ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS

ARTICLE 2

JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

116J.394 DEFINITIONS.

new text begin [116J.549] WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin [116L.31] DUAL TRAINING COMPETENCY GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin [116L.40] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin [116L.41] COMMISSIONER'S DUTIES AND POWERS;
AGREEMENTS.
new text end

new text begin [116L.42] JOBS TRAINING GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin [116L.65] CUSTOMIZED TRAINING FOR SKILLED
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
new text end

268A.03 POWERS AND DUTIES.

268A.06 new text begin COMMUNITY new text end REHABILITATION deleted text begin FACILITIESdeleted text end new text begin PROVIDERSnew text end .

268A.07 REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION.

268A.085 new text begin COMMUNITY new text end REHABILITATION deleted text begin FACILITYdeleted text end new text begin PROVIDER
GOVERNINGnew text end BOARDS.

469.049 ESTABLISHMENT; CHARACTERISTICS.

new text begin SKILLED MANUFACTURING REPORT.
new text end

ARTICLE 3

HOUSING

473.145 DEVELOPMENT GUIDE.

ARTICLE 4

LABOR AND INDUSTRY

new text begin [175.45] COMPETENCY STANDARDS FOR DUAL TRAINING.
new text end

new text begin [181.741] LOCAL GOVERNMENT; UNIFORMITY OF PRIVATE
EMPLOYER BENEFIT MANDATES.
new text end

326B.096 REINSTATEMENT OF LICENSES.

326B.809 WRITTEN CONTRACT REQUIRED.

341.321 FEE SCHEDULE.

ARTICLE 5

COMMERCE

new text begin [59D.01] APPLICATION.
new text end

new text begin [59D.02] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin [59D.03] COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS EXEMPTED.
new text end

new text begin [59D.04] GUARANTEED ASSET PROTECTION WAIVER
REQUIREMENTS.
new text end

new text begin [59D.05] CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY OR OTHER INSURANCE
POLICIES.
new text end

new text begin [59D.06] DISCLOSURES.
new text end

new text begin [59D.07] CANCELLATION; REFUNDS.
new text end

new text begin [80A.461] MNVEST REGISTRATION EXEMPTION.
new text end

new text begin [237.037] VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL SERVICE AND
INTERNET PROTOCOL-ENABLED SERVICE.
new text end

new text begin [609.613] ACCIDENT VICTIM SOLICITATION.
new text end

ARTICLE 6

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

ARTICLE 7

DELIVERED FUELS

ARTICLE 8

ENERGY CONSERVATION

216B.2401 ENERGY SAVINGS POLICY GOAL.

new text begin [216C.418] ENERGY STORAGE, SOLAR THERMAL, WIND, AND
GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP REBATE PROGRAM.
new text end

ARTICLE 9

RENEWABLE FUELS

16B.323 SOLAR ENERGY IN STATE BUILDINGS.

116C.7792 SOLAR ENERGY INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

216B.1641 COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDEN.

216B.1691 deleted text begin RENEWABLEdeleted text end new text begin ADVANCEDnew text end ENERGY deleted text begin OBJECTIVES
deleted text end new text begin STANDARDSnew text end .

new text begin [216C.417] PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION; "MADE IN MINNESOTA"
SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTION INCENTIVES.
new text end

new text begin [216C.419] ENERGY FUND ACCOUNT SOLAR INCENTIVE
PAYMENT.
new text end

new text begin [216E.022] SETBACK FOR SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING
SYSTEMS.
new text end

new text begin [216E.023] SURETY BONDS; LARGE SOLAR ENERGY
GENERATING FACILITIES.
new text end

new text begin [216E.19] REQUIREMENT FOR LOCAL APPROVAL.
new text end

ARTICLE 10

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

216H.07 EMISSIONS-REDUCTION ATTAINMENT; POLICY
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.

new text begin [216H.077] REQUIREMENT FOR LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.
new text end

ARTICLE 11

MISCELLANEOUS ENERGY POLICY

new text begin [216B.1616] ELECTRIC VEHICLE REBATES.
new text end

new text begin [216B.1638] RECOVERY OF NATURAL GAS EXTENSION PROJECT
COSTS.
new text end

new text begin [216B.1647] PROPERTY TAX ADJUSTMENT; COOPERATIVE
ASSOCIATION.
new text end

new text begin [216B.1696] COMPETITIVE RATE FOR ENERGY-INTENSIVE
TRADE-EXPOSED ELECTRIC UTILITY CUSTOMER.
new text end

216B.2425 STATE TRANSMISSION new text begin AND DISTRIBUTION new text end PLAN.

new text begin [216C.391] PROPANE AND NATURAL GAS VEHICLES; REBATE
PROGRAM.
new text end

ARTICLE 12

CONFORMING CHANGES

HF 843

ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS

new text begin [116J.549] WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin [116L.31] DUAL TRAINING COMPETENCY GRANTS.
new text end

Section 1. new text begin JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
INDUSTRY
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin BUREAU OF MEDIATION
SERVICES
new text end

Sec. 8. new text begin WORKERS' COMPENSATION
COURT OF APPEALS
new text end

Sec. 9. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

Sec. 10. new text begin PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
new text end

Sec. 11. new text begin POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
new text end

Sec. 12. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF
ADMINISTRATION
new text end

Section 1.

Sec. 2.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 3.

Subd. 6.

Sec. 4.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 5.

Subd. 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 7.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 8.

Subd. 2.

Sec. 9.

Subd. 4.

Sec. 10.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

Sec. 14.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

Sec. 15.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

Sec. 16.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 17.

Subd. 3.

Sec. 18.

Subd. 5.

Sec. 19.

Subd. 7.

Sec. 20.

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

Sec. 21.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 22.

Subd. 2.

Sec. 23.

Subd. 3.

Sec. 24.

Subd. 4.

Sec. 25.

Subd. 8.

Sec. 26.

Subd. 6.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 27.

Subd. 10.

Sec. 28.

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

Sec. 29.

Sec. 30.

Subdivision 1.

Subd. 2.

Sec. 31.

Subdivision 1.

Subd. 2.

Sec. 32.

Subdivision 1.

Subd. 2.

Sec. 33.

Subd. 3.

Sec. 34.

Subdivision 1.

Subd. 2.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. new text end

Sec. 35.

Subd. 4.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. new text end

Sec. 36.

Subd. 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. new text end

Sec. 37.

Subd. 4.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. new text end

Sec. 38.

Subd. 8.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. new text end

Sec. 39.

Subd. 9.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. new text end

Sec. 40.

Subd. 10.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. new text end

Sec. 41.

Subd. 14.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. new text end

Sec. 42.

Sec. 43. new text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER; LONG-TERM CARE
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
new text end

Sec. 44. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

Section 1.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 2.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

Sec. 4.

Subd. 2.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

Sec. 5.

Subd. 3a.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

Sec. 6.

Section 1. OLMSTED COUNTY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY; MEMBERS.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; TRANSITION. new text end

Section 1.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 2.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

Sec. 3.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 4.

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin Subd. 4d. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 8.

Subd. 7.

Sec. 9.

Subdivision 1.

Subd. 2.

Subd. 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 10.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 11.

Subd. 8.

Sec. 12.

Sec. 13.

Subd. 5.

Sec. 14.

Subd. 8.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 15.

Sec. 16.

Sec. 14. ASSIGNED RISK TRANSFER.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 17. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

Section 1.

Subd. 6.

Sec. 2.

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

Sec. 3.

Sec. 4.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

Sec. 5.

Sec. 6.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

Sec. 8.

Sec. 9.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

Sec. 11.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 12.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 14.

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 15.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 16.

Subd. 2.

Sec. 17.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 18.

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

Sec. 19.

Sec. 20. new text begin USE OF VENDOR TO FACILITATE RETURN OF ABANDONED
PROPERTY.
new text end

Sec. 21. new text begin REPORT ON UNCLAIMED PROPERTY DIVISION.
new text end

Sec. 22. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

Section 1.

Subd. 6.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 2.

Subd. 21b.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 3.

Subd. 26.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 4.

Subd. 30.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

Sec. 6.

Subd. 7.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 7.

Subd. 2.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 8.

Subd. 3b.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 9.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 10.

Subd. 2.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 11.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 12.

Subd. 10.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 13.

Subd. 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 14.

Subd. 7.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 15.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 16.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 17. new text begin ADDITIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TAX REDUCTION.
new text end

Sec. 18. new text begin SPECIAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT ASSISTANCE.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Section 1.

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin Subd. 3b. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin Subd. 6b. new text end

Sec. 4.

Subd. 2.

Sec. 5.

Subd. 5.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin PREPURCHASING PROPANE; REPORT.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Section 1.

Subd. 6b.

Sec. 2.

Subd. 6c.

Sec. 3.

Sec. 4.

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

Sec. 6.

Subd. 5.

Sec. 7. new text begin ENERGY CONSERVATION SERVICE DELIVERY; ADVISORY TASK
FORCE.
new text end

Section 1.

Subdivision 1.

Subd. 2.

Sec. 2.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 3.

Sec. 4.

Subd. 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 5.

Sec. 6.

Subdivision 1.

deleted text begin Subd. 2. deleted text end

Subd. 2a.

Subd. 2b.

Subd. 2c.

deleted text begin Subd. 2d. deleted text end

Subd. 2e.

Subd. 2f.

Subd. 3.

Subd. 4.

Subd. 5.

Subd. 7.

Subd. 8.

Subd. 9.

Subd. 10.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 7.

Subd. 8.

Sec. 8.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 12.

Subd. 5.

Sec. 13.

Subd. 7.

Sec. 14.

Subd. 5.

Sec. 15.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 16.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 17. new text begin PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION; "MADE IN MINNESOTA" SOLAR
THERMAL REBATES.
new text end

Sec. 18. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

Section 1.

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

Sec. 2.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 3.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 4.

Subd. 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 5.

Subd. 7.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 6.

Subdivision 1.

Subd. 2.

Subd. 3.

Subd. 5.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 7.

Sec. 8. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

Section 1.

Subd. 7.

Sec. 2.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 3.

Subd. 6.

Sec. 4.

Subd. 7b.

Sec. 5.

Subd. 8.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 6.

Subd. 12.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 7.

Subd. 19.

Sec. 8.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

Sec. 12.

Subdivision 1.

Subd. 2.

Subd. 3.

Subd. 4.

Subd. 5.

Subd. 6.

Subd. 7.

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

Sec. 13.

Subd. 3b.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 14.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

Sec. 15.

Subd. 3.

Sec. 16. new text begin TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS; STUDY.
new text end

Sec. 17. new text begin TRANSFER OF DUTIES; ADVISORY TASK FORCE.
new text end

Sec. 18. new text begin PUBLIC POWER AUTHORITY; STUDY.
new text end

Sec. 19. new text begin UTILITY PRICE INCREASES; REPORT.
new text end

Sec. 20. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

Section 1.

Subd. 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 2.

Subd. 5.

Sec. 3.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 4.

Subd. 3a.

Sec. 5.

Subdivision 1.

Sec. 6.

Subd. 5c.

Sec. 7.

Subd. 9.

Sec. 8.

Subd. 3.

Sec. 9.

Subd. 2c.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 10.

Subd. 4.

Sec. 11.

Subd. 7.

Sec. 12.

Subd. 9.

Sec. 13.

Subd. 2.

Sec. 14.

Subd. 5a.

Sec. 15.

Subdivision 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 16.

Subd. 4.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 17.

Subd. 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Bill Text Versions

Current Version - 4th Engrossment

Section 1. new text begin JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS.new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTnew text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin HOUSING FINANCE AGENCYnew text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISMnew text end

Sec. 6. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRYnew text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin BUREAU OF MEDIATION SERVICESnew text end

Sec. 8. new text begin WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT OF APPEALSnew text end

Sec. 9. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCEnew text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

Section 1. new text begin JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
INDUSTRY
new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin BUREAU OF MEDIATION
SERVICES
new text end

Sec. 8. new text begin WORKERS' COMPENSATION
COURT OF APPEALS
new text end

Sec. 9. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
new text end

Sec. 10. new text begin PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
new text end

Sec. 11. new text begin POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
new text end

Sec. 12. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF
ADMINISTRATION
new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin Business and Community
Development
new text end

new text begin Workforce Development
new text end

new text begin General Support Services
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Trade Office
new text end

new text begin Vocational Rehabilitation
new text end

new text begin Services for the Blind
new text end

new text begin Competitive grant limitations
new text end

new text begin Broadband development
new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin Challenge Program
new text end

new text begin Housing Trust Fund
new text end

new text begin Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill
new text end

new text begin Family Homeless Prevention
new text end

new text begin Home Ownership Assistance Fund
new text end

new text begin Affordable Rental Investment Fund
new text end

new text begin Housing Rehabilitation
new text end

new text begin Rental Rehabilitation
new text end

new text begin Homeownership Education,
Counseling, and Training
new text end

new text begin Capacity Building Grants
new text end

new text begin Grants
new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin Workers' Compensation
new text end

new text begin Labor Standards and Apprenticeship
new text end

new text begin Workplace Safety
new text end

new text begin General Support
new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin Financial Institutions
new text end

new text begin Petroleum Tank Release
Compensation Board
new text end

new text begin Administrative Services
new text end

new text begin Telecommunications
new text end

new text begin Enforcement
new text end

new text begin Energy Resources
new text end

new text begin Insurance
new text end

new text begin Transfers
new text end

new text begin Propane Prepurchase
new text end

Grant program established; purpose.

Maximum grant amount.

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin Program requirements. new text end

new text begin Allocation. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

Certification of qualified business.

new text begin Funds. new text end

Grant allowed.

Qualified job training program.

Use of funds.

Determination and collection of special assessment.

new text begin Program created. new text end

new text begin Eligible grantees. new text end

new text begin Training institution. new text end

new text begin Contract required. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin Grant criteria. new text end

new text begin Employer match. new text end

new text begin Payment of grant. new text end

new text begin Grant amounts. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin Agreement. new text end

new text begin Commissioner. new text end

new text begin Disability. new text end

new text begin Employee. new text end

new text begin Employer. new text end

new text begin New job. new text end

new text begin Program. new text end

new text begin Program costs. new text end

new text begin Program services. new text end

new text begin Project. new text end

new text begin Service provision. new text end

new text begin Agreements; required terms. new text end

new text begin Grant funds sufficient. new text end

new text begin Allocation. new text end

new text begin Application fee. new text end

new text begin Recovery of program costs. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin Program. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin Skilled manufacturing customized training program employer
agreement. new text end

new text begin Skilled manufacturing customized training program participation
agreement. new text end

new text begin MnSCU instruction. new text end

Requirements.

Uniform outcome report card; reporting by commissioner.

Information.

Workforce program net impact analysis.

new text begin Low-income person. new text end

Eligibility rules.

Challenge grant eligibility; nonprofit corporation.

Revolving loan fund.

Business loan criteria.

Reporting requirements.

new text begin Community new text end rehabilitation deleted text begin facilitydeleted text end new text begin providernew text end .

Extended employment program.

new text begin Noncompetitive employment. new text end

Application.

Funding.

Benefits.

Grievance procedure.

Appointment; membership.

Duties.

Rule authority.

Saint Paul, Duluth; establishment.

Public body characteristics.

Term, vacancies.

Consent for city land.

Port jurisdiction.

Relation to industrial development provisions.

May join in supplying small business capital.

Recreation facilities on Mississippi River.

Bond for treasurer and assistant treasurer.

Rules.

Created.

Affordable, life-cycle goals.

Affordable, life-cycle housing opportunities amount.

new text begin City and county appointees as HRA. new text end

new text begin County board may serve as HRA. new text end

General duties of commissioner.

new text begin Duties; goal. new text end

new text begin Definition; competency standard. new text end

new text begin Competency standard identification process. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin Notification. new text end

Amount.

new text begin Gratuities; credit cards or charges. new text end

new text begin Uniform state minimum wage; local variation prohibited. new text end

new text begin Single-family dwelling; fire sprinklers. new text end

License fees and license renewal fees.

Reinstatement after revocation.

Reinstatement after suspension.

Reinstatement after voluntary termination.

Adoption of code.

Effective date of rules.

Boiler engineer license fees.

Certificate of competency.

Insurance fraud prevention account.

new text begin Administrative penalty for insurance fraud. new text end

new text begin Terms. new text end

new text begin Administrator. new text end

new text begin Borrower. new text end

new text begin Creditor. new text end

new text begin Finance agreement. new text end

new text begin Free look period. new text end

new text begin Guaranteed asset protection waiver. new text end

new text begin Insurer. new text end

new text begin Motor vehicle. new text end

new text begin Person. new text end

new text begin Authorization. new text end

new text begin Payment options. new text end

new text begin Certain costs not considered finance charge or interest. new text end

new text begin Insurance. new text end

new text begin Financing agreement. new text end

new text begin Purchase restriction. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin Fiduciary responsibilities. new text end

new text begin Defined terms. new text end

new text begin Reimbursement or payment statement. new text end

new text begin Coverage of assignee. new text end

new text begin Term. new text end

new text begin Effect of cancellation or termination. new text end

new text begin Refund requirements during free look period. new text end

new text begin Refund requirements after free-look period. new text end

new text begin How applied. new text end

new text begin Person convicted of insurance fraud. new text end

Program described; commissioner's duties; appropriation.

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin Generally. new text end

new text begin MNvest offering. new text end

new text begin Required disclosures to prospective MNvest offering purchasers.
new text end

new text begin Required certification from MNvest offering purchasers. new text end

new text begin MNvest portal. new text end

new text begin Portal operator. new text end

new text begin Portal operator; privacy of purchaser information. new text end

new text begin Bad actor disqualification. new text end

new text begin Voice over Internet Protocol service. new text end

new text begin Internet Protocol-enabled service. new text end

new text begin Regulation prohibited. new text end

new text begin VoIP regulation. new text end

new text begin Relation to other law. new text end

new text begin Exemption. new text end

Automobile theft prevention account.

Commissioner's duty.

new text begin Public notice. new text end

Benefit year.

Preponderance of the evidence.

Unemployed.

Wages paid.

new text begin Unemployment insurance tax reduction. new text end

Tax rate buydown.

Benefit account requirements.

Limitations on applications and benefit accounts.

Eligibility conditions.

Not eligible.

Quit.

Ineligibility duration.

Withdrawal of new text begin an new text end appeal.

Judicial review.

Shared work plan requirements.

Establishment.

new text begin Propane. new text end

new text begin Propane storage facility. new text end

new text begin Synthetic gas. new text end

Large energy facility.

Gas.

Energy conservation improvement.

Incentive plan for energy conservation improvement.

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin Program. new text end

new text begin Geothermal heat pump; application. new text end

new text begin Rebate amounts. new text end

Energy improvement.

Definitions.

Solar energy system.

deleted text begin Renewable developmentdeleted text end new text begin Energy fundnew text end account.

Purchases; small facilities.

Definitions.

deleted text begin Eligible energy objectives. deleted text end

deleted text begin Eligibledeleted text end new text begin Advancednew text end energy deleted text begin technologydeleted text end standardnew text begin ; schedulenew text end .

Modification or delay of standard.

Use of integrated resource planning process.

deleted text begin Commission order. deleted text end

Rate impact of standard compliance; report.

Solar energy standard.

Utility plans filed with commission.

Renewable energy credits.

Technology based on fuel combustion.

Compliance.

Relation to other law.

Local benefits.

Utility acquisition of resources.

Exemptions.

new text begin General provisions. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin Eligibility window; payment duration. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin Amount. new text end

new text begin Incentive payment. new text end

Environmental review.

Considerations in designating sites and routes.

Environmental review.

new text begin Cogeneration facility or combined heat and power facility.
new text end

Greenhouse gas emissions-reduction goal.

Definition; new large energy facility.

Long-term increased emissions from power plants prohibited.

Other exemptions.

Definition.

Purpose.

Biennial report.

Reduction principles.

Assessment; appropriation.

State cost-share for federal assistance.

Factors considered, generally.

Transmission cost adjustment.

Advertising expense.

Exemption for small gas utility franchise.

Multiyear rate plan.

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin Program. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin Filing. new text end

new text begin Review; approval. new text end

new text begin Commission authority; order. new text end

new text begin Implementation. new text end

new text begin Evaluation and report. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin Rates and terms of EITE rate schedule. new text end

List.

List development; transmission projects report.

Commission approval.

List; effect.

Transmission inventory.

Exclusion.

Transmission needed to support renewable resources.

new text begin Distribution study for distributed generation. new text end

deleted text begin Nuclear power plant; new construction prohibited; relicensing
deleted text end new text begin Additional storage of spent nuclear fuelnew text end .

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin Program. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin Rebate amounts. new text end

new text begin Maximum rebate amounts. new text end

Administering board.

Duties.

Rebate program funding.

Definitions.

Net metered facility.

Commission authority.

Large solar electric generating plant.

Building performance standards; Sustainable Building 2030.

Other provisions.

Long-range emission reduction planning.

Preference for renewable energy facility.

Transmission needed to support renewable resources.

Renewable energy standard facilities.

Incentive payment; appropriation.

deleted text begin Renewable development accountdeleted text end new text begin Payment authorizationnew text end .

Commissioner to establish reporting system and maintain
inventory.

Exception for facilities that offset emissions.

Joint purchase of energy and acquisition of generation projects;
financing.

new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin Business and Community Development new text end

new text begin Workforce Development new text end

new text begin General Support Services new text end

new text begin Minnesota Trade Office new text end

new text begin Vocational Rehabilitation new text end

new text begin Services for the Blind new text end

new text begin Competitive grant limitations new text end

new text begin Broadband development new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin Challenge Program new text end

new text begin Housing Trust Fund new text end

new text begin Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill new text end

new text begin Family Homeless Prevention new text end

new text begin Home Ownership Assistance Fund new text end

new text begin Affordable Rental Investment Fund new text end

new text begin Housing Rehabilitation new text end

new text begin Rental Rehabilitation new text end

new text begin Homeownership Education, Counseling, and Training new text end

new text begin Capacity Building Grants new text end

new text begin Grants new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin Workers' Compensation new text end

new text begin Labor Standards and Apprenticeship new text end

new text begin Workplace Safety new text end

new text begin General Support new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin Financial Institutions new text end

new text begin Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board new text end

new text begin Administrative Services new text end

new text begin Telecommunications new text end

new text begin Enforcement new text end

new text begin Energy Resources new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin Business and Community
Development
new text end

new text begin Workforce Development
new text end

new text begin General Support Services
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Trade Office
new text end

new text begin Vocational Rehabilitation
new text end

new text begin Services for the Blind
new text end

new text begin Competitive grant limitations
new text end

new text begin Broadband development
new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin Challenge Program
new text end

new text begin Housing Trust Fund
new text end

new text begin Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill
new text end

new text begin Family Homeless Prevention
new text end

new text begin Home Ownership Assistance Fund
new text end

new text begin Affordable Rental Investment Fund
new text end

new text begin Housing Rehabilitation
new text end

new text begin Rental Rehabilitation
new text end

new text begin Homeownership Education,
Counseling, and Training
new text end

new text begin Capacity Building Grants
new text end

new text begin Grants
new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin Workers' Compensation
new text end

new text begin Labor Standards and Apprenticeship
new text end

new text begin Workplace Safety
new text end

new text begin General Support
new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin Financial Institutions
new text end

new text begin Petroleum Tank Release
Compensation Board
new text end

new text begin Administrative Services
new text end

new text begin Telecommunications
new text end

new text begin Enforcement
new text end

new text begin Energy Resources
new text end

new text begin Insurance
new text end

new text begin Transfers
new text end

new text begin Propane Prepurchase
new text end

Engrossments
Introduction		Posted on 02/12/2015
1st Engrossment		Posted on 04/14/2015
2nd Engrossment		Posted on 04/16/2015
3rd Engrossment		Posted on 04/20/2015
4th Engrossment		Posted on 04/22/2015

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; appropriating money for the Departments of
Employment and Economic Development, Labor and Industry, and Commerce;
the Bureau of Mediation Services; Housing Finance Agency; Explore
Minnesota Tourism; Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals; Public Utilities
Commission; Pollution Control Agency; and Department of Administration;
making policy changes to jobs and economic development, housing, labor
and industry, and commerce; establishing a tiered minimum wage; modifying
unemployment insurance employer taxes; regulating delivered fuels; modifying
energy conservation provisions; regulating renewable fuels; regulating
greenhouse gas emissions; making miscellaneous energy policy changes and
conforming changes; modifying fees; providing penalties; requiring reports;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 3.8851, subdivisions 3, 7; 12A.15,
subdivision 1; 16B.323; 45.0135, subdivision 6, by adding a subdivision;
65B.44, by adding a subdivision; 65B.84, subdivision 1; 79.251, subdivision
1; 116C.779, subdivision 1; 116C.7791, subdivision 5; 116C.7792; 116J.394;
116J.431, subdivisions 1, 6; 116J.437, subdivision 1; 116J.8738, subdivision 3,
by adding a subdivision; 116J.8747, subdivisions 1, 2; 116L.17, subdivision 4;
116L.20, subdivision 1; 116L.98, subdivisions 1, 3, 5, 7; 116M.14, by adding
a subdivision; 116M.18, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 8; 177.24, subdivision 1, by
adding subdivisions; 216B.02, by adding subdivisions; 216B.16, subdivisions
6, 6b, 6c, 7b, 8, 12, 19; 216B.164, subdivisions 3, 3a; 216B.1641; 216B.1645,
subdivision 1; 216B.1691; 216B.2401; 216B.241, subdivisions 5c, 9, by
adding a subdivision; 216B.2411, subdivision 3; 216B.2421, subdivision 2;
216B.2422, subdivisions 2c, 4; 216B.2425; 216B.243, subdivisions 3b, 8, 9;
216C.41, subdivisions 2, 5a; 216C.435, subdivision 5; 216E.03, subdivisions
5, 7; 216E.04, subdivision 5; 216H.01, by adding a subdivision; 216H.02,
subdivision 1; 216H.021, subdivision 1; 216H.03, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 7;
216H.07; 237.01, by adding subdivisions; 256E.31, subdivision 3; 268.035,
subdivisions 6, 21b, 26, 30; 268.051, subdivision 7, by adding a subdivision;
268.07, subdivisions 2, 3b; 268.085, subdivisions 1, 2; 268.095, subdivisions 1,
10; 268.105, subdivisions 3, 7; 268.136, subdivision 1; 268.194, subdivision
1; 268A.01, subdivisions 6, 10, by adding a subdivision; 268A.03; 268A.06;
268A.07; 268A.085; 268A.15, subdivision 3; 297I.11, subdivision 2; 299F.011,
by adding a subdivision; 326B.092, subdivision 7; 326B.096; 326B.106,
subdivision 1; 326B.13, subdivision 8; 326B.809; 326B.986, subdivisions 5, 8;
327.20, subdivision 1; 341.321; 345.42, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision;
373.48, subdivision 3; 453A.02, subdivision 5; 462A.33, subdivision 1; 469.049;
469.050, subdivision 4; 469.084, subdivisions 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 14; 473.145;
473.254, subdivisions 2, 3a; Laws 1994, chapter 493, section 1; Laws 2008,
chapter 296, article 1, section 25, as amended; Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 2,
section 14; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 80A;
116J; 116L; 175; 181; 216B; 216C; 216E; 216H; 237; 609; proposing coding for
new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 59D; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2014,
sections 3.8852; 80G.01; 80G.02; 80G.03; 80G.04; 80G.05; 80G.06; 80G.07;
80G.08; 80G.09; 80G.10; 116C.779, subdivision 3; 116U.26; 174.187; 177.24,
subdivision 2; 216B.1612; 216B.164, subdivision 10; 216B.8109; 216B.811;
216B.812; 216B.813; 216B.815; 216C.39; 216C.411; 216C.412; 216C.413;
216C.414; 216C.415; 216C.416; 216H.02, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 469.084,
subdivisions 11, 12; Laws 2013, chapter 85, article 6, section 11; Laws 2014,
chapter 312, article 2, section 15; Minnesota Rules, part 5205.0580, subpart 21.

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

new text begin The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made
in this article.
new text end

		new text begin 2016 new text end		new text begin 2017 new text end		new text begin Total new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 166,255,000 new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 165,521,000 new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 331,776,000 new text end
new text begin Workforce Development new text end		new text begin 33,932,000 new text end		new text begin 30,165,000 new text end		new text begin 64,097,000 new text end
new text begin Remediation new text end		new text begin 700,000 new text end		new text begin 700,000 new text end		new text begin 1,400,000 new text end
new text begin Workers' Compensation new text end		new text begin 27,325,000 new text end		new text begin 29,325,000 new text end		new text begin 56,650,000 new text end
new text begin Special Revenue new text end		new text begin 35,648,000 new text end		new text begin 36,110,000 new text end		new text begin 71,758,000 new text end
new text begin Petroleum Tank Release new text end		new text begin 1,052,000 new text end		new text begin 1,052,000 new text end		new text begin 2,104,000 new text end
new text begin Total new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 264,912,000 new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 262,873,000 new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 527,785,000 new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the
agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the
general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated
for each purpose. The figures "2016" and "2017" used in this article mean that the
appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, or
June 30, 2017, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2016. "The second year" is fiscal
year 2017. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 101,882,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 101,319,000
new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2016 new text end	new text begin 2017 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 68,279,000 new text end	new text begin 71,483,000 new text end
new text begin Remediation new text end	new text begin 700,000 new text end	new text begin 700,000 new text end
new text begin Workforce Development new text end	new text begin 32,903,000 new text end	new text begin 29,136,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

33,666,000

44,870,000

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 32,281,000 new text end	new text begin 43,485,000 new text end
new text begin Remediation new text end	new text begin 700,000 new text end	new text begin 700,000 new text end
new text begin Workforce Development new text end	new text begin 685,000 new text end	new text begin 685,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $8,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$15,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 are for the
Minnesota investment fund under Minnesota
Statutes, section 116J.8731. Of this amount,
the commissioner may use up to three percent
for administrative expenses and technology
updates. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2019.
new text end

new text begin (1) Of the amount appropriated in fiscal year
2016, $2,000,000 is for a loan to construct a
$10,000,000 aircraft manufacturing facility.
Funds available under this section may be
used for purchases of materials and supplies
made from July 1, 2015, through June
30, 2016, which are directly related to the
construction of the aircraft manufacturing
facility. The loan under this clause is not
subject to the limitations under Minnesota
Statutes, section 116J.8731, subdivision
5. The commissioner shall forgive the
loan after verification that the project has
satisfied performance goals and contractual
obligations as required under Minnesota
Statutes, section 116J.8731, subdivision 7.
The amount available under this clause is
available until June 30, 2019.
new text end

new text begin (2) Of the amount appropriated in fiscal
year 2016, $2,000,000 is for grants to cities
for broadband infrastructure and other
eligible expenses, as identified in Minnesota
Statutes, section 116J.395, subdivision 2,
for a wire-line broadband infrastructure
demonstration project that is part of a
public-private partnership.
new text end

new text begin (3) In order to be awarded the broadband
infrastructure grant under clause (2), a city
must demonstrate:
new text end

new text begin (i) funding from nonstate sources that
matches the amount appropriated in clause
(2);
new text end

new text begin (ii) broadband service outages of 12 hours or
more in the area within its jurisdiction;
new text end

new text begin (iii) a decline in the number of businesses in
the area within its jurisdiction, as a result of
the lack of adequate broadband service; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) an agreement that the city will own
the broadband infrastructure as part of the
public-private partnership.
new text end

new text begin (4) The commissioner of employment and
economic development must award the
broadband infrastructure grant under clause
(2) before September 1, 2015.
new text end

new text begin (b) $7,500,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$12,500,000 in fiscal year 2017 are for the
Minnesota job creation fund under Minnesota
Statutes, section 116J.8748. Of this amount,
the commissioner of employment and
economic development may use up to three
percent for administrative expenses. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2019.
new text end

new text begin (c) $1,272,000 each year is from the
general fund for contaminated site cleanup
and development grants under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 116J.551 to 116J.558. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2019.
new text end

new text begin (d) $700,000 each year is from the
remediation fund for contaminated site
cleanup and development grants under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 116J.551 to
116J.558. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2019.
new text end

new text begin (e) $1,425,000 each year is from the
general fund for the business development
competitive grant program. Of this amount,
up to five percent is for administration and
monitoring of the business development
competitive grant program. All grant awards
shall be for two consecutive years. Grants
shall be awarded in the first year.
new text end

new text begin (f) $4,195,000 each year is from the general
fund for the Minnesota job skills partnership
program under Minnesota Statutes, sections
116L.01 to 116L.17. If the appropriation for
either year is insufficient, the appropriation
for the other year is available. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2019.
new text end

new text begin (g) $1,000,000 each year is from the general
fund for a grant to Enterprise Minnesota, Inc.
Of this amount, $750,000 each year is for the
small business growth acceleration program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 116O.115,
and $250,000 each year is for operations and
administration.
new text end

new text begin (h) $150,000 each year is from the general
fund for the Center for Rural Policy and
Development.
new text end

new text begin (i) $1,373,000 in fiscal year 2016 is for the
workforce housing grants pilot program in
Laws 2014, chapter 308, article 6, section 14.
This appropriation is onetime and is available
until June 30, 2018. The commissioner of
employment and economic development may
use up to five percent for administrative costs.
new text end

new text begin (j) $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$2,500,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from the
general fund for grants for the workforce
housing development program in Minnesota
Statutes, section 116J.549. Of these amounts,
the commissioner may use up to five
percent for administrative expenses. The
appropriations in fiscal years 2016 and 2017
are available until June 30, 2018.
new text end

new text begin (k) $200,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$200,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from the
general fund for a grant to develop and
implement a southern and southwestern
Minnesota initiative foundation collaborative
pilot project. Funds available under this
section must be used to support and develop
entrepreneurs in diverse populations in
southern and southwestern Minnesota. This
is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (l) $750,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$1,500,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from
the general fund for the greater Minnesota
business development public infrastructure
grant program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 116J.431. Funds available under this
paragraph may be used for site preparation
of property owned and to be used by private
entities. The base for this program is
$2,000,000 each year beginning in fiscal year
2018.
new text end

new text begin (m) $173,000 in fiscal year 2016 is from
the general fund for the innovation voucher
pilot program under Laws 2014, chapter 312,
article 2, section 2, subdivision 2, paragraph
(j). This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (n) $300,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$300,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from
the workforce development fund to the
commissioner of employment and economic
development for a grant to the small
business development center hosted at
Minnesota State University, Mankato, for
a collaborative initiative with the Regional
Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation.
Funds available under this paragraph must
be used to provide entrepreneur and small
business development direct professional
business assistance services in the following
counties in Minnesota: Blue Earth, Brown,
Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley,
Watonwan, and Waseca. For the purposes of
this paragraph, "direct professional business
assistance services" must include, but is
not limited to, pre-venture assistance for
individuals considering starting a business.
This appropriation is not available until
the commissioner determines that an equal
amount is committed from nonstate sources.
Any balance in the first year does not cancel
and is available for expenditure in the second
year. Grant recipients shall report to the
commissioner by February 1 of each year
and include information on the number of
customers served in each county; the number
of businesses started, stabilized, or expanded;
the number of jobs created and retained;
and business success rates in each county.
By April 1 of each year, the commissioner
shall report the information submitted by
grant recipients to the chairs of the standing
committees of the house of representatives
and the senate having jurisdiction over
economic development issues. This is a
onetime appropriation. This language does
not expire.
new text end

new text begin (o) $385,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$385,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from the
workforce development fund for grants to
the Neighborhood Development Center. Of
this amount, $300,000 is for training, lending
and business services for aspiring business
owners, and expansion of services for
immigrants in suburban communities; and
$85,000 is for Neighborhood Development
Center model outreach and training activities
in greater Minnesota. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

21,388,000

17,621,000

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 1,000,000 new text end	new text begin 1,000,000 new text end
new text begin Workforce Development new text end	new text begin 20,388,000 new text end	new text begin 16,621,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $3,283,000 each year is from the
workforce development fund for the adult
workforce development competitive grant
program. Of this amount, up to five percent
is for administration and monitoring of the
adult workforce development competitive
grant program. All grant awards shall be
for two consecutive years. Grants shall be
awarded in the first year.
new text end

new text begin (b) $3,500,000 each year is from the
workforce development fund for the
Minnesota youth program under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 116L.56 and 116L.561.
new text end

new text begin (c) $1,000,000 each year is from the
workforce development fund for the
youthbuild program under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 116L.361 to 116L.366.
new text end

new text begin (d) $200,000 each year is from the workforce
development fund for a grant to Minnesota
Diversified Industries, Inc., to provide
progressive development and employment
opportunities for people with disabilities.
new text end

new text begin (e) $2,848,000 each year is from the
workforce development fund for the youth
workforce development competitive grant
program. Of this amount, up to five percent
is for administration and monitoring of the
youth workforce development competitive
grant program. All grant awards shall be
for two consecutive years. Grants shall be
awarded in the first year.
new text end

new text begin (f) $1,500,000 each year is from the
workforce development fund for a grant
to FastTRAC - Minnesota Adult Careers
Pathways Program for low-skilled,
low-income adults. Up to ten percent
of this appropriation may be used to
provide leadership, oversight, and technical
assistance services.
new text end

new text begin (g) $650,000 each year is from the workforce
development fund for the Opportunities
Industrialization Center (OIC) programs.
Of this appropriation, $500,000 each year
shall be divided equally among the eligible
centers. Of this appropriation, $75,000 each
year is for the East Metro OIC in St. Paul
and $75,000 each year is for the Northwest
Indian OIC in Bemidji. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (h) $850,000 each year is from the workforce
development fund for a grant to the
Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs
to administer a statewide project of youth jobs
skills development. This project, which may
have career guidance components, including
health and life skills, is to encourage,
train, and assist youth in job-seeking
skills, workplace orientation, and job-site
knowledge through coaching. This grant
requires a 25 percent match from nonstate
resources. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (i) $250,000 each year is from the general
fund for the publication, dissemination,
and use of labor market information under
Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.4011.
new text end

new text begin (j) $250,000 each year is from the general
fund for programs in the workforce service
areas to combine career and higher education
advising.
new text end

new text begin (k) $250,000 each year is from the workforce
development fund for a grant to Big
Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin
Cities for workforce readiness, employment
exploration, and skills development for youth
ages 12 to 21. The grant must serve youth
in the Twin Cities, central Minnesota and
southern Minnesota Big Brothers Big Sisters
chapters. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (l) $900,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$1,100,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from the
workforce development fund for a grant to the
Minnesota High Tech Association to support
SciTechsperience, a program that supports
science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM) internship opportunities for two-
and four-year college students in their field
of study. The internship opportunities
must match students with paid internships
within STEM disciplines at small, for-profit
companies located in the seven-county
metropolitan area, having fewer than 150
total employees; or at small or medium,
for-profit companies located outside of the
seven-county metropolitan area, having
fewer than 250 total employees. At least 200
students must be matched in the first year
and at least 250 students must be matched in
the second year. Selected hiring companies
shall receive from the grant 50 percent of the
wages paid to the intern, capped at $2,500
per intern. The program must work toward
increasing the participation among women or
other underserved populations.
new text end

new text begin (m) $500,000 each year is from the workforce
development fund for a grant to Resource,
Inc. to provide low-income individuals
career education and job skills training that
are fully integrated with chemical and mental
health services.
new text end

new text begin (n) $140,000 each year is from the workforce
development fund for a grant to the St.
Cloud Area Somali Salvation Organization
for youth development and crime prevention
activities. Grant funds may be used to
train and place mentors in elementary and
secondary schools; for athletic, social,
and other activities to foster leadership
development; to provide a safe place for
participating youth to gather after school, on
weekends, and on holidays; and activities to
improve the organizational and job readiness
skills of participating youth.
new text end

new text begin (o) $200,000 in fiscal year 2016 is from the
workforce development fund for the uniform
outcome report card requirements under
Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.98. This is
a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (p) $500,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$500,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from the
general fund for job training grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.42.
new text end

new text begin (q) $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 is
from the workforce development fund for
adult workforce employment and training
activities administered by workforce service
areas. Funds available under this paragraph
must be used by workforce service areas
in the same manner as provided for under
Public Law 113-128, sections 133 and
134. Of the amount available under this
paragraph, $500,000 is for workforce service
area number 1, $1,000,000 is for workforce
service area number 2, and $500,000 is for
workforce service area number 6. This is a
onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (r) $517,000 in fiscal year 2016 is from the
workforce development fund for a grant
to YWCA St. Paul for training and job
placement assistance, including commercial
driver's license training, through the job
placement and retention program. This is a
onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (s) $450,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $450,000
in fiscal year 2017 are from the workforce
development fund for performance grants
under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8747,
to Twin Cities RISE! to provide training to
hard-to-train individuals. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (t) $350,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $350,000
in fiscal year 2017 are from the workforce
development fund for the urban initiative
loan program in Minnesota Statutes, section
116M.18. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (u) $250,000 in fiscal year 2016 is from
the workforce development fund for the
foreign-trained health care professionals
grant program modeled after the pilot
program conducted under Laws 2006,
chapter 282, article 11, section 2, subdivision
12, to encourage state licensure of
foreign-trained health care professionals,
including: physicians, with preference given
to primary care physicians who commit
to practicing for at least five years after
licensure in underserved areas of the state;
nurses; dentists; pharmacists; mental health
professionals; and other allied health care
professionals. The commissioner must
collaborate with health-related licensing
boards and Minnesota workforce centers to
award grants to foreign-trained health care
professionals sufficient to cover the actual
costs of taking a course to prepare health
care professionals for required licensing
examinations and the fee for the state
licensing examinations. When awarding
grants, the commissioner must consider the
following factors:
new text end

new text begin (1) whether the recipient's training involves
a medical specialty that is in high demand in
one or more communities in the state;
new text end

new text begin (2) whether the recipient commits to
practicing in a designated rural area or an
underserved urban community, as defined in
Minnesota Statutes, section 144.1501;
new text end

new text begin (3) whether the recipient's language skills
provide an opportunity for needed health care
access for underserved Minnesotans; and
new text end

new text begin (4) any additional criteria established by the
commissioner.
new text end

new text begin This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2019.
new text end

new text begin (v) $800,000 in fiscal year 2016 is from
the workforce development fund for
the customized training program for
manufacturing industries under Minnesota
Statutes, section 116L.65. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available in either year
of the biennium. Of this amount:
new text end

new text begin (1) $350,000 is for a grant to Central Lakes
College for the purposes of this paragraph;
new text end

new text begin (2) $250,000 is for Minnesota West
Community and Technical College for the
purposes of this paragraph; and
new text end

new text begin (3) $200,000 is for South Central College for
the purposes of this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin (w) $200,000 in fiscal year 2016 is from the
workforce development fund for a grant to
the UMMAH Project, Inc. to develop and
implement a pilot program to provide Somali
youth development and crime prevention
activities including, but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) mentoring for Somali youth;
new text end

new text begin (2) promoting social and other activities to
foster youth development and to provide a
safe place for participating youth to gather;
new text end

new text begin (3) leadership training through development
of a youth leadership council to assist and
prepare Somali youth to be active and
culturally vibrant leaders in building safe and
sustainable Somali communities;
new text end

new text begin (4) collaborating with an organization to
provide college and job readiness information
technology skills for Somali youth; and
new text end

new text begin (5) planning for a center for Somali youth and
families focused on culturally appropriate
workforce development, health, education,
recreation, and social programs within the
community. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

