Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

SF 4942

Conference Committee Report - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 05/18/2024 06:42pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
Line numbers 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5
2.6 2.7
2.8 2.9 2.11 2.10 2.12 2.13 2.15 2.14 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.24 2.23 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 3.35 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 4.35 4.36 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.25 5.26 5.27 5.28 5.29 5.30 5.31 5.32 5.33 5.34 5.35 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 6.29 6.30 6.31 6.32 6.33 6.34 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 7.29 7.30 7.31 7.32 7.33 7.34 7.35 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 8.21 8.22 8.23 8.24 8.25 8.26 8.27 8.28 8.29 8.30 8.31 8.32 8.33 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 9.16 9.17 9.18 9.19 9.20 9.21 9.22 9.23 9.24 9.25 9.26 9.27 9.28 9.29 9.30 9.31 9.32 9.33 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.20 10.21 10.22 10.23 10.24 10.25 10.26 10.27 10.28 10.29 10.30 10.31 10.32 10.33 10.34 10.35 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 11.9 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 11.14 11.15 11.16 11.17 11.18 11.19 11.20 11.21 11.22 11.23 11.24 11.25 11.26 11.27 11.28 11.29 11.30 11.31 11.32 11.33 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 12.9 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 12.16 12.17 12.18 12.19 12.20 12.21 12.22 12.23 12.24 12.25 12.26 12.27 12.28 12.29 12.30 12.31 12.32 12.33 12.34 12.35 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 13.8 13.9 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 13.14 13.15 13.16 13.17 13.18 13.19 13.20 13.21 13.22 13.23 13.24 13.25 13.26 13.27 13.28 13.29 13.30 13.31 13.32 13.33 13.34 13.35 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8 14.9 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 14.14 14.15 14.16 14.17 14.18 14.19 14.20 14.21 14.22 14.23 14.24 14.25 14.26 14.27 14.28 14.29 14.30 14.31 14.32 14.33 14.34 14.35 14.36 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 15.9 15.10 15.11 15.12 15.13 15.14 15.15 15.16 15.17 15.18 15.19 15.20 15.21 15.22 15.23 15.24 15.25 15.26 15.27 15.28 15.29 15.30 15.31 15.32 15.33 15.34 15.35 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 16.8 16.9 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 16.15 16.16 16.17 16.18 16.19 16.20 16.21 16.22 16.23 16.24 16.25 16.26 16.27 16.28 16.29 16.30 16.31 16.32 16.33 16.34 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 17.8 17.9 17.10 17.11 17.12 17.13 17.14 17.15 17.16 17.17 17.18 17.19 17.20 17.21 17.22 17.23 17.24 17.25 17.26 17.27 17.28 17.29 17.30 17.31 17.32 17.33 17.34 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 18.9 18.10 18.11 18.12 18.13 18.14 18.15 18.16 18.17 18.18 18.19 18.20 18.21 18.22 18.23 18.24 18.25 18.26 18.27 18.28 18.29 18.30 18.31 18.32 18.33 18.34 18.35 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 19.7 19.8 19.9 19.10 19.11 19.12 19.13 19.14 19.15 19.16 19.17 19.18 19.19 19.20 19.21 19.22 19.23 19.24 19.25 19.26 19.27 19.28 19.29 19.30 19.31 19.32 19.33 19.34 19.35 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 20.8 20.9 20.10 20.11 20.12 20.13 20.14 20.15 20.16 20.17 20.18 20.19 20.20 20.21 20.22 20.23 20.24 20.25 20.26 20.27 20.28 20.29 20.30 20.31 20.32 20.33 20.34 20.35 20.36 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.8 21.9 21.10 21.11 21.12 21.13 21.14 21.15 21.16 21.17 21.18 21.19 21.20 21.21 21.22 21.23 21.24 21.25 21.26 21.27 21.28 21.29 21.30 21.31 21.32 21.33 21.34 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 22.9 22.10 22.11 22.12 22.13 22.14 22.15 22.16 22.17 22.18 22.19 22.20 22.21 22.22 22.23 22.24 22.25 22.26 22.27 22.28 22.29 22.30 22.31 22.32 22.33 22.34 22.35 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 23.8 23.9 23.10 23.11 23.12 23.13 23.14 23.15 23.16 23.17 23.18 23.19 23.20 23.21 23.22 23.23 23.24 23.25 23.26 23.27 23.28 23.29 23.30 23.31 23.32 23.33 23.34 23.35 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 24.7 24.8 24.9 24.10 24.11 24.12 24.13 24.14 24.15 24.16 24.17 24.18 24.19 24.20 24.21 24.22 24.23 24.24 24.25 24.26 24.27 24.28 24.29 24.30 24.31 24.32 24.33 24.34 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 25.7 25.8 25.9 25.10 25.11 25.12 25.13 25.14 25.15 25.16 25.17 25.18 25.19 25.20 25.21 25.22 25.23 25.24 25.25 25.26 25.27 25.28 25.29 25.30 25.31 25.32 25.33 25.34 25.35 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 26.6 26.7 26.8 26.9 26.10 26.11 26.12 26.13 26.14 26.15 26.16 26.17 26.18 26.19 26.20 26.21 26.22 26.23 26.24 26.25 26.26 26.27 26.28 26.29 26.30 26.31 26.32 26.33 26.34 26.35 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 27.6 27.7 27.8 27.9 27.10 27.11 27.12 27.13 27.14 27.15 27.16 27.17 27.18 27.19 27.20 27.21 27.22 27.23 27.24 27.25 27.26 27.27 27.28 27.29 27.30 27.31 27.32 27.33 27.34 27.35 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 28.5 28.6 28.7 28.8 28.9 28.10 28.11 28.12 28.13 28.14 28.15 28.16 28.17 28.18 28.19 28.20 28.21 28.22 28.23 28.24 28.25 28.26 28.27 28.28 28.29 28.30 28.31 28.32 28.33 28.34 28.35 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 29.6 29.7 29.8 29.9 29.10 29.11 29.12 29.13 29.14 29.15 29.16 29.17 29.18 29.19 29.20 29.21 29.22 29.23 29.24 29.25 29.26 29.27 29.28 29.29 29.30 29.31 29.32 29.33 29.34 29.35 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 30.6 30.7 30.8 30.9 30.10 30.11 30.12 30.13 30.14 30.15 30.16 30.17 30.18 30.19 30.20 30.21 30.22 30.23 30.24 30.25 30.26 30.27 30.28 30.29 30.30 30.31 30.32 30.33 30.34 30.35 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 31.5 31.6 31.7 31.8 31.9 31.10 31.11 31.12 31.13 31.14 31.15 31.16 31.17 31.18 31.19 31.20 31.21 31.22 31.23 31.24 31.25 31.26 31.27 31.28 31.29 31.30 31.31 31.32 31.33 31.34 31.35 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 32.5 32.6 32.7 32.8 32.9 32.10 32.11 32.12 32.13 32.14 32.15 32.16 32.17 32.18 32.19 32.20 32.21 32.22 32.23 32.24 32.25 32.26 32.27 32.28 32.29 32.30 32.31 32.32 32.33 32.34 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 33.6 33.7 33.8 33.9 33.10 33.11 33.12 33.13 33.14 33.15 33.16 33.17
33.18
33.19 33.20 33.21 33.22 33.23 33.24 33.25 33.26 33.27 33.28 33.29 33.30 33.31 33.32 33.33 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 34.6 34.7 34.8 34.9
34.10
34.11 34.12
34.13 34.14 34.15 34.16 34.17 34.18 34.19 34.20 34.21 34.22 34.23 34.24 34.25
34.26 34.27 34.28 34.29 34.30 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5
35.6 35.7 35.8 35.9 35.10 35.11 35.12 35.13 35.14 35.15 35.16 35.17 35.18 35.19 35.20 35.21 35.22 35.23 35.24 35.25 35.26 35.27 35.28 35.29 35.30 35.31 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 36.6 36.7 36.8 36.9
36.10 36.11 36.12 36.13 36.14 36.15 36.16
36.17 36.18 36.19 36.20 36.21 36.22 36.23 36.24 36.25 36.26 36.27 36.28 36.29 36.30 36.31 36.32 36.33 37.1 37.2
37.3 37.4 37.5 37.6 37.7 37.8 37.9 37.10 37.11 37.12
37.13 37.14 37.15 37.16 37.17 37.18 37.19 37.20 37.21 37.22
37.23 37.24 37.25 37.26 37.27 37.28 37.29 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 38.5 38.6 38.7 38.8 38.9 38.10 38.11 38.12 38.13 38.14 38.15 38.16 38.17 38.18 38.19 38.20 38.21 38.22
38.23 38.24 38.25 38.26 38.27 38.28 38.29 38.30 38.31 38.32 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 39.5 39.6 39.7 39.8 39.9 39.10
39.11 39.12 39.13 39.14 39.15 39.16 39.17 39.18 39.19 39.20
39.21 39.22 39.23 39.24 39.25 39.26
39.27 39.28 39.29 39.30 40.1 40.2 40.3 40.4 40.5 40.6 40.7 40.8 40.9
40.10
40.11 40.12 40.13 40.14 40.15 40.16 40.17 40.18 40.19 40.20
40.21 40.22 40.23 40.24 40.25 40.26 40.27 40.28 40.29 40.30 40.31 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 41.6 41.7 41.8
41.9 41.10 41.11 41.12 41.13 41.14 41.15
41.16 41.17 41.18 41.19 41.20 41.21 41.22 41.23 41.24 41.25 41.26 41.27 41.28 41.29
41.30 41.31 41.32 42.1 42.2 42.3 42.4 42.5 42.6 42.7 42.8
42.9 42.10 42.11 42.12 42.13 42.14 42.15 42.16 42.17 42.18 42.19 42.20 42.21 42.22 42.23 42.24 42.25 42.26 42.27 42.28 42.29 42.30 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 43.5 43.6 43.7 43.8
43.9 43.10 43.11 43.12 43.13 43.14 43.15 43.16 43.17 43.18 43.19 43.20 43.21 43.22 43.23 43.24 43.25
43.26 43.27 43.28 43.29 43.30 43.31 43.32 44.1 44.2 44.3 44.4 44.5 44.6 44.7 44.8 44.9 44.10 44.11 44.12 44.13 44.14
44.15 44.16 44.17 44.18 44.19 44.20 44.21 44.22 44.23 44.24 44.25 44.26 44.27 44.28 44.29
45.1 45.2 45.3 45.4 45.5 45.6 45.7 45.8 45.9 45.10 45.11 45.12 45.13 45.14 45.15 45.16 45.17 45.18 45.19 45.20 45.21 45.22 45.23 45.24
45.25 45.26 45.27 45.28 45.29 45.30 45.31 45.32 45.33 45.34 46.1 46.2 46.3 46.4 46.5 46.6 46.7 46.8 46.9 46.10
46.11 46.12 46.13 46.14 46.15 46.16 46.17 46.18 46.19 46.20 46.21 46.22 46.23 46.24
46.25 46.26 46.27 46.28 46.29 46.30 46.31 46.32 47.1 47.2 47.3 47.4 47.5 47.6 47.7 47.8 47.9 47.10 47.11 47.12 47.13 47.14 47.15
47.16 47.17 47.18 47.19 47.20 47.21 47.22 47.23 47.24 47.25 47.26 47.27 47.28 47.29
47.30 47.31 47.32 47.33 48.1 48.2 48.3 48.4 48.5 48.6 48.7 48.8 48.9 48.10
48.11 48.12 48.13 48.14 48.15 48.16 48.17 48.18 48.19 48.20 48.21 48.22 48.23 48.24 48.25 48.26
48.27 48.28 48.29 48.30 48.31 49.1 49.2 49.3 49.4 49.5 49.6 49.7 49.8 49.9 49.10 49.11 49.12 49.13 49.14 49.15 49.16 49.17 49.18 49.19 49.20 49.21 49.22 49.23 49.24
49.25 49.26 49.27 49.28 49.29 49.30 50.1 50.2 50.3 50.4 50.5 50.6 50.7 50.8 50.9 50.10 50.11 50.12 50.13 50.14 50.15 50.16 50.17 50.18 50.19 50.20 50.21 50.22 50.23 50.24 50.25 50.26
50.27 50.28 50.29 50.30 51.1 51.2
51.3 51.4 51.5 51.6 51.7
51.8 51.9 51.10 51.11 51.12 51.13 51.14
51.15 51.16 51.17 51.18 51.19 51.20 51.21 51.22 51.23 51.24 51.25 51.26 51.27 51.28 51.29 51.30 52.1 52.2 52.3 52.4 52.5 52.6 52.7 52.8 52.9 52.10 52.11 52.12
52.13 52.14 52.15 52.16 52.17 52.18 52.19 52.20 52.21 52.22 52.23 52.24 52.25 52.26 52.27 52.28 52.29 52.30
53.1 53.2 53.3 53.4 53.5 53.6 53.7 53.8 53.9 53.10 53.11 53.12 53.13 53.14 53.15 53.16 53.17 53.18 53.19 53.20 53.21 53.22 53.23
53.24
53.25 53.26 53.27 53.28 53.29 53.30 53.31 53.32 54.1 54.2 54.3 54.4 54.5 54.6 54.7 54.8 54.9 54.10 54.11 54.12 54.13 54.14 54.15 54.16 54.17 54.18 54.19 54.20
54.21 54.22
54.23 54.24 54.25 54.26 54.27 54.28 54.29
55.1 55.2 55.3 55.4 55.5 55.6 55.7 55.8 55.9 55.10
55.11 55.12 55.13 55.14 55.15 55.16 55.17 55.18 55.19 55.20
55.21 55.22
55.23 55.24
55.25 55.26 55.27 55.28 55.29 56.1 56.2 56.3 56.4
56.5 56.6 56.7 56.8 56.9 56.10 56.11 56.12 56.13 56.14 56.15 56.16 56.17 56.18 56.19 56.20 56.21 56.22 56.23
56.24 56.25 56.26 56.27 56.28 56.29 56.30 56.31
57.1 57.2 57.3 57.4 57.5 57.6 57.7 57.8 57.9 57.10 57.11 57.12 57.13 57.14
57.15
57.16 57.17 57.18 57.19 57.20 57.21 57.22 57.23 57.24 57.25 57.26
57.27
58.1 58.2 58.3 58.4
58.5
58.6 58.7 58.8 58.9 58.10 58.11 58.12
58.13
58.14 58.15 58.16 58.17 58.18
58.19
58.20 58.21
58.22 58.23 58.24 58.25 58.26 58.27 58.28 58.29 59.1 59.2 59.3 59.4 59.5 59.6 59.7 59.8 59.9 59.10 59.11 59.12 59.13 59.14 59.15 59.16
59.17 59.18 59.19 59.20 59.21 59.22 59.23 59.24 59.25 59.26 59.27 59.28 59.29 59.30 59.31 60.1 60.2 60.3 60.4 60.5 60.6 60.7 60.8 60.9 60.10 60.11 60.12 60.13 60.14 60.15 60.16 60.17 60.18 60.19 60.20 60.21 60.22 60.23 60.24 60.25 60.26 60.27 60.28 60.29 60.30 60.31 61.1 61.2 61.3 61.4 61.5 61.6 61.7 61.8 61.9 61.10
61.11
61.12 61.13 61.14 61.15 61.16 61.17 61.18 61.19 61.20 61.21 61.22 61.23 61.24 61.25 61.26 61.27 61.28 61.29 61.30 61.31 61.32 61.33 62.1 62.2 62.3 62.4 62.5 62.6 62.7 62.8 62.9 62.10 62.11 62.12 62.13 62.14 62.15 62.16 62.17 62.18 62.19
62.20 62.21 62.22 62.23 62.24 62.25
62.26 62.27 62.28 62.29 62.30 62.31 62.32 62.33
63.1 63.2 63.3 63.4 63.5 63.6
63.7 63.8 63.9 63.10 63.11 63.12 63.13 63.14
63.15 63.16 63.17 63.18 63.19 63.20 63.21 63.22 63.23 63.24 63.25 63.26 63.27
63.28 63.29 63.30 63.31 63.32 64.1 64.2 64.3 64.4 64.5 64.6 64.7 64.8 64.9
64.10 64.11 64.12
64.13 64.14 64.15 64.16 64.17 64.18 64.19 64.20
64.21 64.22 64.23 64.24
64.25 64.26 64.27 64.28 64.29 64.30 65.1 65.2
65.3 65.4 65.5 65.6
65.7 65.8 65.9 65.10 65.11 65.12 65.13 65.14 65.15 65.16 65.17
65.18
65.19 65.20 65.21
65.22
65.23 65.24 65.25
65.26
65.27 65.28 65.29 66.1 66.2 66.3 66.4 66.5
66.6 66.7 66.8 66.9 66.10 66.11 66.12
66.13 66.14 66.15 66.16 66.17 66.18 66.19 66.20 66.21 66.22 66.23 66.24 66.25
66.26 66.27 66.28 66.29
67.1 67.2
67.3 67.4 67.5 67.6 67.7 67.8 67.9 67.10 67.11 67.12
67.13 67.14 67.15 67.16 67.17 67.18 67.19 67.20 67.21
67.22 67.23
67.24 67.25 67.26 67.27 67.28 67.29 67.30 67.31 67.32 67.33 68.1 68.2
68.3 68.4 68.5 68.6 68.7 68.8 68.9 68.10 68.11 68.12 68.13 68.14 68.15 68.16 68.17 68.18 68.19 68.20 68.21 68.22 68.23 68.24 68.25 68.26 68.27 68.28 68.29 68.30 68.31 68.32 68.33 68.34 69.1 69.2 69.3 69.4
69.5 69.6 69.7 69.8 69.9 69.10 69.11 69.12 69.13 69.14 69.15 69.16 69.17 69.18 69.19 69.20 69.21 69.22 69.23 69.24 69.25 69.26 69.27
69.28 69.29 69.30 69.31 69.32 69.33 70.1 70.2 70.3 70.4 70.5 70.6 70.7 70.8 70.9 70.10
70.11 70.12
70.13 70.14 70.15 70.16 70.17 70.18 70.19 70.20 70.21 70.22 70.23 70.24 70.25 70.26
70.27 70.28 70.29 70.30 70.31 71.1 71.2 71.3 71.4 71.5 71.6 71.7 71.8 71.9 71.10 71.11 71.12 71.13 71.14 71.15 71.16 71.17 71.18 71.19 71.20 71.21 71.22 71.23 71.24 71.25 71.26 71.27 71.28 71.29 71.30 71.31 71.32 71.33 71.34 71.35 72.1 72.2 72.3 72.4 72.5 72.6 72.7 72.8 72.9 72.10 72.11 72.12 72.13 72.14 72.15 72.16 72.17 72.18 72.19 72.20 72.21 72.22 72.23 72.24 72.25 72.26 72.27 72.28 72.29 72.30 72.31 72.32 72.33 72.34 73.1 73.2 73.3
73.4 73.5 73.6 73.7
73.8 73.9
73.10 73.11 73.12 73.13 73.14 73.15 73.16 73.17 73.18 73.19 73.20 73.21 73.22 73.23 73.24 73.25 73.26 73.27 73.28 73.29 73.30 73.31 74.1 74.2 74.3 74.4 74.5 74.6 74.7 74.8 74.9 74.10 74.11 74.12 74.13 74.14 74.15
74.16
74.17 74.18 74.19 74.20 74.21 74.22
74.23
74.24 74.25 74.26 74.27 74.28 74.29 74.30 75.1 75.2 75.3 75.4 75.5 75.6 75.7 75.8 75.9 75.10 75.11 75.12 75.13 75.14 75.15 75.16 75.17 75.18 75.19 75.20 75.21 75.22 75.23 75.24 75.25 75.26 75.27 75.28 75.29 75.30 75.31 75.32 75.33 75.34 76.1 76.2 76.3 76.4 76.5 76.6 76.7 76.8 76.9 76.10 76.11 76.12 76.13 76.14 76.15 76.16 76.17 76.18 76.19 76.20 76.21 76.22 76.23 76.24 76.25 76.26 76.27 76.28 76.29 76.30 76.31 76.32 76.33 77.1 77.2 77.3 77.4 77.5 77.6 77.7 77.8 77.9 77.10 77.11 77.12 77.13 77.14 77.15 77.16 77.17 77.18 77.19 77.20 77.21 77.22 77.23 77.24 77.25 77.26 77.27 77.28 77.29 77.30 77.31 77.32 77.33 78.1 78.2 78.3 78.4 78.5 78.6 78.7 78.8 78.9 78.10 78.11 78.12 78.13 78.14 78.15 78.16 78.17 78.18 78.19 78.20 78.21 78.22 78.23 78.24 78.25 78.26 78.27 78.28 78.29 78.30 78.31 78.32 79.1 79.2 79.3 79.4 79.5 79.6 79.7 79.8 79.9 79.10 79.11 79.12 79.13 79.14 79.15 79.16 79.17 79.18
79.19 79.20 79.21 79.22 79.23 79.24 79.25 79.26 79.27 79.28 79.29 79.30 79.31 79.32 79.33 80.1 80.2 80.3 80.4 80.5 80.6 80.7 80.8 80.9 80.10 80.11 80.12 80.13 80.14 80.15 80.16 80.17 80.18 80.19 80.20 80.21 80.22 80.23 80.24 80.25 80.26 80.27 80.28 80.29 80.30 80.31 80.32
81.1 81.2 81.3 81.4 81.5 81.6 81.7
81.8 81.9 81.10 81.11 81.12 81.13 81.14 81.15 81.16 81.17 81.18 81.19 81.20 81.21 81.22 81.23 81.24 81.25 81.26 81.27 81.28 81.29 81.30 81.31 81.32 82.1 82.2 82.3 82.4 82.5 82.6 82.7 82.8 82.9
82.10 82.11 82.12 82.13 82.14 82.15 82.16 82.17 82.18 82.19 82.20 82.21 82.22 82.23 82.24 82.25 82.26 82.27 82.28 82.29 82.30 83.1 83.2 83.3
83.4 83.5 83.6 83.7 83.8
83.9 83.10 83.11 83.12 83.13 83.14 83.15 83.16 83.17 83.18 83.19 83.20 83.21 83.22 83.23 83.24 83.25 83.26
83.27 83.28 83.29 83.30 83.31 84.1 84.2 84.3 84.4 84.5 84.6 84.7 84.8 84.9 84.10 84.11 84.12 84.13 84.14 84.15 84.16 84.17 84.18 84.19 84.20 84.21 84.22 84.23 84.24
84.25 84.26 84.27 84.28 84.29 84.30 84.31 84.32 85.1 85.2 85.3 85.4 85.5 85.6 85.7 85.8 85.9 85.10 85.11 85.12 85.13 85.14 85.15 85.16 85.17 85.18 85.19 85.20 85.21 85.22 85.23 85.24 85.25 85.26 85.27 85.28 85.29
85.30 85.31 85.32 85.33 86.1 86.2 86.3 86.4 86.5 86.6 86.7 86.8 86.9 86.10 86.11 86.12 86.13 86.14 86.15 86.16 86.17 86.18 86.19 86.20 86.21 86.22 86.23 86.24 86.25 86.26 86.27 86.28 86.29 86.30 86.31 86.32 87.1 87.2 87.3 87.4 87.5 87.6 87.7 87.8 87.9 87.10 87.11 87.12 87.13 87.14 87.15 87.16 87.17 87.18 87.19 87.20 87.21 87.22 87.23 87.24 87.25 87.26 87.27 87.28 87.29 87.30 87.31 87.32 87.33 88.1 88.2 88.3 88.4 88.5 88.6 88.7 88.8 88.9 88.10 88.11 88.12 88.13 88.14 88.15 88.16 88.17 88.18
88.19 88.20 88.21 88.22 88.23 88.24 88.25 88.26 88.27 88.28 88.29 88.30 88.31 88.32 88.33 89.1 89.2 89.3 89.4 89.5 89.6 89.7 89.8 89.9 89.10 89.11 89.12 89.13 89.14 89.15 89.16 89.17 89.18 89.19 89.20 89.21 89.22 89.23 89.24 89.25 89.26 89.27 89.28 89.29 89.30 89.31 89.32 89.33 89.34 89.35 90.1 90.2 90.3 90.4 90.5 90.6 90.7 90.8 90.9 90.10 90.11 90.12 90.13 90.14 90.15 90.16 90.17 90.18 90.19 90.20 90.21 90.22 90.23 90.24 90.25
90.26 90.27 90.28 90.29 90.30 90.31 90.32 90.33 91.1 91.2 91.3 91.4 91.5 91.6 91.7 91.8 91.9 91.10 91.11 91.12 91.13 91.14 91.15 91.16 91.17 91.18 91.19
91.20 91.21 91.22 91.23 91.24 91.25 91.26 91.27 91.28 91.29 91.30 91.31 91.32 91.33 92.1 92.2 92.3 92.4 92.5 92.6 92.7 92.8 92.9 92.10 92.11 92.12 92.13 92.14 92.15 92.16 92.17 92.18 92.19 92.20 92.21 92.22 92.23 92.24 92.25 92.26 92.27 92.28 92.29 92.30 92.31 92.32 93.1 93.2 93.3 93.4 93.5 93.6
93.7 93.8 93.9 93.10 93.11 93.12 93.13 93.14 93.15 93.16 93.17 93.18 93.19 93.20 93.21 93.22 93.23 93.24 93.25 93.26 93.27 93.28 93.29 93.30 93.31 93.32 93.33 94.1 94.2 94.3 94.4 94.5 94.6 94.7 94.8 94.9 94.10 94.11 94.12 94.13 94.14 94.15 94.16 94.17 94.18 94.19 94.20 94.21 94.22 94.23 94.24 94.25 94.26 94.27 94.28 94.29 94.30 94.31 94.32 94.33 94.34 94.35 95.1 95.2 95.3 95.4 95.5 95.6 95.7 95.8 95.9
95.10 95.11 95.12 95.13 95.14 95.15 95.16 95.17 95.18 95.19 95.20 95.21 95.22 95.23 95.24 95.25 95.26 95.27 95.28 95.29 95.30 95.31 95.32 95.33 96.1 96.2 96.3 96.4 96.5 96.6 96.7 96.8 96.9 96.10 96.11 96.12 96.13 96.14 96.15 96.16 96.17 96.18 96.19 96.20 96.21 96.22 96.23
96.24 96.25 96.26 96.27 96.28 96.29 96.30 96.31 96.32 96.33 97.1 97.2 97.3 97.4 97.5 97.6 97.7 97.8 97.9 97.10 97.11 97.12 97.13 97.14 97.15 97.16 97.17 97.18 97.19 97.20 97.21 97.22
97.23 97.24 97.25
97.26
97.27 97.28 97.29 97.30 97.31 97.32 98.1 98.2 98.3 98.4 98.5 98.6 98.7 98.8 98.9 98.10 98.11 98.12 98.13 98.14 98.15 98.16 98.17 98.18 98.19 98.20 98.21 98.22 98.23 98.24
98.25
98.26 98.27 98.28 98.29 98.30 98.31 98.32 99.1 99.2 99.3 99.4 99.5 99.6 99.7 99.8 99.9 99.10 99.11 99.12 99.13 99.14 99.15 99.16 99.17 99.18 99.19 99.20 99.21 99.22 99.23 99.24 99.25 99.26 99.27 99.28
99.29
99.30 99.31 99.32 100.1 100.2 100.3 100.4 100.5 100.6 100.7 100.8 100.9 100.10 100.11 100.12 100.13 100.14 100.15 100.16 100.17 100.18 100.19 100.20 100.21 100.22 100.23 100.24 100.25 100.26 100.27 100.28 100.29 100.30 100.31 101.1 101.2 101.3 101.4 101.5 101.6 101.7 101.8 101.9 101.10 101.11 101.12 101.13 101.14 101.15 101.16 101.17 101.18 101.19 101.20 101.21 101.22 101.23 101.24 101.25 101.26 101.27 101.28 101.29 101.30 101.31 101.32 102.1 102.2 102.3 102.4 102.5 102.6 102.7 102.8 102.9 102.10 102.11 102.12 102.13 102.14 102.15 102.16 102.17 102.18 102.19 102.20 102.21
102.22 102.23 102.24 102.25 102.26 102.27 102.28 102.29 102.30 102.31
103.1 103.2 103.3 103.4 103.5 103.6 103.7 103.8 103.9 103.10 103.11 103.12 103.13 103.14 103.15 103.16 103.17 103.18 103.19
103.20 103.21 103.22 103.23 103.24 103.25 103.26 103.27 103.28 103.29 103.30 103.31 103.32 104.1 104.2 104.3 104.4 104.5 104.6 104.7 104.8 104.9 104.10 104.11 104.12 104.13 104.14 104.15 104.16 104.17 104.18 104.19 104.20 104.21 104.22 104.23 104.24 104.25 104.26 104.27 104.28 104.29 104.30 104.31 104.32 104.33 105.1 105.2 105.3
105.4 105.5 105.6 105.7 105.8 105.9 105.10 105.11 105.12 105.13 105.14 105.15 105.16 105.17 105.18 105.19 105.20 105.21 105.22 105.23 105.24 105.25 105.26 105.27 105.28 105.29 105.30 105.31 106.1 106.2 106.3 106.4 106.5 106.6 106.7 106.8
106.9 106.10 106.11 106.12 106.13 106.14 106.15 106.16 106.17 106.18 106.19 106.20 106.21 106.22 106.23 106.24 106.25 106.26 106.27 106.28 106.29 106.30 106.31 107.1 107.2 107.3 107.4 107.5 107.6 107.7 107.8 107.9 107.10 107.11 107.12 107.13 107.14 107.15 107.16 107.17 107.18 107.19 107.20 107.21 107.22 107.23 107.24 107.25 107.26 107.27 107.28 107.29 107.30 107.31 107.32 107.33 108.1 108.2 108.3 108.4 108.5 108.6 108.7 108.8 108.9 108.10 108.11 108.12 108.13 108.14 108.15 108.16 108.17 108.18 108.19 108.20 108.21 108.22 108.23 108.24 108.25 108.26 108.27 108.28 108.29 108.30 108.31 109.1 109.2 109.3 109.4 109.5 109.6 109.7 109.8 109.9 109.10 109.11 109.12 109.13 109.14 109.15
109.16
109.17 109.18 109.19 109.20 109.21 109.22 109.23 109.24 109.25 109.26 109.27 109.28 109.29 109.30 109.31 109.32 110.1 110.2 110.3 110.4 110.5 110.6
110.7 110.8 110.9 110.10
110.11 110.12 110.13 110.14 110.15
110.16 110.17 110.18 110.19 110.20 110.21 110.22 110.23 110.24
110.25 110.26 110.27 110.28 110.29 110.30 110.31 111.1 111.2 111.3
111.4 111.5 111.6 111.7 111.8 111.9 111.10 111.11 111.12 111.13
111.14 111.15 111.16 111.17 111.18 111.19 111.20 111.21 111.22 111.23 111.24 111.25 111.26
112.1 112.2 112.3 112.4 112.5 112.6 112.7 112.8
112.9 112.10 112.11 112.12 112.13 112.14 112.15 112.16
112.17 112.18 112.19 112.20 112.21 112.22 112.23 112.24
112.25 112.26 112.27 112.28 112.29 112.30 113.1 113.2
113.3 113.4 113.5 113.6 113.7 113.8 113.9 113.10 113.11 113.12 113.13 113.14 113.15 113.16 113.17 113.18 113.19 113.20 113.21 113.22 113.23 113.24 113.25 113.26 113.27 113.28 113.29 113.30
114.1 114.2 114.3 114.4 114.5 114.6 114.7 114.8 114.9 114.10 114.11 114.12 114.13 114.14 114.15 114.16 114.17 114.18 114.19 114.20 114.21 114.22 114.23 114.24 114.25 114.26 114.27 114.28 114.29 114.30 114.31 114.32 115.1 115.2 115.3 115.4 115.5 115.6 115.7 115.8
115.9 115.10 115.11 115.12 115.13 115.14 115.15 115.16 115.17 115.18 115.19 115.20 115.21 115.22 115.23
115.24 115.25 115.26 115.27 115.28 115.29 115.30 116.1 116.2 116.3 116.4
116.5 116.6 116.7 116.8 116.9 116.10 116.11 116.12 116.13 116.14 116.15 116.16 116.17 116.18
116.19 116.20 116.21 116.22 116.23
116.24 116.25 116.26 116.27 116.28 116.29 116.30 116.31 117.1 117.2 117.3 117.4 117.5 117.6 117.7 117.8 117.9 117.10 117.11 117.12 117.13 117.14 117.15 117.16 117.17 117.18 117.19 117.20 117.21 117.22 117.23 117.24 117.25 117.26 117.27 117.28 117.29 117.30 117.31 118.1 118.2 118.3 118.4 118.5 118.6 118.7 118.8 118.9 118.10
118.11
118.12 118.13 118.14 118.15 118.16 118.17 118.18 118.19 118.20 118.21 118.22 118.23 118.24 118.25 118.26 118.27 118.28 118.29 118.30 119.1 119.2 119.3 119.4 119.5 119.6 119.7 119.8 119.9 119.10 119.11 119.12 119.13 119.14 119.15 119.16 119.17 119.18 119.19 119.20 119.21 119.22 119.23 119.24 119.25 119.26 119.27 119.28 119.29 119.30 120.1 120.2 120.3 120.4 120.5 120.6 120.7 120.8 120.9 120.10 120.11 120.12 120.13 120.14 120.15 120.16 120.17 120.18 120.19 120.20 120.21
120.22 120.23 120.24 120.25 120.26 120.27 120.28 120.29 120.30 120.31 120.32 120.33 121.1 121.2 121.3 121.4 121.5 121.6 121.7 121.8 121.9 121.10 121.11 121.12 121.13 121.14 121.15 121.16 121.17 121.18 121.19 121.20 121.21 121.22 121.23 121.24 121.25 121.26 121.27 121.28 121.29 121.30 121.31 121.32 121.33 121.34 121.35 122.1 122.2 122.3 122.4 122.5 122.6 122.7 122.8 122.9 122.10 122.11 122.12 122.13 122.14 122.15 122.16 122.17 122.18 122.19 122.20 122.21 122.22 122.23 122.24 122.25 122.26 122.27 122.28 122.29 122.30 122.31 122.32 122.33 122.34 122.35 123.1 123.2 123.3 123.4 123.5 123.6 123.7 123.8 123.9 123.10 123.11 123.12 123.13 123.14 123.15 123.16 123.17 123.18 123.19 123.20 123.21 123.22 123.23 123.24 123.25 123.26 123.27 123.28 123.29 123.30 123.31 123.32 123.33 123.34 124.1 124.2 124.3 124.4 124.5 124.6 124.7 124.8 124.9 124.10 124.11 124.12 124.13 124.14 124.15 124.16 124.17 124.18 124.19 124.20 124.21 124.22 124.23 124.24 124.25 124.26 124.27 124.28 124.29 124.30 124.31 124.32 124.33 124.34 124.35 125.1 125.2 125.3 125.4 125.5 125.6 125.7 125.8 125.9 125.10 125.11 125.12 125.13 125.14 125.15 125.16 125.17 125.18 125.19 125.20 125.21 125.22 125.23 125.24 125.25 125.26 125.27 125.28 125.29 125.30 125.31 125.32 125.33 125.34 125.35 126.1 126.2 126.3 126.4 126.5 126.6 126.7 126.8 126.9 126.10 126.11 126.12 126.13 126.14 126.15 126.16 126.17 126.18 126.19 126.20 126.21 126.22 126.23 126.24 126.25 126.26 126.27 126.28 126.29 126.30 126.31 126.32 126.33 126.34 127.1 127.2 127.3 127.4 127.5 127.6 127.7 127.8 127.9 127.10 127.11 127.12 127.13 127.14 127.15 127.16 127.17 127.18 127.19 127.20 127.21 127.22 127.23 127.24 127.25 127.26 127.27 127.28 127.29 127.30 127.31 127.32 127.33 127.34 127.35 128.1 128.2 128.3 128.4 128.5 128.6 128.7 128.8 128.9 128.10 128.11 128.12 128.13 128.14 128.15 128.16 128.17 128.18 128.19 128.20 128.21 128.22 128.23 128.24 128.25 128.26 128.27 128.28 128.29 128.30 128.31 128.32 128.33 128.34 128.35
129.1 129.2 129.3 129.4 129.5 129.6 129.7 129.8 129.9 129.10 129.11 129.12 129.13 129.14 129.15 129.16 129.17 129.18 129.19 129.20 129.21 129.22 129.23 129.24 129.25 129.26 129.27 129.28 129.29 129.30 129.31 129.32 130.1 130.2 130.3 130.4 130.5
130.6 130.7 130.8 130.9 130.10 130.11 130.12 130.13 130.14 130.15 130.16 130.17 130.18 130.19 130.20 130.21 130.22 130.23 130.24 130.25 130.26 130.27 130.28 130.29 131.1 131.2 131.3 131.4 131.5 131.6 131.7 131.8 131.9 131.10 131.11 131.12 131.13 131.14 131.15 131.16 131.17
131.18
131.19 131.20 131.21 131.22 131.23 131.24 131.25 131.26 131.27 131.28 131.29 131.30 131.31 132.1 132.2 132.3 132.4 132.5 132.6 132.7 132.8 132.9 132.10 132.11 132.12 132.13 132.14 132.15 132.16 132.17 132.18 132.19 132.20 132.21 132.22 132.23 132.24 132.25
132.26 132.27 132.28 132.29 132.30 132.31 133.1 133.2 133.3 133.4 133.5 133.6 133.7 133.8 133.9 133.10 133.11 133.12 133.13 133.14 133.15 133.16 133.17 133.18 133.19 133.20
133.21 133.22 133.23 133.24 133.25 133.26 133.27 133.28 133.29 133.30 133.31 134.1 134.2 134.3 134.4 134.5 134.6 134.7 134.8 134.9 134.10 134.11 134.12 134.13 134.14 134.15 134.16 134.17 134.18 134.19 134.20 134.21 134.22 134.23 134.24 134.25 134.26 134.27 134.28 134.29 134.30 134.31 134.32 134.33 135.1 135.2 135.3 135.4 135.5 135.6 135.7 135.8 135.9 135.10 135.11 135.12 135.13 135.14 135.15 135.16 135.17 135.18 135.19 135.20 135.21 135.22 135.23 135.24 135.25 135.26 135.27
135.28
135.29 135.30 135.31 135.32 136.1 136.2 136.3 136.4 136.5 136.6 136.7 136.8 136.9 136.10 136.11 136.12 136.13 136.14 136.15 136.16 136.17 136.18 136.19 136.20 136.21 136.22 136.23 136.24 136.25 136.26 136.27 136.28 136.29 136.30 136.31 137.1 137.2 137.3 137.4 137.5 137.6 137.7 137.8 137.9 137.10 137.11 137.12 137.13 137.14 137.15 137.16 137.17 137.18 137.19 137.20 137.21
137.22
137.23 137.24 137.25 137.26 137.27 137.28 137.29 137.30 137.31 137.32 138.1 138.2 138.3 138.4 138.5 138.6 138.7 138.8 138.9 138.10 138.11 138.12 138.13 138.14 138.15 138.16 138.17 138.18 138.19 138.20 138.21 138.22 138.23 138.24 138.25 138.26 138.27 138.28 138.29 138.30
138.31 138.32
139.1 139.2
139.3 139.4
139.5 139.6 139.7 139.8 139.9 139.10 139.11 139.12 139.13 139.14 139.15 139.16 139.17 139.18 139.19 139.20 139.21 139.22 139.23 139.24 139.25 139.26 139.27 139.28 139.29 139.30 140.1 140.2 140.3 140.4 140.5 140.6 140.7 140.8 140.9 140.10 140.11 140.12 140.13 140.14 140.15 140.16 140.17 140.18 140.19 140.20 140.21 140.22 140.23 140.24 140.25 140.26 140.27 140.28 140.29 140.30 140.31 140.32 141.1 141.2 141.3 141.4 141.5 141.6 141.7 141.8 141.9 141.10 141.11 141.12 141.13 141.14 141.15 141.16
141.17 141.18 141.19 141.20 141.21 141.22 141.23 141.24 141.25 141.26 141.27 141.28 141.29 141.30 141.31 141.32 141.33 142.1 142.2 142.3 142.4 142.5 142.6 142.7 142.8 142.9 142.10 142.11 142.12 142.13 142.14 142.15 142.16 142.17 142.18 142.19 142.20 142.21 142.22 142.23
142.24 142.25 142.26 142.27 142.28 142.29 142.30 142.31 142.32 143.1 143.2 143.3 143.4 143.5 143.6 143.7 143.8 143.9 143.10 143.11 143.12 143.13 143.14 143.15 143.16
143.17 143.18 143.19 143.20 143.21 143.22 143.23 143.24 143.25 143.26 143.27 143.28 143.29 143.30 143.31 143.32 143.33 144.1 144.2 144.3 144.4 144.5 144.6 144.7 144.8 144.9 144.10 144.11 144.12 144.13 144.14 144.15 144.16 144.17 144.18 144.19 144.20 144.21 144.22 144.23 144.24 144.25 144.26 144.27 144.28 144.29 144.30 144.31 144.32 145.1 145.2 145.3 145.4 145.5 145.6 145.7 145.8 145.9 145.10 145.11 145.12 145.13 145.14 145.15 145.16 145.17 145.18 145.19 145.20 145.21 145.22 145.23 145.24 145.25 145.26 145.27 145.28 145.29 145.30 145.31 146.1 146.2 146.3 146.4 146.5 146.6 146.7 146.8 146.9 146.10 146.11 146.12 146.13 146.14 146.15 146.16 146.17 146.18 146.19 146.20 146.21 146.22 146.23 146.24 146.25 146.26 146.27 146.28 146.29 146.30 146.31 146.32 146.33 147.1 147.2 147.3 147.4 147.5 147.6 147.7 147.8 147.9 147.10 147.11 147.12 147.13 147.14 147.15 147.16 147.17 147.18 147.19 147.20 147.21 147.22 147.23 147.24 147.25 147.26 147.27 147.28 147.29 147.30 147.31 147.32 148.1 148.2 148.3 148.4 148.5 148.6 148.7 148.8 148.9 148.10 148.11 148.12 148.13 148.14 148.15 148.16 148.17 148.18 148.19 148.20 148.21 148.22 148.23 148.24 148.25 148.26 148.27 148.28 148.29 148.30 148.31 148.32 148.33 148.34 149.1 149.2 149.3 149.4 149.5 149.6 149.7 149.8 149.9 149.10 149.11 149.12 149.13 149.14 149.15 149.16 149.17 149.18 149.19 149.20 149.21 149.22 149.23 149.24 149.25 149.26 149.27 149.28 149.29 149.30 150.1 150.2 150.3 150.4 150.5 150.6 150.7 150.8 150.9 150.10 150.11 150.12 150.13 150.14 150.15 150.16 150.17 150.18 150.19 150.20 150.21 150.22 150.23 150.24 150.25 150.26 150.27 150.28 150.29 150.30 150.31 150.32 150.33 151.1 151.2 151.3 151.4 151.5 151.6 151.7 151.8 151.9 151.10 151.11 151.12 151.13
151.14 151.15 151.16 151.17 151.18 151.19 151.20 151.21 151.22 151.23 151.24 151.25 151.26 151.27 151.28 151.29 151.30 151.31 151.32 152.1 152.2 152.3 152.4 152.5 152.6 152.7 152.8 152.9 152.10 152.11 152.12 152.13 152.14 152.15 152.16 152.17 152.18 152.19 152.20 152.21 152.22 152.23 152.24 152.25 152.26 152.27 152.28 152.29 152.30 152.31 152.32 152.33 153.1 153.2 153.3 153.4 153.5 153.6 153.7 153.8 153.9 153.10 153.11 153.12 153.13 153.14 153.15 153.16 153.17 153.18 153.19
153.20 153.21 153.22 153.23 153.24 153.25 153.26 153.27 153.28 153.29 153.30 153.31 153.32 154.1 154.2 154.3 154.4 154.5 154.6 154.7 154.8 154.9 154.10 154.11 154.12 154.13 154.14 154.15 154.16 154.17 154.18 154.19 154.20 154.21 154.22 154.23 154.24 154.25 154.26 154.27 154.28 154.29 154.30 154.31 154.32 155.1 155.2 155.3 155.4 155.5 155.6 155.7 155.8 155.9 155.10 155.11 155.12 155.13 155.14 155.15 155.16
155.17 155.18 155.19 155.20 155.21 155.22 155.23 155.24 155.25 155.26 155.27 155.28 155.29 155.30 155.31 155.32 155.33 155.34 156.1 156.2 156.3 156.4 156.5 156.6 156.7 156.8 156.9 156.10 156.11 156.12 156.13 156.14 156.15 156.16 156.17 156.18 156.19 156.20 156.21 156.22 156.23 156.24 156.25 156.26 156.27 156.28 156.29 156.30 156.31 157.1 157.2 157.3 157.4 157.5 157.6 157.7
157.8 157.9 157.10 157.11 157.12 157.13 157.14 157.15 157.16 157.17 157.18 157.19 157.20 157.21 157.22 157.23 157.24 157.25 157.26 157.27 157.28 157.29 157.30 157.31 157.32 157.33 158.1 158.2 158.3 158.4 158.5 158.6 158.7 158.8 158.9 158.10 158.11 158.12 158.13 158.14 158.15 158.16 158.17
158.18 158.19 158.20 158.21 158.22 158.23 158.24 158.25 158.26 158.27 158.28 158.29 158.30 158.31
159.1 159.2 159.3 159.4 159.5 159.6 159.7 159.8 159.9 159.10 159.11 159.12 159.13 159.14 159.15 159.16 159.17 159.18 159.19 159.20 159.21 159.22 159.23 159.24 159.25 159.26 159.27 159.28 159.29
159.30 159.31 159.32 160.1 160.2 160.3 160.4 160.5 160.6 160.7 160.8 160.9 160.10 160.11 160.12 160.13 160.14 160.15
160.16 160.17 160.18 160.19 160.20 160.21 160.22 160.23 160.24 160.25 160.26 160.27 160.28 160.29 160.30 160.31 160.32 160.33
161.1 161.2 161.3 161.4 161.5 161.6 161.7 161.8 161.9 161.10 161.11 161.12 161.13 161.14 161.15 161.16 161.17 161.18 161.19 161.20 161.21
161.22 161.23 161.24 161.25 161.26 161.27 161.28 161.29 161.30 161.31 161.32 161.33 161.34 162.1 162.2 162.3 162.4 162.5 162.6 162.7 162.8 162.9 162.10 162.11 162.12
162.13 162.14
162.15 162.16
162.17 162.18 162.19 162.20 162.21 162.22 162.23 162.24 162.25 162.26 162.27 162.28 162.29 162.30 163.1 163.2 163.3 163.4 163.5 163.6
163.7
163.8 163.9 163.10 163.11 163.12 163.13 163.14 163.15 163.16 163.17 163.18 163.19 163.20 163.21 163.22 163.23 163.24 163.25 163.26 163.27 163.28 163.29 163.30 163.31 163.32 164.1 164.2 164.3 164.4 164.5 164.6 164.7 164.8 164.9 164.10 164.11 164.12 164.13 164.14 164.15 164.16 164.17 164.18 164.19
164.20 164.21
164.22 164.23 164.24 164.25 164.26 164.27 164.28 164.29 164.30 164.31
164.32
165.1 165.2 165.3 165.4 165.5 165.6 165.7 165.8 165.9 165.10 165.11 165.12 165.13 165.14
165.15
165.16 165.17 165.18 165.19 165.20 165.21 165.22 165.23 165.24 165.25 165.26 165.27 165.28 165.29 165.30 165.31 165.32 166.1 166.2 166.3 166.4 166.5 166.6 166.7 166.8 166.9 166.10 166.11 166.12 166.13 166.14 166.15 166.16 166.17 166.18 166.19 166.20 166.21 166.22 166.23 166.24 166.25 166.26 166.27 166.28 166.29 166.30 166.31 166.32
167.1 167.2 167.3 167.4 167.5 167.6 167.7
167.8 167.9 167.10 167.11 167.12 167.13 167.14 167.15 167.16 167.17 167.18 167.19 167.20 167.21 167.22
167.23
167.24 167.25 167.26 167.27 167.28 167.29 167.30 167.31 168.1 168.2 168.3 168.4 168.5 168.6 168.7 168.8 168.9 168.10
168.11 168.12 168.13
168.14 168.15
168.16 168.17 168.18 168.19 168.20 168.21 168.22 168.23 168.24 168.25 168.26 168.27 168.28 168.29 168.30 168.31 168.32 168.33 169.1 169.2 169.3 169.4 169.5 169.6 169.7 169.8 169.9 169.10 169.11 169.12 169.13 169.14 169.15 169.16 169.17 169.18 169.19 169.20 169.21
169.22
169.23 169.24 169.25 169.26 169.27 169.28 169.29 169.30 169.31 169.32 169.33 170.1 170.2 170.3 170.4 170.5
170.6 170.7 170.8 170.9 170.10 170.11 170.12 170.13 170.14 170.15 170.16 170.17 170.18 170.19 170.20 170.21 170.22 170.23 170.24 170.25
170.26 170.27 170.28 170.29 170.30 171.1 171.2 171.3 171.4 171.5 171.6 171.7
171.8 171.9 171.10 171.11 171.12 171.13 171.14 171.15 171.16 171.17 171.18 171.19 171.20 171.21 171.22 171.23
171.24 171.25 171.26 171.27 171.28 171.29 171.30 171.31 172.1 172.2
172.3 172.4 172.5 172.6 172.7 172.8
172.9 172.10 172.11 172.12 172.13 172.14 172.15 172.16 172.17 172.18 172.19
172.20 172.21 172.22 172.23 172.24 172.25 172.26 172.27
172.28 172.29 172.30 172.31 173.1 173.2 173.3 173.4 173.5 173.6 173.7 173.8 173.9 173.10 173.11 173.12 173.13 173.14 173.15 173.16 173.17
173.18 173.19 173.20 173.21 173.22 173.23 173.24 173.25 173.26
173.27 173.28 173.29 173.30 173.31
174.1 174.2 174.3 174.4 174.5 174.6 174.7 174.8 174.9 174.10 174.11 174.12 174.13 174.14
174.15 174.16 174.17 174.18 174.19 174.20 174.21 174.22 174.23 174.24
174.25 174.26 174.27 174.28 174.29 174.30 174.31 174.32 175.1 175.2 175.3 175.4 175.5 175.6 175.7 175.8 175.9 175.10
175.11 175.12 175.13 175.14 175.15 175.16 175.17 175.18 175.19 175.20 175.21 175.22
175.23 175.24 175.25 175.26 175.27 175.28 175.29 175.30 175.31 176.1 176.2 176.3 176.4 176.5 176.6 176.7 176.8 176.9 176.10 176.11
176.12 176.13 176.14 176.15 176.16 176.17 176.18 176.19
176.20 176.21 176.22 176.23 176.24 176.25 176.26 176.27 176.28 176.29 176.30
176.31
177.1 177.2 177.3 177.4
177.5 177.6 177.7 177.8 177.9
177.10 177.11 177.12 177.13 177.14 177.15 177.16 177.17 177.18 177.19 177.20 177.21 177.22 177.23 177.24 177.25 177.26 177.27 177.28 177.29 177.30 177.31 177.32 177.33 177.34 177.35 177.36 177.37 177.38 177.39 177.40 177.41 177.42 177.43 177.44 177.45 178.1 178.2 178.3 178.4 178.5 178.6 178.7 178.8 178.9 178.10 178.11 178.12 178.13 178.14 178.15 178.16 178.17 178.18 178.19 178.20 178.21 178.22 178.23 179.1 179.2 179.3 179.4 179.5 179.6 179.7 179.8 179.9 179.10 179.11 179.12 179.13 179.14 179.15

