HF 1584

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/14/2013 02:31pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; directing the NextGen Energy Board to examine biobased
chemical production from agricultural and forestry feedstocks; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 41A.105, subdivisions 1a, 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 41A.105, subdivision 1a, is amended to
read:

Subd. 1a.

Definitions.

For the purpose of this section:

new text begin (1) "biobased chemical" means a polymer, monomer, chemical, plastic, or
formulated product that is not sold primarily for the use as food, feed, or fuel and that has a
biobased content percentage of at least 25 percent as determined by testing representative
samples using American Society for Testing and Materials specification D6866;
new text end

deleted text begin (1) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end "biobutanol facility" means a facility at which biobutanol is produced; and

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end "biobutanol" means fermentation isobutyl alcohol that is derived from
agricultural products, including potatoes, cereal grains, cheese whey, and sugar beets;
forest products; or other renewable resources, including residue and waste generated
from the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural products, forest products,
and other renewable resources.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 41A.105, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Duties.

The board shall research and report to the commissioner of
agriculture and to the legislature recommendations as to how the state can invest its
resources to most efficiently achieve energy independence, agricultural and natural
resources sustainability, and rural economic vitality. The board shall:

(1) examine the future of fuels, such as synthetic gases, biobutanol, hydrogen,
methanol, biodiesel, and ethanol within Minnesota;

new text begin (2) examine the opportunity for biobased chemical production by integrated
biorefineries or stand-alone facilities that use agricultural and forestry feedstocks;
new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end develop equity grant programs to assist locally owned facilities;

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end study the proper role of the state in creating financing and investing and
providing incentives;

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end evaluate how state and federal programs, including the Farm Bill, can best
work together and leverage resources;

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end work with other entities and committees to develop a clean energy program;
and

deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end report to the legislature before February 1 each year with recommendations
as to appropriations and results of past actions and projects.