1,362,000

new text begin (a) $875,000 each year is for the Olmstead
Implementation Office.
new text end

new text begin (b) $150,000 in fiscal year 2016 is
appropriated from the energy fund
account established in Minnesota Statutes,
section 116C.779, to the commissioner of
employment and economic development for
the purpose of conducting the public power
authority study in article 11.
new text end

1,972,000

new text begin (a) $300,000 each year is for the STEP grants
in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.979.
new text end

new text begin (b) $180,000 each year is for the Invest
Minnesota Marketing Initiative in Minnesota
Statutes, section 116J.9781.
new text end

29,319,000

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 17,489,000 new text end	new text begin 17,489,000 new text end
new text begin Workforce Development new text end	new text begin 11,830,000 new text end	new text begin 11,830,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $10,800,000 each year is from the general
fund for the state's vocational rehabilitation
program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter
268A.
new text end

new text begin (b) $2,261,000 each year is from the general
fund for grants to centers for independent
living under Minnesota Statutes, section
268A.11.
new text end

new text begin (c) $2,873,000 each year from the general
fund and $10,830,000 each year from the
workforce development fund is for extended
employment services for persons with
severe disabilities under Minnesota Statutes,
section 268A.15. For the allocation of funds
under this paragraph and for the purposes
of sections 268A.03, clause (1); 268A.06;
268A.085; and 268A.15, a "community
rehabilitation provider" or "facility" means a
nonprofit or public entity that provides at least
one extended employment subprogram for
persons with the most significant disabilities.
new text end

new text begin (d) $1,555,000 each year is from the general
fund for grants to programs that provide
employment support services to persons with
mental illness under Minnesota Statutes,
sections 268A.13 and 268A.14.
new text end

new text begin (e) $1,000,000 each year is from the
workforce development fund for grants
under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.16,
for employment services for persons,
including transition-aged youth, who are
deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.
new text end

5,925,000

new text begin An organization that receives a direct
appropriation under this section is not eligible
to participate in competitive grant programs
under this section during the fiscal years in
which the direct appropriations are received.
new text end

8,250,000

250,000

new text begin (a) $250,000 each year is for the Broadband
Development Office.
new text end

new text begin (b) $8,000,000 the first year is from
the general fund for deposit in the
border-to-border broadband fund account
created under Minnesota Statutes, section
116J.396, for the purposes provided in
Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.395. This
is a onetime appropriation and is available
until June 30, 2019.
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 43,775,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 43,775,000
new text end

new text begin (a) The amounts that may be spent for
each purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin (b) Unless otherwise specified, this
appropriation is for transfer to the housing
development fund for the programs specified
in this section. Except as otherwise indicated,
this transfer is part of the agency's permanent
budget base.
new text end

new text begin (c) The Housing Finance Agency must make
continuous improvements to its ongoing
efforts to reduce the racial and ethnic
inequalities in home-ownership rates and
must seek opportunities to deploy increasing
levels of resources toward these efforts.
new text end

10,425,000

new text begin (a) This appropriation is from the general
fund for transfer to the housing development
fund for the economic development and
housing challenge program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.33. The agency must
continue to strengthen its efforts to address
the disparity rate between white households
and indigenous American Indians and
communities of color.
new text end

new text begin (b) Of this amount, $5,213,000 each year is
for loans and grants for workforce housing
in communities that:
new text end

new text begin (1) have an average vacancy rate for rental
housing of five percent or less for the
preceding two years;
new text end

new text begin (2) propose to build market rate residential
rental properties that do not have federal or
state law requirements for income limits and
that are not proposing to use federal, state, or
local flood recovery assistance;
new text end

new text begin (3) are located outside of the metropolitan
area, as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.121, subdivision 2, and have a
population greater than 500 people; and
new text end

new text begin (4) have a written statement provided by a
business or businesses located in the city or
within 25 miles of the city where the project
is proposed that employs a minimum of 20
full-time equivalent employees in aggregate
indicating that the lack of available rental
housing has impeded their ability to recruit
and hire employees.
new text end

new text begin On July 15, 2017, any remaining balance of
appropriations under this paragraph that are
unobligated on July 1, 2017, is transferred
from the housing development fund to the
general fund. By January 15 of each fiscal
year, the commissioner must submit a report
to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the senate and house of representatives
committees having jurisdiction over
housing finance and economic development
specifying the selection criteria of awarding
grants and loans, the projects that received
funding under this paragraph, and how the
funds are being used.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 462A.33, loans and grants made in
paragraph (b) for workforce housing shall not
be subject to the requirements in Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.33, subdivision 3 or
5, except that preference may be given to
proposals that include contributions from
nonstate resources for the greatest portion of
the total development cost. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.33, the
limitations on return of eligible mortgagors
under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.03,
subdivision 13, do not apply to loans and
grants under paragraph (b) or loans or
grants for targeted workforce housing under
this section. Notwithstanding any other
law, nothing shall prevent the award of
grants or loans in this section from being
used to finance new modular homes, new
manufactured homes, and new manufactured
homes on leased land or in a manufactured
home park.
new text end

new text begin (d) Of this amount, $2,606,000 each year
is for economic development and housing
challenge program grants and loans for
housing projects outside of the metropolitan
area, as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.121, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (e) Of this amount, $2,606,000 each year
is for economic development and housing
challenge program grants and loans for
housing projects in the metropolitan area
as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
473.121, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (f) Priority shall be given to programs and
projects under this subdivision that are land
trust programs and programs that work in
coordination with a land trust program.
new text end

new text begin (g) The commissioner of housing finance
must increase administrative support offered
by the agency to assist smaller communities
to improve access to grants and loans
made using funds from the economic
development and housing challenge program
and to create and implement a streamlined
review and awards process that allows
smaller communities to use the resources
available to them to complete applications
and comply with program requirements.
The commissioner must increase outreach
to communities outside the metropolitan
area that have low vacancy rates and
report back on the progress of assisting
these communities to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the standing
committees of the senate and house of
representatives having jurisdiction over
housing finance and economic development
by December 1, 2015.
new text end

10,276,000

new text begin This appropriation is for deposit in the
housing trust fund account created under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.201, and
may be used for the purposes provided in
that section. To the extent that these funds
are used for the acquisition of housing, the
agency shall give priority among comparable
projects to projects that focus on creating
safe and stable housing for homeless youth
or projects that provide housing to trafficked
women and children.
new text end

2,838,000

new text begin This appropriation is for the rental housing
assistance program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.2097.
new text end

7,862,000

new text begin This appropriation is for the family homeless
prevention and assistance programs under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.204.
new text end

830,000

new text begin This appropriation is for the home ownership
assistance program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 8.
The agency shall continue to strengthen
its efforts to address the disparity gap in
the homeownership rate between white
households and indigenous American Indians
and communities of color.
new text end

4,218,000

new text begin (a) This appropriation is for the affordable
rental investment fund program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21,
subdivision 8b, to finance the acquisition,
rehabilitation, and debt restructuring of
federally assisted rental property and for
making equity takeout loans under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivision 39.
new text end

new text begin (b) The owner of federally assisted rental
property must agree to participate in
the applicable federally assisted housing
program and to extend any existing
low-income affordability restrictions on the
housing for the maximum term permitted.
The owner must also enter into an agreement
that gives local units of government,
housing and redevelopment authorities,
and nonprofit housing organizations the
right of first refusal if the rental property
is offered for sale. Priority must be given
among comparable federally assisted rental
properties to properties with the longest
remaining term under an agreement for
federal assistance. Priority must also be
given among comparable rental housing
developments to developments that are or
will be owned by local government units, a
housing and redevelopment authority, or a
nonprofit housing organization.
new text end

new text begin (c) This appropriation also may be used to
finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and
debt restructuring of existing supportive
housing properties. For purposes of this
subdivision, "supportive housing" means
affordable rental housing with links to
services necessary for individuals, youth, and
families with children to maintain housing
stability.
new text end

2,772,000

new text begin This appropriation is for housing assistance
for the rehabilitation of single-family homes
under the housing rehabilitation program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.05,
subdivision 14.
new text end

3,138,000

new text begin This appropriation is for the rental housing
rehabilitation loan program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivision 14.
new text end

791,000

new text begin This appropriation is for the homeownership
education, counseling, and training program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.209.
Priority may be given to funding programs
that are aimed at culturally specific groups
who are providing services to members of
their communities.
new text end

375,000

new text begin This appropriation is for nonprofit capacity
building grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 462A.21, subdivision 3b.
new text end

250,000

new text begin (a) $250,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $250,000
in fiscal year 2017 are from the general fund
to the commissioner of housing finance
for the competitive grants program under
paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of housing finance
shall establish a competitive grant program
to serve women and children at risk of being
homeless who have been victims of domestic
violence, sexual assault, human trafficking,
international abusive marriage, or a forced
marriage. The commissioner shall award
grants to nonprofits that have a plan to
partner with an organization that can provide
appropriate services. Priority shall be given
to programs that can provide linguistically
and culturally appropriate services and that
have the capacity to serve immigrant women
and children. At least one grant must be to
a program that serves an area outside of the
seven-county metropolitan area. The grant
recipients must:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide rental assistance to pregnant
women or women who have custody over a
minor child at risk of being homeless and
who are victims of domestic violence, sexual
assault, human trafficking, an international
abusive marriage, or a forced marriage;
new text end

new text begin (2) require the participant to pay 30 percent
of the participant's income toward the rent;
new text end

new text begin (3) allow the families to choose their own
housing, including single-family homes,
townhomes, and apartments;
new text end

new text begin (4) give priority to families with more than
four children and to heads of households who
are recent immigrants or refugees and who
have limited English proficiency;
new text end

new text begin (5) provide rental assistance for up to 24
months;
new text end

new text begin (6) provide linguistically and culturally
appropriate advocacy and supportive services
or partner with a program that can provide
appropriate services; and
new text end

new text begin (7) require participants in the program to
actively seek employment or participate in
activities that will assist them in gaining
future employment.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this subdivision,
"supportive services" may include
educational, social, legal advocacy, child
care, employment assistance, money
management, mental health, health care, or
other services.
new text end

new text begin (d) By July 15, 2015, the remaining balance
of appropriations in Laws 2012, First Special
Session chapter 1, article 1, section 7, for
the economic development and housing
challenge program that is unobligated to
loans to homeowners or rental property
owners as of June 30, 2015, estimated to be
$400,000, is canceled to the general fund.
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 14,888,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 15,888,000
new text end

new text begin (a) To develop maximum private sector
involvement in tourism, $500,000 in fiscal
year 2016 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2017
must be matched by Explore Minnesota
Tourism from nonstate sources. Each $1 of
state incentive must be matched with $6 of
private sector funding. "Cash match" means
revenue to the state or documented cash
expenditures directly expended to support
Explore Minnesota Tourism programs. Up
to one-half of the private sector contribution
may be in-kind or soft match. The incentive
in fiscal year 2016 shall be based on fiscal
year 2015 private sector contributions. The
incentive in fiscal year 2017 shall be based on
fiscal year 2016 private sector contributions.
This incentive is ongoing.
new text end

new text begin (b) Funding for the marketing grants is
available either year of the biennium.
new text end

new text begin (c) Of the amount appropriated under this
section, $30,000 each year is for Mille Lacs
Lake tourism promotion. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (d) Except as provided otherwise,
appropriations made under this section are
available until expended. Funds unexpended
on June 30 of each odd-numbered year must
be deposited in a special marketing account
for use by Explore Minnesota Tourism for
additional marketing activities.
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 27,530,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 29,478,000
new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2016 new text end	new text begin 2017 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 1,630,000 new text end	new text begin 1,578,000 new text end
new text begin Workers' Compensation new text end	new text begin 24,871,000 new text end	new text begin 26,871,000 new text end
new text begin Workforce Development new text end	new text begin 1,029,000 new text end	new text begin 1,029,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

14,678,000

16,678,000

new text begin (a) This appropriation is from the workers'
compensation fund.
new text end

new text begin (b)(1) $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$6,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 are for workers'
compensation system upgrades. The base
appropriation for this purpose is $3,000,000
in fiscal year 2018 and $3,000,000 in fiscal
year 2019. The base appropriation for fiscal
year 2020 and beyond is zero.
new text end

new text begin (2) This appropriation includes funds for
information technology project services
and support subject to the provisions of
Minnesota Statutes, section 16E.0466.
Any ongoing information technology costs
must be incorporated into the service level
agreement and must be paid to the Office
of MN.IT Services by the commissioner
of labor and industry under the rates and
mechanism specified in that agreement.
new text end

2,659,000

2,607,000

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 1,630,000 new text end	new text begin 1,578,000 new text end
new text begin Workforce Development new text end	new text begin 1,029,000 new text end	new text begin 1,029,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $766,000 each year is from the
general fund for the labor standards and
apprenticeship program.
new text end

new text begin (b) $150,000 each year is from the general
fund for a child labor initiative for expanding
education and outreach to high schools and
targeted industries to ensure minors entering
the workforce are safe.
new text end

new text begin (c) $879,000 each year is from the workforce
development fund for the apprenticeship
program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter
178, and includes $100,000 each year for
labor education and advancement program
grants and to expand and promote registered
apprenticeship training in nonconstruction
trade programs.
new text end

new text begin (d) $150,000 each year is from the workforce
development fund for prevailing wage
enforcement.
new text end

new text begin (e) $100,000 each year is from the general
fund for wage enforcement.
new text end

new text begin (f) $100,000 each year is from the general
fund for compliance and enforcement
activities under Laws 2014, chapter 239,
article 4, section 10.
new text end

new text begin (g) $409,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $399,000
in fiscal year 2017 are from the general fund
for the identification of competency standards
under Minnesota Statutes, section 175.45.
new text end

new text begin (h) $105,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $63,000
in fiscal year 2017 are from the general fund
for implementation and administration of
legislation styled as H.F. No. 1027 if enacted
during the 2015 legislative session.
new text end

4,154,000

new text begin This appropriation is from the workers'
compensation fund.
new text end

6,039,000

new text begin This appropriation is from the workers'
compensation fund.
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 1,733,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 1,733,000
new text end

new text begin $68,000 each year is for grants to area labor
management committees. Grants may be
awarded for a 12-month period beginning
July 1 each year. Any unencumbered balance
remaining at the end of the first year does not
cancel but is available for the second year.
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 1,703,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 1,703,000
new text end

new text begin This appropriation is from the workers'
compensation fund.
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 67,140,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 63,066,000
new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2016 new text end	new text begin 2017 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 30,397,000 new text end	new text begin 25,623,000 new text end
new text begin Special Revenue new text end	new text begin 34,940,000 new text end	new text begin 35,640,000 new text end
new text begin Petroleum Tank new text end	new text begin 1,052,000 new text end	new text begin 1,052,000 new text end
new text begin Workers' Compensation new text end	new text begin 751,000 new text end	new text begin 751,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

4,885,000

new text begin $142,000 each year is from the general fund
for the regulation of mortgage originators
and servicers under Minnesota Statutes,
chapters 58 and 58A.
new text end

1,052,000

new text begin This appropriation is from the petroleum
tank fund.
new text end

6,040,000

5,540,000

new text begin (a) $500,000 in fiscal year 2016 is
from the general fund for a grant for a
pay-for-performance contract with a vendor
who will facilitate the return of abandoned
property to owners. The vendor must receive
up to seven percent of the value of the
abandoned property, up to $500,000, when
such abandoned property is returned to its
owner. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (b) $100,000 each year is for support of
broadband development.
new text end

1,873,000

1,798,000

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 633,000 new text end	new text begin 558,000 new text end
new text begin Special Revenue new text end	new text begin 1,240,000 new text end	new text begin 1,240,000 new text end

new text begin $1,240,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $1,240,000
in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated to the
commissioner from the telecommunication
access fund for the following transfers:
new text end

new text begin (1) $800,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $800,000
in fiscal year 2017 are to the commissioner
of human services to supplement the ongoing
operational expenses of the Commission
of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing
Minnesotans;
new text end

new text begin (2) $290,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$290,000 in fiscal year 2017 are to the
chief information officer for the purpose of
coordinating technology accessibility and
usability;
new text end

new text begin (3) $100,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $100,000
in fiscal year 2017 are to the Legislative
Coordinating Commission for captioning of
legislative coverage. This transfer is subject
to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.281; and
new text end

new text begin (4) $50,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $50,000
in fiscal year 2017 are to the Office of MN.IT
Services for a consolidated access fund to
provide grants to other state agencies related
to accessibility of their Web-based services.
new text end

4,340,000

4,211,000

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 4,142,000 new text end	new text begin 4,013,000. new text end
new text begin Workers' Compensation new text end	new text begin 198,000 new text end	new text begin 198,000 new text end

new text begin $162,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $33,000 in
fiscal year 2017 are from the general fund
for rulemaking and administration under
Minnesota Statutes, section 80A.461.
new text end

40,035,000

41,665,000

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 6,335,000 new text end	new text begin 7,265,000. new text end
new text begin Special Revenue new text end	new text begin 33,700,000 new text end	new text begin 34,400,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $22,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$23,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from
the energy fund account established in
Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, for
the payment of energy rebates and incentives
to eligible applicants under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 116C.779, subdivision 2,
216C.418, and 216C.419, and to reimburse
the reasonable costs of the Department of
Commerce to administer those programs.
new text end

new text begin (b) $400,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $400,000
in fiscal year 2017 are from the energy fund
account under Minnesota Statutes, section
116C.779, for a grant to a Minnesota-based
nonprofit with demonstrated expertise and
capability in energy efficiency, energy
technology research, and conservation
improvement program delivery to establish
and operate an energy technology business
accelerator. The grant recipient must match
at least $100,000 of the grant amount each
year with cash or in-kind contributions. Any
balance remaining in fiscal year 2016 does
not cancel, but is available in fiscal year 2017.
new text end

new text begin (c) The accelerator established using grant
funds in paragraph (b) shall identify, research,
test, evaluate, and incubate innovative energy
technologies, systems, and platforms that
may be the basis for new cost-effective
programs or to improve existing programs
offered by public, municipal, and cooperative
utilities subject to Minnesota Statutes,
section 216B.241. The grant recipient
shall consult with experts from Minnesota
utilities, the Department of Commerce, and
national energy institutions in the selection
of technologies to be evaluated, and, in order
to ensure independent evaluation, may not
accept funds or other consideration from
technology vendors. The technologies to be
evaluated may include but are not limited to
customer engagement platforms, building
and equipment design, data feedback
systems, and advanced metering and billing.
The focus of the accelerator must be on
energy technologies, systems, and platforms
developed by Minnesota and regionally
based companies, to the extent feasible, that
improve the efficiency of customer energy
use or utility infrastructure.
new text end

new text begin (d) $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$4,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from the
general fund for deposit in the energy fund
account established in Minnesota Statutes,
section 116C.779.
new text end

new text begin (e) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$5,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from
the energy fund account established in
Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, for
the payment of rebates to eligible electric
vehicle owners under Minnesota Statutes,
section 216B.1616.
new text end

new text begin (f) $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$6,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 are from the
energy fund account established in Minnesota
Statutes, section 116C.779, subdivision 1,
for the purpose of awarding propane and
compressed natural gas vehicle rebates and
to pay the reasonable costs incurred by the
commissioner of commerce to administer
Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.391.
new text end

new text begin (g) $61,000 in fiscal year 2016 is from the
general fund for deposit in the energy fund
account under Minnesota Statutes, section
116C.779.
new text end

3,915,000

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 3,362,000 new text end	new text begin 3,362,000 new text end
new text begin Workers' Compensation new text end	new text begin 553,000 new text end	new text begin 553,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 216C.416, of the amounts transferred
to the solar thermal system rebate account
in the special revenue fund in the state
treasury in calendar years 2014 and 2015,
$300,000 shall be transferred on July 1,
2015, to the energy fund account established
under Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779,
and are appropriated to the commissioner
of commerce for the purpose of providing
energy conservation and weatherization
programs to low-income persons who
use propane as a heating fuel. The
commissioner of commerce shall disburse
the funds transferred in this section in a
manner consistent with the requirements
of the federal Low-Income Home Energy
Assistance Program under United States
Code, title 42, sections 8621 to 8630. This
is a onetime transfer.
new text end

new text begin (b) The remaining balance of the
appropriation in Laws 2013, chapter 85,
article 1, section 13, subdivision 7, for grants
to install renewable energy equipment in
households under Minnesota Statutes 2013,
section 239.101, that is unobligated and
unexpended, and is estimated to be $61,000,
is canceled to the general fund on June 30,
2015. This paragraph is effective the day
following final enactment.
new text end

5,000,000

new text begin (a) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2015 and
$5,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 are
appropriated from the general fund for the
purpose of prepurchasing propane under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.0951.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
216B.0951, subdivision 1, the commissioner
must expend all of the funds before
September 1 each year. Propane may not be
distributed to customers before October 1
each year.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall reserve
$5,000,000 each year from the federal
funds transferred to the state for use in the
2015-2016 and 2016-2017 heating seasons
under the Low-Income Home Energy
Assistance Program and transfer those
amounts to the general fund.
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 5,553,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 5,441,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 466,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 470,000
new text end

new text begin $466,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $470,000
in fiscal year 2017 are from the energy fund
account established in Minnesota Statutes,
section 116C.779, subdivision 1, for the
purposes of completing the plan required
under Minnesota Statutes, section 216H.077.
This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 92,000
new text end

new text begin $
new text end

new text begin 0
new text end

new text begin $92,000 in fiscal year 2016 is appropriated
from the energy fund account established in
Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, for
the purpose of completing the transfer of
functions study under article 11.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.394, is amended to read:

(a) For the purposes of sections 116J.394 to 116J.396, the following terms have
the meanings given them.

(b) "Broadband" or "broadband service" has the meaning given in section 116J.39,
subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

(c) "Broadband infrastructure" means networks of deployed telecommunications
equipment and technologies necessary to provide high-speed Internet access and other
advanced telecommunications services for end users.

(d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic
development.

(e) "Last-mile infrastructure" means broadband infrastructure that serves as the
final leg connecting the broadband service provider's network to the end-use customer's
on-premises telecommunications equipment.

(f) "Middle-mile infrastructure" means broadband infrastructure that links a
broadband service provider's core network infrastructure to last-mile infrastructure.

(g) "Political subdivision" means any county, city, town, school district, special
district or other political subdivision, or public corporation.

(h) "Underserved areas" means areas of Minnesota in which households or businesses
lack access to wire-line broadband service at speeds that meet the state broadband goals of
ten to 20 megabits per second download and five to ten megabits per second upload.

(i) "Unserved areas" means areas of Minnesota in which households or businesses
lack access to wire-line broadband service deleted text begin at speeds that meet a Federal Communications
Commission threshold of four megabits per second download and one megabit per second
uploaddeleted text end new text begin , as defined in section 116J.39new text end .

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.431, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

(a) The commissioner
shall make grants to counties or cities to provide deleted text begin up todeleted text end 50 percent of the capital costs of
public infrastructure necessary for an eligible economic development projectnew text begin , unless the
applicant requests a lesser amountnew text end . The county or city receiving a grant must provide for
the remainder of the costs of the project, either in cash or in kind. In-kind contributions
may include the value of site preparation other than the public infrastructure needed
for the project.

(b) The purpose of the grants made under this section is to keep or enhance jobs in
the area, increase the tax base, or to expand or create new economic development.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.431, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

A county or city may receive no more than
deleted text begin $1,000,000deleted text end new text begin $2,000,000new text end in two years for one or more projects.

new text begin The commissioner of employment and economic
development shall establish a workforce housing development program to award grants to
eligible project areas to be used for qualified expenditures.
new text end

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

new text begin (b) "Eligible project area" means a home rule charter or statutory city with a
population exceeding 500; a community that has a combined population of 1,500 residents
located within 15 miles of a home rule charter or statutory city; or an area served by a joint
county-city economic development authority.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Joint county-city economic development authority" means an economic
development authority formed under Laws 1988, chapter 516, section 1, as a joint
partnership between a city and county and excluding those established by the county only.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Market rate residential rental properties" means properties that are rented
at market value, including new modular homes, new manufactured homes, and new
manufactured homes on leased land or in a manufactured home park, and excludes:
new text end

new text begin (1) properties constructed with financial assistance requiring the property to be
occupied by residents that meet income limits under federal or state law of initial
occupancy; and
new text end

new text begin (2) properties constructed with federal, state, or local flood recovery assistance,
regardless of whether that assistance imposed income limits as a condition of receiving
assistance.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Qualified expenditure" means expenditures for market rate residential rental
properties including acquisition of property; construction of improvements; and provisions
of loans or subsidies, grants, interest rate subsidies, public infrastructure, and related
financing costs.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall develop forms and procedures to
solicit and review applications for grants under this section. An eligible project area
must include in its application information sufficient to verify that it meets the program
requirements under this section and any additional evidence of the scarcity of workforce
housing in the area that it considers appropriate or that the commissioner requires.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must not award a grant to
an eligible project area under this section until the following determinations are made:
new text end

new text begin (1) the average vacancy rate for rental housing located in the eligible project area,
and in any other city located within 15 miles or less of the boundaries of the area, has been
five percent or less for at least the prior two-year period;
new text end

new text begin (2) one or more businesses located in the eligible project area, or within 25 miles
of the area, that employs a minimum of 20 full-time equivalent employees in aggregate
have provided a written statement to the eligible project area indicating that the lack of
available rental housing has impeded their ability to recruit and hire employees;
new text end

new text begin (3) fewer than ten market rate residential rental units per 1,000 residents were
constructed in the city in each of the last ten years; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the eligible project area has certified that the grants will be used for qualified
expenditures for the development of rental housing to serve employees of businesses
located in the eligible project area or surrounding area.
new text end

new text begin (b) Preference for grants awarded under this section shall be given to eligible project
areas with less than 18,000 people.
new text end

new text begin The amount of a grant under this section must not exceed the
lesser of 25 percent of the qualified expenditures for the project or $1,000,000.
new text end

new text begin By January 15 of the year following the year in which the grant
was issued, each eligible project area receiving a grant under this section must submit a
report specifying the projects that received grants under this section and the specific
purposes for which the grant funds were used to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the senate and house of representatives committees having jurisdiction over jobs and
workforce development.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.8738, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

(a) A business may apply to
the commissioner for certification as a qualified business under this section. The
commissioner shall specify the form of the application, the manner and times for applying,
and the information required to be included in the application. The commissioner may
impose an application fee in an amount sufficient to defray the commissioner's cost of
processing certifications. new text begin Application fees are deposited in the greater Minnesota business
expansion administration account in the special revenue fund. new text end A business must file a copy
of its application with the chief clerical officer of the city at the same time it applies to the
commissioner. For an agricultural processing facility located outside the boundaries of a
city, the business must file a copy of the application with the county auditor.

(b) The commissioner shall certify each business as a qualified business that:

(1) satisfies the requirements of subdivision 2;

(2) the commissioner determines would not expand its operations in greater
Minnesota without the tax incentives available under subdivision 4; and

(3) enters a business subsidy agreement with the commissioner that pledges to
satisfy the minimum expansion requirements of paragraph (c) within three years or less
following execution of the agreement.

The commissioner must act on an application within 90 days after its filing. Failure
by the commissioner to take action within the 90-day period is deemed approval of the
application.

(c) The business must increase the number of full-time equivalent employees
in greater Minnesota from the time the business subsidy agreement is executed by two
employees or ten percent, whichever is greater.

(d) The city, or a county for an agricultural processing facility located outside the
boundaries of a city, in which the business proposes to expand its operations may file
comments supporting or opposing the application with the commissioner. The comments
must be filed within 30 days after receipt by the city of the application and may include a
notice of any contribution the city or county intends to make to encourage or support the
business expansion, such as the use of tax increment financing, property tax abatement,
additional city or county services, or other financial assistance.

(e) Certification of a qualified business is effective for the seven-year period
beginning on the first day of the calendar month immediately following the date that the
commissioner informs the business of the award of the benefit.

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from August 1, 2014.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.8738, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Amounts in the greater Minnesota business expansion
administration account in the special revenue fund are appropriated to the commissioner of
employment and economic development for costs associated with processing applications
under subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, and for personnel and administrative expenses related to
administering the greater Minnesota business expansion program.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from August 1, 2014.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.8747, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

The commissioner may provide a grant to a qualified
job training program from money appropriated for the purposes of this section as follows:

(1) a deleted text begin $9,000deleted text end new text begin $11,000 new text end placement grant paid to a job training program upon placement
in employment of a qualified graduate of the program; and

(2) a deleted text begin $9,000deleted text end new text begin $11,000 new text end retention grant paid to a job training program upon retention in
employment of a qualified graduate of the program for at least one year.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.8747, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

To qualify for grants under this section,
a job training program must satisfy the following requirements:

(1) the program must be operated by a nonprofit corporation that qualifies under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(2) the program must spend deleted text begin at leastdeleted text end new text begin , on average,new text end $15,000 new text begin or more new text end per graduate
of the program;

(3) the program must provide education and training in:

(i) basic skills, such as reading, writing, mathematics, and communications;

(ii) thinking skills, such as reasoning, creative thinking, decision making, and
problem solving; and

(iii) personal qualities, such as responsibility, self-esteem, self-management,
honesty, and integrity;

(4) the program deleted text begin mustdeleted text end new text begin may new text end provide income supplements, when needed, to participants
for housing, counseling, tuition, and other basic needs;

(5) the program's education and training course must last for an average of at least
six months;

(6) individuals served by the program must:

(i) be 18 years of age or older;

(ii) have federal adjusted gross income of no more than deleted text begin $11,000deleted text end new text begin $12,000 new text end per year in
the calendar year immediately before entering the program;

(iii) have assets of no more than deleted text begin $7,000deleted text end new text begin $10,000new text end , excluding the value of a
homestead; and

(iv) not have been claimed as a dependent on the federal tax return of another person
in the previous taxable year; and

(7) the program must be certified by the commissioner of employment and economic
development as meeting the requirements of this subdivision.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116L.17, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Funds granted by the board under this section may be used
for any combination of the following, except as otherwise provided in this section:

(1) employment transition services such as developing readjustment plans for
individuals; outreach and intake; early readjustment; job or career counseling; testing;
orientation; assessment of skills and aptitudes; provision of occupational and labor market
information; job placement assistance; job search; job development; prelayoff assistance;
relocation assistance; programs provided in cooperation with employers or labor
organizations to provide early intervention in the event of plant closings or substantial
layoffs; and entrepreneurial training and business consulting;

(2) support services, including assistance to help the participant relocate to employ
existing skills; out-of-area job search assistance; family care assistance, including child
care; commuting assistance; emergency housing and rental assistance; counseling
assistance, including personal and financial; health care; emergency health assistance;
emergency financial assistance; work-related tools and clothing; and other appropriate
support services that enable a person to participate in an employment and training program
with the goal of reemployment;

(3) specific, short-term training to help the participant enhance current skills
in a similar occupation or industry; entrepreneurial training, customized training, or
on-the-job training; basic and remedial education to enhance current skills; and literacy
and work-related English training for non-English speakers; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(4) long-term training in a new occupation or industry, including occupational skills
training or customized training in an accredited program recognized by one or more
relevant industries. Long-term training shall only be provided to dislocated workers whose
skills are obsolete and who have no other transferable skills likely to result in employment
at a comparable wage rate. Training shall only be provided for occupations or industries
with reasonable expectations of job availability based on the service provider's thorough
assessment of local labor market information where the individual currently resides or
is willing to relocate. This clause shall not restrict training in personal services or other
such industriesnew text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (5) incumbent worker trainingnew text end .

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116L.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

(a) In addition
to amounts due from an employer under the Minnesota unemployment insurance program,
each employer, except an employer making reimbursements is liable for a special
assessment levied at the rate of deleted text begin .10deleted text end new text begin .08new text end percent per year on all taxable wages, as defined in
section 268.035, subdivision 24deleted text begin , except that effective July 1, 2009, until June 30, 2011, the
special assessment shall be levied at a rate of .12 percent per year on all taxable wages as
defined in section 268.035, subdivision 24deleted text end . The assessment shall become due and be paid
by each employer on the same schedule and in the same manner as other amounts due
from an employer under section 268.051, subdivision 1.

(b) The special assessment levied under this section shall be subject to the same
requirements and collection procedures as any amounts due from an employer under the
Minnesota unemployment insurance program.