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON S.F. No. 4942

A bill for an act
relating to state government; authorizing supplemental agriculture appropriations;
providing broadband appropriation transfer authority; making policy and technical
changes to agriculture provisions; establishing and modifying agriculture programs;
requiring an application for federal broadband aid; modifying appropriations to
the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Health; modifying
fees assessed by the Department of Commerce; adding the Minnesota Consumer
Data Privacy Act; adding and modifying consumer protection provisions;
appropriating money for energy, utilities, environment, and climate; requiring
utilities to accept an individual taxpayer identification number when new customers
apply for utility service; allowing public utilities providing electric service to
propose goals for fuel-switching improvement achievements to the commissioner
of commerce; modifying the commercial property assessed clean energy program;
making technical changes to various provisions governing or administered by the
Department of Commerce; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 17.116, subdivision 2; 17.133, subdivision 1;
18C.70, subdivision 5; 18C.71, subdivision 4; 18C.80, subdivision 2; 28A.10;
31.94; 32D.30; 41B.047, subdivision 1; 45.0135, subdivision 7; 62Q.73, subdivision
3; 116J.396, by adding a subdivision; 216B.098, by adding a subdivision; 216B.16,
subdivisions 6c, 8; 216B.2402, subdivision 10, by adding a subdivision; 216B.2403,
subdivisions 2, 3, 5, 8; 216B.241, subdivisions 2, 11, 12; 216B.243, subdivision
3b; 216C.10; 216C.435, subdivisions 3a, 3b, 4, 10, by adding subdivisions;
216C.436, subdivisions 1, 4, 7, 8, 10; 325E.21, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota
Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 17.055, subdivision 3; 17.133, subdivision 3;
18C.425, subdivision 6; 35.155, subdivision 12; 41B.0391, subdivisions 1, 2, 4,
6; 116C.779, subdivision 1; 144.197; 216B.1691, subdivision 1; 216C.08; 216C.09;
216C.435, subdivision 8; 216C.436, subdivisions 1b, 2; 325E.21, subdivision 1b;
342.72; Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Laws
2023, chapter 63, article 9, sections 5; 10; 15, subdivision 4; 20; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 13; 58B; 62J; 216B; 216C; proposing
coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325O; repealing Minnesota
Statutes 2022, section 34.07.

May 18, 2024
The Honorable Bobby Joe Champion
President of the Senate

The Honorable Melissa Hortman
Speaker of the House of Representatives

We, the undersigned conferees for S.F. No. 4942 report that we have agreed upon the
items in dispute and recommend as follows:

That the House recede from its amendments and that S.F. No. 4942 be further amended
as follows:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"ARTICLE 1

AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1.

Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2, is amended to read:


Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Subdivision 1.

Total Appropriation

$
deleted text begin 92,025,000deleted text end new text begin
88,325,000
new text end
$
deleted text begin 72,223,000deleted text end new text begin
80,243,000
new text end
Appropriations by Fund
2024
2025
General
deleted text begin 91,626,000
deleted text end new text begin 87,926,000
new text end
deleted text begin 71,824,000
deleted text end new text begin 79,844,000
new text end
Remediation
399,000
399,000

The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.

Subd. 2.

Protection Services

Appropriations by Fund
2024
2025
General
deleted text begin 32,034,000
deleted text end new text begin 32,084,000
new text end
deleted text begin 18,743,000
deleted text end new text begin 22,113,000
new text end
Remediation
399,000
399,000

(a) $399,000 the first year and $399,000 the
second year are from the remediation fund for
administrative funding for the voluntary
cleanup program.

(b) $625,000 the first year and deleted text begin $625,000deleted text end new text begin
$1,120,000
new text end the second year are for the soil
health financial assistance program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 17.134. The
commissioner may award no more than
$50,000 of the appropriation each year to a
single recipient. new text begin Of the second year amount,
$495,000 is for projects located in Dodge,
Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower,
Olmsted, Wabasha, or Winona County.
new text end The
commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of
this appropriation for costs incurred to
administer the program. Any unencumbered
balance does not cancel at the end of the first
year and is available in the second year.
Appropriations encumbered under contract on
or before June 30, 2025, for soil health
financial assistance grants are available until
June 30, 2027. The base for this appropriation
is $639,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year
thereafter.

(c) $800,000 the first year deleted text begin isdeleted text end new text begin and $75,000 the
second year are
new text end for transfer to the pollinator
research account established under Minnesota
Statutes, section 18B.051. The base for this
transfer is $100,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
each year thereafter.

(d) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
second year are for transfer to the noxious
weed and invasive plant species assistance
account established under Minnesota Statutes,
section 18.89, to award grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 18.90, to counties,
municipalities, and other weed management
entities, including Minnesota Tribal
governments as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
section 10.65. This is a onetime appropriation.

(e) $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the
second year are for compensation for
destroyed or crippled livestock under
Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737. The first
year appropriation may be spent to compensate
for livestock that were destroyed or crippled
during fiscal year 2023. If the amount in the
first year is insufficient, the amount in the
second year is available in the first year. The
commissioner may use up to $5,000 each year
to reimburse expenses incurred by university
extension educators to provide fair market
values of destroyed or crippled livestock. If
the commissioner receives federal dollars to
pay claims for destroyed or crippled livestock,
an equivalent amount of this appropriation
may be used to reimburse nonlethal prevention
methods performed by federal wildlife services
staff.

(f) $155,000 the first year and $155,000 the
second year are for compensation for crop
damage under Minnesota Statutes, section
3.7371. If the amount in the first year is
insufficient, the amount in the second year is
available in the first year. The commissioner
may use up to $10,000 of the appropriation
each year to reimburse expenses incurred by
the commissioner or the commissioner's
approved agent to investigate and resolve
claims, as well as for costs associated with
training for approved agents. The
commissioner may use up to $40,000 of the
appropriation each year to make grants to
producers for measures to protect stored crops
from elk damage. If the commissioner
determines that claims made under Minnesota
Statutes, section 3.737 or 3.7371, are
unusually high, amounts appropriated for
either program may be transferred to the
appropriation for the other program.

(g) $825,000 the first year and $825,000 the
second year are to replace capital equipment
in the Department of Agriculture's analytical
laboratory.

(h) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the
second year are to support a meat processing
liaison position to assist new or existing meat
and poultry processing operations in getting
started, expanding, growing, or transitioning
into new business models.

(i) $2,200,000 the first year and $1,650,000
the second year are additional funding to
maintain the current level of service delivery
for programs under this subdivision. The base
for this appropriation is $1,925,000 for fiscal
year 2026 and each year thereafter.

(j) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are for grants to organizations in
Minnesota to develop enterprises, supply
chains, and markets for continuous-living
cover crops and cropping systems in the early
stages of commercial development. For the
purposes of this paragraph, "continuous-living
cover crops and cropping systems" refers to
agroforestry, perennial biomass, perennial
forage, perennial grains, and winter-annual
cereal grains and oilseeds that have market
value as harvested or grazed commodities. By
February 1 each year, the commissioner must
submit a report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over agriculture
finance and policy detailing uses of the funds
in this paragraph, including administrative
costs, and the achievements these funds
contributed to. The commissioner may use up
to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for
administrative costs. This is a onetime
appropriation.

(k) $45,000 the first year and $45,000 the
second year are appropriated for
wolf-livestock conflict-prevention grants. The
commissioner may use some of this
appropriation to support nonlethal prevention
work performed by federal wildlife services.
This is a onetime appropriation.

(l) $10,000,000 the first year is for transfer to
the grain indemnity account established in
Minnesota Statutes, section 223.24. This is a
onetime transfer.

(m) $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the
second year are for the PFAS in pesticides
review. This is a onetime appropriation.

(n) $1,941,000 the first year is for transfer to
the food handler license account. This is a
onetime transfer.

new text begin (o) $2,800,000 the second year is for nitrate
home water treatment, including reverse
osmosis, for private drinking-water wells with
nitrate in excess of the maximum contaminant
level of ten milligrams per liter and located in
Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower,
Olmsted, Wabasha, or Winona County. The
commissioner must prioritize households at
or below 300 percent of the federal poverty
guideline and households with infants or
pregnant individuals. The commissioner may
also use this appropriation for education,
outreach, and technical assistance to
homeowners. The commissioner of agriculture
may transfer money to the commissioner of
health to establish and administer a mitigation
program for contaminated wells located in
Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower,
Olmsted, Wabasha, or Winona County.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner may
use up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for
administrative costs. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30,
2027.
new text end

new text begin (p) $50,000 the first year is to convene a
working group of interested parties, including
representatives from the Department of
Natural Resources, to investigate and
recommend options for addressing crop and
fence destruction due to Cervidae. By
February 1, 2025, the commissioner must
submit a report on the findings and
recommendations of the working group to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over
agriculture policy and finance.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, any unencumbered balance does not
cancel at the end of the first year and is
available in the second year. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

Subd. 3.

Agricultural Marketing and
Development

5,165,000
4,985,000

(a) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
second year are to expand international trade
opportunities and markets for Minnesota
agricultural products.

(b) $186,000 the first year and $186,000 the
second year are for transfer to the Minnesota
grown account and may be used as grants for
Minnesota grown promotion under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.102. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the
appropriations encumbered under contract on
or before June 30, 2025, for Minnesota grown
grants in this paragraph are available until June
30, 2027.

(c) $634,000 the first year and $634,000 the
second year are for the continuation of the
dairy development and profitability
enhancement programs, including dairy
profitability teams and dairy business planning
grants under Minnesota Statutes, section
32D.30.

(d) The commissioner may use funds
appropriated in this subdivision for annual
cost-share payments to resident farmers or
entities that sell, process, or package
agricultural products in this state for the costs
of organic certification. The commissioner
may allocate these funds for assistance to
persons transitioning from conventional to
organic agriculture.

(e) $600,000 the first year and $420,000 the
second year are to maintain the current level
of service delivery. The base for this
appropriation is deleted text begin $490,000deleted text end new text begin $510,000new text end for fiscal
year 2026 and each year thereafter.

(f) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
second year are for mental health outreach and
support to farmers, ranchers, and others in the
agricultural community and for farm safety
grant and outreach programs under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.1195. Mental health
outreach and support may include a 24-hour
hotline, stigma reduction, and education.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, any unencumbered balance does not
cancel at the end of the first year and is
available in the second year. This is a onetime
appropriation.

(g) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
second year are to award and administer grants
deleted text begin for infrastructuredeleted text end new text begin and other forms of financial
assistance
new text end to support EBT, SNAP, SFMNP,
and related programs at farmers markets.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, any unencumbered balance does not
cancel at the end of the first year and is
available in the second year. This is a onetime
appropriation.

(h) $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the
second year are to award cooperative grants
under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.1016.
The commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent
of the appropriation each year to administer
the grant program. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.28, any unencumbered
balance does not cancel at the end of the first
year and is available in the second year. This
is a onetime appropriation.

Subd. 4.

Agriculture, Bioenergy, and Bioproduct
Advancement

deleted text begin 37,809,000deleted text end new text begin
34,034,000
new text end
deleted text begin 33,809,000deleted text end new text begin
38,159,000
new text end

(a) $10,702,000 the first year and $10,702,000
the second year are for the agriculture
research, education, extension, and technology
transfer program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41A.14. Except as provided below,
the appropriation each year is for transfer to
the agriculture research, education, extension,
and technology transfer account under
Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14,
subdivision 3
, and the commissioner shall
transfer funds each year to the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota for
purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.14. To the extent practicable, money
expended under Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.14, subdivision 1, clauses (1) and (2),
must supplement and not supplant existing
sources and levels of funding. The
commissioner may use up to one percent of
this appropriation for costs incurred to
administer the program.

