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HF 3897

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/03/2022 02:04pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to energy; establishing a grant program to upgrade electric panels in
residential buildings; appropriating money; 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.45] RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC PANEL UPGRADE GRANTS;
PILOT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Electric panel" means a panel in a building, including any subpanels, that consists
of a main circuit breaker that regulates several other circuit breakers to prevent overloading
and distributes electricity throughout the building.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Income-eligible" means having an individual or household income at or less than
60 percent of the state median individual or household income, as applicable, for the most
recent year available.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Multifamily building" means a building that contains two or more units.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Phase I" means the phase of the program established in this section that begins when
the first grant application is received by the department and ends the later of one year after
the date the first grant application is received or when 40 percent of funds appropriated to
the program have been expended.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Phase II" means the phase of the program established in this section that begins
when Phase I terminates and ends one year later.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Single-family residence" means a building that contains one unit.
new text end

new text begin (h) "Unit" means a residential living space occupied by an individual or a household.
new text end

new text begin (i) "Upgrade" means (1) the installation of equipment or devices required to bring an
electric panel to a total rating of 200 amperes, and (2) the repair or replacement of the
equipment or device's wiring to ensure safe operation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program establishment. new text end

new text begin A residential electric panel upgrade grant program
is established as a pilot program in the department to provide financial assistance to owners
of single-family residences and multifamily buildings to upgrade a residence's electric panel.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application process. new text end

new text begin An applicant seeking a grant under this section must
submit an application to the commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner. The
commissioner must develop administrative procedures to govern how eligibility is
determined, applications are reviewed, and grants are awarded. The commissioner is the
fiscal agent for the grant program and is responsible for reviewing applications and awarding
grants under this section. The commissioner may contract with a third party to conduct some
or all of the pilot program's operations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) In Phase I, an owner of a single-family residence whose occupants
are income-eligible is eligible to receive a grant under this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) In Phase I, an owner of a multifamily building is eligible to receive a grant under
this section based on the same multifamily building criteria established by the commissioner
under section 216B.2403, subdivision 5, paragraph (e).
new text end

new text begin (c) In Phase II, all owners of single-family residences and multifamily buildings are
eligible to receive a grant under this section, regardless of the income of the occupants of
the building.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Grant amount. new text end

new text begin (a) A grant issued under this section must be used to pay the
cost of an upgrade made by an eligible owner. A grant under this section must not exceed
the cost incurred to make an upgrade.
new text end

new text begin (b) The maximum grant award to an owner of a single-family residence under this section
is $2,500.
new text end

new text begin (c) The maximum grant award to an owner of a multifamily building under this section
is the sum of (1) $2,500, plus (2) $500 multiplied by the number of units in the multifamily
building. A grant under this paragraph must not exceed $12,500 per multifamily building.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Limitation. new text end

new text begin No more than one grant may be awarded to an owner under this
section for work conducted at the same single-family residence or multifamily building.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin (a) No later than 90 days after the date each of Phases I and II of the
program ends, the department must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with primary responsibility for climate and energy
policy.
new text end

new text begin (b) The report must summarize program outcomes, and must report separately, at a
minimum:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of units in multifamily buildings and the number of single-family
residences whose owners received grants;
new text end

new text begin (2) the median income of the households in multifamily buildings and in single-family
residences whose owners received grants; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the average amount of grants awarded in multifamily buildings and in single-family
residences.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

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

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph (j),
$....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the renewable development account established
in Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, subdivision 1, to the commissioner of commerce
to award grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.45, and pay the reasonable costs
incurred by the department to administer that section. Appropriations made under this
paragraph may only be used for grants to owners of residences that are located within the
electric service area of the public utility that is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
116C.779. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until December 31, 2024. Any
unexpended money after that date cancels to the renewable development account.
new text end

new text begin (b) $....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of commerce to award grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.45, and pay the
reasonable costs incurred by the department to administer that section. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until December 31, 2024. Any unexpended money after that
date cancels to the general fund.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end