3.Procurement process. The Department of Administration and the Department 
156.10 	of Transportation shall, after reviewing the recommendations of the Environmental Standards 
156.11 	Procurement Task Force made under subdivision 5, paragraph (c), establish processes for 
156.12 	incorporating the maximum allowable global warming potential of eligible materials into 
156.13 	bidding processes by the effective dates listed in subdivision 2.
156.14 		Subd. 4.Pilot program. (a) No later than July 1, 2024, the Department of Administration 
156.15 	must establish a pilot program that seeks to obtain from vendors an estimate of the material 
156.16 	production lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of products selected by the departments from 
156.17 	among those procured. The pilot program must encourage, but may not require, a vendor 
156.18 	to submit the following data for each selected product that represents at least 90 percent of 
156.19 	the total cost of the materials or components composing the selected product:
156.20 	(1) the quantity of the product purchased by the department;
156.21 	(2) a current environmental product declaration for the product;
156.22 	(3) the name and location of the product's manufacturer;
156.23 	(4) a copy of the vendor's Supplier Code of Conduct, if any;
156.24 	(5) the names and locations of the product's actual production facilities; and
156.25 	(6) an assessment of employee working conditions at the product's production facilities.
156.26 	(b) The Department of Administration must construct or provide access to a publicly 
156.27 	accessible database, which shall be posted on the department's website and contain the data 
156.28 	reported to the department under this subdivision.
156.29 		Subd. 5.Environmental Standards Procurement Task Force. (a) No later than October 
156.30 	1, 2023, the commissioners of administration and transportation must establish an 
156.31 	Environmental Standards Procurement Task Force to examine issues surrounding the 
156.32 	implementation of a program requiring vendors of certain construction materials purchased 
156.33 	by the state to:
157.1 	(1) submit environmental product declarations that assess the material production lifecycle 
157.2 	environmental impacts of the materials to state officials as part of the procurement process; 
157.3 	and
157.4 	(2) meet standards established by the commissioner of administration that limit 
157.5 	greenhouse gas emissions impacts of the materials.
157.6 	(b) The task force must examine, at a minimum, the following:
157.7 	(1) which construction materials should be subject to the program requirements and 
157.8 	which construction materials should be considered to be added, including lumber, aluminum, 
157.9 	glass, and insulation;
157.10 	(2) what factors should be considered in establishing greenhouse gas emissions standards, 
157.11 	including distinctions between eligible material production and manufacturing processes, 
157.12 	such as integrated versus secondary steel production;
157.13 	(3) a schedule for the development of standards for specific materials and for 
157.14 	incorporating the standards into the purchasing process, including distinctions between 
157.15 	eligible material production and manufacturing processes;
157.16 	(4) the development and use of financial incentives to reward vendors for developing 
157.17 	products whose greenhouse gas emissions are below the standards;
157.18 	(5) the provision of grants to defer a vendor's cost to obtain environmental product 
157.19 	declarations;
157.20 	(6) how to ensure that lowering environmental product declaration values does not 
157.21 	negatively impact the durability or longevity of construction materials or built structures;
157.22 	(7) how the issues in clauses (1) to (5) are addressed by existing programs in other states 
157.23 	and countries;
157.24 	(8) coordinating with the federal Buy Clean Task Force established under Executive 
157.25 	Order 14057 and representatives of the United States Departments of Commerce, Energy, 
157.26 	Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation; Environmental Protection Agency; 
157.27 	General Services Administration; White House Office of Management and Budget; and the 
157.28 	White House Domestic Climate Policy Council; and
157.29 	(9) any other issues the task force deems relevant.
157.30 	(c) The task force shall make recommendations to the commissioners of administration 
157.31 	and transportation regarding:
158.1 	(1) how to implement requirements that maximum global warming impacts for eligible 
158.2 	materials be integrated into the bidding process for eligible projects;
158.3 	(2) incentive structures that can be included in bidding processes to encourage the use 
158.4 	of materials whose global warming potential is below the maximum established under 
158.5 	subdivision 2;
158.6 	(3) how a successful bidder for a contract notifies the commissioner of the specific 
158.7 	environmental product declaration for a material used on a project;
158.8 	(4) a process for waiving the requirements to procure materials below the maximum 
158.9 	global warming potential resulting from product supply problems, geographic 
158.10 	impracticability, or financial hardship;
158.11 	(5) a system for awarding grants to manufacturers of eligible materials located in 
158.12 	Minnesota to offset the cost of obtaining environmental product declarations or otherwise 
158.13 	collect environmental product declaration data from manufacturers based in Minnesota;
158.14 	(6) whether to use an industry average or a different method to set the maximum allowable 
158.15 	global warming potential, or whether that average could be used for some materials but not 
158.16 	others;
158.17 	(7) how to create and manage a database for environmental product declaration data that 
158.18 	is consistent with data governance procedures of the departments and is compatible for data 
158.19 	sharing with other states and federal agencies;
158.20 	(8) how to account for differences among geographical regions with respect to the 
158.21 	availability of covered materials, fuel and other necessary resources, and the quantity of 
158.22 	covered materials that the department uses or plans to use; and
158.23 	(9) any other items task force deems necessary in order to implement this section.
158.24 	(d) Members of the task force must include but are not limited to representatives of:
158.25 	(1) the Departments of Administration and Transportation;
158.26 	(2) the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota;
158.27 	(3) the Aggregate and Ready Mix Association of Minnesota;
158.28 	(4) the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota;
158.29 	(5) the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association;
158.30 	(6) the Minnesota Board of Engineering;
158.31 	(7) a representative of the Minnesota iron mining industry;
159.1 	(8) building and transportation construction firms;
159.2 	(9) suppliers of eligible materials;
159.3 	(10) organized labor in the construction trades;
159.4 	(11) organized labor in the manufacturing or industrial sectors;
159.5 	(12) environmental advocacy organizations; and
159.6 	(13) environmental justice organizations.
159.7 	(e) The Department of Administration must provide meeting space and serve as staff to 
159.8 	the task force.
159.9 	(f) The commissioner of administration or the commissioner's designee shall serve as 
159.10 	chair of the task force. The task force must meet at least four times annually and may convene 
159.11 	additional meetings at the call of the chair.
159.12 	(g) The commissioner of administration shall summarize the findings and 
159.13 	recommendations of the task force in a report submitted to the chairs and ranking minority 
159.14 	members of the senate and house of representatives committees with primary jurisdiction 
159.15 	over state government, transportation, and energy no later than December 1, 2025, and 
159.16 	annually thereafter for as long as the task force continues its operations.
159.17 	(h) The task force is subject to section 15.059, subdivision 6.
159.18 	(i) The task force expires on January 1, 2029.
159.19 		Subd. 6.Environmental product declarations; grant program. A grant program is 
159.20 	established in the Department of Administration to award grants to manufacturers to assist 
159.21 	in obtaining environmental product declarations or in otherwise collecting environmental 
159.22 	product declaration data from manufacturers in Minnesota. The commissioner of 
159.23 	administration shall develop procedures for processing grant applications and making grant 
159.24 	awards. Grant applicants must submit an application to the commissioner on a form 
159.25 	prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall act as fiscal agent for the grant 
159.26 	program and is responsible for receiving and reviewing grant applications and awarding 
159.27 	grants under this subdivision.

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

159.29 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16B.325, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
159.30 		Subd. 2.Lowest possible cost; energy conservation. The guidelines must:
160.1 	(1) focus on achieving the lowest possible lifetime cost, considering both construction 
160.2 	and operating costs, for new buildings and major renovations, and;
160.3 	(2) allow for changes in the guidelines revisions that encourage continual energy 
160.4 	conservation improvements in new buildings and major renovations. The guidelines shall;
160.5 	(3) define "major renovations" for purposes of this section. The definition may not allow 
160.6 	"major renovations" to encompass not less than 10,000 square feet or to encompass not less 
160.7 	than the replacement of the mechanical, ventilation, or cooling system of the a building or 
160.8 	a building section of the building. The design guidelines must;
160.9 	(4) establish sustainability guidelines that include air quality and lighting standards and 
160.10 	that create and maintain a healthy environment and facilitate productivity improvements;
160.11 	(5) establish resiliency guidelines to encourage design that allows buildings to adapt to 
160.12 	and accommodate projected climate-related changes that are reflected in both acute events 
160.13 	and chronic trends, including but not limited to changes in temperature and precipitation 
160.14 	levels;
160.15 	(6) specify ways to reduce material costs; and must
160.16 	(7) consider the long-term operating costs of the building, including the use of renewable 
160.17 	energy sources and distributed electric energy generation that uses a renewable source or 
160.18 	natural gas or a fuel that is as clean or cleaner than natural gas.

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

160.20 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16B.58, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
160.21 	read:
160.22 		Subd. 9.Electric vehicle charging. A person that charges a privately owned electric 
160.23 	vehicle at a charging station located within the Capitol area, as defined in section 15B.02, 
160.24 	must pay an electric service fee established by the commissioner.

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

160.26 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16C.135, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
160.27 		Subd. 3.Vehicle purchases. (a) Consistent with section 16C.137, subdivision 1, when 
160.28 	purchasing a motor vehicle for the enterprise fleet or for use by an agency, the commissioner 
160.29 	or the agency shall purchase a motor vehicle that is capable of being powered by cleaner 
160.30 	fuels, or a motor vehicle powered by electricity or by a combination of electricity and liquid 
160.31 	fuel, if the total life-cycle cost of ownership is less than or comparable to that of other 
161.1 	vehicles and if the vehicle is capable the motor vehicle according to the following vehicle 
161.2 	preference order:
161.3 	(1) an electric vehicle;
161.4 	(2) a hybrid electric vehicle;
161.5 	(3) a vehicle capable of being powered by cleaner fuels; and
161.6 	(4) a vehicle powered by gasoline or diesel fuel.
161.7 	(b) The commissioner may only reject a vehicle that is higher on the vehicle preference 
161.8 	order if:
161.9 	(1) the vehicle type is incapable of carrying out the purpose for which it is purchased.; 
161.10 	or
161.11 	(2) the total life-cycle cost of ownership of a preferred vehicle type is more than ten 
161.12 	percent higher than the next vehicle type on the vehicle preference order.

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

161.14 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16C.137, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
161.15 		Subdivision 1.Goals and actions.  Each state department must, whenever legally, 
161.16 	technically, and economically feasible, subject to the specific needs of the department and 
161.17 	responsible management of agency finances:
161.18 	(1) ensure that all new on-road vehicles purchased, excluding emergency and law 
161.19 	enforcement vehicles:, are purchased in conformity with the vehicle preference order 
161.20 	established in section 16C.135, subdivision 3;
161.21 	(i) use "cleaner fuels" as that term is defined in section 16C.135, subdivision 1;
161.22 	(ii) have fuel efficiency ratings that exceed 30 miles per gallon for city usage or 35 miles 
161.23 	per gallon for highway usage, including but not limited to hybrid electric cars and 
161.24 	hydrogen-powered vehicles; or
161.25 	(iii) are powered solely by electricity;
161.26 	(2) increase its use of renewable transportation fuels, including ethanol, biodiesel, and 
161.27 	hydrogen from agricultural products; and
161.28 	(3) increase its use of web-based Internet applications and other electronic information 
161.29 	technologies to enhance the access to and delivery of government information and services 
162.1 	to the public, and reduce the reliance on the department's fleet for the delivery of such 
162.2 	information and services.

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

162.4 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116C.779, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
162.5 		Subdivision 1.Renewable development account. (a) The renewable development 
162.6 	account is established as a separate account in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. 
162.7 	Appropriations and transfers to the account shall be credited to the account. Earnings, such 
162.8 	as interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from assets of the account, shall be 
162.9 	credited to the account. Funds remaining in the account at the end of a fiscal year are not 
162.10 	canceled to the general fund but remain in the account until expended. The account shall 
162.11 	be administered by the commissioner of management and budget as provided under this 
162.12 	section.
162.13 	(b) On July 1, 2017, the public utility that owns the Prairie Island nuclear generating 
162.14 	plant must transfer all funds in the renewable development account previously established 
162.15 	under this subdivision and managed by the public utility to the renewable development 
162.16 	account established in paragraph (a). Funds awarded to grantees in previous grant cycles 
162.17 	that have not yet been expended and unencumbered funds required to be paid in calendar 
162.18 	year 2017 under paragraphs (f) and (g), and sections 116C.7792 and 216C.41, are not subject 
162.19 	to transfer under this paragraph.
162.20 	(c) Except as provided in subdivision 1a, beginning January 15, 2018, and continuing 
162.21 	each January 15 thereafter, the public utility that owns the Prairie Island nuclear generating 
162.22 	plant must transfer to the renewable development account $500,000 each year for each dry 
162.23 	cask containing spent fuel that is located at the Prairie Island power plant for each year the 
162.24 	plant is in operation, and $7,500,000 each year the plant is not in operation if ordered by 
162.25 	the commission pursuant to paragraph (i). The fund transfer must be made if nuclear waste 
162.26 	is stored in a dry cask at the independent spent-fuel storage facility at Prairie Island for any 
162.27 	part of a year. Amounts required to be transferred by the public utility to the renewable 
162.28 	development account under this paragraph must be reduced each year by the amount of any 
162.29 	payments made by the public utility to the Prairie Island Indian Community under section 
162.30 	216B.1645, subdivision 4, paragraph (c).
162.31 	(d) Except as provided in subdivision 1a, beginning January 15, 2018, and continuing 
162.32 	each January 15 thereafter, the public utility that owns the Monticello nuclear generating 
162.33 	plant must transfer to the renewable development account $350,000 each year for each dry 
162.34 	cask containing spent fuel that is located at the Monticello nuclear power plant for each 
163.1 	year the plant is in operation, and $5,250,000 each year the plant is not in operation if ordered 
163.2 	by the commission pursuant to paragraph (i). The fund transfer must be made if nuclear 
163.3 	waste is stored in a dry cask at the independent spent-fuel storage facility at Monticello for 
163.4 	any part of a year.
163.5 	(e) Each year, the public utility shall withhold from the funds transferred to the renewable 
163.6 	development account under paragraphs (c) and (d) the amount necessary to pay its obligations 
163.7 	under paragraphs (f) and (g), and sections 116C.7792 and 216C.41, for that calendar year.
163.8 	(f) If the commission approves a new or amended power purchase agreement, the 
163.9 	termination of a power purchase agreement, or the purchase and closure of a facility under 
163.10 	section 216B.2424, subdivision 9, with an entity that uses poultry litter to generate electricity, 
163.11 	the public utility subject to this section shall enter into a contract with the city in which the 
163.12 	poultry litter plant is located to provide grants to the city for the purposes of economic 
163.13 	development on the following schedule: $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2018; $6,500,000 each 
163.14 	fiscal year in 2019 and 2020; and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2021. The grants shall be paid 
163.15 	by the public utility from funds withheld from the transfer to the renewable development 
163.16 	account, as provided in paragraphs (b) and (e).
163.17 	(g) If the commission approves a new or amended power purchase agreement, or the 
163.18 	termination of a power purchase agreement under section 216B.2424, subdivision 9, with 
163.19 	an entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by two municipal utilities located north 
163.20 	of Constitutional Route No. 8, that was previously used to meet the biomass mandate in 
163.21 	section 216B.2424, the public utility that owns a nuclear generating plant shall enter into a 
163.22 	grant contract with such entity to provide $6,800,000 per year for five years, commencing 
163.23 	30 days after the commission approves the new or amended power purchase agreement, or 
163.24 	the termination of the power purchase agreement, and on each June 1 thereafter through 
163.25 	2021, to assist the transition required by the new, amended, or terminated power purchase 
163.26 	agreement. The grant shall be paid by the public utility from funds withheld from the transfer 
163.27 	to the renewable development account as provided in paragraphs (b) and (e).
163.28 	(h) The collective amount paid under the grant contracts awarded under paragraphs (f) 
163.29 	and (g) is limited to the amount deposited into the renewable development account, and its 
163.30 	predecessor, the renewable development account, established under this section, that was 
163.31 	not required to be deposited into the account under Laws 1994, chapter 641, article 1, section 
163.32 	10.
163.33 	(i) After discontinuation of operation of the Prairie Island nuclear plant or the Monticello 
163.34 	nuclear plant and each year spent nuclear fuel is stored in dry cask at the discontinued 
164.1 	facility, the commission shall require the public utility to pay $7,500,000 for the discontinued 
164.2 	Prairie Island facility and $5,250,000 for the discontinued Monticello facility for any year 
164.3 	in which the commission finds, by the preponderance of the evidence, that the public utility 
164.4 	did not make a good faith effort to remove the spent nuclear fuel stored at the facility to a 
164.5 	permanent or interim storage site out of the state. This determination shall be made at least 
164.6 	every two years.
164.7 	(j) Funds in the account may be expended only for any of the following purposes:
164.8 	(1) to stimulate research and development of renewable electric energy technologies;
164.9 	(2) to encourage grid modernization, including, but not limited to, projects that implement 
164.10 	electricity storage, load control, and smart meter technology; and
164.11 	(3) to stimulate other innovative energy projects that reduce demand and increase system 
164.12 	efficiency and flexibility.
164.13 	Expenditures from the fund must benefit Minnesota ratepayers receiving electric service 
164.14 	from the utility that owns a nuclear-powered electric generating plant in this state or the 
164.15 	Prairie Island Indian community or its members.
164.16 	The utility that owns a nuclear generating plant is eligible to apply for grants under this 
164.17 	subdivision.
164.18 	(k) For the purposes of paragraph (j), the following terms have the meanings given:
164.19 	(1) "renewable" has the meaning given in section 216B.2422, subdivision 1, paragraph 
164.20 	(c), clauses (1), (2), (4), and (5); and
164.21 	(2) "grid modernization" means:
164.22 	(i) enhancing the reliability of the electrical grid;
164.23 	(ii) improving the security of the electrical grid against cyberthreats and physical threats; 
164.24 	and
164.25 	(iii) increasing energy conservation opportunities by facilitating communication between 
164.26 	the utility and its customers through the use of two-way meters, control technologies, energy 
164.27 	storage and microgrids, technologies to enable demand response, and other innovative 
164.28 	technologies.
164.29 	(l) A renewable development account advisory group that includes, among others, 
164.30 	representatives of the public utility and its ratepayers, and includes at least one representative 
164.31 	of the Prairie Island Indian community appointed by that community's tribal council, shall 
164.32 	develop recommendations on account expenditures. The advisory group must design a 
165.1 	request for proposal and evaluate projects submitted in response to a request for proposals. 
165.2 	The advisory group must utilize an independent third-party expert to evaluate proposals 
165.3 	submitted in response to a request for proposal, including all proposals made by the public 
165.4 	utility. A request for proposal for research and development under paragraph (j), clause (1), 
165.5 	may be limited to or include a request to higher education institutions located in Minnesota 
165.6 	for multiple projects authorized under paragraph (j), clause (1). The request for multiple 
165.7 	projects may include a provision that exempts the projects from the third-party expert review 
165.8 	and instead provides for project evaluation and selection by a merit peer review grant system. 
165.9 	In the process of determining request for proposal scope and subject and in evaluating 
165.10 	responses to request for proposals, the advisory group must strongly consider, where 
165.11 	reasonable, potential benefit to Minnesota citizens and businesses and the utility's ratepayers.
165.12 	(m) The advisory group shall submit funding recommendations to the public utility, 
165.13 	which has full and sole authority to determine which expenditures shall be submitted by 
165.14 	the advisory group to the legislature. The commission may approve proposed expenditures, 
165.15 	may disapprove proposed expenditures that it finds not to be in compliance with this 
165.16 	subdivision or otherwise not in the public interest, and may, if agreed to by the public utility, 
165.17 	modify proposed expenditures. The commission shall, by order, submit its funding 
165.18 	recommendations to the legislature as provided under paragraph (n).
165.19 	(n) The commission shall present its recommended appropriations from the account to 
165.20 	the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over energy policy and 
165.21 	finance annually by February 15. Expenditures from the account must be appropriated by 
165.22 	law. In enacting appropriations from the account, the legislature:
165.23 	(1) may approve or disapprove, but may not modify, the amount of an appropriation for 
165.24 	a project recommended by the commission; and
165.25 	(2) may not appropriate money for a project the commission has not recommended 
165.26 	funding.
165.27 	(o) A request for proposal for renewable energy generation projects must, when feasible 
165.28 	and reasonable, give preference to projects that are most cost-effective for a particular energy 
165.29 	source.
165.30 	(p) The advisory group must annually, by February 15, report to the chairs and ranking 
165.31 	minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy policy on 
165.32 	projects funded by the account for the prior year and all previous years. The report must, 
165.33 	to the extent possible and reasonable, itemize the actual and projected financial benefit to 
165.34 	the public utility's ratepayers of each project.
166.1 	(q) By February 1, 2018, and each February 1 thereafter, the commissioner of 
166.2 	management and budget shall submit a written report regarding the availability of funds in 
166.3 	and obligations of the account to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate 
166.4 	and house committees with jurisdiction over energy policy and finance, the public utility, 
166.5 	and the advisory group.
166.6 	(r) A project receiving funds from the account must produce a written final report that 
166.7 	includes sufficient detail for technical readers and a clearly written summary for nontechnical 
166.8 	readers. The report must include an evaluation of the project's financial, environmental, and 
166.9 	other benefits to the state and the public utility's ratepayers.
166.10 	(s) Final reports, any mid-project status reports, and renewable development account 
166.11 	financial reports must be posted online on a public website designated by the commissioner 
166.12 	of commerce.
166.13 	(t) All final reports must acknowledge that the project was made possible in whole or 
166.14 	part by the Minnesota renewable development account, noting that the account is financed 
166.15 	by the public utility's ratepayers.
166.16 	(u) Of the amount in the renewable development account, priority must be given to 
166.17 	making the payments required under section 216C.417.
166.18 	(v) Construction projects receiving funds from this account are subject to the requirement 
166.19 	to pay the prevailing wage rate, as defined in section 177.42 and the requirements and 
166.20 	enforcement provisions in sections 177.27, 177.30, 177.32, 177.41 to 177.435, and 177.45.

166.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
166.22 	applies to construction contracts entered into on or after that date.

166.23 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116C.7792, is amended to read:
166.24 	116C.7792 SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
166.25 	(a) The utility subject to section 116C.779 shall operate a program to provide solar 
166.26 	energy production incentives for solar energy systems of no more than a total aggregate 
166.27 	nameplate capacity of 40 kilowatts alternating current per premise. The owner of a solar 
166.28 	energy system installed before June 1, 2018, is eligible to receive a production incentive 
166.29 	under this section for any additional solar energy systems constructed at the same customer 
166.30 	location, provided that the aggregate capacity of all systems at the customer location does 
166.31 	not exceed 40 kilowatts.
167.1 	(b) The program is funded by money withheld from transfer to the renewable development 
167.2 	account under section 116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (e). Program funds must 
167.3 	be placed in a separate account for the purpose of the solar energy production incentive 
167.4 	program operated by the utility and not for any other program or purpose.
167.5 	(c) Funds allocated to the solar energy production incentive program in 2019 and 2020 
167.6 	remain available to the solar energy production incentive program.
167.7 	(d) The following amounts are allocated to the solar energy production incentive program:
167.8 	(1) $10,000,000 in 2021;
167.9 	(2) $10,000,000 in 2022;
167.10 	(3) $5,000,000 $10,000,000 in 2023; and
167.11 	(4) $5,000,000 $15,000,000 in 2024.
167.12 	(e) Of the amounts allocated under paragraph (d), clauses (3) and (4), half in each year 
167.13 	must be reserved for solar energy systems owned and constructed by persons with limited 
167.14 	financial resources.
167.15 	(e) (f) Funds allocated to the solar energy production incentive program that have not 
167.16 	been committed to a specific project at the end of a program year remain available to the 
167.17 	solar energy production incentive program.
167.18 	(f) (g) Any unspent amount remaining on January 1, 2025 2028, must be transferred to 
167.19 	the renewable development account.
167.20 	(g) (h) A solar energy system receiving a production incentive under this section must 
167.21 	be sized to less than 120 percent of the customer's on-site annual energy consumption when 
167.22 	combined with other distributed generation resources and subscriptions provided under 
167.23 	section 216B.1641 associated with the premise. The production incentive must be paid for 
167.24 	ten years commencing with the commissioning of the system.
167.25 	(h) (i) The utility must file a plan to operate the program with the commissioner of 
167.26 	commerce. The utility may not operate the program until it is approved by the commissioner. 
167.27 	A change to the program to include projects up to a nameplate capacity of 40 kilowatts or 
167.28 	less does not require the utility to file a plan with the commissioner. Any plan approved by 
167.29 	the commissioner of commerce must not provide an increased incentive scale over prior 
167.30 	years unless the commissioner demonstrates that changes in the market for solar energy 
167.31 	facilities require an increase.

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

168.1 	Sec. 8. [116C.7793] SOLAR ENERGY; CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT.
168.2 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
168.3 	the meanings given.
168.4 	(b) "Agency" means the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
168.5 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce.
168.6 	(d) "Area C" means the site located west of Mississippi River Boulevard in St. Paul that 
168.7 	served as an industrial waste dump for the former Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant.
168.8 	(e) "Corrective action determination" means a decision by the agency regarding actions 
168.9 	to be taken to remediate contaminated soil and groundwater at Area C.
168.10 	(f) "Owner" means the owner of the solar energy generating system planned to be 
168.11 	deployed at Area C.
168.12 	(g) "Solar energy generating system" has the meaning given in section 216E.01, 
168.13 	subdivision 9a.
168.14 		Subd. 2.Account established. (a) The Area C contingency account is established as a 
168.15 	separate account in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. Transfers and appropriations 
168.16 	to the account, and any earnings or dividends accruing to assets in the account, must be 
168.17 	credited to the account. The commissioner shall serve as fiscal agent and shall manage the 
168.18 	account.
168.19 	(b) Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner to make payments to an 
168.20 	owner under this section.
168.21 		Subd. 3.Distribution of funds; conditions. Money from the account may be distributed 
168.22 	by the commissioner to the owner of a solar energy generating system planned to be deployed 
168.23 	at Area C under the following conditions:
168.24 	(1) the agency issues a corrective action determination after the owner has begun to 
168.25 	design or construct the project, and the nature of the corrective action determination requires 
168.26 	(i) the project to be redesigned, or (ii) construction to be interrupted or altered; or
168.27 	(2) the agency issues a corrective action determination whose work plan requires 
168.28 	temporary cessation or partial or complete removal of the solar energy generating system 
168.29 	after it has become operational.
168.30 		Subd. 4.Distribution of funds; process. (a) The owner may file a request for distribution 
168.31 	of funds from the commissioner if either of the conditions in subdivision 3 occur. The filing 
169.1 	must (1) describe the nature of the impact of the agency's work plan that results in economic 
169.2 	losses to the owner, and (2) include a reasonable estimate of the amount of those losses.
169.3 	(b) The owner must provide the commissioner with information the commissioner 
169.4 	determines to be necessary to assist in the review of the filing required under this subdivision.
169.5 	(c) The commissioner shall review the owner's filing within 60 days of submission and 
169.6 	shall approve a request the commissioner determines is reasonable.
169.7 		Subd. 5.Expenditures. Money distributed by the commissioner to the owner under this 
169.8 	section may be used by the owner only to pay for:
169.9 	(1) removal, storage, and transportation costs incurred for removal of the solar energy 
169.10 	generating system or any associated infrastructure, and any costs to reinstall equipment;
169.11 	(2) costs of redesign or new equipment or infrastructure made necessary by the activities 
169.12 	of the agency's work plan;
169.13 	(3) lost revenues resulting from the inability of the solar energy generating system to 
169.14 	generate sufficient electricity to fulfill the terms of the power purchase agreement between 
169.15 	the owner and the purchaser of electricity generated by the solar energy generating system;
169.16 	(4) other damages incurred under the power purchase agreement resulting from the 
169.17 	cessation of operations made necessary by the activities of the agency's work plan; and
169.18 	(5) the cost of energy required to replace the energy that was to be generated by the solar 
169.19 	energy generating system and purchased under the power purchase agreement.

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

169.21 	Sec. 9. [123B.661] AIR VENTILATION PROGRAM ACT.
169.22 	Sections 123B.661 to 123B.663 may be cited as the "Air Ventilation Program Act."