Of the amount appropriated for the agriculture
research, education, extension, and technology
transfer grant program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 41A.14:

(1) $600,000 the first year and $600,000 the
second year are for the Minnesota Agricultural
Experiment Station's agriculture rapid
response fund under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41A.14, subdivision 1, clause (2);

(2) up to $1,000,000 the first year and up to
$1,000,000 the second year are for research
on avian influenza, salmonella, and other
turkey-related diseases and disease prevention
measures;

(3) $2,250,000 the first year and $2,250,000
the second year are for grants to the Minnesota
Agricultural Education Leadership Council to
enhance agricultural education with priority
given to Farm Business Management
challenge grants;

(4) $450,000 the first year is for the cultivated
wild rice breeding project at the North Central
Research and Outreach Center to include a
tenure track/research associate plant breeder;

(5) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the
second year are for potato breeding;

(6) $802,000 the first year and $802,000 the
second year are to fund the Forever Green
Initiative and protect the state's natural
resources while increasing the efficiency,
profitability, and productivity of Minnesota
farmers by incorporating perennial and
winter-annual crops into existing agricultural
practices. The base for the allocation under
this clause is $802,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
each year thereafter. By February 1 each year,
the dean of the College of Food, Agricultural
and Natural Resource Sciences must submit
a report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture finance and policy
and higher education detailing uses of the
funds in this paragraph, including
administrative costs, and the achievements
these funds contributed to; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(7) $350,000 each year is for farm-scale winter
greenhouse research and development
coordinated by University of Minnesota
Extension Regional Sustainable Development
Partnerships. The allocation in this clause is
onetimedeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (8) $200,000 the second year is for research
on natural stands of wild rice; and
new text end

new text begin (9) $250,000 the second year is for the
cultivated wild rice forward selection project
at the North Central Research and Outreach
Center, including a tenure track or research
associate plant scientist.
new text end

(b) The base for the agriculture research,
education, extension, and technology transfer
program is $10,352,000 in fiscal year 2026
and $10,352,000 in fiscal year 2027.

(c) deleted text begin $27,107,000deleted text end new text begin $23,332,000new text end the first year deleted text begin and
$23,107,000 the second year are
deleted text end new text begin isnew text end for the
agricultural growth, research, and innovation
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.12. Except as provided below, the
commissioner may allocate this appropriation
deleted text begin each yeardeleted text end among the following areas:
facilitating the start-up, modernization,
improvement, or expansion of livestock
operations, including beginning and
transitioning livestock operations with
preference given to robotic dairy-milking
equipment; assisting value-added agricultural
businesses to begin or expand, to access new
markets, or to diversify, including aquaponics
systems, with preference given to hemp fiber
processing equipment; facilitating the start-up,
modernization, or expansion of other
beginning and transitioning farms, including
by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41B.056; sustainable agriculture
on-farm research and demonstration; the
development or expansion of food hubs and
other alternative community-based food
distribution systems; enhancing renewable
energy infrastructure and use; crop research,
including basic and applied turf seed research;
Farm Business Management tuition assistance;
and good agricultural practices and good
handling practices certification assistance. The
commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of
this appropriation for costs incurred to
administer the program.

Of the amount appropriated for the agricultural
growth, research, and innovation program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12:

(1) $1,000,000 the first year deleted text begin and $1,000,000
the second year are
deleted text end new text begin isnew text end for distribution in equal
amounts to each of the state's county fairs to
preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture;

(2) $5,750,000 the first year deleted text begin and $5,750,000
the second year are
deleted text end new text begin isnew text end for incentive payments
under Minnesota Statutes, sections 41A.16,
41A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the first
year appropriation is available until June 30,
2025deleted text begin , and the second year appropriation is
available until June 30, 2026
deleted text end . If this
appropriation exceeds the total amount for
which all producers are eligible in a fiscal
year, the balance of the appropriation is
available for other purposes under this
paragraphdeleted text begin . The base under this clause is
$3,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year
thereafter
deleted text end ;

(3) $3,375,000 the first year deleted text begin and $3,375,000
the second year are
deleted text end new text begin isnew text end for grants that enable
retail petroleum dispensers, fuel storage tanks,
and other equipment to dispense biofuels to
the public in accordance with the biofuel
replacement goals established under
Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911. A retail
petroleum dispenser selling petroleum for use
in spark ignition engines for vehicle model
years after 2000 is eligible for grant money
under this clause if the retail petroleum
dispenser has no more than 10 retail petroleum
dispensing sites and each site is located in
Minnesota. The grant money must be used to
replace or upgrade equipment that does not
have the ability to be certified for E25. A grant
award must not exceed 65 percent of the cost
of the appropriate technology. A grant award
must not exceed $200,000 per station. The
commissioner must cooperate with biofuel
stakeholders in the implementation of the grant
program. The commissioner, in cooperation
with any economic or community development
financial institution and any other entity with
which the commissioner contracts, must
submit a report on the biofuels infrastructure
financial assistance program by January 15 of
each year to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
policy and finance. The annual report must
include but not be limited to a summary of the
following metrics: (i) the number and types
of projects financed; (ii) the amount of dollars
leveraged or matched per project; (iii) the
geographic distribution of financed projects;
(iv) any market expansion associated with
upgraded infrastructure; (v) the demographics
of the areas served; (vi) the costs of the
program; and (vii) the number of grants to
minority-owned or female-owned businessesdeleted text begin .
The base under this clause is $3,000,000 for
fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter
deleted text end ;

(4) $1,250,000 the first year deleted text begin and $1,250,000
the second year are
deleted text end new text begin isnew text end for grants to facilitate
the start-up, modernization, or expansion of
meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing
facilities. A grant award under this clause must
not exceed $200,000. Any unencumbered
balance at the end of the second year does not
cancel until June 30, 2026, and may be used
for other purposes under this paragraphdeleted text begin . The
base under this clause is $250,000 in fiscal
year 2026 and each year thereafter
deleted text end ;

(5) $1,150,000 the first year deleted text begin and $1,150,000
the second year are
deleted text end new text begin isnew text end for providing more
fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, grain, and
dairy for children in school and early
childhood education deleted text begin centersdeleted text end new text begin settingsnew text end ,
including, at the commissioner's discretion,
providing grants to reimburse schools and
early childhood education deleted text begin centersdeleted text end new text begin and child
care providers
new text end for purchasing equipment and
agricultural products.new text begin Organizations must
participate in the National School Lunch
Program or the Child and Adult Care Food
Program to be eligible.
new text end Of the amount
appropriated, $150,000 deleted text begin each yeardeleted text end is for a
statewide coordinator of farm-to-institution
strategy and programming. The coordinator
must consult with relevant stakeholders and
provide technical assistance and training for
participating farmers and eligible grant
recipientsdeleted text begin . The base under this clause is
$1,294,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year
thereafter
deleted text end ;

deleted text begin (6) $4,000,000 the first year is for Dairy
Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative
(DAIRI) grants and other forms of financial
assistance to Minnesota dairy farms that enroll
in coverage under a federal dairy risk
protection program and produced no more
than 16,000,000 pounds of milk in 2022. The
commissioner must make DAIRI payments
based on the amount of milk produced in
2022, up to 5,000,000 pounds per participating
farm, at a rate determined by the commissioner
within the limits of available funding. Any
unencumbered balance does not cancel at the
end of the first year and is available in the
second year. Any unencumbered balance at
the end of the second year does not cancel
until June 30, 2026, and may be used for other
purposes under this paragraph. The allocation
in this clause is onetime;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end $2,000,000 the first year deleted text begin and
$2,000,000 the second year are
deleted text end new text begin isnew text end for urban
youth agricultural education or urban
agriculture community development; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (7)new text end $1,000,000 the first year deleted text begin and
$1,000,000 the second year are
deleted text end new text begin isnew text end for the good
food access program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.1017deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (8) $225,000 the first year is to provide grants
to secondary career and technical education
programs for the purpose of offering
instruction in meat cutting and butchery.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner may
use up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for
administrative costs. This is a onetime
appropriation. Grants may be used for costs,
including but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (i) equipment required for a meat cutting
program;
new text end

new text begin (ii) facility renovation to accommodate meat
cutting; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) training faculty to teach the fundamentals
of meat processing.
new text end

new text begin A grant recipient may be awarded a grant of
up to $75,000 and may use up to ten percent
of the grant for faculty training. Priority may
be given to applicants who are coordinating
with meat cutting and butchery programs at
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
institutions or with local industry partners.
new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2025, the commissioner must
report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture finance and
education finance by listing the grants made
under this paragraph by county and noting the
number and amount of grant requests not
fulfilled. The report may include additional
information as determined by the
commissioner, including but not limited to
information regarding the outcomes produced
by these grants. If additional grants are
awarded under this paragraph that were not
covered in the report due by January 15, 2025,
the commissioner must submit an additional
report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture finance and
education finance regarding all grants issued
under this paragraph by November 1, 2025.
new text end

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, any unencumbered balance does not
cancel at the end of the first year and is
available for the second year, and
appropriations encumbered under contract on
or before June 30, 2025, for agricultural
growth, research, and innovation grants are
available until June 30, 2028.

new text begin (d) $27,457,000 the second year is for the
agricultural growth, research, and innovation
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.12. Except as provided below, the
commissioner may allocate this appropriation
among the following areas: facilitating the
start-up, modernization, improvement, or
expansion of livestock operations, including
beginning and transitioning livestock
operations with preference given to robotic
dairy-milking equipment; assisting
value-added agricultural businesses to begin
or expand, to access new markets, or to
diversify, including aquaponics systems, with
preference given to hemp fiber processing
equipment; facilitating the start-up,
modernization, or expansion of other
beginning and transitioning farms, including
by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41B.056; sustainable agriculture
on-farm research and demonstration; the
development or expansion of food hubs and
other alternative community-based food
distribution systems; enhancing renewable
energy infrastructure and use; crop research,
including basic and applied turf seed research;
Farm Business Management tuition assistance;
and good agricultural practices and good
handling practices certification assistance. The
commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of
this appropriation for costs incurred to
administer the program.
new text end

new text begin Of the amount appropriated for the agricultural
growth, research, and innovation program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12:
new text end

new text begin (1) $1,000,000 the second year is for
distribution in equal amounts to each of the
state's county fairs to preserve and promote
Minnesota agriculture;
new text end

new text begin (2) $5,750,000 the second year is for incentive
payments under Minnesota Statutes, sections
41A.16, 41A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, this appropriation is available until
June 30, 2027. If this appropriation exceeds
the total amount for which all producers are
eligible in a fiscal year, the balance of the
appropriation is available for other purposes
under this paragraph. The base under this
clause is $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
each year thereafter;
new text end

new text begin (3) $3,375,000 the second year is for grants
that enable retail petroleum dispensers, fuel
storage tanks, and other equipment to dispense
biofuels to the public in accordance with the
biofuel replacement goals established under
Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911. A retail
petroleum dispenser selling petroleum for use
in spark ignition engines for vehicle model
years after 2000 is eligible for grant money
under this clause if the retail petroleum
dispenser has no more than ten retail
petroleum dispensing sites and each site is
located in Minnesota. The grant money must
be used to replace or upgrade equipment that
does not have the ability to be certified for
E25. A grant award must not exceed 65
percent of the cost of the appropriate
technology. A grant award must not exceed
$200,000 per station. The commissioner must
cooperate with biofuel stakeholders in the
implementation of the grant program. The
commissioner, in cooperation with any
economic or community development
financial institution and any other entity with
which the commissioner contracts, must
submit a report on the biofuels infrastructure
financial assistance program by January 15 of
each year to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
policy and finance. The annual report must
include but not be limited to a summary of the
following metrics: (i) the number and types
of projects financed; (ii) the amount of money
leveraged or matched per project; (iii) the
geographic distribution of financed projects;
(iv) any market expansion associated with
upgraded infrastructure; (v) the demographics
of the areas served; (vi) the costs of the
program; and (vii) the number of grants to
minority-owned or female-owned businesses.
The base under this clause is $3,000,000 for
fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter;
new text end

new text begin (4) $1,250,000 the second year is for grants
to facilitate the start-up, modernization, or
expansion of meat, poultry, egg, and milk
processing facilities. A grant award under this
clause must not exceed $200,000. Any
unencumbered balance at the end of the second
year does not cancel until June 30, 2027, and
may be used for other purposes under this
paragraph. The base under this clause is
$250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year
thereafter;
new text end

new text begin (5) $1,275,000 the second year is for providing
more fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, grain,
and dairy for children in school and early
childhood education settings, including, at the
commissioner's discretion, providing grants
to reimburse schools and early childhood
education and child care providers for
purchasing equipment and agricultural
products. Organizations must participate in
the National School Lunch Program or the
Child and Adult Care Food Program to be
eligible. Of the amount appropriated, $150,000
is for a statewide coordinator of
farm-to-institution strategy and programming.
The coordinator must consult with relevant
stakeholders and provide technical assistance
and training for participating farmers and
eligible grant recipients. The base under this
clause is $1,294,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
each year thereafter;
new text end

new text begin (6) $4,000,000 the second year is for Dairy
Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative
(DAIRI) grants and other forms of financial
assistance to Minnesota dairy farms that enroll
in coverage under a federal dairy risk
protection program and produced no more
than 16,000,000 pounds of milk in 2022. The
commissioner must make DAIRI payments
based on the amount of milk produced in
2022, up to 5,000,000 pounds per participating
farm, at a rate determined by the commissioner
within the limits of available funding. Any
unencumbered balance on June 30, 2026, may
be used for other purposes under this
paragraph. The allocation in this clause is
onetime;
new text end

new text begin (7) $2,000,000 the second year is for urban
youth agricultural education or urban
agriculture community development;
new text end

new text begin (8) $1,000,000 the second year is for the good
food access program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.1017; and
new text end

new text begin (9) $225,000 the second year is for the
protecting livestock grant program for
producers to support the installation of
measures to prevent the transmission of avian
influenza. For the appropriation in this
paragraph, a grant applicant must document
a cost-share of 20 percent. An applicant's
cost-share amount may be reduced up to
$2,000 to cover time and labor costs.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner may
use up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for
administrative costs. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2027. This is a onetime
appropriation. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.28, this appropriation
does not cancel at the end of the second year
and is available until June 30, 2027.
Appropriations encumbered under contract on
or before June 30, 2027, for agricultural
growth, research, and innovation grants are
available until June 30, 2030.
new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end The base for the agricultural growth,
research, and innovation program is
deleted text begin $16,294,000deleted text end new text begin $17,582,000new text end in fiscal year 2026
and each year thereafter and includes $200,000
each year for cooperative development grants.

Subd. 5.

Administration and Financial
Assistance

deleted text begin 16,618,000
deleted text end new text begin 16,643,000
new text end
deleted text begin 14,287,000
deleted text end new text begin 14,587,000
new text end

(a) $474,000 the first year and $474,000 the
second year are for payments to county and
district agricultural societies and associations
under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02,
subdivision 1
. Aid payments to county and
district agricultural societies and associations
must be disbursed no later than July 15 of each
year. These payments are the amount of aid
from the state for an annual fair held in the
previous calendar year.

(b) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the
second year are for grants to the Minnesota
Agricultural Education and Leadership
Council for programs of the council under
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41D. The base for
this appropriation is $250,000 in fiscal year
2026 and each year thereafter.

(c) $2,000 the first year is for a grant to the
Minnesota State Poultry Association. This is
a onetime appropriation. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any
unencumbered balance does not cancel at the
end of the first year and is available for the
second year.

(d) $18,000 the first year and $18,000 the
second year are for grants to the Minnesota
Livestock Breeders Association. This is a
onetime appropriation.

(e) $60,000 the first year and $60,000 the
second year are for grants to the Northern
Crops Institute that may be used to purchase
equipment. This is a onetime appropriation.

(f) $34,000 the first year and $34,000 the
second year are for grants to the Minnesota
State Horticultural Society. This is a onetime
appropriation.

(g) $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the
second year are for grants to the Center for
Rural Policy and Development. This is a
onetime appropriation.

(h) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the
second year are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of agriculture for
grants to the Minnesota Turf Seed Council for
basic and applied research on: (1) the
improved production of forage and turf seed
related to new and improved varieties; and (2)
native plants, including plant breeding,
nutrient management, pest management,
disease management, yield, and viability. The
Minnesota Turf Seed Council may subcontract
with a qualified third party for some or all of
the basic or applied research. Any
unencumbered balance does not cancel at the
end of the first year and is available in the
second year. The Minnesota Turf Seed Council
must prepare a report outlining the use of the
grant money and related accomplishments. No
later than January 15, 2025, the council must
submit the report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over agriculture finance and policy. This is a
onetime appropriation.

(i) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
second year are for grants to GreenSeam for
assistance to agriculture-related businesses to
support business retention and development,
business attraction and creation, talent
development and attraction, and regional
branding and promotion. These are onetime
appropriations. No later than December 1,
2024, and December 1, 2025, GreenSeam
must report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture and rural
development with information on new and
existing businesses supported, number of new
jobs created in the region, new educational
partnerships and programs supported, and
regional branding and promotional efforts.

(j) $1,950,000 the first year and $1,950,000
the second year are for grants to Second
Harvest Heartland on behalf of Minnesota's
six Feeding America food banks for the
following purposes:

(1) at least $850,000 each year must be
allocated to purchase milk for distribution to
Minnesota's food shelves and other charitable
organizations that are eligible to receive food
from the food banks. Milk purchased under
the grants must be acquired from Minnesota
milk processors and based on low-cost bids.
The milk must be allocated to each Feeding
America food bank serving Minnesota
according to the formula used in the
distribution of United States Department of
Agriculture commodities under The
Emergency Food Assistance Program. Second
Harvest Heartland may enter into contracts or
agreements with food banks for shared funding
or reimbursement of the direct purchase of
milk. Each food bank that receives funding
under this clause may use up to two percent
for administrative expenses. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any
unencumbered balance the first year does not
cancel and is available the second year;

(2) to compensate agricultural producers and
processors for costs incurred to harvest and
package for transfer surplus fruits, vegetables,
and other agricultural commodities that would
otherwise go unharvested, be discarded, or be
sold in a secondary market. Surplus
commodities must be distributed statewide to
food shelves and other charitable organizations
that are eligible to receive food from the food
banks. Surplus food acquired under this clause
must be from Minnesota producers and
processors. Second Harvest Heartland may
use up to 15 percent of each grant awarded
under this clause for administrative and
transportation expenses; and

(3) to purchase and distribute protein products,
including but not limited to pork, poultry, beef,
dry legumes, cheese, and eggs to Minnesota's
food shelves and other charitable organizations
that are eligible to receive food from the food
banks. Second Harvest Heartland may use up
to two percent of each grant awarded under
this clause for administrative expenses. Protein
products purchased under the grants must be
acquired from Minnesota processors and
producers.

Second Harvest Heartland must submit
quarterly reports to the commissioner and the
chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over
agriculture finance in the form prescribed by
the commissioner. The reports must include
but are not limited to information on the
expenditure of funds, the amount of milk or
other commodities purchased, and the
organizations to which this food was
distributed. The base for this appropriation is
$1,700,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each year
thereafter.

(k) $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the
second year are for grants to the Southern
Minnesota Initiative Foundation to promote
local foods through an annual event that raises
public awareness of local foods and connects
local food producers and processors with
potential buyers.

(l) $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the
second year are for grants to The Good Acre
for the Local Emergency Assistance Farmer
Fund (LEAFF) program to compensate
emerging farmers for crops donated to hunger
relief organizations in Minnesota. This is a
onetime appropriation.

(m) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the
second year are to expand the Emerging
Farmers Office and provide services to
beginning and emerging farmers to increase
connections between farmers and market
opportunities throughout the state. This
appropriation may be used for grants,
translation services, training programs, or
other purposes in line with the
recommendations of the Emerging Farmer
Working Group established under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.055, subdivision 1. The
base for this appropriation is $1,000,000 in
fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter.

(n) $50,000 the first year is to provide
technical assistance and leadership in the
development of a comprehensive and
well-documented state aquaculture plan. The
commissioner must provide the state
aquaculture plan to the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over agriculture finance and
policy by February 15, 2025.

(o) $337,000 the first year and $337,000 the
second year are for farm advocate services.
Of these amounts, $50,000 the first year and
$50,000 the second year are for the
continuation of the farmland transition
programs and may be used for grants to
farmland access teams to provide technical
assistance to potential beginning farmers.
Farmland access teams must assist existing
farmers and beginning farmers with
transitioning farm ownership and farm
operation. Services provided by teams may
include but are not limited to mediation
assistance, designing contracts, financial
planning, tax preparation, estate planning, and
housing assistance.

(p) $260,000 the first year and $260,000 the
second year are for a pass-through grant to
Region Five Development Commission to
provide, in collaboration with Farm Business
Management, statewide mental health
counseling support to Minnesota farm
operators, families, and employees, and
individuals who work with Minnesota farmers
in a professional capacity. Region Five
Development Commission may use up to 6.5
percent of the grant awarded under this
paragraph for administration.

(q) $1,000,000 the first year is for transfer to
the agricultural emergency account established
under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.041.

(r) $1,084,000 the first year and $500,000 the
second year are to support IT modernization
efforts, including laying the technology
foundations needed for improving customer
interactions with the department for licensing
and payments. This is a onetime appropriation.

(s) $275,000 the first year is for technical
assistance grants to certified community
development financial institutions that
participate in United States Department of
Agriculture loan or grant programs for small
or emerging farmers, including but not limited
to the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market
Access Program. For purposes of this
paragraph, "emerging farmer" has the meaning
given in Minnesota Statutes, section 17.055,
subdivision 1
. The commissioner may use up
to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for costs
incurred to administer the program.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, any unencumbered balance does not
cancel at the end of the first year and is
available in the second year. This is a onetime
appropriation.

(t) $1,425,000 the first year and $1,425,000
the second year are for transfer to the
agricultural and environmental revolving loan
account established under Minnesota Statutes,
section 17.117, subdivision 5a, for low-interest
loans under Minnesota Statutes, section
17.117.

(u) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
second year are for administrative support for
the Rural Finance Authority.

(v) The base in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 is
$150,000 each year to coordinate
climate-related activities and services within
the Department of Agriculture and
counterparts in local, state, and federal
agencies and to hire a full-time climate
implementation coordinator. The climate
implementation coordinator must coordinate
efforts seeking federal funding for Minnesota's
agricultural climate adaptation and mitigation
efforts and develop strategic partnerships with
the private sector and nongovernment
organizations.

(w) $1,200,000 the first year and $930,000 the
second year are to maintain the current level
of service delivery. The base for this
appropriation is deleted text begin $1,085,000deleted text end new text begin $1,065,000new text end in
fiscal year 2026 and deleted text begin $1,085,000deleted text end new text begin $1,065,000new text end
in fiscal year 2027new text begin and each year thereafternew text end .

(x) $250,000 the first year is for a grant to the
Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to purchase equipment for the
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to test for
chronic wasting disease, African swine fever,
avian influenza, and other animal diseases.
The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory must
report expenditures under this paragraph to
the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over agriculture finance and higher education
with a report submitted by January 3, 2024,
and a final report submitted by December 31,
2024. The reports must include a list of
equipment purchased, including the cost of
each item.

(y) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are to award and administer
down payment assistance grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 17.133, with
priority given to deleted text begin emerging farmers as defined
in Minnesota Statutes, section 17.055,
subdivision 1
deleted text end new text begin eligible applicants with no more
than $100,000 in annual gross farm product
sales and eligible applicants who are producers
of industrial hemp, cannabis, or one or more
of the following specialty crops as defined by
the United States Department of Agriculture
for purposes of the specialty crop block grant
program: fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried
fruits, medicinal plants, culinary herbs and
spices, horticulture crops, floriculture crops,
and nursery crops
new text end . Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.28, any unencumbered
balance at the end of the first year does not
cancel and is available in the second year and
appropriations encumbered under contract by
June 30, 2025, are available until June 30,
2027.

(z) $222,000 the first year and $322,000 the
second year are for meat processing training
and retention incentive grants under section
5. The commissioner may use up to 6.5
percent of this appropriation for costs incurred
to administer the program. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any
unencumbered balance does not cancel at the
end of the first year and is available in the
second year. This is a onetime appropriation.

(aa) $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the
second year are for transfer to the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota to
evaluate, propagate, and maintain the genetic
diversity of oilseeds, grains, grasses, legumes,
and other plants including flax, timothy,
barley, rye, triticale, alfalfa, orchard grass,
clover, and other species and varieties that
were in commercial distribution and use in
Minnesota before 1970, excluding wild rice.
This effort must also protect traditional seeds
brought to Minnesota by immigrant
communities. This appropriation includes
funding for associated extension and outreach
to small and Black, Indigenous, and People of
Color (BIPOC) farmers. This is a onetime
appropriation.

new text begin (bb) $300,000 the second year is to award and
administer beginning farmer equipment and
infrastructure grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 17.055. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (cc) $25,000 the first year is for the credit
market report. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.28, any unencumbered
balance does not cancel at the end of the first
year and is available in the second year. This
is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

deleted text begin (bb)deleted text end new text begin (dd)new text end The commissioner shall continue to
increase connections with ethnic minority and
immigrant farmers to farming opportunities
and farming programs throughout the state.

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.

Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 4, is amended to read:


Sec. 4. AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION
RESEARCH INSTITUTE

$
deleted text begin 6,143,000
deleted text end new text begin 6,368,000
new text end
$
4,343,000

(a) $300,000 the first year is for equipment
upgrades, equipment replacement, installation
expenses, and laboratory infrastructure at the
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute's
laboratories in the cities of Crookston,
Marshall, and Waseca.

(b) $1,500,000 the first year is to replace
analytical and processing equipment and make
corresponding facility upgrades at Agricultural
Utilization Research Institute facilities in the
cities of Marshall, Crookston, and Waseca. Of
this amount, up to $500,000 may be used for
renewable natural gas and anaerobic digestion
projects. This is a onetime appropriation and
is available until June 30, 2026.

(c) $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the
second year are to maintain the current level
of service delivery.

new text begin (d) $225,000 the first year is to support food
businesses. This is a onetime appropriation
and is available until June 30, 2026.
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

ARTICLE 2

AGRICULTURE POLICY

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.7371, 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) "Approved agent" means a person authorized by the Department of Agriculture to
determine if crop or fence damage was caused by elk and to assign a monetary value to the
crop or fence damage.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's
authorized representative.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Estimated value" means the current value of crops or fencing as determined by an
approved agent.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Owner" means an individual, firm, corporation, copartnership, or association with
an interest in crops or fencing damaged by elk.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.7371, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Claim formnew text begin and reportingnew text end .

new text begin (a) new text end The owner must prepare a claim on forms
provided by the commissioner and available on the Department of deleted text begin Agriculture'sdeleted text end new text begin Agriculturenew text end
website or by request from the commissioner. deleted text begin The claim form must be filed with the
commissioner.
deleted text end

new text begin (b) After discovering crop or fence damage suspected to be caused by elk, an owner
must promptly notify an approved agent of the damage. To submit a claim for crop or fence
damage caused by elk, an owner must complete the required portions of the claim form
provided by the commissioner. An owner who has submitted a claim must provide an
approved agent with all information required to investigate the crop or fence damage.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.7371, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:


new text begin Subd. 2a.new text end

new text begin Investigation and crop valuation.new text end

new text begin (a) Upon receiving notification of crop or
fence damage suspected to be caused by elk, an approved agent must promptly investigate
the damage in a timely manner. An approved agent must make written findings on the claim
form regarding whether the crop or fence was destroyed or damaged by elk. The approved
agent's findings must be based on physical and circumstantial evidence, including:
new text end

new text begin (1) the condition of the crop or fence;
new text end

new text begin (2) the presence of elk tracks;
new text end

new text begin (3) the geographic area of the state where the crop or fence damage occurred;
new text end

new text begin (4) any sightings of elk in the area; and
new text end

new text begin (5) any other circumstances that the approved agent considers to be relevant.
new text end

new text begin (b) The absence of affirmative evidence may be grounds for denial of a claim.
new text end

new text begin (c) On a claim form, an approved agent must make written findings of the extent of crop
or fence damage and, if applicable, the amount of crop destroyed.
new text end

new text begin (d) For damage to standing crops, an owner may choose to have the approved agent use
the method in clause (1) or (2) to complete the claim form and determine the amount of
crop loss:
new text end

new text begin (1) to submit a claim form to the commissioner at the time that the suspected elk damage
is discovered, the approved agent must record on the claim form: (i) the field's potential
yield per acre; (ii) the field's average yield per acre that is expected on the damaged acres;
(iii) the estimated value of the crop; and (iv) the total amount of loss. Upon completing the
claim form, the approved agent must submit the form to the commissioner; or
new text end

new text begin (2) to submit a claim form to the commissioner at the time that the crop is harvested,
the approved agent must record on the claim form at the time of the investigation: (i) the
percent of crop loss from damage; (ii) the actual yield of the damaged field when the crop
is harvested; (iii) the estimated value of the crop; and (iv) the total amount of loss. Upon
completing the claim form, the approved agent must submit the form to the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (e) For damage to stored crops, an approved agent must record on the claim form: (1)
the type and volume of destroyed stored crops; (2) the estimated value of the crop; and (3)
the total amount of loss.
new text end

new text begin (f) For damage to fencing, an approved agent must record on the claim form: (1) the
type of materials damaged; (2) the linear feet of the damage; (3) the value of the materials
per unit according to National Resource Conservation Service specifications; and (4) the
calculated total damage to the fence.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.7371, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:


new text begin Subd. 2b.new text end

new text begin Claim form.new text end

new text begin A completed claim form must be signed by the owner and an
approved agent. An approved agent must submit the claim form to the commissioner for
the commissioner's review and payment. The commissioner must return an incomplete claim
form to the approved agent. When returning an incomplete claim form to an approved agent,
the commissioner must indicate which information is missing from the claim form.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.7371, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Compensation.

(a) deleted text begin The cropdeleted text end new text begin Annew text end owner is entitled to the deleted text begin target price or the
market price, whichever is greater,
deleted text end new text begin estimated valuenew text end of the damaged or destroyed crop deleted text begin plus
adjustments for yield loss determined according to agricultural stabilization and conservation
service programs for individual farms, adjusted annually, as determined by the commissioner,
upon recommendation of the commissioner's approved agent for the owner's county
deleted text end new text begin or
fence
new text end . Verification of new text begin crop or new text end fence damage deleted text begin or destructiondeleted text end by elk may be provided by
submitting photographs or other evidence and documentation deleted text begin together with a statement
from an independent witness
deleted text end using forms prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner,
upon recommendation of the commissioner's approved agent, shall determine whether the
crop damage or destruction or damage to or destruction of a fence surrounding a crop or
pasture is caused by elk and, if so, the amount of the crop or fence that is damaged or
destroyed. In any fiscal year, an owner may not be compensated for a damaged or destroyed
crop or fence surrounding a crop or pasture that is less than $100 in value and may be
compensated up to $20,000, as determined under this sectiondeleted text begin , if normal harvest procedures
for the area are followed
deleted text end .new text begin An owner may not be compensated more than $1,800 per fiscal
year for damage to fencing surrounding a crop or pasture.
new text end

(b) In any fiscal year, the commissioner may provide compensation for claims filed
under this section up to the amount expressly appropriated for this purpose.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 17.055, subdivision 3, is amended
to read:


Subd. 3.

Beginning farmer equipment and infrastructure grants.

(a) The commissioner
may award and administer equipment and infrastructure grants to beginning farmers. The
commissioner shall give preference to applicants who are deleted text begin emerging farmersdeleted text end new text begin experiencing
limited land access or limited market access
new text end as new text begin those terms are new text end defined in new text begin section 17.133,
new text end subdivision 1. Grant money may be used for equipment and infrastructure development.

(b) The commissioner shall develop competitive eligibility criteria and may allocate
grants on a needs basis.

(c) Grant projects may continue for up to two years.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 17.116, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Eligibility.

(a) Grants may deleted text begin onlydeleted text end be made to farmersdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin and organizations such as
farms, agricultural cooperatives,
new text end educational institutions, individuals at educational
institutions, deleted text begin ordeleted text end nonprofit organizationsnew text begin , Tribal governments, or local units of governmentnew text end
residing or located in the state for research or demonstrations on farms in the state.

(b) Grants may only be made for projects that show:

(1) the ability to maximize direct or indirect energy savings or production;

(2) a positive effect or reduced adverse effect on the environment; or

(3) increased profitability for the individual farm by reducing costs or improving
marketing opportunities.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 17.133, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.

