HF 3406

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/23/2016 01:02pm

A bill for an act
relating to climate change; creating a legislative Health and Climate Resiliency
Commission to develop a strategic plan for the state; appropriating money;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [3.8855] HEALTH AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY COMMISSION.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A Health and Climate Resiliency Commission
is created.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Voting membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The voting members of the commission are:
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new text begin (1) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture finance, or the chair's designee;
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new text begin (2) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over E-12 education finance, or the chair's designee;
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new text begin (3) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over health and human services finance, or the chair's designee;
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new text begin (4) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over environment and natural resource finance, or the chair's designee;
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new text begin (5) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over commerce, or the chair's designee; and
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new text begin (6) the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over public safety, or the chair's designee.
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new text begin (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.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Nonvoting membership. new text end

new text begin The nonvoting members of the commission are:
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new text begin (1) the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (2) the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (3) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (4) the commissioner of natural resources or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (5) the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency or the commissioner's
designee;
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new text begin (6) the commissioner of commerce or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (7) the director of the Department of Public Safety's Homeland Security and
Emergency Management Division;
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new text begin (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;
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new text begin (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
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new text begin (10) a representative of the state climatology office, as chosen by the commissioner
of natural resources.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Advisory committee. new text end

new text begin (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.
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new text begin (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 as well as opportunities to adapt, mitigate, and foster climate
change resiliency.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Strategic plan. new text end

new text begin (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:
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new text begin (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
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new text begin (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.
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new text begin (b) To develop the strategic plan, the commission must:
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new text begin (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
shall include the implications of climate change on the following:
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new text begin (i) extreme events such as blizzards, droughts, fires, floods, heat waves, and
tornadoes;
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new text begin (ii) food and food security, including impacts on agricultural production;
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new text begin (iii) vector borne illnesses;
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new text begin (iv) air pollution;
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new text begin (v) water quantity and quality and resulting impacts to agriculture, domestic use,
power production, recreation, and wildlife;
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new text begin (vi) energy production and use;
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new text begin (vii) ecosystems, including impacts on wildlife habitat;
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new text begin (viii) rural and urban communities;
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new text begin (ix) mental health, including social change and migration;
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new text begin (x) insurance; and
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new text begin (xi) state and local public safety;
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new text begin (2) determine to what extent the public is provided accurate and current information
about climate change and its impacts on human health and well-being; and
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new text begin (3) examine existing and emerging opportunities related to climate change, including:
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new text begin (i) strategies for adaptation and mitigation that will improve the health and
well-being of the people of Minnesota;
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new text begin (ii) economic opportunities, with a particular emphasis on the development and
adoption of new methods and management strategies in support of the state's agricultural
economy, power generation, and the 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
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new text begin (iii) opportunities for public education and outreach.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Powers. new text end

new text begin To accomplish its duties under this section, the commission may:
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new text begin (1) hold one or more public hearings;
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new text begin (2) request and receive information from any state or local governmental entity or
institution, including academic reports; and
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new text begin (3) authorize studies and reports related to health and climate change consequences
or benefits, including economic impact studies.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin The Legislative Coordinating Commission must employ staff or
contract with consultants as necessary to enable the commission to carry out its duties
and functions.
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new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Compensation. new text end

new text begin 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.
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new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin No later than January 15, 2017, the commission must submit the
strategic plan required under this section to the governor and the legislature along with
any recommended legislation.
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new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires on January 30, 2017.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the Legislative
Coordinating Commission for purposes of this act.
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