169.23 	Sec. 10. [123B.662] DEFINITIONS.
169.24 		Subdivision 1.General. For purposes of sections 123B.661 to 123B.663, the terms in 
169.25 	this section have the meanings given unless the language or context clearly indicates that 
169.26 	a different meaning is intended.
169.27 		Subd. 2.ANSI. "ANSI" means American National Standards Institute.
169.28 		Subd. 3.ASHRAE. "ASHRAE" means American Society of Heating Refrigeration Air 
169.29 	Conditioning Engineers.
170.1 		Subd. 4.Certified TAB technician.  "Certified TAB technician" means a technician 
170.2 	certified to perform testing, adjusting, and balancing of HVAC systems by the Associated 
170.3 	Air Balance Council, National Environmental Balancing Bureau, or the Testing, Adjusting 
170.4 	and Balancing Bureau.
170.5 		Subd. 5.HVAC. "HVAC" means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
170.6 		Subd. 6.Licensed professional engineer. "Licensed professional engineer" means a 
170.7 	professional engineer licensed under sections 326.02 to 326.15 who holds an active license, 
170.8 	is in good standing, and is not subject to any disciplinary or other actions with the Board 
170.9 	of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and 
170.10 	Interior Design.
170.11 		Subd. 7.MERV. "MERV" means minimum efficiency reporting value established by 
170.12 	ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2017 - Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices 
170.13 	for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size.
170.14 		Subd. 8.Program. "Program" means the air ventilation program.
170.15 		Subd. 9.Program administrator. "Program administrator" means the commissioner 
170.16 	of commerce or the commissioner's representative.
170.17 		Subd. 10.Qualified adjusting personnel.  "Qualified adjusting personnel" means one 
170.18 	of the following:
170.19 	(1) a certified TAB technician; or
170.20 	(2) a skilled and trained workforce under the supervision of a certified TAB technician.
170.21 		Subd. 11.Qualified testing personnel. "Qualified testing personnel" means one of the 
170.22 	following:
170.23 	(1) a certified TAB technician; or
170.24 	(2) a skilled and trained workforce under the supervision of a certified TAB technician.
170.25 		Subd. 12.Registered apprenticeship program. "Registered apprenticeship program" 
170.26 	means an apprenticeship program that is registered under chapter 178 or Code of Federal 
170.27 	Regulations, title 29, part 29.
170.28 		Subd. 13.Skilled and trained workforce. "Skilled and trained workforce" means a 
170.29 	workforce in which at least 80 percent of the construction workers are either graduates of 
170.30 	a registered apprenticeship program for the applicable occupation or are registered as 
170.31 	apprentices in a registered apprenticeship program for the applicable occupation.
171.1 		Subd. 14.TAB. "TAB" means testing, adjusting, and balancing of an HVAC system.

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

171.3 	Sec. 11. [123B.663] AIR VENTILATION PILOT PROGRAM GRANTS AND 
171.4 	GUIDELINES.
171.5 		Subdivision 1.Grant program. The Department of Commerce shall establish and 
171.6 	administer the air ventilation program to award grants to school boards to reimburse the 
171.7 	school boards for the following activities:
171.8 	(1) completion of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning assessment report;
171.9 	(2) subsequent testing, adjusting balancing work performed as a result of assessment; 
171.10 	and
171.11 	(3) ventilation equipment upgrades, replacements, or other measures recommended by 
171.12 	the assessment to improve health, safety, and HVAC system efficiency.
171.13 		Subd. 2.Grant awards. (a) The program administrator shall award a grant if the school 
171.14 	board meets the following requirements:
171.15 	(1) completes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning assessment report by qualified 
171.16 	testing personnel or qualified adjusting personnel. The report must be verified by a licensed 
171.17 	professional engineer and include costs of adjustments or repairs necessary to meet minimum 
171.18 	ventilation and filtration requirements and determine whether any cost-effective energy 
171.19 	efficiency upgrades or replacements are warranted or recommended;
171.20 	(2) all work required after conducting the assessment must be performed by a skilled 
171.21 	and trained workforce;
171.22 	(3) upon completion of the work for which a school board is seeking reimbursement, 
171.23 	the school board must conduct an HVAC verification report that includes the name and 
171.24 	address of the school facility and individual or contractor preparing and certifying the report 
171.25 	and a description of the assessment, maintenance, adjustment, repair, upgrade, and 
171.26 	replacement activities and outcomes; and
171.27 	(4) verification that the school board has complied with all requirements. Verification 
171.28 	must include documentation that either MERV 13 filters have been installed or verification 
171.29 	that the maximum MERV-rated filter that the system is able to effectively handle has been 
171.30 	installed; documentation of the MERV rating; the verified ventilation rates for occupied 
171.31 	areas of the school and whether those rates meet the requirements set forth in ANSI/ASHRAE 
171.32 	Standard 62.1-2019, with an accompanying explanation for any ventilation rates that do not 
172.1 	meet applicable requirements documenting why the current system is unable to meet 
172.2 	requirements; the verified exhaust for occupied areas and whether those rates meet the 
172.3 	requirements set forth in the system design intent; documentation of system deficiencies; 
172.4 	recommendations for additional maintenance, replacement, or upgrades to improve energy 
172.5 	efficiency, safety, or performance; documentation of initial operating verifications, 
172.6 	adjustments, and final operating verifications; documentation of any adjustments or repairs 
172.7 	performed; verification of installation of carbon dioxide monitors, including the make and 
172.8 	model of monitors; and verification that all work has been performed by qualified personnel, 
172.9 	including the contractor's name, certified TAB technician name and certification number, 
172.10 	and verification that all construction work has been performed by a skilled and trained 
172.11 	workforce.
172.12 	(b) Grants shall be prioritized to give direct support to schools and school children in 
172.13 	communities with high rates of poverty, as determined by receipt of federal Title I funding.
172.14 	(c) Grants shall be awarded to reimburse schools for 50 percent of costs incurred for 
172.15 	work performed under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3), with a maximum grant award of 
172.16 	$50,000.
172.17 	(d) The school board shall maintain a copy of the HVAC verification report and make 
172.18 	it available to students, parents, school personnel, and to any member of the public or the 
172.19 	program administrator upon request.
172.20 		Subd. 3.Program guidelines and rules. (a) The program administrator shall:
172.21 	(1) adopt guidelines for the air ventilation program no later than March 1, 2024;
172.22 	(2) establish the timing of grant funding; and
172.23 	(3) ensure the air ventilation program is operating and may receive applications for 
172.24 	grants no later than November 1, 2023, and begin to approve applications no later than 
172.25 	January 1, 2024, subject to the availability of funds.
172.26 	(b) The technical and reporting requirements of the air ventilation program may be 
172.27 	amended by the program administrator as necessary to reflect current COVID-19 guidance 
172.28 	or other applicable guidance, to achieve the intent of the air ventilation program, and to 
172.29 	ensure consistency with other related requirements and codes.
172.30 	(c) The program administrator may use no more than five percent of the program funds 
172.31 	for administering the program, including providing technical support to program participants.

173.1 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 168.27, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
173.2 	read:
173.3 		Subd. 2a.Dealer training; electric vehicles. (a) A new motor vehicle dealer licensed 
173.4 	under this chapter that operates under an agreement or franchise from a manufacturer and 
173.5 	sells electric vehicles must maintain at least one employee who is certified as having 
173.6 	completed a training course offered by a Minnesota motor vehicle dealership association 
173.7 	that addresses at least the following elements:
173.8 	(1) fundamentals of electric vehicles;
173.9 	(2) electric vehicle charging options and costs;
173.10 	(3) publicly available electric vehicle incentives;
173.11 	(4) projected maintenance and fueling costs for electric vehicles;
173.12 	(5) reduced tailpipe emissions, including greenhouse gas emissions, produced by electric 
173.13 	vehicles;
173.14 	(6) the impacts of Minnesota's cold climate on electric vehicle operation; and
173.15 	(7) best practices to sell electric vehicles.
173.16 	(b) For the purposes of this section, "electric vehicle" has the meaning given in section 
173.17 	169.011, subdivision 26a, paragraphs (a) and (b), clause (3).

173.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

173.19 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.16, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
173.20 		Subd. 10.Intervenor compensation. (a) A nonprofit organization or an individual 
173.21 	granted formal intervenor status by the commission is eligible to receive compensation.
173.22 	(b) The commission may order a utility to compensate all or part of an eligible intervenor's 
173.23 	reasonable costs of participation in a general rate case that comes before the commission 
173.24 	when the commission finds that the intervenor has materially assisted the commission's 
173.25 	deliberation and when a lack of compensation would present financial hardship to the 
173.26 	intervenor. Compensation may not exceed $50,000 for a single intervenor in any proceeding. 
173.27 	For the purpose of this subdivision, "materially assisted" means that the intervenor's 
173.28 	participation and presentation was useful and seriously considered, or otherwise substantially 
173.29 	contributed to the commission's deliberations in the proceeding.
173.30 	(c) In determining whether an intervenor has materially assisted the commission's 
173.31 	deliberation, the commission must consider, among other factors, whether:
174.1 	(1) the intervenor represented an interest that would not otherwise have been adequately 
174.2 	represented;
174.3 	(2) the evidence or arguments presented or the positions taken by the intervenor were 
174.4 	an important factor in producing a fair decision;
174.5 	(3) the intervenor's position promoted a public purpose or policy;
174.6 	(4) the evidence presented, arguments made, issues raised, or positions taken by the 
174.7 	intervenor would not have been a part of the record without the intervenor's participation; 
174.8 	and
174.9 	(5) the administrative law judge or the commission adopted, in whole or in part, a position 
174.10 	advocated by the intervenor.
174.11 	(d) In determining whether the absence of compensation would present financial hardship 
174.12 	to the intervenor, the commission must consider:
174.13 	(1) whether the costs presented in the intervenor's claim reflect reasonable fees for 
174.14 	attorneys and expert witnesses and other reasonable costs; and
174.15 	(2) the ratio between the costs of intervention and the intervenor's unrestricted funds.
174.16 	(e) An intervenor seeking compensation must file a request and an affidavit of service 
174.17 	with the commission, and serve a copy of the request on each party to the proceeding. The 
174.18 	request must be filed 30 days after the later of (1) the expiration of the period within which 
174.19 	a petition for rehearing, amendment, vacation, reconsideration, or reargument must be filed 
174.20 	or (2) the date the commission issues an order following rehearing, amendment, vacation, 
174.21 	reconsideration, or reargument.
174.22 	(f) The compensation request must include:
174.23 	(1) the name and address of the intervenor or representative of the nonprofit organization 
174.24 	the intervenor is representing;
174.25 	(2) proof of the organization's nonprofit, tax-exempt status;
174.26 	(3) the name and docket number of the proceeding for which compensation is requested;
174.27 	(4) a list of actual annual revenues and expenses of the organization the intervenor is 
174.28 	representing for the preceding year and projected revenues, revenue sources, and expenses 
174.29 	for the current year;
174.30 	(5) the organization's balance sheet for the preceding year and a current monthly balance 
174.31 	sheet;
175.1 	(6) an itemization of intervenor costs and the total compensation request; and
175.2 	(7) a narrative explaining why additional organizational funds cannot be devoted to the 
175.3 	intervention.
175.4 	(g) Within 30 days after service of the request for compensation, a party may file a 
175.5 	response, together with an affidavit of service, with the commission. A copy of the response 
175.6 	must be served on the intervenor and all other parties to the proceeding.
175.7 	(h) Within 15 days after the response is filed, the intervenor may file a reply with the 
175.8 	commission. A copy of the reply and an affidavit of service must be served on all other 
175.9 	parties to the proceeding.
175.10 	(i) If additional costs are incurred as a result of additional proceedings following the 
175.11 	commission's initial order, the intervenor may file an amended request within 30 days after 
175.12 	the commission issues an amended order. Paragraphs (e) to (h) apply to an amended request.
175.13 	(j) The commission must issue a decision on intervenor compensation within 60 days 
175.14 	of a filing by an intervenor.
175.15 	(k) A party may request reconsideration of the commission's compensation decision 
175.16 	within 30 days of the decision.
175.17 	(l) If the commission issues an order requiring payment of intervenor compensation, the 
175.18 	utility that was the subject of the proceeding must pay the compensation to the intervenor, 
175.19 	and file with the commission proof of payment, within 30 days after the later of (1) the 
175.20 	expiration of the period within which a petition for reconsideration of the commission's 
175.21 	compensation decision must be filed or (2) the date the commission issues an order following 
175.22 	reconsideration of its order on intervenor compensation.
175.23 	(m) This subdivision is effective only after section 216B.631 expires.

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

175.25 	Sec. 14. [216B.1615] ELECTRIC VEHICLE DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM.
175.26 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
175.27 	the meanings given.
175.28 	(b) "Battery exchange station" means a physical location deploying equipment that 
175.29 	enables a used electric vehicle battery to be removed and exchanged for a fresh electric 
175.30 	vehicle battery.
176.1 	(c) "Electric vehicle" means any device or contrivance that transports persons or property 
176.2 	and is capable of being powered by an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable 
176.3 	storage batteries, fuel cells, or other portable sources of electricity. Electric vehicle includes 
176.4 	but is not limited to:
176.5 	(1) an electric vehicle, as defined in section 169.011, subdivision 26a;
176.6 	(2) an electric-assisted bicycle, as defined in section 169.011, subdivision 27;
176.7 	(3) an off-road vehicle, as defined in section 84.797, subdivision 7;
176.8 	(4) a motorboat, as defined in section 86B.005, subdivision 9; or
176.9 	(5) an aircraft, as defined in section 360.013, subdivision 37.
176.10 	(d) "Electric vehicle charging station" means a physical location deploying equipment 
176.11 	that:
176.12 	(1) transfers electricity to an electric vehicle battery;
176.13 	(2) dispenses hydrogen into an electric vehicle powered by a fuel cell;
176.14 	(3) exchanges electric vehicle batteries; or
176.15 	(4) provides other equipment used to charge or fuel electric vehicles.
176.16 	(e) "Electric vehicle infrastructure" means electric vehicle charging stations and any 
176.17 	associated machinery, equipment, and infrastructure necessary for a public utility to supply 
176.18 	electricity or hydrogen to an electric vehicle charging station and to support electric vehicle 
176.19 	operation.
176.20 	(f) "Fuel cell" means a cell that converts the chemical energy of hydrogen directly into 
176.21 	electricity through electrochemical reactions.
176.22 	(g) "Government entity" means the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision, as 
176.23 	defined in section 13.02, subdivision 11.
176.24 	(h) "Public utility" has the meaning given in section 216B.02, subdivision 4.
176.25 		Subd. 2.Transportation electrification plan; contents.  (a) By November 1, 2023, and 
176.26 	periodically as ordered by the commission, a public utility must file a transportation 
176.27 	electrification plan with the commission that is designed to:
176.28 	(1) maximize the overall benefits of electric vehicles and other electrified transportation 
176.29 	while minimizing overall costs; and
176.30 	(2) promote the:
177.1 	(i) purchase of electric vehicles by the public utility's customers; and
177.2 	(ii) deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure in the public utility's service territory.
177.3 	(b) A transportation electrification plan may include but is not limited to the following 
177.4 	elements:
177.5 	(1) programs to educate and increase the awareness and benefits of electric vehicles and 
177.6 	electric vehicle charging equipment among individuals, electric vehicle dealers, single-family 
177.7 	and multifamily housing developers and property management companies, building owners 
177.8 	and tenants, vehicle service stations, vehicle fleet owners and managers, and other potential 
177.9 	users of electric vehicles;
177.10 	(2) utility investments to support transportation electrification across all customer classes, 
177.11 	including but not limited to investments to facilitate:
177.12 	(i) the deployment of electric vehicles for personal and commercial use; customer-owned, 
177.13 	third-party-owned, and utility-owned electric vehicle charging stations; electric vehicle 
177.14 	infrastructure to support light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicle electrification; 
177.15 	and other electric utility infrastructure needed to support transportation electrification;
177.16 	(ii) widespread access to publicly available electric vehicle charging stations; and
177.17 	(iii) the electrification of public transit and vehicle fleets owned or operated by a 
177.18 	government entity;
177.19 	(3) research and demonstration projects to increase access to electricity as a transportation 
177.20 	fuel, minimize the system costs of electric transportation, and inform future transportation 
177.21 	electrification plans;
177.22 	(4) rate structures or programs that encourage electric vehicle charging that optimizes 
177.23 	electric grid operation, including time-varying rates and charging optimization programs;
177.24 	(5) programs to increase access to the benefits of electricity as a transportation fuel for 
177.25 	low- or moderate-income customers and communities and in neighborhoods most affected 
177.26 	by transportation-related air emissions;
177.27 	(6) proposals to expedite commission consideration of program adjustments requested 
177.28 	during the term of an approved transportation electrification plan; and
177.29 	(7) proposals to share information and results from transportation electrification projects 
177.30 	with stakeholders to promote effective electrification in all areas of the state.
177.31 		Subd. 3.Transportation electrification plan; review and implementation. The 
177.32 	commission may approve, modify, or reject a transportation electrification plan. When 
178.1 	reviewing a transportation electrification plan, the commission must consider whether the 
178.2 	programs, investments, and expenditures as a whole are reasonable and in the public interest, 
178.3 	and are reasonably expected to:
178.4 	(1) improve the operation of the electric grid;
178.5 	(2) increase access to the use of electricity as a transportation fuel for all customers, 
178.6 	including those in low- or moderate-income communities, rural communities, and 
178.7 	communities most affected by emissions from the transportation sector;
178.8 	(3) increase access to publicly available electric vehicle charging and destination charging 
178.9 	for all types of electric vehicles;
178.10 	(4) support the electrification of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles and associated 
178.11 	charging infrastructure;
178.12 	(5) reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions, as defined in section 216H.01, and 
178.13 	emissions of other air pollutants that impair the environment and public health;
178.14 	(6) stimulate nonutility investment and the creation of skilled jobs;
178.15 	(7) maximize the overall benefits of electric vehicles and other electrified transportation 
178.16 	investments while minimizing overall costs;
178.17 	(8) educate the public about the benefits of electric vehicles and related infrastructure;
178.18 	(9) be transparent and incorporate reasonable public reporting of program activities, 
178.19 	consistent with existing technology and data capabilities, to inform program design and 
178.20 	commission policy with respect to electric vehicles;
178.21 	(10) reasonably balance the benefits of ratepayer-funded investments in transportation 
178.22 	electrification against impacts on utility rates; and
178.23 	(11) appropriately balance the participation of public utilities and private enterprise in 
178.24 	the market for transportation electrification and related services.
178.25 		Subd. 4.Cost recovery. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the 
178.26 	commission may approve, with respect to any prudent and reasonable investments made or 
178.27 	expenses incurred by a public utility to administer and implement a transportation 
178.28 	electrification plan approved under subdivision 3:
178.29 	(1) performance-based incentives or penalties;
178.30 	(2) placing the capital investment in the public utility's rate base and allowing the public 
178.31 	utility to earn a rate of return on the investment at:
179.1 	(i) the public utility's average weighted cost of capital, including the rate of return on 
179.2 	equity, approved by the commission in the public utility's most recent general rate case; or
179.3 	(ii) another rate determined by the commission; or
179.4 	(3) any other recovery mechanism that the commission determines is fair, reasonable, 
179.5 	and supports the objectives of this section.
179.6 	(b) Notwithstanding section 216B.16, subdivision 8, paragraph (a), clause (3), the 
179.7 	commission must approve recovery costs for expenses reasonably incurred by a public 
179.8 	utility to provide public advertisement as part of a transportation electrification plan approved 
179.9 	by the commission under subdivision 3.

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

179.11 	Sec. 15. [216B.1616] ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM.
179.12 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
179.13 	the meanings given.
179.14 	(b) "Battery exchange station" means a physical location deploying equipment that 
179.15 	enables a used electric vehicle battery to be removed and exchanged for a fresh electric 
179.16 	vehicle battery.
179.17 	(c) "Electric school bus" means a passenger motor vehicle:
179.18 	(1) primarily used to transport preprimary, primary, and secondary students;
179.19 	(2) designed to carry a driver and more than ten passengers; and
179.20 	(3) whose primary propulsion and accessory power technologies produce zero carbon 
179.21 	emissions in day-to-day operations.
179.22 	(d) "Electric utility" means a public utility or a consumer-owned utility, as defined in 
179.23 	section 216B.2402, subdivision 2.
179.24 	(e) "Electric vehicle" has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 26a.
179.25 	(f) "Electric vehicle charging station" means a physical location deploying equipment 
179.26 	that provides electricity to charge a battery in an electric vehicle.
179.27 	(g) "Electric vehicle infrastructure" means electric vehicle charging stations and any 
179.28 	associated electric panels, machinery, equipment, and infrastructure necessary for an electric 
179.29 	utility to supply electricity or hydrogen to an electric vehicle charging station and to support 
179.30 	electric vehicle operation.
180.1 	(h) "Electric vehicle service provider" means an organization that installs, maintains, or 
180.2 	otherwise services a battery exchange station, electric vehicle infrastructure, or electric 
180.3 	vehicle charging station.
180.4 	(i) "Poor air quality" means:
180.5 	(1) ambient air levels that air monitoring data reveals approach or exceed state or federal 
180.6 	air quality standards or chronic health inhalation risk benchmarks for total suspended 
180.7 	particulates, particulate matter less than ten microns wide (PM-10), particulate matter less 
180.8 	than 2.5 microns wide (PM-2.5), sulfur dioxide, or nitrogen dioxide; or
180.9 	(2) levels of asthma among children that significantly exceed the statewide average.
180.10 	(j) "Prioritized school district" means:
180.11 	(1) a school district listed in the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) 
180.12 	School District Estimates as having 7.5 percent or more students living in poverty based on 
180.13 	the most recent decennial United States census;
180.14 	(2) a school district identified with locale codes "43-Rural: Remote" and "42-Rural: 
180.15 	Distant" by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES); or
180.16 	(3) a Bureau of Indian Affairs funded school district and a school district that receives 
180.17 	basic support payments under United States Code, title 20, section 7703(b)(1), for children 
180.18 	who reside on Indian land.
180.19 	(k) "Public utility" has the meaning given in section 216B.02, subdivision 4.
180.20 	(l) "School" means a school that operates as part of an independent or special school 
180.21 	district.
180.22 	(m) "School bus" has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 71.
180.23 	(n) "School district" means an independent or special school district.
180.24 	(o) "Transportation service provider" means a transportation service provider that provides 
180.25 	student transportation services and that has a contract to provide transportation services to 
180.26 	a school.
180.27 		Subd. 2.Establishment; purpose. An electric school bus deployment program is 
180.28 	established in the Department of Commerce. The purpose of the program is to provide grants 
180.29 	to accelerate the deployment of electric school buses by school districts and to encourage 
180.30 	schools to use vehicle electrification as a teaching tool that can be integrated into the school's 
180.31 	curriculum.
181.1 		Subd. 3.Establishment of account. An electric school bus program account is established 
181.2 	in the special revenue fund. The account consists of money received provided by law, 
181.3 	donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account. Earnings including 
181.4 	interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from assets of the account must be credited 
181.5 	to the account. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, money deposited in the 
181.6 	account remains in the account until June 30, 2027.
181.7 		Subd. 4.Appropriation; expenditures. (a) Money in the account is appropriated to the 
181.8 	commissioner and must be used only:
181.9 	(1) for grant awards made under this section; and
181.10 	(2) to pay the reasonable costs incurred by the department to administer this section, 
181.11 	including the cost of providing technical assistance to school districts, electric utilities, 
181.12 	electric vehicle service providers, or transportation service providers, including but not 
181.13 	limited to grant writing assistance for applications for federal vehicle electrification programs.
181.14 	(b) Grant awards made with funds in the account must be used only for:
181.15 	(1) grants for the deployment of electric school buses by school districts; and
181.16 	(2) reasonable costs related to technical assistance for electric school bus deployment 
181.17 	program planning and preparing applications for federal vehicle electrification programs.
181.18 		Subd. 5.Eligible programs. (a) An electric school bus deployment grant may be awarded 
181.19 	to a school district, electric utility, electric vehicle service provider, or transportation service 
181.20 	provider under this section only if the electric school bus deployment program that is the 
181.21 	subject of the grant includes but is not limited to the following elements:
181.22 	(1) a school district or transportation service provider may (i) purchase one or more 
181.23 	electric school buses, or (ii) convert or repower fossil-fuel-powered school buses to be 
181.24 	electric;
181.25 	(2) the grant may be used for up to 75 percent of the cost the school district or 
181.26 	transportation service provider incurs to (i) purchase one or more electric school buses, or 
181.27 	(ii) convert or repower fossil-fuel-powered school buses to be electric;
181.28 	(3) for prioritized school districts, the grant may be used for up to 95 percent of the cost 
181.29 	the school district or transportation service provider incurs to (i) purchase one or more 
181.30 	electric school buses, or (ii) convert or repower fossil-fuel-powered school buses to be 
181.31 	electric;
182.1 	(4) the grant may be used for up to 75 percent of the cost of deploying on the school 
182.2 	district or transportation service provider's real property infrastructure required to operate 
182.3 	electric school buses, including but not limited to battery exchange stations, electric vehicle 
182.4 	infrastructure, or electric vehicle charging stations;
182.5 	(5) for prioritized school districts, the grant may be used for up to 95 percent of the cost 
182.6 	of deploying on the school district or transportation service provider's real property 
182.7 	infrastructure required to operate electric school buses, including but not limited to battery 
182.8 	exchange stations, electric vehicle infrastructure, or electric vehicle charging stations;
182.9 	(6) at the request of a school district or transportation service provider, an electric utility 
182.10 	may deploy on the school district or transportation service provider's real property electric 
182.11 	vehicle infrastructure required to operate electric school buses; and
182.12 	(7) the school district prioritizes the deployment of electric school buses in areas of the 
182.13 	school district that serve disadvantaged students, disproportionately experience poor air 
182.14 	quality, or are environmental justice areas as defined in section 216B.1691, subdivision 1, 
182.15 	paragraph (e).
182.16 	(b) A technical assistance grant may be awarded to a school district, electric utility, 
182.17 	electric vehicle service provider, or transportation service provider under this section for 
182.18 	the reasonable costs related to electric school bus deployment program planning and for 
182.19 	preparing applications for federal vehicle electrification programs.
182.20 		Subd. 6.Application process. (a) The commissioner must issue a request for proposals 
182.21 	to school districts, electric utilities, electric vehicle service providers, and transportation 
182.22 	service providers that may wish to apply for an electric bus deployment or technical assistance 
182.23 	grant under this section on behalf of a school.
182.24 	(b) A school district, electric utility, electric vehicle service provider, or transportation 
182.25 	service provider must submit an application for an electric school bus deployment grant to 
182.26 	the commissioner on behalf of a school district on a form prescribed by the commissioner. 
182.27 	The form must include, at a minimum, the following information:
182.28 	(1) the number of and description of the electric school buses the school district or 
182.29 	transportation service provider intends to purchase;
182.30 	(2) the total cost to purchase the electric school buses and the incremental cost, if any, 
182.31 	of the electric school buses when compared with fossil-fuel-powered school buses;
182.32 	(3) a copy of the proposed contract agreement between the school district, the electric 
182.33 	utility, the electric vehicle service provider, or the transportation service provider that 
183.1 	includes provisions addressing responsibility for maintenance of the electric school buses 
183.2 	and the infrastructure required to operate electric school buses, including but not limited to 
183.3 	battery exchange stations, electric vehicle infrastructure, or electric vehicle charging stations;
183.4 	(4) whether the school district is also a prioritized school district;
183.5 	(5) the areas of the school district that (i) serve disadvantaged students; (ii) 
183.6 	disproportionately experience poor air quality, as measured by indicators such as the 
183.7 	Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's air quality monitoring network, the Minnesota 
183.8 	Department of Health's air quality and health monitoring, or any other indicators applicants 
183.9 	choose to include; or (iii) are environmental justice areas as defined in section 216B.1691, 
183.10 	subdivision 1, paragraph (e);
183.11 	(6) the school district's plan, if any, to make the electric school buses serve as a visible 
183.12 	learning tool for students, teachers, and visitors to the school, including how vehicle 
183.13 	electrification may be integrated into the school district's curriculum;
183.14 	(7) information that demonstrates the school district's level of need for financial assistance 
183.15 	available under this section;
183.16 	(8) information that demonstrates the school district's readiness to implement the project 
183.17 	and to operate the electric school buses for no less than five years;
183.18 	(9) with respect to the installation and operation of the infrastructure required to operate 
183.19 	electric school buses, the willingness and ability of the electric vehicle service provider or 
183.20 	the electric utility to:
183.21 	(i) pay employees and contractors a prevailing wage rate, as defined in section 177.42, 
183.22 	subdivision 6; and
183.23 	(ii) adhere to the provisions of section 177.43; and
183.24 	(10) any other information deemed relevant by the commissioner.
183.25 	(c) A school district, electric utility, electric vehicle service provider, or transportation 
183.26 	service provider must submit an application for a technical assistance grant to the 
183.27 	commissioner on behalf of a school district on a form prescribed by the commissioner. The 
183.28 	form must include, at a minimum, the following information:
183.29 	(1) the name of the federal programs to which the applicants intend to apply;
183.30 	(2) a description of the technical assistance the applicants need in order to complete the 
183.31 	federal application; and
183.32 	(3) any other information deemed relevant by the commissioner.
184.1 	(d) The commissioner shall prioritize making grant awards to prioritized school districts. 
184.2 	On an annual basis, when prioritized school districts have applied for a grant, the 
184.3 	commissioner shall have as a goal awarding no less than 40 percent of the state's total grant 
184.4 	award amount to prioritized school districts.
184.5 	(e) The commissioner must administer an open application process under this section 
184.6 	at least twice annually.
184.7 	(f) The commissioner must develop administrative procedures governing the application 
184.8 	and grant award process.
184.9 		Subd. 7.Technical assistance. The commissioner must provide technical assistance to 
184.10 	school districts to develop and execute projects under this section.
184.11 		Subd. 8.Grant payments. The commissioner must award a grant from the account 
184.12 	established under subdivision 3 to a school district, the electric utility, electric vehicle service 
184.13 	provider, or transportation service provider for necessary costs associated with deployment 
184.14 	of electric buses. The amount of the grant must be based on the commissioner's assessment 
184.15 	of the school district's need for financial assistance. For each award, the amount of the grant, 
184.16 	in combination with any federal vehicle electrification program awards to the school district, 
184.17 	the electric utility, the electric vehicle service provider, or the transportation service provider, 
184.18 	shall not exceed the cost of the applicant's proposed electric school buses, electric vehicle 
184.19 	charging stations, and electric vehicle infrastructure.
184.20 		Subd. 9.Application deadline. No application may be submitted under this section 
184.21 	after December 31, 2032.
184.22 		Subd. 10.Reporting. Beginning January 15, 2024, and each year thereafter until January 
184.23 	15, 2034, the commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the 
184.24 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy regarding: (1) grants and amounts 
184.25 	awarded to school districts under this section during the previous year; and (2) any remaining 
184.26 	balances available under this section.
184.27 		Subd. 11.Cost recovery. (a) Any prudent and reasonable investment made by any public 
184.28 	utility on electric vehicle infrastructure installed on a school district's real property may be 
184.29 	placed in the public utility's rate base and earn a rate of return, as determined by the 
184.30 	commission.
184.31 	(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the commission may approve 
184.32 	a tariff mechanism to automatically adjust annual charges for prudent and reasonable 
185.1 	investments made by a public utility on electric vehicle infrastructure installed on a school 
185.2 	district's real property.

