Minnesota Legislature
SF 4466
as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/07/2022 09:52am
Current Version - as introduced
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A bill for an act
relating to energy; modifying residential weatherization programs; appropriating
money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 216C.264, subdivision 5, by
adding subdivisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 216C.264, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end
new text begin Definitions. 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) "Low-income conservation program" means a utility program that offers energy
conservation services to low-income households under sections 216B.2403, subdivision 5,
and 216B.241, subdivision 7.
new text end
new text begin
(c) "Preweatherization measure" has the meaning given in section 216B.2402, subdivision
20.
new text end
new text begin
(d) "Weatherization assistance program" means the federal program described in Code
of Federal Regulations, title 10, part 440 et seq., designed to assist low-income households
reduce energy use in a cost-effective manner.
new text end
new text begin
(e) "Weatherization assistance services" means the energy conservation measures installed
in households under the weatherization assistance program.
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
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 216C.264, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5.
Grant allocation.
new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner must distribute supplementary state
grants in a manner consistent with the goal of producing the maximum number of weatherized
units. Supplementary state grants deleted text begin are provided primarily for the payment ofdeleted text end new text begin may be used:
new text end
new text begin
(1) to address physical deficiencies in a residence that increase heat loss, including
deficiencies that prohibit the residence from being eligible to receive federal weatherization
assistance;
new text end
new text begin
(2) to install eligible preweatherization measures established by the commissioner, as
required under section 216B.241, subdivision 7, paragraph (g);
new text end
new text begin
(3) to increase the number of weatherized residences;
new text end
new text begin
(4) to conduct outreach activities to make income-eligible households aware of available
weatherization services, to assist applicants in filling out applications for weatherization
assistance, and to provide translation services where necessary;
new text end
new text begin
(5) to enable projects in multifamily buildings to proceed even if the project cannot
comply with the federal requirement that projects must be completed within the same federal
fiscal year in which the project is begun;
new text end
new text begin
(6) to expand weatherization training opportunities in existing and new training programs;
new text end
new text begin (7) to pay new text end additional labor costs for the federal weatherization programdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end and
new text begin (8) new text end as an incentive for the increased production of weatherized units.
new text begin (b) new text end Criteria for the allocation of state grants to local agencies include existing local
agency production levels, emergency needs, and the potential for maintaining or increasing
acceptable levels of production in the area.
new text begin (c) new text end An eligible local agency may receive advance funding for 90 days' production, but
thereafter must receive grants solely on the basis of program criteria.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 216C.264, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin Subd. 7. new text end
new text begin Supplemental weatherization assistance grants. new text end
new text begin
The commissioner must
provide grants to weatherization service providers to address physical deficiencies and
install weatherization and preweatherization measures in residential buildings occupied by
eligible low-income households.
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
Sec. 4.
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 216C.264, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin Subd. 8. new text end
new text begin Training grants program. new text end
new text begin
(a) The commissioner must establish a
weatherization training grant program to award grants to educational institutions, certified
training centers, labor organizations, and nonprofits to assist with the costs associated with
training and developing programs for careers in the weatherization industry. The
commissioner must award grants through a competitive grant process.
new text end
new text begin
(b) In order to receive grant funds, a written application must be submitted to the
commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner.
new text end
new text begin
(c) When awarding grants under this subdivision, the commissioner must prioritize
applications that:
new text end
new text begin
(1) provide the highest quality training to prepare for in-demand careers;
new text end
new text begin
(2) train workers to provide weatherization services that meet federal Building
Performance Institute certification requirements or Standard Work Specification
requirements, as required by the program; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) leverage nonstate funds or in-kind contributions.
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
Sec. 5. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end
new text begin
(a) $....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of commerce for supplemental state weatherization assistance grants under Minnesota
Statutes, section 216C.264, subdivision 7. This appropriation must be dispersed over five
years and is available until expended. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Ten percent of the appropriation under paragraph (a) is allocated to training grants
under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.264, subdivision 8. Up to ten percent of the
appropriation under paragraph (a) may be used to supplement utility spending on
preweatherization measures as part of a low-income conservation program, as defined under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.264, subdivision 1a. No more than one percent of the
appropriation under paragraph (a) may be used for weatherization course development.
new text end