(b) "Eligible farmer" means an individual who at the time that the grant is awarded:

(1) is a resident of Minnesota who intends to acquire farmland located within the state
and provide the majority of the day-to-day physical labor and management of the farm;

(2) grosses no more than $250,000 per year from the sale of farm products; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(3) has not, and whose spouse has not, at any time had a direct or indirect ownership
interest in farmlandnew text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (4) is not, and whose spouse is not, related by blood or marriage to an owner of the
farmland that the individual intends to acquire
new text end .

(c) "Farm down payment" means an initial, partial payment required by a lender or seller
to purchase farmland.

new text begin (d) "Incubator farm" means a farm where:
new text end

new text begin (1) individuals are given temporary, exclusive, and affordable access to small parcels
of land, infrastructure, and often training, for the purpose of honing skills and launching a
farm business; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a majority of the individuals farming the small parcels of land grow industrial hemp,
cannabis, or one or more of the following specialty crops as defined by the United States
Department of Agriculture for purposes of the specialty crop block grant program: fruits
and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, medicinal plants, culinary herbs and spices, horticulture
crops, floriculture crops, and nursery crops.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Limited land access" means farming without ownership of land and:
new text end

new text begin (1) the individual or the individual's child rents or leases the land, with the term of each
rental or lease agreement not exceeding three years in duration, from a person who is not
related to the individual or the individual's spouse by blood or marriage; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the individual rents the land from an incubator farm.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Limited market access" means the individual has gross sales of no more than
$100,000 per year from the sale of farm products.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 17.133, subdivision 3, is amended
to read:


Subd. 3.

Report to legislature.

No later than December 1, 2023, and annually thereafter,
the commissioner must provide a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees having jurisdiction over agriculture and rural development, in
compliance with sections 3.195 and 3.197, on the farm down payment assistance grants
under this section. The report must include:

(1) background information on beginning farmers in Minnesota and any other information
that the commissioner and authority find relevant to evaluating the effect of the grants on
increasing opportunities for and the number of beginning farmers;

(2) the number and amount of grants;

(3) the geographic distribution of grants by county;

(4) the number of grant recipients who are emerging farmers;

new text begin (5) the number of grant recipients who were experiencing limited land access or limited
market access when the grant was awarded;
new text end

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end disaggregated data regarding the gender, race, and ethnicity of grant recipients;

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7)new text end the number of farmers who cease to own land and are subject to payment of a
penalty, along with the reasons for the land ownership cessation; and

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (8)new text end the number and amount of grant applications that exceeded the allocation available
in each year.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 17.134, subdivision 3, is amended
to read:


Subd. 3.

Grant eligibility.

Any owner or lessee of farmland may apply for a grant under
this section. The commissioner must give preference to owners and lessees that have not
previously implemented an eligible projectnew text begin and owners and lessees that are certified or
assessed and pursuing certification under sections 17.9891 to 17.993
new text end . Local government
units, including cities; towns; counties; soil and water conservation districts; Minnesota
Tribal governments as defined in section 10.65; and joint powers boards, are also eligible
for a grant. A local government unit that receives a grant for equipment or technology must
make those purchases available for use by the public.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 17.134, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:


new text begin Subd. 3a.new text end

new text begin Equipment sales limitation.new text end

new text begin In addition to the applicable grants management
requirements imposed under sections 16B.97 to 16B.991, an owner or lessee that receives
a grant under this section to purchase equipment must certify to the commissioner that the
owner or lessee will not sell the equipment for at least ten years.
new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 17.710, is amended to read:


17.710 AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTS.

(a) A production new text begin or marketing new text end contract entered into, renewed, or amended on or after
July 1, deleted text begin 1999deleted text end new text begin 2024new text end , between an agricultural producer and a processornew text begin , marketer, or other
purchaser
new text end of agricultural productsnew text begin , including a cooperative organized under chapter 308A
or 308B
new text end must not contain provisions that prohibit the producer from disclosing terms,
conditions, and prices contained in the contract. Any provision prohibiting disclosure by
the producer is void.

(b) A contract entered into, renewed, or amended on or after July 1, 2023, between an
agricultural producer and an entity buying, selling, certifying, or otherwise participating in
a market for stored carbon must not contain provisions that prohibit the producer from
disclosing terms, conditions, and prices contained in the contract. Any provision prohibiting
disclosure by the producer is void.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2024.
new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:


new text begin Subd. 1d.new text end

new text begin Application or use of a pesticide.new text end

new text begin "Application or use of a pesticide" includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) the dispersal of a pesticide on, in, at, or directed toward a target site;
new text end

new text begin (2) preapplication activities that involve the mixing and loading of a restricted use
pesticide; and
new text end

new text begin (3) other restricted use pesticide-related activities, including but not limited to transporting
or storing pesticide containers that have been opened; cleaning equipment; and disposing
of excess pesticides, spray mix, equipment wash waters, pesticide containers, and other
materials that contain pesticide.
new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.26, subdivision 6, is amended to read:


Subd. 6.

Discontinuancenew text begin or cancellationnew text end of registration.

new text begin (a) new text end To ensure new text begin the new text end complete
withdrawal from distribution or further use of a pesticide, a person who intends to discontinue
a pesticide registration must:

(1) terminate a further distribution within the state and continue to register the pesticide
annually for two successive years;new text begin and
new text end

(2) initiate and complete a total recall of the pesticide from all distribution in the state
within 60 days from the date of notification to the commissioner of intent to discontinue
registrationdeleted text begin ; ordeleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (3) submit to the commissioner evidence adequate to document that no distribution of
the registered pesticide has occurred in the state.
deleted text end

new text begin (b) Upon the request of a registrant, the commissioner may immediately cancel
registration of a pesticide product. The commissioner may immediately cancel registration
of a pesticide product at the commissioner's discretion. When requesting that the
commissioner immediately cancel registration of a pesticide product, a registrant must
provide the commissioner with:
new text end

new text begin (1) a statement that the pesticide product is no longer in distribution; and
new text end

new text begin (2) documentation of pesticide gross sales from the previous year supporting the statement
under clause (1).
new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.28, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:


new text begin Subd. 5.new text end

new text begin Advisory panel.new text end

new text begin Before approving the issuance of an experimental use pesticide
product registration under this section, the commissioner must convene and consider the
advice of a panel of outside scientific and health experts. The panel must include but is not
limited to representatives of the Department of Health, the Department of Natural Resources,
the Pollution Control Agency, and the University of Minnesota.
new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.305, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Training manual and examination development.

The commissioner, in
consultation with University of Minnesota Extension and other higher education institutions,
shall continually revise and update pesticide applicator training manuals and examinations.
The manuals and examinations must be written to meet or exceed the minimum new text begin competency
new text end standards required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and pertinent
state specific information. new text begin Pesticide applicator training manuals and examinations must
meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171.
Competency standards for training manuals and examinations must be published on the
Department of Agriculture website.
new text end Questions in the examinations must be determined by
the commissioner in consultation with other responsible agencies. Manuals and examinations
must include pesticide management practices that discuss prevention of pesticide occurrence
in groundwater and surface water of the state, and economic thresholds and guidance for
insecticide use.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Requirement.

(a) A person may not engage in structural pest control
applications:

(1) for hire without a structural pest control license; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(2) as a sole proprietorship, company, partnership, or corporation unless the person is
or employs a licensed master in structural pest control operationsdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (3) unless the person is 18 years of age or older.
new text end

(b) A structural pest control licensee must have a valid license identification card to
purchase a restricted use pesticide or apply pesticides for hire and must display it upon
demand by an authorized representative of the commissioner or a law enforcement officer.
The license identification card must contain information required by the commissioner.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.32, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Application.

(a) A person must apply to the commissioner for a structural pest
control license on forms and in the manner required by the commissioner. The commissioner
shall require the applicant to pass a written, closed-book, monitored examination or oral
examination, or bothdeleted text begin , and may also require a practical demonstration regarding structural
pest control
deleted text end . The commissioner shall establish the examination procedure, including the
phases and contents of the examination.

(b) The commissioner may license a person as a master under a structural pest control
license if the person has the necessary qualifications through knowledge and experience to
properly plan, determine, and supervise the selection and application of pesticides in structural
pest control. To demonstrate the qualifications and become licensed as a master under a
structural pest control license, a person must:

(1) pass a closed-book test administered by the commissioner;

(2) have direct experience as a licensed journeyman under a structural pest control license
for at least two years by this state or a state with equivalent certification requirements or as
a full-time licensed master in another state with equivalent certification requirements; and

(3) show practical knowledge and field experience under clause (2) in the actual selection
and application of pesticides under varying conditions.

(c) The commissioner may license a person as a journeyman under a structural pest
control license if the person:

(1) has the necessary qualifications in the practical selection and application of pesticides;

(2) has passed a closed-book examination given by the commissioner; and

(3) is engaged as an employee of or is working under the direction of a person licensed
as a master under a structural pest control license.

(d) The commissioner may license a person as a fumigator under a structural pest control
license if the person:

(1) has knowledge of the practical selection and application of fumigants;

(2) has passed a closed-book examination given by the commissioner; and

(3) is licensed by the commissioner as a master or journeyman under a structural pest
control license.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Renewal.

(a) new text begin An applicator may apply to renew new text end a structural pest control
applicator license deleted text begin may be reneweddeleted text end on or before the expiration of an existing license subject
to reexamination, attendance at deleted text begin workshopsdeleted text end new text begin a recertification workshopnew text end approved by the
commissioner, or other requirements imposed by the commissioner to provide the applicator
with information regarding changing technology and to help assure a continuing level of
competency and ability to use pesticides safely and properly. new text begin A recertification workshop
must meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40,
part 171. Competency standards for a recertification workshop must be published on the
Department of Agriculture website. If the commissioner requires an applicator to attend a
recertification workshop and the applicator fails to attend the workshop, the commissioner
may require the applicator to pass a reexamination.
new text end The commissioner may require an
additional demonstration of applicator qualification if the applicator has had a license
suspended or revoked or has otherwise had a history of violations of this chapter.

(b) If deleted text begin a persondeleted text end new text begin an applicatornew text end fails to renew a structural pest control license within three
months of its expiration, the deleted text begin persondeleted text end new text begin applicatornew text end must obtain a structural pest control license
subject to the requirements, procedures, and fees required for an initial license.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.32, subdivision 5, is amended to read:


Subd. 5.

Financial responsibility.

(a) deleted text begin A structural pest control license may not be issued
unless the applicant furnishes proof of financial responsibility.
deleted text end Thenew text begin commissioner may
suspend or revoke a structural pest control license if an applicator fails to provide proof of
financial responsibility upon the commissioner's request.
new text end Financial responsibility may be
demonstrated by:

(1) proof of net assets equal to or greater than $50,000; or

(2) a performance bond or insurance of a kind and in an amount determined by the
commissioner.

(b) The bond or insurance must cover a period of time at least equal to the term of the
deleted text begin applicant'sdeleted text end new text begin applicator'snew text end license. The commissioner must immediately suspend the license
of deleted text begin a persondeleted text end new text begin an applicatornew text end who fails to maintain the required bond or insurance. The
performance bond or insurance policy must contain a provision requiring the insurance or
bonding company to notify the commissioner by ten days before the effective date of
cancellation, termination, or any other change of the bond or insurance. If there is recovery
against the bond or insurance, additional coverage must be securednew text begin by the applicatornew text end to
maintain financial responsibility equal to the original amount required.

(c) An employee of a licensed person is not required to maintain an insurance policy or
bond during the time the employer is maintaining the required insurance or bond.

(d) Applications for reinstatement of a license suspended under the provisions of this
section must be accompanied by proof of satisfaction of judgments previously rendered.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Requirement.

(a) A person may not apply a pesticide for hire without a
commercial applicator license for the appropriate use categories or a structural pest control
license.

(b) A commercial applicator licensee must have a valid license identification card to
purchase a restricted use pesticide or apply pesticides for hire and must display it upon
demand by an authorized representative of the commissioner or a law enforcement officer.
The commissioner shall prescribe the information required on the license identification
card.

(c) A person licensed under this section is considered qualified and is not required to
verify, document, or otherwise prove a particular need prior to use, except as required by
the federal label.

(d) A person who uses a general-use sanitizer or disinfectant for hire in response to
COVID-19 is exempt from the commercial applicator license requirements under this section.

new text begin (e) A person licensed under this section must be 18 years of age or older.
new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.33, subdivision 5, is amended to read:


Subd. 5.

Renewal application.

(a) deleted text begin A persondeleted text end new text begin An applicatornew text end must apply to the
commissioner to renew a commercial applicator license. The commissioner may renew a
commercial applicator license accompanied by the application fee, subject to reexamination,
attendance at deleted text begin workshopsdeleted text end new text begin a recertification workshopnew text end approved by the commissioner, or other
requirements imposed by the commissioner to provide the applicator with information
regarding changing technology and to help assure a continuing level of competence and
ability to use pesticides safely and properly. deleted text begin The applicantdeleted text end new text begin A recertification workshop must
meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171.
Competency standards for a recertification workshop must be published on the Department
of Agriculture website. Upon the receipt of an applicator's renewal application, the
commissioner may require the applicator to attend a recertification workshop. Depending
on the application category, the commissioner may require an applicator to complete a
recertification workshop once per year, once every two years, or once every three years. If
the commissioner requires an applicator to attend a recertification workshop and the
applicator fails to attend the workshop, the commissioner may require the applicator to pass
a reexamination. An applicator
new text end may renew a commercial applicator license within 12 months
after expiration of the license without having to meet initial testing requirements. The
commissioner may require new text begin an new text end additional demonstration of applicator qualification if deleted text begin a persondeleted text end new text begin
the applicator
new text end has had a license suspended or revoked or has had a history of violations of
this chapter.

(b) An deleted text begin applicantdeleted text end new text begin applicator new text end that meets renewal requirements by reexamination instead
of attending deleted text begin workshopsdeleted text end new text begin a recertification workshopnew text end must pay the equivalent workshop fee
for the reexamination as determined by the commissioner.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.33, subdivision 6, is amended to read:


Subd. 6.

Financial responsibility.

(a) deleted text begin A commercial applicator license may not be issued
unless the applicant furnishes proof of financial responsibility.
deleted text end The new text begin commissioner may
suspend or revoke an applicator's commercial applicator license if the applicator fails to
provide proof of financial responsibility upon the commissioner's request.
new text end Financial
responsibility may be demonstrated by: (1) proof of net assets equal to or greater than
$50,000; or (2) by a performance bond or insurance of the kind and in an amount determined
by the commissioner.

(b) The bond or insurance must cover a period of time at least equal to the term of the
deleted text begin applicant'sdeleted text end new text begin applicator'snew text end license. The commissioner must immediately suspend the license
of deleted text begin a persondeleted text end new text begin an applicatornew text end who fails to maintain the required bond or insurance. The
performance bond or insurance policy must contain a provision requiring the insurance or
bonding company to notify the commissioner by ten days before the effective date of
cancellation, termination, or any other change of the bond or insurance. If there is recovery
against the bond or insurance, additional coverage must be securednew text begin by the applicatornew text end to
maintain financial responsibility equal to the original amount required.

(c) An employee of a licensed deleted text begin persondeleted text end new text begin applicatornew text end is not required to maintain an insurance
policy or bond during the time the employer is maintaining the required insurance or bond.

(d) Applications for reinstatement of a license suspended under the provisions of this
section must be accompanied by proof of satisfaction of judgments previously rendered.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.34, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Requirement.

(a) Except for a licensed commercial applicator, certified
private applicator, or licensed structural pest control applicator, a person, including a
government employee, may not purchase or use a restricted use pesticide in performance
of official duties without having a noncommercial applicator license for an appropriate use
category.

(b) A licensee must have a valid license identification card when applying pesticides
and must display it upon demand by an authorized representative of the commissioner or a
law enforcement officer. The license identification card must contain information required
by the commissioner.

(c) A person licensed under this section is considered qualified and is not required to
verify, document, or otherwise prove a particular need prior to use, except as required by
the federal label.

new text begin (d) A person licensed under this section must be 18 years of age or older.
new text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.34, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Renewal.

(a) deleted text begin A persondeleted text end new text begin An applicatornew text end must apply to the commissioner to renew
a noncommercial applicator license. The commissioner may renew a license subject to
reexamination, attendance at deleted text begin workshopsdeleted text end new text begin a recertification workshopnew text end approved by the
commissioner, or other requirements imposed by the commissioner to provide the applicator
with information regarding changing technology and to help assure a continuing level of
competence and ability to use pesticides safely and properly. new text begin A recertification workshop
must meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40,
part 171. Competency standards for a recertification website must be published on the
Department of Agriculture website. Upon the receipt of an applicator's renewal application,
the commissioner may require the applicator to attend a recertification workshop. Depending
on the application category, the commissioner may require an applicator to complete a
recertification workshop once per year, once every two years, or once every three years. If
the commissioner requires an applicator to attend a recertification workshop and the
applicator fails to attend the workshop, the commissioner may require the applicator to pass
a reexamination.
new text end The commissioner may require an additional demonstration of applicator
qualification if the applicator has had a license suspended or revoked or has otherwise had
a history of violations of this chapter.

(b) An deleted text begin applicantdeleted text end new text begin applicatornew text end that meets renewal requirements by reexamination instead
of attending deleted text begin workshopsdeleted text end new text begin a recertification workshopnew text end must pay the equivalent workshop fee
for the reexamination as determined by the commissioner.

(c) An deleted text begin applicantdeleted text end new text begin applicatornew text end has 12 months to renew the license after expiration without
having to meet initial testing requirements.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

(a) The commissioner may establish categories of
structural pest control, commercial applicator, deleted text begin anddeleted text end noncommercial applicator licenses deleted text begin for
administering and enforcing this chapter.
deleted text end new text begin , and private applicator certification consistent
with federal requirements in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, sections 171.101 and
171.105, including but not limited to the federal categories that are applicable to the state.
Application categories must meet or exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal
Regulations, title 40, part 171. Competency standards for application categories must be
published on the Department of Agriculture website.
new text end The categories may include pest control
operators and ornamental, agricultural, aquatic, forest, and right-of-way pesticide applicators.
Separate subclassifications of categories may be specified as to ground, aerial, or manual
methods to apply pesticides or to the use of pesticides to control insects, plant diseases,
rodents, or weeds.

(b) Each category is subject to separate testing procedures and requirements.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Requirement.

(a) Except for a licensed commercial or noncommercial
applicator, only a certified private applicator may use a restricted use pesticide to produce
an agricultural commodity:

(1) as a traditional exchange of services without financial compensation;

(2) on a site owned, rented, or managed by the person or the person's employees; or

(3) when the private applicator is one of two or fewer employees and the owner or
operator is a certified private applicator or is licensed as a noncommercial applicator.

(b) A person may not purchase a restricted use pesticide without presenting a license
card, certified private applicator card, or the card number.

(c) A person certified under this section is considered qualified and is not required to
verify, document, or otherwise prove a particular need prior to use, except as required by
the federal label.

new text begin (d) A person certified under this section must be 18 years of age or older.
new text end

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.36, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Certification.

(a) The commissioner shall prescribe certification requirements
and provide training that meets or exceeds United States Environmental Protection Agency
standards to certify private applicators and provide information relating to changing
technology to help ensure a continuing level of competency and ability to use pesticides
properly and safely. new text begin Private applicator certification requirements and training must meet or
exceed the competency standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171.
Competency standards for private applicator certification and training must be published
on the Department of Agriculture website.
new text end The training may be done through cooperation
with other government agencies and must be a minimum of three hours in duration.

(b) A person must apply to the commissioner for certification as a private applicator.
After completing the certification requirements, which must include deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin a proctorednew text end
examination as determined by the commissioner, an applicant must be certified as a private
applicator to use restricted use pesticides. The certification shall expire March 1 of the third
calendar year after the initial year of certification.

(c) The commissioner shall issue a private applicator card to a private applicator.

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.37, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Commercial and noncommercial applicators.

(a) A commercial or
noncommercial applicatordeleted text begin ,deleted text end or the applicator's authorized agentdeleted text begin ,deleted text end must maintain a record of
pesticides used on each site. Noncommercial applicators must keep records of restricted
use pesticides. The record must include the:

(1) date of the pesticide use;

(2) time the pesticide application was completed;

(3) brand name of the pesticide, the United States Environmental Protection Agency
registration number, and rate used;

(4) number of units treated;

(5) temperature, wind speed, and wind direction;

(6) location of the site where the pesticide was applied;

(7) name and address of the customer;

(8) name of applicator, name of company, license number of applicator, and address of
applicator company; and

(9) any other information required by the commissioner.

(b) Portions of records not relevant to a specific type of application may be omitted upon
approval from the commissioner.

(c) All information for this record requirement must be contained in a document for each
pesticide application, except a map may be attached to identify treated areas. An invoice
containing the required information may constitute the required record. The commissioner
shall make sample forms available to meet the requirements of this paragraph.

(d) The record must be completed no later than five days after the application of the
pesticide.

(e) A commercial applicator must give a copy of the record to the customer.

(f) Records must be retained by the applicator, company, or authorized agent for five
years after the date of treatment.

new text begin (g) A record of a commercial or noncommercial applicator must meet or exceed the
requirements in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171.
new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18B.37, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Structural pest control applicators.

(a) A structural pest control applicator
must maintain a record of each structural pest control application conducted by that person
or by the person's employees. The record must include the:

(1) date of structural pest control application;

(2) target pest;

(3) brand name of the pesticide, United States Environmental Protection Agency
registration number, and amount used;

(4) for fumigation, the temperature and exposure time;

(5) time the pesticide application was completed;

(6) name and address of the customer;

(7) name of structural pest control applicator, name of company and address of applicator
or company, and license number of applicator; and

(8) any other information required by the commissioner.

(b) All information for this record requirement must be contained in a document for
each pesticide application. An invoice containing the required information may constitute
the record.

(c) The record must be completed no later than five days after the application of the
pesticide.

(d) Records must be retained for five years after the date of treatment.

(e) A copy of the record must be given to a person who ordered the application that is
present at the site where the structural pest control application is conducted, placed in a
conspicuous location at the site where the structural pest control application is conducted
immediately after the application of the pesticides, or delivered to the person who ordered
an application or the owner of the site. The commissioner must make sample forms available
that meet the requirements of this subdivision.

(f) A structural applicator must post in a conspicuous place inside a renter's apartment
where a pesticide application has occurred a list of postapplication precautions contained
on the label of the pesticide that was applied in the apartment and any other information
required by the commissioner.

new text begin (g) A record of a structural applicator must meet or exceed the requirements in Code of
Federal Regulations, title 40, part 171.
new text end

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.005, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 1c.new text end

new text begin Beneficial substance.new text end

new text begin "Beneficial substance" means any substance or
compound other than a primary, secondary, and micro plant nutrient, and excluding
pesticides, that can be demonstrated by scientific research to be beneficial to one or more
species of plants, soil, or media.
new text end

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.005, subdivision 33, is amended to read:


Subd. 33.

Soil amendment.

"Soil amendment" means a substance intended to improve
the structural, physical,new text begin chemical, biochemical,new text end or biological characteristics of the soil or
modify organic matter at or near the soil surface, except fertilizers, agricultural liming
materials, pesticides, and other materials exempted by the commissioner's rules.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.115, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Adoption of national standards.

Applicable national standards contained in
the deleted text begin 1996 official publication, number 49,deleted text end new text begin most recently published version of the official
publication
new text end of the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials including the rules
and regulations, statements of uniform interpretation and policy, and the official fertilizer
terms and definitions, and not otherwise adopted by the commissioner, may be adopted as
fertilizer rules of this state.

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.215, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Packaged fertilizers.

(a) A person may not sell or distribute specialty
fertilizer in bags or other containers in this state unless a label is placed on or affixed to the
bag or container stating in a clear, legible, and conspicuous form the following information:

(1) the net weightnew text begin and volume, if applicablenew text end ;

(2) the brand and grade, except the grade is not required if primary nutrients are not
claimed;

(3) the guaranteed analysis;

(4) the name and address of the guarantor;

(5) directions for use, except directions for use are not required for custom blend specialty
fertilizers; and

(6) a derivatives statement.

(b) A person may not sell or distribute fertilizer for agricultural purposes in bags or other
containers in this state unless a label is placed on or affixed to the bag or container stating
in a clear, legible, and conspicuous form the information listed in paragraph (a), clauses (1)
to (4), except:

(1) the grade is not required if primary nutrients are not claimed; and

(2) the grade on the label is optional if the fertilizer is used only for agricultural purposes
and the guaranteed analysis statement is shown in the complete form as in section 18C.211.

(c) The labeled information must appear:

(1) on the front or back side of the container;

(2) on the upper one-third of the side of the container;

(3) on the upper end of the container; or

(4) printed on a tag affixed to the upper end of the container.

(d) If a person sells a custom blend specialty fertilizer in bags or other containers, the
information required in paragraph (a) must either be affixed to the bag or container as
required in paragraph (c) or be furnished to the customer on an invoice or delivery ticket
in written or printed form.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.221, is amended to read:


18C.221 FERTILIZER PLANT FOOD CONTENT.

(a) Products that are deficient in plant food content are subject to this subdivision.

(b) An analysis must show that a fertilizer is deficient:

(1) in one or more of its guaranteed primary plant nutrients beyond the investigational
allowances and compensations as established by regulation; or

(2) if the overall index value of the fertilizer is shown below the level established by
rule.

(c) A deficiency in an official sample of mixed fertilizer resulting from nonuniformity
is not distinguishable from a deficiency due to actual plant nutrient shortage and is properly
subject to official action.

(d) For the purpose of determining the commercial index value to be applied, the
commissioner shall determine at least annually the values per unit of nitrogen, available
deleted text begin phosphoric aciddeleted text end new text begin phosphatenew text end , and soluble potash in fertilizers in this state.

(e) If a fertilizer in the possession of the consumer is found by the commissioner to be
short in weight, the registrant or licensee of the fertilizer must submit a penalty payment of
two times the value of the actual shortage to the consumer within 30 days after official
notice from the commissioner.

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 18C.425, subdivision 6, is amended
to read:


Subd. 6.

Payment of inspection fee.

(a) The person who registers and distributes in the
state a specialty fertilizer, soil amendment, or plant amendment under section 18C.411 shall
pay the inspection fee to the commissioner.

(b) The person licensed under section 18C.415 who distributes a fertilizer to a person
not required to be so licensed shall pay the inspection fee to the commissioner, except as
exempted under section 18C.421, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

(c) The person responsible for payment of the inspection fees for fertilizers, soil
amendments, or plant amendments sold and used in this state must pay the inspection fee
set under paragraph (e), and until June 30, deleted text begin 2024deleted text end new text begin 2029new text end , an additional 40 cents per ton, of
fertilizer, soil amendment, and plant amendment sold or distributed in this state, with a
minimum of $10 on all tonnage reports. Notwithstanding section 18C.131, the commissioner
must deposit all revenue from the additional 40 cents per ton fee in the agricultural fertilizer
research and education account in section 18C.80. Products sold or distributed to
manufacturers or exchanged between them are exempt from the inspection fee imposed by
this subdivision if the products are used exclusively for manufacturing purposes.

(d) A registrant or licensee must retain invoices showing proof of fertilizer, plant
amendment, or soil amendment distribution amounts and inspection fees paid for a period
of three years.

(e) By commissioner's order, the commissioner must set the inspection fee at no less
than 39 cents per ton and no more than 70 cents per ton. The commissioner must hold a
public meeting before increasing the fee by more than five cents per ton.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end

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

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.70, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Establishment; membership.

(a) The Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer
Research and Education Council is established. The council is composed of deleted text begin 12deleted text end new text begin 15new text end voting
members as follows:

(1) deleted text begin two membersdeleted text end new text begin one membernew text end of the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers;

(2) one member of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association;

(3) one member of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association;

(4) one member of the sugar beet growers industry;

(5) one member of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers;

(6) one member of the potato growers industry;

(7) one member of the Minnesota Farm Bureau;

(8) one member of the Minnesota Farmers Union;

(9) one member from the Minnesota Irrigators Association;

(10) one member of the Minnesota Grain and Feed Association; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(11) one member of the Minnesota Independent Crop Consultant Association or the
Minnesota certified crop advisor programnew text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (12) one member representing the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture;
new text end

new text begin (13) one member of the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition;
new text end

new text begin (14) one member who is an expert in public health; and
new text end

new text begin (15) one member who is an expert in water quality and has performed scientific research
on water issues
new text end .

(b) Council members shall serve three-year terms. After the initial council is appointed,
subsequent appointments must be staggered so that one-third of council membership is
replaced each year. Council members must be deleted text begin nominated by their organizations anddeleted text end appointed
by the commissionernew text begin and, except for the members specified under paragraph (a), clauses
(14) and (15), nominated by their organizations
new text end . The council may add ex officio members
at its discretion. The council must meet at least once per year, with all related expenses
reimbursed by members' sponsoring organizations or by the members themselves.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.70, subdivision 5, is amended to read:


Subd. 5.

Expiration.

This section expires June 30, deleted text begin 2025deleted text end new text begin 2030new text end .

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.71, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Eligible projects.

Eligible project activities include research, education,
and technology transfer related to the production and application of fertilizer, soil
amendments, and other plant amendmentsnew text begin , regenerative agriculture, and the protection of
clean water
new text end . Chosen projects must contain a component of outreach that achieves a timely
dissemination of findings and their applicability to the production agricultural community
or metropolitan fertilizer users.

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.71, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:


new text begin Subd. 1a.new text end

new text begin Priorities and guidance.new text end

new text begin The council must develop or update research priorities
and request guidance related to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the availability of nitrogen by manure type and livestock species based on
management; and
new text end

new text begin (2) manure management and fertilizer best management practices for areas where surface
water or groundwater are vulnerable to nitrate losses, including the adjustment of practices
based on vulnerability such as coarse textured soils, soils with shallow bedrock, and karst
geology.
new text end

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.71, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Awarding grants.

Applications for program grants must be submitted in the
form prescribed by the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council.
Applications must be submitted on or before the deadline prescribed by the council. All
applications are subject to a thorough in-state review by a peer committee established and
approved by the council. Each project meeting the basic qualifications is subject to a yes
or no vote by each council member. Projects chosen to receive funding must achieve an
affirmative vote from at least deleted text begin eightdeleted text end new text begin tennew text end of the deleted text begin 12deleted text end new text begin 15new text end council members or two-thirds of voting
members present. Projects awarded program funds must submit an annual progress report
in the form prescribed by the council.

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.71, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Expiration.

This section expires June 30, deleted text begin 2025deleted text end new text begin 2030new text end .

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18C.80, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Expiration.

This section expires June 30, deleted text begin 2025deleted text end new text begin 2030new text end .

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18D.301, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Enforcement required.

(a) The commissioner shall enforce this chapter
and chapters 18B, 18C, and 18F.

(b) Violations of chapter 18B, 18C, or 18F or rules adopted under chapter 18B, 18C, or
18Fnew text begin , or section 103H.275, subdivision 2,new text end are a violation of this chapter.

(c) Upon the request of the commissioner, county attorneys, sheriffs, and other officers
having authority in the enforcement of the general criminal laws shall take action to the
extent of their authority necessary or proper for the enforcement of this chapter or special
orders, standards, stipulations, and agreements of the commissioner.

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 18K.06, is amended to read:


18K.06 RULEMAKING.

(a) The commissioner deleted text begin shall adopt rules governing the production, testing, processing,
and licensing of industrial hemp. Notwithstanding the two-year limitation for exempt rules
under section 14.388, subdivision 1, Minnesota Rules, chapter 1565, published in the State
Register on August 16, 2021, is effective until August 16, 2025, or until permanent rules
implementing chapter 18K are adopted, whichever occurs first
deleted text end new text begin may adopt or amend rules
governing the production, testing, processing, and licensing of industrial hemp using the
procedure in section 14.386, paragraph (a). Section 14.386, paragraph (b), does not apply
to rules adopted or amended under this section
new text end .