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

185.4 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.1641, is amended to read:
185.5 	216B.1641 COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDEN.
185.6 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms in this 
185.7 	subdivision have the meanings given.
185.8 	(b) "Landlord" has the meaning given in section 504B.001, subdivision 7.
185.9 	(c) "Residential tenant" has the meaning given in section 504B.001, subdivision 12.
185.10 	(d) "Subscriber" means a retail customer who contracts for one or more subscriptions 
185.11 	for a community solar garden interconnected with the retail customer's utility.
185.12 	(e) "Subscription" means a contract between a subscriber and the owner of a community 
185.13 	solar garden.
185.14 		Subd. 2.Solar garden program. (a) The public utility subject to section 116C.779 shall 
185.15 	file by September 30, 2013, a plan with the commission to operate a community solar garden 
185.16 	program which shall begin operations within 90 days after commission approval of the plan. 
185.17 	Other public utilities may file an application at their election. The community solar garden 
185.18 	program must be designed to offset the energy use of not less than five subscribers in each 
185.19 	community solar garden facility of which no single subscriber has more than a 40 percent 
185.20 	interest. The owner of the community solar garden may be a public utility or any other entity 
185.21 	or organization that contracts to sell the output from the community solar garden to the 
185.22 	utility under section 216B.164. There shall be no limitation on the number or cumulative 
185.23 	generating capacity of community solar garden facilities other than the limitations imposed 
185.24 	under section 216B.164, subdivision 4c, or other limitations provided in law or regulations.
185.25 	(b) A solar garden is a facility that generates electricity by means of a ground-mounted 
185.26 	or roof-mounted solar photovoltaic device whereby subscribers receive a bill credit for the 
185.27 	electricity generated in proportion to the size of their subscription. The solar garden must 
185.28 	have a nameplate capacity of no more than one megawatt. Each subscription shall be sized 
185.29 	to represent at least 200 watts of the community solar garden's generating capacity and to 
185.30 	supply, when combined with other distributed generation resources serving the premises, 
185.31 	no more than 120 percent of the average annual consumption of electricity by each subscriber 
185.32 	at the premises to which the subscription is attributed.
186.1 	(c) The solar generation facility must be located in the service territory of the public 
186.2 	utility filing the plan. Subscribers must be retail customers of the public utility located in 
186.3 	the same county or a county contiguous to where the facility is located.
186.4 	(d) The public utility must purchase from the community solar garden all energy generated 
186.5 	by the solar garden. The purchase shall be at the rate calculated under section 216B.164, 
186.6 	subdivision 10, or, until that rate for the public utility has been approved by the commission, 
186.7 	the applicable retail rate. A solar garden is eligible for any incentive programs offered under 
186.8 	section 116C.7792. A subscriber's portion of the purchase shall be provided by a credit on 
186.9 	the subscriber's bill.
186.10 		Subd. 3.Solar garden plan requirements. (e) (a) The commission may approve, 
186.11 	disapprove, or modify a community solar garden program plan. Any plan approved by the 
186.12 	commission must:
186.13 	(1) reasonably allow for the creation, financing, and accessibility of community solar 
186.14 	gardens;
186.15 	(2) establish uniform standards, fees, and processes for the interconnection of community 
186.16 	solar garden facilities that allow the utility to recover reasonable interconnection costs for 
186.17 	each community solar garden;
186.18 	(3) not apply different requirements to utility and nonutility community solar garden 
186.19 	facilities;
186.20 	(4) be consistent with the public interest;
186.21 	(5) identify the information that must be provided to potential subscribers to ensure fair 
186.22 	disclosure of future costs and benefits of subscriptions;
186.23 	(6) include a program implementation schedule;
186.24 	(7) identify all proposed rules, fees, and charges; and
186.25 	(8) identify the means by which the program will be promoted;
186.26 	(9) require that participation by a subscriber must be strictly voluntary;
186.27 	(10) prohibit a landlord from removing a residential tenant who is an existing retail 
186.28 	customer of the public utility from the utility account and subscribing to a community solar 
186.29 	garden on behalf of the tenant;
186.30 	(11) ensure that contract terms are publicly available; and
186.31 	(12) allow subscribers to stop subscribing without charging a fee or other penalty.
187.1 	(f) (b) Notwithstanding any other law, neither the manager of nor the subscribers to a 
187.2 	community solar garden facility shall be considered a utility solely as a result of their 
187.3 	participation in the community solar garden facility.
187.4 	(g) (c) Within 180 days of commission approval of a plan under this section, a utility 
187.5 	shall begin crediting subscriber accounts for each community solar garden facility in its 
187.6 	service territory, and shall file with the commissioner of commerce a description of its 
187.7 	crediting system.
187.8 	(h) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given:
187.9 	(1) "subscriber" means a retail customer of a utility who owns one or more subscriptions 
187.10 	of a community solar garden facility interconnected with that utility; and
187.11 	(2) "subscription" means a contract between a subscriber and the owner of a solar garden.
187.12 		Subd. 4.Low-income community solar gardens. (a) The public utility subject to section 
187.13 	116C.779 must file by September 30, 2023, a plan with the commission to operate a 
187.14 	low-income community solar garden program in accordance with this subdivision, and must 
187.15 	begin operations within 90 days after commission approval of the plan. The program operated 
187.16 	under this subdivision:
187.17 	(1) is subject to the other requirements of this section except as modified by this 
187.18 	subdivision;
187.19 	(2) is limited in size to ten megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity annually;
187.20 	(3) must provide that renewable energy credits generated under the program are retained 
187.21 	by the public utility; and
187.22 	(4) must require the utility to purchase all energy generated by a low-income community 
187.23 	solar garden. A subscriber's portion of the purchase shall be provided by a credit on the 
187.24 	subscriber's bill at the average retail utility energy rate for the appropriate customer class.
187.25 	(b) The owner of a solar project must apply to the utility to be designated as a low-income 
187.26 	community solar garden before it is eligible to participate in the program. The utility must 
187.27 	not designate a project a low-income community solar garden unless it is majority owned 
187.28 	by a cooperative association, nonprofit organization, or federally recognized Indian Tribe. 
187.29 	The utility may designate a project as a low-income community solar garden if the owner 
187.30 	of the solar garden demonstrates it will meet the following conditions:
187.31 	(1) the solar generation facilities of the solar garden meet the requirements of subdivision 
187.32 	2, paragraph (b), except as modified by this paragraph;
188.1 	(2) at least 25 percent of the solar garden's generating capacity is subscribed by residential 
188.2 	customers whose household income:
188.3 	(i) is 80 percent or less of the area median household income for the geographic area in 
188.4 	which the low-income household is located, as calculated by the federal Department of 
188.5 	Housing and Urban Development; or
188.6 	(ii) meets the income eligibility standards, as determined by the commission, required 
188.7 	for a household to receive financial assistance from a federal, state, municipal, or utility 
188.8 	program administered or approved by the commission;
188.9 	(3) eligible nonresidential subscribers consist of only the following, located on census 
188.10 	tracts designated as low- or moderate-income by the federal Financial Institutions 
188.11 	Examination Council:
188.12 	(i) grocery stores;
188.13 	(ii) clinics;
188.14 	(iii) child care centers;
188.15 	(iv) food shelves;
188.16 	(v) libraries;
188.17 	(vi) Tribal Nations;
188.18 	(vii) shelters;
188.19 	(viii) schools that are not enrolled in any other solar incentive program; or
188.20 	(ix) houses of worship;
188.21 	(4) the owner does not run credit score or credit history checks on residential subscribers;
188.22 	(5) the solar garden has a nameplate capacity of no more than three megawatts alternating 
188.23 	current;
188.24 	(6) the solar garden has no fewer than three subscribers and no subscriber accounts for 
188.25 	more than 40 percent of the solar garden's capacity;
188.26 	(7) the solar garden is operated by an entity that maintains a physical address in Minnesota 
188.27 	and has designated a contact person in Minnesota who responds to subscriber inquiries; and
188.28 	(8) the agreement between the owner of the solar garden and subscribers states that the 
188.29 	owner must adequately publicize and convene at least one in-person meeting annually to 
188.30 	provide an opportunity for subscribers to pose questions to the manager or owner.
189.1 		Subd. 5.New solar gardens must be low-income community solar gardens. For 
189.2 	applications submitted after August 1, 2023, the public utility subject to section 116C.779 
189.3 	must not approve interconnection of new solar gardens or renew existing solar gardens for 
189.4 	inclusion in the community solar garden program  unless the solar garden is accepted for 
189.5 	inclusion in the low-income community solar garden program under subdivision 4.
189.6 		Subd. 6.Low-income community solar gardens; reporting. The owner of a low-income 
189.7 	community solar garden must include the following information in an annual report to the 
189.8 	low-income community solar garden subscribers and the utility:
189.9 	(1) a description of the process by which subscribers may provide input regarding solar 
189.10 	garden policy and decision making;
189.11 	(2) the amount of revenues received by the solar garden in the previous year that were 
189.12 	allocated to categories that include but are not limited to operating costs, debt service, profits 
189.13 	distributed to subscribers, and profits distributed to others;
189.14 	(3) minutes from the most recent annual meeting; and
189.15 	(4) the proportion of low- and moderate-income subscribers, and a description of how 
189.16 	the information was collected from subscribers and verified.
189.17 		Subd. 7.Noncompliance. A low-income community solar garden that has begun 
189.18 	commercial operation must notify the commission in writing within 30 days if the solar 
189.19 	garden is not in compliance with subdivision 4, and must comply within 12 months or the 
189.20 	commission must revoke the solar garden's participation in the program. Nothing in this 
189.21 	subdivision prevents an owner from reapplying to participate in the program after revocation.

189.22 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.1645, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
189.23 		Subd. 4.Settlement with Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Council at Payments to the
189.24 	Prairie Island Indian Community. (a) The commission shall approve a rate schedule 
189.25 	providing for the automatic adjustment of charges to recover the costs or expenses of a 
189.26 	settlement between the public utility that owns the Prairie Island nuclear generation facility 
189.27 	and the Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Council Prairie Island Indian Community at Prairie 
189.28 	Island, resolving outstanding disputes regarding the provisions of Laws 1994, chapter 641, 
189.29 	article 1, section 4. The settlement must provide for annual payments, not to exceed 
189.30 	$2,500,000 annually, by the public utility to the Prairie Island Indian Community, to be 
189.31 	used for, among other purposes, acquiring up to 1,500 contiguous or noncontiguous acres 
189.32 	of land in Minnesota within 50 miles of the tribal community's reservation at Prairie Island
189.33 	to be taken into trust by the federal government for the benefit of the tribal community for 
190.1 	housing and other residential purposes. The legislature acknowledges that the intent to 
190.2 	purchase land by the tribe for relocation purposes is part of the settlement agreement and 
190.3 	Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 11. However, the state, through the governor, 
190.4 	reserves the right to support or oppose any particular application to place land in trust status.
190.5 	(b) In addition to other payments provided under this section, the commission shall 
190.6 	approve a rate schedule providing for the automatic adjustment of charges to recover 
190.7 	payments under this paragraph. The public utility that owns the Prairie Island nuclear 
190.8 	generation facility must make annual payments to the Prairie Island Indian Community for 
190.9 	each dry cask or container containing spent fuel that is located at the Prairie Island power 
190.10 	plant for as long as the dry casks containing spent fuel are stored at the Prairie Island 
190.11 	Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation. The payment per dry cask required under this 
190.12 	section is $50,000 for each dry cask or container.
190.13 	(c) In addition to other payments provided under this section, the commission shall 
190.14 	approve a rate schedule providing for the automatic adjustment of charges to recover 
190.15 	payments under this paragraph. The public utility that owns the Prairie Island nuclear 
190.16 	generation facility must make an annual lump sum payment to the Prairie Island Indian 
190.17 	Community in the amount of $7,500,000 for each year the plant is in licensed operation.
190.18 	(d) Paragraphs (b) and (c) apply only if the public utility that owns the Prairie Island 
190.19 	nuclear generation facility enters into a new or amended settlement agreement with the 
190.20 	Prairie Island Indian Community after the effective date of this section that resolves 
190.21 	outstanding disputes regarding the extended operation of the Prairie Island nuclear generation 
190.22 	facility. Payments required under those paragraphs are required only if and to the extent 
190.23 	that they are required under the terms of the settlement. Payments made under this subdivision 
190.24 	may be used by the Prairie Island Indian Community for any purpose benefitting the Prairie 
190.25 	Island Indian Community.

190.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2024.

190.27 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.1691, is amended by adding a subdivision 
190.28 	to read:
190.29 		Subd. 2h.Distributed solar energy standard. (a) In addition to the other requirements 
190.30 	of this section, for the public utility subject to section 116C.779, at least three percent of 
190.31 	the utility's total retail electric sales to customers in Minnesota by the end of 2030 must be 
190.32 	generated by solar photovoltaic devices:
191.1 	(1) with a nameplate capacity of ten megawatts or less connected to the utility's 
191.2 	distribution system;
191.3 	(2) that are located in the service territory of the public utility; and
191.4 	(3) that were constructed or procured after August 1, 2023.
191.5 	(b) Generation with a nameplate capacity of 100 kilowatts or more does not count toward 
191.6 	compliance with the standard established in this subdivision unless the public utility verifies 
191.7 	that construction trades workers who constructed the generation resource were all paid no 
191.8 	less than the prevailing wage rate, as defined in section 177.42.
191.9 	(c) The public utility subject to section 116C.779 may own no more than 30 percent of 
191.10 	the solar photovoltaic capacity used to satisfy the requirements of this subdivision.
191.11 	(d) Compensation for solar photovoltaic projects procured to satisfy the standard 
191.12 	established in this subdivision must be determined based on a competitive procurement 
191.13 	process and standard contracts approved by the commission.
191.14 	(e) After January 1, 2031, the commission may use the authority in subdivision 2b to 
191.15 	increase or decrease the standard obligation established in paragraph (a). Prior to that date, 
191.16 	the commission may modify or delay the implementation of that standard obligation, in 
191.17 	whole or in part, in accordance with subdivision 2b.
191.18 	(f) An integrated distribution plan filed by a utility subject to this subdivision must 
191.19 	describe investments in the distribution grid that facilitate the interconnection of sufficient 
191.20 	distribution-connected solar energy to fulfill the requirements of this subdivision.

191.21 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
191.22 		Subdivision 1.Investigation. On its the commission's own motion or upon a complaint 
191.23 	made against any public utility, by the governing body of any political subdivision, by 
191.24 	another public utility, by the department, or by any 50 consumers of the a particular utility, 
191.25 	or by a complainant under section 216B.172 that any of the rates, tolls, tariffs, charges, or 
191.26 	schedules or any joint rate or any regulation, measurement, practice, act, or omission affecting 
191.27 	or relating to the production, transmission, delivery, or furnishing of natural gas or electricity 
191.28 	or any service in connection therewith is in any respect unreasonable, insufficient, or unjustly 
191.29 	discriminatory, or that any service is inadequate or cannot be obtained, the commission 
191.30 	shall proceed, with notice, to make such investigation as it may deem necessary. The 
191.31 	commission may dismiss any complaint without a hearing if in its opinion a hearing is not 
191.32 	in the public interest.

192.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
192.2 	applies to any complaint filed with the commission on or after that date.

192.3 	Sec. 20. [216B.172] CONSUMER DISPUTES.
192.4 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
192.5 	the meanings given.
192.6 	(b) "Appeal" means a request a complainant files with the commission to review and 
192.7 	make a final decision regarding the resolution of the complainant's complaint by the consumer 
192.8 	affairs office.
192.9 	(c) "Complainant" means an individual residential customer who files with the consumer 
192.10 	affairs office a complaint against a public utility.
192.11 	(d) "Complaint" means an allegation submitted to the consumer affairs office by a 
192.12 	complainant that a public utility's action or practice regarding billing or terms and conditions 
192.13 	of service:
192.14 	(1) violates a statute, rule, tariff, service contract, or other provision of law;
192.15 	(2) is unreasonable; or
192.16 	(3) has harmed or, if not addressed, harms a complainant.
192.17 	Complaint does not include an objection to or a request to modify any natural gas or 
192.18 	electricity rate contained in a tariff that has been approved by the commission. A complaint 
192.19 	under this section is an informal complaint under Minnesota Rules, chapter 7829.
192.20 	(e) "Consumer affairs office" means the staff unit of the commission that is organized 
192.21 	to receive and respond to complaints.
192.22 	(f) "Informal proceeding" has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, part 7829.0100, 
192.23 	subpart 8.
192.24 	(g) "Public assistance" has the meaning given in section 550.37, subdivision 14.
192.25 	(h) "Public utility" has the meaning given in section 216B.02, subdivision 4.
192.26 		Subd. 2.Complaint resolution procedure. A complainant must first attempt to resolve 
192.27 	a dispute with a public utility by filing a complaint with the consumer affairs office. The 
192.28 	consumer affairs office must: (1) notify the complainant of the resolution of the complaint; 
192.29 	and (2) provide written notice of (i) the complainant's right to appeal the resolution to the 
192.30 	commission, and (ii) the steps the complainant may take to appeal the resolution. Upon 
192.31 	request, the consumer affairs office must provide to the complainant a written notice 
193.1 	containing the substance of and basis for the resolution. Nothing in this section affects any 
193.2 	other rights existing under this chapter or other law.
193.3 		Subd. 3.Appeal; final commission decision. (a) If a complainant is not satisfied with 
193.4 	the resolution of a complaint by the consumer affairs office, the complainant may file an 
193.5 	appeal with the commission requesting that the commission make a final decision on the 
193.6 	complaint. The commission's response to an appeal filed under this subdivision must comply 
193.7 	with the notice requirements under section 216B.17, subdivisions 2 to 5.
193.8 	(b) Upon the commission's receipt of an appeal filed under paragraph (a), the chair of 
193.9 	the commission or a subcommittee delegated under section 216A.03, subdivision 8, to 
193.10 	review the resolution of the complaint must decide whether the complaint be:
193.11 	(1) dismissed because there is no reasonable basis on which to proceed;
193.12 	(2) resolved through an informal commission proceeding; or
193.13 	(3) referred to the Office of Administrative Hearings for a contested case proceeding 
193.14 	under chapter 14.
193.15 	A decision made under this paragraph must be provided in writing to the complainant and 
193.16 	the public utility.
193.17 	(c) If the commission decides that the complaint be resolved through an informal 
193.18 	proceeding before the commission or referred to the Office of Administrative Hearings for 
193.19 	a contested case proceeding, the executive secretary must issue any procedural schedules, 
193.20 	notices, or orders required to initiate an informal proceeding or a contested case.
193.21 	(d) The commission's dismissal of an appeal request or a decision rendered after 
193.22 	conducting an informal proceeding is a final decision constituting an order or determination 
193.23 	of the commission.
193.24 		Subd. 4.Judicial review. Notwithstanding section 216B.27, a complainant may seek 
193.25 	judicial review in district court of an adverse final decision under subdivision 3, paragraph 
193.26 	(b), clause (1) or (2). Judicial review of the commission's decision in a contested case referred 
193.27 	under subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (3), is governed by chapter 14.
193.28 		Subd. 5.Right to service during pendency of dispute. A public utility must continue 
193.29 	or promptly restore service to a complainant during the pendency of an administrative or 
193.30 	judicial procedure pursued by a complainant under this section, provided that the 
193.31 	complainant:
193.32 	(1) agrees to enter into a payment agreement under section 216B.098, subdivision 3;
194.1 	(2) posts the full disputed payment in escrow;
194.2 	(3) demonstrates receipt of public assistance or eligibility for legal aid services; or
194.3 	(4) demonstrates the complainant's household income is at or below 50 percent of the 
194.4 	median income in Minnesota.
194.5 		Subd. 6.Rulemaking authority. The commission may adopt rules to carry out the 
194.6 	purposes of this section.

194.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
194.8 	applies to any complaint filed with the commission on or after that date.

194.9 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2422, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
194.10 		Subd. 2.Resource plan filing and approval. (a) A utility shall file a resource plan with 
194.11 	the commission periodically in accordance with rules adopted by the commission. The 
194.12 	commission shall approve, reject, or modify the plan of a public utility, as defined in section 
194.13 	216B.02, subdivision 4, consistent with the public interest.
194.14 	(b) In the resource plan proceedings of all other utilities, the commission's order shall 
194.15 	be advisory and the order's findings and conclusions shall constitute prima facie evidence 
194.16 	which may be rebutted by substantial evidence in all other proceedings. With respect to 
194.17 	utilities other than those defined in section 216B.02, subdivision 4, the commission shall 
194.18 	consider the filing requirements and decisions in any comparable proceedings in another 
194.19 	jurisdiction.
194.20 	(c) As a part of its resource plan filing, a utility shall include the least cost plan for 
194.21 	meeting 50 and 75 percent of all energy needs from both new and refurbished generating 
194.22 	facilities through a combination of conservation and renewable energy resources.
194.23 	(d) A public utility must include distributed energy resources among the options 
194.24 	considered in the public utility's resource plan filing.

194.25 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.62, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:
194.26 		Subd. 3b.Assessment for department regional and national duties. (a) In addition 
194.27 	to other assessments in subdivision 3, the department may assess up to $500,000 $1,000,000
194.28 	per fiscal year to perform the duties under section 216A.07, subdivision 3a, and to conduct 
194.29 	analysis that assesses energy grid reliability at state, regional, and national levels. The 
194.30 	amount in this subdivision shall be assessed to energy utilities in proportion to their respective 
194.31 	gross operating revenues from retail sales of gas or electric service within the state during 
195.1 	the last calendar year and shall be deposited into an account in the special revenue fund and 
195.2 	is appropriated to the commissioner of commerce for the purposes of section 216A.07, 
195.3 	subdivision 3a. An assessment made under this subdivision is not subject to the cap on 
195.4 	assessments provided in subdivision 3 or any other law. For the purpose of this subdivision, 
195.5 	an "energy utility" means public utilities, generation and transmission cooperative electric 
195.6 	associations, and municipal power agencies providing natural gas or electric service in the 
195.7 	state.
195.8 	(b) By February 1, 2023, the commissioner of commerce must submit a written report 
195.9 	to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary 
195.10 	jurisdiction over energy policy. The report must describe how the department has used 
195.11 	utility grid assessment funding under paragraph (a) and must explain the impact the grid 
195.12 	assessment funding has had on grid reliability in Minnesota.
195.13 	(c) This subdivision expires June 30, 2023.

