1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public buildings; appropriating money for research to integrate weather 
1.3 	trends in designing and operating public buildings to reduce operational costs and 
1.4 	prevent damage from extreme weather events; requiring a report.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; IMPACTS OF FUTURE WEATHER TRENDS ON 
1.7 	PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND DESIGN.
 1.8 		Subdivision 1.Appropriation; recommendations. $690,000 in fiscal year 2024 is 
1.9 	appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of administration to contract with 
1.10 	the Board of Regents for the University of Minnesota for the Institute on the Environment 
1.11 	to research and provide recommendations for:
1.12 	(1) how to design and evaluate buildings constructed by the state and local governments 
1.13 	in light of projected weather trends that may exacerbate conditions such as drought, elevated 
1.14 	temperatures, and flooding. The recommended practices must take into account how to 
1.15 	reduce energy costs through energy efficiency measures, innovative construction materials 
1.16 	and techniques, and the use of renewable energy sources. The recommended practices must 
1.17 	also aim to prevent and minimize damage to buildings due to extreme weather conditions 
1.18 	such as increased frequency of intense precipitation events and tornadoes, flooding, and 
1.19 	elevated temperatures; and
1.20 	(2) how to design, construct, or operate public infrastructure in light of projected weather 
1.21 	trends to accomplish the following objectives:
1.22 	(i) maintain and increase the amount and quality of food and wood production;
2.1 	(ii) reduce fire risk on forested land;
2.2 	(iii) maintain and enhance water quality; and
2.3 	(iv) maintain and enhance natural habitats.
2.4 		Subd. 2.Written report. The grant agreement must require the director of the Institute 
2.5 	on the Environment to submit a written report to the chairs and ranking minority members 
2.6 	of the committees in the house of representatives and the senate with primary jurisdiction 
2.7 	over environment policy and capital investment that summarizes the findings and 
2.8 	recommendations, including recommendations for policy and legislative changes.