1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; appropriating money for study on feedstock for next generation 
1.3 	iron ore industry.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
 1.6 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph (j), 
1.7 	$750,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the renewable development account in 
1.8 	the special revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, subdivision 1, to the 
1.9 	Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute 
1.10 	to study new feedstock resources for a globally competitive, next generation iron ore industry.
1.11 	(b) The study must include but is not limited to quantification and characterization of 
1.12 	resources related to iron ore, energy, water, hydrogen, biomass, carbon materials, process 
1.13 	technologies, transportation, and manufacturing infrastructure that would also support 
1.14 	cross-coupling of iron production with industries such as liquid fuels and ammonia.
1.15 	(c) The Natural Resources Research Institute must submit the results of the study and 
1.16 	an interim report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees 
1.17 	with jurisdiction over energy policy and finance by May 15, 2027, and a final report by 
1.18 	May 15, 2028.