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

195.15 	Sec. 23. [216B.631] COMPENSATION FOR PARTICIPANTS IN PROCEEDINGS.
195.16 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
195.17 	the meanings given.
195.18 	(b) "Participant" means a person who files comments or appears in a commission 
195.19 	proceeding concerning one or more public utilities, excluding public hearings held in 
195.20 	contested cases and commission proceedings conducted to receive general public comments.
195.21 	(c) "Party" means a person by or against whom a proceeding before the commission is 
195.22 	commenced or a person permitted to intervene in a proceeding, other than public hearings, 
195.23 	concerning one or more public utilities.
195.24 	(d) "Proceeding" means:
195.25 	(1) a rate change proceeding under section 216B.16, including a request to withdraw, 
195.26 	defer, or modify a petition to change rates;
195.27 	(2) a proceeding in which the commission considers a utility request for cost recovery 
195.28 	through general rates or riders;
195.29 	(3) a proceeding in which the commission considers a determination related to ratepayer 
195.30 	protections, service quality, or disconnection policies and practices, including but not limited 
195.31 	to utility compliance with the requirements of sections 216B.091 to 216B.0993;
196.1 	(4) a proceeding in which the commission considers determinations directly related to 
196.2 	low-income affordability programs, including but not limited to utility compliance with the 
196.3 	requirements of section 216B.16, subdivisions 14, 15, and 19, paragraph (a), clause (3);
196.4 	(5) a proceeding related to the design or approval of utility tariffs or rates;
196.5 	(6) a proceeding related to utility performance measures or incentives, including but not 
196.6 	limited to proceedings under sections 216B.16, subdivision 19, paragraph (h), 216B.167, 
196.7 	and 216B.1675;
196.8 	(7) proceedings related to distribution system planning and grid modernization, including 
196.9 	but not limited to proceedings in compliance with the requirements in section 216B.2425, 
196.10 	subdivision 2, paragraph (e);
196.11 	(8) investigations or inquiries initiated by the commission or the Department of 
196.12 	Commerce; or
196.13 	(9) proceedings related to utility pilot programs in which the commission considers a 
196.14 	proposal with a proposed cost of at least $5,000,000.
196.15 	(e) "Public utility" has the meaning given in section 216B.02, subdivision 4.
196.16 		Subd. 2.Participants; eligibility. Any of the following participants is eligible to receive 
196.17 	compensation under this section:
196.18 	(1) a nonprofit organization that:
196.19 	(i) is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
196.20 	(ii) is incorporated or organized in Minnesota;
196.21 	(iii) is governed under chapter 317A or section 322C.1101; and
196.22 	(iv) the commission determines under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), would suffer financial 
196.23 	hardship if not compensated for the nonprofit organization's participation in the applicable 
196.24 	proceeding; or
196.25 	(2) a Tribal government of a federally recognized Indian Tribe that is located in 
196.26 	Minnesota.
196.27 		Subd. 3.Compensation; conditions. (a) The commission may order a public utility to 
196.28 	compensate all or part of a participant's reasonable costs incurred to participate in a 
196.29 	proceeding before the commission if the participant is eligible under subdivision 2 and the 
196.30 	commission finds:
196.31 	(1) that the participant has materially assisted the commission's deliberation; and
197.1 	(2) if the participant is a nonprofit organization, that the participant would suffer financial 
197.2 	hardship if the nonprofit organization's participation in the proceeding was not compensated.
197.3 	(b) In determining whether a participant has materially assisted the commission's 
197.4 	deliberation, the commission must find that:
197.5 	(1) the participant made a unique contribution to the record and represented an interest 
197.6 	that would not otherwise have been adequately represented;
197.7 	(2) the evidence or arguments presented or the positions taken by the participant were 
197.8 	an important factor in producing a fair decision;
197.9 	(3) the participant's position promoted a public purpose or policy;
197.10 	(4) the evidence presented, arguments made, issues raised, or positions taken by the 
197.11 	participant would not otherwise have been part of the record;
197.12 	(5) the participant was active in any stakeholder process included in the proceeding; and
197.13 	(6) the proceeding resulted in a commission order that adopted, in whole or in part, a 
197.14 	position advocated by the participant.
197.15 	(c) In determining whether a nonprofit participant has demonstrated that a lack of 
197.16 	compensation would present financial hardship, the commission must find that the nonprofit 
197.17 	participant:
197.18 	(1) had an average annual payroll expense less than $600,000 for participation in 
197.19 	commission proceedings over the previous three years; and
197.20 	(2) has fewer than 30 full-time equivalent employees.
197.21 	(d) In reviewing a compensation request, the commission must consider whether the 
197.22 	costs presented in the participant's claim are reasonable. If the commission determines that 
197.23 	an eligible participant materially assisted the commission's deliberation, the commission 
197.24 	may award all or part of the requested compensation, up to the maximum amounts provided 
197.25 	under subdivision 4.
197.26 		Subd. 4.Compensation; amount. (a) Compensation must not exceed $35,000 for a 
197.27 	single participant in any proceeding, except that:
197.28 	(1) if a proceeding extends longer than 12 months, a participant may request and be 
197.29 	awarded compensation of up to $35,000 for costs incurred in each calendar year; and
197.30 	(2) in a proceeding that has been referred to the Office of Administrative Hearings for 
197.31 	a contested case proceeding, a participant may request and be awarded up to $75,000.
198.1 	(b) No single participant may be awarded more than $175,000 under this section in a 
198.2 	single calendar year.
198.3 	(c) Total compensation awarded to all participants must not exceed $125,000 in any 
198.4 	single proceeding per-calendar year, excluding proceedings that have been referred to the 
198.5 	Office of Administrative Hearings for contested case proceedings.
198.6 	(d) Compensation requests from joint participants must be presented as a single request.
198.7 	(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), the commission must not, in any calendar 
198.8 	year, require a single public utility to pay aggregate compensation under this section that 
198.9 	exceeds the following amounts:
198.10 	(1) $100,000, for a public utility with up to $300,000,000 annual gross operating revenue 
198.11 	in Minnesota;
198.12 	(2) $275,000, for a public utility with at least $300,000,000 but less than $900,000,000 
198.13 	annual gross operating revenue in Minnesota;
198.14 	(3) $375,000, for a public utility with at least $900,000,000 but less than $2,000,000,000 
198.15 	annual gross operating revenue in Minnesota; and
198.16 	(4) $1,250,000, for a public utility with $2,000,000,000 or more annual gross operating 
198.17 	revenue in Minnesota.
198.18 	(f) When requests for compensation from any public utility approach the limits established 
198.19 	in paragraphs (c) or (e), the commission may give priority to requests from participants that 
198.20 	received less than $150,000 in total compensation during the previous two years and from 
198.21 	participants who represent residential ratepayers, particularly those residential ratepayers 
198.22 	who the participant can demonstrate have been underrepresented in past commission 
198.23 	proceedings.
198.24 		Subd. 5.Compensation; process. (a) A participant seeking compensation must file a 
198.25 	request and an affidavit of service with the commission, and serve a copy of the request on 
198.26 	each party to the proceeding. The request must be filed no more than 30 days after the later 
198.27 	of:
198.28 	(1) the expiration of the period within which a petition for rehearing, amendment, 
198.29 	vacation, reconsideration, or reargument must be filed; or
198.30 	(2) the date the commission issues an order following rehearing, amendment, vacation, 
198.31 	reconsideration, or reargument.
198.32 	(b) A compensation request must include:
199.1 	(1) the name and address of the participant or nonprofit organization the participant is 
199.2 	representing;
199.3 	(2) evidence of the organization's nonprofit, tax-exempt status, if applicable;
199.4 	(3) the name and docket number of the proceeding for which compensation is requested;
199.5 	(4) for a nonprofit participant, evidence supporting the nonprofit organization's eligibility 
199.6 	for compensation under the financial hardship test under subdivision 3, paragraph (c);
199.7 	(5) amounts of compensation awarded to the participant under this section during the 
199.8 	current year and any pending requests for compensation, itemized by docket;
199.9 	(6) an itemization of the participant's costs, not including overhead costs;
199.10 	(7) participant revenues dedicated for the proceeding;
199.11 	(8) the total compensation request; and
199.12 	(9) a narrative describing the unique contribution made to the proceeding by the 
199.13 	participant.
199.14 	(c) A participant must comply with reasonable requests for information by the commission 
199.15 	and other parties or participants. A participant must reply to information requests within 
199.16 	ten calendar days of the date the request is received, unless doing so would place an extreme 
199.17 	hardship upon the replying participant. The replying participant must provide a copy of the 
199.18 	information to any other participant or interested person upon request. Disputes regarding 
199.19 	information requests may be resolved by the commission.
199.20 	(d) A party or participant objecting to a request for compensation must, within 30 days 
199.21 	after service of the request for compensation, file a response and an affidavit of service with 
199.22 	the commission. A copy of the response must be served on the requesting participant and 
199.23 	all other parties to the proceeding.
199.24 	(e) The requesting participant may file a reply with the commission within 15 days after 
199.25 	a response is filed under paragraph (d). A copy of the reply and an affidavit of service must 
199.26 	be served on all other parties to the proceeding.
199.27 	(f) If additional costs are incurred by a participant as a result of additional proceedings 
199.28 	following the commission's initial order, the participant may file an amended request within 
199.29 	30 days after the commission issues an amended order. Paragraphs (b) to (e) apply to an 
199.30 	amended request.
199.31 	(g) The commission must issue a decision on participant compensation within 120 days 
199.32 	of the date a request for compensation is filed by a participant.
200.1 	(h) The commission may extend the deadlines in paragraphs (d), (e), and (g) for up to 
200.2 	30 days upon the request of a participant or on the commission's own initiative.
200.3 	(i) A participant may request reconsideration of the commission's compensation decision 
200.4 	within 30 days of the decision date.
200.5 		Subd. 6.Compensation; orders. (a) If the commission issues an order requiring payment 
200.6 	of participant compensation, the public utility that was the subject of the proceeding must 
200.7 	pay the full compensation to the participant and file proof of payment with the commission 
200.8 	within 30 days after the later of:
200.9 	(1) the expiration of the period within which a petition for reconsideration of the 
200.10 	commission's compensation decision must be filed; or
200.11 	(2) the date the commission issues an order following reconsideration of the commission's 
200.12 	order on participant compensation.
200.13 	(b) If the commission issues an order requiring payment of participant compensation in 
200.14 	a proceeding involving multiple public utilities, the commission must apportion costs among 
200.15 	the public utilities in proportion to each public utility's annual revenue.
200.16 	(c) The commission may issue orders necessary to allow a public utility to recover the 
200.17 	costs of participant compensation on a timely basis.
200.18 		Subd. 7.Report. By July 1, 2026, the commission must report to the chairs and ranking 
200.19 	minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with primary 
200.20 	jurisdiction over energy policy on the operation of this section. The report must include but 
200.21 	is not limited to:
200.22 	(1) the amount of compensation paid each year by each utility;
200.23 	(2) each recipient of compensation, the commission dockets in which compensation was 
200.24 	awarded, and the compensation amounts; and
200.25 	(3) the impact of the participation of compensated participants.
200.26 		Subd. 8.Sunset. This section expires on July 1, 2028.

200.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
200.28 	applies to any proceeding in which the commission has not issued a final order as of that 
200.29 	date.

200.30 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
200.31 		Subdivision 1.Powers. (a) The commissioner may:
201.1 	(1) apply for, receive, and spend money received from federal, municipal, county, 
201.2 	regional, and other government agencies and private sources;
201.3 	(2) apply for, accept, and disburse grants and other aids from public and private sources;
201.4 	(3) contract for professional services if work or services required or authorized to be 
201.5 	carried out by the commissioner cannot be satisfactorily performed by employees of the 
201.6 	department or by another state agency;
201.7 	(4) enter into interstate compacts to carry out research and planning jointly with other 
201.8 	states or the federal government when appropriate;
201.9 	(5) upon reasonable request, distribute informational material at no cost to the public; 
201.10 	and
201.11 	(6) enter into contracts for the performance of the commissioner's duties with federal, 
201.12 	state, regional, metropolitan, local, and other agencies or units of government and educational 
201.13 	institutions, including the University of Minnesota, without regard to the competitive bidding 
201.14 	requirements of chapters 16A and 16C.
201.15 	(b) The commissioner shall collect information on conservation and other energy-related 
201.16 	programs carried on by other agencies, by public utilities, by cooperative electric associations, 
201.17 	by municipal power agencies, by other fuel suppliers, by political subdivisions, and by 
201.18 	private organizations. Other agencies, cooperative electric associations, municipal power 
201.19 	agencies, and political subdivisions shall cooperate with the commissioner by providing 
201.20 	information requested by the commissioner. The commissioner may by rule require the 
201.21 	submission of information by other program operators. The commissioner shall make the 
201.22 	information available to other agencies and to the public and, as necessary, shall recommend 
201.23 	to the legislature changes in the laws governing conservation and other energy-related 
201.24 	programs to ensure that:
201.25 	(1) expenditures on the programs are adequate to meet identified needs;
201.26 	(2) the needs of low-income energy users are being adequately addressed;
201.27 	(3) duplication of effort is avoided or eliminated;
201.28 	(4) a program that is ineffective is improved or eliminated; and
201.29 	(5) voluntary efforts are encouraged through incentives for their operators.
201.30 	(c) By January 15 of each year, the commissioner shall report to the legislature on the 
201.31 	projected amount of federal money likely to be available to the state during the next fiscal 
201.32 	year, including grant money and money received by the state as a result of litigation or 
202.1 	settlements of alleged violations of federal petroleum-pricing regulations. The report must 
202.2 	also estimate the amount of money projected as needed during the next fiscal year to finance 
202.3 	a level of conservation and other energy-related programs adequate to meet projected needs, 
202.4 	particularly the needs of low-income persons and households, and must recommend the 
202.5 	amount of state appropriations needed to cover the difference between the projected 
202.6 	availability of federal money and the projected needs.
202.7 	(d) By January 15 of each year, the commissioner shall report to the chairs and ranking 
202.8 	minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy finance the 
202.9 	following information for each account in the special revenue fund created in this chapter:
202.10 	(1) the unobligated balance in the account from the most recent forecast listed separately 
202.11 	by funding source;
202.12 	(2) all expenditures, including grants and administrative costs over the last two fiscal 
202.13 	years; and
202.14 	(3) the date on which unobligated balances expire.

202.15 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.264, is amended by adding a subdivision 
202.16 	to read:
202.17 		Subd. 1a.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the 
202.18 	meanings given.
202.19 	(b) "Low-income conservation program" means a utility program that offers energy 
202.20 	conservation services to low-income households under sections 216B.2403, subdivision 5, 
202.21 	and 216B.241, subdivision 7.
202.22 	(c) "Preweatherization measure" has the meaning given in section 216B.2402, subdivision 
202.23 	20.
202.24 	(d) "Weatherization assistance program" means the federal program described in Code 
202.25 	of Federal Regulations, title 10, part 440, et seq., designed to assist low-income households 
202.26 	reduce energy use.
202.27 	(e) "Weatherization assistance services" means the energy measures installed in 
202.28 	households under the weatherization assistance program.

203.1 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.264, is amended by adding a subdivision 
203.2 	to read:
203.3 		Subd. 1b.Establishment; purpose. A preweatherization program is established in the 
203.4 	department. The purpose of the program is to provide grants for preweatherization services, 
203.5 	as defined under section 216B.2402, subdivision 20, in order to expand the breadth and 
203.6 	depth of services provided to income-eligible households in Minnesota.

203.7 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.264, is amended by adding a subdivision 
203.8 	to read:
203.9 		Subd. 1c.Preweatherization account. (a) A preweatherization account is created as a 
203.10 	separate account in the special revenue fund of the state treasury. The account consists of 
203.11 	money provided by law, donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account. 
203.12 	Earnings, including interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from assets of the 
203.13 	account, must be credited to the account. Money remaining in the account at the end of a 
203.14 	fiscal year does not cancel to the general fund and remains in the account until expended. 
203.15 	The commissioner must manage the account.
203.16 	(b) Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner to pay for (1) grants issued 
203.17 	under the program, and (2) the reasonable costs incurred by the commissioner to administer 
203.18 	the program.

203.19 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.264, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
203.20 		Subd. 5.Grant allocation. (a) The commissioner must distribute supplementary state 
203.21 	grants in a manner consistent with the goal of producing the maximum number of weatherized 
203.22 	units. Supplementary state grants are provided primarily for the payment of additional labor 
203.23 	costs for the federal weatherization program, and as an incentive for the increased production 
203.24 	of weatherized units. to pay for and may be used to:
203.25 	(1) address physical deficiencies in a residence that increase heat loss, including 
203.26 	deficiencies that prohibit the residence from being eligible to receive federal weatherization 
203.27 	assistance;
203.28 	(2) install eligible preweatherization measures established by the commissioner, as 
203.29 	required under section 216B.241, subdivision 7, paragraph (g);
203.30 	(3) increase the number of weatherized residences;
204.1 	(4) conduct outreach activities to make income-eligible households aware of available 
204.2 	weatherization services, to assist applicants in filling out applications for weatherization 
204.3 	assistance, and to provide translation services when necessary;
204.4 	(5) enable projects in multifamily buildings to proceed even if the project cannot comply 
204.5 	with the federal requirement that projects must be completed within the same federal fiscal 
204.6 	year in which the project is begun;
204.7 	(6) expand weatherization training opportunities in existing and new training programs;
204.8 	(7) pay additional labor costs for the federal weatherization program; and
204.9 	(8) provide an incentive for the increased production of weatherized units.
204.10 	(b) Criteria for the allocation of used to allocate state grants to local agencies include 
204.11 	existing local agency production levels, emergency needs, and the potential for maintaining
204.12 	to maintain or increasing increase acceptable levels of production in the area.
204.13 	(c) An eligible local agency may receive advance funding for 90 days' production, but 
204.14 	thereafter must receive grants solely on the basis of the program criteria under this 
204.15 	subdivision.

204.16 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.264, is amended by adding a subdivision 
204.17 	to read:
204.18 		Subd. 7.Supplemental weatherization assistance program. The commissioner must 
204.19 	provide grants to weatherization service providers to address physical deficiencies and 
204.20 	install weatherization and preweatherization measures in residential buildings occupied by 
204.21 	eligible low-income households.

204.22 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.264, is amended by adding a subdivision 
204.23 	to read:
204.24 		Subd. 8.Training grants program. (a) The commissioner must establish a 
204.25 	weatherization training grant program to award grants through a competitive process to 
204.26 	educational institutions, certified training centers, labor organizations, and nonprofits to 
204.27 	assist with the costs associated with training and developing programs for careers in the 
204.28 	weatherization industry.
204.29 	(b) In order to receive grant funds, a written application must be submitted to the 
204.30 	commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner.
205.1 	(c) When awarding grants under this subdivision, the commissioner must prioritize 
205.2 	applications that:
205.3 	(1) provide the highest quality training to prepare for in-demand careers;
205.4 	(2) train workers to provide weatherization services that meet federal Building 
205.5 	Performance Institute certification requirements or Standard Work Specification 
205.6 	requirements, as required by the program; and
205.7 	(3) leverage nonstate funds or in-kind contributions.

205.8 	Sec. 31. [216C.331] ENERGY BENCHMARKING.
205.9 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
205.10 	the meanings given.
205.11 	(b) "Aggregated customer energy use data" means customer energy use data that is 
205.12 	combined into one collective data point per time interval. Aggregated customer energy use 
205.13 	data is data with any unique identifiers or other personal information removed that a 
205.14 	qualifying utility collects and aggregates in at least monthly intervals for an entire building 
205.15 	on a covered property.
205.16 	(c) "Benchmark" means to electronically input into a benchmarking tool the total energy 
205.17 	use data and other descriptive information about a building that is required by a benchmarking 
205.18 	tool.
205.19 	(d) "Benchmarking information" means data related to a building's energy use generated 
205.20 	by a benchmarking tool, and other information about the building's physical and operational 
205.21 	characteristics. Benchmarking information includes but is not limited to the building's:
205.22 	(1) address;
205.23 	(2) owner and, if applicable, the building manager responsible for operating the building's 
205.24 	physical systems;
205.25 	(3) total floor area, expressed in square feet;
205.26 	(4) energy use intensity;
205.27 	(5) greenhouse gas emissions; and
205.28 	(6) energy performance score comparing the building's energy use with that of similar 
205.29 	buildings.
205.30 	(e) "Benchmarking tool" means the United States Environmental Protection Agency's 
205.31 	Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool or an equivalent tool determined by the commissioner.
206.1 	(f) "Covered property" means any property that is served by an investor-owned utility 
206.2 	in the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, or in any city outside 
206.3 	the metropolitan area with a population of over 50,000 residents served by a municipal 
206.4 	energy utility or investor-owned utility, and that has one or more buildings containing in 
206.5 	sum 50,000 gross square feet or greater. Covered property does not include:
206.6 	(1) a residential property containing fewer than five dwelling units;
206.7 	(2) a property that is: (i) classified as manufacturing under the North American Industrial 
206.8 	Classification System; (ii) an energy-intensive trade-exposed customer, as defined in section 
206.9 	216B.1696; (iii) an electric power generation facility; (iv) a mining facility; or (v) otherwise 
206.10 	an industrial building incompatible with benchmarking in the benchmarking tool;
206.11 	(3) an agricultural building; or
206.12 	(4) a multitenant building that is served by a utility that cannot supply aggregated 
206.13 	customer usage data, and other property types that do not meet the purposes of this section, 
206.14 	as determined by the commissioner.
206.15 	(g) "Customer energy use data" means data collected from the utility customer meters 
206.16 	that reflect the quantity, quality, or timing of customers' usage.
206.17 	(h) "Energy" means electricity, natural gas, steam, or another product used to: (1) provide 
206.18 	heating, cooling, lighting, or water heating; or (2) power other end uses in a building.
206.19 	(i) "Energy performance score" means a numerical value from one to 100 that the Energy 
206.20 	Star Portfolio Manager tool calculates to rate a building's energy efficiency against that of 
206.21 	comparable buildings nationwide.
206.22 	(j) "Energy Star Portfolio Manager" means an interactive resource management tool 
206.23 	developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that (1) enables the 
206.24 	periodic entry of a building's energy use data and other descriptive information about a 
206.25 	building, and (2) rates a building's energy efficiency against that of comparable buildings 
206.26 	nationwide.
206.27 	(k) "Energy use intensity" means the total annual energy consumed in a building divided 
206.28 	by the building's total floor area.
206.29 	(l) "Financial distress" means a covered property that, at the time benchmarking is 
206.30 	conducted:
206.31 	(1) is the subject of a qualified tax lien sale or public auction due to property tax 
206.32 	arrearages;
207.1 	(2) is controlled by a court-appointed receiver based on financial distress;
207.2 	(3) is owned by a financial institution through default by the borrower;
207.3 	(4) has been acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure; or
207.4 	(5) has a senior mortgage that is subject to a notice of default.
207.5 	(m) "Local government" means a statutory or home rule municipality or county.
207.6 	(n) "Owner" means:
207.7 	(1) an individual or entity that possesses title to a covered property; or
207.8 	(2) an agent authorized to act on behalf of the covered property owner.
207.9 	(o) "Qualifying utility" means a utility serving the covered property, including:
207.10 	(1) an electric or gas utility, including:
207.11 	(i) an investor-owned electric or gas utility; or
207.12 	(ii) a municipally owned electric or gas utility;
207.13 	(2) a natural gas supplier with five or more active commercial connections, accounts, 
207.14 	or customers in the state; or
207.15 	(3) a district stream, hot water, or chilled water provider.
207.16 	(p) "Tenant" means a person that occupies or holds possession of a building or part of 
207.17 	a building or premises pursuant to a lease agreement.
207.18 	(q) "Total floor area" means the sum of gross square footage inside a building's envelope, 
207.19 	measured between the outside exterior walls of the building. Total floor area includes covered 
207.20 	parking structures.
207.21 	(r) "Utility customer" means the building owner or tenant listed on the utility's records 
207.22 	as the customer liable for payment of the utility service or additional charges assessed on 
207.23 	the utility account.
207.24 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The commissioner must establish and maintain a building 
207.25 	energy benchmarking program. The purpose of the program is to:
207.26 	(1) make a building's owners, tenants, and potential tenants aware of (i) the building's 
207.27 	energy consumption levels and patterns, and (ii) how the building's energy use compares 
207.28 	with that of similar buildings nationwide; and
208.1 	(2) enhance the likelihood that an owner adopts energy conservation measures in the 
208.2 	owner's building as a way to reduce energy use, operating costs, and greenhouse gas 
208.3 	emissions.
208.4 		Subd. 3.Classification of covered properties. For the purposes of this section, a covered 
208.5 	property is classified as follows:

208.6	Class
	Total Floor Area (square feet)
	
208.7	1
	100,000 or more
	
208.8	2
	50,000 to 99,999
	
208.9 		Subd. 4.Benchmarking requirement. (a) An owner must annually benchmark all 
208.10 	covered property owned as of December 31 in conformity with the schedule in subdivision 
208.11 	7. Energy use data must be compiled by:
208.12 	(1) obtaining the data from the utility providing the energy; or
208.13 	(2) reading a master meter.
208.14 	(b) Before entering information in a benchmarking tool, an owner must run all automated 
208.15 	data quality assurance functions available within the benchmarking tool and must correct 
208.16 	all data identified as missing or incorrect.
208.17 	(c) An owner who becomes aware that any information entered into a benchmarking 
208.18 	tool is inaccurate or incomplete must amend the information in the benchmarking tool within 
208.19 	30 days of the date the owner learned of the inaccuracy.
208.20 	(d) Nothing in this subdivision prohibits an owner of property that is not a covered 
208.21 	property from voluntarily benchmarking a property under this section.
208.22 		Subd. 5.Exemption by individual building. (a) The commissioner may exempt an 
208.23 	owner of a covered property from the requirements of subdivision 4 if the owner provides 
208.24 	evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the covered property:
208.25 	(1) is presently experiencing financial distress;
208.26 	(2) has been less than 50 percent occupied during the previous calendar year;
208.27 	(3) does not have a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy for 
208.28 	the full previous calendar year;
208.29 	(4) was issued a demolition permit during the previous calendar year that remains current; 
208.30 	or
208.31 	(5) received no energy services for at least 30 days during the previous calendar year.
209.1 	(b) An exemption granted under this subdivision applies only to a single calendar year. 
209.2 	An owner must reapply to the commissioner each year an extension is sought.
209.3 	(c) Within 30 days of the date an owner makes a request under this paragraph, a tenant 
209.4 	of a covered property subject to this section must provide the owner with any information 
209.5 	regarding energy use of the tenant's rental unit that the property owner cannot otherwise 
209.6 	obtain and that is needed by the owner to comply with this section. The tenant must provide 
209.7 	the information required under this paragraph in a format approved by the commissioner.
209.8 		Subd. 6.Exemption by other government benchmarking program. An owner is 
209.9 	exempt from the requirements of subdivision 4 for a covered property if the property is 
209.10 	subject to a benchmarking requirement by the state, a city, or other political subdivision 
209.11 	with a benchmarking requirement that the commissioner determines is equivalent or more 
209.12 	stringent, as determined under subdivision 11, paragraph (b), than the benchmarking 
209.13 	requirement established in this section. The exemption under this subdivision applies in 
209.14 	perpetuity unless or until the benchmarking requirement is changed or revoked and the 
209.15 	commissioner determines the benchmarking requirement is no longer equivalent nor more 
209.16 	stringent.
209.17 		Subd. 7.Benchmarking schedule. (a) An owner must annually benchmark each covered 
209.18 	property for the previous calendar year according to the following schedule:
209.19 	(1) all Class 1 properties by June 1, 2025, and by every June 1 thereafter; and
209.20 	(2) all Class 2 properties by June 1, 2026, and by every June 1 thereafter.
209.21 	(b) Beginning June 1, 2025, for Class 1 properties, and June 1, 2026, for Class 2 
209.22 	properties, an owner who is selling a covered property must provide the following to the 
209.23 	new owner at the time of sale:
209.24 	(1) benchmarking information for the most recent 12-month period, including monthly 
209.25 	energy use by source; or
209.26 	(2) ownership of the digital property record in the benchmarking tool through an online 
209.27 	transfer.
209.28 		Subd. 8.Utility data requirements. (a) In implementing this section, a qualifying utility 
209.29 	shall only aggregate customer energy use data of covered properties, and on or before 
209.30 	January 1, 2025, a qualifying utility shall:
209.31 	(1) establish an aggregation standard whereby:
210.1 	(i) an aggregated customer energy use data set may include customer energy use data 
210.2 	from no fewer than four customers. A single customer's energy use must not constitute more 
210.3 	than 50 percent of total energy consumption for the requested data set; and
210.4 	(ii) customer energy use data sets containing three or fewer customers or with a single 
210.5 	customer's energy use constituting more than 50 percent of total energy consumption may 
210.6 	be provided upon the written consent of:
210.7 	(A) all customers included in the requested data set, in cases of three or fewer customers; 
210.8 	or
210.9 	(B) any customer constituting more than 50 percent of total energy consumption for the 
210.10 	requested data set; and
210.11 	(2) prepare and make available customer energy use data and aggregated customer energy 
210.12 	use data upon the request of an owner.
210.13 	(b) Customer energy use data that a qualifying utility provides an owner pursuant to this 
210.14 	subdivision must be:
210.15 	(1) available on, or able to be requested through, an easily navigable web portal or online 
210.16 	request form using up-to-date standards for digital authentication;
210.17 	(2) provided to the owner within 30 days after receiving the owner's valid written or 
210.18 	electronic request;
210.19 	(3) provided for at least 24 consecutive months of energy consumption or as many 
210.20 	months of consumption data that are available if the owner has owned the building for less 
210.21 	than 24 months;
210.22 	(4) directly uploaded to the owner's benchmarking tool account, delivered in the 
210.23 	spreadsheet template specified by the benchmarking tool, or delivered in another format 
210.24 	approved by the commissioner;
210.25 	(5) provided to the owner on at least an annual basis until the owner revokes the request 
210.26 	for energy use data or sells the covered property; and
210.27 	(6) provided in monthly intervals, or the shortest available intervals based in billing.
210.28 	(c) Data necessary to establish, utilize, or maintain information in the benchmarking 
210.29 	tool under this section may be collected or shared as provided by this section and are 
210.30 	considered public data whether or not the data have been aggregated.
210.31 	(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a qualifying utility shall not aggregate 
210.32 	or anonymize customer energy use data of any customer exempted by the commissioner 
211.1 	under section 216B.241 from contributing to investments and expenditures made by a 
211.2 	qualifying utility under an energy and conservation optimization plan, unless the customer 
211.3 	provides written consent to the qualifying utility.
211.4 	(e) Except as provided in paragraph (d), qualifying utilities may aggregate the customer 
211.5 	energy use data of properties with a total floor area of less than 50,000 square feet if the 
211.6 	property otherwise meets the definition of a covered property.
211.7 		Subd. 9.Data collection and management. (a) The commissioner must:
211.8 	(1) collect benchmarking information generated by a benchmarking tool and other related 
211.9 	information for each covered property;
211.10 	(2) provide technical assistance to owners entering data into a benchmarking tool;
211.11 	(3) collaborate with the Department of Revenue to collect the data necessary for 
211.12 	establishing the covered property list annually; and
211.13 	(4) provide technical guidance to utilities in the establishment of data aggregation and 
211.14 	access tools.
211.15 	(b) Upon request of the commissioner, a county assessor shall provide readily available 
211.16 	property data necessary for the development of the covered property list, including but not 
211.17 	limited to gross floor area, property type, and owner information by January 15 annually.
211.18 	(c) The commissioner must:
211.19 	(1) rank benchmarked covered properties in each property class from highest to lowest 
211.20 	performance score or, if a performance score is unavailable for a covered property, from 
211.21 	lowest to highest energy use intensity;
211.22 	(2) divide covered properties in each property class into four quartiles based on the 
211.23 	applicable measure in clause (1);
211.24 	(3) assign four stars to each covered property in the quartile of each property class with 
211.25 	the highest performance scores or lowest energy use intensities, as applicable;
211.26 	(4) assign three stars to each covered property in the quartile of each property class with 
211.27 	the second highest performance scores or second lowest energy use intensities, as applicable;
211.28 	(5) assign two stars to each covered property in the quartile of each property class with 
211.29 	the third highest performance scores or third lowest energy use intensities, as applicable;
211.30 	(6) assign one star to each covered property in the quartile of each property class with 
211.31 	the lowest performance scores or highest energy use intensities, as applicable; and
212.1 	(7) serve notice in writing to each owner identifying the number of stars assigned by the 
212.2 	commissioner to each of the owner's covered properties.
212.3 		Subd. 10.Data disclosure to public. (a) The commissioner must post on the department's 
212.4 	website and update by December 1 annually the following information for the previous 
212.5 	calendar year:
212.6 	(1) annual summary statistics on energy use for all covered properties;
212.7 	(2) annual summary statistics on energy use for all covered properties, aggregated by 
212.8 	covered property class, as defined in subdivision 3, city, and county;
212.9 	(3) the percentage of covered properties in each building class listed in subdivision 3 
212.10 	that are in compliance with the benchmarking requirements under subdivisions 4 to 7; and
212.11 	(4) for each covered property, at a minimum, report the address, the total energy use, 
212.12 	energy use intensity, annual greenhouse gas emissions, and an energy performance score, 
212.13 	if available.
212.14 	(b) The commissioner must post the information required under this subdivision for:
212.15 	(1) all Class 1 properties by November 1, 2025, and by every November 1 thereafter; 
212.16 	and
212.17 	(2) all Class 2 properties by November 1, 2026, and by every November 1 thereafter.
212.18 		Subd. 11.Coordination with other benchmarking programs. (a) The commissioner 
212.19 	shall coordinate with any state agency or local government that implements an energy 
212.20 	benchmarking program, including the coordination of reporting requirements.
212.21 	(b) This section does not restrict a local government from adopting or implementing an 
212.22 	ordinance or resolution that imposes more stringent benchmarking requirements. For purposes 
212.23 	of this section, a local government benchmarking program is more stringent if the program 
212.24 	requires:
212.25 	(1) buildings to be benchmarked that are not required to be benchmarked under this 
212.26 	section; or
212.27 	(2) benchmarking of information that is not required to be benchmarked under this 
212.28 	section.
212.29 	(c) Benchmarking program requirements of local governments must:
212.30 	(1) be at least as comprehensive in scope and application as the program operated under 
212.31 	this section; and
213.1 	(2) include annual enforcement of a penalty on covered properties that do not comply 
213.2 	with the local government's benchmarking ordinance.
213.3 	(d) Local governments must notify the commissioner of the local government's existing 
213.4 	benchmarking ordinance requirements. Local governments must notify the commissioner 
213.5 	of new, changed, or revoked ordinance requirements, which when made by December 31 
213.6 	would apply to the benchmarking schedule for the following year.
213.7 	(e) The commissioner shall make available for local governments upon request all 
213.8 	benchmarking data for covered properties within the local government's jurisdiction by 
213.9 	December 1, annually.
213.10 		Subd. 12.Building performance disclosure to occupants. The commissioner must 
213.11 	provide disclosure materials for public display within a building to building owners, so that 
213.12 	building owners can prominently display the performance of the building. The materials 
213.13 	must include the number of stars assigned to the building by the commissioner under 
213.14 	subdivision 9, paragraph (c), and a relevant explanation of the rating.
213.15 		Subd. 13.Notifications. By March 1 each year, the commissioner must notify the owner 
213.16 	of each covered property required to benchmark for the previous calendar year of the 
213.17 	requirement to benchmark by June 1 of the current year.
213.18 		Subd. 14.Program implementation. The commissioner may contract with an 
213.19 	independent third party to implement any or all of the commissioner's duties required under 
213.20 	this section. To implement the benchmarking program, the commissioner shall assist building 
213.21 	owners to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the owners' 
213.22 	buildings, including by providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to building 
213.23 	owners to help the owners' buildings come into compliance with the benchmarking program.
213.24 		Subd. 15.Enforcement. By June 15 each year, the commissioner must notify the owner 
213.25 	of each covered property required to comply with this section that has failed to comply that 
213.26 	the owner has until July 15 to come into compliance, unless the owner requests an extension, 
213.27 	in which case the owner has until August 15 to come into compliance. If an owner fails to 
213.28 	comply with the requirements of this section by July 15 and fails to request an extension 
213.29 	by that date, or is given an extension and fails to comply by August 15, the commissioner 
213.30 	may impose a civil fine of $1,000 on the owner. The commissioner may by rule increase 
213.31 	the civil fine to adjust for inflation.
213.32 		Subd. 16.Recovery of expenses. The commission shall allow a public utility to recover 
213.33 	reasonable and prudent expenses of implementing this section under section 216B.16, 
213.34 	subdivision 6b. The costs and benefits associated with implementing this section may, at 
214.1 	the discretion of the utility, be excluded from the calculation of net economic benefits for 
214.2 	purposes of calculating the financial incentive to the public utility under section 216B.16, 
214.3 	subdivision 6c. The energy and demand savings may, at the discretion of the public utility, 
214.4 	be applied toward the calculation of overall portfolio energy and demand savings for purposes 
214.5 	of determining progress toward annual goals under section 216B.241, subdivision 1c, and 
214.6 	in the financial incentive mechanism under section 216B.16, subdivision 6c.