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of employment and economic
development shall make grants for the training of employees to achieve the competency
standard for an occupation identified by the commissioner of labor and industry under
section 175.45 and Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 3, section 21. "Competency standard"
has the meaning given in section 175.45, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin An employer or an organization representing the
employer is eligible to apply for a grant to train employees if the employer has employees
who are in, or are to be trained to be in, an occupation for which a competency standard
has been identified and the employee has not attained the competency standard prior
to the commencement of the planned training. Training need not address all aspects
of a competency standard but may address only the competencies of a standard that an
employee is lacking. Employees who have previously received a grant under this program
are not eligible to receive another grant. Each employee must apply for federal Pell and
state grants as a condition of participating in the program.
new text end

new text begin (a) Prior to applying for a grant, an employer or an
organization representing the employer must enter into an agreement with a state college
or university operated by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities to provide the employee competency standard training.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section, "training institution" means an institution
operated by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or an
institution designated by the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
new text end

new text begin Prior to the start of a training program, an employer
and employee must enter into a contract detailing the terms of the work relationship during
and after the training program.
new text end

new text begin Applications must be made to the commissioner on a form
provided by the commissioner. The commissioner must, to the extent possible, make
the application form short and simple to complete. The commissioner shall establish a
schedule for applications and grants. The application must include, without limitation:
new text end

new text begin (1) the projected number of employee trainees;
new text end

new text begin (2) the competency standard for which training will be provided;
new text end

new text begin (3) any credential the employee will receive upon completion of training;
new text end

new text begin (4) the name and address of the training institution and a signed statement by the
institution that it is able to and agrees to provide the training;
new text end

new text begin (5) the period of the training; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the cost of the training charged by the training institution and certified by the
institution.
new text end

new text begin An application may be made for training of employees of multiple employers either by the
employers or by an organization on their behalf.
new text end

new text begin To the extent there are sufficient applications, the
commissioner shall award at least an equal dollar amount of grants for training for
employees whose work site is projected to be outside the metropolitan area as defined
in section 473.121, subdivision 2, as for employees whose work site is projected to be
within the metropolitan area. In determining the award of grants, the commissioner must
consider, among other factors:
new text end

new text begin (1) the aggregate state and regional need for employees with the competency to
be trained;
new text end

new text begin (2) the competency standards developed by the commissioner of labor and industry
as part of the Minnesota PIPELINE Project;
new text end

new text begin (3) the per employee cost of training;
new text end

new text begin (4) the additional employment opportunities for employees as a result of the training;
new text end

new text begin (5) projected increases in compensation for employees receiving the training; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the amount of employer training cost match, on both a per employee and
aggregate basis.
new text end

new text begin (a) Employers must pay to the training institution a
percentage of a training institution's charge for the training after subtracting federal Pell
and state grants for which an employee is eligible. The amount that an employer must pay
to the training institution shall be determined as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) an employer with greater than or equal to $50,000,000 in annual revenue in the
previous calendar year must pay at least 66 percent of the training institution's charge
for the training;
new text end

new text begin (2) an employer with less than $50,000,000 in annual revenue in the previous
calendar year but greater than or equal to $20,000,000 in annual revenue in the previous
calendar year must pay at least 50 percent of the training institution's charge for the training;
new text end

new text begin (3) an employer with less than $20,000,000 in annual revenue in the previous calendar
year but greater than or equal to $10,000,000 in annual revenue in the previous calendar
year must pay at least 33 percent of the training institution's charge for the training; and
new text end

new text begin (4) an employer with less than $10,000,000 in annual revenue in the previous
calendar year must pay at least 20 percent of the training institution's charge for the training.
new text end

new text begin (b) The match required under this subdivision shall be based solely on the annual
revenue of the individual employer without regard to any organization representing the
employer.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall make grant payments to the
training institution in a manner determined by the commissioner after receiving notice
from the institution that the employer has paid the employer match.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall determine a maximum
amount that may be awarded in a single grant, and a maximum amount that may be
awarded per employee trained under a grant. The commissioner shall set the maximum
grant amount at a level that ensures sufficient funding will be available for multiple
employers. The maximum grant amount per employee trained may not exceed the cost of
tuition up to 60 credits.
new text end

new text begin (b) A grant for a particular employee must be reduced by the amounts of any federal
Pell grant or state grant the employee is eligible to receive for the training and the amount
of the employer match.
new text end

new text begin Commencing in 2017, the commissioner shall annually by
February 1 report on the activity of the grant program for the preceding fiscal year to the
chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over workforce policy and finance.
At a minimum, the report must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) research and analysis on the costs and benefits of the grants for employees and
employers;
new text end

new text begin (2) the number of employees who commenced training and the number who
completed training; and
new text end

new text begin (3) recommendations, if any, for changes to the program.
new text end

new text begin When used in sections 116L.40 to 116L.42, the following
terms have the meanings given them unless the context requires otherwise.
new text end

new text begin "Agreement" means the agreement between an employer and
the commissioner for a project.
new text end

new text begin "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment
and economic development.
new text end

new text begin "Disability" has the meaning given under United States Code,
title 42, chapter 126.
new text end

new text begin "Employee" means the individual employed in a new job.
new text end

new text begin "Employer" means the individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, or association providing new jobs and entering into an agreement.
new text end

new text begin "New job" means a job:
new text end

new text begin (1) that is provided by a new or expanding business at a location in Minnesota
outside of the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2;
new text end

new text begin (2) that provides at least 32 hours of work per week for a minimum of nine months
per year and is permanent with no planned termination date;
new text end

new text begin (3) that is certified by the commissioner as qualifying under the program before the
first employee is hired to fill the job; and
new text end

new text begin (4) for which an employee hired was not (i) formerly employed by the employer
in the state, or (ii) a replacement worker, including a worker newly hired as a result of a
labor dispute.
new text end

new text begin "Program" means the project or projects established under
sections 116L.40 to 116L.42.
new text end

new text begin "Program costs" means all necessary and incidental
costs of providing program services, except that program costs are increased by $1,000
per employee for an individual with a disability. The term does not include the cost of
purchasing equipment to be owned or used by the training or educational institution or
service.
new text end

new text begin "Program services" means training and education
specifically directed to new jobs that are determined to be appropriate by the commissioner,
including in-house training; services provided by institutions of higher education and
federal, state, or local agencies; or private training or educational services. Administrative
services and assessment and testing costs are included.
new text end

new text begin "Project" means a training arrangement that is the subject of an
agreement entered into between the commissioner and an employer to provide program
services.
new text end

new text begin Upon request, the commissioner shall provide
or coordinate the provision of program services under sections 116L.40 to 116L.42 to
a business eligible for grants under section 116L.42. The commissioner shall specify
the form of and required information to be provided with applications for projects to be
funded with grants under section 116L.42.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner may enter into an
agreement to establish a project with an employer that:
new text end

new text begin (1) identifies program costs to be paid from sources under the program;
new text end

new text begin (2) identifies program costs to be paid by the employer;
new text end

new text begin (3) provides that on-the-job training costs for employees may not exceed 50 percent
of the annual gross wages and salaries of the new jobs in the first full year after execution
of the agreement up to a maximum of $10,000 per eligible employee;
new text end

new text begin (4) provides that each employee must be paid wages at least equal to the median
hourly wage for the county in which the job is located, as reported in the most recently
available data from the United States Bureau of the Census, plus benefits, by the earlier of
the end of the training period or 18 months of employment under the project; and
new text end

new text begin (5) provides that job training will be provided and the length of time of training.
new text end

new text begin (b) Before entering into a final agreement, the commissioner shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) determine that sufficient funds for the project are available under section
116L.42; and
new text end

new text begin (2) investigate the applicability of other training programs and determine whether
the job skills partnership grant program is a more suitable source of funding for the
training and whether the training can be completed in a timely manner that meets the
needs of the business.
new text end

new text begin The investigation under clause (2) must be completed within 15 days or as soon
as reasonably possible after the employer has provided the commissioner with all the
requested information.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner must not enter into an agreement
under subdivision 2 unless the commissioner determines that sufficient funds are available.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall allocate grant funds under section
116L.42 to project applications based on a first-come, first-served basis, determined on the
basis of the commissioner's receipt of a complete application for the project, including the
provision of all of the required information. The agreement must specify the amount of
grant funds available to the employer for each year covered by the agreement.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner may charge each employer an
application fee to cover part or all of the administrative and legal costs incurred, not to
exceed $500 per employer. The fee is deemed approved under section 16A.1283. The fee
is deposited in the jobs training account in the special revenue fund and amounts in the
account are appropriated to the commissioner for the costs of administering the program.
The commissioner shall refund the fee to the employer if the application is denied because
program funding is unavailable.
new text end

new text begin Amounts paid by employers for
program costs are repaid by a job training grant equal to the lesser of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the amount of program costs specified in the agreement for the project; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the amount of program costs paid by the employer for new employees under
a project.
new text end

new text begin (a) By February 1, 2018, the commissioner shall report to the
governor and the legislature on the program. The report must include at least:
new text end

new text begin (1) the amount of grants issued under the program;
new text end

new text begin (2) the number of individuals receiving training under the program, including the
number of new hires who are individuals with disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (3) the number of new hires attributable to the program, including the number of
new hires who are individuals with disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (4) an analysis of the effectiveness of the grant in encouraging employment; and
new text end

new text begin (5) any other information the commissioner determines appropriate.
new text end

new text begin (b) The report to the legislature must be distributed as provided in section 3.195.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of employment and economic
development, in consultation with the commissioner of labor and industry, shall
collaborate with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) institutions
and employers to develop and administer a customized training program for skilled
manufacturing industries that integrates academic instruction and job-related learning
in the workplace and MnSCU institutions. The commissioner shall actively recruit
participants in a customized training program for skilled manufacturing industries from
the following groups: secondary and postsecondary school systems, individuals with
disabilities, dislocated workers, retired and disabled veterans, individuals enrolled in
MFIP under chapter 256J, minorities, previously incarcerated individuals, individuals
residing in labor surplus areas as defined by the United States Department of Labor, and
any other disadvantaged group as determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in this
subdivision have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic
development.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Employer" means an employer in Minnesota in the skilled manufacturing
industry who employs no more than 50 employees and who enters into the agreements
with MnSCU institutions and the commissioner under subdivisions 3 to 5.
new text end

new text begin (d) "MnSCU institution" means an institution designated by the commissioner
unless otherwise specified by the legislature.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Participant" means an employee who enters into a customized training program
for skilled manufacturing industries participation agreement under subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Related instruction" means classroom instruction or technical or vocational
training required to perform the duties of the skilled manufacturing job.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Skilled manufacturing" means occupations in manufacturing industry sectors 31
to 33 as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner, employer, and MnSCU institution shall enter into a
skilled manufacturing customized training program employer agreement that is specific to
the identified skilled manufacturing training needs of an employer.
new text end

new text begin (b) The agreement must contain the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the name of the employer;
new text end

new text begin (2) a statement showing the number of hours to be spent by a participant in work and
the number of hours to be spent, if any, in concurrent, supplementary instruction in related
subjects. The maximum number of hours of work per week, not including time spent in
related instruction, for any participant shall not exceed either the number prescribed by
law or the customary regular number of hours per week for the employees of the employer.
A participant may be allowed to work overtime provided that the overtime work does not
conflict with supplementary instruction course attendance. All time spent by the participant
in excess of the number of hours of work per week as specified in the skilled manufacturing
customized training program participation agreement shall be considered overtime;
new text end

new text begin (3) the hourly wage to be paid to the participant and requirements for reporting to
the commissioner on actual wages paid to the participant;
new text end

new text begin (4) an explanation of how the employer agreement or participant agreement may
be terminated;
new text end

new text begin (5) a statement setting forth a schedule of the processes of the occupation in which
the participant is to be trained and the approximate time to be spent at each process;
new text end

new text begin (6) a statement by the MnSCU institution and the employer describing the related
instruction that will be offered, if any, under subdivision 5, paragraph (c); and
new text end

new text begin (7) any other provision the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the purposes
of this section.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may periodically review the adherence to the terms of the
customized training program employer agreement. If the commissioner determines that
an employer or employee has failed to comply with the terms of the agreement, the
commissioner shall terminate the agreement. An employer must report to the commissioner
any change in status for the participant within 30 days of the change in status.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner, the prospective participant, and the employer shall
enter into a skilled manufacturing customized training program participation agreement
that is specific to the training to be provided to the participant.
new text end

new text begin (b) The participation agreement must contain the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the name of the employer;
new text end

new text begin (2) the name of the participant;
new text end

new text begin (3) a statement setting forth a schedule of the processes of the occupation in which
the participant is to be trained and the approximate time to be spent at each process;
new text end

new text begin (4) a description of any related instruction;
new text end

new text begin (5) a statement showing the number of hours to be spent by a participant in work and
the number of hours to be spent, if any, in concurrent, supplementary instruction in related
subjects. The maximum number of hours of work per week, not including time spent in
related instruction, for any participant shall not exceed either the number prescribed
by law or the customary regular number of hours per week for the employees of the
employer. A participant may be allowed to work overtime provided that the overtime
work does not conflict with supplementary instruction course attendance. All time spent
by the participant in excess of the number of hours of work per week as specified in the
customized training program participation agreement shall be considered overtime;
new text end

new text begin (6) the hourly wage to be paid to the participant; and
new text end

new text begin (7) an explanation of how the parties may terminate the participation agreement.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may periodically review the adherence to the terms of the
customized training program participation agreement. If the commissioner determines
that an employer or participant has failed to comply with the terms of the agreement, the
commissioner shall terminate the agreement. An employer must report to the commissioner
any change in status for the participant within 30 days of the change in status.
new text end

new text begin (a) The MnSCU institution shall collaborate
with an employer to provide related instruction that the employer deems necessary to
instruct participants of a skilled manufacturing customized training program. The related
instruction provided must be, for the purposes of this section, career-level, as negotiated
by the commissioner and the MnSCU institution. The related instruction may be for credit
or noncredit, and credit earned may be transferable to a degree program, as determined by
the MnSCU institution. The MnSCU institution shall provide a summary of the related
instruction to the commissioner prior to disbursement of any funds.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner, in conjunction with the MnSCU institution, shall issue a
certificate of completion to a participant who completes all required components of the
skilled manufacturing customized training program participation agreement.
new text end

new text begin (c) As part of the skilled manufacturing customized training program, an employer
shall collaborate with the MnSCU institution for any related instruction required to
perform the skilled manufacturing job. The agreement shall include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a detailed explanation of the related instruction; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the number of hours of related instruction needed to receive a certificate of
completion.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall follow the requirements of section 116L.98 regardless of
the funding source. The MnSCU institution shall provide the commissioner with the data
needed for the commissioner to fulfill the requirements of section 116L.98.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116L.98, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

The commissioner shall develop and implement a
uniform outcome measurement and reporting system for adult workforce-related programs
funded in whole or in part by deleted text begin the workforce development fund.deleted text end new text begin state funds. For the purpose
of this section, "workforce-related programs" means all education and training programs
administered by the commissioner and includes programs and services administered by the
commissioner and provided to individuals enrolled in adult basic education under section
124D.52, and the Minnesota family investment program under chapter 256J.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116L.98, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

(a) By
December 31 of each even-numbered year, the commissioner must report to the chairs
and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of representatives and the
senate having jurisdiction over economic development and workforce policy and finance
the following information separately for each of the previous two fiscal or calendar years,
for each program subject to the requirements of subdivision 1:

(1) the total number of participants enrolled;

(2) the median pre-enrollment wages based on participant wages for the second
through the fifth calendar quarters immediately preceding the quarter of enrollment
excluding those with zero income;

(3) the total number of participants with zero income in the second through fifth
calendar quarters immediately preceding the quarter of enrollment;

(4) the total number of participants enrolled in training;

(5) the total number of participants enrolled in training by occupational group;

(6) the total number of participants that exited the program and the average
enrollment duration of participants that have exited the program during the year;

(7) the total number of exited participants who completed training;

(8) the total number of exited participants who attained a credential;

(9) the total number of participants employed during three consecutive quarters
immediately following the quarter of exit, by industry;

(10) the median wages of participants employed during three consecutive quarters
immediately following the quarter of exit;

(11) the total number of participants employed during eight consecutive quarters
immediately following the quarter of exit, by industry; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(12) the median wages of participants employed during eight consecutive quarters
immediately following the quarter of exitdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (13) the total cost of the program;
new text end

new text begin (14) the total cost of the program per participant;
new text end

new text begin (15) the cost per credential received by a participant; and
new text end

new text begin (16) the administrative cost of the program.
new text end

(b) The report to the legislature must contain participant information by education
level, race and ethnicity, gender, and geography, and a comparison of exited participants
who completed training and those who did not.

(c) The requirements of this section apply to programs administered directly by the
commissioner or administered by other organizations under a grant made by the department.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116L.98, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

new text begin (a) new text end The information collected and reported under
subdivisions 3 and 4 shall be made available on the department's Web site.

new text begin (b) The commissioner must provide analysis of the data required under subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (c) The analysis under paragraph (b) must also include an executive summary of
program outcomes, including but not limited to enrollment, training, credentials, pre-
and post-program employment and wages, and a comparison of program outcomes by
participant characteristics.
new text end

new text begin (d) The data required in the comparative analysis under paragraph (c) must be
presented in both written and graphic format.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116L.98, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

(a) By January 15, 2015, the
commissioner must report to the committees of the house of representatives and the senate
having jurisdiction over economic development and workforce policy and finance on
the results of the net impact pilot project already underway as of the date of enactment
of this section.

(b) The commissioner shall contract with an independent entity to conduct an
ongoing net impact analysis of the programs included in the net impact pilot project under
paragraph (a)new text begin , career pathways programs,new text end and any other programs deemed appropriate
by the commissioner. The net impact methodology used by the independent entity under
this paragraph must be based on the methodology and evaluation design used in the net
impact pilot project under paragraph (a).

(c) By January 15, 2017, and every four years thereafter, the commissioner must
report to the committees of the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction
over economic development and workforce policy and finance the following information
for each program subject to paragraph (b):

(1) the net impact of workforce services on individual employment, earnings, and
public benefit usage outcomes; and

(2) a cost-benefit analysis for understanding the monetary impacts of workforce
services from the participant and taxpayer points of view.

The report under this paragraph must be made available to the public in an electronic
format on the Department of Employment and Economic Development's Web site.

(d) The department is authorized to create and maintain data-sharing agreements
with other departments, including corrections, human services, and any other department
that are necessary to complete the analysis. The department shall supply the information
collected for use by the independent entity conducting net impact analysis pursuant to the
data practices requirements under chapters 13, 13A, 13B, and 13C.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116M.14, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin "Low-income person" means a person who has an
annual income, adjusted for family size, of not more than 80 percent of the area median
family income for the seven-county metropolitan area.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116M.18, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

The board shall make urban challenge grants
deleted text begin for use in low-income areasdeleted text end new text begin for use in the seven-county metropolitan areanew text end to nonprofit
corporations to encourage private investment, to provide jobs for minority persons and
others in low-income areas, to create and strengthen minoritynew text begin and low-income persons'
new text end business enterprises, and to promote economic development in a low-income area. The
board shall adopt rules to establish criteria for determining loan eligibility.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116M.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

The board may enter
into agreements with nonprofit corporations to fund and guarantee loans the nonprofit
corporation makes in low-income areas under subdivision 4new text begin and to low-income personsnew text end . A
corporation must demonstrate that:

(1) its board of directors includes citizens experienced in development, minority
business enterprises, and creating jobs in low-income areas;

(2) it has the technical skills to analyze projects;

(3) it is familiar with other available public and private funding sources and
economic development programs;

(4) it can initiate and implement economic development projects;

(5) it can establish and administer a revolving loan account; and

(6) it can work with job referral networks which assist minority and other persons in
low-income areas.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116M.18, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

(a) The board shall establish a revolving loan fund to
make grants to nonprofit corporations for the purpose of making loans and loan guarantees
to new and expanding businesses in a low-income areanew text begin , and to low-income personsnew text end to
promote deleted text begin minoritydeleted text end business enterprises and job creation for minority and deleted text begin other persons in
low-income areasdeleted text end new text begin low-income persons throughout the seven-county metropolitan areanew text end .

(b) Eligible business enterprises include, but are not limited to, technologically
innovative industries, value-added manufacturing, and information industries. Loan
applications given preliminary approval by the nonprofit corporation must be forwarded to
the board for approval. The commissioner must give final approval for each loan or loan
guarantee made by the nonprofit corporation. The amount of the state funds contributed to
any loan or loan guarantee may not exceed 50 percent of each loan.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116M.18, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

(a) The criteria in this subdivision apply to loans
made or guaranteed by nonprofit corporations under the urban challenge grant program.

(b) Loans or guarantees must be made to businesses that are not likely to undertake
a project for which loans are sought without assistance from the urban challenge grant
program.

deleted text begin (c) A loan or guarantee must be used for a project designed to benefit persons in
low-income areas through the creation of job or business opportunities for them. Priority
must be given for loans to the lowest income areas.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end The minimum state contribution to a loan or guarantee is $5,000 and the
maximum is $150,000.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end The state contribution must be matched by at least an equal amount of new
private investment.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end A loan may not be used for a retail development project.

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end The business must agree to work with job referral networks that focus on
minority applicants from low-income areas.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116M.18, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

A nonprofit corporation that receives a
challenge grant shall:

(1) submit an annual report to the board by September 30 of each year that includes a
description of projects supported by the urban challenge grant program, an account of loans
made during the calendar year, the program's impact on minority business enterprises and
job creation for minority persons andnew text begin low-incomenew text end persons deleted text begin in low-income areasdeleted text end , the source
and amount of money collected and distributed by the urban challenge grant program, the
program's assets and liabilities, and an explanation of administrative expenses; and

(2) provide for an independent annual audit to be performed in accordance with
generally accepted accounting practices and auditing standards and submit a copy of each
annual audit report to the board.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268A.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

"new text begin Community new text end rehabilitation
deleted text begin facilitydeleted text end new text begin providernew text end " means an entity which meets the definition of community rehabilitation
program in the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. However, for the
purposes of sections 268A.03, clause (1), 268A.06, new text begin 268A.085, new text end and 268A.15, new text begin community
new text end rehabilitation deleted text begin facilitydeleted text end new text begin providernew text end means deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin a nonprofit or public new text end entity deleted text begin which is operated for
the primary purpose of providing or facilitating employment for persons with a severe
disabilitydeleted text end new text begin that provides at least one extended employment subprogram for persons with
the most significant disabilitiesnew text end .

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268A.01, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

"Extended employment program"
means deleted text begin the center-baseddeleted text end new text begin noncompetitivenew text end employment and supported employment
subprograms.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268A.01, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin "Noncompetitive employment" means
paid work:
new text end

new text begin (1) that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis, including self-employment,
for which the person is compensated at a rate that is less than the higher rate specified in
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, United States Code, title 29, section 206, subsection
(a)(1), or the rate specified in the applicable state or local minimum wage law; and
new text end

new text begin (2)(i) for which the person is paid less than the customary rate paid by the employer
for the same or similar work performed by other nondisabled employees who are similarly
situated in similar occupations by the same employer and who have similar training,
experience, and skills; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) which is performed at a location where the employee does not interact with
nondisabled persons, not including supervisory personnel or persons who are providing
services to the employee, to the same extent that nondisabled persons who are in
comparable positions interact with other persons.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268A.03, is amended to read:

The commissioner shall:

(1) certify the new text begin community new text end rehabilitation deleted text begin facilitiesdeleted text end new text begin providersnew text end to offer extended
employment programs, grant funds to the extended employment programs, and perform
the duties as specified in section 268A.15;

(2) provide vocational rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities in
accordance with the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law 93-112, as amended.
Persons with a disability are entitled to free choice of vendor for any medical, dental,
prosthetic, or orthotic services provided under this paragraph;

(3) expend funds and provide technical assistance for the establishment,
improvement, maintenance, or extension of public and other nonprofit rehabilitation
facilities or centers;

(4) maintain a contractual or regulatory relationship with the United States as
authorized by the Social Security Act, as amended. Under this relationship, the state will
undertake to make determinations referred to in those public laws with respect to all
individuals in Minnesota, or with respect to a class or classes of individuals in this state that
is designated in the agreement at the state's request. It is the purpose of this relationship to
permit the citizens of this state to obtain all benefits available under federal law;

(5) provide an in-service training program for rehabilitation services employees by
paying for its direct costs with state and federal funds;

(6) conduct research and demonstration projects; provide training and instruction,
including establishment and maintenance of research fellowships and traineeships, along
with all necessary stipends and allowances; disseminate information to persons with a
disability and the general public; and provide technical assistance relating to vocational
rehabilitation and independent living;

(7) receive and disburse pursuant to law money and gifts available from
governmental and private sources including, but not limited to, the federal Department
of Education and the Social Security Administration, for the purpose of vocational
rehabilitation or independent living;

(8) design all state plans for vocational rehabilitation or independent living services
required as a condition to the receipt and disbursement of any money available from
the federal government;

(9) cooperate with other public or private agencies or organizations for the purpose
of vocational rehabilitation or independent living. Money received from school districts,
governmental subdivisions, mental health centers or boards, and private nonprofit
organizations is appropriated to the commissioner for conducting joint or cooperative
vocational rehabilitation or independent living programs;

(10) enter into contractual arrangements with instrumentalities of federal, state, or
local government and with private individuals, organizations, agencies, or facilities with
respect to providing vocational rehabilitation or independent living services;

(11) take other actions required by state and federal legislation relating to vocational
rehabilitation, independent living, and disability determination programs;

(12) hire staff and arrange services and facilities necessary to perform the duties
and powers specified in this section; and

(13) adopt, amend, suspend, or repeal rules necessary to implement or make
specific programs that the commissioner by sections 268A.01 to 268A.15 is empowered
to administer.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268A.06, is amended to read:

Any city, town, county, nonprofit corporation,
deleted text begin regional treatment center,deleted text end or any combination thereof, may apply to the commissioner for
assistance in establishing or operating deleted text begin a community rehabilitation facilitydeleted text end new text begin an extended
employment programnew text end . Application for assistance must be on forms prescribed by the
commissioner. deleted text begin An applicant is not eligible for a grant under this section unless its audited
financial statements of the prior fiscal year have been approved by the commissioner.
deleted text end

In order to provide the necessary funds for extended employment
programs offered by a new text begin community new text end rehabilitation deleted text begin facilitydeleted text end new text begin providernew text end , the governing body of
any city, town, or county may expend money which may be available for such purposes in
the general fund, and may levy a tax on the taxable property in the city, town, or county. Any
city, town, county, or nonprofit corporation may accept gifts or grants from any source for
the deleted text begin rehabilitation facilitydeleted text end new text begin extended employment programnew text end . Any money appropriated, taxed,
or received as a gift or grant may be used to match funds available on a matching basis.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268A.07, is amended to read:

A new text begin community new text end rehabilitation deleted text begin facilitydeleted text end new text begin providernew text end must, as
a condition for receiving program certification, provide employees in deleted text begin center-based
deleted text end new text begin noncompetitive new text end employment with personnel benefits prescribed in rules adopted by the
commissioner of deleted text begin the Department ofdeleted text end employment and economic development.

A new text begin community new text end rehabilitation deleted text begin facilitydeleted text end new text begin providernew text end must,
as a condition for receiving program certification, provide to employees in deleted text begin center-based
deleted text end new text begin noncompetitivenew text end employment subprograms, a grievance procedure which has as its final
step provisions for final and binding arbitration.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268A.085, is amended to read:

Every city, town, county, nonprofit
corporation, or combination thereof establishing deleted text begin a rehabilitation facilitydeleted text end new text begin an extended
employment programnew text end shall appoint a deleted text begin rehabilitation facilitydeleted text end new text begin governingnew text end board of no fewer
than seven voting members before becoming eligible for the assistance provided by
sections 268A.06 to 268A.15. When any city, town, or county singly establishes deleted text begin such a
rehabilitation facilitydeleted text end new text begin an extended employment programnew text end , the new text begin governing new text end board shall be
appointed by the chief executive officer of the city or the chair of the governing board
of the county or town. When any combination of cities, towns, counties, or nonprofit
corporations establishes deleted text begin a rehabilitation facilitydeleted text end new text begin an extended employment programnew text end , the
chief executive officers of the cities, nonprofit corporations, and the chairs of the governing
bodies of the counties or towns shall appoint the board. If a nonprofit corporation singly
establishes deleted text begin a rehabilitation facilitydeleted text end new text begin an extended employment programnew text end , the corporation
shall appoint the board of directors. Membership on a board shall be representative of
the community served and shall include a person with a disability. If a county establishes
an extended employment program and manages the program with county employees, the
governing board shall be the county board of commissioners, and other provisions of this
chapter pertaining to membership on the governing board do not apply.

Subject to the provisions of sections 268A.06 to 268A.15 and the
rules of the department, each deleted text begin rehabilitation facilitydeleted text end new text begin governingnew text end board shall:

(1) review and evaluate the need for extended employment programs deleted text begin offered by the
rehabilitation facilitydeleted text end provided under sections 268A.06 to 268A.15;

(2) recruit and promote local financial support for extended employment programs
from private sources including: the United Way; business, industrial, and private
foundations; voluntary agencies; and other lawful sources, and promote public support
for municipal and county appropriations;

(3) promote, arrange, and implement working agreements with other educational
and social service agencies, both public and private, and any other allied agencies; and

(4) when an extended employment program deleted text begin offered by the rehabilitation facilitydeleted text end is
certified, act as deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin itsnew text end administrator deleted text begin of the rehabilitation facility and its programsdeleted text end for
purposes of this chapter.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268A.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

The commissioner shall adopt rules on an individual's
eligibility for the extended employment program, the certification of new text begin community
new text end rehabilitation deleted text begin facilitiesdeleted text end new text begin providersnew text end , and the methods, criteria, and units of distribution for
the allocation of state grant funds to certified deleted text begin rehabilitation facilitiesdeleted text end new text begin extended employment
program providersnew text end . In determining the allocation, the commissioner must consider the
economic conditions of the community and the performance of new text begin community new text end rehabilitation
deleted text begin facilitiesdeleted text end new text begin providersnew text end relative to their impact on the economic status of workers in the
extended employment program.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 469.049, is amended to read:

The Port Authority of Saint
Paul and the seaway port authority of Duluth are established. The Seaway Port Authority
of Duluth may also be known as the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.new text begin The Port Authority of
Saint Paul may also be known as the Saint Paul Port Authority, and the Saint Paul Port
Authority may file one or more certificates of assumed name with the secretary of state, as
provided in sections 333.01 to 333.065.
new text end

A port authority is a body politic and
corporate with the right to sue and be sued in its own name.

A port authority is a governmental subdivision under section 282.01new text begin and a political
subdivisionnew text end .

A port authority carries out an essential governmental function of the state when it
exercises its power, but the authority is not immune from liability because of this.

new text begin This section is effective the day
following timely compliance of the governing body of the Port Authority of Saint Paul, and
its chief clerical officer, with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 469.050, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

new text begin (a) new text end The first commissioners of a three-member
commission are appointed for initial terms as follows: one for two years; one for four
years; and one for six years. The first commissioners of a seven-member commission are
appointed for initial terms as follows: one member for a term of one, two, three, four, and
five years, respectively, and two members for terms of six years. For subsequent terms,
the term is six years. A vacancy is created in Saint Paul when a city council member of the
authority ends council membership and in Duluth when a county board member of the
authority ends county board membership. A vacancy on any port authority must be filled
by the appointing authority for the balance of the term subject to the same approval and
consent, if any, required for an appointment for a full term. For Duluth, if the governor
or the county board fails to make a required appointment within 60 days after a vacancy
occurs, the city council has sole power to appoint a successor.

new text begin (b) The term of each commissioner of the Saint Paul Port Authority begins August 1
of the year in which the commissioner is appointed and ends July 31 of the sixth year.
Notwithstanding the end of a term of appointment, a commissioner shall serve until
reappointed or a new commissioner has been appointed and taken office.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 469.084, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

The port authority must not take lands owned,
controlled, or used by the city of St. Paul without consent of the city councilnew text begin , or owned,
controlled, or used by Ramsey County without consent of the county boardnew text end .

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 469.084, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

For all other recreation purposes the port authority has
jurisdiction over the use of all the navigable rivers or lakes and all the parks and recreation
facilities abutting the rivers and lakesnew text begin within its port districtnew text end .

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 469.084, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Notwithstanding any
law to the contrary, the port authority deleted text begin of the city of St. Pauldeleted text end , under sections 469.048 to
469.068 and this section, may do what a redevelopment agency may do or must do under
sections 469.152 to 469.165 to further any of the purposes of sections 469.048 to 469.068
and subdivisions 1 to 8. The port authority may use its powers and duties under sections
469.048 to 469.068 and subdivisions 1 to 8 to further the purposes of sections 469.152
to 469.165. The powers and duties in subdivisions 1 to 8 are in addition to the powers
and duties of the port authority under sections 469.048 to 469.068, and under sections
469.152 to 469.165. The port authority may use its powers for industrial development or
to establish industrial development districts. If the term "industrial" is used in relation to
industrial development purposes under sections 469.048 to 469.068, the term includes
"economic" and "economic development."new text begin The port authority may work with and provide
services to any federal or state agency, county, city, or other governmental unit or agency
with the written consent of that agency or governmental unit.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 469.084, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Notwithstanding any
contrary law, the port authority deleted text begin of the city of St. Pauldeleted text end may participate with public or
private corporations or other entities, whose purpose is to provide venture capital to small
businesses that have facilities located or to be located in the port district. For that purpose
the port authority may use not more than ten percent of available annual net income
or $400,000 annually, whichever is less, to acquire or invest in securities of, and enter
into financing arrangements and related agreements with, the corporations or entities.
The participation by the port authority must not exceed in any year 25 percent of the
total amount of funds provided for venture capital purposes by all of the participants.
The corporation or entity shall report in writing each month to the commissioners of the
port authority all investment and other action taken by it since the last report. Funds
contributed to the corporation or entity must be invested pro rata with each contributor of
capital taking proportional risks on each investment. As used in this subdivision, the term
"small business" has the meaning given it in section 645.445, subdivision 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 469.084, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

The port authority deleted text begin of the
city of Saint Pauldeleted text end has jurisdiction over the use of the Mississippi River for recreation
purposes within its port district and may acquire and may spend port authority money for
lands abutting the river within the port district to construct, operate directly, by lease or
otherwise, and maintain recreation facilities. The authority shall establish rules on the
use of the river and abutting lands, either individually, or in cooperation with the federal
government or its agencies, new text begin Ramsey County, new text end the city of Saint Paul, the state, or a state
agency, or political subdivision.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 469.084, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

The treasurer and assistant
treasurer of the port authority deleted text begin of the city of Saint Pauldeleted text end shall give bond to the state in sums
not to exceed $25,000 and $10,000 respectively. The bonds must be conditioned for the
faithful discharge of their duties. The bonds must be approved as to both form and surety
by the port authority and must be filed with its secretary. The amount of the bonds must be
set at least annually by the port authority.

new text begin The commissioner shall coordinate and monitor customized training programs for
skilled manufacturing industries at participating MnSCU institutions. By January 15,
2017, the commissioner, in conjunction with each participating MnSCU institution, shall
report to the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate having
jurisdiction over employment and workforce development. The report must address the
progress and success of the implementation of a customized training program for skilled
manufacturing industries at each participating MnSCU institution. The report must
give recommendations on where a skilled manufacturing customized training program
should next be implemented, taking into consideration all current and potential skilled
manufacturing training providers available.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of employment and economic development, in consultation
with the commissioner of health, shall review existing workforce development programs
in order to further the advancement of long-term care careers in rural Minnesota. The
commissioner shall report recommendations regarding training, retaining, and connecting
employees to long-term care facilities in rural Minnesota to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over long-term care and
workforce development by February 1, 2016.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 116U.26; and 469.084, subdivisions 11 and 12,
new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 327.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

No domestic animals or house pets of occupants of
manufactured home parks or recreational camping areas shall be allowed to run at large,
or commit any nuisances within the limits of a manufactured home park or recreational
camping area. Each manufactured home park or recreational camping area licensed under
the provisions of sections 327.10, 327.11, and 327.14 to 327.28 shall, among other things,
provide for the following:

(1) A responsible attendant or caretaker shall be in charge of every manufactured
home park or recreational camping area at all times, who shall maintain the park or
area, and its facilities and equipment in a clean, orderly and sanitary condition. In any
manufactured home park containing more than 50 lots, the attendant, caretaker, or other
responsible park employee, shall be readily available at all times in case of emergency.

(2) All manufactured home parks shall be well drained and be located so that the
drainage of the park area will not endanger any water supply. No wastewater from
manufactured homes or recreational camping vehicles shall be deposited on the surface of
the ground. All sewage and other water carried wastes shall be discharged into a municipal
sewage system whenever available. When a municipal sewage system is not available, a
sewage disposal system acceptable to the state commissioner of health shall be provided.

(3) No manufactured home shall be located closer than three feet to the side lot lines
of a manufactured home park, if the abutting property is improved property, or closer than
ten feet to a public street or alley. Each individual site shall abut or face on a driveway
or clear unoccupied space of not less than 16 feet in width, which space shall have
unobstructed access to a public highway or alley. There shall be an open space of at least
ten feet between the sides of adjacent manufactured homes including their attachments
and at least three feet between manufactured homes when parked end to end. The space
between manufactured homes may be used for the parking of motor vehicles and other
propertydeleted text begin , if the vehicle or other property is parked at least ten feet from the nearest
adjacent manufactured home positiondeleted text end . The requirements of this paragraph shall not apply
to recreational camping areas and variances may be granted by the state commissioner
of health in manufactured home parks when the variance is applied for in writing and in
the opinion of the commissioner the variance will not endanger the health, safety, and
welfare of manufactured home park occupants.

(4) An adequate supply of water of safe, sanitary quality shall be furnished at each
manufactured home park or recreational camping area. The source of the water supply
shall first be approved by the state Department of Health.

(5) All plumbing shall be installed in accordance with the rules of the state
commissioner of labor and industry and the provisions of the Minnesota Plumbing Code.

(6) In the case of a manufactured home park with less than ten manufactured homes,
a plan for the sheltering or the safe evacuation to a safe place of shelter of the residents of
the park in times of severe weather conditions, such as tornadoes, high winds, and floods.
The shelter or evacuation plan shall be developed with the assistance and approval of
the municipality where the park is located and shall be posted at conspicuous locations
throughout the park. The park owner shall provide each resident with a copy of the
approved shelter or evacuation plan, as provided by section 327C.01, subdivision 1c.
Nothing in this paragraph requires the Department of Health to review or approve any
shelter or evacuation plan developed by a park. Failure of a municipality to approve a plan
submitted by a park shall not be grounds for action against the park by the Department of
Health if the park has made a good faith effort to develop the plan and obtain municipal
approval.

(7) A manufactured home park with ten or more manufactured homes, licensed prior
to March 1, 1988, shall provide a safe place of shelter for park residents or a plan for the
evacuation of park residents to a safe place of shelter within a reasonable distance of the
park for use by park residents in times of severe weather, including tornadoes and high
winds. The shelter or evacuation plan must be approved by the municipality by March 1,
1989. The municipality may require the park owner to construct a shelter if it determines
that a safe place of shelter is not available within a reasonable distance from the park. A
copy of the municipal approval and the plan shall be submitted by the park owner to the
Department of Health. The park owner shall provide each resident with a copy of the
approved shelter or evacuation plan, as provided by section 327C.01, subdivision 1c.

(8) A manufactured home park with ten or more manufactured homes, receiving
an initial license after March 1, 1988, must provide the type of shelter required by
section 327.205, except that for manufactured home parks established as temporary,
emergency housing in a disaster area declared by the President of the United States or
the governor, an approved evacuation plan may be provided in lieu of a shelter for a
period not exceeding 18 months.

(9) For the purposes of this subdivision, "park owner" and "resident" have the
meanings given them in section 327C.01.

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 462A.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

The economic development and housing challenge
program is created to be administered by the agency.

(a) The program shall provide grants or loans for the purpose of construction,
acquisition, rehabilitation, demolition or removal of existing structures, construction
financing, permanent financing, interest rate reduction, refinancing, and gap financing of
housing to support economic development and redevelopment activities or job creation or
job preservation within a community or region by meeting locally identified housing needs.

Gap financing is either:

(1) the difference between the costs of the property, including acquisition, demolition,
rehabilitation, and construction, and the market value of the property upon sale; or

(2) the difference between the cost of the property and the amount the targeted
household can afford for housing, based on industry standards and practices.

(b) Preference for grants and loans shall be given to comparable proposals that include
regulatory changes or waivers that result in identifiable cost avoidance or cost reductions,
such as increased density, flexibility in site development standards, or zoning code
requirements. Preference must also be given among comparable proposals to proposals
for projects that are accessible to transportation systems, jobs, schools, and other services.

(c) If a grant or loan is used for demolition or removal of existing structures, the
cleared land must be used for the construction of housing to be owned or rented by persons
who meet the income limits of this section or for other housing-related purposes that
primarily benefit the persons residing in the adjacent housing. In making selections for
grants or loans for projects that demolish affordable housing units, the agency must review
the potential displacement of residents and consider the extent to which displacement of
residents is minimized.

new text begin (d) Fifty percent of the funds appropriated for this section must be for projects
located in the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, and 50
percent must be for projects outside the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121,
subdivision 2. Funds not awarded in a fiscal year may be carried over and used without
geographic restriction.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2017.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.145, is amended to read:

The Metropolitan Council shall prepare and adopt, after appropriate study and
such public hearings as may be necessary, a comprehensive development guide for the
metropolitan area. It shall consist of a compilation of policy statements, goals, standards,
programs, and maps prescribing guides for the orderly and economical development,
public and private, of the metropolitan area. The comprehensive development guide shall
recognize and encompass physical, social, or economic needs of the metropolitan area and
those future developments which will have an impact on the entire area including but not
limited to such matters as land use, parks and open space land needs, the necessity for
and location of airports, highways, transit facilities, public hospitals, libraries, schools,
and other public buildings.new text begin Notwithstanding any council action to adopt it, a plan or plan
element relating to housing does not take effect until a law is enacted approving the plan.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies to plans adopted before, on, or after that date. This section
applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and
Washington.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.254, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

new text begin (a) new text end The council shall negotiate with each
municipality to establish affordable and life-cycle housing goals for that municipality that
are consistent with and promote the policies of the Metropolitan Council as provided in the
adopted Metropolitan Development Guide. The council shall adopt, by resolution after a
public hearing, the negotiated affordable and life-cycle housing goals for each municipality
by January 15, 1996, and by January 15 in each succeeding year for each municipality
newly electing to participate in the program or for each municipality with which new
housing goals have been negotiated. By June 30, 1996, and by June 30 in each succeeding
year for each municipality newly electing to participate in the program or for each
municipality with which new housing goals have been negotiated, each municipality shall
identify to the council the actions it plans to take to meet the established housing goals.

new text begin (b) Beginning in 2016, the negotiated affordable and life-cycle housing goals for
each municipality must be submitted by January 15 each year to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the Metropolitan
Council and housing policy and finance, and may be adopted by the council only after a
law is enacted approving the goals or the legislature has adjourned its regular session for
that calendar year without taking any action on the matter.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.254, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

(a) Each
municipality's "affordable and life-cycle housing opportunities amount" for that year
must be determined annually by the council using the method in this subdivision. The
affordable and life-cycle housing opportunities amount must be determined for each
calendar year for all municipalities in the metropolitan area.

(b) The council must allocate to each municipality its portion of the $1,000,000 of
the revenue generated by the levy authorized in section 473.249 which is credited to the
local housing incentives account pursuant to subdivision 5, paragraph (b). The allocation
must be made by determining the amount levied for and payable in each municipality in
the previous calendar year pursuant to the council levy in section 473.249 divided by the
total amount levied for and payable in the metropolitan area in the previous calendar year
pursuant to such levy and multiplying that result by $1,000,000.

(c) The council must also determine the amount levied for and payable in each
municipality in the previous calendar year pursuant to the council levy in section 473.253,
subdivision 1.

(d) A municipality's affordable and life-cycle housing opportunities amount for the
calendar year is the sum of the amounts determined under paragraphs (b) and (c).

new text begin (e) The council must report the council's estimated amount under paragraph (d) to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over the Metropolitan Council and housing policy and finance by March 15 each year. The
legislature may approve, modify, or reject the amounts the council will use in paragraph (f).
If no law is enacted to approve, modify, or reject the amounts during the regular legislative
session for that calendar year, the council may proceed with its proposed amounts.
new text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end By August 1 of each year, the council must notify each municipality of its
affordable and life-cycle housing opportunities amount for the following calendar year
determined by the method in this subdivision.

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Laws 1994, chapter 493, section 1, is amended to read:

Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 469.006, the Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
has seven members, four appointed by the city council of the city of Rochester and three
appointed by the county board of Olmsted county. Of the first four appointees of the city
council under this act, one must be appointed for a one-year term, two for two-year terms,
and one for a three-year term. Of the first three appointees of the county board under this
act, one must be appointed for a one-year term, one for a two-year term, and one for a
three-year term. Later appointments to fill terms are for five years. An appointment to a
vacancy is for the unexpired term.

new text begin Notwithstanding subdivision 1, the
county board may by resolution provide that the Olmsted County Board will constitute
the county housing and redevelopment authority and the appointment procedures in
subdivision 1 shall not apply. If the Olmsted County Board acts under this subdivision, it
must also provide in the resolution for any additional members needed to comply with
Code of Federal Regulations, title 24, part 964.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day after the
latter of the city council of the city of Rochester and the Olmsted County Board of
Commissioners and their respective chief clerical officers timely complete their compliance
with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3. Terms of members of the
Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority serving on or after the effective
date of this section terminate as provided in the resolution adopted by the county board.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 79.251, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

(a)(1) The commissioner shall
have all the usual powers and authorities necessary for the discharge of the commissioner's
duties under this section and may contract with individuals in discharge of those duties.
The commissioner shall audit the reserves established (i) for individual cases arising under
policies and contracts of coverage issued under subdivision 4 and (ii) for the total book
of business issued under subdivision 4. If the commissioner determines on the basis of
an audit that there is an excess surplus in the assigned risk plan, the commissioner must
notify the commissioner of management and budget who shall transfer assets of the plan
equal to the excess surplus to the deleted text begin budget reserve account in the general funddeleted text end new text begin assigned risk
safety account in the special compensation fund in the state treasury for grants under
section 79.253new text end .