(b) Rules adopted under paragraph (a) must include but not be limited to provisions
governing:

(1) the supervision and inspection of industrial hemp during its growth and harvest;

(2) the testing of industrial hemp to determine delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol levels;

(3) the use of background check results required under section 18K.04 to approve or
deny a license application; and

(4) any other provision or procedure necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(c) Rules issued under this section must be consistent with federal law regarding the
production, distribution, and sale of industrial hemp.

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 28A.10, is amended to read:


28A.10 POSTING OF LICENSE; RULES.

All such licenses shall be issued for a period of one year and shall be posted or displayed
in a conspicuous place at the place of business so licensed. deleted text begin Except as provided in sections
29.22, subdivision 4 and 31.39, all such license fees and penalties collected by the
commissioner shall be deposited into the state treasury and credited to the general fund.
deleted text end
The commissioner may adopt such rules in conformity with law as the commissioner deems
necessary to effectively and efficiently carry out the provisions of sections 28A.01 to 28A.16.

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 28A.151, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given them.

(b) "Farmers' market" means an association of three or more persons who assemble at
a defined location that is open to the public for the purpose of selling deleted text begin directly to the consumer
the
deleted text end products of a farm or garden occupied and cultivated by the person selling the product.

(c) "Food product sampling" means distributing to individuals at a farmers' market or
community event, for promotional or educational purposes, small portions of a food item
that include as a main ingredient a product sold by the vendor deleted text begin at the farmers' market or
community event
deleted text end . For purposes of this subdivision, "small portion" means a portion that is
no more than three ounces of food or beverage.

(d) "Food product demonstration" means cooking or preparing food products to distribute
to individuals at a farmers' market or community event for promotional or educational
purposes.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end

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

Sec. 48.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 28A.151, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Food sampling and demonstration.

new text begin (a) Food used in sampling and
demonstration must be obtained from sources that comply with Minnesota Food Law.
new text end

new text begin (b) Raw animal, raw poultry, and raw fish products must not be served as samples.
new text end

new text begin (c) Food product sampling or food product demonstrations, including cooked animal,
poultry, or fish products, must be prepared on site at the event.
new text end

new text begin (d) Animal or poultry products used for food product sampling or food product
demonstrations must be from animals slaughtered under continuous inspection, either by
the USDA or through Minnesota's "Equal-to" inspection program.
new text end

new text begin (e) new text end The licensing provisions of sections 28A.01 to 28A.16 shall not apply to persons
engaged in food product sampling or food product demonstrations.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end

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

Sec. 49.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 28A.151, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Food required to be provided at no cost.

Food provided through food product
sampling or food product demonstrations must be provided at no cost to the individualnew text begin
recipient of a sample
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. 50.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 28A.151, subdivision 5, is amended to read:


Subd. 5.

Food safety and equipment standards.

new text begin (a) new text end Any person conducting food
product sampling or food product demonstrations shall meet the same food safety and
equipment standards that are required of a special event food stand in Minnesota Rules,
parts 4626.1855, items B to O, Q, and R; and 4626.0330.

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a handwashing device is not required when only
prepackaged food samples are offered.
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. 51.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 28A.151, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 7.new text end

new text begin Signage.new text end

new text begin A food product provided through food product sampling or food
product demonstrations must be accompanied by a legible sign or placard that lists the
product's ingredients and major food allergens.
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. 52.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 28A.21, subdivision 6, is amended to read:


Subd. 6.

Expiration.

This section expires June 30, deleted text begin 2027deleted text end new text begin 2037new text end .

Sec. 53.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 31.74, is amended to read:


31.74 deleted text begin SALE OF IMITATIONdeleted text end HONEY.

Subdivision 1.

Honey defined.

As used in this section "honey" means the nectar and
saccharine exudation of plants, gathered, modified and stored in the comb by honey bees,
which is levorotatory, contains not more than 25 percent of water, not more than 25/100
percent of ash, and not more than eight percent sucrose.

Subd. 2.

Prohibited sale.

Notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, it is unlawful
for any person to sell or offer for sale any product which is in semblance of honey and which
is labeled, advertised, or otherwise represented to be honey, if it is not honey. The word
"imitation" shall not be used in the name of a product which is in semblance of honey
whether or not it contains any honey. The label for a product which is not in semblance of
honey and which contains honey may include the word "honey" in the name of the product
and the relative position of the word "honey" in the product name, and in the list of
ingredients, when required, shall be determined by its prominence as an ingredient in the
product.

new text begin Subd. 4.new text end

new text begin Food consisting of honey and another sweetener.new text end

new text begin Consistent with the federal
act, the federal regulations incorporated under section 31.101, subdivision 7, and the
prohibition against misbranding in sections 31.02 and 34A.03, the label for a food in
semblance of honey and consisting of honey and another sweetener must include but is not
limited to the following elements:
new text end

new text begin (1) a statement of identity that accurately identifies or describes the nature of the food
or its characterizing properties or ingredients; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the common or usual name of each ingredient in the ingredient statement, in
descending order of predominance by weight.
new text end

Sec. 54.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 31.94, is amended to read:


31.94 ORGANIC AGRICULTURE; COMMISSIONER DUTIES.

(a) In order to promote opportunities for organic agriculture in Minnesota, the
commissioner shall:

(1) survey producers and support services and organizations to determine information
and research needs in the area of organic agriculture practices;

(2) work with the University of Minnesota and other research and education institutions
to demonstrate the on-farm applicability of organic agriculture practices to conditions in
this state;

(3) direct the programs of the department so as to work toward the promotion of organic
agriculture in this state;

(4) inform agencies about state or federal programs that support organic agriculture
practices; and

(5) work closely with producers, producer organizations, the University of Minnesota,
and other appropriate agencies and organizations to identify opportunities and needs as well
as ensure coordination and avoid duplication of state agency efforts regarding research,
teaching, marketing, and extension work relating to organic agriculture.

(b) By November 15 of each year that ends in a zero or a five, the commissioner, in
conjunction with the task force created in paragraph (c), shall report on the status of organic
agriculture in Minnesota to the legislative policy and finance committees and divisions with
jurisdiction over agriculture. The report must include available data on organic acreage and
production, available data on the sales or market performance of organic products, and
recommendations regarding programs, policies, and research efforts that will benefit
Minnesota's organic agriculture sector.

(c) A Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force shall advise the commissioner and the
University of Minnesota on policies and programs that will improve organic agriculture in
Minnesota, including how available resources can most effectively be used for outreach,
education, research, and technical assistance that meet the needs of the organic agriculture
sector. The task force must consist of the following residents of the state:

(1) three organic farmers;

(2) one wholesaler or distributor of organic products;

(3) one representative of organic certification agencies;

(4) two organic processors;

(5) one representative from University of Minnesota Extension;

(6) one University of Minnesota faculty member;

(7) one representative from a nonprofit organization representing producers;

(8) two public members;

(9) one representative from the United States Department of Agriculture;

(10) one retailer of organic products; and

(11) one organic consumer representative.

The commissioner, in consultation with the director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment
Station; the dean and director of University of Minnesota Extension and the dean of the
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, shall appoint members to
serve three-year terms.

Compensation and removal of members are governed by section 15.059, subdivision 6.
The task force must meet at least twice each year and expires on June 30, deleted text begin 2024deleted text end new text begin 2034new text end .

(d) For the purposes of expanding, improving, and developing production and marketing
of the organic products of Minnesota agriculture, the commissioner may receive funds from
state and federal sources and spend them, including through grants or contracts, to assist
producers and processors to achieve certification, to conduct education or marketing
activities, to enter into research and development partnerships, or to address production or
marketing obstacles to the growth and well-being of the industry.

(e) The commissioner may facilitate the registration of state organic production and
handling operations including those exempt from organic certification according to Code
of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 205.101, and accredited certification agencies
operating within the state.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end

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

Sec. 55.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 32D.30, is amended to read:


32D.30 DAIRY DEVELOPMENT AND PROFITABILITY ENHANCEMENT.

Subdivision 1.

Program.

The commissioner must implement a dairy development and
profitability enhancement program consisting of new text begin a new text end dairy profitability enhancement deleted text begin teams
and
deleted text end new text begin program,new text end dairy business planning grantsnew text begin , and other services to support the dairy industrynew text end .

Subd. 2.

Dairy profitability enhancement deleted text begin teamsdeleted text end new text begin programnew text end .

(a)new text begin Thenew text end dairy profitability
enhancement deleted text begin teamsdeleted text end new text begin programnew text end must provide deleted text begin one-on-onedeleted text end information and technical assistance
to dairy farms of all sizes to enhance their financial success and long-term sustainability.
deleted text begin Teamsdeleted text end new text begin The programnew text end must assist dairy producers in all dairy-producing regions of the state
deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin .new text end new text begin Assistance to producers from the programnew text end may deleted text begin consist ofdeleted text end new text begin be provided individually, as
a team, or through other methods by
new text end farm business management instructors, dairy extension
specialists, and other dairy industry partners. deleted text begin Teamsdeleted text end new text begin The programnew text end may engage in activities
deleted text begin includingdeleted text end new text begin such asnew text end comprehensive financial analysis, risk management education, enhanced
milk marketing tools and technologies, deleted text begin anddeleted text end facilitating or improving production systemsnew text begin ,new text end
including rotational grazing and other sustainable agriculture methodsnew text begin , and value-added
opportunities
new text end .

(b) The commissioner must make grants to regional or statewide organizations qualified
to manage the various components of the deleted text begin teamsdeleted text end new text begin program and serve as program administratorsnew text end .
Each regional or statewide organization must designate a coordinator responsible for
overseeing the program and submitting periodic reports to the commissioner regarding
aggregate changes in producer financial stability, productivity, product quality, animal
health, environmental protection, and other performance measures attributable to the program.
The organizations must submit this information in a format that maintains the confidentiality
of individual dairy producers.

Subd. 3.

Dairy business planning grants.

The commissioner may award dairy business
planning grants of up to $5,000 per producernew text begin or dairy processornew text end to deleted text begin develop comprehensive
business plans
deleted text end new text begin use technical assistance services for evaluating operations, transitional
changes, expansions, improvements, and other business modifications
new text end . Producersnew text begin and
processors
new text end must not use dairy business planning grants for capital improvements.

Subd. 4.

Funding allocation.

Except as specified in law, the commissioner may allocate
dairy development and profitability enhancement program dollars deleted text begin amongdeleted text end new text begin fornew text end the permissible
uses specified in this sectionnew text begin and other needs to support the dairy industrynew text end , including efforts
to improve the quality of milk produced in the state, in the proportions that the commissioner
deems most beneficial to the state's dairy farmers.

Subd. 5.

Reporting.

No later than July 1 each year, the commissioner must submit a
detailed accomplishment report and work plan detailing future plans for, and the actual and
anticipated accomplishments from, expenditures under this section to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over
agriculture policy and finance. If the commissioner significantly modifies a submitted work
plan during the fiscal year, the commissioner must notify the chairs and ranking minority
members.

Sec. 56.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 41B.039, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

State participation.

The state may participate in a new real estate loan with
an eligible lender to a beginning farmer to the extent of 45 percent of the principal amount
of the loan or deleted text begin $400,000deleted text end new text begin $500,000new text end , whichever is less. The interest rates and repayment terms
of the authority's participation interest may be different than the interest rates and repayment
terms of the lender's retained portion of the loan.

Sec. 57.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 41B.04, subdivision 8, is amended to read:


Subd. 8.

State participation.

With respect to loans that are eligible for restructuring
under sections 41B.01 to 41B.23 and upon acceptance by the authority, the authority shall
enter into a participation agreement or other financial arrangement whereby it shall participate
in a restructured loan to the extent of 45 percent of the primary principal or deleted text begin $525,000deleted text end new text begin
$625,000
new text end , whichever is less. The authority's portion of the loan must be protected during
the authority's participation by the first mortgage held by the eligible lender to the extent
of its participation in the loan.

Sec. 58.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 41B.042, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Participation limit; interest.

The authority may participate in new
seller-sponsored loans to the extent of 45 percent of the principal amount of the loan or
deleted text begin $400,000deleted text end new text begin $500,000new text end , whichever is less. The interest rates and repayment terms of the
authority's participation interest may be different than the interest rates and repayment terms
of the seller's retained portion of the loan.

Sec. 59.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 41B.043, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:


Subd. 1b.

Loan participation.

The authority may participate in an agricultural
improvement loan with an eligible lender to a farmer who meets the requirements of section
41B.03, subdivision 1, clauses (1) and (2), and who is actively engaged in farming.
Participation is limited to 45 percent of the principal amount of the loan or deleted text begin $400,000deleted text end new text begin
$500,000
new text end , whichever is less. The interest rates and repayment terms of the authority's
participation interest may be different than the interest rates and repayment terms of the
lender's retained portion of the loan.

Sec. 60.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 41B.045, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Loan participation.

The authority may participate in a livestock expansion
and modernization loan with an eligible lender to a livestock farmer who meets the
requirements of section 41B.03, subdivision 1, clauses (1) and (2), and who are actively
engaged in a livestock operation. A prospective borrower must have a total net worth,
including assets and liabilities of the borrower's spouse and dependents, of less than
$1,700,000 in 2017 and an amount in subsequent years which is adjusted for inflation by
multiplying that amount by the cumulative inflation rate as determined by the United States
All-Items Consumer Price Index.

Participation is limited to 45 percent of the principal amount of the loan or deleted text begin $525,000deleted text end new text begin
$625,000
new text end , whichever is less. The interest rates and repayment terms of the authority's
participation interest may be different from the interest rates and repayment terms of the
lender's retained portion of the loan.

Sec. 61.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 41B.047, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

The authority shall establish and implement a disaster
recovery loan program to help farmers:

(1) clean up, repair, or replace farm structures and septic and water systems, as well as
replace seed, other crop inputs, feed, and livestock;

(2) purchase watering systems, irrigation systems, deleted text begin anddeleted text end other drought mitigation systems
and practicesnew text begin , and feednew text end when drought is the cause of the purchase;

(3) restore farmland;

(4) replace flocks or livestock, make building improvements, or cover the loss of revenue
when the replacement, improvements, or loss of revenue is due to the confirmed presence
of a highly contagious animal disease in a commercial poultry or game flock, or a commercial
livestock operation, located in Minnesota; or

(5) cover the loss of revenue when the revenue loss is due to an infectious human disease
for which the governor has declared a peacetime emergency under section 12.31.

Sec. 62.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 232.21, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Commissioner.

"Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculturenew text begin or the
commissioner's designee
new text end .

Sec. 63.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 232.21, subdivision 7, is amended to read:


Subd. 7.

Grain.

"Grain" means any deleted text begin cereal grain, coarse grain, or oilseed in unprocessed
form for which a standard has been established by the United States Secretary of Agriculture,
dry edible beans, or agricultural crops designated by the commissioner by rule
deleted text end new text begin product
commonly referred to as grain, including wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, rice, soybeans,
emmer, sorghum, triticale, millet, pulses, dry edible beans, sunflower seed, rapeseed, canola,
safflower, flaxseed, mustard seed, crambe, sesame seed, and other products ordinarily stored
in grain warehouses
new text end .

Sec. 64.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 232.21, subdivision 11, is amended to read:


Subd. 11.

Producer.

"Producer" means a person who deleted text begin owns or manages a grain producing
or growing operation and holds or shares the responsibility for marketing that grain produced
deleted text end new text begin
grows grain on land owned or leased by the person
new text end .

Sec. 65.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 232.21, subdivision 12, is amended to read:


Subd. 12.

Public grain warehouse operator.

"Public grain warehouse operator" meansnew text begin :
(1)
new text end a person deleted text begin licensed to operatedeleted text end new text begin operatingnew text end a grain warehouse in which grain belonging to
persons other than the grain warehouse operator is accepted for storage or purchasedeleted text begin , ordeleted text end new text begin ; (2)
a person
new text end who offers grain storage or grain warehouse facilities to the public for hirenew text begin ;new text end or new text begin (3)
new text end a feed-processing plant that receives and stores grain, the equivalent of whichdeleted text begin ,deleted text end it processes
and returns to the grain's owner in amounts, at intervals, and with added ingredients that
are mutually agreeable to the grain's owner and the person operating the plant.

Sec. 66.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 232.21, subdivision 13, is amended to read:


Subd. 13.

Scale ticket.

"Scale ticket" means a memorandum showing the weightdeleted text begin , gradedeleted text end
and kind of grain which is issued by a grainnew text begin elevator ornew text end warehouse operator to a depositor
at the time the grain is delivered.

Sec. 67.

new text begin [346.021] FINDER TO GIVE NOTICE.
new text end

new text begin A person who finds an estray and knows who owns the estray must notify the estray's
owner within seven days after finding the estray and request that the owner pay all reasonable
charges and take the estray away. A finder who does not know who owns an estray must
either:
new text end

new text begin (1) within ten days, file a notice with the town or city clerk and post a physical or online
notice of the finding of the estray. The notice must briefly describe the estray or provide a
photograph of the estray, provide the residence or contact information of the finder, and
provide the approximate location and time when the finder found the estray; or
new text end

new text begin (2) within seven days, surrender the estray to a local animal control agency or to a kennel
as defined in section 347.31, subdivision 2.
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. 68.

Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 2, section 142, subdivision 9, is amended to read:


Subd. 9.

Dairy law.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 17.984; 32D.03, subdivision 5;
32D.24; 32D.25new text begin , subdivision 1new text end ; 32D.26; 32D.27; and 32D.28, are repealed.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end

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

Sec. 69. new text begin REVIVAL AND REENACTMENT.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes, section 32D.25, subdivision 2, is revived and reenacted effective
retroactively from July 1, 2023.
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. 70. new text begin REPORT REQUIRED; COOPERATIVE FINANCIAL REPORTING.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of agriculture shall convene a cooperative financial reporting
workgroup, which must include producers who sell to a cooperative and representatives
from cooperative management. The commissioner shall develop recommendations relating
to requirements for cooperatives to report on financial conditions and report back with
recommendations to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture by January
3, 2025. Participating stakeholders must be given an opportunity to include written testimony
to the legislative committees in the commissioner's report.
new text end

Sec. 71. new text begin COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION LANGUAGE
REQUIREMENTS.
new text end

new text begin By January 1, 2025, the commissioner of agriculture must ensure that examinations for
a commercial applicator license under Minnesota Statutes, section 18B.33, are available in
Spanish and that applicants are informed that the examinations can be taken in Spanish.
The commissioner must use money appropriated from the pesticide regulatory account
under Minnesota Statutes, section 18B.05, for this purpose.
new text end

Sec. 72. new text begin CREDIT MARKET REPORT REQUIRED.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of agriculture must convene a stakeholder working group to explore
the state establishing a market for carbon credits, ecosystem services credits, or other credits
generated by farmers who implement clean water, climate-smart, and soil-healthy farming
practices. To the extent practicable, the stakeholder working group must include but is not
limited to farmers; representatives of agricultural organizations; experts in geoscience,
carbon storage, greenhouse gas modeling, and agricultural economics; industry
representatives with experience in carbon markets and supply chain sustainability; and
representatives of environmental organizations with expertise in carbon sequestration and
agriculture. No later than February 1, 2025, the commissioner must report recommendations
to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture. The commissioner must
provide participating stakeholders an opportunity to include written testimony in the
commissioner's report.
new text end

Sec. 73. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin (a)new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 3.7371, subdivision 7; and 34.07,new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

new text begin (b)new text end new text begin Minnesota Rules, parts 1506.0010; 1506.0015; 1506.0020; 1506.0025; 1506.0030;
1506.0035; and 1506.0040,
new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

ARTICLE 3

BROADBAND

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.396, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 4.new text end

new text begin Transfer.new text end

new text begin The commissioner may transfer up to $5,000,000 of a fiscal year
appropriation between the border-to-border broadband program, low density population
broadband program, and the broadband line extension program to meet demand. The
commissioner must inform the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over broadband finance in writing when this transfer authority
is used. The written notice must include how much money was transferred and why the
transfer was made. The written notice must also be filed with the Legislative Reference
Library in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT; APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL
FUNDING; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of employment and economic development must prepare and
submit an application to the United States Department of Commerce requesting State Digital
Equity Capacity Grant funding made available under Public Law 117-58, the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act.
new text end

new text begin (b) The amount awarded to Minnesota pursuant to the application submitted under
paragraph (a) is appropriated to the commissioner of employment and economic development
for purposes of the commissioner's Minnesota Digital Opportunity Plan.
new text end

ARTICLE 4

CLIMATE AND ENERGY FINANCE

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund,
or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively.
"The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium"
is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
new text end

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS
new text end
new text begin Available for the Year
new text end
new text begin Ending June 30
new text end
new text begin 2024
new text end
new text begin 2025
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1.new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin -0-
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 1,133,000
new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2.new text end

new text begin Thermal Energy Network Site
Suitability Study
new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is for the thermal
energy network site suitability study under
article 6, section 51. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until December
31, 2025.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3.new text end

new text begin SolarAPP+ Program
new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is for transfer to the
SolarAPP+ program account established under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.48, to award
incentives to local units of government that
deploy federally developed software to
automate the review of applications and
issuance of permits for residential solar
projects. Incentives must be awarded only to
local units of government located outside the
electric service territory of the public utility
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
116C.779, subdivision 1. This is a onetime
transfer and is available until June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4.new text end

new text begin Grid-Enhancing Technologies
new text end

new text begin $133,000 the second year is to (1) participate
in a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
proceeding to review electric transmission line
owners' plans to deploy grid-enhancing
technologies, and (2) issue an order to
implement the plans. The base in fiscal year
2026 is $265,000 and the base in fiscal year
2027 is $265,000. The base in fiscal year 2028
is $0.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin -0-
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 267,000
new text end

new text begin (a) $39,000 the second year is to support the
Thermal Energy Network Deployment Work
Group and prepare a report under article 6,
section 49. The base in fiscal year 2026 is
$77,000 and the base in fiscal year 2027 is $0.
new text end

new text begin (b) $117,000 the second year is to review
electric transmission line owners' plans to
deploy grid-enhancing technologies and
develop a commission order to implement
approved plans under article 6, section 52. The
base in fiscal year 2026 is $157,000 and the
base in fiscal year 2027 is $157,000. The base
in fiscal year 2028 is $0.
new text end

new text begin (c) $111,000 the second year is to conduct a
proceeding to develop a cost-sharing
mechanism enabling developers of distributed
generation projects to pay utilities to expand
distribution line capacity in order to
interconnect to the grid. The base in fiscal year
2026 is $111,000 and the base in fiscal year
2027 is $77,000. The base in fiscal year 2028
is $0.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin GRANT ADMINISTRATION REPORTING.
new text end

new text begin (a) By July 1, 2024, the commissioner of commerce must report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over energy finance
and policy regarding the anticipated costs to administer each named grant and competitive
grant program in Laws 2023, chapter 60, article 10, section 2, and Laws 2023, chapter 60,
article 11, section 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) Within 90 days after each named grantee has fulfilled the obligations of the grantee's
grant agreement, the commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over energy finance and policy on the final
cost to administer (1) each named grant included in paragraph (a), and (2) each named grant
in this article and article 5.
new text end

new text begin (c) By January 15, 2025, and each year thereafter, the commissioner must report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over
energy finance and policy on the annual cost to administer (1) each competitive grant
program included in paragraph (a), and (2) each competitive grant program in this article
and article 5.
new text end

ARTICLE 5

RENEWABLE DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
and for the purposes specified in this article. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph (j), the appropriations are from the renewable
development account in the special revenue fund established in Minnesota Statutes, section
116C.779, subdivision 1, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively.
"The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium"
is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
new text end

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS
new text end
new text begin Available for the Year
new text end
new text begin Ending June 30
new text end
new text begin 2024
new text end
new text begin 2025
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1.new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin -0-
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 14,450,000
new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2.new text end

new text begin Geothermal Energy System; Sabathani
Community Center
new text end

new text begin (a) $6,000,000 the second year is for a grant
to the Sabathani Community Center in
Minneapolis to construct a geothermal energy
system that provides space heating and cooling
to the center. This is a onetime appropriation
and is available until June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this subdivision,
"geothermal energy system" means a system
composed of: a heat pump that moves a
heat-transferring fluid through piping
embedded in the earth and absorbs the earth's
constant temperature; a heat exchanger; and
ductwork to distribute heated and cooled air
to a building.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3.new text end

new text begin Geothermal Planning Grants
new text end

new text begin $1,200,000 the second year is for transfer to
the geothermal planning grant account
established under Minnesota Statutes, section
216C.47, for planning grants to political
subdivisions to assess the feasibility and cost
of constructing geothermal energy systems.
This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2029.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4.new text end

new text begin Energy Efficiency Projects; Dakota
County
new text end

new text begin (a) $500,000 the second year is for a grant to
Dakota County for energy efficiency projects
that are located in the service area of the public
utility subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
116C.779. This is a onetime appropriation and
is available until June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision, "energy
efficiency project" includes: (1) LED lighting,
as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section
216B.241, subdivision 5; (2) solar arrays; or
(3) heating, ventilating, or air conditioning
system improvements.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5.new text end

new text begin Anaerobic Digester Energy System
new text end

new text begin (a) $5,000,000 the second year is for a grant
to Recycling and Energy, in partnership with
Dem-Con HZI Bioenergy, LLC, to construct
an anaerobic energy system in Louisville
Township. This is a onetime appropriation and
is available until June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this subdivision,
"anaerobic energy system" means a facility
that uses diverted food and organic waste to
create renewable natural gas and biochar.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6.new text end

new text begin SolarAPP+ Program
new text end

new text begin $1,500,000 the second year is for transfer to
the SolarAPP+ program account established
under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.48,
to award incentives to local units of
government that deploy federally developed
software to automate the review of
applications and issuance of permits for
residential solar projects. Incentives must be
awarded only to political subdivisions located
within the electric service territory of the
public utility that is subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 116C.779, subdivision 1. This
is a onetime transfer.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7.new text end

new text begin Ultraefficient Vehicle Development
Grants
new text end

new text begin $250,000 the second year is transferred to the
ultraefficient vehicle development grant
account under article 6, section 48, to provide
grants for developers and producers of
ultraefficient vehicles. This is a onetime
transfer.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin -0-
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 1,000,000
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the second year is for the carbon
dioxide pipelines study under article 6, section
50. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

ARTICLE 6

ENERGY POLICY

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103I.621, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Permit.

(a) Notwithstanding any department or agency rule to the contrary,
the commissioner shall issue, on request by the owner of the property and payment of the
permit fee, permits for the reinjection of water by a properly constructed well into the same
aquifer from which the water was drawn for the operation of a groundwater thermal exchange
device.

(b) As a condition of the permit, an applicant must agree to allow inspection by the
commissioner during regular working hours for department inspectors.

(c) Not more than 200 permits may be issued for small systems deleted text begin havingdeleted text end new text begin that (1) havenew text end
maximum capacities of 20 gallons per minute or lessnew text begin , and (2) are compliant with the natural
resource water-use requirements under subdivision 2
new text end . deleted text begin The small systems are subject to
inspection twice a year.
deleted text end

(d) Not more than deleted text begin tendeleted text end new text begin 100new text end permits may be issued for larger systems deleted text begin havingdeleted text end new text begin that (1) havenew text end
maximum capacities deleted text begin fromdeleted text end new text begin overnew text end 20 deleted text begin to 50deleted text end gallons per minutenew text begin , and (2) are compliant with the
natural resource water-use requirements under subdivision 2
new text end . deleted text begin The larger systems are subject
to inspection four times a year.
deleted text end

(e) A person issued a permit must comply with this section deleted text begin for the permit to be valid.deleted text end new text begin
and permit conditions deemed necessary to protect public health and safety of groundwater.
Permit conditions may include but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) notification to the commissioner at intervals specified in the permit conditions;
new text end

new text begin (2) system operation and maintenance;
new text end

new text begin (3) system location and construction;
new text end

new text begin (4) well location and construction;
new text end

new text begin (5) signage requirements;
new text end

new text begin (6) reports of system construction, performance, operation, and maintenance;
new text end

new text begin (7) removal of the system upon termination of use or failure;
new text end

new text begin (8) disclosure of the system at the time of property transfer;
new text end

new text begin (9) requirements to obtain approval from the commissioner prior to deviating from the
approval plan and conditions;
new text end

new text begin (10) groundwater level monitoring; and
new text end

new text begin (11) groundwater quality monitoring.
new text end

new text begin (f) The property owner or the property owner's agent must submit to the commissioner
a permit application on a form provided by the commissioner, or in a format approved by
the commissioner, that provides any information necessary to protect public health and
safety of groundwater.
new text end

new text begin (g) A permit granted under this section is not valid if a water-use permit is required for
the project and is not approved by the commissioner of natural resources.
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 2022, section 103I.621, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Water-use requirements apply.

Water-use permit requirements and penalties
under chapter deleted text begin 103Fdeleted text end new text begin 103Gnew text end and related rules adopted and enforced by the commissioner of
natural resources apply to groundwater thermal exchange permit recipients. A person who
violates a provision of this section is subject to enforcement or penalties for the noncomplying
activity that are available to the commissioner and the Pollution Control Agency.

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 2023 Supplement, section 116C.779, subdivision 1, is amended
to read:


Subdivision 1.

Renewable development account.

(a) The renewable development
account is established as a separate account in the special revenue fund in the state treasury.
Appropriations and transfers to the account shall be credited to the account. Earnings, such
as interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from assets of the account, shall be
credited to the account. Funds remaining in the account at the end of a fiscal year are not
canceled to the general fund but remain in the account until expended. The account shall
be administered by the commissioner of management and budget as provided under this
section.

(b) On July 1, 2017, the public utility that owns the Prairie Island nuclear generating
plant must transfer all funds in the renewable development account previously established
under this subdivision and managed by the public utility to the renewable development
account established in paragraph (a). Funds awarded to grantees in previous grant cycles
that have not yet been expended and unencumbered funds required to be paid in calendar
year 2017 under paragraphs (f) and (g), and sections 116C.7792 and 216C.41, are not subject
to transfer under this paragraph.

(c) Except as provided in subdivision 1a, beginning January 15, 2018, and continuing
each January 15 thereafter, the public utility that owns the Prairie Island nuclear generating
plant must transfer to the renewable development account $500,000 each year for each dry
cask containing spent fuel that is located at the Prairie Island power plant for each year the
plant is in operation, and $7,500,000 each year the plant is not in operation if ordered by
the commission pursuant to paragraph (i). The fund transfer must be made if nuclear waste
is stored in a dry cask at the independent spent-fuel storage facility at Prairie Island for any
part of a year. The total amount transferred annually under this paragraph must be reduced
by $3,750,000.

(d) Except as provided in subdivision 1a, beginning January 15, 2018, and continuing
each January 15 thereafter, the public utility that owns the Monticello nuclear generating
plant must transfer to the renewable development account $350,000 each year for each dry
cask containing spent fuel that is located at the Monticello nuclear power plant for each
year the plant is in operation, and $5,250,000 each year the plant is not in operation if ordered
by the commission pursuant to paragraph (i). The fund transfer must be made if nuclear
waste is stored in a dry cask at the independent spent-fuel storage facility at Monticello for
any part of a year.

(e) Each year, the public utility shall withhold from the funds transferred to the renewable
development account under paragraphs (c) and (d) the amount necessary to pay its obligations
under paragraphs (f) and (g), and sections 116C.7792 and 216C.41, for that calendar year.

(f) If the commission approves a new or amended power purchase agreement, the
termination of a power purchase agreement, or the purchase and closure of a facility under
section 216B.2424, subdivision 9, with an entity that uses poultry litter to generate electricity,
the public utility subject to this section shall enter into a contract with the city in which the
poultry litter plant is located to provide grants to the city for the purposes of economic
development on the following schedule: $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2018; $6,500,000 each
fiscal year in 2019 and 2020; and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2021. The grants shall be paid
by the public utility from funds withheld from the transfer to the renewable development
account, as provided in paragraphs (b) and (e).

