SF 925

1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 08/26/2015 03:53pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin PREPURCHASING PROPANE; REPORT.
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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:
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new text begin (1) the amount and price of propane prepurchased;
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new text begin (2) the locations where prepurchased propane was stored and any costs of storage;
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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;
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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
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new text begin (5) an estimate of the savings that accrued to propane customers as a result of the
prepurchase program.
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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.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin (a) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of commerce for the purpose of prepurchasing
propane under Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.0951. Propane may not be distributed
to customers before October 1 each year.
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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.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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