(2) The commissioner shall monitor the operations of section 79.252 and this section
and shall periodically make recommendations to the governor and legislature when
appropriate, for improvement in the operation of those sections.

(3) All insurers and self-insurance administrators issuing policies or contracts under
subdivision 4 shall pay to the commissioner a .25 percent assessment on premiums for
policies and contracts of coverage issued under subdivision 4 for the purpose of defraying
the costs of performing the duties under clauses (1) and (2). Proceeds of the assessment
shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the general fund.

(4) The assigned risk plan shall not be deemed a state agency.

(5) The commissioner shall monitor and have jurisdiction over all reserves
maintained for assigned risk plan losses.

(b) As used in this subdivision, "excess surplus" means the amount of assigned
risk plan assets in excess of the amount needed to pay all current liabilities of the plan,
including, but not limited to:

(1) administrative expenses;

(2) benefit claims; and

(3) if the assigned risk plan is dissolved under subdivision 8, the amounts that would
be due insurers who have paid assessments to the plan.

new text begin The commissioner of labor and industry shall identify
competency standards for dual training. The goal of dual training is to provide current
employees of an employer with training to acquire competencies that the employer
requires. The standards shall be identified for employment in occupations in advanced
manufacturing, health care services, information technology, and agriculture. Competency
standards are not rules and are exempt from the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and
the provisions in section 14.386 concerning exempt rules do not apply.
new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section,
"competency standards" means the specific knowledge and skills necessary for a particular
occupation.
new text end

new text begin In identifying competency
standards, the commissioner shall consult with the commissioner of employment and
economic development and convene recognized industry experts, representative employers,
higher education institutions, and representatives of labor to assist in identifying credible
competency standards. Competency standards must be based on recognized international
and national standards, to the extent that such standards are available and practical.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) establish competency standards for entry level and higher skill levels;
new text end

new text begin (2) verify the competency standards and skill levels and their transferability by
subject matter with expert representatives of each respective industry;
new text end

new text begin (3) create and execute a plan for dual training outreach, development, and awareness;
new text end

new text begin (4) develop models for Minnesota educational institutions to engage in providing
education and training to meet the competency standards established;
new text end

new text begin (5) encourage participation by employers in the standard identification process for
occupations in their industry; and
new text end

new text begin (6) align dual training competency standards with other workforce initiatives.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner must communicate identified competency
standards to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the purpose
of the dual training competency grant program under section 116L.31. The commissioner
of labor and industry shall maintain the competency standards on the department's Web site.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 177.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

(a) For purposes of this subdivision, the terms defined in
this paragraph have the meanings given them.

(1) "Large employer" means an enterprise whose annual gross volume of sales
made or business done is not less than $500,000 (exclusive of excise taxes at the retail
level that are separately stated) and covered by the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act,
sections 177.21 to 177.35.

(2) "Small employer" means an enterprise whose annual gross volume of sales made
or business done is less than $500,000 (exclusive of excise taxes at the retail level that
are separately stated) and covered by the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act, sections
177.21 to 177.35.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in sections 177.21 to 177.35:

(1) every large employer must pay each employee wages at a rate of at least:

(i) $8.00 per hour beginning August 1, 2014;

(ii) $9.00 per hour beginning August 1, 2015;

(iii) $9.50 per hour beginning August 1, 2016; and

(iv) the rate established under paragraph (f) beginning January 1, 2018; and

(2) every small employer must pay each employee at a rate of at least:

(i) $6.50 per hour beginning August 1, 2014;

(ii) $7.25 per hour beginning August 1, 2015;

(iii) $7.75 per hour beginning August 1, 2016; and

(iv) the rate established under paragraph (f) beginning January 1, 2018.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), during the first 90 consecutive days of
employment, an employer may pay an employee under the age of 20 years a wage of at least:

(1) $6.50 per hour beginning August 1, 2014;

(2) $7.25 per hour beginning August 1, 2015;

(3) $7.75 per hour beginning August 1, 2016; and

(4) the rate established under paragraph (f) beginning January 1, 2018.

No employer may take any action to displace an employee, including a partial
displacement through a reduction in hours, wages, or employment benefits, in order to
hire an employee at the wage authorized in this paragraph.

deleted text begin (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), an employer that is a "hotel or motel," "lodging
establishment," or "resort" as defined in Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 157.15,
subdivisions 7, 8, and 11, must pay an employee working under a contract with the
employer that includes the provision by the employer of a food or lodging benefit, if the
employee is working under authority of a summer work travel exchange visitor program
(J) nonimmigrant visa, a wage of at least:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) $7.25 per hour beginning August 1, 2014;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) $7.50 per hour beginning August 1, 2015;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) $7.75 per hour beginning August 1, 2016; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) the rate established under paragraph (f) beginning January 1, 2018.
deleted text end

deleted text begin No employer may take any action to displace an employee, including a partial
displacement through a reduction in hours, wages, or employment benefits, in order to
hire an employee at the wage authorized in this paragraph.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end Notwithstanding paragraph (b), a large employer must pay an employee under
the age of 18 at a rate of at least:

(1) $6.50 per hour beginning August 1, 2014;

(2) $7.25 per hour beginning August 1, 2015;

(3) $7.75 per hour beginning August 1, 2016; and

(4) the rate established under paragraph (f) beginning January 1, 2018.

new text begin (e) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), every employer must pay an employee receiving
gratuities a wage of at least:
new text end

new text begin (1) $8.00 per hour if the employee earns sufficient gratuities during the workweek
so that the sum of $8.00 per hour and gratuities received averages at least $12.00 per
hour for the workweek; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the greater of the wage rate under this section or United States Code, title 29,
section 206(a)(1), if the employee does not earn sufficient gratuities during the workweek
so that the sum of $8.00 per hour and gratuities received averages at least $12.00 per
hour for the workweek.
new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, "employee receiving gratuities" means an employee who
customarily and regularly receives more than $30 per month in gratuities. The employer
must inform a potential employee who may receive gratuities, during the employment
interview, of the applicable wage under this paragraph. The employer must provide the
potential employee with a written copy of the wages required under this paragraph and
the potential employee shall initial the form indicating he or she has received the notice.
A copy of the signed notice must be kept on file by the employer. If the Minnesota
Department of Human Rights makes three or more probable cause determinations of
sexual harassment as defined in section 363A.03, subdivision 43, regarding a single
employer, this paragraph no longer applies to that employer and the employer must pay all
employees the otherwise applicable minimum wage under this section.
new text end

(f) No later than August 31 of each year, beginning in 2017, the commissioner shall
determine the percentage increase in the rate of inflation, as measured by the implicit
price deflator, national data for personal consumption expenditures as determined by
the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis during the
12-month period immediately preceding that August or, if that data is unavailable, during
the most recent 12-month period for which data is available. The minimum wage rates in
paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) are increased by the lesser of: (1) 2.5 percent, rounded
to the nearest cent; or (2) the percentage calculated by the commissioner, rounded to the
nearest cent. A minimum wage rate shall not be reduced under this paragraph. The new
minimum wage rates determined under this paragraph take effect on the next January 1.

(g)(1) No later than September 30 of each year, beginning in 2017, the commissioner
may issue an order that an increase calculated under paragraph (f) not take effect. The
commissioner may issue the order only if the commissioner, after consultation with the
commissioner of management and budget, finds that leading economic indicators, including
but not limited to projections of gross domestic product calculated by the United States
Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis; the Consumer Confidence Index
issued by the Conference Board; and seasonally adjusted Minnesota unemployment rates,
indicate the potential for a substantial downturn in the state's economy. Prior to issuing
an order, the commissioner shall also calculate and consider the ratio of the rate of the
calculated change in the minimum wage rate to the rate of change in state median income
over the same time period used to calculate the change in wage rate. Prior to issuing the
order, the commissioner shall hold a public hearing, notice of which must be published in
the State Register, on the department's Web site, in newspapers of general circulation, and
by other means likely to inform interested persons of the hearing, at least ten days prior to
the hearing. The commissioner must allow interested persons to submit written comments
to the commissioner before the public hearing and for 20 days after the public hearing.

(2) The commissioner may in a year subsequent to issuing an order under clause (1),
make a supplemental increase in the minimum wage rate in addition to the increase for
a year calculated under paragraph (f). The supplemental increase may be in an amount
up to the full amount of the increase not put into effect because of the order. If the
supplemental increase is not the full amount, the commissioner may make a supplemental
increase of the difference, or any part of a difference, in a subsequent year until the full
amount of the increase ordered not to take effect has been included in a supplemental
increase. In making a determination to award a supplemental increase under this clause,
the commissioner shall use the same considerations and use the same process as for an
order under clause (1). A supplemental wage increase is not subject to and shall not be
considered in determining whether a wage rate increase exceeds the limits for annual wage
rate increases allowed under paragraph (f).

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 177.24, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin (a) Gratuities presented to an
employee via inclusion on a debit, charge, or credit card shall be credited to that pay
period in which they are received by the employee and for which they appear on the
employee's tip statement.
new text end

new text begin (b) Where a gratuity is given by a customer through a debit, charge, or credit card,
the full amount of gratuity must be allowed the employee.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 177.24, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin (a) Except as
provided in this subdivision, a local unit of government may not require the payment of a
minimum wage that is different than the minimum wage set by this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) This subdivision does not apply to wages paid:
new text end

new text begin (1) to an employee of the local unit of government;
new text end

new text begin (2) for services provided by an individual to the local unit of government under a
contract or subcontract with the local unit of government; and
new text end

new text begin (3) for services provided by an individual that are funded in whole or part by
financial assistance from the local unit of government.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purpose of this subdivision, "local unit of government" means a statutory
or home rule charter city, town, county, Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Airports
Commission, other metropolitan agencies, and other political subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment
and applies to a local unit of government requirement that was established before, on, or
after that date.
new text end

new text begin (a) A local unit of government may not establish, mandate, or otherwise require a
private employer to provide an employee who is employed within the jurisdiction of
the local unit of government a benefit that exceeds the requirements of federal or state
law, rules, or regulations.
new text end

new text begin (b) This section does not apply to benefits paid or granted:
new text end

new text begin (1) to an employee of the local unit of government;
new text end

new text begin (2) under a contract or subcontract for services provided by an individual to the
local unit of government; or
new text end

new text begin (3) under a contract for services provided by an individual that are funded in whole
or in part by financial assistance from the local unit of government.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this section, "local unit of government" must be broadly
construed and includes, without limitation, a statutory or home rule charter city, town,
county, Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Airports Commission, other metropolitan
agencies, and other political subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin (d) For purposes of this section, the term "benefit" must be broadly construed
and includes, without limitation, attendance or leave policy, scheduling policy, term of
employment, paid or unpaid leave, any monetary or nonmonetary compensation.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment
and applies to a local unit of government mandate or requirement that was established
before, on, or after that date.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 299F.011, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin (a) The State Building Code,
the State Fire Code, or a political subdivision of the state by code, by ordinance, as a
condition of receiving public funding, or in any other way, must not require the installation
of fire sprinklers, any fire sprinkler system components, or automatic fire-extinguishing
equipment or devices in any new or existing single-family detached dwelling unit.
new text end

new text begin (b) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to affect or limit a requirement
for smoke or fire detectors, alarms, or their components.
new text end

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 326B.092, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

(a) The license fee for each
license is the base license fee plus any applicable board fee, continuing education fee, and
contractor recovery fund fee and additional assessment, as set forth in this subdivision.

(b) For purposes of this section, "license duration" means the number of years for
which the license is issued except that:

(1) if the initial license is not issued for a whole number of years, the license duration
shall be rounded up to the next whole number; and

(2) if the department receives an application for license renewal after the renewal
deadline, license duration means the number of years for which the renewed license would
have been issued if the renewal application had been submitted on time and all other
requirements for renewal had been met.

(c) The base license fee shall depend on whether the license is classified as an entry
level, master, journeyman, or business license, and on the license duration. The base
license fee shall be:

License Classification	License Duration
	1 Year	2 Years	deleted text begin 3 Years deleted text end
Entry level	$10	$20	deleted text begin $30 deleted text end
deleted text begin Journeyman deleted text end new text begin Journeyworker new text end	$20	$40	deleted text begin $60 deleted text end
Master	$40	$80	deleted text begin $120 deleted text end
Business	deleted text begin $90 deleted text end	$180	deleted text begin $270 deleted text end

(d) If there is a continuing education requirement for renewal of the license, then
a continuing education fee must be included in the renewal license fee. The continuing
education fee for all license classifications shall be: $10 if the renewal license duration
is one year;new text begin andnew text end $20 if the renewal license duration is two yearsdeleted text begin ; and $30 if the renewal
license duration is three yearsdeleted text end .

(e) If the license is issued under sections 326B.31 to 326B.59 or 326B.90 to
326B.93, then a board fee must be included in the license fee and the renewal license fee.
The board fee for all license classifications shall be: $4 if the license duration is one year;
$8 if the license duration is two yearsdeleted text begin ; and $12 if the license duration is three yearsdeleted text end .

(f) If the application is for the renewal of a license issued under sections 326B.802
to 326B.885, then the contractor recovery fund fee required under section 326B.89,
subdivision 3, and any additional assessment required under section 326B.89, subdivision
16, must be included in the license renewal fee.

new text begin (g) Notwithstanding the fee amounts described in paragraphs (c) to (f), for the period
July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2017, the following fees apply:
new text end

new text begin License Classification new text end	new text begin License Duration new text end
	new text begin 1 year new text end	new text begin 2 years new text end
new text begin Entry level new text end	new text begin $10 new text end	new text begin $20 new text end
new text begin Journeyworker new text end	new text begin $15 new text end	new text begin $35 new text end
new text begin Master new text end	new text begin $30 new text end	new text begin $75 new text end
new text begin Business new text end		new text begin $160 new text end

new text begin If there is a continuing education requirement for renewal of the license, then a continuing
education fee must be included in the renewal license fee. The continuing education fee
for all license classifications shall be $5.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 326B.096, is amended to read:

(a) If a license is revoked under
this chapter and if an applicant for a license needs to pass an examination administered by
the commissioner before becoming licensed, then, in order to have the license reinstated,
the person who holds the revoked license must:

(1) retake the examination and achieve a passing score; and

(2) meet all other requirements for an initial license, including payment of the
application and examination fee and the license fee. The person holding the revoked
license is not eligible for Minnesota licensure without examination based on reciprocity.

(b) If a license is revoked under a chapter other than this chapter, then, in order to
have the license reinstated, the person who holds the revoked license must:

(1) apply for reinstatement to the commissioner no later than two years after the
effective date of the revocation;

(2) pay a deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $50new text end reinstatement application fee and any applicable renewal license
fee; and

(3) meet all applicable requirements for licensure, except that, unless required by the
order revoking the license, the applicant does not need to retake any examination and does
not need to repay a license fee that was paid before the revocation.

If a license is suspended, then, in order
to have the license reinstated, the person who holds the suspended license must:

(1) apply for reinstatement to the commissioner no later than two years after the
completion of the suspension period;

(2) pay a deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $50new text end reinstatement application fee and any applicable renewal license
fee; and

(3) meet all applicable requirements for licensure, except that, unless required by the
order suspending the license, the applicant does not need to retake any examination and
does not need to repay a license fee that was paid before the suspension.

A licensee who is not an
individual may voluntarily terminate a license issued to the person under this chapter. If a
licensee has voluntarily terminated a license under this subdivision, then, in order to have
the license reinstated, the person who holds the terminated license must:

(1) apply for reinstatement to the commissioner no later than the date that the license
would have expired if it had not been terminated;

(2) pay a deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $50new text end reinstatement application fee and any applicable renewal license
fee; and

(3) meet all applicable requirements for licensure, except that the applicant does not
need to repay a license fee that was paid before the termination.

new text begin The amendments to this section are effective July 1, 2015,
and expire July 1, 2017.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 326B.106, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

new text begin (a) new text end Subject tonew text begin paragraphs (c) and (d) and
new text end sections 326B.101 to 326B.194, the commissioner shall by rule and in consultation
with the Construction Codes Advisory Council establish a code of standards for the
construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings, governing matters of
structural materials, design and construction, fire protection, health, sanitation, and safety,
including design and construction standards regarding heat loss control, illumination,
and climate control. The code must also include duties and responsibilities for code
administration, including procedures for administrative action, penalties, and suspension
and revocation of certification. The code must conform insofar as practicable to model
building codes generally accepted and in use throughout the United States, including a
code for building conservation. In the preparation of the code, consideration must be
given to the existing statewide specialty codes presently in use in the state. Model codes
with necessary modifications and statewide specialty codes may be adopted by reference.
The code must be based on the application of scientific principles, approved tests, and
professional judgment. To the extent possible, the code must be adopted in terms of
desired results instead of the means of achieving those results, avoiding wherever possible
the incorporation of specifications of particular methods or materials. To that end the code
must encourage the use of new methods and new materials. Except as otherwise provided
in sections 326B.101 to 326B.194, the commissioner shall administer and enforce the
provisions of those sections.

new text begin (b) new text end The commissioner shall develop rules addressing the plan review fee assessed
to similar buildings without significant modifications including provisions for use of
building systems as specified in the industrial/modular program specified in section
326B.194. Additional plan review fees associated with similar plans must be based on
costs commensurate with the direct and indirect costs of the service.

new text begin (c) Beginning with the 2018 edition of the model building codes and every six
years thereafter, the commissioner shall review the new model building codes and adopt
the model codes as amended for use in Minnesota within two years of the published
edition date. The commissioner may adopt amendments to the building codes prior to the
adoption of the new building codes to advance construction methods, technology, or
materials or, where necessary, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public or to
improve the efficiency or the use of a building.
new text end

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), the commissioner shall act on each new model
residential energy code and the new model commercial energy code in accordance with
federal law for which the United States Department of Energy has issued an affirmative
positive determination in compliance with United States Code, title 42, section 6833. The
commissioner may adopt amendments prior to adoption of the new energy codes, as
amended for use in Minnesota, to advance construction methods, technology, or materials
or, where necessary, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public or to improve
the efficiency or use of the building.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2015, and applies to all
model code adoptions beginning with the 2018 model building code.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 326B.13, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

A rule to adopt or amend the State Building Code is
effective deleted text begin 180deleted text end new text begin 270new text end days after publication of the rule's notice of adoption in the State Register.
The rule may provide for a later effective date. The rule may provide for an earlier effective
date if the commissioner deleted text begin or boarddeleted text end proposing the rule finds that an earlier effective date is
necessary to protect public health and safety after considering, among other things, the need
for time for training of individuals to comply with and enforce the rule.new text begin The commissioner
must publish an electronic version of the entire adopted rule chapter on the department's
Web site within ten days of receipt from the revisor of statutes. The commissioner shall
clearly indicate the effective date of the rule on the department's Web site.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 326B.809, is amended to read:

(a) All agreements including proposals, estimates, bids, quotations, contracts,
purchase orders, and change orders between a licensee and a customer for the performance
of a licensee's services must be in writing and must contain the following:

(1) a detailed summary of the services to be performed;

(2) a description of the specific materials to be used or a list of standard features
to be included; and

(3) the total contract price or a description of the basis on which the price will
be calculated.

(b) Before entering into an agreement, the licensee shall provide a prospective
customer with written performance guidelines for the services to be performed.
Performance guidelines also must be included or incorporated by reference in the
agreement. All agreements shall be signed and dated by the licensee and customer.

new text begin (c) Before entering into an agreement, the licensee shall offer a prospective customer
the option to install fire sprinklers, any fire sprinkler system components, or automatic
fire-extinguishing equipment or devices in any new single-family detached dwelling unit.
The offer shall be included or incorporated by reference in the agreement. All agreements
shall be signed and dated by the licensee and customer.
new text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end The licensee shall provide to the customer, at no charge, a signed and
dated document at the time that the licensee and customer sign and date the document.
Documents include agreements, performance guidelines, new text begin fire sprinkler opt-in forms, new text end and
mechanic's lien waivers.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 326B.986, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

(a) For purposes of calculating license fees
and renewal license fees required under section 326B.092:

(1) the boiler special engineer license is an entry level license;

(2) the following licenses are journeyman licenses: first class engineer, Grade A;
first class engineer, Grade B; first class engineer, Grade C; second class engineer, Grade
A; second class engineer, Grade B; second class engineer, Grade C; and provisional
license; and

(3) the following licenses are master licenses: boiler chief engineer, Grade A; boiler
chief engineer, Grade B; boiler chief engineer, Grade C; boiler deleted text begin commissionerdeleted text end inspector
new text begin certificate of competencynew text end ; and traction or hobby boiler engineer.

(b) Notwithstanding section 326B.092, subdivision 7, paragraph (a), the license
duration for steam traction and hobby engineer licenses are one year only for the purpose
of calculating license fees under section 326B.092, subdivision 7, paragraph (b).

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 326B.986, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

deleted text begin The fee for issuance of the original certificate
of competency is $85 for inspectors who did not pay the national board examination fee
specified in subdivision 6, or $35 for inspectors who paid that examination fee.deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end Each
applicant for a certificate of competency must complete an interview with the chief boiler
inspector before issuance of the certificate of competency.

new text begin (b)new text end All initial certificates of competency shall be effective for more than one calendar
year and shall expire on December 31 of the year after the year in which the application
is made. deleted text begin The commissioner shall in a manner determined by the commissioner, without
the need for any rulemaking under chapter 14, phase in the renewal of certificates of
competency from one calendar year to two calendar years. By June 30, 2011,
deleted text end

new text begin (c)new text end All renewed certificates of competency shall be valid for two calendar years. deleted text begin The
fee for renewal of the state of Minnesota certificate of competency is $35 for one year or
$70 for two years, and is due the day after the certificate expires.
deleted text end

new text begin The amendments to paragraphs (a) and (c) are effective July
1, 2015, and expire July 1, 2017.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 341.321, is amended to read:

(a) The fee schedule for professional new text begin and amateur new text end licenses issued by the
commissioner is as follows:

(1) referees, $80 deleted text begin for each initial license and each renewaldeleted text end ;

(2) promoters, $700 deleted text begin for each initial license and each renewaldeleted text end ;

(3) judges and knockdown judges, $80 deleted text begin for each initial license and each renewaldeleted text end ;

(4) trainersnew text begin and secondsnew text end , $80 deleted text begin for each initial license and each renewaldeleted text end ;

(5) ring announcers, $80 deleted text begin for each initial license and each renewaldeleted text end ;

deleted text begin (6) seconds, $80 for each initial license and each renewal;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end timekeepers, $80 deleted text begin for each initial license and each renewaldeleted text end ;

deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (7) professional new text end combatants, deleted text begin $100 for each initial license and each renewaldeleted text end new text begin $70new text end ;

new text begin (8) amateur combatants, $50;
new text end

(9) managers, $80 deleted text begin for each initial license and each renewaldeleted text end ; and

(10) ringside physicians, $80 deleted text begin for each initial license and each renewaldeleted text end .

In addition to the license fee deleted text begin and the late filing penalty fee in section 341.32, subdivision
2, if applicabledeleted text end , an individual who applies for a deleted text begin professionaldeleted text end license deleted text begin on the same day
deleted text end new text begin within the 48 hours preceding whennew text end the combative sporting event is held shall pay a late
fee of $100 plus the original license fee deleted text begin of $120 at the time the application is submitteddeleted text end .

deleted text begin (b) The fee schedule for amateur licenses issued by the commissioner is as follows:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) referees, $80 for each initial license and each renewal;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) promoters, $700 for each initial license and each renewal;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) judges and knockdown judges, $80 for each initial license and each renewal;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) trainers, $80 for each initial license and each renewal;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (5) ring announcers, $80 for each initial license and each renewal;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (6) seconds, $80 for each initial license and each renewal;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (7) timekeepers, $80 for each initial license and each renewal;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (8) combatant, $60 for each initial license and each renewal;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (9) managers, $80 for each initial license and each renewal; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (10) ringside physicians, $80 for each initial license and each renewal.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end The commissioner shall establish a contest fee for each combative sport
contestnew text begin and shall consider the size and type of venue when establishing a contest feenew text end . The
professional combative sport contest fee is $1,500 per event or not more than four percent
of the gross ticket sales, whichever is greater, as determined by the commissioner when
the combative sport contest is scheduleddeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin .new text end The amateur combative sport contest fee shall
be $1,500 or not more than four percent of the gross ticket sales, whichever is greater.
deleted text begin The commissioner shall consider the size and type of venue when establishing a contest
fee. The commissioner may establish the maximum number of complimentary tickets
allowed for each event by rule.
deleted text end

new text begin (c)new text end A professional or amateur combative sport contest fee is nonrefundabledeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin and
shall be paid as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) $500 at the time the combative sport contest is scheduled; and
new text end

new text begin (2) $1,000 at the weigh-in prior to the contest.
new text end

new text begin If four percent of the gross ticket sales is greater than $1,500, the balance is due to the
commissioner within 24 hours of the completed contest.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner may establish the maximum number of complimentary tickets
allowed for each event by rule.
new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end All fees and penalties collected by the commissioner must be deposited in the
commissioner account in the special revenue fund.

Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 2, section 14, is amended to read:

(a) By June 30, 2015, if the commissioner of commerce determines on the basis of
an audit that there is an excess surplus in the assigned risk plan created under Minnesota
Statutes, section 79.252, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer
the amount of the excess surplus, not to exceed $10,500,000, to the general fund. This
transfer occurs prior to any transfer under Minnesota Statutes, section 79.251, subdivision
1, paragraph (a), clause (1). This is a onetime transfer.

(b) By June 30, 2015, deleted text begin and each year thereafter,deleted text end if the commissioner of commerce
determines on the basis of an audit that there is an excess surplus in the assigned risk plan
created under Minnesota Statutes, section 79.252, the commissioner of management and
budget shall transfer the amount of the excess surplus, not to exceed $4,820,000 deleted text begin each
year,deleted text end to the Minnesota minerals 21st century fund under Minnesota Statutes, section
116J.423. This transfer occurs prior to any transfer under Minnesota Statutes, section
79.251, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), but after the transfer authorized in
paragraph (a). deleted text begin The total amount authorized for all transfers under this paragraph must not
exceed $24,100,000. This paragraph expires the day following the transfer in which the
total amount transferred under this paragraph to the Minnesota minerals 21st century
fund equals $24,100,000.
deleted text end

(c) By June 30, 2015, if the commissioner of commerce determines on the basis of
an audit that there is an excess surplus in the assigned risk plan created under Minnesota
Statutes, section 79.252, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer the
amount of the excess surplus, not to exceed $4,820,000, to the general fund. This transfer
occurs prior to any transfer under Minnesota Statutes, section 79.251, subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clause (1), but after any transfers authorized in paragraphs (a) and (b). If
a transfer occurs under this paragraph, the amount transferred is appropriated from the
general fund in fiscal year 2015 to the commissioner of labor and industry for the purposes
of section 15. Both the transfer and appropriation under this paragraph are onetime.

deleted text begin (d) By June 30, 2016, if the commissioner of commerce determines on the basis of
an audit that there is an excess surplus in the assigned risk plan created under Minnesota
Statutes, section 79.252, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer the
amount of the excess surplus, not to exceed $4,820,000, to the general fund. This transfer
occurs prior to any transfer under Minnesota Statutes, section 79.251, subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clause (1), but after the transfers authorized in paragraphs (a) and (b). If
a transfer occurs under this paragraph, the amount transferred is appropriated from the
general fund in fiscal year 2016 to the commissioner of labor and industry for the purposes
of section 15. Both the transfer and appropriation under this paragraph are onetime.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d) By July 1, 2015, new text end notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the
commissioner of management and budget shall transfer to the deleted text begin assigned risk plan under
Minnesota Statutes, section 79.252,deleted text end new text begin general fundnew text end any unencumbered or unexpended
balance of the deleted text begin appropriationsdeleted text end new text begin appropriationnew text end under deleted text begin paragraphsdeleted text end new text begin paragraphnew text end (c) deleted text begin and (d)
deleted text end remaining on June 30, deleted text begin 2017deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end , or the date the commissioner of commerce determines
that an excess surplus in the assigned risk plan does not exist, whichever occurs earlier.

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

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 177.24, subdivision 2, new text end new text begin Laws 2014, chapter 312,
article 2, section 15, new text end new text begin and new text end new text begin Minnesota Rules, part 5205.0580, subpart 21, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 45.0135, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

The insurance fraud prevention
account is created in the state treasury. Money received from assessments under subdivision
7 new text begin and from the automobile theft prevention account in section 297I.11, subdivision 2, new text end and
transferred from the automobile theft prevention account in section 65B.84, subdivision 1,
is deposited in the account. Money in this fund is appropriated to the commissioner of
commerce for the purposes specified in this section and sections 60A.951 to 60A.956.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 45.0135, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin (a) The commissioner may:
new text end

new text begin (1) impose an administrative penalty against any person in an amount as set forth in
paragraph (b) for each intentional act of insurance fraud committed by that person; and
new text end

new text begin (2) order restitution to any person suffering loss as a result of the insurance fraud.
new text end

new text begin (b) The administrative penalty for each violation described in paragraph (a) may be
no more than:
new text end

new text begin (1) $20,000 if the funds or the value of the property or services wrongfully obtained
exceeds $5,000;
new text end

new text begin (2) $10,000 if the funds or value of the property or services wrongfully obtained
exceeds $1,000, but not more than $5,000;
new text end

new text begin (3) $3,000 if the funds or value of the property or services wrongfully obtained is
more than $500, but not more than $1,000; and
new text end

new text begin (4) $1,000 if the funds or value of the property or services wrongfully obtained is
less than $500.
new text end

new text begin (c) If an administrative penalty is not paid after all rights of appeal have been
waived or exhausted, the commissioner may bring a civil action in a court of competent
jurisdiction to collect the administrative penalty, including expenses and litigation costs,
reasonable attorney fees, and interest.
new text end

new text begin (d) This section does not affect a person's right to seek recovery, including expenses
and litigation costs, reasonable attorney fees, and interest, against any person that commits
insurance fraud.
new text end

new text begin (e) For purposes of this subdivision, "insurance fraud" has the meaning given in
section 60A.951, subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin (f) Hearings under this subdivision must be conducted in accordance with chapter
14 and any other applicable law.
new text end

new text begin (g) All revenues from penalties, expenses, costs, fees, and interest collected under
paragraphs (a) to (c) shall be deposited in the insurance fraud prevention account under
section 45.0135, subdivision 6.
new text end

new text begin (a) This chapter does not apply to:
new text end

new text begin (1) a policy of insurance offered in compliance with chapters 60A to 79A;
new text end

new text begin (2) a debt cancellation or debt suspension contract, including a guaranteed asset
protection waiver, being offered by a banking institution or credit union in compliance
with chapter 48 or 52; and
new text end

new text begin (3) a debt cancellation or debt suspension contract being offered in compliance with
Code of Federal Regulations, title 12, parts 37, 721, or other federal law.
new text end

new text begin (b) Guaranteed asset protection waivers regulated under this chapter are not
insurance and are not subject to chapters 60A to 79A. Persons selling, soliciting, or
negotiating guaranteed asset protection waivers to borrowers in compliance with this
chapter are exempt for chapter 60K.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner of commerce has the full investigatory authority of chapter 45
to enforce the terms of this chapter.
new text end

new text begin For purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in subdivisions
2 to 10 have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin "Administrator" means a person, other than an insurer
or creditor who performs administrative or operational functions pursuant to guaranteed
asset protection waiver programs.
new text end

new text begin "Borrower" means a debtor, retail buyer, or lessee under a
finance agreement.
new text end

new text begin "Creditor" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) the lender in a loan or credit transaction;
new text end

new text begin (2) the lessor in a lease transaction;
new text end

new text begin (3) a dealer or seller of motor vehicles that provides credit to purchasers of the motor
vehicles provided that the entities comply with this section;
new text end

new text begin (4) the seller in commercial retail installment transactions; or
new text end

new text begin (5) the assignees of any of the forgoing to whom the credit obligation is payable.
new text end

new text begin "Finance agreement" means a loan, lease, or retail
installment sales contract for the purchase or lease of a motor vehicle.
new text end

new text begin "Free look period" means the period of time from the
effective date of the GAP waiver until the date the borrower may cancel the contract without
penalty, fees, or costs to the borrower. This period of time must not be shorter than 30 days.
new text end

new text begin "Guaranteed asset protection waiver"
or "GAP waiver" means a contractual agreement wherein a creditor agrees for a separate
charge to cancel or waive all or part of amounts due on a borrower's finance agreement in
the event of a total physical damage loss or unrecovered theft of the motor vehicle.
new text end

new text begin "Insurer" means an insurance company licensed, registered, or
otherwise authorized to do business under Minnesota law.
new text end

new text begin "Motor vehicle" means self-propelled or towed vehicles
designed for personal or commercial use, including, but not limited to, automobiles;
trucks; motorcycles; recreational vehicles; all-terrain vehicles; snowmobiles; campers;
boats; personal watercraft; and motorcycle, boat, camper, and personal watercraft trailers.
A creditor is prohibited from selling a GAP waiver in conjunction with the sale or lease of
any used motor vehicle that is an automobile or truck that is valued at less than $5,000.
new text end

new text begin "Person" includes an individual, company, association,
organization, partnership, business trust, corporation, and every form of legal entity.
new text end

new text begin Sections 59D.04, subdivision 3, and 59D.06 do not apply to a guaranteed asset
protection waiver offered in connection with a lease or retail installment sale associated
with any transaction not for personal, family, or household purposes.
new text end

new text begin GAP waivers may be offered, sold, or provided to
borrowers in Minnesota in compliance with this chapter.
new text end

new text begin GAP waivers may, at the option of the creditor, be sold
for a single payment or may be offered with a monthly or periodic payment option.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, any cost to the borrower for a guaranteed asset protection
waiver entered into in compliance with United States Code, title 15, sections 1601 to
1667F, and its implementing regulations under Code of Federal Regulations, title 12, part
226, as they may be amended from time to time, must be separately stated and is not to
be considered a finance charge or interest.
new text end

new text begin A retail seller must insure its GAP waiver obligations under a
contractual liability or other insurance policy issued by an insurer. A creditor, other than a
retail seller, may insure its GAP waiver obligations under a contractual liability policy or
other such policy issued by an insurer. The insurance policy may be directly obtained by a
creditor or retail seller, or may be procured by an administrator to cover a creditor's or
retail seller's obligations. Retail sellers that are lessors on motor vehicles are not required
to insure obligations related to GAP waivers on leased vehicles.
new text end

new text begin The GAP waiver must be part of, or a separate
addendum to, the finance agreement and must remain a part of the finance agreement upon
the assignment, sale, or transfer of the finance agreement by the creditor.
new text end

new text begin The extension of credit, the terms of the credit, or
the terms and conditions of the related motor vehicle sale or lease must not be conditioned
upon the purchase of a GAP waiver.
new text end

new text begin A creditor that offers a GAP waiver must report the sale of, and
forward funds received on, all such waivers to the designated party, if any, as prescribed
in any applicable administrative services agreement, contractual liability policy, other
insurance policy, or other specified program documents.
new text end

new text begin Funds received or held by a creditor or
administrator and belonging to an insurer, creditor, or administrator, pursuant to the terms
of a written agreement, must be held by the creditor or administrator in a fiduciary capacity.
new text end

new text begin The terms defined in section 59D.01 are not intended to
provide actual terms that are required in guaranteed asset protection waivers.
new text end

new text begin Contractual liability or
other insurance policies insuring GAP waivers must state the obligation of the insurer to
reimburse or pay to the creditor any sums the creditor is legally obligated to waive under
the GAP waivers issued by the creditor and purchased or held by the borrower.
new text end

new text begin Coverage under a contractual liability or other
insurance policy insuring a GAP waiver must also cover a subsequent assignee upon the
assignment, sale, or transfer of the finance agreement.
new text end

new text begin Coverage under a contractual liability or other insurance policy
insuring a GAP waiver must remain in effect unless canceled or terminated in compliance
with applicable laws.
new text end

new text begin The cancellation or termination of
a contractual liability or other insurance policy must not reduce the insurer's responsibility
for GAP waivers issued by the creditor before the date of cancellation or termination and
for which a premium has been received by the insurer.
new text end

new text begin (a) Guaranteed asset protection waivers must disclose, as applicable, in writing and
in clear, understandable language that is easy to read, the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the name and address of the initial creditor and the borrower at the time of sale,
and the identity of any administrator if different from the creditor;
new text end

new text begin (2) the purchase price and the terms of the GAP waiver, including without limitation,
the requirements for protection, conditions, or exclusions associated with the GAP waiver;
new text end

new text begin (3) that the borrower may cancel the GAP waiver within a free look period as
specified in the waiver, and will be entitled to a full refund of the purchase price, so
long as no benefits have been provided;
new text end

new text begin (4) the procedure the borrower must follow, if any, to obtain GAP waiver benefits
under the terms and conditions of the waiver, including a telephone number and address
where the borrower may apply for waiver benefits;
new text end

new text begin (5) whether or not the GAP waiver is cancelable after the free look period and the
conditions under which it may be canceled or terminated including the procedures for
requesting a refund due;
new text end

new text begin (6) that in order to receive a refund due in the event of a borrower's cancellation of
the GAP waiver agreement or early termination of the finance agreement after the free
look period of the GAP waiver, the borrower, in accordance with the terms of the waiver,
must provide a written cancellation request to the creditor, administrator, or other party.
If such a request is being made because of the termination of the finance agreement,
notice must be provided to the creditor, administrator, or other party within 90 days of the
occurrence of the event terminating the finance agreement;
new text end

new text begin (7) the methodology for calculating a refund of the unearned purchase price of the
GAP waiver due in the event of cancellation of the GAP waiver or early termination
of the finance agreement;
new text end

new text begin (8) that the extension of credit, the terms of the credit, or the terms and conditions
of the related motor vehicle sale or lease are not conditioned upon the purchase of the
GAP waiver; and
new text end

new text begin (9) that the extension of credit, the terms of the credit, or the terms and conditions
of the related motor vehicle sale or lease are not conditioned upon the purchase of the
GAP waiver.
new text end

new text begin (b) The creditor or any person offering a GAP waiver must provide the following
verbatim disclosure orally and in bold, 14-point type, either in a separate writing or as
part of the agreement: "THE GAP WAIVER IS OPTIONAL. YOU DO NOT HAVE
TO PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT IN ORDER TO BUY [OR LEASE] THIS MOTOR
VEHICLE. YOU ALSO HAVE A LIMITED RIGHT TO CANCEL."
new text end

new text begin A GAP waiver must
provide that, if a borrower cancels a waiver within the free look period, the borrower will
be entitled to a full refund of the purchase price, so long as no benefits have been provided.
new text end

new text begin (a) Guaranteed asset
protection waivers may be cancelable or noncancelable after the free-look period.
new text end

new text begin (b) In the event of a borrower's cancellation of the GAP waiver or early termination
of the finance agreement, after the agreement has been in effect beyond the free-look
period, the borrower may be entitled to a refund of any unearned portion of the purchase
price of the waiver unless the waiver provides otherwise. In order to receive a refund,
the borrower, in accordance with any applicable terms of the waiver, must provide a
written request to the creditor, administrator, or other party. If such a request is being
made because of the termination of the finance agreement, notice must be provided to
the creditor, administrator, or other party within 90 days of the occurrence of the event
terminating the finance agreement.
new text end

new text begin (c) If the cancellation of a GAP waiver occurs as a result of a default under the
finance agreement or the repossession of the motor vehicle associated with the finance
agreement, or any other termination of the finance agreement, any refund due may be paid
directly to the creditor or administrator and applied as set forth in subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin A refund under subdivision 1 or 2 may be applied by the
creditor as a reduction of the amount owed under the finance agreement, unless the
borrower can show that the finance agreement has been paid in full.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 65B.44, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin (a) A person convicted of
insurance fraud under section 609.611 in a case related to this chapter or of employment of
runners under section 609.612 may not enforce a contract for payment of services eligible
for reimbursement under subdivision 2 against an insured or reparation obligor.
new text end

new text begin (b) After a period of five years from the date of conviction, a person described in
paragraph (a) may apply to district court to extinguish the collateral sanction set forth in
paragraph (a), which the court may grant in its reasonable discretion.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 65B.84, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

(a)
The commissioner of commerce shall:

(1) develop and sponsor the implementation of statewide plans, programs, and
strategies to combat automobile theft, improve the administration of the automobile theft
laws, and provide a forum for identification of critical problems for those persons dealing
with automobile theft;

(2) coordinate the development, adoption, and implementation of plans, programs,
and strategies relating to interagency and intergovernmental cooperation with respect
to automobile theft enforcement;

(3) annually audit the plans and programs that have been funded in whole or in part
to evaluate the effectiveness of the plans and programs and withdraw funding should the
commissioner determine that a plan or program is ineffective or is no longer in need
of further financial support from the fund;

(4) develop a plan of operation including:

(i) an assessment of the scope of the problem of automobile theft, including areas
of the state where the problem is greatest;

(ii) an analysis of various methods of combating the problem of automobile theft;

(iii) a plan for providing financial support to combat automobile theft;

(iv) a plan for eliminating car hijacking; and

(v) an estimate of the funds required to implement the plan; and

(5) distribute money, in consultation with the commissioner of public safety,
pursuant to subdivision 3 from the automobile theft prevention special revenue account
for automobile theft prevention activities, including:

(i) paying the administrative costs of the program;

(ii) providing financial support to the State Patrol and local law enforcement
agencies for automobile theft enforcement teams;

(iii) providing financial support to state or local law enforcement agencies for
programs designed to reduce the incidence of automobile theft and for improved
equipment and techniques for responding to automobile thefts;

(iv) providing financial support to local prosecutors for programs designed to reduce
the incidence of automobile theft;

(v) providing financial support to judicial agencies for programs designed to reduce
the incidence of automobile theft;

(vi) providing financial support for neighborhood or community organizations or
business organizations for programs designed to reduce the incidence of automobile
theft and to educate people about the common methods of automobile theft, the models
of automobiles most likely to be stolen, and the times and places automobile theft is
most likely to occur; and

(vii) providing financial support for automobile theft educational and training
programs for state and local law enforcement officials, driver and vehicle services exam
and inspections staff, and members of the judiciary.

