SF 1261

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/03/2015 08:41am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring analysis of impact on health care costs from reducing
air pollution.

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

Section 1. new text begin IMPACT ON HEALTH CARE COSTS FROM AIR POLLUTION
REDUCTIONS; ANALYSIS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, in consultation with the Department of
Health, the Department of Transportation, and the Metropolitan Council, shall analyze
the incremental health care costs attributable to air pollution in Minnesota, which are
estimated at $30,000,000,000 per year or more in the Pollution Control Agency's 2015
Report to the Legislature: Air Quality In Minnesota, and shall present options for goals
to significantly reduce those costs, expressed in health care costs saved, and strategies
and a timetable the state could adopt to meet the goals. State goals and strategies should
extend for at least a ten-year period and should include interim goals for intervening years.
Any costs to the state of adopting the strategies must also be presented. When developing
strategies, the agency may consider those that:
new text end

new text begin (1) reduce air pollution from sources that contribute most to health care costs,
including emissions from on-road and off-road vehicles;
new text end

new text begin (2) reduce emissions of individual air pollutants that contribute most to health care
costs; and
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new text begin (3) reduce air pollution in specific geographic areas where exposure is very high, if
doing so helps achieve reductions more quickly or at a lower cost.
new text end

new text begin (b) Results of the analysis must be submitted by February 1, 2016, to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with
primary jurisdiction over environment and health.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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