214.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment, except 
214.8 	that subdivision 15 is effective June 15, 2026.

214.9 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.375, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
214.10 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section and section 216C.376, 
214.11 	the following terms have the meanings given them.
214.12 	(b) "Developer" means an entity that installs a solar energy system on a school building 
214.13 	that has been awarded a grant under this section.
214.14 	(c) "Photovoltaic device" has the meaning given in section 216C.06, subdivision 16.
214.15 	(d) "School" means: (1) a school that operates as part of an independent or special school 
214.16 	district; (2) a Tribal contract school; or (2) (3) a state college or university that is under the 
214.17 	jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
214.18 	(e) "School district" means: (1) an independent or special school district; or (2) any other 
214.19 	public school district deemed appropriate by the commissioner, provided that at a minimum 
214.20 	the school owns the building and instruction for students occurs.
214.21 	(f) "Solar energy system" means photovoltaic or solar thermal devices.
214.22 	(g) "Solar thermal" has the meaning given to "qualifying solar thermal project" in section 
214.23 	216B.2411, subdivision 2, paragraph (d).
214.24 	(h) "State colleges and universities" has the meaning given in section 136F.01, subdivision 
214.25 	4.

214.26 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.375, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
214.27 		Subd. 3.Establishment of account. (a) A solar for schools program account is 
214.28 	established in the special revenue fund. Money received from the general fund must be 
214.29 	transferred to the commissioner of commerce and credited to the account. The account 
214.30 	consists of money provided by law, donated, allocated, transferred, or otherwise provided 
215.1 	to the account. Earnings, including interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from 
215.2 	the assets of the account, must be credited to the account.
215.3 	(b) Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of the 
215.4 	program under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, money deposited 
215.5 	in the account remains in the account until expended. Any money that remains in the account 
215.6 	on June 30, 2027 2034, cancels to the general fund.

215.7 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.375, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
215.8 		Subd. 10.Application deadline. No An application may must not be submitted under 
215.9 	this section after December 31, 2025 2032.

215.10 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.375, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
215.11 		Subd. 11.Reporting. Beginning January 15, 2022, and each year thereafter until January 
215.12 	15, 2028 2035, the commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking minority members 
215.13 	of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy regarding: (1) grants and amounts 
215.14 	awarded to schools under this section during the previous year; (2) financial assistance, 
215.15 	including amounts per award, provided to schools under section 216C.376 during the 
215.16 	previous year; and (3) any remaining balances available under this section and section 
215.17 	216C.376.

215.18 	Sec. 36. [216C.377] DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES SYSTEM UPGRADE 
215.19 	PROGRAM.
215.20 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
215.21 	the meanings given.
215.22 	(b) "Capacity constrained location" means a location on an electric utility's distribution 
215.23 	system that the utility has reasonably determined requires significant distribution or network 
215.24 	upgrades before additional distributed energy resources can interconnect.
215.25 	(c) "DER Technical Planning Standard" means an engineering practice that limits the 
215.26 	total aggregate distributed energy resource capacity that may interconnect to a particular 
215.27 	location on the utility's distribution system.
215.28 	(d) "Distributed energy resources" means distributed generation, as defined in section 
215.29 	216B.164, and energy storage systems, as defined in section 216B.2422.
216.1 	(e) "Distribution upgrades" means the additions, modifications, and upgrades made to 
216.2 	an electric utility's distribution system to facilitate interconnection of distributed energy 
216.3 	resources.
216.4 	(f) "Interconnection" means the process governed by section 216B.1611.
216.5 	(g) "Net metered" has the meaning given in section 216B.164.
216.6 	(h) "Network upgrades" means additions, modifications, and upgrades to the transmission 
216.7 	system required at or beyond the point at which the distributed energy resource interconnects 
216.8 	with an electric utility's distribution system to accommodate the interconnection of the 
216.9 	distributed energy resource with the electric utility's distribution system. Network upgrades 
216.10 	do not include distribution upgrades.
216.11 		Subd. 2.Establishment; purpose. A distributed energy resources system upgrade 
216.12 	program is established in the department. The purpose of the program is to provide funding 
216.13 	to the utility subject to section 116C.779 to complete infrastructure investments necessary 
216.14 	to enable electricity customers to interconnect distributed energy resources. The program 
216.15 	must be designed to achieve the following goals to the maximum extent feasible:
216.16 	(1) make upgrades at capacity constrained locations on the utility's distribution system 
216.17 	that maximize the number and capacity of distributed energy resources projects with a 
216.18 	capacity of up to 40 kilowatts alternating current that can be interconnected sufficient to 
216.19 	serve projected demand;
216.20 	(2) enable all distributed energy resources projects with a nameplate capacity of up to 
216.21 	40 kilowatts alternating current to be reviewed and approved by the utility within 43 business 
216.22 	days;
216.23 	(3) minimize interconnection barriers for electricity customers seeking to construct net 
216.24 	metered facilities for on-site electricity use; and
216.25 	(4) advance innovative solutions that can minimize the cost of distribution and network 
216.26 	upgrades required for interconnection, including but not limited to energy storage, control 
216.27 	technologies, smart inverters, distributed energy resources management systems, and other 
216.28 	innovative technologies and programs.
216.29 		Subd. 3.Required plan. (a) By November 1, 2023, the utility subject to section 116C.779 
216.30 	must file with the commissioner a plan for the distributed energy resources system upgrade 
216.31 	program. The plan must contain, at a minimum:
216.32 	(1) a description of how the utility proposes to use money in the distributed energy 
216.33 	resources system upgrade program account to upgrade the utility's distribution system to 
217.1 	maximize the number and capacity of distributed energy resources that can be interconnected 
217.2 	sufficient to serve projected demand;
217.3 	(2) the locations where the utility proposes to make investments under the program;
217.4 	(3) the number and capacity of distributed energy resources projects the utility expects 
217.5 	to interconnect as a result of the program;
217.6 	(4) a plan for reporting on the program's outcomes; and
217.7 	(5) any additional information required by the commissioner.
217.8 	(b) The utility subject to section 116C.779 is prohibited from implementing the program 
217.9 	until the commissioner approves the plan submitted under this subdivision. No later than 
217.10 	March 31, 2024, the commissioner must approve a plan under this subdivision that the 
217.11 	commissioner determines is in the public interest. Any proposed modifications to the plan 
217.12 	approved under this subdivision must be approved by the commissioner.
217.13 		Subd. 4.Project priorities. In developing the plan required by subdivision 3, the utility 
217.14 	must prioritize making investments:
217.15 	(1) at capacity constrained locations on the distribution grid;
217.16 	(2) in communities with demonstrated customer interest in distributed energy resources, 
217.17 	as measured by anticipated, pending, and completed interconnection applications; and
217.18 	(3) in communities with a climate action plan, clean energy goal, or policies that:
217.19 	(i) seek to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the city; or
217.20 	(ii) reduce the city's contributions to the causes of climate change.
217.21 		Subd. 5.Eligible costs. The commissioner may pay the following reasonable costs of 
217.22 	the utility subject to section 116C.779 under a plan approved in accordance with subdivision 
217.23 	3 from money available in the distributed energy resources system upgrade program account:
217.24 	(1) distribution upgrades and network upgrades;
217.25 	(2) energy storage; control technologies, including but not limited to a distributed energy 
217.26 	resources management system; or other innovative technology used to achieve the purposes 
217.27 	of this section;
217.28 	(3) pilot programs operated by the utility to implement innovative technology solutions; 
217.29 	and
217.30 	(4) costs incurred by the department to administer this section.
218.1 		Subd. 6.Capacity reserved. The utility subject to section 116C.779 must reserve any 
218.2 	increase in the DER Technical Planning Standard made available by upgrades paid for under 
218.3 	this section for net metered facilities and distributed energy resources with a nameplate 
218.4 	capacity of up to 40 kilowatts alternating current. The commissioner may modify the 
218.5 	requirements of this subdivision when the commissioner finds doing so is in the public 
218.6 	interest.
218.7 		Subd. 7.Establishment of account. (a) A distributed energy resources system upgrade 
218.8 	program account is established in the special revenue fund. The account consists of money 
218.9 	provided by law, and any other money donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided 
218.10 	to the account. Earnings, including interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from 
218.11 	the assets of the account, must be credited to the account. Earnings remaining in the account 
218.12 	at the end of a fiscal year do not cancel to the general fund or renewable development 
218.13 	account but remain in the account until expended.
218.14 	(b) Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner for eligible expenditures 
218.15 	under this section.
218.16 		Subd. 8.Reporting of certain incidents. The utility subject to section 116C.779 must 
218.17 	report to the commissioner within 60 days if any distributed energy resources project with 
218.18 	a capacity of up to 40 kilowatts alternating current is unable to interconnect due to safety, 
218.19 	reliability, or the cost of distribution or network upgrades required at a location for which 
218.20 	upgrade funding was provided under this program. The utility must make available to the 
218.21 	commissioner all engineering analyses, studies, and information related to any such instances. 
218.22 	The commissioner may modify or waive this requirement after December 31, 2025.

218.23 	Sec. 37. [216C.378] SOLAR GRANT PROGRAM; PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
218.24 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
218.25 	the meanings given.
218.26 	(b) "Cooperative electric association" means a cooperative association organized under 
218.27 	chapter 308A for the purpose of providing rural electrification at retail.
218.28 	(c) "Developer" means an entity that applies for a grant on behalf of a public building 
218.29 	under this section to install a solar energy generating system on the public building.
218.30 	(d) "Local unit of government" means:
218.31 	(1) a county, statutory or home rule charter city, town, municipal utility, or other local 
218.32 	government jurisdiction, excluding a school district eligible to receive financial assistance 
218.33 	under section 216C.375 or 216C.376; or
219.1 	(2) a federally recognized Indian Tribe in Minnesota.
219.2 	(e) "Municipal electric utility" means a utility that (1) provides electric service to retail 
219.3 	customers in Minnesota, and (2) is governed by a city council or a local utilities commission.
219.4 	(f) "Public building" means:
219.5 	(1) a building owned and operated by a local unit of government; or
219.6 	(2) a building owned by a federally recognized Indian Tribe in Minnesota whose primary 
219.7 	purpose is Tribal government operations.
219.8 	(g) "Solar energy generating system" has the meaning given in section 216E.01, 
219.9 	subdivision 9a.
219.10 		Subd. 2.Establishment; purpose. A solar on public buildings grant program is 
219.11 	established in the department. The purpose of the program is to provide grants to stimulate 
219.12 	the installation of solar energy generating systems on public buildings.
219.13 		Subd. 3.Establishment of account. A solar on public buildings grant program account 
219.14 	is established in the special revenue fund. Any money received from state resources for the 
219.15 	purposes of this section must be transferred to the commissioner of commerce and credited 
219.16 	to the account. Earnings, including interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from 
219.17 	the assets of the account, must be credited to the account. Earnings remaining in the account 
219.18 	at the end of a fiscal year do not cancel to the general fund or renewable development 
219.19 	account but remain in the account until expended. The commissioner must manage the 
219.20 	account.
219.21 		Subd. 4.Appropriation; expenditures. Money in the account established under 
219.22 	subdivision 3 is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this section and must 
219.23 	be used only:
219.24 	(1) for grant awards made under this section; and
219.25 	(2) to pay the reasonable costs of the department to administer this section.
219.26 		Subd. 5.Eligible system. (a) A grant may be awarded to a local unit of government 
219.27 	under this section only if the solar energy generating system that is the subject of the grant:
219.28 	(1) is installed (i) on or adjacent to a public building that consumes the electricity 
219.29 	generated by the solar energy generating system, and (ii) on property within the service 
219.30 	territory of the utility currently providing electric service to the public building; and
220.1 	(2) has a capacity that does not exceed the lesser of 40 kilowatts or 120 percent of the 
220.2 	average annual electricity consumption, measured over the most recent three calendar years, 
220.3 	of the public building at which the solar energy generating system is installed.
220.4 	(b) A public building that receives a rebate or other financial incentive under section 
220.5 	216B.241 for a solar energy generating system is eligible for a grant under this section for 
220.6 	the same solar energy generating system.
220.7 	(c) Before filing an application for a grant under this section, a local unit of government 
220.8 	or public building that is served by a municipal electric utility or cooperative electric 
220.9 	association must inform the municipal electric utility or cooperative electric association of 
220.10 	the local unit of government's or public building's intention to do so.
220.11 		Subd. 6.Application process. (a) The commissioner must issue a request for proposals 
220.12 	to utilities, local units of government, and developers who may wish to apply for a grant 
220.13 	under this section on behalf of a public building.
220.14 	(b) A utility or developer must submit an application to the commissioner on behalf of 
220.15 	a public building on a form prescribed by the commissioner. The form must include, at a 
220.16 	minimum, the following information:
220.17 	(1) the capacity of the proposed solar energy generating system and the amount of 
220.18 	electricity that is expected to be generated;
220.19 	(2) the current energy demand of the public building on which the solar energy generating 
220.20 	system is to be installed, information regarding any distributed energy resource that currently 
220.21 	provides electricity to the public building, and the size of the public building's subscription 
220.22 	to a community solar garden, if applicable;
220.23 	(3) information sufficient to estimate the energy and monetary savings that are projected 
220.24 	to result from installation of the solar energy generating system over the system's useful 
220.25 	life;
220.26 	(4) the total cost to purchase and install the solar energy system and the solar energy 
220.27 	system's life cycle cost, including removal and disposal at the end of the system's life;
220.28 	(5) a copy of the proposed contract agreement between the local unit of government and 
220.29 	the utility or developer that includes provisions addressing responsibility for maintenance, 
220.30 	removal, and disposal of the solar energy generating system; and
220.31 	(6) if the applicant is other than the utility providing electric service to the public building 
220.32 	at which the solar energy generating system is to be installed, a written statement or 
220.33 	memorandum of understanding from that utility that the proposed financing arrangement 
221.1 	presents no foreseeable issues that would prevent interconnection of the solar energy 
221.2 	generating system.
221.3 	(c) The commissioner must administer an open application process under this section 
221.4 	at least twice annually.
221.5 	(d) The commissioner must develop administrative procedures governing the application 
221.6 	and grant award process under this section.
221.7 		Subd. 7.Energy conservation review. At the commissioner's request, a local unit of 
221.8 	government awarded a grant under this section must provide the commissioner with 
221.9 	information regarding energy conservation measures implemented at the public building 
221.10 	where the solar energy generating system is to be installed. The commissioner may make 
221.11 	recommendations to the local unit of government regarding cost-effective conservation 
221.12 	measures the local unit of government can implement and may provide technical assistance 
221.13 	and direct the local unit of government to available financial assistance programs.
221.14 		Subd. 8.Technical assistance. The commissioner must provide technical assistance to 
221.15 	local units of government to develop and execute projects under this section.
221.16 		Subd. 9.Grant payments. A grant awarded by the commissioner from the account 
221.17 	established under subdivision 3 to a local unit of government must include the necessary 
221.18 	and reasonable costs associated with the purchase and installation of a solar energy generating 
221.19 	system. In determining the amount of a grant award, the commissioner shall take into 
221.20 	consideration the financial capacity of the local unit of government awarded the grant.
221.21 		Subd. 10.Application deadline. An application must not be submitted under this section 
221.22 	after December 31, 2032.
221.23 		Subd. 11.Contractor conditions. A contractor or subcontractor performing construction 
221.24 	work on a project supported by a grant awarded under this section: (1) must pay employees 
221.25 	working on the project no less than the prevailing wage rate, as defined in section 177.42; 
221.26 	and (2) is subject to the requirements and enforcement provisions of sections 177.27, 177.30, 
221.27 	177.32, 177.41 to 177.435, and 177.45.
221.28 		Subd. 12.Reporting. Beginning January 15, 2024, and each year thereafter until January 
221.29 	15, 2027, the commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the 
221.30 	legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over energy finance and policy regarding 
221.31 	grants and amounts awarded to local units of government under this section during the 
221.32 	previous year and any remaining balances available in the account established under this 
221.33 	section.

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

222.2 	Sec. 38. [216C.379] ENERGY STORAGE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
222.3 	(a) The electric utility subject to section 116C.779 must develop and operate a program 
222.4 	to provide a lump-sum grant to customers to reduce the cost of purchasing and installing 
222.5 	an on-site energy storage system, as defined in section 216B.2422, subdivision 1, paragraph 
222.6 	(f). No later than October 1, 2023, the utility subject to this section must file a plan with the 
222.7 	commissioner to operate the program. The utility must not operate the program until the 
222.8 	program is approved by the commissioner. Any change to an operating program must be 
222.9 	approved by the commissioner.
222.10 	(b) In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an energy storage system 
222.11 	must:
222.12 	(1) have a capacity no greater than 50 kilowatt hours; and
222.13 	(2) be located within the electric service area of the utility subject to this section.
222.14 	(c) An owner of an energy storage system is eligible to receive a grant under this section 
222.15 	if:
222.16 	(1) a solar energy generating system is operating at the same site as the proposed energy 
222.17 	storage system; or
222.18 	(2) the owner has filed an application with the utility subject to this section to interconnect 
222.19 	a solar energy generating system at the same site as the proposed energy storage system.
222.20 	(d) The commissioner must annually review and may adjust the amount of grants awarded 
222.21 	under this section, but must not increase the amount over that awarded in previous years 
222.22 	unless the commissioner demonstrates in writing that an upward adjustment is warranted 
222.23 	by market conditions.
222.24 	(e) A customer who receives a grant under this section is eligible to receive financial 
222.25 	assistance under programs operated by the state or the utility for the solar energy generating 
222.26 	system operating in conjunction with the energy storage system.
222.27 	(f) For the purposes of this section, "solar energy generating system" has the meaning 
222.28 	given in section 216E.01, subdivision 9a.

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

223.1 	Sec. 39. [216C.401] ELECTRIC VEHICLE REBATES.
223.2 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section and section 216C.402, the 
223.3 	terms in this subdivision have the meanings given.
223.4 	(b) "Dealer" means a person, firm, or corporation that:
223.5 	(1) possesses a new motor vehicle license under chapter 168;
223.6 	(2) regularly engages in the business of manufacturing or selling, purchasing, and 
223.7 	generally dealing in new and unused motor vehicles;
223.8 	(3) has an established place of business to sell, trade, and display new and unused motor 
223.9 	vehicles; and
223.10 	(4) possesses new and unused motor vehicles to sell or trade the motor vehicles.
223.11 	(c) "Electric vehicle" has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 26a, 
223.12 	paragraphs (a) and (b), clause (3).
223.13 	(d) "Eligible new electric vehicle" means an electric vehicle that meets the requirements 
223.14 	of subdivision 2, paragraph (a).
223.15 	(e) "Eligible used electric vehicle" means an electric vehicle that meets the requirements 
223.16 	of subdivision 2, paragraph (b).
223.17 	(f) "Lease" means a business transaction under which a dealer furnishes an eligible 
223.18 	electric vehicle to a person for a fee under a bailor-bailee relationship where no incidences 
223.19 	of ownership transferred, other than the right to use the vehicle for a term of at least 24 
223.20 	months.
223.21 	(g) "Lessee" means a person who leases an eligible electric vehicle from a dealer.
223.22 	(h) "New eligible electric vehicle" means an eligible electric vehicle that has not been 
223.23 	registered in any state.
223.24 		Subd. 2.Eligible vehicle. (a) A new electric vehicle is eligible for a rebate under this 
223.25 	section if the electric vehicle:
223.26 	(1) has a base manufacturer's suggested retail price that does not exceed $60,000;
223.27 	(2) has not been previously owned;
223.28 	(3) has not been modified from the original manufacturer's specifications;
223.29 	(4) is purchased or leased from a dealer or directly from an original equipment 
223.30 	manufacturer that does not have licensed franchised dealers in Minnesota; and
224.1 	(5) is purchased or leased after the effective date of this section for use by the purchaser 
224.2 	and not for resale.
224.3 	(b) A used electric vehicle is eligible for an electric vehicle rebate under this section if 
224.4 	the electric vehicle had a base manufacturer's suggested retail price that did not exceed 
224.5 	$60,000 when purchased, has previously been owned in Minnesota or another state, and 
224.6 	has not been modified from the original manufacturer's specifications.
224.7 	(c) For purposes of paragraph (a), a vehicle has not been previously owned if it:
224.8 	(1) is used by a dealer as a floor model or test drive vehicle and has not been previously 
224.9 	registered in Minnesota or any other state prior to purchase or lease; or
224.10 	(2) is returned to a dealer by a purchaser or lessee:
224.11 	(i) within two weeks of purchase or leasing or when a purchaser's or lessee's financing 
224.12 	for the electric vehicle has been disapproved; or
224.13 	(ii) before the purchaser or lessee takes delivery, even if the electric vehicle is registered 
224.14 	in Minnesota.
224.15 		Subd. 3.Eligible purchaser or lessee. A person who purchases or leases an eligible 
224.16 	new or used electric vehicle is eligible for a rebate under this section if the purchaser or 
224.17 	lessee:
224.18 	(1) is one of the following:
224.19 	(i) a resident of Minnesota, as defined in section 290.01, subdivision 7, paragraph (a), 
224.20 	when the electric vehicle is purchased or leased;
224.21 	(ii) a business that has a valid address in Minnesota from which business is conducted;
224.22 	(iii) a nonprofit corporation incorporated under chapter 317A; or
224.23 	(iv) a political subdivision of the state;
224.24 	(2) has not received a rebate or tax credit for the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle 
224.25 	from the state of Minnesota; and
224.26 	(3) registers the electric vehicle in Minnesota.
224.27 		Subd. 4.Rebate amounts. (a) A $2,500 rebate may be issued under this section to an 
224.28 	eligible purchaser to purchase or lease an eligible new electric vehicle.
224.29 	(b) A $500 rebate may be issued under this section to an eligible purchaser or lessee of 
224.30 	an eligible used electric vehicle.
225.1 	(c) A purchaser or lessee whose household income at the time the eligible electric vehicle 
225.2 	is purchased or leased is less than 150 percent of the current federal poverty guidelines 
225.3 	established by the Department of Health and Human Services is eligible for a rebate of $500 
225.4 	to purchase or lease an eligible new electric vehicle and $100 to purchase or lease an eligible 
225.5 	used electric vehicle. The rebate under this paragraph is in addition to the rebate under 
225.6 	paragraph (a) or (b), as applicable.
225.7 		Subd. 5.Limits. The number of rebates allowed under this section is limited to:
225.8 	(1) no more than one rebate per resident; and
225.9 	(2) no more than one rebate per business entity per year.
225.10 		Subd. 6.Program administration. (a) A rebate application under this section must be 
225.11 	filed with the commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner.
225.12 	(b) The commissioner must develop administrative procedures governing the application 
225.13 	and rebate award process. Applications must be reviewed and rebates awarded by the 
225.14 	commissioner on a first-come, first-served basis.
225.15 	(c) The commissioner must, in coordination with dealers and other state agencies as 
225.16 	applicable, develop a procedure to allow a rebate to be used by an eligible purchaser or 
225.17 	lessee at the point of sale so that the rebate amount may be subtracted from the selling price 
225.18 	of the eligible electric vehicle.
225.19 	(d) The commissioner may reduce the rebate amounts provided under subdivision 4 or 
225.20 	restrict program eligibility based on the availability of money to award rebates or other 
225.21 	factors.
225.22 		Subd. 7.Expiration. This section expires June 30, 2027.

