SF 2358

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to capital investment; appropriating money for energy-efficient design
and construction grants; authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds.

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

Section 1. new text begin ENERGY-EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION GRANTS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $a?|a?|. is appropriated from the bond proceeds
fund to the commissioner of commerce for grants to a county, statutory or home rule
charter city, town, school district, or any combination of those units operating under an
agreement to jointly undertake a project: (1) to pay the incremental cost of predesign
and design work that will identify the design elements and costs for construction of the
proposed building and adjacent landscaping using standard construction methods and the
design elements and costs for construction using energy-efficient elements; and (2) for up
to $......... to pay part or all of the incremental cost of construction and adjacent landscaping
work related to implementation of the energy-efficient design, as identified in the design.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall prescribe the application form. For all grants, the
application must include at least the following information:
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new text begin (1) the resolution adopted by the municipality in support of the project and
specifically in support of implementing an energy-efficient design in the construction
of the new municipal building;
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new text begin (2) a detailed estimate, along with necessary supporting evidence, of the total costs
for the phase of the project for which a grant is sought;
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new text begin (3) evidence that the municipality has funds committed to pay for the balance of this
phase of the project; and
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new text begin (4) any additional information or material the commissioner requires.
new text end

new text begin (c) For a predesign or design grant, the application must include at least the
following information:
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new text begin (1) a general description of the project, including the ultimate use of the building,
an estimate of the size, possible locations for the building, ownership, and timeline for
implementation;
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new text begin (2) the method for soliciting proposals from design professionals and the
qualifications required by the municipality in selecting the design professional for the
project; and
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new text begin (3) an estimate of the incremental cost of the predesign or design work proposed that
will be due to providing the energy-efficient alternative.
new text end

new text begin (d) For a construction grant, the application must include at least the predesign and
design work that provides sufficient detail for the commissioner to identify the difference
in construction costs and estimated operating costs, including energy consumption,
between construction of the project with standard elements and construction using the
proposed energy-efficient elements.
new text end

new text begin (e) If applications for grants exceed the available appropriations, the commissioner
may award up to a?|. percent of the available funds for predesign and design work grants.
new text end

new text begin (f) The commissioner must award construction grants on a competitive basis, giving
highest priority to projects that, in the commissioner's judgment, provide the highest return
in energy-efficiency benefits for the public costs incurred. In addition, the commissioner
shall consider the following factors in evaluating proposed construction projects:
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new text begin (1) whether the project is the first public energy-efficient construction project in the
area and can serve as a model;
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new text begin (2) whether the payback from the energy savings is faster than other similar
proposals;
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new text begin (3) the overall project costs; and
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new text begin (4) the quality of the proposal, including the ability of the municipality to adequately
oversee the project.
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new text begin (g) In making grants, the commissioner shall establish semiannual application
deadlines in which grants will be authorized from all or part of the available money in the
account.
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new text begin (h) The commissioner shall require each grant recipient to document and report
details of the project funded to allow the commissioner to analyze costs, energy savings,
and building operational savings.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Bond sale. new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated by section 1 from the bond
proceeds fund, the commissioner of finance shall sell and issue bonds of the state in an
amount up to $....... in the manner, upon the terms, and with the effect prescribed by
Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the Minnesota Constitution,
article XI, sections 4 to 7.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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