(g) If the commission approves a new or amended power purchase agreement, or the
termination of a power purchase agreement under section 216B.2424, subdivision 9, with
an entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by two municipal utilities located north
of Constitutional Route No. 8, that was previously used to meet the biomass mandate in
section 216B.2424, the public utility that owns a nuclear generating plant shall enter into a
grant contract with such entity to provide $6,800,000 per year for five years, commencing
30 days after the commission approves the new or amended power purchase agreement, or
the termination of the power purchase agreement, and on each June 1 thereafter through
2021, to assist the transition required by the new, amended, or terminated power purchase
agreement. The grant shall be paid by the public utility from funds withheld from the transfer
to the renewable development account as provided in paragraphs (b) and (e).

(h) The collective amount paid under the grant contracts awarded under paragraphs (f)
and (g) is limited to the amount deposited into the renewable development account, and its
predecessor, the renewable development account, established under this section, that was
not required to be deposited into the account under Laws 1994, chapter 641, article 1, section
10.

(i) After discontinuation of operation of the Prairie Island nuclear plant or the Monticello
nuclear plant and each year spent nuclear fuel is stored in dry cask at the discontinued
facility, the commission shall require the public utility to pay $7,500,000 for the discontinued
Prairie Island facility and $5,250,000 for the discontinued Monticello facility for any year
in which the commission finds, by the preponderance of the evidence, that the public utility
did not make a good faith effort to remove the spent nuclear fuel stored at the facility to a
permanent or interim storage site out of the state. This determination shall be made at least
every two years.

(j) Funds in the account may be expended only for any of the following purposes:

(1) to stimulate research and development of renewable electric energy technologies;

(2) to encourage grid modernization, including, but not limited to, projects that implement
electricity storage, load control, and smart meter technology; and

(3) to stimulate other innovative energy projects that reduce demand and increase system
efficiency and flexibility.

Expenditures from the fund must benefit Minnesota ratepayers receiving electric service
from the utility that owns a nuclear-powered electric generating plant in this state or the
Prairie Island Indian community or its members.

The utility that owns a nuclear generating plant is eligible to apply for grants under this
subdivision.

(k) For the purposes of paragraph (j), the following terms have the meanings given:

(1) "renewable" has the meaning given in section 216B.2422, subdivision 1, paragraph
(c), clauses (1), (2), (4), and (5); and

(2) "grid modernization" means:

(i) enhancing the reliability of the electrical grid;

(ii) improving the security of the electrical grid against cyberthreats and physical threats;
and

(iii) increasing energy conservation opportunities by facilitating communication between
the utility and its customers through the use of two-way meters, control technologies, energy
storage and microgrids, technologies to enable demand response, and other innovative
technologies.

(l) A renewable development account advisory group that includes, among others,
representatives of the public utility and its ratepayers, and includes at least one representative
of the Prairie Island Indian community appointed by that community's tribal council, shall
develop recommendations on account expenditures. The advisory group must design a
request for proposal and evaluate projects submitted in response to a request for proposals.
The advisory group must utilize an independent third-party expert to evaluate proposals
submitted in response to a request for proposal, including all proposals made by the public
utility. A request for proposal for research and development under paragraph (j), clause (1),
may be limited to or include a request to higher education institutions located in Minnesota
for multiple projects authorized under paragraph (j), clause (1). The request for multiple
projects may include a provision that exempts the projects from the third-party expert review
and instead provides for project evaluation and selection by a merit peer review grant system.
In the process of determining request for proposal scope and subject and in evaluating
responses to request for proposals, the advisory group must strongly consider, where
reasonable:

(1) potential benefit to Minnesota citizens and businesses and the utility's ratepayers;
and

(2) the proposer's commitment to increasing the diversity of the proposer's workforce
and vendors.

(m) The advisory group shall submit funding recommendations to the public utility,
which has full and sole authority to determine which expenditures shall be submitted by
the advisory group to the legislature. The commission may approve proposed expenditures,
may disapprove proposed expenditures that it finds not to be in compliance with this
subdivision or otherwise not in the public interest, and may, if agreed to by the public utility,
modify proposed expenditures. The commission shall, by order, submit its funding
recommendations to the legislature as provided under paragraph (n).

(n) The commission shall present its recommended appropriations from the account to
the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over energy policy and
finance annually by February 15. Expenditures from the account must be appropriated by
law. In enacting appropriations from the account, the legislature:

(1) may approve or disapprove, but may not modify, the amount of an appropriation for
a project recommended by the commission; and

(2) may not appropriate money for a project the commission has not recommended
funding.

(o) A request for proposal for renewable energy generation projects must, when feasible
and reasonable, give preference to projects that are most cost-effective for a particular energy
source.

(p) The advisory group must annually, by February 15, report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy policy on
projects funded by the account for the prior year and all previous years. The report must,
to the extent possible and reasonable, itemize the actual and projected financial benefit to
the public utility's ratepayers of each project.

deleted text begin (q) By February 1, 2018, and each February 1 thereafter, the commissioner of
management and budget shall submit a written report regarding the availability of funds in
and obligations of the account to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate
and house committees with jurisdiction over energy policy and finance, the public utility,
and the advisory group.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (r)deleted text end new text begin (q)new text end A project receiving funds from the account must produce a written final report
that includes sufficient detail for technical readers and a clearly written summary for
nontechnical readers. The report must include an evaluation of the project's financial,
environmental, and other benefits to the state and the public utility's ratepayers. A project
receiving funds from the account must submit a report that meets the requirements of section
216C.51, subdivisions 3 and 4, each year the project funded by the account is in progress.

deleted text begin (s)deleted text end new text begin (r)new text end Final reports, any mid-project status reports, and renewable development account
financial reports must be posted online on a public website designated by the commissioner
of commerce.

deleted text begin (t)deleted text end new text begin (s)new text end All final reports must acknowledge that the project was made possible in whole
or part by the Minnesota renewable development account, noting that the account is financed
by the public utility's ratepayers.

deleted text begin (u)deleted text end new text begin (t)new text end Of the amount in the renewable development account, priority must be given to
making the payments required under section 216C.417.

deleted text begin (v)deleted text end new text begin (u)new text end Construction projects receiving funds from this account are subject to the
requirement to pay the prevailing wage rate, as defined in section 177.42 and the requirements
and enforcement provisions in sections 177.27, 177.30, 177.32, 177.41 to 177.435, and
177.45.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 116C.7792, is amended to read:


116C.7792 SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

(a) The utility subject to section 116C.779 shall operate a program to provide solar
energy production incentives for solar energy systems of no more than a total aggregate
nameplate capacity of 40 kilowatts alternating current per premise. The owner of a solar
energy system installed before June 1, 2018, is eligible to receive a production incentive
under this section for any additional solar energy systems constructed at the same customer
location, provided that the aggregate capacity of all systems at the customer location does
not exceed 40 kilowatts.

(b) The program is funded by money withheld from transfer to the renewable development
account under section 116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (e). Program funds must
be placed in a separate account for the purpose of the solar energy production incentive
program operated by the utility and not for any other program or purpose.

(c) Funds allocated to the solar energy production incentive program in 2019 and 2020
remain available to the solar energy production incentive program.

(d) The following amounts are allocated to the solar energy production incentive program:

(1) $10,000,000 in 2021;

(2) $10,000,000 in 2022;

(3) $5,000,000 in 2023;

(4) $11,250,000 in 2024; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(5) $6,250,000 in 2025new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (6) $5,000,000 each year, beginning in 2026 through 2035new text end .

(e) Notwithstanding the Department of Commerce's November 14, 2018, decision in
Docket No. E002/M-13-1015 regarding operation of the utility's solar energy production
incentive program, half of the amounts allocated each year under paragraph (d), clauses (3),
(4), and (5), must be reserved for solar energy systems whose installation meets the eligibility
standards for the low-income program established in the November 14, 2018, decision or
successor decisions of the department. All other program operations of the solar energy
production incentive program are governed by the provisions of the November 14, 2018,
decision or successor decisions of the department.

(f) Funds allocated to the solar energy production incentive program that have not been
committed to a specific project at the end of a program year remain available to the solar
energy production incentive program.

(g) Any unspent amount remaining on January 1, 2028, must be transferred to the
renewable development account.

(h) A solar energy system receiving a production incentive under this section must be
sized to less than 120 percent of the customer's on-site annual energy consumption when
combined with other distributed generation resources and subscriptions provided under
section 216B.1641 associated with the premise. The production incentive must be paid for
ten years commencing with the commissioning of the system.

(i) The utility must file a plan to operate the program with the commissioner of commerce.
The utility may not operate the program until it is approved by the commissioner. A change
to the program to include projects up to a nameplate capacity of 40 kilowatts or less does
not require the utility to file a plan with the commissioner. Any plan approved by the
commissioner of commerce must not provide an increased incentive scale over prior years
unless the commissioner demonstrates that changes in the market for solar energy facilities
require an increase.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.098, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 7.new text end

new text begin Social Security number and individual taxpayer identification number.new text end

new text begin If
a utility requires a new customer to provide a Social Security number on an application for
utility service, the utility must accept an individual taxpayer identification number in lieu
of a Social Security number. The utility application must indicate that the utility accepts an
individual taxpayer identification number.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.16, subdivision 6c, is amended to read:


Subd. 6c.

Incentive plan for energy conservation new text begin and efficient fuel-switching
new text end improvement.

(a) The commission may order public utilities to develop and submit for
commission approval incentive plans that describe the method of recovery and accounting
for utility conservation new text begin and efficient fuel-switching new text end expenditures and savings. new text begin For public
utilities that provide electric service, the commission must develop and implement incentive
plans designed to promote energy conservation separately from the plans designed to promote
efficient fuel-switching.
new text end In developing the incentive plans the commission shall ensure the
effective involvement of interested parties.

(b) In approving incentive plans, the commission shall consider:

(1) whether the plan is likely to increase utility investment in cost-effective energy
conservationnew text begin or efficient fuel switchingnew text end ;

(2) whether the plan is compatible with the interest of utility ratepayers and other
interested parties;

(3) whether the plan links the incentive to the utility's performance in achieving
cost-effective conservationnew text begin or efficient fuel switchingnew text end ; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(4) whether the plan is in conflict with other provisions of this chapterdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (5) whether the plan conflicts with other provisions of this chapter; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the likely financial impacts of the conservation and efficient fuel-switching programs
on the utility.
new text end

(c) The commission may set rates to encourage the vigorous and effective implementation
of utility conservation new text begin and efficient fuel-switching new text end programs. The commission may:

(1) increase or decrease any otherwise allowed rate of return on net investment based
upon the utility's skill, efforts, and success in deleted text begin conservingdeleted text end new text begin improving the efficient use ofnew text end
energynew text begin through energy conservation or efficient fuel switchingnew text end ;

(2) share between ratepayers and utilities the net savings resulting from energy
conservation new text begin and efficient fuel-switching new text end programs to the extent justified by the utility's
skill, efforts, and success in deleted text begin conservingdeleted text end new text begin improving the efficient use ofnew text end energy; and

(3) adopt any mechanism that satisfies the criteria of this subdivision, such that
implementation of cost-effective conservation new text begin or efficient fuel switching new text end is a preferred
resource choice for the public utility considering the impact of conservation new text begin or efficient fuel
switching
new text end on earnings of the public utility.

new text begin (d) Any incentives offered to electric utilities under this subdivision for efficient-fuel
switching projects expire December 31, 2032.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.16, subdivision 8, is amended to read:


Subd. 8.

Advertising expense.

(a) The commission shall disapprove the portion of any
rate which makes an allowance directly or indirectly for expenses incurred by a public utility
to provide a public advertisement which:

(1) is designed to influence or has the effect of influencing public attitudes toward
legislation or proposed legislation, or toward a rule, proposed rule, authorization or proposed
authorization of the Public Utilities Commission or other agency of government responsible
for regulating a public utility;

(2) is designed to justify or otherwise support or defend a rate, proposed rate, practice
or proposed practice of a public utility;

(3) is designed primarily to promote consumption of the services of the utility;

(4) is designed primarily to promote good will for the public utility or improve the
utility's public image; or

(5) is designed to promote the use of nuclear power or to promote a nuclear waste storage
facility.

(b) The commission may approve a rate which makes an allowance for expenses incurred
by a public utility to disseminate information which:

(1) is designed to encourage deleted text begin conservationdeleted text end new text begin efficient usenew text end of energy supplies;

(2) is designed to promote safety; or

(3) is designed to inform and educate customers as to financial services made available
to them by the public utility.

(c) The commission shall not withhold approval of a rate because it makes an allowance
for expenses incurred by the utility to disseminate information about corporate affairs to its
owners.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2402, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 3a.new text end

new text begin Data mining facility.new text end

new text begin "Data mining facility" means all buildings, structures,
equipment, and installations at a single site where electricity is used primarily by computers
to process transactions involving digital currency that is not issued by a central authority.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2402, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Efficient fuel-switching improvement.

"Efficient fuel-switching improvement"
means a project that:

(1) replaces a fuel used by a customer with electricity or natural gas delivered at retail
by a utility subject to section 216B.2403 or 216B.241;

(2) results in a net increase in the use of electricity or natural gas and a net decrease in
source energy consumption on a fuel-neutral basis;

(3) otherwise meets the criteria established for consumer-owned utilities in section
216B.2403, subdivision 8, and for public utilities under section 216B.241, subdivisions 11
and 12; and

(4) requires the installation of equipment that utilizes electricity or natural gas, resulting
in a reduction or elimination of the previous fuel used.

An efficient fuel-switching improvement is not an energy conservation improvement or
energy efficiency even if the efficient fuel-switching improvement results in a net reduction
in electricity or natural gas use. deleted text begin An efficient fuel-switching improvement does not include,
and must not count toward any energy savings goal from, energy conservation improvements
when fuel switching would result in an increase of greenhouse gas emissions into the
atmosphere on an annual basis.
deleted text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2402, subdivision 10, is amended to read:


Subd. 10.

Gross annual retail energy sales.

"Gross annual retail energy sales" means
a utility's annual electric sales to all Minnesota retail customers, or natural gas throughput
to all retail customers, including natural gas transportation customers, on a utility's
distribution system in Minnesota. Gross annual retail energy sales does not include:

(1) gas sales to:

(i) a large energy facility;

(ii) a large customer facility whose natural gas utility has been exempted by the
commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), with respect to natural
gas sales made to the large customer facility; and

(iii) a commercial gas customer facility whose natural gas utility has been exempted by
the commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b), with respect to
natural gas sales made to the commercial gas customer facility;

(2) electric sales tonew text begin :
new text end

new text begin (i)new text end a large customer facility whose electric utility has been exempted by the commissioner
under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), with respect to electric sales made
to the large customer facility; deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin and
new text end

new text begin (ii) a data mining facility, if the facility:
new text end

new text begin (A) has provided a signed letter to the utility verifying the facility meets the definition
of a data mining facility; and
new text end

new text begin (B) imposes a peak electrical demand on a consumer-owned utility's system equal to or
greater than 40 percent of the peak electrical demand of the system, measured in the same
manner as the utility that serves the customer facility measures electric demand for billing
purposes; or
new text end

(3) the amount of electric sales prior to December 31, 2032, that are associated with a
utility's program, rate, or tariff for electric vehicle charging based on a methodology and
assumptions developed by the department in consultation with interested stakeholders no
later than December 31, 2021. After December 31, 2032, incremental sales to electric
vehicles must be included in calculating a new text begin public new text end utility's gross annual retail sales.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2403, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Consumer-owned utility; energy-savings goal.

(a) Each individual
consumer-owned new text begin electric new text end utility subject to this section has an annual energy-savings goal
equivalent to 1.5 percent of gross annual retail energy salesnew text begin and each individual
consumer-owned natural gas utility subject to this section has an annual energy-savings
goal equivalent to one percent of gross annual retail energy sales
new text end , to be met with a minimum
of energy savings from energy conservation improvements equivalent to at least deleted text begin 0.95deleted text end new text begin 0.90new text end
percent of the consumer-owned utility's gross annual retail energy sales. The balance of
energy savings toward the annual energy-savings goal may be achieved only by the following
consumer-owned utility activities:

(1) energy savings from additional energy conservation improvements;

(2) electric utility infrastructure projects, as defined in section 216B.1636, subdivision
1, that result in increased efficiency greater than would have occurred through normal
maintenance activity;

(3) net energy savings from efficient fuel-switching improvements that meet the criteria
under subdivision 8, which may contribute up to deleted text begin 0.55deleted text end new text begin 0.60new text end percent of the goal; or

(4) subject to department approval, demand-side natural gas or electric energy displaced
by use of waste heat recovered and used as thermal energy, including the recovered thermal
energy from a cogeneration or combined heat and power facility.

(b) The energy-savings goals specified in this section must be calculated based on
weather-normalized sales averaged over the most recent three years. A consumer-owned
utility may elect to carry forward energy savings in excess of 1.5 percent for a year to the
next three years, except that energy savings from electric utility infrastructure projects may
be carried forward for five years. A particular energy savings can only be used to meet one
year's goal.

(c) A consumer-owned utility subject to this section is not required to make energy
conservation improvements that are not cost-effective, even if the improvement is necessary
to attain the energy-savings goal. A consumer-owned utility subject to this section must
make reasonable efforts to implement energy conservation improvements that exceed the
minimum level established under this subdivision if cost-effective opportunities and funding
are available, considering other potential investments the consumer-owned utility intends
to make to benefit customers during the term of the plan filed under subdivision 3.

deleted text begin (d) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, until July 1, 2026, spending by a
consumer-owned utility subject to this section on efficient fuel-switching improvements
implemented to meet the annual energy savings goal under this section must not exceed
0.55 percent per year, averaged over a three-year period, of the consumer-owned utility's
gross annual retail energy sales.
deleted text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2403, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Consumer-owned utility; energy conservation and optimization plans.

(a)
By June 1, 2022, and at least every three years thereafter, each consumer-owned utility must
file with the commissioner an energy conservation and optimization plan that describes the
programs for energy conservation, efficient fuel-switching, load management, and other
measures the consumer-owned utility intends to offer to achieve the utility's energy savings
goal.

(b) A plan's term may extend up to three years. A multiyear plan must identify the total
energy savings and energy savings resulting from energy conservation improvements that
are projected to be achieved in each year of the plan. A multiyear plan that does not, in each
year of the plan, meet both the minimum energy savings goal from energy conservation
improvements and the total energy savings goal of 1.5 percent, or lower goals adjusted by
the commissioner under paragraph (k), must:

(1) state why each goal is projected to be unmet; and

(2) demonstrate how the consumer-owned utility proposes to meet both goals on an
average basis over the duration of the plan.

(c) A plan filed under this subdivision must provide:

(1) for existing programs, an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of the consumer-owned
utility's programs offered under the plan, using a list of baseline energy- and capacity-savings
assumptions developed in consultation with the department; and

(2) for new programs, a preliminary analysis upon which the program will proceed, in
parallel with further development of assumptions and standards.

(d) The commissioner must evaluate a plan filed under this subdivision based on the
plan's likelihood to achieve the energy-savings goals established in subdivision 2. The
commissioner may make recommendations to a consumer-owned utility regarding ways to
increase the effectiveness of the consumer-owned utility's energy conservation activities
and programs under this subdivision. The commissioner may recommend that a
consumer-owned utility implement a cost-effective energy conservationnew text begin or efficient
fuel-switching
new text end programdeleted text begin , including an energy conservation programdeleted text end suggested by an outside
source such as a political subdivision, nonprofit corporation, or community organization.

(e) Beginning June 1, 2023, and every June 1 thereafter, each consumer-owned utility
must file: (1) an annual update identifying the status of the plan filed under this subdivision,
including: (i) total expenditures and investments made to date under the plan; and (ii) any
intended changes to the plan; and (2) a summary of the annual energy-savings achievements
under a plan. An annual filing made in the last year of a plan must contain a new plan that
complies with this section.

(f) When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of a consumer-owned utility's energy
conservation programs, the consumer-owned utility and the commissioner must consider
the costs and benefits to ratepayers, the utility, participants, and society. The commissioner
must also consider the rate at which the consumer-owned utility is increasing energy savings
and expenditures on energy conservation, and lifetime energy savings and cumulative energy
savings.

(g) A consumer-owned utility may annually spend and invest up to ten percent of the
total amount spent and invested on energy conservationnew text begin , efficient fuel-switching, or load
management
new text end improvements on research and development projects that meet the new text begin applicable
new text end definition of energy conservationnew text begin , efficient fuel-switching, or load managementnew text end improvement.

(h) A generation and transmission cooperative electric association or municipal power
agency that provides energy services to consumer-owned utilities may file a plan under this
subdivision on behalf of the consumer-owned utilities to which the association or agency
provides energy services and may make investments, offer conservation programs, and
otherwise fulfill the energy-savings goals and reporting requirements of this subdivision
for those consumer-owned utilities on an aggregate basis.

(i) A consumer-owned utility is prohibited from spending for or investing in energy
conservation improvements that directly benefit a large energy facility or a large electric
customer facility the commissioner has exempted under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a.

(j) The energy conservation and optimization plan of a consumer-owned utility may
include activities to improve energy efficiency in the public schools served by the utility.
These activities may include programs to:

(1) increase the efficiency of the school's lighting and heating and cooling systems;

(2) recommission buildings;

(3) train building operators; and

(4) provide opportunities to educate students, teachers, and staff regarding energy
efficiency measures implemented at the school.

(k) A consumer-owned utility may request that the commissioner adjust the
consumer-owned utility's minimum goal for energy savings from energy conservation
improvements under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), for the duration of the plan filed under
this subdivision. The request must be made by January 1 of the year when the
consumer-owned utility must file a plan under this subdivision. The request must be based
on:

(1) historical energy conservation improvement program achievements;

(2) customer class makeup;

(3) projected load growth;

(4) an energy conservation potential study that estimates the amount of cost-effective
energy conservation potential that exists in the consumer-owned utility's service territory;

(5) the cost-effectiveness and quality of the energy conservation programs offered by
the consumer-owned utility; and

(6) other factors the commissioner and consumer-owned utility determine warrant an
adjustment.

The commissioner must adjust the energy savings goal to a level the commissioner determines
is supported by the record, but must not approve a minimum energy savings goal from
energy conservation improvements that is less than an average of 0.95 percent per year over
the consecutive years of the plan's duration, including the year the minimum energy savings
goal is adjusted.

(l) A consumer-owned utility filing a conservation and optimization plan that includes
an efficient fuel-switching program deleted text begin to achieve the utility's energy savings goaldeleted text end must, as part
of the filing, demonstrate deleted text begin by a comparison of greenhouse gas emissions between the fuelsdeleted text end
that the requirements of subdivision 8 are metdeleted text begin , using a full fuel-cycle energy analysisdeleted text end .

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2403, subdivision 5, is amended to read:


Subd. 5.

Energy conservation programs for low-income households.

(a) A
consumer-owned utility subject to this section must provide energy conservation programs
to low-income households. The commissioner must evaluate a consumer-owned utility's
plans under this section by considering the consumer-owned utility's historic spending on
energy conservation programs directed to low-income households, the rate of customer
participation in and the energy savings resulting from those programs, and the number of
low-income persons residing in the consumer-owned utility's service territory. A municipal
utility that furnishes natural gas service must spend at least 0.2 percent of the municipal
utility's most recent three-year average gross operating revenue from residential customers
in Minnesota on energy conservation programs for low-income households. A
consumer-owned utility that furnishes electric service must spend at least 0.2 percent of the
consumer-owned utility's gross operating revenue from residential customers in Minnesota
on energy conservation programs for low-income households. The requirement under this
paragraph applies to each generation and transmission cooperative association's aggregate
gross operating revenue from the sale of electricity to residential customers in Minnesota
by all of the association's member distribution cooperatives.

(b) To meet all or part of the spending requirements of paragraph (a), a consumer-owned
utility may contribute money to the energy and conservation account established in section
216B.241, subdivision 2a. An energy conservation optimization plan must state the amount
of contributions the consumer-owned utility plans to make to the energy and conservation
account. Contributions to the account must be used for energy conservation programs serving
low-income households, including renters, located in the service area of the consumer-owned
utility making the contribution. Contributions must be remitted to the commissioner by
February 1 each year.

(c) The commissioner must establish energy conservation programs for low-income
households funded through contributions to the energy and conservation account under
paragraph (b). When establishing energy conservation programs for low-income households,
the commissioner must consult political subdivisions, utilities, and nonprofit and community
organizations, including organizations providing energy and weatherization assistance to
low-income households. The commissioner must record and report expenditures and energy
savings achieved as a result of energy conservation programs for low-income households
funded through the energy and conservation account in the report required under section
216B.241, subdivision 1c, paragraph (f). The commissioner may contract with a political
subdivision, nonprofit or community organization, public utility, municipality, or
consumer-owned utility to implement low-income programs funded through the energy and
conservation account.

(d) A consumer-owned utility may petition the commissioner to modify the required
spending under this subdivision if the consumer-owned utility and the commissioner were
unable to expend the amount required for three consecutive years.

(e) The commissioner must develop and establish guidelines for determining the eligibility
of multifamily buildings to participate in energy conservation programs provided to
low-income households. Notwithstanding the definition of low-income household in section
216B.2402, a consumer-owned utility or association may apply the most recent guidelines
published by the department for purposes of determining the eligibility of multifamily
buildings to participate in low-income programs. The commissioner must convene a
stakeholder group to review and update these guidelines by August 1, 2021, and at least
once every five years thereafter. The stakeholder group must include but is not limited to
representatives of public utilities; municipal electric or gas utilities; electric cooperative
associations; multifamily housing owners and developers; and low-income advocates.

(f) Up to 15 percent of a consumer-owned utility's spending on low-income energy
conservation programs may be spent on preweatherization measures. A consumer-owned
utility is prohibited from claiming energy savings from preweatherization measures toward
the consumer-owned utility's energy savings goal.

(g) The commissioner must, by order, establish a list of preweatherization measures
eligible for inclusion in low-income energy conservation programs no later than March 15,
2022.

(h) A Healthy AIR (Asbestos Insulation Removal) account is established as a separate
account in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. A consumer-owned utility may
elect to contribute money to the Healthy AIR account to provide preweatherization measures
for households eligible for weatherization assistance from the state weatherization assistance
program in section 216C.264. Remediation activities must be executed in conjunction with
federal weatherization assistance program services. Money contributed to the account by a
consumer-owned utility counts toward: (1) the minimum low-income spending requirement
under paragraph (a); and (2) the cap on preweatherization measures under paragraph (f).
Money in the account is annually appropriated to the commissioner of commerce to pay for
Healthy AIR-related activities.

new text begin (i) This paragraph applies to a consumer-owned utility that supplies electricity to a
low-income household whose primary heating fuel is supplied by an entity other than a
public utility. Any spending on space and water heating energy conservation improvements
and efficient fuel-switching by the consumer-owned utility on behalf of the low-income
household may be applied to the consumer owned utility's spending requirement under
paragraph (a). To the maximum extent possible, a consumer-owned utility providing services
under this paragraph must offer the services in conjunction with weatherization services
provided under section 216C.264.
new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2403, subdivision 8, is amended to read:


Subd. 8.

Criteria for efficient fuel-switching improvements.

(a) A fuel-switching
improvement is deemed efficient if, applying the technical criteria established under section
216B.241, subdivision 1d, paragraph (e), the improvement, relative to the fuel being
displaced:

(1) results in a net reduction in the amount of source energy consumed for a particular
use, measured on a fuel-neutral basisnew text begin , using (i) the consumer-owned utility's or the utility's
electricity supplier's annual system average efficiency, or (ii) if the utility elects, a seasonal,
monthly, or more granular level of analysis for the electric utility system over the measure's
life
new text end ;

(2) results in a net reduction of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, as defined in section
216H.01, subdivision 2, over the lifetime of the improvement. For an efficient fuel-switching
improvement installed by an electric consumer-owned utility, the reduction in emissions
must be measured deleted text begin based on the hourly emissions profile of the consumer-owned utility or
the utility's electricity supplier, as reported in the most recent resource plan approved by
the commission under section 216B.2422. If the hourly emissions profile is not available,
the commissioner must develop a method consumer-owned utilities must use to estimate
that value
deleted text end new text begin using (i) the consumer-owned utility's or the utility's electricity supplier's annual
average emissions factor, or (ii) if the utility elects, a seasonal, monthly, or more granular
level of analysis for the electric utility system over the measure's life
new text end ;new text begin and
new text end

(3) is cost-effective, considering the costs and benefits from the perspective of the
consumer-owned utility, participants, and societydeleted text begin ; anddeleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (4) is installed and operated in a manner that improves the consumer-owned utility's
system load factor.
deleted text end

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "source energy" means the total amount of primary
energy required to deliver energy services, adjusted for losses in generation, transmission,
and distribution, and expressed on a fuel-neutral basis.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.241, subdivision 1c, is amended to read:


Subd. 1c.

Public utility; energy-saving goals.

(a) The commissioner shall establish
energy-saving goals for energy conservation improvements and shall evaluate an energy
conservation improvement program on how well it meets the goals set.

(b) A public utility providing electric service has an annual energy-savings goal equivalent
to 1.75 percent of gross annual retail energy sales unless modified by the commissioner
under paragraph (c). A public utility providing natural gas service has an annual
energy-savings goal equivalent to one percent of gross annual retail energy sales, which
cannot be lowered by the commissioner. The savings goals must be calculated based on the
most recent three-year weather-normalized average. A public utility providing electric
service may elect to carry forward energy savings in excess of 1.75 percent for a year to
the succeeding three calendar years, except that savings from electric utility infrastructure
projects allowed under paragraph (d) may be carried forward for five years. A public utility
providing natural gas service may elect to carry forward energy savings in excess of one
percent for a year to the succeeding three calendar years. A particular energy savings can
only be used to meet one year's goal.

(c) In its energy conservation and optimization plan filing, a public utility may request
the commissioner to adjust its annual energy-savings percentage goal based on its historical
conservation investment experience, customer class makeup, load growth, a conservation
potential study, or other factors the commissioner determines warrants an adjustment.

(d) The commissioner may not approve a plan of a public utility that provides for an
annual energy-savings goal of less than one percent of gross annual retail energy sales from
energy conservation improvements.

The balance of the 1.75 percent annual energy savings goal may be achieved through
energy savings from:

(1) additional energy conservation improvements;

(2) electric utility infrastructure projects approved by the commission under section
216B.1636 that result in increased efficiency greater than would have occurred through
normal maintenance activity; or

(3) subject to department approval, demand-side natural gas or electric energy displaced
by use of waste heat recovered and used as thermal energy, including the recovered thermal
energy from a cogeneration or combined heat and power facility.

(e) A public utility is not required to make energy conservation investments to attain
the energy-savings goals of this subdivision that are not cost-effective even if the investment
is necessary to attain the energy-savings goals. For the purpose of this paragraph, in
determining cost-effectiveness, the commissioner shall consider: (1) the costs and benefits
to ratepayers, the utility, participants, and society; (2) the rate at which a public utility is
increasing both its energy savings and its expenditures on energy conservation; and (3) the
public utility's lifetime energy savings and cumulative energy savings.

(f) On an annual basis, the commissioner shall produce and make publicly available a
report on the annual energy and capacity savings and estimated carbon dioxide reductions
achieved by the programs under this section and section 216B.2403 for the two most recent
years for which data is available. The report must also include information regarding any
annual energy sales or generation capacity increases resulting from efficient fuel-switching
improvements. The commissioner shall report on program performance both in the aggregate
and for each entity filing an energy conservation improvement plan for approval or review
by the commissioner, and must estimate progress made toward the statewide energy-savings
goal under section 216B.2401.

deleted text begin (g) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, until July 1, 2026, spending by a
public utility subject to this section on efficient fuel-switching improvements to meet energy
savings goals under this section must not exceed 0.35 percent per year, averaged over three
years, of the public utility's gross annual retail energy sales.
deleted text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.241, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Public utility; energy conservation and optimization plans.