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

225.24 	Sec. 40. [216C.402] GRANT PROGRAM; MANUFACTURERS' CERTIFICATION 
225.25 	OF AUTO DEALERS TO SELL ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
225.26 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. A grant program is established in the department to 
225.27 	award grants to dealers to offset the costs of obtaining the necessary training and equipment 
225.28 	that is required by electric vehicle manufacturers in order to certify a dealer to sell electric 
225.29 	vehicles produced by the manufacturer.
225.30 		Subd. 2.Application. An application for a grant under this section must be made to the 
225.31 	commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner. The commissioner must develop 
226.1 	administrative procedures and processes to review applications and award grants under this 
226.2 	section.
226.3 		Subd. 3.Eligible applicants. An applicant for a grant awarded under this section must 
226.4 	be a dealer of new motor vehicles licensed under chapter 168 operating under a franchise 
226.5 	from a manufacturer of electric vehicles.
226.6 		Subd. 4.Eligible expenditures. Appropriations made to support the activities of this 
226.7 	section must be used only to reimburse:
226.8 	(1) a dealer for the reasonable costs to obtain training and certification for the dealer's 
226.9 	employees from the electric vehicle manufacturer that awarded the franchise to the dealer;
226.10 	(2) a dealer for the reasonable costs to purchase and install equipment to service and 
226.11 	repair electric vehicles, as required by the electric vehicle manufacturer that awarded the 
226.12 	franchise to the dealer; and
226.13 	(3) the department for the reasonable costs to administer this section.
226.14 		Subd. 5.Limitation. A grant awarded under this section to a single dealer must not 
226.15 	exceed $40,000.

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

226.17 	Sec. 41. [216C.441] MINNESOTA CLIMATE INNOVATION FINANCE 
226.18 	AUTHORITY.
226.19 		Subdivision 1.Establishment; purpose. (a) There is created a public body corporate 
226.20 	and politic to be known as the "Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority," whose 
226.21 	purpose is to accelerate the deployment of clean energy projects, greenhouse gas emissions 
226.22 	reduction projects, and other qualified projects through the strategic deployment of public 
226.23 	funds in the form of grants, loans, credit enhancements, and other financing mechanisms 
226.24 	in order to leverage existing public and private sources of capital to reduce the upfront and 
226.25 	total cost of qualified projects and to overcome financial barriers to project adoption, 
226.26 	especially in low-income communities.
226.27 	(b) The goals of the authority include but are not limited to:
226.28 	(1) reducing Minnesota's contributions to climate change by accelerating the deployment 
226.29 	of clean energy projects;
226.30 	(2) ensuring that all Minnesotans share the benefits of clean and renewable energy and 
226.31 	the opportunity to fully participate in the clean energy economy by promoting:
227.1 	(i) the creation of clean energy jobs for Minnesota workers, particularly in environmental 
227.2 	justice communities and communities in which fossil fuel electric generating plants are 
227.3 	retiring; and
227.4 	(ii) the principles of environmental justice in the authority's operations and funding 
227.5 	decisions; and
227.6 	(3) maintaining energy reliability while reducing the economic burden of energy costs, 
227.7 	especially on low-income households.
227.8 		Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the 
227.9 	meanings given.
227.10 	(b) "Authority" means the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority.
227.11 	(c) "Board" means the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority's board of 
227.12 	directors established in subdivision 10.
227.13 	(d) "Clean energy project" has the meaning given to "qualified project" in paragraph 
227.14 	(n).
227.15 	(e) "Community navigator" means an organization that works to facilitate access to clean 
227.16 	energy project financing by community groups.
227.17 	(f) "Credit enhancement" means a pool of capital set aside to cover potential losses on 
227.18 	loans and other investments made by financing entities. Credit enhancement includes but 
227.19 	is not limited to loan loss reserves and loan guarantees.
227.20 	(g) "Energy storage system" has the meaning given in section 216B.2422, subdivision 
227.21 	1, paragraph (f).
227.22 	(h) "Environmental justice" means that:
227.23 	(1) communities of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income communities have 
227.24 	a healthy environment and are treated fairly when environmental statutes, rules, and policies 
227.25 	are developed, adopted, implemented, and enforced; and
227.26 	(2) in all decisions that have the potential to affect the environment of an environmental 
227.27 	justice community or the public health of an environmental justice community's residents, 
227.28 	due consideration is given to the history of the area's and the area's residents' cumulative 
227.29 	exposure to pollutants and to any current socioeconomic conditions that increase the physical 
227.30 	sensitivity of the area's residents to additional exposure to pollutants.
228.1 	(i) "Environmental justice community" means a community in Minnesota that, based 
228.2 	on the most recent data published by the United States Census Bureau, meets one or more 
228.3 	of the following criteria:
228.4 	(1) 40 percent or more of the community's total population is nonwhite;
228.5 	(2) 35 percent or more of households in the community have an income that is at or 
228.6 	below 200 percent of the federal poverty level;
228.7 	(3) 40 percent or more of the community's residents over the age of five have limited 
228.8 	English proficiency; or
228.9 	(4) the community is located within Indian country, as defined in United States Code, 
228.10 	title 18, section 1151.
228.11 	(j) "Greenhouse gas emissions" means emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous 
228.12 	oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride emitted by 
228.13 	anthropogenic sources.
228.14 	(k) "Loan loss reserve" means a pool of capital set aside to reimburse a private lender 
228.15 	if a customer defaults on a loan, up to an agreed-upon percentage of loans originated by the 
228.16 	private lender.
228.17 	(l) "Microgrid system" means an electrical grid that:
228.18 	(1) serves a discrete geographical area from distributed energy resources; and
228.19 	(2) can operate independently from the central electric grid on a temporary basis.
228.20 	(m) "Project labor agreement" means a prehire collective bargaining agreement with a 
228.21 	council of building and construction trades labor organizations (1) prohibiting strikes, 
228.22 	lockouts, and similar disruptions, and (2) providing for a binding procedure to resolve labor 
228.23 	disputes on the project.
228.24 	(n) "Qualified project" means a project, technology, product, service, or measure 
228.25 	promoting energy efficiency, clean energy, electrification, or water conservation and quality 
228.26 	that:
228.27 	(1) substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions;
228.28 	(2) reduces energy use without diminishing the level of service;
228.29 	(3) increases the deployment of renewable energy projects, energy storage systems, 
228.30 	district heating, smart grid technologies, or microgrid systems;
228.31 	(4) replaces existing fossil-fuel-based technology with an end-use electric technology;
229.1 	(5) supports the development and deployment of electric vehicle charging stations and 
229.2 	associated infrastructure, electric buses, and electric fleet vehicles;
229.3 	(6) reduces water use or protects, restores, or preserves the quality of surface waters; or
229.4 	(7) incentivizes customers to shift demand in response to changes in the price of electricity 
229.5 	or when system reliability is not jeopardized.
229.6 	(o) "Renewable energy" has the meaning given in section 216B.1691, subdivision 1, 
229.7 	paragraph (c), clauses (1), (2), and (4), and includes fuel cells generated from renewable 
229.8 	energy.
229.9 	(p) "Securitization" means the conversion of an asset composed of individual loans into 
229.10 	marketable securities.
229.11 	(q) "Smart grid" means a digital technology that:
229.12 	(1) allows for two-way communication between a utility and the utility's customers; and
229.13 	(2) enables the utility to control power flow and load in real time.
229.14 		Subd. 3.General powers. (a) For the purpose of exercising the specific powers granted 
229.15 	in this section, the authority has the general powers granted in this subdivision.
229.16 	(b) The authority may:
229.17 	(1) hire an executive director and staff to conduct the authority's operations;
229.18 	(2) sue and be sued;
229.19 	(3) have a seal and alter the seal;
229.20 	(4) acquire, hold, lease, manage, and dispose of real or personal property for the 
229.21 	authority's corporate purposes;
229.22 	(5) enter into agreements, including cooperative financing agreements, contracts, or 
229.23 	other transactions, with any federal or state agency, county, local unit of government, 
229.24 	regional development commission, person, domestic or foreign partnership, corporation, 
229.25 	association, or organization;
229.26 	(6) acquire by purchase real property, or an interest therein, in the authority's own name 
229.27 	where acquisition is necessary or appropriate;
229.28 	(7) provide general technical and consultative services related to the authority's purpose;
229.29 	(8) promote research and development in matters related to the authority's purpose;
230.1 	(9) analyze greenhouse gas emissions reduction project financing needs in the state and 
230.2 	recommend measures to alleviate any shortage of financing capacity;
230.3 	(10) contract with any governmental or private agency or organization, legal counsel, 
230.4 	financial advisor, investment banker, or others to assist in the exercise of the authority's 
230.5 	powers;
230.6 	(11) enter into agreements with qualified lenders or others insuring or guaranteeing to 
230.7 	the state the payment of qualified loans or other financing instruments; and
230.8 	(12) accept on behalf of the state any gift, grant, or interest in money or personal property 
230.9 	tendered to the state for any purpose pertaining to the authority's activities.
230.10 		Subd. 4.Authority duties. (a) The authority must:
230.11 	(1) serve as a financial resource to reduce the upfront and total costs of implementing 
230.12 	qualified projects;
230.13 	(2) ensure that all financed projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
230.14 	(3) ensure that financing terms and conditions offered are well-suited to qualified projects;
230.15 	(4) strategically prioritize the use of the authority's funds to leverage private investment 
230.16 	in qualified projects, with the aim of achieving a high ratio of private to public money 
230.17 	invested through funding mechanisms that support, enhance, and complement private lending 
230.18 	and investment;
230.19 	(5) coordinate with existing federal, state, local, utility, and other programs to ensure 
230.20 	that the authority's resources are being used most effectively to add to and complement 
230.21 	those programs;
230.22 	(6) stimulate demand for qualified projects by:
230.23 	(i) contracting with the department's Energy Information Center and community 
230.24 	navigators to provide information to project participants about federal, state, local, utility, 
230.25 	and other authority financial assistance for qualifying projects, and technical information 
230.26 	on energy conservation and renewable energy measures;
230.27 	(ii) forming partnerships with contractors and informing contractors about the authority's 
230.28 	financing programs;
230.29 	(iii) developing innovative marketing strategies to stimulate project owner interest, 
230.30 	especially in underserved communities; and
230.31 	(iv) incentivizing financing entities to increase activity in underserved markets;
231.1 	(7) finance projects in all regions of the state;
231.2 	(8) develop participant eligibility standards and other terms and conditions for financial 
231.3 	support provided by the authority;
231.4 	(9) develop and administer:
231.5 	(i) policies to collect reasonable fees for authority services; and
231.6 	(ii) risk management activities to support ongoing authority activities;
231.7 	(10) develop consumer protection standards governing the authority's investments to 
231.8 	ensure that financial support is provided responsibly and transparently, and is in the financial 
231.9 	interest of participating project owners;
231.10 	(11) develop methods to accurately measure the impact of the authority's activities, 
231.11 	particularly on low-income communities and on greenhouse gas emissions reductions;
231.12 	(12) hire an executive director and sufficient staff with the appropriate skills and 
231.13 	qualifications to carry out the authority's programs, making an affirmative effort to recruit 
231.14 	and hire a director and staff who are from, or share the interests of, the communities the 
231.15 	authority must serve;
231.16 	(13) apply for, either as a direct or subgrantee applicant, and accept Greenhouse Gas 
231.17 	Reduction Fund grants authorized by the federal Clean Air Act, United States Code, title 
231.18 	42, section 7434(a). If the application deadlines for these grants are earlier than is practical 
231.19 	for the authority to meet, the commissioner shall apply on behalf of the authority. In all 
231.20 	cases, applications for these funds by or on behalf of the authority must be coordinated with 
231.21 	all known Minnesota applicants; and
231.22 	(14) ensure that authority contracts with all third-party administrators, contractors, and 
231.23 	subcontractors contain required covenants, representations, and warranties specifying that 
231.24 	contracted third parties are agents of the authority, and that all acts of contracted third parties 
231.25 	are considered acts of the authority, provided that the act is within the contracted scope of 
231.26 	work.
231.27 	(b) The authority may:
231.28 	(1) employ credit enhancement mechanisms that reduce financial risk for financing 
231.29 	entities by providing assurance that a limited portion of a loan or other financial instrument 
231.30 	is assumed by the authority via a loan loss reserve, loan guarantee, or other mechanism;
231.31 	(2) co-invest in a qualified project by providing senior or subordinated debt, equity, or 
231.32 	other mechanisms in conjunction with other investment, co-lending, or financing;
232.1 	(3) aggregate small and geographically dispersed qualified projects in order to diversify 
232.2 	risk or secure additional private investment through securitization or similar resale of the 
232.3 	authority's interest in a completed qualified project;
232.4 	(4) expend up to 25 percent of money appropriated to the authority for start-up purposes, 
232.5 	which may be used for financing programs and project investments authorized under this 
232.6 	section prior to adoption of the strategic plan required under subdivision 7 and the investment 
232.7 	strategy under subdivision 8; and
232.8 	(5) require a specific project to agree to implement a project labor agreement as a 
232.9 	condition of receiving financing from the authority.
232.10 		Subd. 5.Underserved market analysis. (a) Before developing a financing program, 
232.11 	the authority must conduct an analysis of the financial market the authority is considering 
232.12 	entering in order to determine the extent to which the market is underserved and to ensure 
232.13 	that the authority's activities supplement, and do not duplicate or supplant, the efforts of 
232.14 	financing entities currently serving the market. The analysis must address the nature and 
232.15 	extent of any barriers or gaps that may be preventing financing entities from adequately 
232.16 	serving the market, and must examine present and projected future efforts of existing 
232.17 	financing entities, federal, state, and local governments, and of utilities and others to serve 
232.18 	the market.
232.19 	(b) In determining whether the authority should enter a market, the authority must 
232.20 	consider:
232.21 	(1) whether serving the market advances the authority's policy goals;
232.22 	(2) the extent to which the market is currently underserved;
232.23 	(3) the unique tools the authority would deploy to overcome existing market barriers or 
232.24 	gaps;
232.25 	(4) how the authority would market the program to potential participants; and
232.26 	(5) potential financing partners and the role financing partners would play in 
232.27 	complementing the authority's activities.
232.28 	(c) Before providing any direct loans to residential borrowers, the authority must issue 
232.29 	a request for information to existing known financing entities, specifying the market need 
232.30 	and the authority's goals in meeting the underserved market segment, and soliciting each 
232.31 	financing entity's:
232.32 	(1) current financing offerings for that specific market;
233.1 	(2) prior efforts to meet that specific market; and
233.2 	(3) plans and capabilities to serve that specific market.
233.3 	(d) The authority may only provide direct loans to residential borrowers if the authority 
233.4 	certifies that no financing entity is currently able to meet the specific underserved market 
233.5 	need and the authority's goals, and that the authority's entry into the market does not supplant 
233.6 	or duplicate any existing financing activities in that specific market.
233.7 		Subd. 6.Authority lending practices; labor and consumer protection standards. (a) 
233.8 	In determining the projects in which the authority will participate, the authority must give 
233.9 	preference to projects that:
233.10 	(1) maximize the creation of high-quality employment and apprenticeship opportunities 
233.11 	for local workers, consistent with the public interest, especially workers from environmental 
233.12 	justice communities, labor organizations, and Minnesota communities hosting retired or 
233.13 	retiring electric generation facilities, including workers previously employed at retiring 
233.14 	facilities;
233.15 	(2) utilize energy technologies produced domestically that received an advanced 
233.16 	manufacturing tax credit under section 45X of the Internal Revenue Code, as allowed under 
233.17 	the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Public Law 117-169;
233.18 	(3) certify, for all contractors and subcontractors, that the rights of workers to organize 
233.19 	and unionize are recognized; and
233.20 	(4) agree to implement a project labor agreement.
233.21 	(b) The authority must require, for all projects for which the authority provides financing, 
233.22 	that:
233.23 	(1) if the budget is $100,000 or more, all contractors and subcontractors:
233.24 	(i) must pay no less than the prevailing wage rate, as defined in section 177.42, 
233.25 	subdivision 6; and
233.26 	(ii) are subject to the requirements and enforcement provisions under sections 177.27, 
233.27 	177.30, 177.32, 177.41 to 177.43, and 177.45, including the posting of prevailing wage 
233.28 	rates, prevailing hours of labor, and hourly basic rates of pay for all trades on the project in 
233.29 	at least one conspicuous location at the project site;
233.30 	(2) financing is not offered without first ensuring that the participants meet the authority's 
233.31 	underwriting criteria; and
234.1 	(3) any loan made to a homeowner for a project on the homeowner's residence complies 
234.2 	with section 47.59 and the following federal laws:
234.3 	(i) the Truth in Lending Act, United States Code, title 15, section 1601 et seq.;
234.4 	(ii) the Fair Credit Reporting Act, United States Code, title 15, section 1681;
234.5 	(iii) the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, United States Code, title 15, section 1691 et seq.; 
234.6 	and
234.7 	(iv) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, United States Code, title 15, section 1692.
234.8 	(c) The authority and any third-party administrator, contractor, subcontractor, or agent 
234.9 	that conducts lending, financing, investment, marketing, administration, servicing, or 
234.10 	installation of measures in connection with a qualified project financed in whole or in part 
234.11 	with authority funds is subject to sections 325D.43 to 325D.48; 325F.67 to 325F.71; 325G.06 
234.12 	to 325G.14; 325G.29 to 325G.37; and 332.37.
234.13 	(d) For the purposes of this section, "local workers" means Minnesota residents who 
234.14 	permanently reside within 150 miles of the location of a proposed project in which the 
234.15 	authority is considering to participate.
234.16 		Subd. 7.Strategic plan. (a) By December 15, 2024, and each December 15 in 
234.17 	even-numbered years thereafter, the authority must develop and adopt a strategic plan that 
234.18 	prioritizes the authority's activities over the next two years. A strategic plan must:
234.19 	(1) identify targeted underserved markets for qualified projects in Minnesota;
234.20 	(2) develop specific programs to overcome market impediments through access to 
234.21 	authority financing and technical assistance; and
234.22 	(3) develop outreach and marketing strategies designed to make potential project 
234.23 	developers, participants, and communities aware of financing and technical assistance 
234.24 	available from the authority, including the deployment of community navigators.
234.25 	(b) Elements of the strategic plan must be informed by the authority's analysis of the 
234.26 	market for qualified projects and by the authority's experience under the previous strategic 
234.27 	plan, including the degree to which performance targets were or were not achieved by each 
234.28 	financing program. In addition, the authority must actively seek input regarding activities 
234.29 	that should be included in the strategic plan from stakeholders, environmental justice 
234.30 	communities, the general public, and participants, including via meetings required under 
234.31 	subdivision 9.
235.1 	(c) The authority must establish annual targets in a strategic plan for each financing 
235.2 	program regarding the number of projects, level of authority investments, greenhouse gas 
235.3 	emissions reductions, and installed generating capacity or energy savings the authority 
235.4 	hopes to achieve, including separate targets for authority activities undertaken in 
235.5 	environmental justice communities.
235.6 	(d) The authority's targets and strategies must be designed to ensure that no less than 40 
235.7 	percent of the direct benefits of authority activities flow to environmental justice communities 
235.8 	as defined under subdivision 2, by the United States Department of Energy, or as modified 
235.9 	by the department.
235.10 		Subd. 8.Investment strategy; content; process. (a) No later than December 15, 2024, 
235.11 	and every four years thereafter, the authority must adopt a long-term investment strategy 
235.12 	to ensure the authority's paramount goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is reflected in 
235.13 	all of the authority's operations. The investment strategy must address:
235.14 	(1) the types of qualified projects the authority should focus on;
235.15 	(2) gaps in current qualified project financing that present the greatest opportunities for 
235.16 	successful action by the authority;
235.17 	(3) how the authority can best position itself to maximize its impact without displacing, 
235.18 	subsidizing, or assuming risk that should be shared with financing entities;
235.19 	(4) financing tools that will be most effective in achieving the authority's goals;
235.20 	(5) partnerships the authority should establish with other organizations to increase the 
235.21 	likelihood of success; and
235.22 	(6) how values of equity, environmental justice, and geographic balance can be integrated 
235.23 	into all investment operations of the authority.
235.24 	(b) In developing an investment strategy, the authority must consult, at a minimum, with 
235.25 	similar organizations in other states, lending authorities, state agencies, utilities, 
235.26 	environmental and energy policy nonprofits, labor organizations, and other organizations 
235.27 	that can provide valuable advice on the authority's activities.
235.28 	(c) The long-term investment strategy must contain provisions ensuring that:
235.29 	(1) authority investments are not made solely to reduce private risk; and
235.30 	(2) private financing entities do not unilaterally control the terms of investments to which 
235.31 	the authority is a party.
236.1 	(d) The board must submit a draft long-term investment strategy for comment to each 
236.2 	of the groups and individuals the board consults under paragraph (b) and to the chairs and 
236.3 	ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with 
236.4 	primary jurisdiction over energy finance and policy, and must post the draft strategy on the 
236.5 	authority's website. The authority must accept written comments on the draft strategy for 
236.6 	at least 30 days and must consider the comments in preparing the final long-term investment 
236.7 	strategy.
236.8 		Subd. 9.Public communications and outreach. The authority must:
236.9 	(1) maintain a public website that provides information about the authority's operations, 
236.10 	current financing programs, and practices, including rates, terms, and conditions; the number 
236.11 	and amount of investments by project type; the number of jobs created; the financing 
236.12 	application process; and other information;
236.13 	(2) periodically issue an electronic newsletter to stakeholders and the public containing 
236.14 	information on the authority's products, programs, and services and key authority events 
236.15 	and decisions; and
236.16 	(3) hold quarterly meetings accessible online to update the general public on the 
236.17 	authority's activities, report progress being made in regard to the authority's strategic plan 
236.18 	and long-term investment strategy, and invite audience questions regarding authority 
236.19 	programs.
236.20 		Subd. 10.Board of directors. (a) The Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority 
236.21 	Board of Directors shall consist of the following 11 members:
236.22 	(1) the commissioner of commerce, or the commissioner's designee;
236.23 	(2) the commissioner of labor and industry, or the commissioner's designee;
236.24 	(3) the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or the commissioner's 
236.25 	designee;
236.26 	(4) the commissioner of employment and economic development, or the commissioner's 
236.27 	designee;
236.28 	(5) the chair of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, or the chair's designee; and
236.29 	(6) six additional members appointed by the governor, as follows:
236.30 	(i) one member, appointed after the governor consults with labor organizations in the 
236.31 	state, must be a representative of a labor union with experience working on clean energy 
236.32 	projects;
237.1 	(ii) one member with expertise in the impact of climate change on Minnesota 
237.2 	communities, particularly low-income communities;
237.3 	(iii) one member with expertise in financing projects at a community bank, credit union, 
237.4 	community development institution, or local government;
237.5 	(iv) one member with expertise in sustainable development and energy conservation;
237.6 	(v) one member with expertise in environmental justice; and
237.7 	(vi) one member with expertise in investment fund management or financing and 
237.8 	deploying clean energy technologies.
237.9 	(b) At least two members appointed to the board must permanently reside outside the 
237.10 	metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2. The board must collectively 
237.11 	reflect the geographic and ethnic diversity of the state.
237.12 	(c) Board members appointed under paragraph (a), clause (6), shall serve a term of four 
237.13 	years.
237.14 	(d) Members appointed to the board must:
237.15 	(1) provide evidence of a commitment to the authority's purposes and goals; and
237.16 	(2) not hold any personal or professional conflicts of interest related to the authority's 
237.17 	activities, including with respect to the member's financial investments and employment or 
237.18 	the financial investments and employment of the member's immediate family members.
237.19 	(e) The authority shall contract with the department to provide administrative and 
237.20 	technical services to the board and to prospective borrowers, especially those serving or 
237.21 	located in environmental justice communities.
237.22 	(f) Compensation of board members, removal of members, and filling of vacancies are 
237.23 	governed by section 15.0575.
237.24 	(g) Board members may be reappointed for up to two full terms.
237.25 	(h) A majority of board members, excluding vacancies, constitutes a quorum for the 
237.26 	purpose of conducting business and exercising powers, and for all other purposes. Action 
237.27 	may be taken by the authority upon a vote of a majority of the quorum present.
237.28 	(i) Board members and officers are not personally liable, either jointly or severally, for 
237.29 	any debt or obligation created or incurred by the authority.
237.30 		Subd. 11.Report; audit. Beginning February 1, 2024, the authority must annually 
237.31 	submit a comprehensive report on the authority's activities during the previous year to the 
238.1 	governor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with 
238.2 	primary jurisdiction over energy policy. The report must contain, at a minimum, information 
238.3 	on:
238.4 	(1) the amount of authority capital invested, by project type;
238.5 	(2) the amount of private and public capital leveraged by authority investments, by 
238.6 	project type;
238.7 	(3) the number of qualified projects supported, by project type and location within 
238.8 	Minnesota, including in environmental justice communities;
238.9 	(4) the estimated number of jobs created for local workers and nonlocal workers, the 
238.10 	ratio of projects subject to and exempt from prevailing wage requirements under subdivision 
238.11 	6, paragraph (b), and tax revenue generated as a result of the authority's activities;
238.12 	(5) estimated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the authority's 
238.13 	activities;
238.14 	(6) the number of clean energy projects financed in low- and moderate-income 
238.15 	households;
238.16 	(7) a narrative describing the progress made toward the authority's equity, social, and 
238.17 	labor standards goals; and
238.18 	(8) a financial audit conducted by an independent party.

