SF 2786

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/21/2025 10:18 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to biofuels; establishing a biofuels education and promotion program to
promote biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel; establishing an advisory council
on biofuels education and promotion; requiring compliance with certain
compatibility standards for underground gasoline storage tanks; requiring reports;
appropriating money for the biofuels education and promotion program; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 41A.15, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision;
116.49, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 41A.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 41A.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Scope.

For the purposes of sections 41A.15 to deleted text begin 41A.18 deleted text end new text begin 41A.196 new text end , the terms
defined in this section have the meanings given deleted text begin them deleted text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 41A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Sustainable aviation fuel. new text end

new text begin "Sustainable aviation fuel" has the meaning given
in section 41A.30, subdivision 1.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [41A.195] BIOFUELS EDUCATION AND PROMOTION PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Program establishment and administration. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must
establish and administer a biofuels education and promotion program to promote and educate
the public about the benefits of using biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may award grants for projects that advance the
goals of the program established by the advisory council in section 41A.196.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must submit a report on the biofuels education and
promotion program by January 15 of each year to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture policy and finance. The
annual report must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number and types of grants awarded;
new text end

new text begin (2) the amount of dollars leveraged or matched per project;
new text end

new text begin (3) the number and types of technical assistance recipients;
new text end

new text begin (4) any market expansion associated with increased education and promotion; and
new text end

new text begin (5) the costs of the program.
new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [41A.196] ADVISORY COUNCIL ON BIOFUELS EDUCATION AND
PROMOTION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The Advisory Council on Biofuels Education and Promotion
must advise the commissioner about the management of the biofuels education and promotion
program, including setting goals for the program; advising on program activities, grant
eligibility guidelines, application processes and selection criteria, and monitoring and
accountability mechanisms; facilitating leveraging of additional public and private
investments; and promoting the program statewide.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must appoint no more than 15 members
representing entities and organizations with knowledge and expertise regarding the education
and promotion of biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Organization. new text end

new text begin The advisory council must select a chair from the council's
membership. Meetings of the committee may be called by the commissioner or the chair.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Terms. new text end

new text begin The advisory council is governed by section 15.059 except that,
notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 3, members must not be compensated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The advisory council does not expire.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116.49, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Minimum compatibility standard for new equipment. new text end

new text begin (a) Any underground
storage tank system for gasoline installed after December 31, 2026, must meet compatibility
standards in rules adopted under the authority of this section for gasoline containing up to
25 percent ethanol.
new text end

new text begin (b) If a new mid-level blend certification for ethanol or biodiesel is established, the
agency must consider revising the minimum compatibility standards required under paragraph
(a).
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin APPROPRIATION; BIOFUELS EDUCATION AND PROMOTION
PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of agriculture for the biofuels education and promotion program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.195. The appropriation under this section is made
under the agricultural growth, research, and innovation program in Minnesota Statutes,
section 41A.12.
new text end