SF 4421

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/17/2020 02:13pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; requiring the Department of Commerce to assist any tribal
advocacy council on energy established by the 11 federally recognized Indian
tribes in Minnesota.

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

Section 1. new text begin TRIBAL ADVOCACY COUNCIL ON ENERGY; DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE SUPPORT.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Department of Commerce must provide technical support and subject matter
expertise to assist and help facilitate any efforts taken by the 11 federally recognized Indian
tribes in Minnesota to establish a tribal advocacy council on energy.
new text end

new text begin (b) When providing support to a tribal advocacy council on energy, the Department of
Commerce must assist the council:
new text end

new text begin (1) assess and evaluate common tribal energy issues, including (i) identifying and
prioritizing energy issues, (ii) facilitating idea sharing between the tribes to generate solutions
to energy issues, and (iii) assisting decision making with respect to resolving energy issues;
new text end

new text begin (2) develop new statewide energy policies or proposed legislation, including (i) organizing
stakeholder meetings, (ii) gathering input and other relevant information, (iii) assisting with
policy proposal development, evaluation, and decision making, and (iv) helping facilitate
actions taken to submit, and obtain approval for or have enacted, policies or legislation
approved by the council;
new text end

new text begin (3) make efforts to raise awareness and provide educational opportunities with respect
to tribal energy issues by (i) identifying information resources, (ii) gathering feedback on
issues and topics the council identifies as areas of interest, and (iii) identifying topics for
educational forums and helping facilitate the forum process; and
new text end

new text begin (4) identify, evaluate, and disseminate successful energy-related practices, and develop
mechanisms or opportunities to implement the successful practices.
new text end

new text begin (c) Nothing in this section requires or otherwise obligates the 11 federally recognized
Indian tribes in Minnesota to establish a tribal advocacy council on energy, nor does it
require or obligate any one of the 11 federally recognized Indian tribes in Minnesota to
participate in or implement a decision or support an effort made by an established tribal
advocacy council on energy.
new text end

new text begin (d) Any support provided by the Department of Commerce to a tribal advocacy council
on energy under this section must be provided only upon request of the council and is limited
to issues and areas where the Department of Commerce's expertise and assistance is
requested.
new text end