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

238.20 	Sec. 42. [216C.45] RESIDENTIAL HEAT PUMP REBATE PROGRAM.
238.21 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
238.22 	the meanings given.
238.23 	(b) "Eligible applicant" means a person who provides evidence to the commissioner's 
238.24 	satisfaction demonstrating that the person has received or has applied for a heat pump rebate 
238.25 	available from the federal Department of Energy under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, 
238.26 	Public Law 117-189.
238.27 	(c) "Heat pump" means a cold climate rated air-source heat pump composed of (1) a 
238.28 	mechanism that heats and cools indoor air by transferring heat from outdoor or indoor air 
238.29 	using a fan, (2) a refrigerant-filled heat exchanger, and (3) an inverter-driven compressor 
238.30 	that varies the pressure of the refrigerant to warm or cool the refrigerant vapor.
239.1 		Subd. 2.Establishment. A residential heat pump rebate program is established in the 
239.2 	department to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants that purchase and install a 
239.3 	heat pump in the applicant's Minnesota residence.
239.4 		Subd. 3.Application. (a) An application for a rebate under this section must be made 
239.5 	to the commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner. The application must be 
239.6 	accompanied by documentation, as required by the commissioner, demonstrating that:
239.7 	(1) the applicant is an eligible applicant;
239.8 	(2) the applicant owns the Minnesota residence in which the heat pump is to be installed;
239.9 	(3) the applicant has had an energy audit conducted of the residence in which the heat 
239.10 	pump is to be installed within the last 18 months by a person with a Building Analyst 
239.11 	Technician certification issued by the Building Performance Institute, Inc., or an equivalent 
239.12 	certification, as determined by the commissioner;
239.13 	(4) either:
239.14 	(i) the applicant has installed in the applicant's residence, by a contractor with an Air 
239.15 	Leakage Control Installer certification issued by the Building Performance Institute, Inc., 
239.16 	or an equivalent certification, as determined by the commissioner, the amount of insulation 
239.17 	and the air sealing measures recommended by the auditor; or
239.18 	(ii) the auditor has otherwise determined that the amount of insulation and air sealing 
239.19 	measures in the residence are sufficient to enable effective heat pump performance;
239.20 	(5) the applicant has purchased a heat pump of the capacity recommended by the auditor 
239.21 	or contractor, and has had the heat pump installed by a contractor with sufficient training 
239.22 	and experience in installing heat pumps, as determined by the commissioner; and
239.23 	(6) the total cost to purchase and install the heat pump in the applicant's residence.
239.24 	(b) The commissioner must develop administrative procedures governing the application 
239.25 	and rebate award processes.
239.26 		Subd. 4.Rebate amount. A rebate awarded under this section must not exceed the lesser 
239.27 	of:
239.28 	(1) $4,000; or
239.29 	(2) the total cost to purchase and install the heat pump in an eligible applicant's residence 
239.30 	net of the rebate amount received for the heat pump from the federal Department of Energy 
239.31 	under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Public Law 117-189.
240.1 		Subd. 5.Assisting applicants. The commissioner must issue a request for proposals 
240.2 	seeking an entity to serve as an energy coordinator to interact directly with applicants and 
240.3 	potential applicants to:
240.4 	(1) explain the technical aspects of heat pumps, energy audits, and energy conservation 
240.5 	measures, and the energy and financial savings that can result from implementing each;
240.6 	(2) identify federal, state, and utility programs available to homeowners to reduce the 
240.7 	costs of energy audits, energy conservation, and heat pumps;
240.8 	(3) explain the requirements and scheduling of the application process;
240.9 	(4) provide access to certified contractors who can perform energy audits, install 
240.10 	insulation and air sealing measures, and install heat pumps; and
240.11 	(5) conduct outreach to make potential applicants aware of the program.
240.12 		Subd. 6.Contractor training and support. The commissioner must issue a request for 
240.13 	proposals seeking an entity to develop and organize programs to train contractors with 
240.14 	respect to the technical aspects and installation of heat pumps in residences. The training 
240.15 	curriculum must be at a level sufficient to provide contractors who complete training with 
240.16 	the knowledge and skills necessary to install heat pumps to industry best practice standards, 
240.17 	as determined by the commissioner. Training programs must: (1) be accessible in all regions 
240.18 	of the state; and (2) provide mentoring and ongoing support, including continuing education 
240.19 	and financial assistance, to trainees.

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

240.21 	Sec. 43. [216C.46] RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC PANEL UPGRADE GRANT 
240.22 	PROGRAM.
240.23 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
240.24 	the meanings given.
240.25 	(b) "Area median income" means the median income of the geographic area in which a 
240.26 	single-family or multifamily building whose owner is applying for a grant under this section 
240.27 	is located, as reported by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
240.28 	(c) "Electric panel" means a building's electric panel or group of panels, including any 
240.29 	subpanels, consisting of buses and automatic overcurrent devices and equipment with or 
240.30 	without switches for the control of light, heat, or power circuits placed in an enclosure, 
240.31 	cabinet, or cutout box. Electric panel includes a smart panel.
240.32 	(d) "Electrical work" has the meaning given in section 326B.31, subdivision 17.
241.1 	(e) "Eligible applicant" means:
241.2 	(1) an owner of a single-family building whose occupants have an annual household 
241.3 	income no greater than 150 percent of the area median income; or
241.4 	(2) an owner of a multifamily building in which at least 50 percent of the units are 
241.5 	occupied by households whose annual income is no greater than 150 percent of the area 
241.6 	median income.
241.7 	(f) "Multifamily building" means a building containing two or more units.
241.8 	(g) "Smart panel" means an electrical panel that may be electronically programmed to 
241.9 	manage electricity use in a building automatically.
241.10 	(h) "Unit" means a residential living space in a multifamily building occupied by an 
241.11 	individual or a household.
241.12 	(i) "Upgrade" means:
241.13 	(1) for a single-family residence, the installation of equipment, devices, and wiring 
241.14 	necessary to increase an electrical panel's capacity to a total rating of not less than 200 
241.15 	amperes, or to a total rating that allows all the building's energy needs to be provided solely 
241.16 	by electricity, as calculated using the most recent National Electrical Code as adopted in 
241.17 	Minnesota;
241.18 	(2) for a single-family residence, the installation of a smart panel; or
241.19 	(3) for a multifamily building, the installation of equipment, devices, and wiring necessary 
241.20 	to increase the capacity of an electric panel, including feeder panels, to a total rating that 
241.21 	allows all the building's energy needs to be provided solely by electricity, as calculated 
241.22 	using the National Electrical Code as adopted in Minnesota.
241.23 		Subd. 2.Program establishment. A residential electric panel upgrade grant program 
241.24 	is established in the Department of Commerce to provide financial assistance to owners of 
241.25 	single-family residences and multifamily buildings to upgrade residential electric panels.
241.26 		Subd. 3.Application process. An applicant seeking a grant under this section must 
241.27 	submit an application to the commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner. The 
241.28 	commissioner must develop administrative procedures to govern the application and grant 
241.29 	award process. The commissioner may contract with a third party to conduct some or all of 
241.30 	the program's operations.
241.31 		Subd. 4.Grant awards. A grant may be awarded under this section to:
241.32 	(1) an eligible applicant; or
242.1 	(2) with the written permission of an eligible applicant submitted to the commissioner, 
242.2 	a contractor performing an upgrade or a third party on behalf of the eligible applicant.
242.3 		Subd. 5.Grant amount. (a) Subject to the limits of paragraphs (b) to (d), a grant awarded 
242.4 	under this section may be used to pay 100 percent of the equipment and installation costs 
242.5 	of an upgrade.
242.6 	(b) The commissioner may not award a grant to an eligible applicant under this section 
242.7 	which, in combination with a federal grant awarded to the eligible applicant under the federal 
242.8 	Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Public Law 117-189, for the same electric panel upgrade, 
242.9 	exceeds 100 percent of the equipment and installation costs of the upgrade.
242.10 	(c) The maximum grant amount under this section that may be awarded to an eligible 
242.11 	applicant who owns a single-family residence is:
242.12 	(1) $3,000 for an owner whose annual household income is less than 80 percent of area 
242.13 	median income; and
242.14 	(2) $2,000 for an owner whose annual household income exceeds 80 percent but is not 
242.15 	greater than 150 percent of area median income.
242.16 	(d) The maximum grant amount that may be awarded under this section to an eligible 
242.17 	applicant who owns a multifamily building is the sum of $5,000, plus $500 multiplied by 
242.18 	the number of units containing a separate electric panel receiving an upgrade in the 
242.19 	multifamily building, not to exceed $50,000 per multifamily building.
242.20 	(e) The commissioner may approve grants over the maximum amounts in paragraphs 
242.21 	(c) and (d) up to 100 percent of the equipment and installation costs of the upgrade if 
242.22 	necessary to complete the upgrade.
242.23 		Subd. 6.Limitation. No more than one grant may be awarded to an owner under this 
242.24 	section for work conducted at the same single-family residence or multifamily building.
242.25 		Subd. 7.Outreach. The department must publicize the availability of grants under this 
242.26 	section to, at a minimum:
242.27 	(1) income-eligible households;
242.28 	(2) community action agencies and other public and private nonprofit organizations that 
242.29 	provide weatherization and other energy services to income-eligible households; and
242.30 	(3) multifamily property owners and property managers.
242.31 		Subd. 8.Contractor or subcontractor requirements. Contractors and subcontractors 
242.32 	performing electrical work under a grant awarded under this section:
243.1 	(1) must comply with the provisions of sections 326B.31 to 326B.399;
243.2 	(2) must certify that the electrical work is performed by a licensed journeyworker 
243.3 	electrician or a registered unlicensed individual under the direct supervision of a licensed 
243.4 	journeyworker electrician or master electrician employed by the same licensed electrical 
243.5 	contractor; and
243.6 	(3) must pay workers the prevailing wage rate, as defined in section 177.42, and are 
243.7 	subject to the requirements and enforcement provisions in sections 177.27, 177.30, 177.32, 
243.8 	177.41 to 177.435, and 177.45.
243.9 		Subd. 9.Report. Beginning January 1, 2025, and each January 1 through 2033, the 
243.10 	department must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
243.11 	committees with primary jurisdiction over climate and energy policy describing the activities 
243.12 	and expenditures under the program established in the section. The report must include, at 
243.13 	a minimum:
243.14 	(1) the number of units in multifamily buildings and the number of single-family 
243.15 	residences whose owners received grants;
243.16 	(2) the geographic distribution of grant recipients; and
243.17 	(3) the average amount of grants awarded per building in multifamily buildings and in 
243.18 	single-family residences.

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

243.20 	Sec. 44. Laws 2023, chapter 24, section 3, is amended to read:
243.21 	Sec. 3. APPROPRIATION.
 243.22 	(a) $115,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated transferred from the general fund 
243.23 	to the commissioner of commerce for the purposes of state competitiveness fund account 
243.24 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391. This is a onetime appropriation transfer. Of 
243.25 	this amount:
243.26 	(1) $100,000,000 is for grant awards made under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, 
243.27 	subdivision 3, of which at least $75,000,000 is for grant awards of less than $1,000,000;
243.28 	(2) $6,000,000 is for grant awards made under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, 
243.29 	subdivision 4;
243.30 	(3) $750,000 is for the reports and audits under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, 
243.31 	subdivision 7;
244.1 	(4) $1,500,000 is for information system development improvements necessary to carry 
244.2 	out Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391, and to improve digital access and reporting;
244.3 	(5) $6,750,000 is for technical assistance to applicants and administration of Minnesota 
244.4 	Statutes, section 216C.391, by the Department of Commerce; and
244.5 	(6) the commissioner may transfer money from clause (2) to clause (1) if less than 75 
244.6 	percent of the money in clause (2) has been awarded by June 30, 2028.
244.7 	(b) To the extent that federal funds for energy projects under the Infrastructure Investment 
244.8 	and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, or the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Public Law 
244.9 	117-169, become permanently unavailable to be matched with funds appropriated under 
244.10 	this section, the commissioner of management and budget must certify the proportional 
244.11 	amount of unencumbered funds remaining in the account established under Minnesota 
244.12 	Statutes, section 216C.391, and those unencumbered funds cancel to the general fund.

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

244.14 	Sec. 45. COMMISSION ORDER.
 244.15 	Within 180 days of the filing by the public utility subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
244.16 	116C.779, of the plan required by Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.1641, subdivision 4, 
244.17 	as amended by this act, the Public Utilities Commission must issue an order addressing the 
244.18 	requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.1641, as amended by this act.

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

244.20 	Sec. 46. ADVANCED NUCLEAR STUDY.
 244.21 		Subdivision 1.Study required. (a) The commissioner of commerce must conduct a 
244.22 	study evaluating the potential costs, benefits, and impacts of advanced nuclear technology 
244.23 	reactor power generation in Minnesota.
244.24 	(b) At a minimum, the study must address the potential costs, benefits, and impacts of 
244.25 	advanced nuclear technology reactor power generation on:
244.26 	(1) Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals under the Next Generation 
244.27 	Energy Act, Laws 2007, chapter 136;
244.28 	(2) system costs for ratepayers;
244.29 	(3) system reliability;
244.30 	(4) the environment;
245.1 	(5) local jobs;
245.2 	(6) local economic development;
245.3 	(7) Minnesota's eligible energy technology standard under Minnesota Statutes, section 
245.4 	216B.1691, subdivision 2a; and
245.5 	(8) Minnesota's carbon-free standard under Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.1691, 
245.6 	subdivision 2g.
245.7 	(c) The study must also evaluate:
245.8 	(1) current Minnesota statutes and administrative rules that would require modifications 
245.9 	in order to enable the construction and operation of advanced nuclear reactors;
245.10 	(2) the economic feasibility of replacing coal-fired boilers with advanced nuclear reactors, 
245.11 	while accounting for the avoided costs that result from the closure of coal-fired plants; and
245.12 	(3) the technologies and methods most likely to minimize the environmental impacts of 
245.13 	nuclear waste and the costs of managing nuclear waste.
245.14 		Subd. 2.Report. The commissioner of commerce must submit the results of the study 
245.15 	under subdivision 1 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees 
245.16 	having jurisdiction over energy finance and policy no later than January 31, 2025.

245.17 	Sec. 47. TRIBAL ADVOCACY COUNCIL ON ENERGY; DEPARTMENT OF 
245.18 	COMMERCE SUPPORT.
 245.19 	(a) The Department of Commerce must provide technical support and subject matter 
245.20 	expertise to assist and help facilitate any efforts taken by the 11 federally recognized Indian 
245.21 	Tribes in Minnesota to establish a Tribal advocacy council on energy.
245.22 	(b) When providing support to a Tribal advocacy council on energy, the Department of 
245.23 	Commerce may assist the council to:
245.24 	(1) assess and evaluate common Tribal energy issues, including (i) identifying and 
245.25 	prioritizing energy issues, (ii) facilitating idea sharing between the Tribes to generate 
245.26 	solutions to energy issues, and (iii) assisting decision making with respect to resolving 
245.27 	energy issues;
245.28 	(2) develop new statewide energy policies or proposed legislation, including (i) organizing 
245.29 	stakeholder meetings, (ii) gathering input and other relevant information, (iii) assisting with 
245.30 	policy proposal development, evaluation, and decision making, and (iv) helping facilitate 
246.1 	actions taken to submit, and obtain approval for or have enacted, policies or legislation 
246.2 	approved by the council;
246.3 	(3) make efforts to raise awareness and provide educational opportunities with respect 
246.4 	to Tribal energy issues by (i) identifying information resources, (ii) gathering feedback on 
246.5 	issues and topics the council identifies as areas of interest, and (iii) identifying topics for 
246.6 	educational forums and helping facilitate the forum process; and
246.7 	(4) identify, evaluate, and disseminate successful energy-related practices, and develop 
246.8 	mechanisms or opportunities to implement the successful practices.
246.9 	(c) Nothing in this section requires or otherwise obligates the 11 federally recognized 
246.10 	Indian Tribes in Minnesota to establish a Tribal advocacy council on energy, nor does it 
246.11 	require or obligate any one of the 11 federally recognized Indian Tribes in Minnesota to 
246.12 	participate in or implement a decision or support an effort made by an established Tribal 
246.13 	advocacy council on energy.
246.14 	(d) Any support provided by the Department of Commerce to a Tribal advocacy council 
246.15 	on energy under this section may be provided only upon request of the council and is limited 
246.16 	to issues and areas where the Department of Commerce's expertise and assistance is 
246.17 	requested.

246.18 	Sec. 48. ELECTRIC GRID RESILIENCY GRANTS.
 246.19 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
246.20 	the meanings given.
246.21 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce.
246.22 	(c) "Department" means the Department of Commerce.
246.23 	(d) "Consumer-owned utility" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 
246.24 	216B.2402, subdivision 2.
246.25 		Subd. 2.Grant awards. Grants may be awarded under this section to consumer-owned 
246.26 	utilities or associated trade associations, or to generation and transmission cooperative 
246.27 	electric associations, municipal power agencies, or power districts serving one or more 
246.28 	consumer-owned utilities, for projects that:
246.29 	(1) develop or improve distributed energy resources in the state;
246.30 	(2) demonstrate the project helps provide flexibility to electric utilities or consumers, 
246.31 	lead to lower rates, provide environmental benefits, or increase the resilience of an electric 
246.32 	grid;
247.1 	(3) are power generation or storage resources located near load centers; or
247.2 	(4) develop programs to enhance the safety of personnel performing duties exposing the 
247.3 	personnel to potential electrical hazards, including power system restoration, by incorporating 
247.4 	whole person safety concepts into safety programs.
247.5 		Subd. 3.Grant awards; administration. (a) An entity seeking a grant award under 
247.6 	subdivision 2 must submit an application to the commissioner on a form prescribed by the 
247.7 	commissioner. The commissioner is responsible for receiving and reviewing grant 
247.8 	applications and awarding grants under this subdivision, and must develop administrative 
247.9 	procedures governing the application, evaluation, and award process. In awarding grants 
247.10 	under this subdivision, the commissioner must endeavor to make awards assisting entities 
247.11 	from all regions of the state. The maximum grant award for each entity awarded a grant 
247.12 	under this subdivision is $250,000.
247.13 	(b) The department must provide technical assistance to applicants.
247.14 		Subd. 4.Report. Beginning February 15, 2024, and each February 15 thereafter until 
247.15 	the appropriation under article 2, section 2, subdivision 2, paragraph (y), has been expended, 
247.16 	the commissioner must submit a written report to the chairs and ranking minority members 
247.17 	of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy policy and finance on the activities 
247.18 	taken and expenditures made under this section. The report must, at a minimum, include 
247.19 	each grant awarded in the most recent calendar year and the remaining balance of the 
247.20 	appropriation under this section.

247.21 	Sec. 49. MINNESOTA CLIMATE INNOVATION FINANCE AUTHORITY.
 247.22 	(a) The initial appointments made under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.441, 
247.23 	subdivision 10, paragraph (a), clause (6), items (i) to (iii), shall be for two-year terms, and 
247.24 	the initial appointments made under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.441, subdivision 10, 
247.25 	paragraph (a), clause (6), items (iv) to (vi), shall be for three-year terms.
247.26 	(b) The governor must make the appointments required under this section no later than 
247.27 	July 30, 2023.
247.28 	(c) The initial meeting of the board of directors must be held no later than September 
247.29 	15, 2023. At the initial meeting, the board shall elect a chair and vice-chair by majority vote 
247.30 	of the members present.

248.1 	Sec. 50. SUPPORTING INVESTMENT IN GREEN FERTILIZER PRODUCTION.
 248.2 	(a) The commissioner of agriculture may award a grant under this section to a cooperative 
248.3 	to invest in green fertilizer production facilities. A grant under this section must include a 
248.4 	long-term agreement to purchase nitrogen fertilizer for cooperative members. Renewable 
248.5 	energy, hydrogen, and ammonia may be produced elsewhere, but the final production of 
248.6 	nitrogen fertilizer must occur within Minnesota.
248.7 	(b) For purposes of this section:
248.8 	(1) "cooperative" includes an agricultural or rural electric cooperative organized under 
248.9 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 308A or 308B;
248.10 	(2) "green fertilizer production facilities" means facilities that use renewable energy to 
248.11 	produce anhydrous ammonia, urea, or hydrogen;
248.12 	(3) "green hydrogen" means hydrogen produced by splitting water molecules using:
248.13 	(i) grid-based electrolyzers that have matched their electricity consumption with wind 
248.14 	or solar; or
248.15 	(ii) electrolyzers connected directly to a wind or solar facility; and
248.16 	(4) "green fertilizer" means a nitrogen-based fertilizer produced from green hydrogen.
248.17 	(c) The commissioner of agriculture must develop criteria and scoring procedures for 
248.18 	evaluating and awarding grants. The maximum grant award for a cooperative is $7,000,000.
248.19 	(d) Up to five percent of the amount in paragraph (a) may be used by the Department 
248.20 	of Agriculture to administer this section.
248.21 	(e) By December 15 each year, the commissioner of agriculture must report to the chairs 
248.22 	and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture 
248.23 	to provide an update on the progress of projects funded by this program. Each report must 
248.24 	include how much of the amount appropriated has been used, including the amount used 
248.25 	for administration. The commissioner may include additional information of interest or 
248.26 	relevance to the legislature. This paragraph expires December 31, 2031.
248.27 	(f) By December 15, 2032, the commissioner of agriculture must complete a final report 
248.28 	to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
248.29 	over agriculture regarding the uses and impacts of this program. The final report must 
248.30 	include a list of the grants awarded, the amount of the appropriation used for administration, 
248.31 	the amount of green fertilizer produced, and a summary of the economic and environmental 
248.32 	impacts of this production compared to the production and purchase of conventionally 
249.1 	produced fertilizer. The commissioner of agriculture may include additional information 
249.2 	of interest or relevance to the legislature. This paragraph expires December 31, 2032.

249.3 	Sec. 51. REPEALER.
 249.4 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16B.24, subdivision 13, is repealed.

249.5 	ARTICLE 8
249.6 	FINANCIAL REVIEW OF GRANT AND BUSINESS SUBSIDY RECIPIENTS

249.7 	Section 1. FINANCIAL REVIEW OF GRANT AND BUSINESS SUBSIDY 
249.8 	RECIPIENTS.
 249.9 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) As used in this section, the following terms have the 
249.10 	meanings given.
249.11 	(b) "Grant" means a grant or business subsidy funded by an appropriation in this act.
249.12 	(c) "Grantee" means a business entity as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 5.001.
249.13 		Subd. 2.Financial information required; determination of ability to perform. Before 
249.14 	an agency awards a competitive, legislatively named, single-source, or sole-source grant, 
249.15 	the agency must assess the risk that a grantee cannot or would not perform the required 
249.16 	duties. In making this assessment, the agency must review the following information:
249.17 	(1) the grantee's history of performing duties similar to those required by the grant, 
249.18 	whether the size of the grant requires the grantee to perform services at a significantly 
249.19 	increased scale, and whether the size of the grant will require significant changes to the 
249.20 	operation of the grantee's organization;
249.21 	(2) for a grantee that is a nonprofit organization, the grantee's Form 990 or Form 990-EZ 
249.22 	filed with the Internal Revenue Service in each of the prior three years. If the grantee has 
249.23 	not been in existence long enough or is not required to file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ, the 
249.24 	grantee must demonstrate to the grantor's satisfaction that the grantee is exempt and must 
249.25 	instead submit the grantee's most recent board-reviewed financial statements and 
249.26 	documentation of internal controls;
249.27 	(3) for a for-profit business, three years of federal and state tax returns, current financial 
249.28 	statements, certification that the business is not under bankruptcy proceedings, and disclosure 
249.29 	of any liens on its assets. If a business has not been in business long enough to have three 
249.30 	years of tax returns, the grantee must demonstrate to the grantor's satisfaction that the grantee 
249.31 	has appropriate internal financial controls;
250.1 	(4) evidence of registration and good standing with the secretary of state under Minnesota 
250.2 	Statutes, chapter 317A, or other applicable law;
250.3 	(5) if the grantee's total annual revenue exceeds $750,000, the grantee's most recent 
250.4 	financial audit performed by an independent third party in accordance with generally accepted 
250.5 	accounting principles; and
250.6 	(6) certification, provided by the grantee, that none of its principals have been convicted 
250.7 	of a financial crime.
250.8 		Subd. 3.Additional measures for some grantees. The agency may require additional 
250.9 	information and must provide enhanced oversight for grants that have not previously received 
250.10 	state or federal grants for similar amounts or similar duties and so have not yet demonstrated 
250.11 	the ability to perform the duties required under the grant on the scale required.
250.12 		Subd. 4.Assistance from administration. An agency without adequate resources or 
250.13 	experience to perform obligations under this section may contract with the commissioner 
250.14 	of administration to perform the agency's duties under this section.
250.15 		Subd. 5.Agency authority to not award grant. If an agency determines that there is 
250.16 	an appreciable risk that a grantee receiving a competitive, single-source, or sole-source 
250.17 	grant cannot or would not perform the required duties under the grant agreement, the agency 
250.18 	must notify the grantee and the commissioner of administration and give the grantee an 
250.19 	opportunity to respond to the agency's concerns. If the grantee does not satisfy the agency's 
250.20 	concerns within 45 days, the agency must not award the grant.
250.21 		Subd. 6.Legislatively named grantees. If an agency determines that there is an 
250.22 	appreciable risk that a grantee receiving a legislatively named grant cannot or would not 
250.23 	perform the required duties under the grant agreement, the agency must notify the grantee, 
250.24 	the commissioner of administration, the chair and ranking minority member of the Ways 
250.25 	and Means Committee in the house of representatives, the chair and ranking minority member 
250.26 	of the Finance Committee in the senate, and the chairs and ranking minority members of 
250.27 	the committees in the house of representatives and the senate with primary jurisdiction over 
250.28 	the bill in which the money for the grant was appropriated. The agency must give the grantee 
250.29 	an opportunity to respond to the agency's concerns. If the grantee does not satisfy the agency's 
250.30 	concerns within 45 days, the agency must delay award of the grant until adjournment of the 
250.31 	next regular or special legislative session.
250.32 		Subd. 7.Subgrants. If a grantee will disburse the money received from the grant to 
250.33 	other organizations to perform duties required under the grant agreement, the agency must 
250.34 	be a party to agreements between the grantee and a subgrantee. Before entering agreements 
251.1 	for subgrants, the agency must perform the financial review required under this section with 
251.2 	respect to the subgrantees.
251.3 		Subd. 8.Effect. The requirements of this section are in addition to other requirements 
251.4 	imposed by law; the commissioner of administration under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
251.5 	16B.97 and 16B.98; or agency grant policy.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: UEH2310-1 

16B.24 GENERAL AUTHORITY.Subd. 13.Electric vehicle charging. 
The commissioner shall require that a user of a charging station located on the State Capitol complex used to charge a private electric vehicle pay an electric service fee. The commissioner shall set the electric service fee rate to cover the electricity costs for charging an electric vehicle and for the administrative costs associated with providing electric charging stations. 

35.155 FARMED CERVIDAE.Subd. 14.Concurrent authority; regulating farmed white-tailed deer. 
(a) The commissioner of natural resources and the Board of Animal Health possess concurrent authority to regulate farmed white-tailed deer under this section, sections 35.92 to 35.96, and any administrative rules adopted pursuant to this section or sections 35.92 to 35.96. This does not confer to the commissioner any additional authorities under chapter 35, other than those set forth in sections 35.155 and 35.92 to 35.96, and any administrative rules adopted thereto. 

(b) By February 1, 2022, the commissioner of natural resources, in conjunction with the Board of Animal Health, must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources and agriculture on the implementation of the concurrent authority under this section. The report must include: 

(1) a summary of how the agencies worked together under this section, including identification of any challenges; 

(2) an assessment of ongoing challenges to managing chronic wasting disease in this state; and 

(3) recommendations for statutory and programmatic changes to help the state better manage the disease. 

86B.101 WATERCRAFT SAFETY PROGRAM.Subdivision 1.Safety program. 
The commissioner shall continue and expand the comprehensive boat safety and education program. The commissioner shall cooperate with boaters, governmental subdivisions, state agencies, other states, and the federal government in the operation of the program. 

Subd. 2.Youth watercraft safety course. 
(a) The commissioner shall establish an educational course and a testing program for personal watercraft and watercraft operators and for persons age 12 or older but younger than age 18 required to take the watercraft safety course. The commissioner shall prescribe a written test as part of the course. A personal watercraft educational course and testing program that emphasizes safe and legal operation must be required for persons age 13 or older but younger than age 18 operating personal watercraft. 

(b) The commissioner shall issue a watercraft operator's permit to a person age 12 or older but younger than age 18 who successfully completes the educational program and the written test. 

Subd. 3.Operator's permit. 
The commissioner shall issue a watercraft operator's permit to a person who successfully qualifies for a watercraft operator's permit under the boat safety education program. 

Subd. 4.Boat safety education program; reciprocity with other states. 
The commissioner may enter into reciprocity agreements or otherwise certify boat safety education programs from other states that are substantially similar to in-state programs. The commissioner shall issue a watercraft operator's permit to a person who provides proof of completion of a program subject to a reciprocity agreement or certified as substantially similar. 

86B.305 YOUTH OPERATORS.Subdivision 1.Under age 12. 
(a) Except in case of an emergency, a person under age 12 may not operate or be allowed to operate a watercraft propelled by a motor with a factory rating of more than 25 horsepower unless there is present in the watercraft, in addition to the operator, at least one person age 21 or older who is within immediate reach of the controls of the motor. For purposes of section 169A.20, the person age 21 or older, as well as the actual operator, is in physical control of the motorboat. 

(b) A person under age 12 may not operate or be allowed to operate a watercraft propelled by a motor with a factory rating of more than 75 horsepower. 

Subd. 2.Age 12 to 17; permit required. 
Except as provided in this subdivision, a person age 12 or older and younger than age 18 may not operate a motorboat powered by a motor over 25 horsepower without possessing a valid watercraft operator's permit from this state or from the operator's state of residence unless there is a person age 21 or older in the motorboat who is within immediate reach of the controls of the motor. For purposes of section 169A.20, the person age 21 or older, as well as the actual operator, is in physical control of the motorboat. 