(b) The commissioner may not spend in any fiscal year more than ten percent
of the money in the fund for the program's administrative and operating costs. The
commissioner is annually appropriated and must distribute the amount of the proceeds
credited to the automobile theft prevention special revenue account each year, less the
transfer of $1,300,000 each year to the deleted text begin general funddeleted text end new text begin insurance fraud prevention account
new text end described in section 297I.11, subdivision 2.

(c) At the end of each fiscal year, the commissioner may transfer any unobligated
balances in the auto theft prevention account to the insurance fraud prevention account
under section 45.0135, subdivision 6.

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in
paragraphs (b) through (e) have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "MNvest issuer" means an entity organized under the laws of Minnesota, other
than a general partnership, that satisfies the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations,
title 17, part 230.147, and the following requirements:
new text end

new text begin (1) the principal office of the entity is located in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (2) as of the last day of the most recent semiannual fiscal period of the entity, at least
80 percent, or other threshold permitted by Code of Federal Regulations, title 17, part
230.147, of the entity's assets were located in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (3) except in the case of an entity whose gross revenue during the most recent period
of 12 full months did not exceed $5,000, the entity derived at least 80 percent, or other
threshold permitted by Code of Federal Regulations, title 17, part 230.147, of the entity's
gross revenues from the operation of a business in Minnesota during (i) the previous fiscal
year, if the MNvest offering begins during the first six months of the entity's fiscal year; or
(ii) during the 12 months ending on the last day of the sixth month of the entity's current
fiscal year, if the MNvest offering begins following the last day;
new text end

new text begin (4) the entity does not attempt to limit its liability, or the liability of any other
person, for fraud or intentional misrepresentation in connection with the offering of its
securities in a MNvest offering; and
new text end

new text begin (5) the entity is not:
new text end

new text begin (i) engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in
securities, except that the entity may hold securities of one class in an entity that is not
itself engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in
securities; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
section 13 or section 15(d), United States Code, title 15, section 78m and section 78o(d).
new text end

new text begin (c) "MNvest offering" means an offer, or an offer and sale, of securities by a MNvest
issuer that: (1) is conducted exclusively through a MNvest portal and (2) satisfies the
requirements of this section and other requirements the administrator imposes by rule.
new text end

new text begin (d) "MNvest portal" means an Internet Web site that is operated by a portal operator
for the offer or sale of MNvest offerings under this section or registered securities under
section 80A.50, paragraph (b), and satisfies the requirements of subdivision 6.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Portal operator" means an entity, including an issuer, that:
new text end

new text begin (1) is authorized to do business in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (2) is a broker-dealer registered under this chapter or otherwise registers with the
administrator as a portal operator in accordance with subdivision 7, paragraph (a), and is
therefore excluded from broker-dealer registration; and
new text end

new text begin (3) satisfies such other conditions as the administrator may determine.
new text end

new text begin The offer, sale, and issuance of securities in a MNvest offering
is exempt from the requirements of sections 80A.49 to 80A.54, except section 80A.50,
paragraph (a), clause (3), and section 80A.71, if the issuer meets the qualifications under
this section.
new text end

new text begin (a) A MNvest offering must satisfy the following
requirements:
new text end

new text begin (1) the issuer must be a MNvest issuer on the date that its securities are first offered
for sale in the offering and continuously through the closing of the offering;
new text end

new text begin (2) the offering must meet the requirements of the federal exemption for intrastate
offerings in section 3(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, United States Code, title 15,
section 77c (a)(11), and Rule 147 adopted under the Securities Act of 1933, Code of
Federal Regulations, title 17, part 230.147;
new text end

new text begin (3) the sale of securities must be conducted exclusively through a MNvest portal;
new text end

new text begin (4) the MNvest issuer shall require the portal operator to provide or make available
to prospective purchasers through the MNvest portal a copy of the MNvest issuer's balance
sheet and income statement for the MNvest issuer's most recent fiscal year, if the issuer
was in existence. For offerings beginning more than 90 days after the issuer's most recent
fiscal year end, or if the MNvest issuer was not in existence the previous calendar year, the
MNvest issuer must provide or make available a balance sheet as of a date not more than
90 days before the commencement of the MNvest offering for the MNvest issuer's most
recently completed fiscal year, or such shorter portion the MNvest issuer was in existence
during that period, and the year-to-date period, or inception-to-date period, if shorter,
corresponding with the more recent balance sheet required by this clause;
new text end

new text begin (5) in any 12-month period, the MNvest issuer shall not raise more than the
aggregate amounts set forth in item (i) or (ii), either in cash or other consideration, in
connection with one or more MNvest offerings:
new text end

new text begin (i) $5,000,000 if the financial statements described in clause (4) have been:
new text end

new text begin (A) audited by a certified public accountant firm licensed under chapter 326A using
auditing standards issued by either the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
or the Public Company Oversight Board; or
new text end

new text begin (B) reviewed by a certified public accountant firm licensed under chapter 326A
using the Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services issued by the
Accounting and Review Services Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) $2,000,000 if the financial statements described in clause (4) have not been
audited or reviewed as described in item (i);
new text end

new text begin (6) the MNvest issuer must use at least 80 percent of the net proceeds of the offering
in connection with the operation of its business within Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (7) no single purchaser may purchase more than $10,000 in securities of the MNvest
issuer under this exemption in connection with a single MNvest offering unless the
purchaser is an accredited investor;
new text end

new text begin (8) all payments for the purchase of securities must be held in escrow until the
aggregate capital deposited into escrow from all purchasers is equal to or greater than the
stated minimum offering amount. Purchasers will receive a return of all their subscription
funds if the minimum offering amount is not raised by the stipulated expiration date
required in subdivision 4, clause (2). The escrow agent must be a bank, regulated trust
company, savings bank, savings association, or credit union authorized to do business
in Minnesota. Prior to the execution of the escrow agreement between the issuer and
the escrow agent, the escrow agent must conduct searches of the issuer, its executive
officers, directors, governors, and managers, as provided to the escrow agent by the portal
operator, against the Specially Designated Nationals list maintained by the Office of
Foreign Assets Control. The escrow agent is only responsible to act at the direction of the
party establishing the escrow account and does not have a duty or liability, contractual
or otherwise, to an investor or other person except as set forth in the applicable escrow
agreement or other contract;
new text end

new text begin (9) the MNvest issuer shall require the portal operator to make available to the
prospective purchaser through the MNvest portal a disclosure document that meets the
requirements set forth in subdivision 4;
new text end

new text begin (10) before selling securities to a prospective purchaser on a MNvest portal, the
MNvest issuer shall require the portal operator to obtain from the prospective purchaser
the certification required under subdivision 5;
new text end

new text begin (11) not less than ten days before the beginning of an offering of securities in reliance
on the exemption under this section, the MNvest issuer shall provide the following to
the administrator:
new text end

new text begin (i) a notice of claim of exemption from registration, specifying that the MNvest
issuer will be conducting an offering in reliance on the exemption under this section;
new text end

new text begin (ii) a copy of the disclosure document to be provided to prospective purchasers in
connection with the offering, as described in subdivision 4; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) a filing fee of $300; and
new text end

new text begin (12) the MNvest issuer and the portal operator may engage in solicitation and
advertising of the MNvest offering provided that:
new text end

new text begin (i) the advertisement contains disclaiming language which clearly states:
new text end

new text begin (A) the advertisement is not the offer and is for informational purposes only;
new text end

new text begin (B) the offering is being made in reliance on the exemption under this section;
new text end

new text begin (C) the offering is directed only to residents of the state;
new text end

new text begin (D) all offers and sales are made through a MNvest portal; and
new text end

new text begin (E) the Department of Commerce is the securities regulator in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (ii) along with the disclosures required under item (i), the advertisement may contain
no more than the following information:
new text end

new text begin (A) the name and contact information of the MNvest issuer;
new text end

new text begin (B) a brief description of the general type of business of the MNvest issuer;
new text end

new text begin (C) the minimum offering amount the MNvest issuer is attempting to raise through
its offering;
new text end

new text begin (D) a description of how the issuer will use the funds raised through the MNvest
offering;
new text end

new text begin (E) the duration that the MNvest offering will remain open;
new text end

new text begin (F) the MNvest issuer's logo; and
new text end

new text begin (G) a link to the MNvest issuer's Web site and the MNvest portal in which the
MNvest offering is being made;
new text end

new text begin (iii) the advertisement complies with all applicable state and federal laws.
new text end

new text begin The MNvest issuer shall require the portal operator to make available to the prospective
purchaser through the MNvest portal a printable or downloadable disclosure document
containing the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the MNvest issuer's type of entity, the address and telephone number of its
principal office, its formation history for the previous five years, a summary of the material
facts of its business plan and its capital structure, and its intended use of the offering
proceeds, including any amounts to be paid from the proceeds of the MNvest offering, as
compensation or otherwise, to an owner, executive officer, director, governor, manager,
member, or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions on
behalf of the MNvest issuer;
new text end

new text begin (2) the MNvest offering must stipulate the date on which the offering will expire,
which must not be longer than 12 months from the date the MNvest offering commenced;
new text end

new text begin (3) a copy of the escrow agreement between the escrow agent, the MNvest issuer,
and, if applicable, the portal operator, as described in subdivision 3, clause (8);
new text end

new text begin (4) the financial statements required under subdivision 3, clause (4);
new text end

new text begin (5) the identity of all persons owning more than ten percent of any class of equity
interests in the company;
new text end

new text begin (6) the identity of the executive officers, directors, governors, managers, members,
and other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions in the name of
and on the behalf of the MNvest issuer, including their titles and their relevant experience;
new text end

new text begin (7) the terms and conditions of the securities being offered, a description of investor
exit strategies, and of any outstanding securities of the MNvest issuer; the minimum and
maximum amount of securities being offered; either the percentage economic ownership
of the MNvest issuer represented by the offered securities, assuming the minimum and, if
applicable, maximum number of securities being offered is sold, or the valuation of the
MNvest issuer implied by the price of the offered securities; the price per share, unit, or
interest of the securities being offered; any restrictions on transfer of the securities being
offered; and a disclosure that any future issuance of securities might dilute the value of
securities being offered;
new text end

new text begin (8) the identity of and consideration payable to a person who has been or will be
retained by the MNvest issuer to assist the MNvest issuer in conducting the offering and
sale of the securities, including a portal operator, but excluding (i) persons acting primarily
as accountants or attorneys, and (ii) employees whose primary job responsibilities involve
operating the business of the MNvest issuer rather than assisting the MNvest issuer in
raising capital;
new text end

new text begin (9) a description of any pending material litigation, legal proceedings, or regulatory
action involving the MNvest issuer or any executive officers, directors, governors,
managers, members, and other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar
functions in the name of and on behalf of the MNvest issuer;
new text end

new text begin (10) a statement of the material risks unique to the MNvest issuer and its business
plans;
new text end

new text begin (11) a statement that the securities have not been registered under federal or state
securities law and that the securities are subject to limitations on resale; and
new text end

new text begin (12) the following legend must be displayed conspicuously in the disclosure
document:
new text end

new text begin "IN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION, PURCHASERS MUST RELY
ON THEIR OWN EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUER AND THE TERMS OF
THE OFFERING, INCLUDING THE MERITS AND RISKS INVOLVED. THESE
SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED BY ANY FEDERAL OR
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR DIVISION OR OTHER REGULATORY
AUTHORITY. FURTHERMORE, THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES HAVE
NOT CONFIRMED THE ACCURACY OR DETERMINED THE ADEQUACY
OF THIS DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE
TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY SUBSECTION
(e) OF SEC RULE 147 (CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 17, PART
230.147 (e)) AS PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED, AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT
TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM. PURCHASERS SHOULD
BE AWARE THAT THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL
RISKS OF THIS INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME."
new text end

new text begin Before
selling securities to a prospective purchaser through a MNvest portal, the MNvest issuer
shall require the portal operator to obtain from the prospective purchaser through the
applicable MNvest portal a written or electronic certification that includes, at a minimum,
the following statements:
new text end

new text begin "I UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT:
new text end

new text begin If I make an investment in an offering through this MNvest portal, it is very likely
that I am investing in a high-risk, speculative business venture that could result in the
complete loss of my investment, and I need to be able to afford such a loss.
new text end

new text begin This offering has not been reviewed or approved by any state or federal securities
commission or division or other regulatory authority and that no such person or authority
has confirmed the accuracy or determined the adequacy of any disclosure made to me
relating to this offering.
new text end

new text begin If I make an investment in an offering through this MNvest portal, it is very likely
that the investment will be difficult to transfer or sell and, accordingly, I may be required
to hold the investment indefinitely.
new text end

new text begin By entering into this transaction with the company, I am affirmatively representing
myself as being a Minnesota resident at the time that this contract is formed, and if this
representation is subsequently shown to be false, the contract is void."
new text end

new text begin A MNvest portal must satisfy the requirements of clauses
(1) through (4):
new text end

new text begin (1) the Web site does not contain the word "MNvest" in its URL address;
new text end

new text begin (2) the Web site implements steps to limit Web site access to the offer or sale of
securities to only Minnesota residents when conducting MNvest offerings;
new text end

new text begin (3) MNvest offerings may not be viewed on the MNvest portal by a prospective
purchaser until:
new text end

new text begin (i) the portal operator verifies, through its exercise of reasonable steps, such as using
a third-party verification service or as otherwise approved by the administrator, that the
prospective purchaser is a Minnesota resident; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) the prospective purchaser makes an affirmative acknowledgment, electronically
through the MNvest portal, that:
new text end

new text begin (A) I am a Minnesota resident;
new text end

new text begin (B) the securities and investment opportunities listed on this Web site involve
high-risk, speculative business ventures. If I choose to invest in any securities or
investment opportunity listed on this Web site, I may lose all of my investment, and
I can afford such a loss;
new text end

new text begin (C) the securities and investment opportunities listed on this Web site have not
been reviewed or approved by any state or federal securities commission or division or
other regulatory authority, and no such person or authority, including this Web site, has
confirmed the accuracy or determined the adequacy of any disclosure made to prospective
investors relating to any offering; and
new text end

new text begin (D) if I choose to invest in any securities or investment opportunity listed on this
Web site, I understand that the securities I will acquire may be difficult to transfer or sell,
that there is no ready market for the sale of such securities, that it may be difficult or
impossible for me to sell or otherwise dispose of this investment at any price, and that,
accordingly, I may be required to hold this investment indefinitely; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the Web site complies with all other rules adopted by the administrator.
new text end

new text begin (a) An entity, other than a registered broker-dealer,
wishing to become a portal operator shall file with the administrator:
new text end

new text begin (1) form ....... [to be approved by the administrator], including all applicable
schedules and supplemental information;
new text end

new text begin (2) a copy of the articles of incorporation or other documents that indicate the
entity's form of organization; and
new text end

new text begin (3) a filing fee of $200.
new text end

new text begin (b) A portal operator's registration expires 12 months from the date the administrator
has approved the entity as a portal operator, and subsequent registration for the succeeding
12-month period shall be issued upon written application and upon payment of a renewal
fee of $200, without filing of further statements or furnishing any further information,
unless specifically requested by the administrator. This section is not applicable to a
registered broker-dealer functioning as a portal operator.
new text end

new text begin (c) A portal operator that is not a broker-dealer registered under this chapter shall not:
new text end

new text begin (1) offer investment advice or recommendations, provided that a portal operator
shall not be deemed to be offering investment advice or recommendations merely because
it (i) selects, or may perform due diligence with respect to, issuers or offerings to be listed,
or (ii) provides general investor educational materials;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide transaction-based compensation for securities sold under this chapter to
employees, agents, or other persons unless the employees, agents, or other persons are
registered with the administrator and permitted to receive such compensation;
new text end

new text begin (3) charge a fee to the issuer for an offering of securities on a MNvest portal unless
the fee is (i) a fixed amount for each offering, (ii) a variable amount based on the length of
time that the securities are offered on the MNvest portal, or (iii) a combination of such
fixed and variable amounts; or
new text end

new text begin (4) hold, manage, possess, or otherwise handle purchaser funds or securities. This
restriction does not apply if the issuer is the portal operator.
new text end

new text begin (d) A portal operator shall provide the administrator with read-only access to
administrative sections of the MNvest portal.
new text end

new text begin (e) A portal operator shall comply with the record-keeping requirements of this
paragraph, provided that the failure of a portal operator that is not an issuer to maintain
records in compliance with this paragraph shall not affect the MNvest issuer's exemption
from registration afforded by this section:
new text end

new text begin (1) a portal operator shall maintain and preserve, for a period of five years from either
the date of the closing or termination of the securities offering, the following records:
new text end

new text begin (i) the name of each issuer whose securities have been listed on its MNvest portal;
new text end

new text begin (ii) the full name, residential address, Social Security number, date of birth, and
copy of a state-issued identification for all owners with greater than ten percent voting
equity in an issuer;
new text end

new text begin (iii) copies of all offering materials that have been displayed on its MNvest portal;
new text end

new text begin (iv) the names and other personal information of each purchaser who has registered
at its MNvest portal;
new text end

new text begin (v) any agreements and contracts between the portal operator and the issuer; and
new text end

new text begin (vi) any information used to establish that a MNvest issuer, prospective MNvest
purchaser, or MNvest purchaser is a Minnesota resident;
new text end

new text begin (2) a portal operator shall, upon written request of the administrator, furnish to the
administrator any records required to be maintained and preserved under this subdivision;
new text end

new text begin (3) the records required to be kept and preserved under this subdivision must be
maintained in a manner, including by any electronic storage media, that will permit the
immediate location of any particular document so long as such records are available for
immediate and complete access by representatives of the administrator. Any electronic
storage system must preserve the records exclusively in a nonrewriteable, nonerasable
format; verify automatically the quality and accuracy of the storage media recording
process; serialize the original and, if applicable, duplicate units storage media, and
time-date for the required period of retention the information placed on such electronic
storage media; and be able to download indexes and records preserved on electronic
storage media to an acceptable medium. In the event that a records retention system
commingles records required to be kept under this subdivision with records not required to
be kept, representatives of the administrator may review all commingled records; and
new text end

new text begin (4) a portal operator shall maintain such other records as the administrator shall
determine by rule.
new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of
this subdivision, "personal information" means information provided to a portal operator
by a prospective purchaser or purchaser that identifies, or can be used to identify, the
prospective purchaser or purchaser.
new text end

new text begin (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), a portal operator must not disclose personal
information without written or electronic consent from the prospective purchaser or
purchaser that authorizes the disclosure.
new text end

new text begin (c) Paragraph (b) does not apply to:
new text end

new text begin (1) records required to be provided to the administrator under subdivision 7,
paragraph (e);
new text end

new text begin (2) the disclosure of personal information to a MNvest issuer relating to its MNvest
offering; or
new text end

new text begin (3) the disclosure of personal information to the extent required or authorized under
other law.
new text end

new text begin (a) An exemption under this section is not
available for a sale if securities in the MNvest issuer; any predecessor of the MNvest
issuer; any affiliated issuer; any director, executive officer, other officer participating in
the MNvest offering, general partner, or managing member of the MNvest issuer; any
beneficial owner of 20 percent or more of the MNvest issuer's outstanding voting equity
securities, calculated on the basis of voting power; any promoter connected with the
MNvest issuer in any capacity at the time of the sale; any investment manager of an
issuer that is a pooled investment fund; any general partner or managing member of any
investment manager; or any director, executive officer, or other officer participating in
the offering of any investment manager or general partner or managing member of the
investment manager:
new text end

new text begin (1) has been convicted, within ten years before the offering, or five years, in the case
of MNvest issuers, their predecessors, and affiliated issuers, of any felony or misdemeanor:
new text end

new text begin (i) in connection with the purchase or sale of any security;
new text end

new text begin (ii) involving the making of any false filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or a state agency; or
new text end

new text begin (iii) arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker, dealer,
municipal securities dealer, investment adviser, or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities;
new text end

new text begin (2) is subject to any order, judgment, or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction,
entered within five years before the sale, that, at the time of the sale, restrains or enjoins
the person from engaging or continuing to engage in any conduct or practice:
new text end

new text begin (i) in connection with the purchase or sale of any security;
new text end

new text begin (ii) involving the making of any false filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission; or
new text end

new text begin (3) is subject to a final order of a state securities commission or an agency or officer
of a state performing like functions; a state authority that supervises or examines banks,
savings associations, or credit unions; a state insurance commission or an agency or
officer of a state performing like functions; an appropriate federal banking agency; the
United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission; or the National Credit Union
Administration that:
new text end

new text begin (i) at the time of the offering, bars the person from:
new text end

new text begin (A) association with an entity regulated by the commission, authority, agency, or
officer;
new text end

new text begin (B) engaging in the business of securities, insurance, or banking; or
new text end

new text begin (C) engaging in savings association or credit union activities; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) constitutes a final order based on a violation of any law or regulation that prohibits
fraudulent, manipulative, or deceptive conduct entered within ten years before the offering;
new text end

new text begin (4) is subject to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission entered pursuant
to section 15(b) or 15B(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, United States Code, title
15, section 78 o(b) or 78o-4(c) or section 203(e) or (f) of the Investment Advisers Act of
1940, United States Code, title 15, section 80b-3(e) or (f) that, at the time of the offering:
new text end

new text begin (i) suspends or revokes the person's registration as a broker, dealer, municipal
securities dealer, or investment adviser;
new text end

new text begin (ii) places limitations on the activities, functions, or operations of the person; or
new text end

new text begin (iii) bars the person from being associated with any entity or from participating in
the offering of any penny stock;
new text end

new text begin (5) is subject to any order of the Securities and Exchange Commission entered
within five years before the sale that, at the time of the sale, orders the person to cease and
desist from committing or causing a violation or future violation of:
new text end

new text begin (i) any scienter-based antifraud provision of the federal securities laws, including
without limitation section 17(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, United States Code, title
15, section 77q(a)(1), section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, United States
Code, title 15, section 78j(b) and Code of Federal Regulations, title 17, section 240.10b-5,
section 15(c)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, United States Code, title 15,
section 78o(c)(1) and section 206(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, United
States Code, title 15, section 80b-6(1), or any other rule or regulation thereunder; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, United States Code, title 15, section 77e;
new text end

new text begin (6) is suspended or expelled from membership in, or suspended or barred from
association with a member of, a registered national securities exchange or a registered
national or affiliated securities association for any act or omission to act constituting
conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade;
new text end

new text begin (7) has filed as a registrant or issuer, or was named as an underwriter in, any
registrations statement or Regulation A offering statement filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission that, within five years before the sale, was the subject of a refusal
order, stop order, or order suspending the Regulation A exemption, or is, at the time of
the sale, the subject of an investigation or proceeding to determine whether a stop order
or suspension order should be issued; or
new text end

new text begin (8) is subject to a United States Postal Service false representation order entered
within five years before the offering, or is, at the time of the offering, subject to a
temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction with respect to conduct alleged by
the United States Postal Service to constitute a scheme or device for obtaining money or
property through the mail by means of false representations.
new text end

new text begin (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply:
new text end

new text begin (1) with respect to any conviction, order, judgment, decree, suspension, expulsion,
or bar that occurred or was issued before September 23, 2013;
new text end

new text begin (2) upon a showing of good cause and without prejudice to any other action by
the Securities and Exchange Commission, if the Securities and Exchange Commission
determines that it is not necessary under the circumstances that an exemption be denied;
new text end

new text begin (3) if, before the relevant offering, the court of regulatory authority that entered the
relevant order, judgment, or decree advises in writing, whether contained in the relevant
judgment, order, or decree or separately to the Securities and Exchange Commission or
its staff, that disqualification under paragraph (a) should not arise as a consequence of
the order, judgment, or decree; or
new text end

new text begin (4) if the MNvest issuer establishes that it did not know and, in the exercise of
reasonable care, could not have known that a disqualification existed under paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of paragraph (a), events relating to any affiliated issuer that occurred
before the affiliation arose will not be considered disqualifying if the affiliated entity is not:
new text end

new text begin (1) in control of the issuer; or
new text end

new text begin (2) under common control with the issuer by a third party that was in control of the
affiliated entity at the time of the events.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 237.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin "Voice over Internet Protocol
service" or "VoIP service" means any service that (1) enables real-time two-way voice
communications that originate from or terminate at the user's location in Internet protocol
or any successor protocol, and (2) permits users generally to receive calls that originate
on the public switched telephone network and terminate calls to the public switched
telephone network.
new text end

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 237.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin "Internet Protocol-enabled service"
or "IP-enabled service" means any service, capability, functionality, or application
provided using Internet protocol, or any successor protocol, that enables an end user to
send or receive a communication in Internet protocol format or any successor format,
regardless of whether that communication is voice, data, or video.
new text end

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

new text begin Except as provided in this section, no
state agency, including the commission and the Department of Commerce, or political
subdivision of this state shall by rule, order, or other means directly or indirectly regulate
the entry, rates, terms, quality of service, availability, classification, or any other aspect of
VoIP service or IP-enabled service.
new text end

new text begin (a) To the extent permitted by federal law, VoIP service
is subject to the requirements of sections 237.49, 237.52, 237.70, and 403.11 with regard
to the collection and remittance of the surcharges governed by those sections.
new text end

new text begin (b) A provider of VoIP service must comply with the requirements of chapter 403
applicable to the provision of access to 911 service by service providers, except to the
extent those requirements conflict with federal requirements for the provision of 911
service by VoIP providers under Code of Federal Regulations, title 47, part 9. A VoIP
provider is entitled to the benefit of the limitation of liability provisions of section 403.07,
subdivision 5. Beginning June 1, 2015, and continuing each June 1 thereafter, each VoIP
provider shall file a plan with the commission describing how it will comply with the
requirements of this paragraph. After its initial filing under this paragraph, a VoIP provider
shall file with the commission either an update of the plan or a statement certifying that
the plan and personnel contact information previously filed is still current.
new text end

new text begin Nothing in this section restricts, creates, expands,
or otherwise affects or modifies:
new text end

new text begin (1) the commission's authority under the Federal Communications Act of 1934,
United States Code, title 47, sections 251 and 252;
new text end

new text begin (2) any applicable wholesale tariff or any commission authority related to wholesale
services;
new text end

new text begin (3) any commission jurisdiction over (i) intrastate switched access rates, terms,
and conditions, including the implementation of federal law with respect to intercarrier
compensation, or (ii) existing commission authority to address or affect the resolution of
disputes regarding intercarrier compensation;
new text end

new text begin (4) the rights of any entity, or the authority of the commission and local government
authorities, with respect to the use and regulation of public rights-of-way under sections
237.162 and 237.163; or
new text end

new text begin (5) the establishment or enforcement of standards, requirements or procedures in
procurement policies, internal operational policies, or work rules of any state agency or
political subdivision of the state relating to the protection of intellectual property.
new text end

new text begin The following services delivered by IP-enabled service are
not regulated under this chapter:
new text end

new text begin (1) video services provided by a cable communications system, as defined in section
238.02, subdivision 3; or
new text end

new text begin (2) cable service, as defined in United States Code, title 47, section 522, clause (6); or
new text end

new text begin (3) any other IP-enabled video service.
new text end

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297I.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

A special revenue account in
the state treasury shall be credited with the proceeds of the surcharge imposed under
subdivision 1. Of the revenue in the account, $1,300,000 each year must be transferred to
the deleted text begin general funddeleted text end new text begin insurance fraud prevention account under section 45.0135, subdivision 6new text end .
Revenues in excess of $1,300,000 each year may be used only for the automobile theft
prevention program described in section 65B.84.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 345.42, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

new text begin (a) new text end Within the calendar year next following
the year in which abandoned property has been paid or delivered to the commissioner,
the commissioner shall provide public notice of the abandoned property in the manner
new text begin described in subdivision 1a, new text end and deleted text begin frequencydeleted text end new text begin otherwise asnew text end the commissioner determines to
be most effective and efficient in communicating to the persons appearing to be owners of
this property. deleted text begin Public notice may include the use of print, broadcast, or electronic media.
deleted text end The commissioner shall, at a minimum, expend 15 percent of the funds allocated by
the legislature to the operations of the unclaimed property division, to comply with the
public notice requirements of this deleted text begin subdivisiondeleted text end new text begin section, and shall report to the legislature
annually on how those funds are expendednew text end .

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 345.42, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin (a) Public notice provided by the commissioner shall
include the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) posting on the Department of Commerce's Web site a list of all persons appearing
to be owners of abandoned property. The list shall be arranged in alphabetical order by
the last name of the person, and further organized by county. The list of persons must be
updated at least three times per year and must remain on the Department of Commerce's
Web site at all times;
new text end

new text begin (2) publication in a qualified newspaper a list of persons appearing to be owners of
abandoned property having a value of $500 or more. The list shall be published in the
largest circulation qualified newspaper in each county, and shall include the names of all
persons whose last known address is within the county. The list must be published at least
once per year. The commissioner may stagger publication of the entire list of owners by
publishing a partial list at least twice, but no more than three times per year. Each qualified
newspaper that publishes the list shall, at no additional charge to the commissioner, also
post the list on its Web site or on a central Web site that can be accessed directly from the
qualified newspaper's Web site. The list must be accessible on the Web site for not less
than 180 days, and at no cost to the public. The qualified newspaper must include in its
publication of the list a reference to its Web site or a central Web site; and
new text end

new text begin (3) dissemination of information to persons appearing to be owners of abandoned
property through other means and media, including broadcast media, the Internet, and
social media.
new text end

new text begin (b) Beginning July 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall
provide to each member of the legislature a list of all persons appearing to be owners of
abandoned property whose last known address is located in the legislator's respective
legislative district.
new text end

new text begin (a) A person who contacts an individual to offer professional or commercial services
with knowledge that the individual has been involved in a motor vehicle accident must not:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide any fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading information; or
new text end

new text begin (2) offer, directly or indirectly, any inducement to use the professional or commercial
services, including but not limited to the provision of any free service, cash, gift cards,
cash equivalents, promotional items, entry into a sweepstakes, or any other thing of value.
new text end

new text begin (b) The disclosure by a licensed attorney that legal representation may be undertaken
on a contingency fee basis does not constitute an inducement to use the professional
or commercial services under this section.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall, using a request for proposal process, contract with a vendor
who will facilitate the return of abandoned property to owners. As consideration for
such services the vendor shall receive up to seven percent of the value of the abandoned
property, not to exceed $500,000, when such abandoned property is returned to its owner.
This consideration shall not be paid from the abandoned property itself. A vendor may not
assess any fees, charges, or costs to the owner of the abandoned property.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall report by February 15, 2016, to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the standing committees of the house of representatives and senate
having jurisdiction over commerce issues, regarding the process owners of abandoned
property must comply with in order to file an allowed claim under Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 345, and the effectiveness of the vendor used by the commissioner to facilitate the
return of the abandoned property. The report shall include:
new text end

new text begin (1) information regarding the documentation and identification necessary for owners
of each type of abandoned property under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 345, to file an
allowed claim; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a review of the methods and effectiveness of the vendor in returning abandoned
property under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 345, to the owner.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 80G.01; 80G.02; 80G.03; 80G.04; 80G.05;
80G.06; 80G.07; 80G.08; 80G.09; and 80G.10, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.035, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

"Benefit year" means the period of 52 calendar weeks
beginning the date a benefit account is effective. For a benefit account established
effective any January 1, April 1, July 1,new text begin ornew text end October 1, deleted text begin or January 2, 2000, or October 2,
2011,deleted text end the benefit year will be a period of 53 calendar weeks.

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.035, subdivision 21b, is amended to read:

"Preponderance of the evidence"
means evidence in deleted text begin substantiationdeleted text end new text begin supportnew text end of a fact thatdeleted text begin , when weighed against the evidence
opposing the fact,deleted text end is more convincing and has a greater probability of truthnew text begin than the
evidence opposing the factnew text end .

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.035, subdivision 26, is amended to read:

An applicant is considered "unemployed" deleted text begin (1)deleted text end in any week
thatnew text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1)new text end the applicant performs less than 32 hours of service in employment, covered
employment, noncovered employment, self-employment, or volunteer work; and

(2) any earnings with respect to that week are less than the applicant's weekly
unemployment benefit amount.

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.035, subdivision 30, is amended to read:

(a) "Wages paid" means the amount of wagesnew text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1)new text end that have been actually paidnew text begin ;new text end or

new text begin (2)new text end that have been credited to or set apart so that payment and disposition is under
the control of the employee.

new text begin (b)new text end Wage payments delayed beyond the regularly scheduled pay date are considered
"wages paid" on the missed pay date. Back pay is considered "wages paid" on the date
of actual payment. Any wages earned but not paid with no scheduled date of payment is
considered "wages paid" on the last day of employment.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end Wages paid does not include wages earned but not paid except as provided
for in this subdivision.

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.051, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin (a) If the balance in the trust
fund on December 31 of any calendar year exceeds the average high cost multiple of 0.9,
future unemployment taxes payable must be reduced by all amounts above 0.9. The
amount of tax reduction for any taxpaying employer is the same percentage of the total
amount above 0.9 as the percentage of taxes paid by nonmaximum experience rated
employers for the prior calendar year.
new text end

new text begin (b) This subdivision only applies if the balance in the trust fund on December 31 is
four percent or more above the average high cost multiple of 0.9.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this subdivision, "average high cost multiple" has the same
meaning as given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, section 606.3, as amended
through the effective date of this section.
new text end

new text begin (d) This subdivision does not apply to employers that are at the maximum experience
rating for the calendar year, nor to high experience rating industry employers under section
268.051, subdivision 5, paragraph (b). Computations under paragraph (a) are not subject
to the rounding requirement of section 268.034. The refund provisions of section 268.057,
subdivision 7, do not apply. Computations under paragraph (a) are based upon taxes paid
on or before February 15 of the calendar year.
new text end

new text begin (e) The unemployment tax reduction under this subdivision applies to taxes paid
between March 1 and December 15 of the year following the December 31 calculation
under paragraph (a).
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.051, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

(a) Any taxpaying employer that has been assigned
a tax rate based upon an experience rating, and has no amounts past due under this
chapter, may, upon the payment of an amount equivalent to any portion or all of the
unemployment benefits used in computing the experience rating plus a surcharge of 25
percent, obtain a cancellation of unemployment benefits used equal to the payment made,
less the surcharge. The payment is applied to the most recent unemployment benefits paid
that are used in computing the experience rating. Upon the payment, the commissioner
must compute a new experience rating for the employer, and compute a new tax rate.

(b) Payments for a tax rate buydown may be made only by electronic payment
and must be received within 120 calendar days from the beginning of the calendar year
for which the tax rate is effective.

deleted text begin (c) For calendar years 2011, 2012, and 2013, the surcharge of 25 percent provided
for in paragraph (a) does not apply.
deleted text end

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

(a) Unless paragraph (b) applies, to
establish a benefit account an applicant must have total wage credits in the applicant's four
quarter base period of at leastdeleted text begin : (1) $2,400; or (2)deleted text end 5.3 percent of the state's average annual
wage rounded down to the next lower $100deleted text begin , whichever is higherdeleted text end .

(b) To establish a new benefit account deleted text begin within 52 calendar weeksdeleted text end following the
expiration of the benefit year on a prior benefit account, an applicant must have performed
deleted text begin servicesdeleted text end new text begin actual worknew text end in new text begin subsequent new text end covered employment and have been paid wages in one
or more completed calendar quarters that started after the effective date of the prior benefit
account. The wages paid for deleted text begin those servicesdeleted text end new text begin that employmentnew text end must be at least enough to
meet the requirements of paragraph (a). A benefit account under this paragraph may not
be established effective earlier than the Sunday following the end of the most recent
completed calendar quarter in which the requirements of paragraph (a) were met. deleted text begin One
of the reasons for this paragraph is to preventdeleted text end An applicant deleted text begin from establishingdeleted text end new text begin may not
establishnew text end a second benefit account as a result of one loss of employment.

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015, except the amendment
striking "within 52 calendar weeks" is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.07, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:

(a) An application for
unemployment benefits is effective the Sunday of the calendar week that the application
was filed. An application for unemployment benefits may be backdated one calendar week
before the Sunday of the week the application was actually filed if the applicant requests
the backdating at the time the application is filed. An application may be backdated only
if the applicant was unemployed during the period of the backdating. If an individual
attempted to file an application for unemployment benefits, but was prevented from filing
an application by the department, the application is effective the Sunday of the calendar
week the individual first attempted to file an application.

(b) A benefit account established under subdivision 2 is effective the date the
application for unemployment benefits was effective.

(1) the applicant has not been paid any unemployment benefits on that benefit
account; and

(2) a new application for unemployment benefits is filed and a new benefit account is
established at the time of the withdrawal.

A determination or amended determination of eligibility or ineligibility issued under
section 268.101, that was sent before the withdrawal of the benefit account, remains in
effect and is not voided by the withdrawal of the benefit account.

(d) An application for unemployment benefits is not allowed before the Sunday
following the expiration of the benefit year on a prior benefit account. Except as allowed
under paragraph (c), an applicant may establish only one benefit account each 52 calendar
weeks.new text begin This paragraph applies to benefit accounts established under any federal law or
the law of any other state.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.085, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

An applicant may be eligible to receive
unemployment benefits for any week if:

(1) the applicant has filed a continued request for unemployment benefits for that
week under section 268.0865;

(2) the week for which unemployment benefits are requested is in the applicant's
benefit year;

(3) the applicant was unemployed as defined in section 268.035, subdivision 26;

(4) the applicant was available for suitable employment as defined in subdivision
15. The applicant's weekly unemployment benefit amount is reduced one-fifth for each
day the applicant is unavailable for suitable employment. This clause does not apply to
an applicant who is in reemployment assistance training, or each day the applicant is on
jury duty or serving as an election judge;

(5) the applicant was actively seeking suitable employment as defined in subdivision
16. This clause does not apply to an applicant who is in reemployment assistance training
or who was on jury duty throughout the week;

(6) the applicant has served a nonpayable period of one week that the applicant is
otherwise entitled to some amount of unemployment benefits. This clause does not apply
if the applicant would have been entitled to federal disaster unemployment assistance
because of a disaster in Minnesota, but for the applicant's establishment of a benefit
account under section 268.07; and

(7) the applicant has been participating in reemployment assistance services, such as
deleted text begin jobdeleted text end new text begin development of, and adherence to, a worknew text end search deleted text begin and resume writing classesdeleted text end new text begin plannew text end , if
the applicant has been deleted text begin determined in need of reemployment assistance servicesdeleted text end new text begin directed
to participatenew text end by the commissionerdeleted text begin , unlessdeleted text end new text begin . This clause does not apply ifnew text end the applicant
has good cause for failing to participate.

