1st Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/25/2019 03:22pm
A bill for an act
relating to environment; establishing advisory task force on green roofs; requiring
a report; appropriating money.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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For the purposes of this section, "green roof" means the roof
of a building on which:
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(1) photovoltaic devices, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.06, are sited;
or
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(2) a vegetative landscape and associated elements are installed, which may include:
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(i) a growing medium;
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(ii) a waterproof membrane to protect the roof;
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(iii) a barrier to prevent plant roots from damaging the roof;
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(iv) a filter layer to prevent the growing medium from washing away;
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(v) thermal insulation to protect the vegetation and the building;
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(vi) a drainage system; and
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(vii) structural support.
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(a) The Green Roof Advisory Task Force consists of the following
members:
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(1) the state building official, appointed under Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.127,
or the state building official's designee;
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(2) a representative of the Building Owners and Managers Association Greater
Minneapolis, appointed by the president of the association;
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(3) up to three representatives from Minnesota companies with extensive experience
installing green roofs, appointed by the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency;
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(4) a cochair of the Committee on the Environment of the American Institute of Architects
Minnesota, or the cochair's designee;
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(5) a horticultural expert from the University of Minnesota Extension, appointed by the
dean of extension;
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(6) a representative of the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building
Research, appointed by the director of the center;
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(7) a representative of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association, appointed by
the president of the association;
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(8) a representative from the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association;
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(9) a representative of the Minnesota State Building Trades Council appointed by the
council;
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(10) the commissioner of commerce, or the commissioner's designee; and
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(11) other members appointed by the advisory task force that it deems to be helpful in
carrying out its duties under subdivision 3.
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(b) Members of the advisory task force are not to be compensated for activities associated
with the advisory task force.
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(c) The Department of Commerce must serve as staff to the advisory task force.
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The advisory task force's duties are to review and evaluate:
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(1) laws relating to green roofs enacted in American cities and states and in foreign
countries;
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(2) estimates of the impacts of operating green roofs on:
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(i) energy use in the buildings on which the green roofs are installed and any associated
reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants;
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(ii) roof replacement costs; and
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(iii) management costs for storm water; and
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(3) any other information the task force deems relevant.
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By March 1, 2020, the advisory task force must submit a report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees
with primary jurisdiction over energy policy and environmental policy. The report must
contain the task force's findings and recommendations, including discussion of the benefits
and problems associated with requiring buildings of a certain type and size to install green
roofs.
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The task force shall sunset April 1, 2020.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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$55,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the renewable development account
under Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), to the
commissioner of commerce to complete the report required under section 1.
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