HF 275

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 01/17/2017 10:27am

A bill for an act
relating to climate change; creating legislative Health and Climate Resiliency
Commission to develop state strategic plan; appropriating money.

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

Section 1.

HEALTH AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY COMMISSION.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

A Health and Climate Resiliency Commission is created.

Subd. 2.

Voting membership.

(a) The voting members of the commission are:

(1) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture finance, or the chair's designee;

(2) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over E-12 education finance, or the chair's designee;

(3) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over health and human services finance, or the chair's designee;

(4) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over environment and natural resource finance, or the chair's designee;

(5) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over commerce, or the chair's designee; and

(6) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over public safety, or the chair's designee.

(b) The voting members of the commission must select a chair and a vice-chair from
among their ranks. The chair may convene meetings as necessary to conduct the duties
prescribed by this section.

Subd. 3.

Nonvoting membership.

The nonvoting members of the commission are:

(1) the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee;

(2) the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee;

(3) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;

(4) the commissioner of natural resources or the commissioner's designee;

(5) the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency or the commissioner's designee;

(6) the commissioner of commerce or the commissioner's designee;

(7) the director of the Department of Public Safety's Homeland Security and Emergency
Management Division;

(8) a representative of the University of Minnesota's Department of Soil, Water, and
Climate, as chosen by the dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sciences;

(9) a representative of the University of Minnesota's Department of Applied Economics,
as chosen by the dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences;
and

(10) a representative of the state climatology office, as chosen by the commissioner of
natural resources.

Subd. 4.

Advisory committee.

(a) The voting members of the task force must appoint
an advisory committee by majority vote. Advisory committee members may represent
academic experts in issues related to public health and climate change, statewide
organizations that work on climate change issues, statewide organizations that work on
public health issues, statewide farm organizations, statewide conservation and outdoor
recreation organizations, statewide business organizations, counties, municipalities, local
water management organizations, public health officials, public and private energy providers,
insurance providers, federal agencies, and other organizations as the voting members deem
appropriate.

(b) Beyond the input received from the formal advisory committee, the commission
must encourage participation from academic experts, advocacy organizations, and members
of the public in exploring methods to address the impacts of climate change on human health
and well-being and opportunities to adapt, mitigate, and foster climate change resiliency.

Subd. 5.

Strategic plan.

(a) The commission must create a strategic plan for the state
pertaining to the impacts of climate change on the health and well-being of Minnesotans.
The strategic plan must include:

(1) measurable goals and benchmarks, including actions needed to meet the goals and
benchmarks, to prevent or mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on human health
and to seize opportunities to improve health and well-being and increase resilience, including
strategies for adaptation and mitigation; and

(2) recommendations for new policies and changes to existing policies and programs to
support the goals and benchmarks identified under clause (1), including recommended
legislation and funding levels.

(b) To develop the strategic plan, the commission must:

(1) gather, share, examine, and analyze data and information related to the impacts of
climate change on human health and well-being, including assessments of vulnerability,
risks, economic impacts, and adaptation and mitigation actions. Issues to be examined must
include the implications of climate change on:

(i) extreme events such as blizzards, droughts, fires, floods, heat waves, and tornadoes;

(ii) food and food security, including impacts on agricultural production;

(iii) vector-borne illnesses;

(iv) air pollution;

(v) water quantity and quality and resulting impacts to agriculture, domestic use, power
production, recreation, and wildlife;

(vi) energy production and use;

(vii) ecosystems, including impacts on wildlife habitat;

(viii) rural and urban communities;

(ix) mental health, including social change and migration;

(x) insurance; and

(xi) state and local public safety;

(2) determine to what extent the public is provided accurate and current information
about climate change and impacts of climate change on human health and well-being; and

(3) examine existing and emerging opportunities related to climate change, including:

(i) strategies for adaptation and mitigation that will improve the health and well-being
of the people of Minnesota;

(ii) economic opportunities, with a particular emphasis on developing and adopting new
methods and management strategies in support of the state's agricultural economy, power
generation, and beneficial uses of land and water to adapt to and mitigate the negative
impacts of climate change on human health and well-being while providing jobs and
economic security to Minnesotans; and

(iii) opportunities for public education and outreach.

Subd. 6.

Powers.

To accomplish its duties under this section, the commission may:

(1) hold one or more public hearings;

(2) request and receive information from any state or local governmental entity or
institution, including academic reports; and

(3) authorize studies and reports related to health and climate change consequences or
benefits, including economic impact studies.

Subd. 7.

Staff.

The Legislative Coordinating Commission must employ staff or contract
with consultants as necessary to enable the commission to carry out its duties and functions.

Subd. 8.

Compensation.

Voting members of the commission may receive per diem and
expense reimbursement incurred while doing the work of the commission in the manner
and amount prescribed for per diem and expense payments by the senate Committee on
Rules and Administration and the house of representatives Committee on Rules and
Legislative Administration.

Subd. 9.

Report.

No later than January 15, 2018, the commission must submit the
strategic plan required under this section to the governor and the legislature along with any
recommended legislation.

Subd. 10.

Expiration.

This section expires January 30, 2018.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.

$....... in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the general fund to the Legislative
Coordinating Commission for purposes of this act.