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.085, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

An applicant is ineligible for unemployment benefits for
any week:

(1) that occurs before the effective date of a benefit account;

(2) that the applicant, at the beginning of the week, has an outstanding fraud
overpayment balance under section 268.18, subdivision 2, including any penalties and
interest;

(3) that occurs in a period when the applicant is a student in attendance at, or on
vacation from a secondary school including the period between academic years or terms;

(4) that the applicant is incarcerated or performing court-ordered community service.
The applicant's weekly unemployment benefit amount is reduced by one-fifth for each day
the applicant is incarcerated or performing court-ordered community service;

(5) that the applicant fails or refuses to provide information on an issue of
ineligibility required under section 268.101;

(6) that the applicant is performing services 32 hours or more, in employment,
covered employment, noncovered employment, volunteer work, or self-employment
regardless of the amount of any earnings; or

(7) with respect to which the applicant deleted text begin is receiving, has received, ordeleted text end has filed an
application for unemployment benefits under any federal law or the law of any other
state. If the appropriate agency finally determines that the applicant is not entitled to deleted text begin the
unemployment benefitsdeleted text end new text begin establish a benefit account under federal law of the law of any
other statenew text end , this clause does not apply.

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.095, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

An applicant who quit employment is ineligible for all
unemployment benefits according to subdivision 10 except when:

(1) the applicant quit the employment because of a good reason caused by the
employer as defined in subdivision 3;

(2) the applicant quit the employment to accept other covered employment that
provided deleted text begin substantiallydeleted text end new text begin equal to ornew text end better terms and conditions of employment, but
the applicant did not work long enough at the second employment to have sufficient
subsequent earnings to satisfy the period of ineligibility that would otherwise be imposed
under subdivision 10 for quitting the first employment;

(3) the applicant quit the employment within 30 calendar days of beginning the
employment because the employment was unsuitable for the applicant;

(4) the employment was unsuitable for the applicant and the applicant quit to enter
reemployment assistance training;

(5) the employment was part time and the applicant also had full-time employment
in the base period, from which full-time employment the applicant separated because of
reasons for which the applicant deleted text begin was helddeleted text end new text begin isnew text end not deleted text begin to bedeleted text end ineligible, and the wage credits from
the full-time employment are sufficient to meet the minimum requirements to establish a
benefit account under section 268.07;

(6) the applicant quit because the employer notified the applicant that the applicant
was going to be laid off because of lack of work within 30 calendar days. An applicant
who quit employment within 30 calendar days of a notified date of layoff because of lack
of work is ineligible for unemployment benefits through the end of the week that includes
the scheduled date of layoff;

(7) the applicant quit the employment (i) because the applicant's serious illness or
injury made it medically necessary that the applicant quit; or (ii) in order to provide
necessary care because of the illness, injury, or disability of an immediate family member
of the applicant. This exception only applies if the applicant informs the employer of
the medical problem and requests accommodation and no reasonable accommodation
is made available.

If the applicant's serious illness is chemical dependency, this exception does not
apply if the applicant was previously diagnosed as chemically dependent or had treatment
for chemical dependency, and since that diagnosis or treatment has failed to make
consistent efforts to control the chemical dependency.

This exception raises an issue of the applicant's being available for suitable
employment under section 268.085, subdivision 1, that the commissioner must determine;

(8) the applicant's loss of child care for the applicant's minor child caused the
applicant to quit the employment, provided the applicant made reasonable effort to obtain
other child care and requested time off or other accommodation from the employer and no
reasonable accommodation is available.

This exception raises an issue of the applicant's being available for suitable
employment under section 268.085, subdivision 1, that the commissioner must determine;

(9) the applicant quit because domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking of the
applicant or an immediate family member of the applicant, necessitated the applicant's
quitting the employment.

For purposes of this subdivision:

(i) "domestic abuse" has the meaning given in section 518B.01;

(ii) "sexual assault" means an act that would constitute a violation of sections
609.342 to 609.3453 or 609.352; and

(iii) "stalking" means an act that would constitute a violation of section 609.749; or

(10) the applicant quit in order to relocate to accompany a spouse whose job location
changed making it impractical for the applicant to commute.new text begin This exception only applies
if the spouse's job is in the military or provides total wages and other compensation that
is equal to or better than the applicant's employment. When determining if total wages
and compensation are equal to or better than the applicant's employment, differences in
cost of living must be considered.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.095, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

(a) Ineligibility from the payment of all
unemployment benefits under subdivisions 1 and 4 is for the duration of the applicant's
unemployment and until the end of the calendar week that the applicant had total wages
paid new text begin for actual work performed new text end in subsequent covered employment sufficient to meet
one-half of the requirements of section 268.07, subdivision 2, paragraph (a).

(b) Ineligibility imposed under subdivisions 1 and 4 begins on the Sunday of the
week that the applicant became separated from employment.

(c) In addition to paragraph (a), if the applicant was discharged from employment
because of aggravated employment misconduct, wage credits from that employment are
canceled and cannot be used for purposes of a benefit account under section 268.07,
subdivision 2.

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.105, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

(a) deleted text begin Anydeleted text end new text begin Annew text end appeal that is pending before
an unemployment law judge may be withdrawn by the appealing deleted text begin persondeleted text end new text begin partynew text end , or an
authorized representative of that deleted text begin persondeleted text end new text begin partynew text end , deleted text begin upondeleted text end new text begin bynew text end filing of a notice of withdrawal.new text begin A
notice of withdrawal may be filed by mail or by electronic transmission.
new text end

(b) The appeal must, by order, be dismissed if a notice of withdrawal is filed, unless
an unemployment law judge directs that further deleted text begin adjudication isdeleted text end new text begin proceedings arenew text end required
for a proper result.new text begin An order of dismissal issued as a result of a notice of withdrawal is
not subject to reconsideration or appeal.
new text end

(c) deleted text begin A notice of withdrawal may be filed by mail or by electronic transmission.deleted text end new text begin A
party may file a new appeal after the order of dismissal, but the original 20-calendar-day
period for appeal begins from the date of issuance of the determination and that time
period is not suspended or restarted by the notice of withdrawal and order of dismissal.
The new appeal may only be filed by mail or facsimile transmission.
new text end

new text begin (d) For purposes of this subdivision, "appeals" includes a request for reconsideration
filed under subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.105, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

(a) The Minnesota Court of Appeals must, by writ
of certiorari to the department, review the unemployment law judge's decision on
reconsideration, provided a petition for the writ is filed with the court and a copy is served
upon the unemployment law judge or the commissioner and any other party within 30
calendar days of the sending of the unemployment law judge's decision on reconsideration
under subdivision 2.new text begin Three days are added to the 30-calendar-day period if the decision on
reconsideration was mailed to the parties.
new text end

(b) Any employer petitioning for a writ of certiorari must pay to the court the
required filing fee in accordance with the Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure. If the
employer requests a written transcript of the testimony received at the hearing conducted
under subdivision 1, the employer must pay to the department the cost of preparing the
transcript. That money is credited to the administration account.

(c) Upon issuance by the Minnesota Court of Appeals of a writ of certiorari as a
result of an applicant's petition, the department must furnish to the applicant at no cost a
written transcript of any testimony received at the hearing conducted under subdivision 1,
and, if requested, a copy of all exhibits entered into evidence. No filing fee or cost bond is
required of an applicant petitioning the Minnesota Court of Appeals for a writ of certiorari.

(d) The Minnesota Court of Appeals may affirm the decision of the unemployment
law judge or remand the case for further proceedings; or it may reverse or modify the
decision if the substantial rights of the petitioner may have been prejudiced because the
findings, inferences, conclusion, or decision are:

(1) in violation of constitutional provisions;

(2) in excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the department;

(3) made upon unlawful procedure;

(4) affected by other error of law;

(5) unsupported by substantial evidence in view of the entire record as submitted; or

(6) arbitrary or capricious.

(e) The department is considered the primary responding party to any judicial action
involving an unemployment law judge's decision. The department may be represented by
an attorney licensed to practice law in Minnesota who is an employee of the department.

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.136, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

An employer may submit a
proposed shared work plan for an employee group to the commissioner for approval in a
manner and format set by the commissioner. The proposed shared work plan must include:

(1) a certified statement that the normal weekly hours of work of all of the proposed
participating employees were full time or regular part time but are now reduced, or will be
reduced, with a corresponding reduction in pay, in order to prevent layoffs;

(2) the name and Social Security number of each participating employee;

(3) the number of layoffs that would have occurred absent the employer's ability to
participate in a shared work plan;

(4) a certified statement that each participating employee was first hired by the
employer at least one year before the proposed shared work plan is submitted and is not a
seasonal, temporary, or intermittent worker;

(5) the hours of work each participating employee will work each week for the
duration of the shared work plan, which must be at least 50 percent of the normal weekly
hours but no more than deleted text begin 90deleted text end new text begin 80new text end percent of the normal weekly hours, except that the plan
may provide for a uniform vacation shutdown of up to two weeks;

(6) a certified statement that any health benefits and pension benefits provided by
the employer to participating employees will continue to be provided under the same
terms and conditions as though the participating employees' hours of work each week had
not been reduced;

(7) a certified statement that the terms and implementation of the shared work plan is
consistent with the employer's obligations under state and federal law;

(8) an acknowledgement that the employer understands that unemployment benefits
paid under a shared work plan will be used in computing the future tax rate of a taxpaying
employer or charged to the reimbursable account of a nonprofit or government employer;

(9) the proposed duration of the shared work plan, which must be at least two months
and not more than one year, although a plan may be extended for up to an additional
year upon approval of the commissioner;

(10) a starting date beginning on a Sunday at least 15 calendar days after the date the
proposed shared work plan is submitted; and

(11) a signature of an owner or officer of the employer who is listed as an owner or
officer on the employer's account under section 268.045.

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 268.194, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

There is established as a special state trust fund,
separate and apart from all other public money or funds of this state, an unemployment
insurance trust fund, that is administered by the commissioner exclusively for the payment
of unemployment benefits. This trust fund consists of:

(1) all taxes collected;

(2) interest earned upon any money in the trust fund;

(3) reimbursements paid by nonprofit organizations and the state and political
subdivisions;

(4) tax rate buydown payments under section 268.051, subdivision 7;

(5) any money received as a loan from the federal unemployment trust fund in
accordance with United States Code, title 42, section 1321, of the Social Security Act;

(6) any other money received under a reciprocal unemployment benefit arrangement
with the federal government or any other state;

(7) money recovered on overpaid unemployment benefits deleted text begin except, if allowed by
federal law, five percent of any recovered amount is credited to the administration accountdeleted text end ;

(8) all money credited to the account under this chapter;

(9) all money credited to the account of Minnesota in the federal unemployment
trust fund under United States Code, title 42, section 1103, of the Social Security Act,
also known as the Reed Act; and

(10) all money received for the trust fund from any other source.

new text begin This section is effective August 2, 2015.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any other law, on December 31, 2015, future unemployment taxes
payable must be reduced by $200,000,000 in addition to any reduction under section
268.051, subdivision 2a. This tax reduction must be distributed among employers using
the same method as prescribed for tax reductions under section 268.051, subdivision 2a.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 268.085, subdivision 3, paragraph (a),
and 268.035, subdivision 29, paragraph (a), clause (13), applicants laid off due to lack of
work from a facility engaged directly in the extraction or processing of iron ore in Itasca
County, St. Louis County, or Lake County between March 1, 2015, and December 31,
2015, must not be ineligible for unemployment benefits because of:
new text end

new text begin (1) the receipt of vacation pay from the employer engaged in the extraction or
processing of iron ore; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the receipt of supplemental unemployment benefits from the employer engaged
in the extraction or processing of iron ore.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment
and is retroactive to March 1, 2015. This section expires December 31, 2016.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.02, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin "Propane" means a gas made of primarily propane and butane,
and stored in liquid form in pressurized tanks.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.02, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin "Propane storage facility" means a facility
designed to store or capable of storing propane in liquid form in pressurized tanks.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.02, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin "Synthetic gas" means flammable gas created from (1)
gaseous, liquid, or solid hydrocarbons, or (2) other organic or inorganic matter. Synthetic
gas includes hydrogen or methane produced through processing, but does not include
propane.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.2421, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

"Large energy facility" means:

(1) any electric power generating plant or combination of plants at a single site with
a combined capacity of 50,000 kilowatts or more and transmission lines directly associated
with the plant that are necessary to interconnect the plant to the transmission system;

(2) any high-voltage transmission line with a capacity of 200 kilovolts or more and
greater than 1,500 feet in length;

(3) any high-voltage transmission line with a capacity of 100 kilovolts or more with
more than ten miles of its length in Minnesota or that crosses a state line;

(4) any pipeline greater than six inches in diameter and having more than 50 miles of
its length in Minnesota used for the transportation of coal, crude petroleum or petroleum
fuels or oil, or their derivatives;

(5) any pipeline for transporting natural or synthetic gas at pressures in excess of
200 pounds per square inch with more than 50 miles of its length in Minnesota;

(6) any facility designed for or capable of storing on a single site more than 100,000
gallons of liquefied natural gas or synthetic gasnew text begin , excluding propane storage facilitiesnew text end ;

(7) any underground gas storage facility requiring a permit pursuant to section
103I.681;

(8) any nuclear fuel processing or nuclear waste storage or disposal facility; and

(9) any facility intended to convert any material into any other combustible fuel and
having the capacity to process in excess of 75 tons of the material per hour.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 453A.02, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

"Gas" means either natural or synthetic gas, deleted text begin includingdeleted text end propane,
manufacturednew text begin gasnew text end , methane from coal beds, geothermal gas, or any mixture thereof,
whether in gaseous or liquid form, or any by-product resulting therefrom.

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

new text begin (a) The commissioner of commerce shall conduct a study of the operation of the
propane prepurchase program under Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.0951. The study
must address:
new text end

new text begin (1) the amount and price of propane prepurchased;
new text end

new text begin (2) the locations where prepurchased propane was stored and any costs of storage;
new text end

new text begin (3) a description of how the propane was distributed to customers, focusing on the
activities of the local agencies that deliver energy assistance and propane distributors;
new text end

new text begin (4) a description of any obstacles that interfered with the efficient operation of the
program, and suggestions for overcoming those obstacles; and
new text end

new text begin (5) an estimate of the savings that accrued to propane customers as a result of the
prepurchase program.
new text end

new text begin (b) By January 1 of 2016 and 2017, the commissioner of commerce shall submit a
report containing the information required under this section for the previous calendar year
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives
committees with primary responsibility for energy policy.
new text end

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.16, subdivision 6b, is amended to
read:

(a) Except as otherwise provided
in this subdivision, all investments and expenses of a public utility as defined in section
216B.241, subdivision 1, paragraph (h), incurred in connection with energy conservation
improvements shall be recognized and included by the commission in the determination of
just and reasonable rates as if the investments and expenses were directly made or incurred
by the utility in furnishing utility service.

(b) The commission shall not include investments and expenses for energy
conservation improvements in determining (i) just and reasonable electric rates for retail
electric service provided to large customer facilities whose electric utilities have been
exempted by the commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b),
with respect to those large customer facilities; or (ii) just and reasonable gas rates for
large energy facilities, large customer facilities whose natural gas utilities have been
exempted by the commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b), or
commercial gas customer facilities whose natural gas utilities have been exempted by the
commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (c).

(c) The commission may permit a public utility to file rate schedules providing for
annual recovery of the costs of energy conservation improvements. These rate schedules
may be applicable to less than all the customers in a class of retail customers if necessary
to reflect the requirements of section 216B.241. The commission shall allow a public
utility, without requiring a general rate filing under this section, to reduce the electric rates
applicable to large customer facilities that have been exempted by the commissioner under
section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b), and to reduce the gas rate applicable to a
large energy facility, a large customer facility or commercial customer facility that has
been exempted by the commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph
(b) or (c), or by the commission under section 216B.241, subdivision 2, by an amount that
reflects the elimination of energy conservation improvement investments or expenditures
for those facilities. In the event that the commission has set electric or gas rates based on
the use of an accounting methodology that results in the cost of conservation improvements
being recovered from utility customers over a period of years, the rate reduction may
occur in a series of steps to coincide with the recovery of balances due to the utility for
conservation improvements made by the utility on or before December 31, 2007.

(d) Investments and expenses of a public utility shall not include electric utility
infrastructure costs as defined in section 216B.1636, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

new text begin (e) This subdivision expires December 31, 2016.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.16, subdivision 6c, is amended to read:

(a) The
commission may order public utilities to develop and submit for commission approval
incentive plans that describe the method of recovery and accounting for utility
conservation expenditures and savings. In developing the incentive plans the commission
shall ensure the effective involvement of interested parties.

(b) In approving incentive plans, the commission shall consider:

(1) whether the plan is likely to increase utility investment in cost-effective energy
conservation;

(2) whether the plan is compatible with the interest of utility ratepayers and other
interested parties;

(3) whether the plan links the incentive to the utility's performance in achieving
cost-effective conservation; and

(4) whether the plan is in conflict with other provisions of this chapter.

(c) The commission may set rates to encourage the vigorous and effective
implementation of utility conservation programs. The commission may:

(1) increase or decrease any otherwise allowed rate of return on net investment based
upon the utility's skill, efforts, and success in conserving energy;

(2) share between ratepayers and utilities the net savings resulting from energy
conservation programs to the extent justified by the utility's skill, efforts, and success in
conserving energy; and

(3) adopt any mechanism that satisfies the criteria of this subdivision, such that
implementation of cost-effective conservation is a preferred resource choice for the public
utility considering the impact of conservation on earnings of the public utility.

new text begin (d) This subdivision expires December 31, 2016.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.2401, is amended to read:

new text begin (a) new text end The legislature finds that energy savings are an energy resource, and that
cost-effective energy savings are preferred over all other energy resources. The legislature
further finds that cost-effective energy savings should be procured systematically and
aggressively in order to reduce utility costs for businesses and residents, improve the
competitiveness and profitability of businesses, create more energy-related jobs, reduce
the economic burden of fuel imports, and reduce pollution and emissions that cause
climate change. Therefore, it is the energy policy of the state of Minnesota to achieve
annual energy savings equal to at least 1.5 percent of annual retail energy sales of
electricity and natural gas through cost-effective energy conservation improvement
programs and rate design, energy efficiency achieved by energy consumers without
direct utility involvement, energy codes and appliance standards, programs designed
to transform the market or change consumer behavior, energy savings resulting from
efficiency improvements to the utility infrastructure and system, and other efforts to
promote energy efficiency and energy conservation.

new text begin (b) This section expires December 31, 2016.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.241, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin This section expires December 31, 2016.
new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, the following terms
have the meanings given them:
new text end

new text begin (1) "energy storage system" means a technology that stores electricity that has been
previously generated and that releases the electricity for use at a later time;
new text end

new text begin (2)"geothermal heat pump" means a technology consisting of:
new text end

new text begin (i) a ground heat exchanger that consists of a system of underground pipes containing
a circulating liquid that absorbs and relinquishes heat from the earth;
new text end

new text begin (ii) a heat pump that transfers heat between the ground and a building interior; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) an air delivery system that delivers heat throughout a building's interior rooms;
new text end

new text begin (3) "solar thermal system" means a flat plate or evacuated tube that meets the
requirements of section 216C.25 with a fixed orientation that collects the sun's radiant
energy and transfers it to a storage medium for distribution as energy to heat or cool air
or water; and
new text end

new text begin (4) "wind energy conversion system" has the meaning given in section 216C.06,
subdivision 19, except that for the purposes of this section a wind energy conversion
system may have a capacity no greater than 40 kilowatts.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of commerce shall establish a program
to provide rebates to residential, commercial, and industrial property owners who install
energy storage systems, wind energy conversion systems, geothermal heat pumps, or solar
thermal systems in their Minnesota business or residence after the effective date of this
act. Applications for a rebate under this section must be made to the commissioner on a
form developed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall develop administrative
procedures governing the application and rebate award process. Applications will be
reviewed and rebates awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
new text end

new text begin (b) An applicant is ineligible to receive a rebate under this section for installing a
technology if the utility served by the applicant offers a rebate for installing that technology.
new text end

new text begin An application for a rebate for a
geothermal heat pump under this section must, at a minimum, contain evidence that
the geothermal heat pump:
new text end

new text begin (1) is a closed-loop system;
new text end

new text begin (2) includes both air cooling and heating applications; and
new text end

new text begin (3) has a Coefficient of Performance and an Energy Efficiency Ratio that meet the
minimum standards set by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (a) For a geothermal heat pump, the rebate amount is the
lesser of 20 percent of the installation and equipment cost or $20,000.
new text end

new text begin (b) For an energy storage system with a capacity of 40 kilowatts or less, the rebate
shall be the lesser of 50 percent of the installation and equipment cost or $40,000.
new text end

new text begin (c) For a solar thermal system, the maximum rebate for a single family residential
dwelling installation is the lesser of 25 percent of the installed cost of a complete system
or $2,500. The maximum rebate for a multiple family residential dwelling installation
is the lesser of 25 percent of the installed cost of a complete system or $5,000. The
maximum rebate for a commercial or industrial installation is the lesser of 25 percent of
the installation cost of the complete system or $25,000. The system must be installed
by a factory authorized installer.
new text end

new text begin (d) For a wind energy conversion system, the rebate amount is equal to the lesser of
30 percent of the installation and equipment cost or $15,000.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216C.435, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

"Energy improvement" means:

(1) any renovation or retrofitting of a building to improve energy efficiency that
is permanently affixed to the property and that results in a net reduction in energy
consumption without altering the principal source of energy;

(2) permanent installation of new or upgraded electrical circuits and related
equipment to enable electrical vehicle charging; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(3) a renewable energy system attached to, installed within, or proximate to a
building that generates electrical or thermal energy from a renewable energy sourcenew text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (4) the installation of infrastructure, machinery, and appliances that allow:
new text end

new text begin (i) natural gas to be used as a heating fuel on the premises of an existing building
that was previously not connected to a source of natural gas; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) propane to be used as a heating fuel on the premises of an existing building that
previously did not use propanenew text end .

new text begin (a) By July 1, 2015, the commissioner of commerce shall convene an energy
conservation advisory task force to examine the feasibility of reorganizing the delivery
of energy conservation services under Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.241, in order to
increase energy savings, make energy more affordable to ratepayers, and reduce pollution
from energy generation. As part of its inquiry, the task force shall examine new and
emerging energy technologies and the experience of states that deliver energy conservation
services to ratepayers through a third-party provider.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of commerce or the commissioner's designee shall serve as
chair of the advisory task force. The commissioner of commerce shall appoint to the task
force one member to represent the interests of each of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) public utilities;
new text end

new text begin (2) generation and transmission cooperatives that implement energy conservation
programs for member utilities;
new text end

new text begin (3) municipal utilities;
new text end

new text begin (4) an organization representing utility business customers; and
new text end

new text begin (5) a nonprofit organization experienced in developing and implementing energy
conservation programs.
new text end

new text begin The speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate shall each
appoint one at-large member to the advisory task force.
new text end

new text begin (c) The advisory task force shall submit a report containing its findings and
recommendations by February 1, 2016, to the chairs and ranking minority members of
the senate and house of representatives committees with primary jurisdiction over energy
policy.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 16B.323, is amended to read:

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

(b) deleted text begin "Made in Minnesota" means the manufacture in this state of:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) components of a solar thermal system certified by the Solar Rating and
Certification Corporation; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) solar photovoltaic modules that:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) are manufactured at a manufacturing facility in Minnesota that is registered and
authorized to manufacture those solar photovoltaic modules by Underwriters Laboratory,
CSA International, Intertek, or an equivalent independent testing agency;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) bear certification marks from Underwriters Laboratory, CSA International,
Intertek, or an equivalent independent testing agency; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) meet the requirements of section 116C.7791, subdivision 3, paragraph (a),
clauses (1), (5), and (6).
deleted text end

deleted text begin For the purposes of clause (ii), "manufactured" has the meaning given in section
116C.7791, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clauses (1) and (2).
deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end "Major renovation" means a substantial addition to an existing building, or a
substantial change to the interior configuration or the energy system of an existing building.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end "Solar energy system" means solar photovoltaic deleted text begin modulesdeleted text end new text begin devicesnew text end alone or
installed in conjunction with a solar thermal system.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end "Solar photovoltaic deleted text begin moduledeleted text end new text begin devicenew text end " has the meaning given in section
deleted text begin 116C.7791, subdivision 1, paragraph (e)deleted text end new text begin 216C.06, subdivision 17new text end .

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end "Solar thermal system" has the meaning given "qualifying solar thermal
project" in section 216B.2411, subdivision 2, paragraph (e).

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end "State building" means a building whose construction or renovation is paid
wholly or in part by the state from the bond proceeds fund.

(a) As provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a project
for the construction or major renovation of a state building, after the completion of a
cost-benefit analysis, may include installation of deleted text begin "Made in Minnesota"deleted text end solar energy
systems of 40 kilowatts capacity on, adjacent, or in proximity to the state building.

(b) The capacity of a solar new text begin energy new text end system must be less than 40 kilowatts to the extent
necessary to match the electrical load of the building or to the extent necessary to keep the
costs for the installation below the five percent maximum set by paragraph (c).

(c) The cost of the solar new text begin energy new text end system must not exceed five percent of the
appropriations from the bond proceeds fund for the construction or renovation of the state
building. Purchase and installation of a solar thermal system may account for no more
than 25 percent of the cost of a solar new text begin energy new text end system installation.

(d) A project subject to this section is ineligible to receive a rebate for the installation
of a solar energy system under section 116C.7791 or from any utility.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116C.779, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

(a)new text begin The energy
fund account is established as a separate account in the special revenue fund in the state
treasury. Appropriations and transfers to the account shall be credited to the account.
Earnings, such as interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from assets of the
account shall be credited to the account. Funds remaining in the account at the end of a
fiscal year are not canceled to the general fund, but remain in the account until expended.
new text end

new text begin (b) On July 1, 2015, the public utility that owns the Prairie Island nuclear generating
plant shall transfer all funds in the renewable development account previously established
under this subdivision and managed by the public utility, except funds awarded to grantees
in previous grant cycles that have not yet been expended and unencumbered funds
required to be paid in calendar year 2015 under sections 116C.7791, 116C.7792, and
216C.41, to the energy fund account established in paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin (c) Beginning January 15, 2016, and continuing each January 15 thereafter,new text end the
public utility that owns the Prairie Island nuclear generating plant must transfer to deleted text begin a
renewable developmentdeleted text end new text begin the energy fundnew text end account $500,000 each year for each dry cask
containing spent fuel that is located at the Prairie Island power plant for each year the plant
is in operation, and $7,500,000 each year the plant is not in operation if ordered by the
commission pursuant to paragraph deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end . The fund transfer must be made if nuclear waste
is stored in a dry cask at the independent spent-fuel storage facility at Prairie Island for
any part of a year.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (d) Beginning January 15, 2016, and continuing each January 15 thereafter,
new text end the public utility that owns the Monticello nuclear generating plant must transfer to the
deleted text begin renewable developmentdeleted text end new text begin energy fund accountnew text end account $350,000 each year for each dry
cask containing spent fuel that is located at the Monticello nuclear power plant for each
year the plant is in operation, and $5,250,000 each year the plant is not in operation if
ordered by the commission pursuant to paragraph deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end . The fund transfer must be made
if nuclear waste is stored in a dry cask at the independent spent-fuel storage facility at
Monticello for any part of a year.

new text begin (e) Each year, of the funds transferred to the energy fund account under paragraphs
(c) and (d), the public utility shall withhold the amount necessary to pay its obligations
under sections 116C.7791, 116C.7792, and 216C.41 for that calendar year.
new text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end After discontinuation of operation of the Prairie Island nuclear plant or the
Monticello nuclear plant and each year spent nuclear fuel is stored in dry cask at the
discontinued facility, the commission shall require the public utility to pay $7,500,000 for
the discontinued Prairie Island facility and $5,250,000 for the discontinued Monticello
facility for any year in which the commission finds, by the preponderance of the evidence,
that the public utility did not make a good faith effort to remove the spent nuclear
fuel stored at the facility to a permanent or interim storage site out of the state. This
determination shall be made at least every two years.

deleted text begin (d) Funds in the account may be expended only for any of the following purposes:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) to increase the market penetration within the state of renewable electric energy
resources at reasonable costs;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) to promote the start-up, expansion, and attraction of renewable electric energy
projects and companies within the state;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) to stimulate research and development within the state into renewable electric
energy technologies; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) to develop near-commercial and demonstration scale renewable electric projects
or near-commercial and demonstration scale electric infrastructure delivery projects if
those delivery projects enhance the delivery of renewable electric energy.
deleted text end

deleted text begin The utility that owns a nuclear generating plant is eligible to apply for renewable
development account grants.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e) Expenditures authorized by this subdivision from the account may be made only
after approval by order of the Public Utilities Commission upon a petition by the public
utility. The commission may approve proposed expenditures, may disapprove proposed
expenditures that it finds to be not in compliance with this subdivision or otherwise
not in the public interest, and may, if agreed to by the public utility, modify proposed
expenditures. The commission may approve reasonable and necessary expenditures
for administering the account in an amount not to exceed five percent of expenditures.
Commission approval is not required for expenditures required under subdivisions 2
and 3, section 116C.7791, or other law.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (f) The account shall be managed by the public utility but the public utility must
consult about account expenditures with an advisory group that includes, among others,
representatives of its ratepayers. The commission may require that other interests be
represented on the advisory group. The advisory group must be consulted with respect to
the general scope of expenditures in designing a request for proposal and in evaluating
projects submitted in response to a request for proposals. In addition to consulting with the
advisory group, the public utility must utilize an independent third-party expert to evaluate
proposals submitted in response to a request for proposal, including all proposals made by
the public utility. A request for proposal for research and development under paragraph (d),
clause (3), may be limited to or include a request to higher education institutions located in
Minnesota for multiple projects authorized under paragraph (d), clause (3). The request for
multiple projects may include a provision that exempts the projects from the third-party
expert review and instead provides for project evaluation and selection by a merit peer
review grant system. The utility should attempt to reach agreement with the advisory
group after consulting with it but the utility has full and sole authority to determine which
expenditures shall be submitted to the commission for commission approval. In the
process of determining request for proposal scope and subject and in evaluating responses
to request for proposals, the public utility must strongly consider, where reasonable,
potential benefit to Minnesota citizens and businesses and the utility's ratepayers.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (g) Funds in the account may not be directly appropriated by the legislature by a law
enacted after January 1, 2012, and unless appropriated by a law enacted prior to that date
may be expended only pursuant to an order of the commission according to this subdivision.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (h) A request for proposal for renewable energy generation projects must, when
feasible and reasonable, give preference to projects that are most cost-effective for a
particular energy source.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) The public utility must annually, by February 15, report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy policy on
projects funded by the account for the prior year and all previous years. The report must,
to the extent possible and reasonable, itemize the actual and projected financial benefit to
the public utility's ratepayers of each project.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (j) A project receiving funds from the account must produce a written final report
that includes sufficient detail for technical readers and a clearly written summary for
nontechnical readers. The report must include an evaluation of the project's financial,
environmental, and other benefits to the state and the public utility's ratepayers.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (k) Final reports, any mid-project status reports, and renewable development account
financial reports must be posted online on a public Web site designated by the commission.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (l) All final reports must acknowledge that the project was made possible in whole
or part by the Minnesota renewable development fund, noting that the fund is financed
by the public utility's ratepayers.
deleted text end

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116C.7792, is amended to read:

new text begin (a) new text end The utility subject to section 116C.779 shall operate a program to provide solar
energy production incentives for solar energy systems of no more than a total nameplate
capacity of 20 kilowatts direct current. deleted text begin The program shall be operated for five consecutive
calendar years commencing in 2014.deleted text end new text begin The utility shall allocate up to new text end $5,000,000 deleted text begin shall be
allocateddeleted text end for each deleted text begin of the five yearsdeleted text end new text begin year during which applications are acceptednew text end deleted text begin from the
deleted text end deleted text begin renewable development deleted text end deleted text begin account established in section deleted text end to a separate account for
the purpose of the solar production incentive program. The solar system must be sized to
less than 120 percent of the customer's on-site annual energy consumption. The production
incentive must be paid for ten years commencing with the commissioning of the system.
The utility must file a plan to operate the program with the commissioner of commerce.
The utility may not operate the program until it is approved by the commissioner.

new text begin (b) The utility shall not make incentive payments under this section for any
application received after the effective date of this act.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.164, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

(a) This paragraph applies to cooperative
electric associations and municipal utilities. For a qualifying facility having less than
40-kilowatt capacity, the customer shall be billed for the net energy supplied by the utility
according to the applicable rate schedule for sales to that class of customer.new text begin A cooperative
electric association or municipal utility may charge an additional fee to recover the
remaining fixed costs required to serve the customer.new text end In the case of net input into the utility
system by a qualifying facility having less than 40-kilowatt capacity, compensation to the
customer shall be at a per kilowatt-hour rate determined under paragraph (c) deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end (d)new text begin , or (f)new text end .

(b) This paragraph applies to public utilities. For a qualifying facility having less
than 1,000-kilowatt capacity, the customer shall be billed for the net energy supplied by
the utility according to the applicable rate schedule for sales to that class of customer. In
the case of net input into the utility system by a qualifying facility having: (1) more than
40-kilowatt but less than 1,000-kilowatt capacity, compensation to the customer shall be
at a per kilowatt-hour rate determined under paragraph (c); or (2) less than 40-kilowatt
capacity, compensation to the customer shall be at a per-kilowatt rate determined under
new text begin paragraph (c) ornew text end paragraph (d).

(c) In setting rates, the commission shall consider the fixed distribution costs to the
utility not otherwise accounted for in the basic monthly charge and shall ensure that the
costs charged to the qualifying facility are not discriminatory in relation to the costs
charged to other customers of the utility. The commission shall set the rates for net
input into the utility system based on avoided costs as defined in the Code of Federal
Regulations, title 18, section 292.101, paragraph (b)(6), the factors listed in Code of
Federal Regulations, title 18, section 292.304, and all other relevant factors.

(d) new text begin This paragraph applies to qualifying facilities having less than 40-kilowatt
capacity that have elected a rate of compensation for net input into the utility system before
the effective date of this act. new text end Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary,
a qualifying facility having less than 40-kilowatt capacity may elect that the compensation
for net input by the qualifying facility into the utility system shall be at the average retail
utility energy rate. "Average retail utility energy rate" is defined as the average of the retail
energy rates, exclusive of special rates based on income, age, or energy conservation,
according to the applicable rate schedule of the utility for sales to that class of customer.

(e) If the qualifying facility or net metered facility is interconnected with a
nongenerating utility which has a sole source contract with a municipal power agency or a
generation and transmission utility, the nongenerating utility may elect to treat its purchase
of any net input under this subdivision as being made on behalf of its supplier and shall
be reimbursed by its supplier for any additional costs incurred in making the purchase.
Qualifying facilities or net metered facilities having less than 1,000-kilowatt capacity if
interconnected to a public utility, or less than 40-kilowatt capacity if interconnected to a
cooperative electric association or municipal utility may, at the customer's option, elect to
be governed by the provisions of subdivision 4.

new text begin (f) A customer with a qualifying facility or net metered facility having a capacity
below 40 kilowatts that is interconnected to a cooperative electric association or a
municipal utility may elect to be compensated for the customer's net input into the utility
system in the form of a kilowatt-hour credit on the customer's energy bill carried forward
and applied to subsequent energy bills. Any kilowatt-hour credits carried forward by the
customer cancel at the end of the calendar year with no additional compensation.
new text end

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.1641, is amended to read:

(a) The public utility subject to section 116C.779 shall file by September 30, 2013, a
plan with the commission to operate a community solar garden program which shall begin
operations within 90 days after commission approval of the plan. Other public utilities
may file an application at their election. The community solar garden program must be
designed to offset the energy use of not less than five subscribers in each community
solar garden facility of which no single subscriber has more than a 40 percent interest.
The owner of the community solar garden may be a public utility or any other entity or
organization that contracts to sell the output from the community solar garden to the
utility under section 216B.164. There shall be no limitation on the number or cumulative
generating capacity of community solar garden facilities other than the limitations imposed
under section 216B.164, subdivision 4c, or other limitations provided in law or regulations.

(b) A solar garden is a facility that generates electricity by means of a ground-mounted
or roof-mounted solar photovoltaic device whereby subscribers receive a bill credit for
the electricity generated in proportion to the size of their subscription. The solar garden
must have a nameplate capacity of no more than one megawatt. Each subscription shall be
sized to represent at least 200 watts of the community solar garden's generating capacity
and to supply, when combined with other distributed generation resources serving the
premises, no more than 120 percent of the average annual consumption of electricity by
each subscriber at the premises to which the subscription is attributed.

(c) The solar generation facility must be located in the service territory of the public
utility filing the plan. Subscribers must be retail customers of the public utility located in
the same county or a county contiguous to where the facility is located.

(d) The public utility must purchase from the community solar garden all energy
generated by the solar garden. The purchase shall be at deleted text begin the rate calculated under section
216B.164, subdivision 10, or, until that rate for the public utility has been approved by
the commission,deleted text end the applicable retail rate. A solar garden is eligible for any incentive
programs offered under either section 116C.7792 or section 216C.415. A subscriber's
portion of the purchase shall be provided by a credit on the subscriber's bill.

(e) The commission may approve, disapprove, or modify a community solar garden
program. Any plan approved by the commission must:

(1) reasonably allow for the creation, financing, and accessibility of community
solar gardens;

(2) establish uniform standards, fees, and processes for the interconnection
of community solar garden facilities that allow the utility to recover reasonable
interconnection costs for each community solar garden;

(3) not apply different requirements to utility and nonutility community solar garden
facilities;

(4) be consistent with the public interest;

(5) identify the information that must be provided to potential subscribers to ensure
fair disclosure of future costs and benefits of subscriptions;

(6) include a program implementation schedule;

(7) identify all proposed rules, fees, and charges; and

(8) identify the means by which the program will be promoted.

(f) Notwithstanding any other law, neither the manager of nor the subscribers to a
community solar garden facility shall be considered a utility solely as a result of their
participation in the community solar garden facility.

(g) Within 180 days of commission approval of a plan under this section, a utility
shall begin crediting subscriber accounts for each community solar garden facility in
its service territory, and shall file with the commissioner of commerce a description of
its crediting system.

(h) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given:

(1) "subscriber" means a retail customer of a utility who owns one or more
subscriptions of a community solar garden facility interconnected with that utility; and

(2) "subscription" means a contract between a subscriber and the owner of a solar
garden.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.1691, is amended to read:

(a) Unless otherwise specified in law, "eligible energy
technology" means an energy technology thatnew text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1)new text end generates electricity from the following renewable energy sources:

deleted text begin (1)deleted text end new text begin (i)new text end solar;

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (ii)new text end wind;

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (iii)new text end hydroelectric with a capacity of less than 100 megawatts;

deleted text begin (4) hydrogen, provided that after January 1, 2010, the hydrogen must be generated
from the resources listed in this paragraph; or
deleted text end

new text begin (iv) hydroelectric with a capacity of 100 megawatts or greater that was first placed
into service after January 1, 2015; or
new text end

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (v)new text end biomass, which includes, without limitation, landfill gas; an anaerobic
digester system; the predominantly organic components of wastewater effluent, sludge, or
related by-products from publicly owned treatment works, but not including incineration
of wastewater sludge to produce electricity; and an energy recovery facility used to
capture the heat value of mixed municipal solid waste or refuse-derived fuel from mixed
municipal solid waste as a primary fuelnew text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (2) stores electricity previously generated from a renewable resource listed in clause
(1) that can be released for use at a later timenew text end .

(b) "Electric utility" means a public utility providing electric service, a generation
and transmission cooperative electric association, a municipal power agency, or a power
district.

(c) "Total retail electric sales" means the kilowatt-hours of electricity sold in a year
by an electric utility to retail customers of the electric utility or to a distribution utility
for distribution to the retail customers of the distribution utility. "Total retail electric
sales" does not include the sale of hydroelectricity supplied by a federal power marketing
administration or other federal agency, regardless of whether the sales are directly to a
distribution utility or are made to a generation and transmission utility and pooled for
further allocation to a distribution utility.

deleted text begin Each electric utility shall make a good
faith effort to generate or procure sufficient electricity generated by an eligible energy
technology to provide its retail consumers, or the retail customers of a distribution utility
to which the electric utility provides wholesale electric service, so that commencing
in 2005, at least one percent of the electric utility's total retail electric sales to retail
customers in Minnesota is generated by eligible energy technologies and seven percent of
the electric utility's total retail electric sales to retail customers in Minnesota by 2010 is
generated by eligible energy technologies.
deleted text end

(a) Except
as provided in paragraph (b), each electric utility shall generate or procure sufficient
electricity generated by an eligible energy technology to provide its retail customers in
Minnesota, or the retail customers of a distribution utility to which the electric utility
provides wholesale electric service, so that at least the following standard percentages of
the electric utility's total retail electric sales to retail customers in Minnesota are generated
by eligible energy technologies by the end of the year indicated:

(1)	2012	12 percent
(2)	2016	17 percent
(3)	2020	20 percent
(4)	2025	25 percent.