(a) The
commissioner may require a public utility to make investments and expenditures in energy
conservation improvements, explicitly setting forth the interest rates, prices, and terms under
which the improvements must be offered to the customers.

(b) A public utility shall file an energy conservation and optimization plan by June 1,
on a schedule determined by order of the commissioner, but at least every three years. As
provided in subdivisions 11 to 13, plans may include programs for efficient fuel-switching
improvements and load management. An individual utility program may combine elements
of energy conservation, load management, or efficient fuel-switching. The plan must estimate
the lifetime energy savings and cumulative lifetime energy savings projected to be achieved
under the plan. A plan filed by a public utility by June 1 must be approved or approved as
modified by the commissioner by December 1 of that same year.

(c) The commissioner shall evaluate the plan on the basis of cost-effectiveness and the
reliability of technologies employed. The commissioner's order must provide to the extent
practicable for a free choice, by consumers participating in an energy conservation program,
of the device, method, material, or project constituting the energy conservation improvement
and for a free choice of the seller, installer, or contractor of the energy conservation
improvement, provided that the device, method, material, or project seller, installer, or
contractor is duly licensed, certified, approved, or qualified, including under the residential
conservation services program, where applicable.

(d) The commissioner may require a utility subject to subdivision 1c to make an energy
conservation improvement investment or expenditure whenever the commissioner finds
that the improvement will result in energy savings at a total cost to the utility less than the
cost to the utility to produce or purchase an equivalent amount of new supply of energy.

(e) Each public utility subject to this subdivision may spend and invest annually up to
ten percent of the total amount deleted text begin spent and investeddeleted text end new text begin that the public utility spends and investsnew text end
on energy conservationnew text begin , efficient fuel-switching, or load managementnew text end improvements under
this section deleted text begin by the public utilitydeleted text end on research and development projects that meet the new text begin applicable
new text end definition of energy conservationnew text begin , efficient fuel-switching, or load managementnew text end improvement.

(f) The commissioner shall consider and may require a public utility to undertake an
energy conservation deleted text begin programdeleted text end new text begin or efficient fuel-switching program, subject to the requirements
of subdivisions 11 and 12, that is
new text end suggested by an outside source, including a political
subdivision, a nonprofit corporation, or community organization.new text begin When approving a proposal
under this paragraph, the commissioner must consider the qualifications and experience of
the entity proposing the program and any other criteria the commissioner deems relevant.
new text end

(g) A public utility, a political subdivision, or a nonprofit or community organization
that has suggested an energy conservation program, the attorney general acting on behalf
of consumers and small business interests, or a public utility customer that has suggested
an energy conservation program and is not represented by the attorney general under section
8.33 may petition the commission to modify or revoke a department decision under this
section, and the commission may do so if it determines that the energy conservation program
is not cost-effective, does not adequately address the residential conservation improvement
needs of low-income persons, has a long-range negative effect on one or more classes of
customers, or is otherwise not in the public interest. The commission shall reject a petition
that, on its face, fails to make a reasonable argument that an energy conservation program
is not in the public interest.

(h) The commissioner may order a public utility to include, with the filing of the public
utility's annual status report, the results of an independent audit of the public utility's
conservation improvement programs and expenditures performed by the department or an
auditor with experience in the provision of energy conservation and energy efficiency
services approved by the commissioner and chosen by the public utility. The audit must
specify the energy savings or increased efficiency in the use of energy within the service
territory of the public utility that is the result of the public utility's spending and investments.
The audit must evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the public utility's conservation programs.

(i) The energy conservation and optimization plan of each public utility subject to this
section must include activities to improve energy efficiency in public schools served by the
utility. As applicable to each public utility, at a minimum the activities must include programs
to increase the efficiency of the school's lighting and heating and cooling systems, and to
provide for building recommissioning, building operator training, and opportunities to
educate students, teachers, and staff regarding energy efficiency measures implemented at
the school.

(j) The commissioner may require investments or spending greater than the amounts
proposed in a plan filed under this subdivision or section 216C.17 for a public utility whose
most recent advanced forecast required under section 216B.2422 projects a peak demand
deficit of 100 megawatts or more within five years under midrange forecast assumptions.

(k) A public utility filing a conservation and optimization plan that includes an efficient
fuel-switching program deleted text begin to achieve the utility's energy savings goaldeleted text end must, as part of the filing,
demonstrate deleted text begin by a comparison of greenhouse gas emissions between the fuelsdeleted text end that the
requirements of subdivisions 11 or 12 are met, as applicabledeleted text begin , using a full fuel-cycle energy
analysis
deleted text end .

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.241, subdivision 11, is amended to read:


Subd. 11.

Programs for efficient fuel-switching improvements; electric utilities.

(a)
A public utility providing electric service at retail may include in the plan required under
subdivision 2 new text begin a proposed goal for efficient fuel-switching improvements that the utility
expects to achieve under the plan and the
new text end programs to implement efficient fuel-switching
improvements or combinations of energy conservation improvements, fuel-switching
improvements, and load management. For each program, the public utility must provide a
proposed budget, an analysis of the program's cost-effectiveness, and estimated net energy
and demand savings.

(b) The department may approve proposed programs for efficient fuel-switching
improvements if the department determines the improvements meet the requirements of
paragraph (d). deleted text begin For fuel-switching improvements that require the deployment of electric
technologies, the department must also consider whether the fuel-switching improvement
can be operated in a manner that facilitates the integration of variable renewable energy
into the electric system. The net benefits from an efficient fuel-switching improvement that
is integrated with an energy efficiency program approved under this section may be counted
toward the net benefits of the energy efficiency program, if the department determines the
primary purpose and effect of the program is energy efficiency.
deleted text end

(c) A public utility may file a rate schedule with the commission that provides for annual
cost recovery of reasonable and prudent costs to implement and promote efficient
fuel-switching programs. The new text begin utility, department, or other entity may propose, and the
new text end commission may deleted text begin notdeleted text end approvenew text begin , modify, or reject,new text end a new text begin proposal for a new text end financial incentive to
encourage efficient fuel-switching programs operated by a public utility providing electric
servicenew text begin approved under this subdivision. When making a decision on the financial incentive
proposal, the commission must apply the considerations established in section 216B.16,
subdivision 6c, paragraphs (b) and (c)
new text end .

(d) A fuel-switching improvement is deemed efficient if, applying the technical criteria
established under section 216B.241, subdivision 1d, paragraph (e), the improvement meets
the following criteria, relative to the fuel that is being displaced:

(1) results in a net reduction in the amount of source energy consumed for a particular
use, measured on a fuel-neutral basisnew text begin , using (i) the utility's annual system average efficiency,
or (ii) if the utility elects, a seasonal, monthly, or more granular level of analysis for the
electric utility system over the measure's life
new text end ;

(2) results in a net reduction of statewide greenhouse gas emissions as defined in section
216H.01, subdivision 2, over the lifetime of the improvement. For an efficient fuel-switching
improvement installed by an electric utility, the reduction in emissions must be measured
deleted text begin based on the hourly emission profile of the electric utility, using the hourly emissions profile
in the most recent resource plan approved by the commission under section 216B.2422
deleted text end new text begin
using (i) the utility's annual average emissions factor, or (ii) if the utility elects, a seasonal,
monthly or more granular level of analysis, for the electric utility system over the measure's
life
new text end ;new text begin and
new text end

(3) is cost-effective, considering the costs and benefits from the perspective of the utility,
participants, and societydeleted text begin ; anddeleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (4) is installed and operated in a manner that improves the utility's system load factor.
deleted text end

(e) For purposes of this subdivision, "source energy" means the total amount of primary
energy required to deliver energy services, adjusted for losses in generation, transmission,
and distribution, and expressed on a fuel-neutral basis.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.241, subdivision 12, is amended to read:


Subd. 12.

Programs for efficient fuel-switching improvements; natural gas
utilities.

(a) As part of a public utility's plan filed under subdivision 2, a public utility that
provides natural gas service to Minnesota retail customers may propose one or more programs
to install electric technologies that reduce the consumption of natural gas by the utility's
retail customers as an energy conservation improvement. The commissioner may approve
a proposed program if the commissioner, applying the technical criteria developed under
section 216B.241, subdivision 1d, paragraph (e), determines that:

(1) the electric technology to be installed meets the criteria established under section
216B.241, subdivision 11, paragraph (d), clauses (1) and (2); and

(2) the program is cost-effective, considering the costs and benefits to ratepayers, the
utility, participants, and society.

(b) If a program is approved by the commission under this subdivision, the public utility
may count the program's energy savings toward its energy savings goal under section
216B.241, subdivision 1c. Notwithstanding section 216B.2402, subdivision 4, efficient
fuel-switching achieved through programs approved under this subdivision is energy
conservation.

(c) A public utility may file rate schedules with the commission that provide annual
cost-recovery for programs approved by the department under this subdivision, including
reasonable and prudent costs to implement and promote the programs.

(d) The commission may approve, modify, or reject a proposal made by the department
or a utility for an incentive plan to encourage efficient fuel-switching programs approved
under this subdivision, applying the considerations established under section 216B.16,
subdivision 6c, paragraphs (b) and (c). The commission may approve a financial incentive
mechanism that is calculated based on the combined energy savings and net benefits that
the commission has determined have been achieved by a program approved under this
subdivision, provided the commission determines that the financial incentive mechanism
is in the ratepayers' interest.

deleted text begin (e) A public utility is not eligible for a financial incentive for an efficient fuel-switching
program under this subdivision in any year in which the utility achieves energy savings
below one percent of gross annual retail energy sales, excluding savings achieved through
fuel-switching programs.
deleted text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2425, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

List.

The commission shall maintain a list of certified high-voltage
transmission linenew text begin and grid enhancing technologynew text end projects.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end

new text begin This section is effective June 1, 2025.
new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2425, 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 the purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Capacity" means the maximum amount of electricity that can flow through a
transmission line while observing industry safety standards.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Congestion" means a condition in which a lack of transmission line capacity prevents
the delivery of the lowest-cost electricity dispatched to meet load at a specific location.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Dynamic line rating" means hardware or software used to calculate the thermal
limit of existing transmission lines at a specific point in time by incorporating information
on real-time and forecasted weather conditions.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Grid enhancing technology" means hardware or software that reduces congestion
or enhances the flexibility of the transmission system by increasing the capacity of a
high-voltage transmission line or rerouting electricity from overloaded to uncongested lines,
while maintaining industry safety standards. Grid enhancing technologies include but are
not limited to dynamic line rating, advanced power flow controllers, and topology
optimization.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Power flow controller" means hardware and software used to reroute electricity
from overloaded transmission lines to underutilized transmission lines.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Thermal limit" means the temperature a transmission line reaches when heat from
the electric current flow within the transmission line causes excessive sagging of the
transmission line.
new text end

new text begin (h) "Topology optimization" means a software technology that uses mathematical models
to identify reconfigurations in the transmission grid in order to reroute electricity from
overloaded transmission lines to underutilized transmission lines.
new text end

new text begin (i) "Transmission line" has the meaning given to "high-voltage transmission line" in
section 216I.02, subdivision 8.
new text end

new text begin (j) "Transmission system" means a network of high-voltage transmission lines owned
or operated by an entity subject to this section that transports electricity to Minnesota
customers.
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. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2425, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

List development; transmissionnew text begin and grid enhancing technologynew text end projects
report.

(a) By November 1 of each odd-numbered year, a transmission projects report must
be submitted to the commission by each utility, organization, or company that:

(1) is a public utility, a municipal utility, a cooperative electric association, the generation
and transmission organization that serves each utility or association, or a transmission
company; and

(2) owns or operates electric transmission lines in Minnesota, except a company or
organization that owns a transmission line that serves a single customer or interconnects a
single generating facility.

(b) The report may be submitted jointly or individually to the commission.

(c) The report must:

(1) list specific present and reasonably foreseeable future inadequacies in the transmission
system in Minnesota;

(2) identify alternative means of addressing each inadequacy listednew text begin , including grid
enhancing technologies such as dynamic line rating, power flow controllers, topology
optimization, and other hardware or software that reduce congestion or enhance the flexibility
of the transmission system
new text end ;

(3) identify general economic, environmental, and social issues associated with each
alternative; and

(4) provide a summary of public input related to the list of inadequacies and the role of
local government officials and other interested persons in assisting to develop the list and
analyze alternatives.

(d) To meet the requirements of this subdivision, reporting parties may rely on available
information and analysis developed by a regional transmission organization or any subgroup
of a regional transmission organization and may develop and include additional information
as necessary.

(e) In addition to providing the information required under this subdivision, a utility
operating under a multiyear rate plan approved by the commission under section 216B.16,
subdivision 19, shall identify in its report investments that it considers necessary to modernize
the transmission and distribution system by enhancing reliability, improving security against
cyber and physical threats, and by increasing energy conservation opportunities by facilitating
communication between the utility and its customers through the use of two-way meters,
control technologies, energy storage and microgrids, technologies to enable demand response,
and other innovative technologies.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end

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

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2427, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section and section 216B.2428,
the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Biogas" means gas produced by the anaerobic digestion of biomass, gasification of
biomass, or other effective conversion processes.

(c) "Carbon capture" means the capture of greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise
be released into the atmosphere.

(d) "Carbon-free resource" means an electricity generation facility whose operation does
not contribute to statewide greenhouse gas emissions, as defined in section 216H.01,
subdivision 2.

new text begin (e) "Disadvantaged community" means a community in Minnesota that is:
new text end

new text begin (1) defined as disadvantaged by the federal agency disbursing federal funds, when the
federal agency is providing funds for an innovative resource; or
new text end

new text begin (2) an environmental justice area, as defined under section 216B.1691, subdivision 1.
new text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end "District energy" means a heating or cooling system that is solar thermal powered
or that uses the constant temperature of the earth or underground aquifers as a thermal
exchange medium to heat or cool multiple buildings connected through a piping network.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (g)new text end "Energy efficiency" has the meaning given in section 216B.241, subdivision 1,
paragraph (f), but does not include energy conservation investments that the commissioner
determines could reasonably be included in a utility's conservation improvement program.

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (h)new text end "Greenhouse gas emissions" means emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride emitted by
anthropogenic sources within Minnesota and from the generation of electricity imported
from outside the state and consumed in Minnesota, excluding carbon dioxide that is injected
into geological formations to prevent its release to the atmosphere in compliance with
applicable laws.

deleted text begin (h)deleted text end new text begin (i)new text end "Innovative resource" means biogas, renewable natural gas, power-to-hydrogen,
power-to-ammonia, carbon capture, strategic electrification, district energy, and energy
efficiency.

deleted text begin (i)deleted text end new text begin (j)new text end "Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions" means the aggregate greenhouse gas
emissions resulting from the production, processing, transmission, and consumption of an
energy resource.

deleted text begin (j)deleted text end new text begin (k)new text end "Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions intensity" means lifecycle greenhouse gas
emissions per unit of energy delivered to an end user.

deleted text begin (k)deleted text end new text begin (l)new text end "Nonexempt customer" means a utility customer that has not been included in a
utility's innovation plan under subdivision 3, paragraph (f).

deleted text begin (l)deleted text end new text begin (m)new text end "Power-to-ammonia" means the production of ammonia from hydrogen produced
via power-to-hydrogen using a process that has a lower lifecycle greenhouse gas intensity
than does natural gas produced from conventional geologic sources.

deleted text begin (m)deleted text end new text begin (n)new text end "Power-to-hydrogen" means the use of electricity generated by a carbon-free
resource to produce hydrogen.

deleted text begin (n)deleted text end new text begin (o)new text end "Renewable energy" has the meaning given in section 216B.2422, subdivision
1
.

deleted text begin (o)deleted text end new text begin (p)new text end "Renewable natural gas" means biogas that has been processed to be
interchangeable with, and that has a lower lifecycle greenhouse gas intensity than, natural
gas produced from conventional geologic sources.

deleted text begin (p)deleted text end new text begin (q)new text end "Solar thermal" has the meaning given to qualifying solar thermal project in
section 216B.2411, subdivision 2, paragraph (d).

deleted text begin (q)deleted text end new text begin (r)new text end "Strategic electrification" means the installation of electric end-use equipment in
an existing building in which natural gas is a primary or back-up fuel source, or in a newly
constructed building in which a customer receives natural gas service for one or more
end-uses, provided that the electric end-use equipment:

(1) results in a net reduction in statewide greenhouse gas emissions, as defined in section
216H.01, subdivision 2, over the life of the equipment when compared to the most efficient
commercially available natural gas alternative; and

(2) is installed and operated in a manner that improves the load factor of the customer's
electric utility.

Strategic electrification does not include investments that the commissioner determines
could reasonably be included in the natural gas utility's conservation improvement program
under section 216B.241.

new text begin (s) "Thermal energy network" means a project that provides heating and cooling to
multiple buildings connected via underground piping containing fluids that, in concert with
heat pumps, exchange thermal energy from the earth, underground or surface waters,
wastewater, or other heat sources.
new text end

deleted text begin (r)deleted text end new text begin (t)new text end "Total incremental cost" means the calculation of the following components of a
utility's innovation plan approved by the commission under subdivision 2:

(1) the sum of:

(i) return of and on capital investments for the production, processing, pipeline
interconnection, storage, and distribution of innovative resources;

(ii) incremental operating costs associated with capital investments in infrastructure for
the production, processing, pipeline interconnection, storage, and distribution of innovative
resources;

(iii) incremental costs to procure innovative resources from third parties;

(iv) incremental costs to develop and administer programs; and

(v) incremental costs for research and development related to innovative resources;

(2) less the sum of:

(i) value received by the utility upon the resale of innovative resources or innovative
resource by-products, including any environmental credits included with the resale of
renewable gaseous fuels or value received by the utility when innovative resources are used
as vehicle fuel;

(ii) cost savings achieved through avoidance of purchases of natural gas produced from
conventional geologic sources, including but not limited to avoided commodity purchases
and avoided pipeline costs; and

(iii) other revenues received by the utility that are directly attributable to the utility's
implementation of an innovation plan.

deleted text begin (s)deleted text end new text begin (u)new text end "Utility" means a public utility, as defined in section 216B.02, subdivision 4, that
provides natural gas sales or natural gas transportation services to customers in Minnesota.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.2427, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 9a.new text end

new text begin Thermal energy networks.new text end

new text begin Innovation plans filed after July 1, 2024, under
this section by a utility with more than 800,000 customers must include spending of at least
15 percent of the utility's proposed total incremental costs over the five-year term of the
proposed innovation plan for thermal energy networks projects. If the utility has developed
or is developing thermal energy network projects outside of an approved innovation plan,
the utility may apply the budget for the projects toward the 15 percent minimum requirement
without counting the costs against the limitations on utility customer costs under subdivision
3.
new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 216C.08, is amended to read:


216C.08 JURISDICTION.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner has sole authority and responsibility deleted text begin for the administration of
sections 216C.05 to 216C.30 and 216C.375
deleted text end new text begin to administer this chapternew text end . Other laws
notwithstanding, the authority grantednew text begin tonew text end the commissioner deleted text begin shall supersededeleted text end new text begin under this section
supersedes
new text end the authority given any other agency whenever overlapping, duplication, or
additional administrative or legal procedures might occur in deleted text begin the administration of sections
216C.05 to 216C.30 and 216C.375
deleted text end new text begin administering this chapternew text end . The commissioner shall
consult with other state departments or agencies in matters related to energy and shall
contract with deleted text begin themdeleted text end new text begin the other state departments or agenciesnew text end to provide appropriate services
to effectuate the purposes of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30 and 216C.375deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end . Any
other department, agency, or official of this state or political subdivision thereof which
would in any way affect the administration or enforcement of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30
and 216C.375
deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end shall cooperate and coordinate all activities with the commissioner
to assure orderly and efficient administration and enforcement of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to
216C.30 and 216C.375
deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end .

new text begin (b) new text end The commissioner shall designate a liaison officer whose duty shall be to insure the
maximum possible consistency in procedures and to eliminate duplication between the
commissioner and the other agencies that may be involved in energy.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 216C.09, is amended to read:


216C.09 COMMISSIONER DUTIES.

(a) The commissioner shall:

(1) manage the department as the central repository within the state government for the
collection of data on energy;

(2) prepare and adopt an emergency allocation plan specifying actions to be taken in the
event of an impending serious shortage of energy, or a threat to public health, safety, or
welfare;

(3) undertake a continuing assessment of trends in the consumption of all forms of energy
and analyze the social, economic, and environmental consequences of these trends;

(4) carry out energy deleted text begin conservationdeleted text end measures as specified by the legislature and recommend
to the governor and the legislature additional energy policies and conservation measures as
required to meet the objectives of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30 and 216C.375deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end ;

(5) collect and analyze data relating to present and future demands and resources for all
sources of energy;

(6) evaluate policies governing the establishment of rates and prices for energy as related
to energy conservation, and other goals and policies of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30 and
216C.375
deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end , and make recommendations for changes in energy pricing policies
and rate schedules;

(7) study the impact and relationship of the state energy policies to international, national,
and regional energy policies;

(8) design and implement a state program for the conservation of energy; this program
shall include but not be limited to, general commercial, industrial, and residential, and
transportation areas; such program shall also provide for the evaluation of energy systems
as they relate to lighting, heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, building design and
operation, and appliance manufacturing and operation;

(9) inform and educate the public about the sources and uses of energy and the ways in
which persons can conserve energy;

(10) dispense funds made available for the purpose of research studies and projects of
professional and civic orientation, which are related to either energy conservation, resource
recovery, or the development of alternative energy technologies which conserve
nonrenewable energy resources while creating minimum environmental impact;

(11) charge other governmental departments and agencies involved in energy-related
activities with specific information gathering goals and require that those goals be met;

(12) design a comprehensive program for the development of indigenous energy
resources. The program shall include, but not be limited to, providing technical,
informational, educational, and financial services and materials to persons, businesses,
municipalities, and organizations involved in the development of solar, wind, hydropower,
peat, fiber fuels, biomass, and other alternative energy resources. The program shall be
evaluated by the alternative energy technical activity; and

(13) dispense loans, grants, or other financial aid from money received from litigation
or settlement of alleged violations of federal petroleum-pricing regulations made available
to the department for that purpose.

(b) Further, the commissioner may participate fully in hearings before the Public Utilities
Commission on matters pertaining to rate design, cost allocation, efficient resource utilization,
utility conservation investments, small power production, cogeneration, and other rate issues.
The commissioner shall support the policies stated in section 216C.05 and shall prepare
and defend testimony proposed to encourage energy conservation improvements as defined
in section 216B.241.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.10, is amended to read:


216C.10 COMMISSIONER POWERS.

(a) The commissioner may:

(1) adopt rules under chapter 14 as necessary to carry out the purposes of deleted text begin sections
216C.05 to 216C.30
deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end ;

(2) make all contracts under deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end and do all things
necessary to cooperate with the United States government, and to qualify for, accept, and
disburse any grant intended deleted text begin for the administration of sections 216C.05 to 216C.30deleted text end new text begin to
administer this chapter
new text end ;

(3) provide on-site technical assistance to units of local government in order to enhance
local capabilities for dealing with energy problems;

(4) administer for the state, energy programs under federal law, regulations, or guidelines,
and coordinate the programs and activities with other state agencies, units of local
government, and educational institutions;

(5) develop a state energy investment plan with yearly energy conservation and alternative
energy development goals, investment targets, and marketing strategies;

(6) perform market analysis studies relating to conservation, alternative and renewable
energy resources, and energy recovery;

(7) assist with the preparation of proposals for innovative conservation, renewable,
alternative, or energy recovery projects;

(8) manage and disburse funds made available for the purpose of research studies or
demonstration projects related to energy conservation or other activities deemed appropriate
by the commissioner;

(9) intervene in certificate of need proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission;

(10) collect fees from recipients of loans, grants, or other financial aid from money
received from litigation or settlement of alleged violations of federal petroleum-pricing
regulations, which fees must be used to pay the department's costs in administering those
financial aids; and

(11) collect fees from proposers and operators of conservation and other energy-related
programs that are reviewed, evaluated, or approved by the department, other than proposers
that are political subdivisions or community or nonprofit organizations, to cover the
department's cost in making the reviewal, evaluation, or approval and in developing additional
programs for others to operate.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner is designated the state agent to
apply for, receive, and accept federal or other funds made available to the state for the
purposes of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end .

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 216C.331, subdivision 1, is amended
to read:


Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.

(b) "Aggregated customer energy use data" means customer energy use data that is
combined into one collective data point per time interval. Aggregated customer energy use
data is data with any unique identifiers or other personal information removed that a
qualifying utility collects and aggregates in at least monthly intervals for an entire building
on a covered property.

(c) "Benchmark" means to electronically input into a benchmarking tool deleted text begin the totaldeleted text end new text begin whole
building
new text end energy use data and other descriptive information about a building that is required
by a benchmarking tool.

(d) "Benchmarking information" means data related to a building's energy use generated
by a benchmarking tool, and other information about the building's physical and operational
characteristics. Benchmarking information includes but is not limited to the building's:

(1) address;

(2) owner and, if applicable, the building manager responsible for operating the building's
physical systems;

(3) total floor area, expressed in square feet;

(4) energy use intensity;

(5) greenhouse gas emissions; and

(6) energy performance score comparing the building's energy use with that of similar
buildings.

(e) "Benchmarking tool" means the United States Environmental Protection Agency's
Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool or an equivalent tool determined by the commissioner.

(f) "Covered property" means any property that is served by an investor-owned utility
in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington County, or in any city
outside the metropolitan area with a population of over 50,000 residentsnew text begin , as determined by
the Minnesota State Demographic Center,
new text end served by a municipal energy utility or
investor-owned utility, and that has one or more buildings containing in sum 50,000 gross
square feet or greater. Covered property does not include:

(1) a residential property containing fewer than five dwelling units;

(2) a property that is: (i) classified as manufacturing under the North American Industrial
Classification System; (ii) an energy-intensive trade-exposed customer, as defined in section
216B.1696; (iii) an electric power generation facility; (iv) a mining facility; or (v) an
industrial building otherwise incompatible with benchmarking in the benchmarking tool,
as determined by the commissioner;

(3) an agricultural building;

(4) a multitenant building that is served by a utility that deleted text begin cannot supplydeleted text end new text begin is not supplyingnew text end
aggregated customer usage datanew text begin under subdivision 8 or is not using a customer usage data
aggregation program to supply aggregated customer usage data to the benchmarking tool
new text end ;
or

(5) other property types that do not meet the purposes of this section, as determined by
the commissioner.

(g) "Customer energy use data" means data collected from utility customer meters that
reflect the quantity, quality, or timing of customers' energy use.

(h) "Energy" means electricity, natural gas, steam, or another product used to: (1) provide
heating, cooling, lighting, or water heating; or (2) power other end uses in a building.

(i) "Energy performance score" means a numerical value from one to 100 that the Energy
Star Portfolio Manager tool calculates to rate a building's energy efficiency against that of
comparable buildings nationwide.

(j) "Energy Star Portfolio Manager" means an interactive resource management tool
developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that (1) enables the
periodic entry of a building's energy use data and other descriptive information about a
building, and (2) rates a building's energy efficiency against that of comparable buildings
nationwide.

(k) "Energy use intensity" means the total annual energy consumed in a building divided
by the building's total floor area.

(l) "Financial distress" means a covered property that, at the time benchmarking is
conducted:

(1) is the subject of a qualified tax lien sale or public auction due to property tax
arrearages;

(2) is controlled by a court-appointed receiver based on financial distress;

(3) is owned by a financial institution through default by the borrower;

(4) has been acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure; or

(5) has a senior mortgage that is subject to a notice of default.

(m) "Local government" means a statutory or home rule municipality or county.

(n) "Owner" means:

(1) an individual or entity that possesses title to a covered property; or

(2) an agent authorized to act on behalf of the covered property owner.

(o) "Qualifying utility" means deleted text begin a utility serving the covered property, includingdeleted text end :

(1) an electric or gas utility, including:

(i) an investor-owned electric or gas utilitynew text begin serving customers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota,
Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington County, or in any city outside the metropolitan
area with a population of over 50,000 residents, as determined by the Minnesota State
Demographic Center, and serving properties with one or more buildings containing in sum
50,000 gross square feet or greater
new text end ; or

(ii) a municipally owned electric or gas utilitynew text begin serving customers in any city with a
population of over 50,000 residents, as determined by the Minnesota State Demographic
Center, and serving properties with one or more buildings containing in sum 50,000 gross
square feet or greater
new text end ;

(2) a natural gas supplier with five or more active commercial connections, accounts,
or customers in the statenew text begin and serving customers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin,
Ramsey, Scott, or Washington County, or in any city outside the metropolitan area with a
population of over 50,000 residents, as determined by the Minnesota State Demographic
Center, and serving properties with one or more buildings containing in sum 50,000 gross
square feet or greater
new text end ; or

(3) a district steam, hot water, or chilled water providernew text begin serving customers in Anoka,
Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington County, or in any city outside
the metropolitan area with a population of over 50,000 residents, as determined by the
Minnesota State Demographic Center, and serving properties with one or more buildings
containing in sum 50,000 gross square feet or greater
new text end .

(p) "Tenant" means a person that occupies or holds possession of a building or part of
a building or premises pursuant to a lease agreement.

(q) "Total floor area" means the sum of gross square footage inside a building's envelope,
measured between the outside exterior walls of the building. Total floor area includes covered
parking structures.

(r) "Utility customer" means the building owner or tenant listed on the utility's records
as the customer liable for payment of the utility service or additional charges assessed on
the utility account.

new text begin (s) "Whole building energy use data" means all energy consumed in a building, whether
purchased from a third party or generated at the building site or from any other source.
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. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.435, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:


Subd. 3a.

deleted text begin Cost-effectivedeleted text end Energy improvements.

"deleted text begin Cost-effectivedeleted text end Energy improvements"
means:

(1) any new construction, renovation, or retrofitting of qualifying commercial real
property to improve energy efficiency thatnew text begin : (i)new text end is permanently affixed to the propertydeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ; and
(ii)
new text end results in a net reduction in energy consumption deleted text begin without altering the principal source
of energy, and has been identified
deleted text end new text begin or greenhouse gas emissions, as documentednew text end in an energy
audit deleted text begin as repaying the purchase and installation costs in 20 years or less,deleted text end based on the amount
of future energy saved deleted text begin and estimated future energy pricesdeleted text end new text begin or emissions avoidednew text end ;

(2) any renovation or retrofitting of qualifying residential real property that is permanently
affixed to the property and is eligible to receive an incentive through a program offered by
the electric or natural gas utility that provides service under section 216B.241 to the property
or is otherwise determined to be deleted text begin a cost-effectivedeleted text end new text begin an eligiblenew text end energy improvement by the
commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1d, paragraph (a);

(3) permanent installation of new or upgraded electrical circuits and related equipment
to enable electrical vehicle charging; or

(4) a solar voltaic or solar thermal energy system attached to, installed within, or
proximate to a building that generates electrical or thermal energy from a renewable energy
source that has been deleted text begin identifieddeleted text end new text begin documentednew text end in an energy audit or renewable energy system
feasibility study deleted text begin as repaying their purchase and installation costs in 20 years or less, based
on the amount of future energy saved and estimated future energy prices
deleted text end new text begin , along with the
estimated amount of related renewable energy production
new text end .

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.435, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:


Subd. 3b.

Commercial PACE loan contractor.

"Commercial PACE loan contractor"
means a person or entity that installs deleted text begin cost-effective energydeleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end improvements financed
under a commercial PACE loan program.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.435, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 3e.new text end

new text begin Eligible improvement.new text end

new text begin "Eligible improvement" means one or more energy
improvements, resiliency improvements, or water improvements made to qualifying real
property.
new text end

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.435, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Energy audit.