Subd. 3.Owners may not allow certain uses. 
An owner of a watercraft may not allow a watercraft to be operated contrary to the provisions of subdivision 2. 

86B.313 PERSONAL WATERCRAFT; REGULATIONS.Subd. 2.Age of operator. 
Except in the case of an emergency, a person under the age of 13 years may not operate or be permitted to operate a personal watercraft, regardless of horsepower. It is unlawful for the owner of a personal watercraft to permit the personal watercraft to be operated contrary to this subdivision. 

Subd. 3.Operator's permit; adult supervision. 
Except in the case of an emergency, a person 13 years of age or over but less than 18 years of age may not operate a personal watercraft, regardless of horsepower, without possessing a valid watercraft operator's permit as required by section 86B.305, unless there is a person 21 years of age or older on board the craft. In addition to the permit requirement, a person 13 years of age operating a personal watercraft must remain under visual supervision by a person who is 21 years of age or older. An owner of a personal watercraft may not permit the personal watercraft to be operated contrary to this subdivision. 

97C.605 TURTLES.Subd. 2.Turtle seller's license. 
(a) A person may not take, possess, buy, or transport turtles for sale; sell turtles; or take turtles for sale using commercial equipment without a turtle seller's license, except as provided in subdivision 2c. 

(b) Except for renewals, no new turtle seller's licenses may be issued after August 1, 2002. 

(c) A turtle seller's license is transferable by the turtle seller licensee by making application to the commissioner. A turtle seller's license may be transferred only once under this paragraph and the transfer must be to a child of the person holding the turtle seller's license. 

Subd. 2a.Recreational turtle license. 
A person who does not possess a turtle seller's license must obtain a recreational turtle license to take turtles for personal use with commercial equipment. 

Subd. 2b.Turtle seller's apprentice license. 
(a) A person with a turtle seller's license may list one person as an apprentice on the license. A person acting as an apprentice for a turtle seller licensee must have an apprentice license and may assist the turtle licensee in all licensed activities. 

(b) The turtle seller licensee or turtle seller's apprentice licensee must be present at all turtle operations conducted under the turtle seller's license. Turtle operations include going to and from turtle harvest locations; setting, lifting, and removing commercial turtle equipment; taking turtles out of equipment; and transporting turtles from harvest locations. 

(c) A turtle seller's apprentice license is transferable by the turtle seller licensee by making application to the commissioner. A person listed as an apprentice by a turtle seller licensee must not be listed as an apprentice by another turtle seller licensee nor may an apprentice possess a turtle seller's license or a recreational turtle license. 

Subd. 5.Interfering with commercial or recreational turtle operations. 
A person may not: 

(1) knowingly place or maintain an obstruction that will hinder, prevent, or interfere with a licensed turtle operation; 

(2) remove turtles, other wild animals, or fish from a floating or submerged trap licensed under the game and fish laws; or 

(3) knowingly damage, disturb, or interfere with a licensed turtle operation. 

103C.501 COST-SHARING CONSERVATION CONTRACTS FOR EROSION CONTROL AND WATER MANAGEMENT.Subd. 2.Request by district board. 
 A district board requesting funds of the state board must submit an application in a form prescribed by the board containing: 

(1) a comprehensive plan; 

(2) an annual work plan; and 

(3) an application for cost-sharing funds. 

Subd. 3.Approving application. 
If the state board approves the comprehensive plan, including the plan's most recent amendment, the annual work plan, and the application of the district, the state board shall determine the specific amount of funds to allocate to the district for cost-sharing contracts. 

115.44 CLASSIFICATION OF WATERS; STANDARDS OF QUALITY AND PURITY.Subd. 9.Annual report. 
(a) By January 15 each year, the commissioner shall post on the Pollution Control Agency's website a report on the agency's activities the previous calendar year to implement standards and classification requirements into national pollutant discharge elimination system and state disposal system permits held by municipalities. The report must include: 

(1) a summary of permits issued or reissued over the previous calendar year, including any changes to permitted effluent limits due to water quality standards adopted or revised during the previous permit term; 

(2) highlights of innovative approaches employed by the agency and municipalities to develop and achieve permit requirements in a cost-effective manner; 

(3) a summary of standards development and water quality rulemaking activities over the previous calendar year, including economic analyses; 

(4) a summary of standards development and water quality rulemaking activities anticipated for the next three years, including economic analyses; 

(5) a process and timeframe for municipalities to provide input to the agency regarding their needs based on the information provided in the report; and 

(6) a list of anticipated permitting initiatives in the next calendar year that may impact municipalities and the agency's plan for involving the municipalities throughout the planning and decision-making process. The plan must include opportunities for input and public comment from municipalities on rulemaking initiatives prior to preparation of a statement of need and reasonableness required under section 14.131. The commissioner must ensure the agency's plan under this clause is implemented. 

(b) For the purposes of this section, "economic analyses" must include assessments of the potential costs to regulated municipalities associated with water quality standards or rules proposed by the agency. 

116.011 POLLUTION REPORT.
A goal of the Pollution Control Agency is to reduce the amount of pollution that is emitted in the state. By April 1 of each even-numbered year, the Pollution Control Agency shall report the best estimate of the agency of the total volume of water and air pollution that was emitted in the state in the previous two calendar years for which data are available. The agency shall report its findings for both water and air pollution: 

(1) in gross amounts, including the percentage increase or decrease over the previously reported two calendar years; and 

(2) in a manner which will demonstrate the magnitude of the various sources of water and air pollution. 

325E.389 ITEMS CONTAINING LEAD PROHIBITED.Subdivision 1.Definitions. 
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply. 

(a) "Body piercing jewelry" means any part of jewelry that is manufactured or sold for placement in a new piercing or a mucous membrane, but does not include any part of that jewelry that is not placed within a new piercing or a mucous membrane. 

(b) "Children" means children age six and younger. 

(c) "Children's jewelry" means jewelry that is made for, marketed for use by, or marketed to children. For purposes of this section, children's jewelry includes, but is not limited to, jewelry that meets any of the following conditions: 

(1) is represented in its packaging, display, or advertising as appropriate for use by children; 

(2) is sold in conjunction with, attached to, or packaged together with other products that are packaged, displayed, or advertised as appropriate for use by children; 

(3) is sized for children and not intended for use by adults; or 

(4) is sold in any of the following: 

(i) a vending machine; 

(ii) retail store, catalog, or website in which a person exclusively offers for sale products that are packaged, displayed, or advertised as appropriate for use by children; or 

(iii) a discrete portion of a retail store, catalog, or website in which a person offers for sale products that are packaged, displayed, or advertised as appropriate for use by children. 

(d) "Class 1 material" means any of the following materials: 

(1) stainless or surgical steel; 

(2) karat gold; 

(3) sterling silver; 

(4) platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, or osmium; 

(5) natural or cultured pearls; 

(6) glass, ceramic, or crystal decorative components including cat's eye; cubic zirconia, including cubic zirconium or CZ; rhinestones; and cloisonne; 

(7) a gemstone that is cut and polished for ornamental purposes, except that the following gemstones are not Class 1 materials: aragonite, bayldonite, boleite, cerussite, crocoite, ekanite, linarite, mimetite, phosgenite, samarskite, vanadinite, and wulfenite; 

(8) elastic, fabric, ribbon, rope, or string, unless it contains intentionally added lead and is listed as a Class 2 material; 

(9) all natural decorative material including amber, bone, coral, feathers, fur, horn, leather, shell, and wood that is in its natural state and is not treated in a way that adds lead; or 

(10) adhesive. 

(e) "Class 2 material" means any of the following materials: 

(1) electroplated metal that meets the following standards: 

(i) on and before August 30, 2009, a metal alloy with less than ten percent lead by weight that is electroplated with suitable under and finish coats; or 

(ii) on and after August 31, 2009, a metal alloy with less than six percent lead by weight that is electroplated with suitable under and finish coats; 

(2) unplated metal with less than 1.5 percent lead that is not otherwise listed as a Class 1 material; 

(3) plastic or rubber including acrylic, polystyrene, plastic beads and stones, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that meets the following standards: 

(i) on and before August 30, 2009, less than 0.06 percent (600 parts per million) lead by weight; and 

(ii) on and after August 31, 2009, less than 0.02 percent (200 parts per million) lead by weight; and 

(4) a dye or surface coating containing less than 0.06 percent (600 parts per million) lead by weight. 

(f) "Class 3 material" means any portion of jewelry that meets both of the following criteria: 

(1) is not a Class 1 or Class 2 material; and 

(2) contains less than 0.06 percent (600 parts per million) lead by weight. 

(g) "Component" means any part of jewelry. 

(h) "EPA reference methods 3050B (Acid Digestion of Sediments, Sludges, and Soils) or 3051 (Microwave Assisted Digestion/Sludge, Soils)" means those test methods incorporated by reference in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, section 260.11, paragraph (11), subdivision (a). 

(i) "Jewelry" means: 

(1) any of the following ornaments worn by a person: anklet, arm cuff, bracelet, brooch, chain, crown, cuff link, decorated hair accessories, earring, necklace, pin, ring, or body piercing jewelry; or 

(2) any bead, chain, link, pendant, or other component of such an ornament. 

(j) "Surface coating" means a fluid, semifluid, or other material, with or without a suspension of finely divided coloring matter, that changes to a solid film when a thin layer is applied to a metal, wood, stone, paper, leather, cloth, plastic, or other surface. Surface coating does not include a printing ink or a material that actually becomes a part of the substrate including, but not limited to, pigment in a plastic article or a material that is actually bonded to the substrate, such as by electroplating or ceramic glazing. 

Subd. 2.Sale prohibited. 
(a) No person shall manufacture any jewelry that is offered for sale in Minnesota unless the jewelry is made entirely from a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 material, or any combination thereof. 

(b) No person shall offer for sale, sell, label, or distribute for free any jewelry represented to contain safe levels of lead, unless the jewelry is made entirely from a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 material, or any combination thereof. 

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), no person shall manufacture any children's jewelry that is offered for sale in Minnesota unless the children's jewelry is made entirely from one or more of the following materials: 

(1) a nonmetallic material that is a Class 1 material; 

(2) a nonmetallic material that is a Class 2 material; 

(3) a metallic material that is either a Class 1 material or contains less than 0.06 percent (600 parts per million) lead by weight; 

(4) glass or crystal decorative components that weigh in total no more than one gram, excluding any glass or crystal decorative component that contains less than 0.02 percent (200 parts per million) lead by weight and has no intentionally added lead; 

(5) printing ink or ceramic glaze that contains less than 0.06 percent (600 parts per million) lead by weight; or 

(6) Class 3 material that contains less than 0.02 percent (200 parts per million) lead by weight. 

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), no person shall offer for sale, sell, distribute for free, or label any jewelry as children's jewelry represented to contain safe levels of lead, unless the jewelry is made entirely from one or more of the following materials: 

(1) a nonmetallic material that is a Class 1 material; 

(2) a nonmetallic material that is a Class 2 material; 

(3) a metallic material that is either a Class 1 material or contains less than 0.06 percent (600 parts per million) lead by weight; 

(4) glass or crystal decorative components that weigh in total no more than one gram, excluding any glass or crystal decorative component that contains less than 0.02 percent (200 parts per million) lead by weight and has no intentionally added lead; 

(5) printing ink or ceramic glaze that contains less than 0.06 percent (600 parts per million) lead by weight; or 

(6) Class 3 material that contains less than 0.02 percent (200 parts per million) lead by weight. 

(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), no person shall manufacture any body piercing jewelry that is offered for sale in Minnesota unless the body piercing jewelry is made of one or more of the following materials: 

(1) surgical implant stainless steel; or 

(2) surgical implant grade of titanium, niobium (Nb), solid 14-karat or higher white or yellow nickel-free gold, solid platinum, or a dense low-porosity plastic including, but not limited to, Tygon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), if the plastic contains no intentionally added lead. 

(f) No person shall offer for sale, sell, label, or distribute for free any body piercing jewelry represented to contain safe levels of lead unless the body piercing jewelry is made of one or more of the following materials: 

(1) surgical implant stainless steel; or 

(2) surgical implant grade of titanium, niobium (Nb), solid 14-karat or higher white or yellow nickel-free gold, solid platinum, or a dense low-porosity plastic including, but not limited to, Tygon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), if the plastic contains no intentionally added lead. 

(g) The prohibitions under this section do not apply to sales or free distribution of jewelry by a nonprofit organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or to isolated and occasional sales of jewelry not made in the normal course of business. 

Subd. 3.Testing methods. 
(a) The testing methods for determining compliance with this section must be conducted using EPA reference method 3050B or 3051 for the material being tested, except as otherwise provided in subdivision 4 and in accordance with all of the following procedures: 

(1) when preparing a sample, the laboratory shall make every effort to ensure that the sample removed from a jewelry piece is representative of the component to be tested, and is free of contamination from extraneous dirt and material not related to the component to be tested; 

(2) all component samples must be washed before testing using standard laboratory detergent, rinsed with laboratory reagent-grade deionized water, and dried in a clean ambient environment; 

(3) if a component is required to be cut or scraped to obtain a sample, the metal snips, scissors, or other cutting tools used for the cutting or scraping must be made of stainless steel and washed and rinsed before each use and between samples; 

(4) a sample must be digested in a container that is known to be free of lead and with the use of an acid that is not contaminated by lead, including analytical reagent-grade digestion acids and reagent-grade deionized water; 

(5) method blanks, consisting of all reagents used in sample preparation handled, digested, and made to volume in the same exact manner and in the same container type as samples, must be tested with each group of 20 or fewer samples tested; and 

(6) the results for the method blanks must be reported with each group of sample results and must be below the stated reporting limit for sample results to be considered valid. 

(b) A material does not meet an applicable lead standard set forth in this section if any of the following occurs: 

(1) the mean lead level of one or two samples of the material exceeds 300 percent of the applicable limit for a component; 

(2) the mean lead level of three samples of the material exceeds 200 percent of the applicable limit for a component; or 

(3) the mean lead level of four or more samples of the material exceeds the applicable limit for a component. 

Subd. 4.Additional testing procedures. 
In addition to the requirements of subdivision 3, the following procedures must be used for testing the following materials: 

(1) for testing a metal plated with suitable undercoats and finish coats, the following protocols must be observed: 

(i) digestion must be conducted using hot concentrated nitric acid with the option of using hydrochloric acid or hydrogen peroxide; 

(ii) the sample size must be 0.050 gram to one gram; 

(iii) the digested sample may require dilution prior to analysis; 

(iv) the digestion and analysis must achieve a reported detection limit no greater than 0.1 percent for samples; and 

(v) all necessary dilutions must be made to ensure that measurements are made within the calibrated range of the analytical instrument; 

(2) for testing unplated metal and metal substrates that are not a Class 1 material, the following protocols must be observed: 

(i) digestion must be conducted using hot concentrated nitric acid with the option of using hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide; 

(ii) the sample size must be 0.050 gram to one gram; 

(iii) the digested sample may require dilution prior to analysis; 

(iv) the digestion and analysis must achieve a reported detection limit no greater than 0.01 percent for samples; and 

(v) all necessary dilutions must be made to ensure that measurements are made within the calibrated range of the analytical instrument; 

(3) for testing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the following protocols must be observed: 

(i) the digestion must be conducted using hot concentrated nitric acid with the option of using hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide; 

(ii) the sample size must be a minimum of 0.05 gram if using microwave digestion or 0.5 gram if using hotplate digestion, and must be chopped or comminuted prior to digestion; 

(iii) digested samples may require dilution prior to analysis; 

(iv) digestion and analysis must achieve a reported detection limit no greater than 0.001 percent (10 parts per million) for samples; and 

(v) all necessary dilutions must be made to ensure that measurements are made within the calibrated range of the analytical instrument; 

(4) for testing plastic or rubber that is not polyvinyl chloride (PVC), including acrylic, polystyrene, plastic beads, or plastic stones, the following protocols must be observed: 

(i) the digestion must be conducted using hot concentrated nitric acid with the option of using hydrochloric acid or hydrogen peroxide; 

(ii) the sample size must be a minimum of 0.05 gram if using microwave digestion or 0.5 gram if using hotplate digestion, and must be chopped or comminuted prior to digestion; 

(iii) plastic beads or stones must be crushed prior to digestion; 

(iv) digested samples may require dilution prior to analysis; 

(v) digestion and analysis must achieve a reported detection limit no greater than 0.001 percent (10 parts per million) for samples; and 

(vi) all necessary dilutions must be made to ensure that measurements are made within the calibrated range of the analytical instrument; 

(5) for testing coatings on glass and plastic pearls, the following protocols must be observed: 

(i) the coating of glass or plastic beads must be scraped onto a surface free of dust, including a clean weighing paper or pan, using a clean stainless steel razor blade or other clean sharp instrument that will not contaminate the sample with lead. The substrate pearl material must not be included in the scrapings; 

(ii) the razor blade or sharp instrument must be rinsed with deionized water, wiped to remove particulate matter, rinsed again, and dried between samples; 

(iii) the scrapings must be weighed and not less than 50 micrograms of scraped coating must be used for analysis. If less than 50 micrograms of scraped coating is obtained from an individual pearl, multiple pearls from that sample must be scraped and composited to obtain a sufficient sample amount; 

(iv) the number of pearls used to make the composite must be noted; 

(v) the scrapings must be digested according to EPA reference method 3050B or 3051 or an equivalent procedure for hot acid digestion in preparation for trace lead analysis; 

(vi) the digestate must be diluted in the minimum volume practical for analysis; 

(vii) the digested sample must be analyzed according to specification of an approved and validated methodology for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; 

(viii) a reporting limit of 0.001 percent (10 parts per million) in the coating must be obtained for the analysis; and 

(ix) the sample result must be reported within the calibrated range of the instrument. If the initial test of the sample is above the highest calibration standard, the sample must be diluted and reanalyzed within the calibrated range of the instrument; 

(6) for testing dyes, paints, coatings, varnish, printing inks, ceramic glazes, glass, or crystal, the following testing protocols must be observed: 

(i) the digestion must use hot concentrated nitric acid with the option of using hydrochloric acid or hydrogen peroxide; 

(ii) the sample size must be not less than 0.050 gram, and must be chopped or comminuted prior to digestion; 

(iii) the digested sample may require dilution prior to analysis; 

(iv) the digestion and analysis must achieve a reported detection limit no greater than 0.001 percent (10 parts per million) for samples; and 

(v) all necessary dilutions must be made to ensure that measurements are made within the calibrated range of the analytical instrument; and 

(7) for testing glass and crystal used in children's jewelry, the following testing protocols for determining weight must be used: 

(i) a component must be free of any extraneous material, including adhesive, before it is weighed; 

(ii) the scale used to weigh a component must be calibrated immediately before the components are weighed using S-class weights of one and two grams, as certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the United States Department of Commerce; and 

(iii) the calibration of the scale must be accurate to within 0.01 gram. 

325E.3891 CADMIUM IN CHILDREN'S JEWELRY.Subdivision 1.Definitions. 
(a) As used in this section, the term: 

(1) "accessible" has the meaning given in section 3.1.2 of the ASTM International Safety Specification on Toy Safety, F-963; 

(2) "child" means an individual who is six years of age or younger; and 

(3) "children's jewelry" shall have the meaning set forth in section 325E.389, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). 

Subd. 2.Prohibitions. 
Cadmium in any surface coating or accessible substrate material of metal or plastic components of children's jewelry shall not exceed 75 parts per million, as determined through solubility testing for heavy metals defined in the ASTM International Safety Specification on Toy Safety, ASTM standard F-963 and subsequent versions of this standard, if the product is sold in this state unless this requirement is superseded by a federal standard regulating cadmium in children's jewelry. This section shall not regulate any product category for which an existing federal standard regulates cadmium exposure in surface coatings and accessible substrate materials as required under ASTM F-963. 

Subd. 3.Manufacturer or wholesaler. 
No manufacturer or wholesaler may sell or offer for sale in this state children's jewelry that fails to meet the requirements of subdivision 2. 

Subd. 4.Retailer. 
No retailer may sell or offer for sale in this state children's jewelry that fails to meet the requirements of subdivision 2. This subdivision does not apply to sales or free distribution of jewelry by a nonprofit organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or to isolated and occasional sales of jewelry not made in the normal course of business. 

Subd. 5.Enforcement. 
The attorney general shall enforce this section under section 8.31. 

6256.0500TAKING TURTLES. Subp. 2.Equipment.  
Turtles may be taken by a person possessing a turtle seller's, turtle seller's apprentice, or recreational turtle license by means of floating or submerged turtle traps, turtle hooks, and other commercial fishing gear authorized by the commissioner. Traps must not exceed five feet in width, four feet in height, and eight feet in length. 

Subp. 2a.Submerged turtle traps.  
Submerged traps must be constructed of either flexible webbing or wire. Flexible webbing traps must be of mesh size not less than 3-1/2 inches bar measure or seven inches stretch measure. Wire traps must be of mesh size not less than two inches by four inches bar measure and must have at least one square opening in the top panel measuring at least four inches on a side and two of the same dimension on each of the side panels near the top of the trap. A trap must be set in water shallow enough so that the top of the trap is at least level with the water surface. 

Subp. 2b.Floating turtle traps.  
Floating traps must have: (1) one or more openings above the water surface that measure at least ten inches by four inches; and (2) a mesh size of not less than one-half inch bar measure. 

Subp. 4.Operation of turtle trap.  
Each submerged trap must be checked and emptied at intervals not exceeding 48 hours and each floating trap must be checked and emptied at intervals not exceeding 120 hours. A turtle seller licensee or turtle seller's apprentice operating under a turtle seller's license may not operate more than 40 submerged turtle traps. A turtle seller's apprentice is not entitled to any traps in addition to those of the turtle seller. A recreational turtle licensee may not operate more than three turtle traps. 

Subp. 5.Required marking of turtle traps. A.
 When in use, each turtle trap must have affixed on it a tag of permanent material visible from above, legibly bearing the name, address, and license number of the operator. This information must be recorded in an indelible manner on the tag. The tag must be of dimensions not less than 2-1/2 inches in length by five-eighths inch in width. 

B.
 The commissioner shall issue 40 submerged turtle trap identification tags to a turtle seller licensee and three recreational turtle trap identification tags to a recreational turtle licensee. Tags must be attached to submerged and recreational traps at all times. Lost tags must be reported within 48 hours to the local conservation officer or the commercial fisheries program consultant. The commissioner may reissue tags upon request. 

Subp. 6.Turtles taken incidental to other operations.  
Turtles listed in subpart 1 that are taken incidental to other commercial fishing operations may be possessed, transported, and sold, provided the operator is a holder of a turtle seller's license. 

Subp. 7.Required reporting by turtle seller; record keeping. A.
 A holder of a turtle seller's license must submit reports, on forms provided by the commissioner, to the address identified on the form by the tenth day of each month for the preceding month for the months of March through November, whether or not any equipment was used to take turtles. 

B.
 In the report required in item A, the licensee must record daily operations, including separate entries for each water body. The records must include water body location, equipment used, numbers and pounds of each species of turtles taken, numbers of each species of turtles released at that water body, and other information about the operation as specified on the form provided by the commissioner. The records must be kept current within 48 hours of the last daily operation. 

C.
 A license shall not be renewed until all of the licensee's monthly reports for the previous calendar year are submitted and received at the address identified on the form. 

Subp. 8.Report on buying turtles for resale.  
A licensee who buys turtles for resale or for processing and resale must keep a correct and complete book record of all transactions and activities covered in the license, not inconsistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.425. Copies of the shipping documents for turtles being sent out of state must be part of and included with the monthly reports required under subpart 7. 

8400.0500MAXIMUM COST-SHARE RATES. 
The maximum cost-share rates established by the state board represent the maximum percent or amount of the total cost of a conservation practice that may be funded using state cost-share funds.  

8400.0550RECORDING CONSERVATION PRACTICES. 
The state board may determine that long-term maintenance of a conservation practice is desirable and may require that maintenance be made a covenant upon the land for the effective life of the practice. A covenant under this part shall be construed in the same manner as a conservation restriction under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.65. 

8400.0600STATE BOARD ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO DISTRICTS. Subp. 4.Grants to districts.  
The state board shall allocate cost-share funds to district boards that have fully complied with Minnesota Statutes, section 103C.501, subdivision 3; all erosion control and water management program rules; and program policies.  

Subp. 5.Other funds.  
Other funds received by the state board may be allocated to districts for the treatment of erosion, sedimentation, water quality problems, or water quantity problems due to altered hydrology. These additional funds may be incorporated with existing erosion control and water management program funds and their use may be governed by the program policy or may be subject to other policies or guidelines required to fully implement the intent for which these additional funds were appropriated. 

8400.0900DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM FUNDS. Subpart 1.General.  
Following receipt of grant funds from the state board, a district is responsible for administration of the funds in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103C, parts 8400.0050 to 8400.1900, program policies, and all other applicable laws. All funds allocated to districts must be used for the purposes designated by the state board. 

Subp. 2.Maximum cost-share rate.  
Prior to considering any applications from land occupiers for cost-share assistance, the district board shall establish cost-share rates for conservation practices to be installed under the program, up to the maximum rates established by the state board.  

Subp. 4.Criteria for district board review.  
The district board shall use the factors in items A to D to determine practice eligibility and to review applications for conservation practice funding. 

A. 
The application must be signed by the land occupier and the landowner, if different, indicating their agreement to: 

(1) 
grant the district's representatives access to the parcel where the conservation practice will be located; 

(2) 
obtain all permits required in conjunction with the installation and establishment of the practice prior to starting construction of the practice; and 

(3) 
be responsible for operation and maintenance of conservation practices applied under this program according to an operation and maintenance plan prepared or approved by a district technical representative or the district's delegate. 

B. 
Costs to repair damage to conservation practices installed with state cost-share dollars are eligible if the damage was caused by reasons beyond the control of the land occupier. 

C. 
If the practice has fully met or exceeded its designed effective life, the cost to reconstruct the practice is eligible for cost-share assistance. 

D. 
Conservation practices where construction has begun prior to district approval are ineligible for financial assistance. The board may waive this requirement for emergency needs. 

Subp. 5.Entering into contract.  
After review of practice eligibility, the district board, or its delegate, shall approve or deny the application. If the application is approved, the district board, or its delegate, may enter into a contract with the land occupier. 

8400.1650RECORDING CONSERVATION PRACTICES. 
When a district board, or its delegate, determines that long-term maintenance of a conservation practice is desirable, the board, or its delegate, may require that maintenance be made a covenant upon the land for the effective life of the conservation practice. A covenant under this part shall be construed in the same manner as a conservation restriction under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.65. 

8400.1700MAINTENANCE. Subpart 1.Land occupier maintenance responsibilities.  
The land occupier is responsible for operation and maintenance of conservation practices applied under this program to ensure that their conservation objective is met and the effective life is achieved. Should the land occupier fail to maintain the conservation practices during their effective life, the land occupier is liable to the district for up to 150 percent of financial assistance received to install and establish the conservation practice. The land occupier is not liable for cost-share assistance received if the failure was caused by reasons beyond the land occupier's control, or if conservation practices are applied at the land occupier's expense which provide equivalent protection of the soil and water resources. 

Subp. 2.Reapplication of conservation practices.  
In no case shall a district provide cost-share assistance to a land occupier for the reapplication of conservation practices which were removed by the land occupier during their effective life or that failed due to improper maintenance.  

8400.1750PRACTICE SITE INSPECTIONS. 
The district or the district's delegate shall conduct site inspections of conservation practices installed with cost-share funds to determine if the land occupier is in compliance with the operation and maintenance requirements under part 8400.1700 and the policy, guidelines, and requirements of the state board.  

8400.1800APPEALS. 
Land occupiers may appeal a district's action within 60 days of receiving notice of the action by submitting a written request to the district board asking the board to reconsider its decision. Should the land occupier and the district board reach an impasse, the land occupier may petition to appeal the district board's decision to the state board within 60 days of receiving notice of the district board's final decision. The state board or its executive director, as delegated, shall review and grant the petition, unless it is deemed without sufficient merit, within 30 days of the receipt of the petition. The state board shall make its decision on the appeal, if granted, within 60 days of a hearing date. The state board's decision may uphold, remand, reverse, or amend the decision of the district board. 

8400.1900REPORTS TO STATE BOARD. 
For the purpose of reporting and monitoring the progress of the program and use of funds, each district shall submit an accomplishments report according to the guidelines and requirements established by the state board.