(b) An electric utility that owned a nuclear generating facility as of January 1, 2007,
must meet the requirements of this paragraph rather than paragraph (a). An electric utility
subject to this paragraph must generate or procure sufficient electricity generated by
an eligible energy technology to provide its retail customers in Minnesota or the retail
customer of a distribution utility to which the electric utility provides wholesale electric
service so that at least the following percentages of the electric utility's total retail electric
sales to retail customers in Minnesota are generated by eligible energy technologies by the
end of the year indicated:

(1)	2010	15 percent
(2)	2012	18 percent
(3)	2016	25 percent
(4)	2020	30 percent.

deleted text begin Of the 30 percent in 2020, at least 25 percent must be generated by solar energy
or wind energy conversion systems and the remaining five percent by other eligible
energy technology. Of the 25 percent that must be generated by wind or solar, no more
than one percent may be solar generated and the remaining 24 percent or greater must
be wind generated.
deleted text end

(a) The commission shall modify or
delay the implementation of a standard obligation, in whole or in part, if the commission
determines it is in the public interest to do so. The commission, when requested to modify
or delay implementation of a standard, must consider:

(1) the impact of implementing the standard on its customers' utility costs, including
the economic and competitive pressure on the utility's customers;

(2) the effects of implementing the standard on the reliability of the electric system;

(3) technical advances or technical concerns;

(4) delays in acquiring sites or routes due to rejection or delays of necessary siting or
other permitting approvals;

(5) delays, cancellations, or nondelivery of necessary equipment for construction or
commercial operation of an eligible energy technology facility;

(6) transmission constraints preventing delivery of service; and

(7) other statutory obligations imposed on the commission or a utility.

The commission may modify or delay implementation of a standard obligation
under clauses (1) to (3) only if it finds implementation would cause significant rate impact,
requires significant measures to address reliability, or raises significant technical issues.
The commission may modify or delay implementation of a standard obligation under
clauses (4) to (6) only if it finds that the circumstances described in those clauses were due
to circumstances beyond an electric utility's control and make compliance not feasible.

(b) When considering whether to delay or modify implementation of a standard
obligation, the commission must give due consideration to a preference for electric
generation through use of eligible energy technology and to the achievement of the
standards set by this section.

(c) An electric utility requesting a modification or delay in the implementation of a
standard must file a plan to comply with its standard obligation in the same proceeding
that it is requesting the delay.

new text begin (d) If a utility reports under subdivision 2e that its retail rates have increased by two
percent or more over the previous year as a result of activities necessary to comply with
this section, the commission shall delay by three years the required achievement of the
utility's next scheduled standard under subdivision 2a.
new text end

The commission may
exercise its authority under subdivision 2b to modify or delay implementation of a standard
obligation as part of an integrated resource planning proceeding under section 216B.2422.
The commission's authority must be exercised according to subdivision 2b. The order to
delay or modify shall not be considered advisory with respect to any electric utility. This
subdivision is in addition to and does not limit the commission's authority to modify or
delay implementation of a standard obligation in other proceedings before the commission.

deleted text begin The commission shall issue necessary orders detailing
the criteria and standards by which it will measure an electric utility's efforts to meet the
renewable energy objectives of subdivision 2 to determine whether the utility is making
the required good faith effort. In this order, the commission shall include criteria and
standards that protect against undesirable impacts on the reliability of the utility's system
and economic impacts on the utility's ratepayers and that consider technical feasibility.
deleted text end

Each electric utility must
submit to the commission and the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over
energy policy a report containing an estimation of the rate impact of activities of the
electric utility necessary to comply with this section. In consultation with the Department
of Commerce, the commission shall determine a uniform reporting system to ensure that
individual utility reports are consistent and comparable, and shall, by order, require each
electric utility subject to this section to use that reporting system. The rate impact estimate
must be for wholesale rates and, if the electric utility makes retail sales, the estimate
shall also be for the impact on the electric utility's retail rates. Those activities include,
without limitation, energy purchases, generation facility acquisition and construction,
and transmission improvements. deleted text begin An initial report must be submitted within 150 days of
May 28, 2011. After the initial report,deleted text end A report new text begin under this subdivision new text end must be deleted text begin updated
and deleted text end submitted as part of each integrated resource plan or plan modification filed by the
electric utility under section 216B.2422. new text begin A utility may file more frequent reports under
this subdivision. new text end The reporting obligation of an electric utility under this subdivision
expires December 31, 2025, for an electric utility subject to subdivision 2a, paragraph (a),
and December 31, 2020, for an electric utility subject to subdivision 2a, paragraph (b).

(a) In addition to the requirements of subdivisions
2a and 2b, each public utility shall generate or procure sufficient electricity generated
by solar energy to serve its retail electricity customers in Minnesota so that by the end
of 2020, at least 1.5 percent of the utility's total retail electric sales to retail customers in
Minnesota is generated by solar energy. deleted text begin At least ten percent of the 1.5 percent goal must
be met by solar energy generated by or procured from solar photovoltaic devices with a
nameplate capacity of 20 kilowatts or less.
deleted text end

(b) The solar energy standard established in this subdivision is subject to all the
provisions of this section governing a utility's standard obligation under subdivision 2a.

deleted text begin (c) It is an energy goal of the state of Minnesota that, by 2030, ten percent of the
retail electric sales in Minnesota be generated by solar energy.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) For the purposes of calculating the total retail electric sales of a public utility
under this subdivision, there shall be excluded retail electric sales to customers that are:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) an iron mining extraction and processing facility, including a scram mining
facility as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 6130.0100, subpart 16; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) a paper mill, wood products manufacturer, sawmill, or oriented strand board
manufacturer.
deleted text end

deleted text begin Those customers may not have included in the rates charged to them by the public
utility any costs of satisfying the solar standard specified by this subdivision.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end A public utility may not use energy used to satisfy the solar energy standard
under this subdivision to satisfy its standard obligation under subdivision 2a. A public
utility may not use energy used to satisfy the standard obligation under subdivision 2a to
satisfy the solar standard under this subdivision.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a solar renewable energy credit
associated with a solar photovoltaic device installed and generating electricity in
Minnesota after August 1, 2013, but before 2020 may be used to meet the solar energy
standard established under this subdivision.

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end Beginning July 1, 2014, and each July 1 through 2020, each public utility
shall file a report with the commission reporting its progress in achieving the solar energy
standard established under this subdivision.

new text begin (f) The requirement established in paragraph (a) may be met through the use of solar
energy or any other more affordable eligible energy technology.
new text end

(a) Each electric utility shall
report on its plans, activities, and progress with regard to the deleted text begin objectives anddeleted text end standards
of this section in its filings under section 216B.2422 or in a separate report submitted
to the commission every two years, whichever is more frequent, demonstrating to the
commission the utility's effort to comply with this section. In its resource plan or a
separate report, each electric utility shall provide a description of:

(1) the status of the utility's renewable energy mix relative to the deleted text begin objective and
deleted text end standards;

(2) efforts taken to meet the objective and standards;

(3) any obstacles encountered or anticipated in meeting the deleted text begin objective ordeleted text end standards; and

(4) potential solutions to the obstacles.

(b) The commissioner shall compile the information provided to the commission
under paragraph (a), and report to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate
committees with jurisdiction over energy and environment policy issues as to the progress
of utilities in the state, including the progress of each individual electric utility, in increasing
the amount of renewable energy provided to retail customers, with any recommendations
for regulatory or legislative action, by January 15 of each odd-numbered year.

(a) To facilitate compliance with this section,
the commission, by rule or order, shall establish by January 1, 2008, a program for tradable
renewable energy credits for electricity generated bynew text begin annew text end eligible energy technology. The
credits must represent energy produced by an eligible energy technology, as defined in
subdivision 1. Each kilowatt-hour of renewable energy credits must be treated the same as
a kilowatt-hour of eligible energy technology generated or procured by an electric utility if
it is produced by an eligible energy technology. The program must permit a credit to be
used only once. The program must treat all eligible energy deleted text begin technologydeleted text end new text begin technologiesnew text end equally
and shall not give more or less credit to energy based on the state where the energy deleted text begin wasdeleted text end new text begin is
new text end generated or the technology with which the energy deleted text begin wasdeleted text end new text begin isnew text end generated. The commission
must determine the period in which the credits may be used for purposes of the program.

(b) In lieu of generating or procuring energy directly to satisfy the deleted text begin eligibledeleted text end new text begin advanced
new text end energy deleted text begin technology objective ordeleted text end standard of this section, an electric utility may utilize
renewable energy credits allowed under the program to satisfy the deleted text begin objective ordeleted text end standard.

(d) The commission shall require all electric utilities to participate in a
commission-approved credit-tracking system or systems. Once a credit-tracking system is
in operation, the commission shall issue an order establishing protocols for trading credits.

(e) An electric utility subject to subdivision 2a, paragraph (b), may not sell renewable
energy credits to an electric utility subject to subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), until 2021.

(a) Electricity produced by fuel
combustion through fuel blending or co-firing under paragraph (b) may only count toward
a utility's deleted text begin objectives ordeleted text end standards if the generation facility:

(1) was constructed in compliance with new source performance standards
promulgated under the federal Clean Air Act, United States Code, title 42, section 7401 et
seq., for a generation facility of that type; or

(2) employs the maximum achievable or best available control technology available
for a generation facility of that type.

(b) An eligible energy technology may blend or co-fire a fuel listed in subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clause (5), with other fuels in the generation facility, but only the percentage
of electricity that is attributable to a fuel listed in that clause can be counted toward an
electric utility's renewable energy objectives.

The commission must regularly investigate whether an
electric utility is in compliance with its deleted text begin good faith objective under subdivision 2 and
deleted text end standard obligation under subdivision 2a. If the commission finds noncompliance, it may
order the electric utility to construct facilities, purchase energy generated by eligible
energy technology, purchase renewable energy credits, or engage in other activities
to achieve compliance. If an electric utility fails to comply with an order under this
subdivision, the commission may impose a financial penalty on the electric utility in an
amount not to exceed the estimated cost of the electric utility to achieve compliance. The
penalty may not exceed the lesser of the cost of constructing facilities or purchasing
credits. The commission must deposit financial penalties imposed under this subdivision
in the energy and conservation account established in the special revenue fund under
section 216B.241, subdivision 2a. This subdivision is in addition to and does not limit any
other authority of the commission to enforce this section.

This section does not limit the authority of the
commission under any other law, including, without limitation, sections 216B.2422 and
216B.243.

The commission shall take all reasonable actions within
its statutory authority to ensure this section is implemented to maximize benefits to
Minnesota citizens, balancing factors such as local ownership of or participation in
energy production, development and ownership of eligible energy technology facilities by
independent power producers, Minnesota utility ownership of eligible energy technology
facilities, the costs of energy generation to satisfy the deleted text begin renewabledeleted text end new text begin advanced energy
new text end standard, and the reliability of electric service to Minnesotans.

A competitive resource acquisition
process established by the commission prior to June 1, 2007, shall not apply to a utility
for the construction, ownership, and operation of generation facilities used to satisfy the
requirements of this section unless, upon a finding that it is in the public interest, the
commission issues an order on or after June 1, 2007, that requires compliance by a utility
with a competitive resource acquisition process. A utility that owns a nuclear generation
facility and intends to construct, own, or operate facilities under this section shall file with
the commission on or before March 1, 2008, a renewable energy plan setting forth the
manner in which the utility proposes to meet the requirements of this sectiondeleted text begin , including
a proposed schedule for purchasing renewable energy from C-BED and non-C-BED
projectsdeleted text end . The utility shall update the plan as necessary in its filing under section
216B.2422. The commission shall approve the plan unless it determines, after public
hearing and comment, that the plan is not in the public interest. deleted text begin As part of its determination
of public interest, the commission shall consider the plan's allocation of projects among
C-BED, non-C-BED, and utility-owned projects, balancing the state's interest in:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) promoting the policy of economic development in rural areas through the
development of renewable energy projects, as expressed in subdivision 9;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) maintaining the reliability of the state's electric power grid; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) minimizing cost impacts on ratepayers.
deleted text end

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.243, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

new text begin (a) new text end This section does not apply to:

(1) cogeneration or small power production facilities as defined in the Federal Power
Act, United States Code, title 16, section 796, paragraph (17), subparagraph (A), and
paragraph (18), subparagraph (A), and having a combined capacity at a single site of less
than 80,000 kilowatts; plants or facilities for the production of ethanol or fuel alcohol; or
any case where the commission has determined after being advised by the attorney general
that its application has been preempted by federal law;

(2) a high-voltage transmission line proposed primarily to distribute electricity to
serve the demand of a single customer at a single location, unless the applicant opts to
request that the commission determine need under this section or section 216B.2425;

(3) the upgrade to a higher voltage of an existing transmission line that serves the
demand of a single customer that primarily uses existing rights-of-way, unless the applicant
opts to request that the commission determine need under this section or section 216B.2425;

(4) a high-voltage transmission line of one mile or less required to connect a new or
upgraded substation to an existing, new, or upgraded high-voltage transmission line;

(5) conversion of the fuel source of an existing electric generating plant to using
natural gas;

(6) the modification of an existing electric generating plant to increase efficiency,
as long as the capacity of the plant is not increased more than ten percent or more than
100 megawatts, whichever is greater; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(7) a wind energy conversion system or solar electric generation facility if the system
or facility is owned and operated by an independent power producer and the electric output
of the system or facility is not sold to an entity that provides retail service in Minnesota
or wholesale electric service to another entity in Minnesota other than an entity that is a
federally recognized regional transmission organization or independent system operatornew text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (8) a large wind energy conversion system, as defined in section 216F.01, subdivision
2, or a solar energy generating large energy facility, as defined in section 216B.2421,
subdivision 2, engaging in a repowering project that:
new text end

new text begin (i) will not result in the facility exceeding the nameplate capacity under its most
recent interconnection agreement; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) will result in the facility exceeding the nameplate capacity under its most recent
interconnection agreement, provided that the Midcontinent Independent System Operator
has provided a signed generator interconnection agreement that reflects the expected
net power increasenew text end .

new text begin (b) For the purpose of this subdivision, "repowering project" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) modifying a large wind energy conversion system or a solar energy generating
large energy facility to increase its efficiency without increasing its nameplate capacity;
new text end

new text begin (2) replacing turbines in a large wind energy conversion system without increasing
the nameplate capacity of the system; or
new text end

new text begin (3) increasing the nameplate capacity of a large wind energy conversion system.
new text end

new text begin Payment of a "Made in Minnesota" solar energy
production incentive to an owner whose application was approved by the commissioner
of commerce under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216C.415, prior to the effective
date of this act shall be administered under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 2014,
sections 216C.411, 216C.413, 216C.414, subdivisions 1 to 3 and 5 to 6, and 216C.415.
No incentive payments may be made under this section to an owner whose application
was approved by the commissioner after the effective date of this act.
new text end

new text begin (a) Unspent and unobligated money remaining in the
account established under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216C.412, as of July 1, 2015,
must be transferred to the energy fund account established under section 116C.779,
subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin (b) There is annually appropriated from the energy fund account established in
section 116C.779 to the commissioner of commerce money sufficient to make the
incentive payments required under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216C.415, and to
administer that section.
new text end

new text begin (a) Payments may be made
under this subdivision only for solar photovoltaic module installations that meet the
requirements of subdivision 1 and that first begin generating electricity between January 1,
2014, and December 31, 2015.
new text end

new text begin (b) The payment eligibility window of the incentive begins and runs consecutively
from the date the solar photovoltaic modules first begins generating electricity.
new text end

new text begin (c) An owner of solar photovoltaic modules may receive payments under this
section for a particular module for a period of ten years, provided that sufficient funds are
available in the account.
new text end

new text begin (d) No payment may be made under this section for electricity generated after
December 31, 2025.
new text end

new text begin A qualifying facility that is a solar energy system, as
defined in section 216C.06, subdivision 17, with a capacity no greater than ten kilowatts,
that first elects compensation under section 216B.164 after the effective date of this act is
eligible to receive an incentive payment under this section.
new text end

new text begin The per kilowatt-hour amount of the energy fund account
incentive payment shall be determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (a) An incentive payment is equal to the
per kilowatt-hour amount calculated in subdivision 3 multiplied by the number of
kilowatt-hours purchased from the qualifying facility by the utility to which it is
interconnected.
new text end

new text begin (b) An incentive payment may be made under this section to an owner of a particular
solar energy system or wind energy conversion system for a period of ten years.
new text end

new text begin (c) A qualifying facility seeking an incentive payment under this section must file an
application with the commissioner, on a form determined by the commissioner, and must
satisfy any other requirements the commissioner deems are necessary. Payment of the
incentive may only be made upon certification by the commissioner of commerce that the
qualifying facility is eligible to receive payment under this section.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall develop administrative procedures governing the
application process and the awarding of incentive payments as necessary to implement
this section.
new text end

new text begin Solar panels that are part of a solar energy generating system that has been issued a
site permit under this chapter must be set back at least 400 feet from any dwelling unless:
new text end

new text begin (1) a local ordinance or regulation requires a greater setback; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the property owner of the adjacent property and the owner of the solar energy
generating system have reached a mutual agreement in writing allowing for a smaller
setback, provided that the agreement is not less restrictive than allowed under any
applicable ordinance or regulation unless a valid variance to the setback requirement
imposed by the ordinance or regulation has been granted.
new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment,
and applies to solar energy generating systems for which site permit applications under
this chapter have been filed after January 1, 2015.
new text end

new text begin (a) A large energy facility, as defined in section 216B.2421, that is powered by a
solar energy generating system must maintain a current, valid corporate surety bond issued
by a surety company admitted to do business in Minnesota in an amount sufficient to pay
the entire cost of (1) disassembling and removing the solar energy generating system, and
(2) land reclamation, in the event the large energy facility discontinues operations.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commission may not approve an application for a certificate of need under
section 216B.243 or a site permit under this chapter unless the applicant demonstrates it
meets the requirements of paragraph (a).
new text end

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216E.03, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner of the Department of
Commerce shall prepare for the commission an environmental impact statement on each
proposed large electric generating plant or high-voltage transmission line for which a
complete application has been submitted. The commissioner shall not consider whether
or not the project is needed. No other state environmental review documents shall be
required. The commissioner shall study and evaluate any site or route proposed by an
applicant and any other site or route the commission deems necessary that was proposed in
a manner consistent with rules concerning the form, content, and timeliness of proposals
for alternate sites or routes.

new text begin (b) If the proposed large electric power generating plant is to be constructed on
agricultural land, the environmental impact statement must include an analysis of the
impact of construction on any agricultural drainage system under the surface of the
construction site, including the impact on other agricultural land that is part of the same
drainage system.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purpose of this subdivision, "agricultural drainage system" means a
publicly or privately owned drainage system that is installed or modified to improve the
productivity of agricultural land. Agricultural drainage system includes all tile, pipe, or
tubing of any material beneath the surface, and any associated inlets and outlets.
new text end

new text begin (d) If the proposed large electric generating plant is a solar energy generating
system, the environmental impact statement must include the results of an analysis of
reflected solar irradiance from the solar panels and its impact at specific observation
points, including but not limited to nearby airports, air traffic, highways, and residences.
The analysis must measure the incidence and duration of solar glare at these observation
points during various seasons of the year and times of day, and discuss how such impacts
can be mitigated by relocating solar panels or changing the angles at which they are set.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216E.03, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

(a) The commission's
site and route permit determinations must be guided by the state's goals to conserve
resources, minimize environmental impacts, minimize human settlement and other land
use conflicts, and ensure the state's electric energy security through efficient, cost-effective
power supply and electric transmission infrastructure.

(b) To facilitate the study, research, evaluation, and designation of sites and routes,
the commission shall be guided by, but not limited to, the following considerations:

(1) evaluation of research and investigations relating to the effects on land, water
and air resources of large electric power generating plants and high-voltage transmission
lines and the effects of water and air discharges and electric and magnetic fields resulting
from such facilities on public health and welfare, vegetation, animals, materials and
aesthetic values, including baseline studies, predictive modeling, and evaluation of new or
improved methods for minimizing adverse impacts of water and air discharges and other
matters pertaining to the effects of power plants on the water and air environment;

(2) environmental evaluation of sites and routes proposed for future development and
expansion and their relationship to the land, water, air and human resources of the state;

(3) evaluation of the effects of new electric power generation and transmission
technologies and systems related to power plants designed to minimize adverse
environmental effects;

(4) evaluation of the potential for beneficial uses of waste energy from proposed
large electric power generating plants;

(5) analysis of the direct and indirect economic impact of proposed sites and routes
including, but not limited to, productive agricultural land lost or impaired;

(6) evaluation of adverse direct and indirect environmental effects that cannot be
avoided should the proposed site and route be accepted;

(7) evaluation of alternatives to the applicant's proposed site or route proposed
pursuant to subdivisions 1 and 2;

(8) evaluation of potential routes that would use or parallel existing railroad and
highway rights-of-way;

(9) evaluation of governmental survey lines and other natural division lines of
agricultural land so as to minimize interference with agricultural operations;

(10) evaluation of the future needs for additional high-voltage transmission lines
in the same general area as any proposed route, and the advisability of ordering the
construction of structures capable of expansion in transmission capacity through multiple
circuiting or design modifications;

(11) evaluation of irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources should the
proposed site or route be approved; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(12) deleted text begin when appropriate, considerationdeleted text end new text begin evaluationnew text end of problems raised by other state
and federal agencies and local entitiesdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (13) evaluation of the impact on local land use, including the extent to which the
proposed site conflicts with county or local comprehensive plans, or official controls
governing future development.
new text end

(c) If the commission's rules are substantially similar to existing regulations of a
federal agency to which the utility in the state is subject, the federal regulations must
be applied by the commission.

(d) No site or route shall be designated which violates state agency rules.

(e) The commission must make specific findings that it has considered locating a
route for a high-voltage transmission line on an existing high-voltage transmission route
and the use of parallel existing highway right-of-way and, to the extent those are not used
for the route, the commission must state the reasons.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216E.04, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

new text begin (a) new text end For the projects identified in subdivision 2
and following these procedures, the commissioner of the Department of Commerce shall
prepare for the commission an environmental assessment. The environmental assessment
shall contain information on the human and environmental impacts of the proposed project
and other sites or routes identified by the commission and shall address mitigating measures
for all of the sites or routes considered. new text begin If the proposed project is a large electric power
generating plant to be constructed on agricultural land, the environmental assessment must
include an analysis of the construction's impact on any agricultural drainage system under
the surface of the construction site, including the impact on other agricultural land that is
part of the same drainage system. new text end The environmental assessment shall be the only state
environmental review document required to be prepared on the project.

new text begin (b) For the purpose of this subdivision, "agricultural drainage system" means a
publicly or privately owned drainage system that is installed or modified to improve the
productivity of agricultural land. Agricultural drainage system includes all tile, pipe, or
tubing of any material beneath the surface, and any associated inlets and outlets.
new text end

new text begin (c) If the proposed large electric generating plant is a solar energy generating system,
the environmental assessment must include the results of an analysis of reflected solar
irradiance from the solar panels and its impact at specific observation points, including
but not limited to nearby airports, air traffic, highways, and residences. The analysis
must measure the incidence and duration of solar glare at these observation points during
various seasons of the year and times of day, and discuss how such impacts can be
mitigated by relocating solar panels or changing the angles at which they are set.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the commission may not issue a
site permit for a solar energy generating system until all required local permits have
been granted and a resolution approving construction of the project is adopted by the
local governing body in which the proposed project site is located, provided that the
local governing body:
new text end

new text begin (1) has intervened as a formal party to the public hearing conducted under section
216E.03, subdivision 6, or 216E.04, subdivision 6; and
new text end

new text begin (2) has participated fully in the public hearing and has made its concerns regarding
the project part of the record established at the public hearing.
new text end

Laws 2008, chapter 296, article 1, section 25, the effective date, as amended
by Laws 2010, chapter 333, article 1, section 33, and Laws 2012, chapter 244, article 1,
section 76, is amended to read:

This section is effective June 1, deleted text begin 2017deleted text end new text begin 2016new text end .

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

new text begin (a) No rebate may be paid under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216C.416, to an
owner of a solar thermal system whose application was approved by the commissioner
after the effective date of this act.
new text end

new text begin (b) Unspent money remaining in the account established under Minnesota Statutes
2014, section 216C.416, as of July 2, 2015, must be transferred to the energy fund account
established under section 116C.779, subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 216B.8109; 216B.811; 216B.812; 216B.813;
and 216B.815, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.164, subdivision 10, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116C.779, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

new text begin (d) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 174.187; 216C.411; 216C.412; 216C.413;
216C.414; 216C.415; and 216C.416, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

new text begin (e) new text end new text begin Laws 2013, chapter 85, article 6, section 11, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

new text begin (f) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 216B.1612; and 216C.39, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216H.01, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin "Cogeneration facility" or "combined heat and power facility" means a facility that: (1)
has the meaning given in United States Code, title 16, section 796, clause (18), paragraph
(A); and (2) meets the applicable operating and efficiency standards contained in Code of
Federal Regulations, title 18, part 292.205.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216H.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

It is the goal of the state
to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions deleted text begin across all sectors producing those emissions
to a level at least 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2015, to a level at least 30 percent
below 2005 levels by 2025, and to a level at least 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.
The levels shall be reviewed based on the climate change action plan studydeleted text end new text begin to the level
proposed in the plan approved under section 216H.077new text end .

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216H.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

For the purpose of this
section, "new large energy facility" means a large energy facility, as defined in section
216B.2421, subdivision 2, clause (1), that is not in operation as of January 1, 2007,
but does not include a facility that (1) uses natural gas as a primary fuel, (2) isnew text begin a
cogeneration facility or combined heat and power facility, or isnew text end designed to provide
peaking, intermediate, emergency backup, or contingency services, (3) uses a simple cycle
or combined cycle turbine technology, and (4) is capable of achieving full load operations
within 45 minutes of startup for a simple cycle facility, or is capable of achieving
minimum load operations within 185 minutes of startup for a combined cycle facility.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216H.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Unless
preempted by federal law, until a comprehensive and enforceable state law or rule
pertaining to greenhouse gases that directly limits and substantially reduces, over time,
statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions is enacted and in effect, and except as
allowed in subdivisions 4 to 7, on and after August 1, 2009, no person shalldeleted text begin :
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1)deleted text end construct within the state a new large energy facility that would contribute to
statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissionsdeleted text begin ;deleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (2) import or commit to import from outside the state power from a new large energy
facility that would contribute to statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) enter into a new long-term power purchase agreement that would increase
statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions. For purposes of this section, a long-term
power purchase agreement means an agreement to purchase 50 megawatts of capacity
or more for a term exceeding five years.
deleted text end

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216H.03, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

The prohibitions in subdivision 3 do not apply to:

(1) a new large energy facility under consideration by the Public Utilities
Commission pursuant to proposals or applications filed with the Public Utilities
Commission before April 1, 2007, or to any power purchase agreement related to a facility
described in this clause. The exclusion of pending proposals and applications from the
prohibitions in subdivision 3 does not limit the applicability of any other law and is not an
expression of legislative intent regarding whether any pending proposal or application
should be approved or denied;

(2) a contract not subject to commission approval that was entered into prior to
April 1, 2007, to purchase power from a new large energy facility that was approved by
a comparable authority in another state prior to that date, for which municipal or public
power district bonds have been issued, and on which construction has begun;

(3) a new large energy facility deleted text begin or a power purchase agreement between a Minnesota
utility and a new large energy facilitydeleted text end located deleted text begin outsidedeleted text end new text begin withinnew text end Minnesota that the Public
Utilities Commission has determined is essential to ensure the long-term reliability of
Minnesota's electric system, to allow electric service for increased industrial demand,
or to avoid placing a substantial financial burden on Minnesota ratepayers. An order
of the commission granting an exemption under this clause is stayed until the June 1
following the next regular or annual session of the legislature that begins after the date of
the commission's final order; or

(4) a new large energy facility with a combined electric generating capacity of less
than 100 megawatts, which did not require a Minnesota certificate of need, which received
an air pollution control permit to construct from an adjoining state before January 1, 2008,
and on which construction began before July 1, 2008, or to any power purchase agreement
related to a facility described in this clause.

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216H.07, is amended to read:

For the purpose of this section, "reductions" means the
greenhouse gas emissions-reductions deleted text begin goalsdeleted text end new text begin goalnew text end specified in section 216H.02, subdivision
1.

This section is intended to create a nonexclusive, regular,
mandated process for the state to develop policies to attain the greenhouse gas reduction
deleted text begin goalsdeleted text end new text begin goalnew text end specified in section 216H.02.

(a) By January 15 of each odd-numbered year, the
commissioners of commerce and the Pollution Control Agency shall jointly report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary policy
jurisdiction over energy and environmental issues the most recent and best available
evidence identifying the level of reductions already achieved and the deleted text begin level necessary to
achieve thedeleted text end new text begin prospects for achieving futurenew text end reductions deleted text begin timetable in section 216H.02deleted text end .

(b) The report must be in easily understood nontechnical terms.

Legislation proposed under subdivision 4 must be
based on the following principles:

(1) the greenhouse gas emissions-reduction deleted text begin goalsdeleted text end new text begin goalnew text end specified in section 216H.02,
subdivision 1, must be deleted text begin attaineddeleted text end new text begin pursuednew text end ;

(2) deleted text begin the reductions must be attained on a schedule that keeps pace with the reduction
timetable required by section 216H.02, subdivision 1;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end conservation, including ceasing some activities, doing some activities less, and
doing some activities more energy efficiently, is the first choice for reduction;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end public education is a key component;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end all levels of government should lead by example;

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end strategies that may lead to economic dislocation should be phased in and
should be coupled with strategies that address the dislocation; and

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end there must be coordination with other federal and regional greenhouse gas
emissions-reduction requirements so that the state benefits and is not penalized from its
reduction activities.

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

new text begin The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency may not submit a plan to the
federal Environmental Protection Agency to comply with the proposed rule for the federal
Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants, as published in the Federal Register on June
18, 2014, Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602, or any final rule issued in that docket or
federal order pertaining thereto, unless the plan has been approved by state law.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216H.02, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 3.8851, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

(a) Upon request by the cochairs of the
commission, the commissioner of commerce shall assess the amount requested for the
operation of the commission, not to exceed deleted text begin $250,000deleted text end new text begin $150,000new text end in a fiscal year, from the
following sources:

(1) 50 percent of the assessment must come from all public utilities, municipal
utilities, electric cooperative associations, generation and transmission cooperative electric
associations, and municipal power agencies providing electric or natural gas services
in Minnesota; and

(2) 50 percent of the assessment must come from all bulk terminals located in this
state from which petroleum products and liquid petroleum gas are dispensed.

(b) The commissioner of commerce shall apportion the assessment amount requested
among the entities in paragraph (a), clause (1), in proportion to their respective gross
operating revenues from energy sold within the state during the most recent calendar year.

(c) The commissioner of commerce shall apportion the assessment amount requested
equally among the referenced entities in paragraph (a), clause (2).

(d) The entities in paragraph (a), clause (1), must provide information to the
commissioner of commerce to allow for calculation of the assessment.

(e) The assessments under this subdivision are in addition to assessments made
under section 216B.62. The amount assessed under this section must be deposited in
the Legislative Energy Commission account in the special revenue fund. Funds in the
Legislative Energy Commission account are appropriated to the director of the Legislative
Coordinating Commission for the purposes of this section, and are available until
expended. Utilities selling gas and electric service at retail must be assessed and billed
in accordance with the procedures provided in section 216B.62, to the extent that these
procedures do not conflict with this subdivision.

new text begin (f) The commission shall provide a detailed report of its income and expenses in the
prior calendar year by January 1 of each year to the standing committees of the house of
representatives and the senate with jurisdiction over energy issues.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 12A.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

State appropriations may be
used to pay 100 percent of the nonfederal share for state agencies deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin ,new text end local governmentsnew text begin ,
and utility cooperativesnew text end under section 12.221. An appropriation from the bond proceeds
fund may be used as cost-share for federal disaster assistance for publicly owned capital
improvement projects.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.16, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

The commission, in the exercise of its
powers under this chapter to determine just and reasonable rates for public utilities, shall
give due consideration to the public need for adequate, efficient, and reasonable service
and to the need of the public utility for revenue sufficient to enable it to meet the cost of
furnishing the service, including adequate provision for depreciation of its utility property
used and useful in rendering service to the public, and to earn a fair and reasonable return
upon the investment in such property. In determining the rate base upon which the utility
is to be allowed to earn a fair rate of return, the commission shall give due consideration to
evidence of the cost of the property when first devoted to public use, to prudent acquisition
cost to the public utility less appropriate depreciation on each, to construction work in
progress, to offsets in the nature of capital provided by sources other than the investors,
and to other expenses of a capital nature. For purposes of determining rate base, the
commission shall consider the original cost of utility property included in the base and
shall make no allowance for its estimated current replacement value.new text begin Upon petition by
a public utility, if the commission determines that an order it issued has the effect of
terminating the operation of a generating facility before the end of the facility's book life
in order to comply with a specific state or federal energy or environmental statute or
policy, the commission may allow the public utility to recover any positive net book value
of the facility as determined by the commission.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.16, subdivision 7b, is amended to read:

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision
of this chapter, the commission may approve a tariff mechanism for the automatic annual
adjustment of charges for the Minnesota jurisdictional costs net of associated revenues of:

(i) new transmission facilities that have been separately filed and reviewed and
approved by the commission under section 216B.243 or new text begin new transmission or distribution
facilities that new text end are certified as a priority project or deemed to be a priority transmission
project under section 216B.2425;

(ii) new transmission facilities approved by the regulatory commission of the state
in which the new transmission facilities are to be constructed, to the extent approval
is required by the laws of that state, and determined by the Midcontinent Independent
System Operator to benefit the utility or integrated transmission system; and

(iii) charges incurred by a utility under a federally approved tariff that accrue
from other transmission owners' regionally planned transmission projects that have been
determined by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator to benefit the utility or
integrated transmission system.

(b) Upon filing by a public utility or utilities providing transmission service, the
commission may approve, reject, or modify, after notice and comment, a tariff that:

(1) allows the utility to recover on a timely basis the costs net of revenues of
facilities approved under section 216B.243 or certified or deemed to be certified under
section 216B.2425 or exempt from the requirements of section 216B.243;

(2) allows the utility to recover charges incurred under a federally approved tariff that
accrue from other transmission owners' regionally planned transmission projects that have
been determined by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator to benefit the utility
or integrated transmission system. These charges must be reduced or offset by revenues
received by the utility and by amounts the utility charges to other regional transmission
owners, to the extent those revenues and charges have not been otherwise offset;

(3) allows the utility to recover on a timely basis the costs net of revenues of facilities
approved by the regulatory commission of the state in which the new transmission
facilities are to be constructed and determined by the Midcontinent Independent System
Operator to benefit the utility or integrated transmission system;

(4) new text begin allows the utility to recover costs associated with investments in distribution
facilities to modernize the utility's grid that have been certified by the commission under
section 216B.2425;
new text end

new text begin (5) new text end allows a return on investment at the level approved in the utility's last general
rate case, unless a different return is found to be consistent with the public interest;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end provides a current return on construction work in progress, provided that
recovery from Minnesota retail customers for the allowance for funds used during
construction is not sought through any other mechanism;

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7)new text end allows for recovery of other expenses if shown to promote a least-cost project
option or is otherwise in the public interest;

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (8)new text end allocates project costs appropriately between wholesale and retail customers;

deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (9)new text end provides a mechanism for recovery above cost, if necessary to improve the
overall economics of the project or projects or is otherwise in the public interest; and

deleted text begin (9)deleted text end new text begin (10)new text end terminates recovery once costs have been fully recovered or have otherwise
been reflected in the utility's general rates.

(c) A public utility may file annual rate adjustments to be applied to customer bills
paid under the tariff approved in paragraph (b). In its filing, the public utility shall provide:

(1) a description of and context for the facilities included for recovery;

(2) a schedule for implementation of applicable projects;

(3) the utility's costs for these projects;

(4) a description of the utility's efforts to ensure the lowest costs to ratepayers for
the project; and

(5) calculations to establish that the rate adjustment is consistent with the terms
of the tariff established in paragraph (b).

(d) Upon receiving a filing for a rate adjustment pursuant to the tariff established in
paragraph (b), the commission shall approve the annual rate adjustments provided that,
after notice and comment, the costs included for recovery through the tariff were or are
expected to be prudently incurred and achieve transmission system improvements at the
lowest feasible and prudent cost to ratepayers.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.16, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

(a) The commission shall disapprove the portion of
any rate which makes an allowance directly or indirectly for expenses incurred by a public
utility to provide a public advertisement which:

(1) is designed to influence or has the effect of influencing public attitudes toward
legislation or proposed legislation, or toward a rule, proposed rule, authorization or
proposed authorization of the Public Utilities Commission or other agency of government
responsible for regulating a public utility;

(2) is designed to justify or otherwise support or defend a rate, proposed rate,
practice or proposed practice of a public utility;

(3) is designed primarily to promote consumption of the services of the utilitynew text begin ,
except for the promotion of:
new text end

new text begin (i) electric vehicles;
new text end

new text begin (ii) electric water heaters that are electronically activated by a utility to operate when
low-priced electricity generated from a renewable source is available;
new text end

new text begin (iii) ground or air source heat pumps that displace propane or fuel oil; or
new text end

new text begin (iv) vehicles fueled with compressed natural gasnew text end ;

(4) is designed primarily to promote good will for the public utility or improve the
utility's public image; or

(5) is designed to promote the use of nuclear power or to promote a nuclear waste
storage facility.

(b) The commission may approve a rate which makes an allowance for expenses
incurred by a public utility to disseminate information which:

(1) is designed to encourage conservation of energy supplies;

(2) is designed to promote safety; or

(3) is designed to inform and educate customers as to financial services made
available to them by the public utility.

(c) The commission shall not withhold approval of a rate because it makes an
allowance for expenses incurred by the utility to disseminate information about corporate
affairs to its owners.

new text begin (d) For the purposes of this subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) "electric vehicle" has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 26a; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "renewable source" has the meaning given to "eligible energy technology" in
section 216B.1691, subdivision 1.
new text end

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.16, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

(a) A municipality may file
with the commission a resolution of its governing body requesting exemption from the
provisions of this section for a public utility that is under a franchise with the municipality
to supply natural, manufactured, or mixed gas and that serves 650 or fewer customers in
the municipality as long as the public utility serves no more than a total of deleted text begin 2,000deleted text end new text begin 5,000
new text end customers.

(b) The commission shall grant an exemption from this section for that portion of
a public utility's business that is requested by each municipality it serves. Furthermore,
the commission shall also grant the public utility an exemption from this section for any
service provided outside of a municipality's border that is considered by the commission
to be incidental. The public utility shall file with the commission and the department
all initial and subsequent changes in rates, tariffs, and contracts for service outside the
municipality at least 30 days in advance of implementation.

(c) However, the commission shall require the utility to adopt the commission's
policies and procedures governing disconnection during cold weather. The utility shall
annually submit a copy of its municipally approved rates to the commission.

(d) In all cases covered by this subdivision in which an exemption for service outside
of a municipality is granted, the commission may initiate an investigation under section
216B.17, on its own motion or upon complaint from a customer.

(e) If a municipality files with the commission a resolution of its governing body
rescinding the request for exemption, the commission shall regulate the public utility's
business in that municipality under this section.

