SF 486

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/10/2025 04:24 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to energy; appropriating money for supplemental energy assistance;
requiring an annual report; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 216C.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [216C.392] SUPPLEMENTAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE GRANT
PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, "LIHEAP" has the meaning
given in section 142G.02, subdivision 59.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A supplemental energy assistance grant program is established
in the department to award grants to eligible applicants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Applications; procedures. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must develop policies and
procedures governing the grant application and award process.
new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible applicant must file an application with the commissioner on a form
developed by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must accept grant applications under this section throughout the
year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin A Minnesota resident whose household income is less than 60
percent of the state median household income is eligible for a grant awarded under this
section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin (a) When awarding grants under this section, the commissioner
must give priority to expanding the number of households receiving energy assistance over
increasing grant amounts to households that already received assistance under LIHEAP
during the same year.
new text end

new text begin (b) To the extent practicable, available LIHEAP funds must be used for all primary heat
and crisis grants to eligible households before grants are awarded for heat and crisis grants
under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Types of grants. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may award grants for the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) crisis grants to households that received a LIHEAP primary heat grant from federal
funds but did not receive the maximum crisis grant amount while federal funds allocated
for crisis grants were available;
new text end

new text begin (2) primary heat and crisis grants to eligible households that did not receive LIHEAP
primary heat and crisis grants from federal funds;
new text end

new text begin (3) emergency heating system repair or replacement; and
new text end

new text begin (4) grants to support outreach.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning December 31, 2026, and annually thereafter until
December 31, 2031, the commissioner must publish a report regarding state supplemental
energy assistance funding under this section for the previous program year for October 1
to September 30.
new text end

new text begin (b) To the extent practicable, the following information on grants awarded under this
section must be reported by statewide total and by county:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of households served;
new text end

new text begin (2) the average household primary heat benefit;
new text end

new text begin (3) the average household crisis benefit; and
new text end

new text begin (4) total energy costs.
new text end

new text begin (c) The following information on grants awarded under this section may be reported as
statewide totals:
new text end

new text begin (1) the average household income;
new text end

new text begin (2) income by percentage of the federal poverty level established by the United States
Department of Health and Human Services;
new text end

new text begin (3) the number of households that include a person over 60 years old;
new text end

new text begin (4) the number of households that include a disabled person;
new text end

new text begin (5) the number of households that include a child under six years old; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the number of households served by race or ethnicity.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of commerce for the supplemental energy assistance grant program. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30, 2031.
new text end

new text begin (b) Of the amount appropriated in paragraph (a):
new text end

new text begin (1) up to ten percent may be used to administer the supplemental energy assistance grant
program under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.392, of which up to 2.5 percent may be
used by the Department of Commerce. The remaining amount allocated under this clause
may be used to reimburse reasonable administrative costs incurred under Minnesota Statutes,
section 216C.392, by service providers contracted by the Department of Commerce to
deliver LIHEAP services, including services under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.392;
and
new text end

new text begin (2) up to five percent may be used to reimburse the reasonable costs incurred under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.392, by organizations the department has contracted with
to provide outreach and assistance to households to complete grant applications under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.392. Organizations that have the ability to conduct outreach
to underserved communities and populations, including current service providers and other
organizations, must be prioritized for outreach funding.
new text end