"Energy audit" means a formal evaluation of the energy
consumption of a building by a certified energy auditor, whose certification is approved by
the commissioner, for the purpose of identifying appropriate energy improvements that
could be made to the building and including an estimate of the deleted text begin length of time a specific
energy improvement will take to repay its purchase and installation costs, based on the
amount of energy saved and estimated future energy prices
deleted text end new text begin effective useful life, the reduction
of energy consumption, and the related avoided greenhouse gas emissions resulting from
the proposed eligible improvements
new text end .

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 216C.435, subdivision 8, is amended
to read:


Subd. 8.

Qualifying commercial real property.

"Qualifying commercial real property"
means a multifamily residential dwelling, a commercial or industrial building, or farmland,
as defined in section 216C.436, subdivision 1b, that the implementing entity has determined,
after review of an energy audit, renewable energy system feasibility study, new text begin water
improvement study, resiliency improvement study,
new text end or agronomic assessment, as defined in
section 216C.436, subdivision 1b, can benefit from deleted text begin the installation of cost-effective energydeleted text end new text begin
installing eligible
new text end improvements or land and water improvements, as defined in section
216C.436, subdivision 1b. Qualifying commercial real property includes new construction.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.435, subdivision 10, is amended to read:


Subd. 10.

Renewable energy system feasibility study.

"Renewable energy system
feasibility study" means a written study, conducted by a contractor trained to perform that
analysis, for the purpose of determining the feasibility of installing a renewable energy
system in a building, including an estimate of the deleted text begin length of time a specificdeleted text end new text begin effective useful
life, the production of renewable energy, and any related avoided greenhouse gas emissions
of the proposed
new text end renewable energy system deleted text begin will take to repay its purchase and installation
costs, based on the amount of energy saved and estimated future energy prices. For a
geothermal energy improvement, the feasibility study must calculate net savings in terms
of nongeothermal energy and costs
deleted text end .

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.435, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 11a.new text end

new text begin Resiliency improvement.new text end

new text begin "Resiliency improvement" means one or more
installations or modifications to eligible commercial real property that are designed to
improve a property's resiliency by improving the eligible real property's:
new text end

new text begin (1) structural integrity for seismic events;
new text end

new text begin (2) indoor air quality;
new text end

new text begin (3) durability to resist wind, fire, and flooding;
new text end

new text begin (4) ability to withstand an electric power outage;
new text end

new text begin (5) stormwater control measures, including structural and nonstructural measures to
mitigate stormwater runoff;
new text end

new text begin (6) ability to mitigate the impacts of extreme temperatures; or
new text end

new text begin (7) ability to mitigate greenhouse gas embodied emissions from the eligible real property.
new text end

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.435, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 11b.new text end

new text begin Resiliency improvement feasibility study.new text end

new text begin "Resiliency improvement
feasibility study" means a written study, conducted by a contractor trained to perform the
analysis, that:
new text end

new text begin (1) determines the feasibility of installing a resiliency improvement;
new text end

new text begin (2) documents the improved resiliency capabilities of the property; and
new text end

new text begin (3) estimates the effective useful life of the proposed resiliency improvements.
new text end

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.435, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 14.new text end

new text begin Water improvement.new text end

new text begin "Water improvement" means one or more installations
or modifications to qualifying commercial real property that are designed to improve water
efficiency or water quality by:
new text end

new text begin (1) reducing water consumption;
new text end

new text begin (2) improving the quality, potability, or safety of water for the qualifying property; or
new text end

new text begin (3) conserving or remediating water, in whole or in part, on qualifying real property.
new text end

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.435, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 15.new text end

new text begin Water improvement feasibility study.new text end

new text begin "Water improvement feasibility study"
means a written study, conducted by a contractor trained to perform the analysis, that:
new text end

new text begin (1) determines the appropriate water improvements that could be made to the building;
and
new text end

new text begin (2) estimates the effective useful life, the reduction of water consumption, and any
improvement in water quality resulting from the proposed water improvements.
new text end

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.436, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Program purpose and authority.

An implementing entity may establish
a commercial PACE loan program to finance deleted text begin cost-effectivedeleted text end energynew text begin , water, and resiliencynew text end
improvements to enable owners of qualifying commercial real property to pay for deleted text begin the
cost-effective energy
deleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end improvements to the qualifying real property with the net
proceeds and interest earnings of revenue bonds authorized in this section. An implementing
entity may limit the number of qualifying commercial real properties for which a property
owner may receive program financing.

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 216C.436, subdivision 1b, is
amended to read:


Subd. 1b.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.

(b) "Agronomic assessment" means a study by an independent third party that assesses
the environmental impacts of proposed land and water improvements on farmland.

(c) "Farmland" means land classified as 2a, 2b, or 2c for property tax purposes under
section 273.13, subdivision 23.

(d) "Land and water improvement" means:

(1) an improvement to farmland that:

(i) is permanent;

(ii) results in improved agricultural profitability or resiliency;

(iii) reduces the environmental impact of agricultural production; and

(iv) if the improvement affects drainage, complies with the most recent versions of the
applicable following conservation practice standards issued by the United States Department
of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service: Drainage Water Management
(Code 554), Saturated Buffer (Code 604), Denitrifying Bioreactor (Code 605), and
Constructed Wetland (Code 656); or

(2) water conservation and quality measures, which include permanently affixed
equipment, appliances, or improvements that reduce a property's water consumption or that
enable water to be managed more efficiently.

(e) "Resiliency" meansnew text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1)new text end the ability of farmland to maintain and enhance profitability, soil health, and water
qualitydeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) the ability to mitigate greenhouse gas embodied emissions from an eligible real
property; or
new text end

new text begin (3) an increase in building resilience through flood mitigation, stormwater management,
wildfire and wind resistance, energy storage use, or microgrid use.
new text end

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 216C.436, subdivision 2, is amended
to read:


Subd. 2.

Program requirements.

A commercial PACE loan program must:

(1) impose requirements and conditions on financing arrangements to ensure timely
repayment;

(2) require an energy audit, renewable energy system feasibility study,new text begin resiliency
improvement study, water improvement study,
new text end or agronomic or soil health assessment to
be conducted on the qualifying commercial real property and reviewed by the implementing
entity prior to approval of the financing;

(3) require the inspectionnew text begin or verificationnew text end of all deleted text begin installations and a performance verification
of at least ten percent of the cost-effective energy
deleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end improvements or land and water
improvements financed by the program;

(4) not prohibit the financing of all deleted text begin cost-effective energydeleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end improvements or land
and water improvements not otherwise prohibited by this section;

(5) require that all deleted text begin cost-effective energydeleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end improvements or land and water
improvements be made to a qualifying commercial real property prior to, or in conjunction
with, an applicant's repayment of financing for deleted text begin cost-effective energydeleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end improvements
or land and water improvements for deleted text begin thatdeleted text end new text begin the qualifying commercial realnew text end property;

(6) have deleted text begin cost-effective energydeleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end improvements or land and water improvements
financed by the program performed by a licensed contractor as required by chapter 326B
or other law or ordinance;

(7) require disclosures in the loan document to borrowers by the implementing entity
of: (i) the risks involved in borrowing, including the risk of foreclosure if a tax delinquency
results from a default; and (ii) all the terms and conditions of the commercial PACE loan
and the installation of deleted text begin cost-effective energydeleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end improvements or land and water
improvements, including the interest rate being charged on the loan;

(8) provide financing only to those who demonstrate an ability to repay;

(9) not provide financing for a qualifying commercial real property in which the owner
is not current on mortgage or real property tax payments;

(10) require a petition to the implementing entity by all owners of the qualifying
commercial real property requesting collections of repayments as a special assessment under
section 429.101;

(11) provide that payments and assessments are not accelerated due to a default and that
a tax delinquency exists only for assessments not paid when due;

(12) require that liability for special assessments related to the financing runs with the
qualifying commercial real property; and

(13) prior to financing any improvements to or imposing any assessment upon qualifying
commercial real property, require notice to and written consent from the mortgage lender
of any mortgage encumbering or otherwise secured by the qualifying commercial real
property.

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.436, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Financing terms.

Financing provided under this section must have:

(1) a cost-weighted average maturity not exceeding the useful life of the deleted text begin energydeleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end
improvements installed, as determined by the implementing entity, but in no event may a
term exceed deleted text begin 20deleted text end new text begin 30new text end years;

(2) a principal amount not to exceed the lesser of:

(i) the greater of deleted text begin 20deleted text end new text begin 30new text end percent of the assessed value of the real property on which the
improvements are to be installed or deleted text begin 20deleted text end new text begin 30new text end percent of the real property's appraised value,
accepted or approved by the mortgage lender; or

(ii) the actual cost of installing the deleted text begin energydeleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end improvements, including the costs of
necessary equipment, materials, and labordeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end the costs of each related energy audit deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end
renewable energy system feasibility study, new text begin water improvement study, or resiliency
improvement study;
new text end and the cost of verification of installation; and

(3) an interest rate sufficient to pay the financing costs of the program, including the
issuance of bonds and any financing delinquencies.

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.436, subdivision 7, is amended to read:


Subd. 7.

Repayment.

An implementing entity that finances an deleted text begin energydeleted text end new text begin eligiblenew text end
improvement under this section must:

(1) secure payment with a lien against the qualifying commercial real property; and

(2) collect repayments as a special assessment as provided for in section 429.101 or by
charter, provided that special assessments may be made payable in up to deleted text begin 20deleted text end new text begin 30new text end equal annual
installments.

If the implementing entity is an authority, the local government that authorized the
authority to act as implementing entity shall impose and collect special assessments necessary
to pay debt service on bonds issued by the implementing entity under subdivision 8, and
shall transfer all collections of the assessments upon receipt to the authority.

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.436, subdivision 8, is amended to read:


Subd. 8.

Bond issuance; repayment.

(a) An implementing entity may issue revenue
bonds as provided in chapter 475 for the purposes of this section and section 216C.437,
provided the revenue bond must not be payable more than deleted text begin 20deleted text end new text begin 30new text end years from the date of
issuance.

(b) The bonds must be payable as to both principal and interest solely from the revenues
from the assessments established in subdivision 7 and section 216C.437, subdivision 28.

(c) No holder of bonds issued under this subdivision may compel any exercise of the
taxing power of the implementing entity that issued the bonds to pay principal or interest
on the bonds, and if the implementing entity is an authority, no holder of the bonds may
compel any exercise of the taxing power of the local government. Bonds issued under this
subdivision are not a debt or obligation of the issuer or any local government that issued
them, nor is the payment of the bonds enforceable out of any money other than the revenue
pledged to the payment of the bonds.

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.436, subdivision 10, is amended to read:


Subd. 10.

Improvements; real property or fixture.

deleted text begin A cost-effective energydeleted text end new text begin An eligiblenew text end
improvement financed under a PACE loan program, including all equipment purchased in
whole or in part with loan proceeds under a loan program, is deemed real property or a
fixture attached to the real property.

Sec. 45.

new text begin [216C.47] GEOTHERMAL PLANNING GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1.new text end

new text begin Definitions.new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Eligible applicant" means a county, city, town, or the Metropolitan Council.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Geothermal energy system" means a system that heats and cools one or more
buildings by using the constant temperature of the earth as both a heat source and heat sink,
and a heat exchanger consisting of an underground closed loop system of piping containing
a liquid to absorb and relinquish heat within the earth. Geothermal energy system includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) a bored geothermal heat exchanger, as defined in section 103I.005;
new text end

new text begin (2) a groundwater thermal exchange device, as defined in section 103I.005; and
new text end

new text begin (3) a submerged closed loop heat exchanger, as defined in section 103I.005.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2.new text end

new text begin Establishment.new text end

new text begin A geothermal planning grant program is established in the
department to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants to examine the technical
and economic feasibility of installing geothermal energy systems.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3.new text end

new text begin Account established.new text end

new text begin (a) The geothermal planning grant account is established
as a separate account in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. The commissioner
must credit to the account appropriations and transfers to the account. Earnings, including
interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from assets of the account, must be
credited to the account. Money remaining in the account at the end of a fiscal year does not
cancel to the general fund, but remains in the account until June 30, 2029. The commissioner
must manage the account.
new text end

new text begin (b) Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner to (1) award geothermal
planning grants to eligible applicants, and (2) reimburse the reasonable costs incurred by
the department to administer this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4.new text end

new text begin Application process.new text end

new text begin An applicant seeking a grant under this section must
submit an application to the commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner. The
commissioner must develop administrative procedures to govern the application and grant
award process. The commissioner may contract with a third party to conduct some or all of
the program's operations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5.new text end

new text begin Grant awards.new text end

new text begin (a) A grant awarded under this process may be used to pay the
total cost of the activities eligible for funding under subdivision 6, up to a limit of $150,000.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must endeavor to award grants to eligible applicants in all regions
of Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (c) Grants may be awarded under this section only to projects whose work is completed
after July 1, 2024.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6.new text end

new text begin Eligible grant expenditures.new text end

new text begin Activities that may be funded with a grant awarded
under this section include:
new text end

new text begin (1) analysis of the heating and cooling demand of the building or buildings that consume
energy from the geothermal energy system;
new text end

new text begin (2) evaluation of equipment that could be combined with a geothermal energy system
to meet the building's heating and cooling requirements;
new text end

new text begin (3) analysis of the geologic conditions of the earth in which a geothermal energy system
operates, including the drilling of one or more test wells to characterize geologic materials
and to measure properties of the earth and aquifers that impact the feasibility of installing
and operating a geothermal energy system; and
new text end

new text begin (4) preparation of a financial analysis of the project.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7.new text end

new text begin Contractor and subcontractor requirements.new text end

new text begin Contractors and subcontractors
that perform work funded with a grant awarded under this section must have experience
installing geothermal energy systems.
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. 46.

new text begin [216C.48] STANDARDIZED SOLAR PLAN REVIEW SOFTWARE;
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; FINANCIAL INCENTIVE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1.new text end

new text begin Definitions.new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Energy storage system" has the meaning given in section 216B.2422, subdivision
1.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Permitting authority" means a unit of local government in Minnesota that has
authority to review and issue permits to install residential solar projects and solar plus energy
storage system projects within the unit of local government's jurisdiction.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Photovoltaic device" has the meaning given in section 216C.06, subdivision 16.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Residential solar project" means the installation of a photovoltaic device at a
residence located in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (f) "SolarAPP+" means the most recent version of the Solar Automated Permit Processing
Plus software, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and available free
to permitting authorities from the United States Department of Energy, that uses a web-based
portal to automate the solar project plan review and permit issuance processes for residential
solar projects that are compliant with applicable building and electrical codes.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Solar plus energy storage system project" means a residential solar project installed
in conjunction with an energy storage system at the same residence.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2.new text end

new text begin Program establishment.new text end

new text begin A program is established in the department to provide
technical assistance and financial incentives to local units of government that issue permits
for residential solar projects and solar plus energy storage system projects in order to
incentivize a permitting authority to adopt the SolarAPP+ software to standardize, automate,
and streamline the review and permitting process.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3.new text end

new text begin Eligibility.new text end

new text begin An incentive may be awarded under this section to a permitting
authority that has deployed SolarAPP+ and made SolarAPP+ available on the permitting
authority's website.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4.new text end

new text begin Application.new text end

new text begin (a) A permitting authority must submit an application for a financial
incentive under this section to the commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) An application may be submitted for a financial incentive under this section after
SolarAPP+ has become operational in the permitting authority's jurisdiction.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5.new text end

new text begin Review and grant award process.new text end

new text begin The commissioner must develop
administrative procedures to govern the application review and incentive award process
under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6.new text end

new text begin Incentive awards.new text end

new text begin Beginning no later than March 1, 2025, the commissioner
may award a financial incentive to a permitting authority under this section only if the
commissioner has determined that the permitting authority meets verification requirements
established by the commissioner that ensure a permitting authority has made SolarAPP+
operational within the permitting authority's jurisdiction and that SolarAPP+ is available
on the permitting authority's website.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7.new text end

new text begin Incentive amount.new text end

new text begin (a) An incentive awarded under this section must be no less
than $5,000 and no greater than $20,000.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may vary the amount of an incentive awarded under this section
by considering the following factors:
new text end

new text begin (1) the population of the permitting authority;
new text end

new text begin (2) the number of permits for solar projects issued by the permitting authority using
conventional review processes;
new text end

new text begin (3) whether the SolarAPP+ software has been adopted on a stand-alone basis or has been
integrated with other permit management software utilized by the permitting authority; and
new text end

new text begin (4) whether the permitting jurisdiction has participated in other sustainability programs,
including but not limited to GreenStep Cities and the United States Department of Energy's
SolSmart and Charging Smart programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8.new text end

new text begin Technical assistance.new text end

new text begin The department must provide technical assistance to
eligible permitting authorities seeking to apply for an incentive under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9.new text end

new text begin Program promotion.new text end

new text begin The department must develop an education and outreach
program to make permitting authorities aware of the incentive offered under this section,
including by convening workshops, producing educational materials, and using other
mechanisms to promote the program, including but not limited to utilizing the efforts of the
League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Minnesota Counties, the Community Energy
Resource Teams established under section 216C.385, and similar organizations to reach
permitting authorities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10.new text end

new text begin Account established.new text end

new text begin (a) The SolarAPP+ program account is established in
the special revenue account in the state treasury. The commissioner must credit to the account
appropriations and transfers to the account. Earnings, including interest, dividends, and any
other earnings arising from assets of the account, must be credited to the account. Money
remaining in the account at the end of a fiscal year does not cancel to the general fund but
remains in the account until June 30, 2028. The commissioner must manage the account.
new text end

new text begin (b) Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this
section and to reimburse the reasonable costs incurred by the department to administer this
section.
new text end

Sec. 47.

Laws 2023, chapter 60, article 10, section 2, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Energy Resources

96,083,000
27,617,000

(a) $5,861,000 the first year and $6,038,000
the second year are to the division of energy
resources for operating expenses.

(b) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
second year are to remediate vermiculite
insulation from households that are eligible
for weatherization assistance under
Minnesota's weatherization assistance program
state plan under Minnesota Statutes, section
216C.264. Remediation must be done in
conjunction with federal weatherization
assistance program services.

(c) $1,138,000 in the first year is transferred
from the general fund to the solar for schools
program account under Minnesota Statutes,
section 216C.375, to provide financial
assistance to schools that are state colleges
and universities to purchase and install solar
energy generating systems. This appropriation
must be expended on schools located outside
the electric service territory of the public
utility that is subject to Minnesota Statutes,
section 116C.779. Money under this paragraph
is available until June 30, 2034. Any money
remaining on June 30, 2034, cancels to the
general fund.

(d) $189,000 each year is for activities
associated with a utility's implementation of
a natural gas innovation plan under Minnesota
Statutes, section 216B.2427.

(e) $15,000,000 in the first year is transferred
from the general fund to the solar for schools
program account in the special revenue fund
for grants under the solar for schools program
established under Minnesota Statutes, section
216C.375. The money under this paragraph
must be expended on schools located outside
the electric service territory of the public
utility that is subject to Minnesota Statutes,
section 116C.779.

(f) $500,000 each year is for the strengthen
Minnesota homes program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 65A.299, subdivision 4.
Money under this paragraph is transferred
from the general fund to strengthen Minnesota
homes account in the special revenue fund.
This is a onetime appropriation.

(g) $20,000,000 the first year and $18,737,000
the second year are for weatherization and
preweatherization work to serve additional
households and allow for services that would
otherwise be denied due to current federal
limitations related to the federal weatherization
assistance program. Money under this
paragraph is transferred from the general fund
to the preweatherization account in the special
revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes,
section 216C.264, subdivision 1c. The base
in fiscal years 2026 and later is $3,199,000.

(h) $15,000,000 the first year is for a grant to
an investor-owned electric utility that has at
least 50,000 retail electric customers, but no
more than 200,000 retail electric customers,
to increase the capacity and improve the
reliability of an existing high-voltage direct
current transmission line that runs between
North Dakota and Minnesota. This is a
onetime appropriation and must be used to
support the cost-share component of a federal
grant application to a program enacted in the
federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,
Public Law 117-58, and may otherwise be
used to reduce the cost of the high-voltage
direct current transmission project upgrade
and to reimburse the reasonable costs incurred
by the department to administer the grant. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2034.

(i) $300,000 the first year is for technical
assistance and administrative support for the
Tribal Advocacy Council on Energy under
article 12, section 71. As part of the technical
assistance and administrative support for the
program, the commissioner must hire a Tribal
liaison to support the Tribal Advocacy Council
on Energy and advise the department on the
development of a culturally responsive clean
energy grants program based on the priorities
identified by the Tribal Advocacy Council on
Energy.

(j) $3,000,000 the first year is for a grant to
Clean Energy Economy Minnesota for the
Minnesota Energy Alley initiative to secure
the state's energy and economic development
future. The appropriation may be used to
establish and support the initiative, provide
seed funding for businesses, develop a training
and development program, support recruitment
of entrepreneurs to Minnesota, and secure
funding from federal programs and corporate
partners to establish a self-sustaining,
long-term revenue model. This appropriation
may be used to reimburse the reasonable costs
incurred by the department to administer the
grant. This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2027.

(k) $5,000,000 the first year is transferred to
the electric vehicle rebate program account to
award rebates to purchase or lease eligible
electric vehicles under Minnesota Statutes,
section 216C.401. Rebates must be awarded
under this paragraph only to eligible recipients
located outside the retail electric service area
of the public utility that is subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779. This is
a onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2027.

(l) $1,000,000 the first year is to award grants
under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.402,
to automobile dealers seeking certification to
sell electric vehicles and to reimburse the
reasonable costs incurred by the department
to administer the grants. Grants must only be
awarded under this paragraph to eligible
dealers located outside the retail electric
service area of the public utility that is subject
to Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779. This
is a onetime appropriation and is available
until June 30, 2027.

(m) $3,000,000 the first year is transferred to
the residential electric panel upgrade grant
program account established under Minnesota
Statutes, section 216C.45, to award electric
panel upgrade grants and to reimburse the
reasonable costs incurred by the department
to administer the program. Grants must be
awarded under this paragraph only to owners
of single-family homes or multifamily
buildings located outside the electric service
area of the public utility subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 116C.779. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30,
2027.

(n) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the
second year are for a grant to the clean energy
resource teams partnerships under Minnesota
Statutes, section 216C.385, subdivision 2, to
provide additional capacity to perform the
duties specified under Minnesota Statutes,
section 216C.385, subdivision 3. This
appropriation may be used to reimburse the
reasonable costs incurred by the department
to administer the grant.

(o) $1,807,000 the first year and $301,000 the
second year are to implement energy
benchmarking under Minnesota Statutes,
section 216C.331.

Of the amount appropriated under this
paragraph, $750,000 the first year is to award
grants to qualifying utilities that are not
investor-owned utilities to support the
development of technology for implementing
energy benchmarking under Minnesota
Statutes, section 216C.331. This is a onetime
appropriation.

Of the amount appropriated in the first year
under this paragraph, $756,000 the first year
is for a grant to Building Owners and
Managers Association Greater Minneapolis
to establish partnerships with three technical
colleges and high school career counselors
with a goal of increasing the number of
building engineers across Minnesota. This is
a onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2028. The grant recipient must
provide a detailed report describing how the
grant funds were used to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative
committees having jurisdiction over higher
education by January 15 of each year until
2028. The report must describe the progress
made toward the goal of increasing the number
of building engineers and strategies used.

(p) $500,000 the first year is for a feasibility
study to identify and process Minnesota iron
resources that could be suitable for upgrading
to long-term battery storage specifications.
The results of the feasibility study must be
submitted to the commissioner of commerce
and to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the house of representatives and
senate committees with jurisdiction over
energy policy no later than deleted text begin Februarydeleted text end new text begin
November
new text end 1, 2025. This appropriation may
be used to reimburse the reasonable costs
incurred to administer the study. This is a
onetime appropriation.

(q) $6,000,000 the first year is for electric
school bus grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 216C.374. Money under this paragraph
is transferred from the general fund to the
electric school bus program account. This is
a onetime appropriation.

(r) $5,300,000 the first year is for electric grid
resiliency grants under article 12, section 72.
This appropriation may be used to reimburse
the reasonable costs incurred by the
department to administer the grants. This is a
onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2028.

(s) $6,000,000 the first year is transferred to
the heat pump rebate program account
established under Minnesota Statutes, section
216C.46, to implement the heat pump rebate
program and to reimburse the reasonable costs
incurred by the department to administer the
program. Of this amount:

(1) up to $1,400,000 the first year is to
contract with an energy coordinator under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.46,
subdivision 5
; and

(2) up to $1,400,000 the first year is to conduct
contractor training and support under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.46,
subdivision 6
.

(t) $1,000,000 the first year is to award air
ventilation pilot program grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.663, for
assessments, testing, and equipment upgrades
in schools, and for the department's costs to
administer the program. This is a onetime
appropriation.

(u) $500,000 the first year is for a grant to the
city of Anoka for feasibility studies as
described in this paragraph and design,
engineering, and environmental analysis
related to the repair and reconstruction of the
Rum River Dam. Findings from the feasibility
studies must be incorporated into the design
and engineering funded by this appropriation.
This appropriation is onetime and is available
until June 30, 2027. This appropriation
includes money for the following studies: (1)
a study to assess the feasibility of adding a
lock or other means for boats to traverse the
dam to navigate between the lower Rum River
and upper Rum River; (2) a study to assess
the feasibility of constructing the dam in a
manner that would facilitate recreational river
surfing at the dam site; and (3) a study to
assess the feasibility of constructing the dam
in a manner to generate hydroelectric power.

(v) $3,000,000 the first year is for grants to
install on-site energy storage systems, as
defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
216B.2422, subdivision 1, paragraph (f), with
a capacity of 50 kilowatt hours or less and that
are located outside the electric service area of
the electric utility subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 116C.779. To receive a grant
under this paragraph, an owner of the energy
storage system must be operating a solar
energy generating system at the same site as
the energy storage system or have filed an
application with a utility to interconnect a solar
energy generating system at the same site as
the energy storage system. This appropriation
may be used to reimburse the reasonable costs
incurred by the department to administer the
grants. This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2027.

(w) $164,000 the second year is for activities
associated with a public utility's filing a
transportation electrification plan under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.1615. The
base in fiscal year 2026 and later is $164,000.

(x) $77,000 each year is for activities
associated with appeals of consumer
complaints to the commission under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.172.

(y) $961,000 each year is for activities
required under Minnesota Statutes, section
216B.1641 for community solar gardens. This
appropriation must be assessed directly to the
public utility subject to Minnesota Statutes,
section 116C.779.

(z) $300,000 the first year is for the
community solar garden program study
required under article 12, section 73.

Sec. 48. new text begin ULTRAEFFICIENT VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1.new text end

new text begin Program establishment.new text end

new text begin (a) A grant program is established in the
Department of Commerce to provide financial assistance to developers and producers of
ultraefficient vehicles that use proprietary technology.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "ultraefficient vehicle" means a fully closed compartment
vehicle that is designed to carry at least one adult passenger and that achieves:
new text end

new text begin (1) at least 75 miles per gallon while operating on gasoline;
new text end

new text begin (2) at least 75 miles per gallon equivalent while operating as a hybrid electric-gasoline;
or
new text end

new text begin (3) at least 75 miles per gallon equivalent while operating as a fully electric vehicle.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2.new text end

new text begin Application process.new text end

new text begin Applicants seeking a grant under this section must submit
an application to the commissioner of commerce on a form developed by the commissioner.
The commissioner is responsible for receiving and reviewing grant applications and awarding
grants under this subdivision. The commissioner must develop administrative procedures
to govern the application, evaluation, and grant-award process.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3.new text end

new text begin Grant awards.new text end

new text begin The maximum grant award for each eligible applicant awarded
a grant under this section is $250,000. When awarding grants under this section, the
department must:
new text end

new text begin (1) give priority to ultraefficient vehicle projects that are deemed to be near production
ready; and
new text end

new text begin (2) give priority to ultraefficient vehicle projects that maximize the use of electricity to
charge and run the vehicle.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4.new text end

new text begin Account established.new text end

new text begin An ultraefficient vehicle development grant account is
established in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. The commissioner of commerce
must credit to the account appropriations made for ultraefficient vehicle development grants.
Earnings, including interest, arising from assets in the account, must be credited to the
account. Money in the account is available until June 30, 2028. Any amount remaining in
the account after June 30, 2028, cancels to the renewable development account. The
commissioner of commerce must manage the account.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5.new text end

new text begin Appropriation; expenditures.new text end

new text begin Money in the account established in subdivision
4 is appropriated to the commissioner of commerce and must be used only to:
new text end

new text begin (1) make grant awards under this section; and
new text end

new text begin (2) pay the reasonable costs incurred by the department to administer this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6.new text end

new text begin Report.new text end

new text begin On January 15, 2026, and on January 15, 2029, the commissioner of
commerce must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over energy policy and finance on the grant awards under this
section.
new text end

Sec. 49. new text begin THERMAL ENERGY NETWORK DEPLOYMENT WORK GROUP.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1.new text end

new text begin Direction.new text end

new text begin The Public Utilities Commission must establish and appoint
a thermal energy network deployment work group to examine (1) the potential regulatory
opportunities for regulated natural gas utilities to deploy thermal energy networks, and (2)
potential barriers to development. The work group must examine the public benefits, costs,
and impacts of deployment of thermal energy networks, as well as examine rate design
options.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2.new text end

new text begin Membership.new text end

new text begin (a) The work group consists of at least the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) representatives of the Department of Commerce;
new text end

new text begin (2) representatives of the Department of Health;
new text end

new text begin (3) representatives of the Pollution Control Agency;
new text end

new text begin (4) representatives of the Department of Natural Resources;
new text end

new text begin (5) representatives of the Office of the Attorney General;
new text end

new text begin (6) representatives from utilities;
new text end

new text begin (7) representatives from clean energy advocacy organizations;
new text end

new text begin (8) representatives from labor organizations;
new text end

new text begin (9) geothermal technology providers;
new text end

new text begin (10) representatives from consumer protection organizations;
new text end

new text begin (11) representatives from cities; and
new text end

new text begin (12) representatives from low-income communities.
new text end

new text begin (b) The executive secretary of the Public Utilities Commission may invite others to
participate in one or more meetings of the work group.
new text end

new text begin (c) When appointing members to the work group, the Public Utilities Commission must
endeavor to ensure that all geographic regions of Minnesota are represented.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3.new text end

new text begin Duties.new text end

new text begin The work group must prepare a report containing findings and
recommendations regarding how to deploy thermal energy networks within a regulated
context and in a manner that protects the public interest and considers reliability, affordability,
environmental impacts, and socioeconomic impacts.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4.new text end

new text begin Report to legislature.new text end

new text begin The work group must submit a report detailing the work
group's findings and recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over energy policy and finance by
December 31, 2025. The work group terminates the day after the report under this subdivision
is submitted.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5.new text end

new text begin Notice and comment period.new text end

new text begin The executive secretary of the Public Utilities
Commission must file the completed report in Public Utilities Commission Docket No.
G-999/CI-21-565 and provide notice to all docket participants and other interested persons
that comments on the findings and recommendations may be filed in the docket.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6.new text end

new text begin Definition.new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, "thermal energy network" means
a project that provides heating and cooling to multiple buildings connected via underground
piping containing fluids that, in concert with heat pumps, exchange thermal energy from
the earth, underground or surface waters, wastewater, or other heat sources.
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. 50. new text begin STUDY; CARBON DIOXIDE PIPELINES.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commission must contract with an independent third party to conduct a study
that: (1) assesses the human health and environmental impacts that result from constructing,
operating, and maintaining carbon dioxide pipelines; and (2) makes recommendations
regarding regulation of the activities listed in clause (1). The executive secretary of the
commission may consult with the executive director of the environmental quality board
when selecting the contractor to conduct the study.
new text end

new text begin (b) The study must include, at a minimum, the following elements:
new text end

new text begin (1) identification of geographic areas in Minnesota that, due to the geographic area's
geology or the presence of environmentally sensitive resources, are unsuitable sites to
construct and operate carbon dioxide pipelines;
new text end

new text begin (2) the amount of energy and water required to operate the equipment used to capture
the carbon d