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.16, subdivision 19, is amended to read:

(a) A public utility may propose, and the
commission may approve, approve as modified, or reject, a multiyear rate plan as provided
in this subdivision. The term "multiyear rate plan" refers to a plan establishing the rates
the utility may charge for each year of the specified period of years, which cannot exceed
deleted text begin threedeleted text end new text begin fivenew text end years, to be covered by the plan.

new text begin (b) A utility proposing a multiyear rate plan shall provide a general description of
the utility's major planned investments over the plan period. The commission may also
require the utility to provide a set of reasonable performance measures and incentives that
are quantifiable, verifiable, and consistent with state energy policies. The commission
may allow the utility to adjust recovery of its cost of capital or other costs in a reasonable
manner within the plan period.
new text end

new text begin (c) The utility may propose:
new text end

new text begin (1) recovery of the utility's forecasted rate base, based on a formula, a budget
forecast, or a fixed escalation rate, individually or in combination. The forecasted rate
base must include the utility's planned capital investments and investment-related costs,
including income tax impacts, depreciation and property taxes, as well as forecasted
capacity-related costs from purchased power agreements that are not recovered through
section 216B.16, subdivision 7;
new text end

new text begin (2) recovery of operations and maintenance expenses, based on an electricity-related
price index or other formula;
new text end

new text begin (3) tariffs that expand the products and services available to customers, including
but not limited to an affordability rate for low-income residential customers; and
new text end

new text begin (4) procedures under which a utility may request that the commission make
adjustments to the rates approved under the multiyear plan, including, but not limited to,
changes in the cost of operating its nuclear facilities or other significant investments
not addressed in the plan.
new text end

new text begin (d) A utility that has filed a petition with the commission to approve a multiyear
rate plan may request to be allowed to implement interim rates for the first and second
years of the multiyear plan. If the commission approves the request, interim rates shall be
implemented in the same manner as allowed under subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (e) new text end The commission may approve a multiyear rate plan only if it finds that the plan
establishes just and reasonable rates for the utility, applying the factors described in
subdivision 6. Consistent with subdivision 4, the burden of proof to demonstrate that the
multiyear rate plan is just and reasonable is on the public utility proposing the plan.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end Rates charged under the multiyear rate plan must be based only upon the
utility's reasonable and prudent costs of service over the term of the plan, as determined
by the commission, provided that the costs are not being recovered elsewhere in rates.
Rate adjustments authorized under subdivisions 6b and 7 may continue outside of a plan
authorized under this subdivision.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (g)new text end The commission may, by order, establish terms, conditions, and procedures
for a multiyear rate plan necessary to implement this section and ensure that rates remain
just and reasonable during the course of the plan, including terms and procedures for rate
adjustment. At any time prior to conclusion of a multiyear rate plan, the commission,
upon its own motion or upon petition of any party, has the discretion to examine the
reasonableness of the utility's rates under the plan, and adjust rates as necessary.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (h)new text end In reviewing a multiyear rate plan proposed in a general rate case under
this section, the commission may extend the time requirements for issuance of a final
determination prescribed in this section by an additional 90 days beyond its existing
authority under subdivision 2, paragraph (f).

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (i)new text end A utility may not file a multiyear rate plan that would establish rates under the
terms of the plan until after May 31, 2012.

new text begin (j) The commission may initiate a proceeding to determine a set of performance
measures and incentives that may be incorporated by a utility in a multiyear rate plan.
new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, "electric vehicle" has the
meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 26a, paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of commerce shall develop and
implement a program to provide rebates to electric vehicle owners who meet the eligibility
requirements of subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (b) Applications for rebates under this section shall be filed with the commissioner
on a form developed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall develop administrative
procedures governing the application and rebate award process. Applications will be
reviewed and rebates awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
new text end

new text begin The purchaser of an electric vehicle is eligible for a $2,500
rebate under this section if:
new text end

new text begin (1) the electric vehicle:
new text end

new text begin (i) has not been previously owned;
new text end

new text begin (ii) has not been modified from the original manufacturer's specifications; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) is purchased after the effective date of this act for use by the purchaser and
not for resale; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the purchaser:
new text end

new text begin (i) is a natural person who is a resident of Minnesota, as defined in section 290.01,
subdivision 7, paragraph (a), when the electric vehicle is purchased;
new text end

new text begin (ii) has not received a rebate or tax credit for the purchase of the same electric
vehicle from another state;
new text end

new text begin (iii) registers the electric vehicle in Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) is an electric service customer of the utility subject to section 116C.779.
new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in
this subdivision have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Contribution in aid of construction" means a monetary contribution, paid by
a developer or local unit of government to a utility providing natural gas service to a
community receiving that service as the result of a natural gas extension project, that
reduces or offsets the difference between the total revenue requirement of the project and
the revenue generated from the customers served by the project.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Developer" means a developer of the project or a person that owns or will own
the property served by the project.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Local unit of government" means a city, county, township, commission, district,
authority, or other political subdivision or instrumentality of this state.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Natural gas extension project" or "project" means the construction of new
infrastructure or upgrades to existing natural gas facilities necessary to serve currently
unserved or inadequately served areas.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Revenue deficiency" means the deficiency in funds that results when projected
revenues from customers receiving natural gas service as the result of a natural gas
extension project, plus any contributions in aid of construction paid by these customers,
fall short of the total revenue requirement of the natural gas extension project.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Total revenue requirement" means the total cost of extending and maintaining
natural gas service to a currently unserved or inadequately served area.
new text end

new text begin (h) "Transport customer" means a customer for whom a natural gas utility transports
gas the customer has purchased from another natural gas supplier.
new text end

new text begin (i) "Unserved or inadequately served area" means an area in this state lacking
adequate natural gas pipeline infrastructure to meet the demand of existing or potential
end-use customers.
new text end

new text begin (a) A public utility may petition the commission outside of a
general rate case for a rider that shall include all of the utility's customers, including
transport customers, to recover the revenue deficiency from a natural gas extension project.
new text end

new text begin (b) The petition shall include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a description of the natural gas extension project, including the number and
location of new customers to be served and the distance over which natural gas will be
distributed to serve the unserved or inadequately served area;
new text end

new text begin (2) the project's construction schedule;
new text end

new text begin (3) the proposed project budget;
new text end

new text begin (4) the amount of any contributions in aid of construction;
new text end

new text begin (5) a description of efforts made by the public utility to offset the revenue deficiency
through contributions in aid to construction;
new text end

new text begin (6) the amount of the revenue deficiency, and how recovery of the revenue deficiency
will be allocated among industrial, commercial, residential, and transport customers;
new text end

new text begin (7) the proposed method to be used to recover the revenue deficiency from each
customer class, such as a flat fee, a volumetric charge, or another form of recovery;
new text end

new text begin (8) the proposed termination date of the rider to recover the revenue deficiency; and
new text end

new text begin (9) a description of benefits to the public utility's existing natural gas customers that
will accrue from the natural gas extension project.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commission shall allow opportunity for
comment on the petition.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commission shall approve a public utility's petition for a rider to recover the
costs of a natural gas extension project if it determines that:
new text end

new text begin (1) the project is designed to extend natural gas service to an unserved or
inadequately served area; and
new text end

new text begin (2) project costs are reasonable and prudently incurred.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commission must not approve a rider under this section that allows a utility
to recover more than 33 percent of the costs of a natural gas extension project.
new text end

new text begin (d) The revenue deficiency from a natural gas extension project recoverable through
a rider under this section must include the currently authorized rate of return, incremental
income taxes, incremental property taxes, incremental depreciation expenses, and any
incremental operation and maintenance costs.
new text end

new text begin The commission may issue orders
necessary to implement and administer this section.
new text end

new text begin Nothing in this section commits a public utility to
implement a project approved by the commission. The public utility seeking to provide
natural gas service shall notify the commission whether it intends to proceed with the
project as approved by the commission.
new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2017, and every three years
thereafter, the commission shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
senate and house of representatives committees having jurisdiction over energy policy:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of public utilities and projects proposed and approved under this
section;
new text end

new text begin (2) the total cost of each project;
new text end

new text begin (3) rate impacts of the cost recovery mechanism; and
new text end

new text begin (4) an assessment of the effectiveness of the cost recovery mechanism in realizing
increased natural gas service to unserved or inadequately served areas from natural gas
extension projects.
new text end

new text begin A cooperative electric association that has elected to be subject to rate regulation
under section 216B.026 is eligible to file for commission approval an adjustment for real
personal property taxes, fees, and permits.
new text end

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

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

new text begin (b) "Clean energy technology" is energy technology that generates electricity from a
noncarbon-emitting resource, including but not limited to solar, wind, hydroelectric,
and nuclear.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Energy-intensive trade-exposed customer" is defined to include:
new text end

new text begin (1) an iron mining extraction and processing facility, including a scram mining
facility as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 6130.0100, subpart 16;
new text end

new text begin (2) a paper mill, wood products manufacturer, sawmill, or oriented strand board
manufacturer;
new text end

new text begin (3) a copper, nickel, or precious metals mining extraction and processing facility;
new text end

new text begin (4) a steel mill and related facilities;
new text end

new text begin (5) an oil and liquids pipeline;
new text end

new text begin (6) a ceiling panel manufacturer; and
new text end

new text begin (7) any other globally competitive electric utility customer who can demonstrate
that energy costs are a significant portion of the customer's overall cost of production and
impede the customer's ability to compete in the global market.
new text end

new text begin (d) "EITE rate schedule" means a rate schedule of an investor-owned electric
utility that establishes the terms of service for an individual or group of energy-intensive,
trade-exposed customers.
new text end

new text begin (e) "EITE rate" means the rate or rates offered by the utility under an EITE rate
schedule.
new text end

new text begin (a) It is the energy policy
of the state of Minnesota to promote competitive electric rates for energy-intensive,
trade-exposed customers, as provided in this section. To achieve this objective, an
investor-owned electric utility may propose an EITE rate schedule for commission
approval that includes various EITE rate options, including fixed rates, market-based rates,
and rates to encourage utilization of clean energy technology.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding section 216B.03, 216B.05, 216B.06, 216B.07, or 216B.16, the
commission shall approve a proposed EITE rate schedule if it finds the schedule provides
net benefits to the utility and its customers, considering among other things:
new text end

new text begin (1) potential cost impacts to the utility customers;
new text end

new text begin (2) the net benefit to the local or state economy through the retention of or increase
to existing jobs;
new text end

new text begin (3) a net increase in economic development in the utility's service territory; and
new text end

new text begin (4) avoiding a significant increase in rates due to a reduction of EITE customer load.
new text end

new text begin (c) An EITE rate offered by an electric utility under an approved EITE rate schedule
must be filed with the commission. The commission shall review and approve the EITE
rate offered by an electric utility if it finds the rate provides net benefits to the utility and
its customers as described above. The commission shall make a final determination in
any proceeding begun under this section within 90 days of a miscellaneous rate filing by
the electric utility.
new text end

new text begin (d) Upon approval of an EITE rate, the utility may recover the incremental costs
associated with providing service to a customer under the EITE rate from the utility's
nonenergy-intensive, trade-exposed customers, except low-income residential ratepayers,
as defined in section 216B.16, subdivision 15.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.2425, is amended to read:

The commission shall maintain a list of certified high-voltage
transmission line projects.

(a) By November
1 of each odd-numbered year, a transmission projects report must be submitted to the
commission by each utility, organization, or company that:

(1) is a public utility, a municipal utility, a cooperative electric association, the
generation and transmission organization that serves each utility or association, or a
transmission company; and

(2) owns or operates electric transmission lines in Minnesota, except a company or
organization that owns a transmission line that serves a single customer or interconnects a
single generating facility.

(b) The report may be submitted jointly or individually to the commission.

(1) list specific present and reasonably foreseeable future inadequacies in the
transmission system in Minnesota;

(2) identify alternative means of addressing each inadequacy listed;

(3) identify general economic, environmental, and social issues associated with
each alternative; and

(4) provide a summary of public input related to the list of inadequacies and the role
of local government officials and other interested persons in assisting to develop the list
and analyze alternatives.

(d) To meet the requirements of this subdivision, reporting parties may rely on
available information and analysis developed by a regional transmission organization
or any subgroup of a regional transmission organization and may develop and include
additional information as necessary.

new text begin (e) In addition to providing the information required under this subdivision,
a utility operating under a multiyear rate plan approved by the commission under
section 216B.16, subdivision 19, shall identify in its report investments that it considers
necessary to modernize the transmission and distribution system by enhancing reliability,
improving security against cyber and physical threats, and increasing energy conservation
opportunities by facilitating communication between the utility and its customers
through the use of two-way meters, control technologies, energy storage and microgrids,
technologies to enable demand response, and other innovative technologies.
new text end

By June 1 of each even-numbered year, the
commission shall adopt a state transmission project list and shall certify, certify as
modified, or deny certification of the new text begin transmission and distribution new text end projects proposed
under subdivision 2. The commission may only certify a project that is a high-voltage
transmission line as defined in section 216B.2421, subdivision 2, that the commission
finds is:

(1) necessary to maintain or enhance the reliability of electric service to Minnesota
consumers;

(2) needed, applying the criteria in section 216B.243, subdivision 3; and

(3) in the public interest, taking into account electric energy system needs and
economic, environmental, and social interests affected by the project.

Certification of a project as a priority electric transmission
project satisfies section 216B.243. A certified project on which construction has not begun
more than six years after being placed on the list, must be reapproved by the commission.

The Department of Commerce shall create,
maintain, and update annually an inventory of transmission lines in the state.

This section does not apply to any transmission line proposal
that has been approved by, or was pending before, a local unit of government, the
Environmental Quality Board, or the Public Utilities Commission on August 1, 2001.

(a) Each entity
subject to this section shall determine necessary transmission upgrades to support
development of renewable energy resources required to meet objectives under section
216B.1691 and shall include those upgrades in its report under subdivision 2.

(b) MS 2008 [Expired]

new text begin Each entity subject to
this section that is operating under a multiyear rate plan approved under section 216B.16,
subdivision 19, shall conduct a distribution study to identify interconnection points on its
distribution system for small-scale distributed generation resources and identify necessary
distribution upgrades to support the continued development of distributed generation
resources. The study shall be included in its report required under subdivision 2.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.243, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:

deleted text begin (a) The commission may not issue a certificate
of need for the construction of a new nuclear-powered electric generating plant.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end Any certificate of need for additional storage of spent nuclear fuel for a facility
seeking a license extension shall address the impacts of continued operations over the
period for which approval is sought.

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

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

new text begin (b) "Bi-fuel natural gas vehicle" means a vehicle capable of using compressed
natural gas or gasoline as a fuel.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Bi-fuel propane vehicle" means a vehicle capable of using propane or gasoline
as a fuel.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Bus" has the meaning given in section 168.002, subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Compressed natural gas" means natural gas compressed to less than one percent
of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Converted" means a vehicle, originally manufactured to be fueled solely with
gasoline or diesel fuel, that has been modified by the installation of new equipment,
including but not limited to injectors, regulators, and a fuel tank, to be a natural gas or
propane vehicle.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Dual-fuel natural gas vehicle" means a vehicle capable of using compressed
natural gas and diesel fuel as a fuel.
new text end

new text begin (h) "Dual-fuel propane vehicle" means a vehicle capable of using propane and
diesel fuel as a fuel.
new text end

new text begin (i) "Heavy-duty vehicle" means a truck, van, or bus with a gross vehicle weight
rating of 26,001 pounds or greater.
new text end

new text begin (j) "Incremental cost" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) the cost to convert a vehicle that was originally manufactured to be fueled with
gasoline or diesel fuel to a propane or natural gas vehicle; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the difference between the cost of a vehicle originally manufactured to be fueled
with gasoline or diesel fuel and the cost of the same or similar vehicle manufactured to
operate exclusively on propane or compressed natural gas.
new text end

new text begin (k) "Light-duty vehicle" means a truck, van, or bus with a gross vehicle weight
rating up to 10,000 pounds.
new text end

new text begin (l) "Medium-duty vehicle" means a truck, van, or bus with a gross vehicle weight
rating of 10,001 pounds to 26,000 pounds.
new text end

new text begin (m) "Natural gas vehicle" means a vehicle capable of using compressed natural gas
as a fuel, including a bi-fuel and dual-fuel natural gas vehicle.
new text end

new text begin (n) "Propane vehicle" means a vehicle capable of using propane as a fuel, including
a bi-fuel and dual-fuel propane vehicle.
new text end

new text begin (o) "Truck" has the meaning given in section 168.002, subdivision 37.
new text end

new text begin (p) "Van" has the meaning given in section 168.002, subdivision 40.
new text end

new text begin (q) "Vehicle" means a truck, van, or bus.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of commerce shall develop and implement
a program to provide rebates to eligible vehicle owners for the purchase of vehicles that are:
new text end

new text begin (1) new vehicles that have not been modified from the original manufacturer's
specifications and that are fueled solely with compressed natural gas or propane; or
new text end

new text begin (2) converted vehicles.
new text end

new text begin The owner of a natural gas or propane vehicle is eligible
for a rebate under this section if:
new text end

new text begin (1) the owner of the natural gas or propane vehicle:
new text end

new text begin (i) is a business that has a valid address in Minnesota from which business is
conducted; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) is a county, city, town, or school district, or a transit system eligible for funding
under section 16A.88;
new text end

new text begin (2) the owner of the natural gas or propane vehicle:
new text end

new text begin (i) registers the natural gas or propane vehicle in Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) has not received a rebate or tax credit for the purchase or conversion of the same
natural gas or propane vehicle from another state;
new text end

new text begin (3) the natural gas or propane vehicle:
new text end

new text begin (i) is purchased or converted after the effective date of this act; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) is used to perform business functions that are integral to the operations of the
business that owns the compressed natural gas vehicle; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the conversion system installed in a converted vehicle:
new text end

new text begin (i) complies with the Environmental Protection Agency's final rule on Clean
Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Engine Conversions, Code of Federal Regulations, title
40, parts 85 and 86;
new text end

new text begin (ii) is installed by a person who has been certified to install the conversion system
by the manufacturer of the conversion system or a state that certifies persons to install
conversion systems; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) is installed in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association's
Vehicular Fuel Systems Code (NFPA 52).
new text end

new text begin A rebate awarded under this section to a purchaser of
a new or converted natural gas or propane vehicle under this section may amount to no
more than 50 percent of the incremental cost of:
new text end

new text begin (1) a light-duty vehicle, not to exceed $5,000;
new text end

new text begin (2) a medium-duty vehicle, not to exceed $8,000; or
new text end

new text begin (3) a heavy-duty vehicle, not to exceed $20,000.
new text end

new text begin The maximum amount of rebates allowed
to a single business, county, city, town, or school district per year under this section are
as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) no more than $50,000 for light- and medium-duty vehicles; and
new text end

new text begin (2) no more than $100,000 for heavy-duty vehicles.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 256E.31, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Each community action agency shall administer
its community action programs through a community action board consisting of 15 to
51 members.

(a) One-third of the members of the board shall be elected public officials, currently
holding officedeleted text begin , or their representativesdeleted text end .

(b) At least one-third of the members shall be persons chosen in accordance with
democratic selection procedures adequate to assure that they are representative of the
poor in the area served.

(c) The other members shall be officials or members of business, industry, labor,
religious, welfare, education, or other major groups and interests in the community. Each
member of the board selected to represent a specific geographic area within a community
must reside in the area represented.

(d) The public community action agency shall have an administering board which
meets the requirements of this subdivision.

(e) The statewide migrant seasonal farmworker organization known as the Minnesota
Migrant Council and Indian reservations carrying out community action programs are
exempt from the board composition requirements of this subdivision.

new text begin (a) The commissioner of the Department of Administration shall contract with
the Management, Analysis, and Development Division of Minnesota Management and
Budget for a study to examine potential cost savings and program efficiencies that may
result from transferring certain functions and staff of the division of energy resources in
the Department of Commerce to the Public Utilities Commission. In conducting the study,
the Management, Analysis, and Development Division must:
new text end

new text begin (1) analyze the functions of the various offices of both the division of energy
resources and the commission;
new text end

new text begin (2) assess any duplicative functions of staff and redundant management positions;
new text end

new text begin (3) assess whether transferring specific functions and staff would result in a clearer
and more functional link between authority and responsibility for accomplishing various
activities;
new text end

new text begin (4) consider whether any such transfers would make governmental decisions
regarding energy more transparent to the public;
new text end

new text begin (5) determine which specific positions, including administrative support, could be
eliminated as a result of the transfer without appreciably diminishing the quantity or
quality of work produced;
new text end

new text begin (6) calculate the budgetary savings that could be realized as a result of transferring
functions and eliminating redundant positions;
new text end

new text begin (7) estimate any cost savings that would accrue to regulated utilities as a result
of transferring functions;
new text end

new text begin (8) assess the benefits and costs of various options with respect to transferring
functions and staff; and
new text end

new text begin (9) assume that any transfer is subject to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes,
section 15.039.
new text end

new text begin (b) The study must, by January 1, 2016, be submitted to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the senate and house committees with jurisdiction over energy
policy and state government operations.
new text end

new text begin (a) An advisory task force is established to examine transferring the provision of
low-income heating assistance and weatherization programs for low-income households
from community action agencies currently performing those functions to other
organizations.
new text end

new text begin (b) The governor, the president and minority leader of the senate, and the speaker
and minority leader of the house of representatives shall, by July 1, 2015, each appoint
one member of the advisory task force. The executive director of the Legislative Energy
Commission shall serve as staff for the task force. Members of the task force shall not
receive compensation.
new text end

new text begin (c) In determining its findings and recommendations, the advisory task force shall
examine the organizations used by other states to provide low-income heating assistance
and weatherization programs.
new text end

new text begin (d) The advisory task force shall present its findings and recommendations in a
report submitted by January 15, 2016, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
senate and house committees with jurisdiction over energy policy.
new text end

new text begin (e) The advisory task force established under this section expires on June 30, 2016.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of employment and economic development shall contract
with an independent consulting organization with experience in energy to conduct a study
examining the feasibility and potential costs and benefits of creating a state public power
authority with the authority to:
new text end

new text begin (1) construct, own, and operate electric generation and transmission facilities;
new text end

new text begin (2) allocate low-cost power it generates or purchases to Minnesota retail customers;
new text end

new text begin (3) finance energy efficiency projects in public buildings; and
new text end

new text begin (4) perform related tasks.
new text end

new text begin (b) The analysis must examine the structure, funding, and authority of similar
organizations in other states and countries. The report must be submitted no later than
February 15, 2016, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of
representatives committees with primary jurisdiction over energy policy.
new text end

new text begin By November 1, 2015, each utility that sells electricity at retail in this state shall
submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house
committees with primary jurisdiction over energy policy that describes specific Minnesota
statutes, rules, procedures, and decisions made by the Public Utilities Commission
and the Department of Commerce that contribute to higher electricity rates without
providing significant value to Minnesota ratepayers. The report shall include specific
recommendations for change.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 3.8852, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 3.8851, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

(a) The commission shall continuously evaluate the energy policies
of this state and the degree to which they promote an environmentally and economically
sustainable energy future. The commission shall monitor the state's progress in achieving
its goals to develop renewable sources of electric energy under section 216B.1691,
subdivision 2a, and the progress of energy-related sectors in reducing greenhouse gas
emissions under the state's greenhouse gas emissions-reductions deleted text begin goalsdeleted text end new text begin goalnew text end established in
section 216H.02, subdivision 1. The commission may review proposed energy legislation
and may recommend legislation. The commission shall when feasible solicit and consider
public testimony regarding the economic, environmental, and social implications of state
energy plans and policies. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary the commission's
evaluations and reviews under this subdivision shall include new and existing technologies
for nuclear power.

(b) The commission may study, analyze, hold hearings, and make legislative
recommendations regarding the following issues:

(1) the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity;

(2) the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions;

(3) the conservation of energy;

(4) alternative energy sources available to replace dwindling fossil fuel and other
nonrenewable fuel sources;

(5) the development of renewable energy supplies;

(6) the economic development potential associated with issues described in clauses
(1) to (5); and

(7) other energy-related subjects the commission finds significant.

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116C.7791, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

(a) The following amounts must be allocated
deleted text begin from the deleted text end deleted text begin renewable developmentdeleted text end deleted text begin account established in section deleted text end new text begin by the utilitynew text end to
a separate account for the purpose of providing the rebates for solar photovoltaic modules
specified in this section:

(1) $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2011;

(2) $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2012;

(3) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2013;

(4) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2014; and

(5) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2015.

(b) If, by the end of fiscal year 2015, insufficient qualified owners have applied for
and met the requirements for rebates under this section to exhaust the funds available, any
remaining balance shall be returned to the account established under section 116C.779.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.437, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

(a) For the purpose of this section, the following terms
have the meanings given.

(b) "Green economy" means products, processes, methods, technologies, or services
intended to do one or more of the following:

(1) increase the use of energy from renewable sources, including through achieving
the deleted text begin renewabledeleted text end new text begin advancednew text end energy standard established in section 216B.1691;

(2) achieve the statewide energy-savings goal established in section 216B.2401,
including energy savings achieved by the conservation investment program under section
216B.241;

(3) achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction deleted text begin goalsdeleted text end new text begin goalnew text end of section 216H.02,
subdivision 1, including through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as defined in
section 216H.01, subdivision 2, or mitigation of the greenhouse gas emissions through,
but not limited to, carbon capture, storage, or sequestration;

(4) monitor, protect, restore, and preserve the quality of surface waters, including
actions to further the purposes of the Clean Water Legacy Act as provided in section
114D.10, subdivision 1;

(5) expand the use of biofuels, including by expanding the feasibility or reducing the
cost of producing biofuels or the types of equipment, machinery, and vehicles that can
use biofuels, including activities to achieve the petroleum replacement goal in section
239.7911; or

(6) increase the use of green chemistry, as defined in section 116.9401.

For the purpose of clause (3), "green economy" includes strategies that reduce carbon
emissions, such as utilizing existing buildings and other infrastructure, and utilizing mass
transit or otherwise reducing commuting for employees.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.164, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

(a) deleted text begin Except for customers receiving a value of solar
rate under subdivision 10,deleted text end A customer with a net metered facility having a capacity of
40 kilowatts or greater but less than 1,000 kilowatts that is interconnected to a public
utility may elect to be compensated for the customer's net input into the utility system
in the form of a kilowatt-hour credit on the customer's energy bill carried forward and
applied to subsequent energy bills. Any net input supplied by the customer into the utility
system that exceeds energy supplied to the customer by the utility during a calendar year
must be compensated at the applicable rate.

(b) A public utility may not impose a standby charge on a net metered or qualifying
facility:

(1) of 100 kilowatts or less capacity; or

(2) of more than 100 kilowatts capacity, except in accordance with an order of the
commission establishing the allowable costs to be recovered through standby charges.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.1645, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Upon the petition of a public utility, the
Public Utilities Commission shall approve or disapprove power purchase contracts,
investments, or expenditures entered into or made by the utility to satisfy the wind and
biomass mandates contained in sections 216B.169, 216B.2423, and 216B.2424, and
to satisfy the deleted text begin renewabledeleted text end new text begin advancednew text end energy deleted text begin objectives anddeleted text end standards set forth in section
216B.1691, including reasonable investments and expenditures made to:

(1) transmit the electricity generated from sources developed under those sections
that is ultimately used to provide service to the utility's retail customers, including
studies necessary to identify new transmission facilities needed to transmit electricity to
Minnesota retail customers from generating facilities constructed to satisfy the deleted text begin renewable
deleted text end new text begin advancednew text end energy deleted text begin objectives anddeleted text end standards, provided that the costs of the studies have not
been recovered previously under existing tariffs and the utility has filed an application
for a certificate of need or for certification as a priority project under section 216B.2425
for the new transmission facilities identified in the studies;

(2) provide storage facilities for renewable energy generation facilities that
contribute to the reliability, efficiency, or cost-effectiveness of the renewable facilities; or

(3) develop renewable energy sources from the account required in section 116C.779.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.241, subdivision 5c, is amended to read:

(a) For the purpose of this
subdivision:

(1) "project" means a solar electric generation project consisting of arrays of solar
photovoltaic cells with a capacity of up to two megawatts located on the site of a closed
landfill in Olmsted County owned by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; and

(2) "cooperative electric association" means a generation and transmission
cooperative electric association that has a member distribution cooperative association to
which it provides wholesale electric service in whose service territory a project is located.

(b) A cooperative electric association may elect to count all of its purchases of
electric energy from a project toward only one of the following:

(1) its energy-savings goal under subdivision 1c; or

(2) itsnew text begin advancednew text end energy deleted text begin objective ordeleted text end standard under section 216B.1691.

(c) A cooperative electric association may include in its conservation plan purchases
of electric energy from a project. The cost-effectiveness of project purchases may be
determined by a different standard than for other energy conservation improvements
under this section if the commissioner determines that doing so is in the public interest
in order to encourage solar energy. The kilowatt hours of solar energy purchased by a
cooperative electric association from a project may count for up to 33 percent of its one
percent savings goal under subdivision 1c or up to 22 percent of its 1.5 percent savings
goal under that subdivision. Expenditures made by a cooperative association for the
purchase of energy from a project may not be used to meet the revenue expenditure
requirements of subdivisions 1a and 1b.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.241, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

(a) The
purpose of this subdivision is to establish cost-effective energy-efficiency performance
standards for new and substantially reconstructed commercial, industrial, and institutional
buildings that can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by lowering energy use in
new and substantially reconstructed buildings. For the purposes of this subdivision, the
establishment of these standards may be referred to as Sustainable Building 2030.

(b) The commissioner shall contract with the Center for Sustainable Building
Research at the University of Minnesota to coordinate development and implementation
of energy-efficiency performance standards, strategic planning, research, data analysis,
technology transfer, training, and other activities related to the purpose of Sustainable
Building 2030. The commissioner and the Center for Sustainable Building Research
shall, in consultation with utilities, builders, developers, building operators, and experts
in building design and technology, develop a Sustainable Building 2030 implementation
plan that must address, at a minimum, the following issues:

(1) training architects to incorporate the performance standards in building design;

(2) incorporating the performance standards in utility conservation improvement
programs; and

(3) developing procedures for ongoing monitoring of energy use in buildings that
have adopted the performance standards.

The plan must be submitted to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and
house of representatives committees with primary jurisdiction over energy policy by
July 1, 2009.

(c) Sustainable Building 2030 energy-efficiency performance standards must be firm,
quantitative measures of total building energy use and associated carbon dioxide emissions
per square foot for different building types and uses, that allow for accurate determinations
of a building's conformance with a performance standard. Performance standards must
address energy use by electric vehicle charging infrastructure in or adjacent to buildings as
that infrastructure begins to be made widely available. The energy-efficiency performance
standards must be updated every three or five years to incorporate all cost-effective
measures. The performance standards must reflect the reductions in carbon dioxide
emissions per square foot resulting from actions taken by utilities to comply with the
deleted text begin renewabledeleted text end new text begin advancednew text end energy standards in section 216B.1691. The performance standards
should be designed to achieve reductions equivalent to the following reduction schedule,
measured against energy consumption by an average building in each applicable building
sector in 2003: (1) 60 percent in 2010; (2) 70 percent in 2015; (3) 80 percent in 2020;
and (4) 90 percent in 2025. A performance standard must not be established or increased
absent a conclusive engineering analysis that it is cost-effective based upon established
practices used in evaluating utility conservation improvement programs.

(d) The annual amount of the contract with the Center for Sustainable Building
Research is up to $500,000. The Center for Sustainable Building Research shall expend
no more than $150,000 of this amount each year on administration, coordination, and
oversight activities related to Sustainable Building 2030. The balance of contract funds
must be spent on substantive programmatic activities allowed under this subdivision that
may be conducted by the Center for Sustainable Building Research and others, and for
subcontracts with not-for-profit energy organizations, architecture and engineering firms,
and other qualified entities to undertake technical projects and activities in support of
Sustainable Building 2030. The primary work to be accomplished each year by qualified
technical experts under subcontracts is the development and thorough justification of
recommendations for specific energy-efficiency performance standards. Additional work
may include:

(1) research, development, and demonstration of new energy-efficiency technologies
and techniques suitable for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings;

(2) analysis and evaluation of practices in building design, construction,
commissioning and operations, and analysis and evaluation of energy use in the
commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors;

(3) analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Sustainable
Building 2030 performance standards, conservation improvement programs, and building
energy codes;

(4) development and delivery of training programs for architects, engineers,
commissioning agents, technicians, contractors, equipment suppliers, developers, and
others in the building industries; and

(5) analysis and evaluation of the effect of building operations on energy use.

(e) The commissioner shall require utilities to develop and implement conservation
improvement programs that are expressly designed to achieve energy efficiency goals
consistent with the Sustainable Building 2030 performance standards. These programs
must include offerings of design assistance and modeling, financial incentives, and the
verification of the proper installation of energy-efficient design components in new and
substantially reconstructed buildings. A utility's design assistance program must consider
the strategic planting of trees and shrubs around buildings as an energy conservation
strategy for the designed project. A utility making an expenditure under its conservation
improvement program that results in a building meeting the Sustainable Building 2030
performance standards may claim the energy savings toward its energy-savings goal
established in subdivision 1c.

(f) The commissioner shall report to the legislature every three years, beginning
January 15, 2010, on the cost-effectiveness and progress of implementing the Sustainable
Building 2030 performance standards and shall make recommendations on the need to
continue the program as described in this section.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.2411, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

(a) Electricity generated by a facility constructed with
funds provided under this section and using an eligible renewable energy source may be
counted toward the deleted text begin renewabledeleted text end new text begin advancednew text end energy deleted text begin objectivesdeleted text end new text begin standardsnew text end in section 216B.1691,
subject to the provisions of that sectiondeleted text begin , except as provided in paragraph (c)deleted text end .

(b) Two or more entities may pool resources under this section to provide assistance
jointly to proposed eligible renewable energy projects. The entities shall negotiate and
agree among themselves for allocation of benefits associated with a project, such as
the ability to count energy generated by a project toward a utility's deleted text begin renewabledeleted text end new text begin advance
new text end energy objectives under section 216B.1691, except as provided in paragraph (c). The
entities shall provide a summary of the allocation of benefits to the commissioner. A
utility may spend funds under this section for projects in Minnesota that are outside the
service territory of the utility.

(c) Electricity generated by a solar photovoltaic device constructed with funds
provided under this section may be counted toward a public utility's solar energy standard
under section 216B.1691, subdivision 2f.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.2422, subdivision 2c, is amended to read:

Each utility required to file a
resource plan under subdivision 2 shall include in the filing a narrative identifying and
describing the costs, opportunities, and technical barriers to the utility continuing to make
progress on its system toward achieving the state greenhouse gas emission reduction deleted text begin goals
deleted text end new text begin goalnew text end established in section 216H.02, subdivision 1, and the technologies, alternatives, and
steps the utility is considering to address those opportunities and barriers.

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.2422, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

The commission shall not
approve a new or refurbished nonrenewable energy facility in an integrated resource plan
or a certificate of need, pursuant to section 216B.243, nor shall the commission allow rate
recovery pursuant to section 216B.16 for such a nonrenewable energy facility, unless the
utility has demonstrated that a renewable energy facility is not in the public interest. The
public interest determination must include whether the resource plan helps the utility
achieve the greenhouse gas reduction deleted text begin goalsdeleted text end new text begin goalnew text end under section 216H.02deleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ornew text end the deleted text begin renewable
deleted text end new text begin advancednew text end energy standard under section 216B.1691, or the solar energy standard under
section 216B.1691, subdivision 2f.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.2425, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

(a) Each entity
subject to this section shall determine necessary transmission upgrades to support
development of renewable energy resources required to meet deleted text begin objectivesdeleted text end new text begin the advanced
energy standardsnew text end under section 216B.1691 and shall include those upgrades in its report
under subdivision 2.

(b) MS 2008 [Expired]

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.243, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

This section does not apply to a
wind energy conversion system or a solar electric generation facility that is intended to be
used to meet the deleted text begin obligationsdeleted text end new text begin advanced energy standardsnew text end of section 216B.1691; provided
that, after notice and comment, the commission determines that the facility is a reasonable
and prudent approach to meeting a utility's obligations under that section. When making
this determination, the commission must consider:

(1) the size of the facility relative to a utility's total need for renewable resources;

(2) alternative approaches for supplying the renewable energy to be supplied by
the proposed facility;

(3) the facility's ability to promote economic development, as required under section
216B.1691, subdivision 9;

(4) the facility's ability to maintain electric system reliability;

(5) impacts on ratepayers; and

(6) other criteria as the commission may determine are relevant.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216C.41, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

(a) Incentive payments must be made
according to this section to (1) a qualified on-farm biogas recovery facility, (2) the owner or
operator of a qualified hydropower facility or qualified wind energy conversion facility for
electric energy generated and sold by the facility, (3) a publicly owned hydropower facility
for electric energy that is generated by the facility and used by the owner of the facility
outside the facility, or (4) the owner of a publicly owned dam that is in need of substantial
repair, for electric energy that is generated by a hydropower facility at the dam and the
annual incentive payments will be used to fund the structural repairs and replacement of
structural components of the dam, or to retire debt incurred to fund those repairs.

(b) Payment may only be made upon receipt by the commissioner of commerce of
an incentive payment application that establishes that the applicant is eligible to receive an
incentive payment and that satisfies other requirements the commissioner deems necessary.
The application must be in a form and submitted at a time the commissioner establishes.

(c) There is annually appropriated from the deleted text begin renewable developmentdeleted text end new text begin energy fund
new text end account new text begin established new text end under section 116C.779 to the commissioner of commerce sums
sufficient to make the payments required under this section, in addition to the amounts
funded by the renewable development account as specified in subdivision 5a.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216C.41, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

The
Department of Commerce shall authorize payment of the renewable energy production
incentive to wind energy conversion systems that are eligible under this section or Laws
2005, chapter 40, to on-farm biogas recovery facilities, and to hydroelectric facilities.
Payment of the incentive shall be madedeleted text begin from the renewable energy development account as
provided under section deleted text end deleted text begin 116C.779, subdivisiondeleted text end deleted text begin 2deleted text end new text begin by the utility subject to section 116C.779new text end .

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216H.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

In order to measure the progress in meeting the deleted text begin goalsdeleted text end new text begin goalnew text end of section 216H.02,
subdivision 1, and to provide information to develop strategies to achieve those goals,
the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall establish a system for reporting
and maintaining an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions. The commissioner must
consult with the chief information officer of the Office of MN.IT Services about system
design and operation. Greenhouse gas emissions include those emissions described in
section 216H.01, subdivision 2.

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216H.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

(a) The deleted text begin prohibitions
deleted text end new text begin prohibitionnew text end in subdivision 3 deleted text begin dodeleted text end new text begin doesnew text end not apply if the project proponent demonstrates to
the Public Utilities Commission's satisfaction that it will offset the new contribution to
statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions with a carbon dioxide reduction project
identified in paragraph (b) and in compliance with paragraph (c).

(b) A project proponent may offset in an amount equal to or greater than the
proposed new contribution to statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions in either,
or a combination of both, of the following ways:

(1) by reducing an existing facility's contribution to statewide power sector carbon
dioxide emissions; or

(2) by purchasing carbon dioxide allowances from a state or group of states that has a
carbon dioxide cap and trade system in place that produces verifiable emissions reductions.

(c) The Public Utilities Commission shall not find that a proposed carbon dioxide
reduction project identified in paragraph (b) acceptably offsets a new contribution to
statewide power sector carbon dioxide emissions unless the proposed offsets are permanent,
quantifiable, verifiable, enforceable, and would not have otherwise occurred. This section
does not exempt emissions that have been offset under this subdivision and emissions
exempted under subdivisions 5 to 7 from a cap and trade system if adopted by the state.

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

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 373.48, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

(a) A county may enter into agreements under section 471.59 with other
counties for joint purchase of energy or joint acquisition of interests in projects. A county
that enters into a multiyear agreement for purchase of energy or acquires an interest in
a projectdeleted text begin , including C-BED projects pursuant to section 216B.1612, subdivision 9,deleted text end may
finance the estimated cost of the energy to be purchased during the term of the agreement
or the cost to the county of the interest in the project by the issuance of revenue bonds of
the county, including clean renewable energy revenue bonds, provided that the annual debt
service on all bonds issued under this section, together with the amounts to be paid by the
county in any year for the purchase of energy under agreements entered into under this
section, must not exceed the estimated revenues of the project.

(b) An agreement entered into under section 471.59 as provided by this section
may provide that:

(1) each county issues bonds to pay their respective shares of the cost of the projects;

(2) one of the counties issues bonds to pay the full costs of the project and that the
other participating counties pay any available revenues of the project and pledge the
revenues to the county that issues the bonds; or

(3) the joint powers board issues revenue bonds to pay the full costs of the project
and that the participating counties pay any available revenues of the project under this
subdivision and pledge the revenues to the joint powers entity for payment of the revenue
bonds.

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

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS
new text end

new text begin Available for the Year
new text end

new text begin Ending June 30
new text end

new text begin 2016
new text end

new text begin 2017
new text end