HF 597

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 01/30/2023 08:27pm

A bill for an act
relating to climate change; establishing grant program to provide financial assistance
to cities to address climate change; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin CITY CLIMATE ACTION GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For the purpose of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given:
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new text begin (1) "climate change" means a change in global or regional climate patterns associated
with increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions entering the atmosphere largely as a
result of human activity;
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new text begin (2) "commissioner" means the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency; and
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new text begin (3) "greenhouse gas emission" means an emission of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and other gases that
trap heat in the atmosphere.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must establish a city climate action grant
program in the Pollution Control Agency. The purpose of the program is to provide grants
to encourage cities to address climate change by developing and implementing plans of
action or creating new organizations and institutions to devise policies and programs that:
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new text begin (1) seek to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the city; or
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new text begin (2) reduce the city's contributions to the causes of climate change.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin (a) Application for a grant under this section must be made to the
commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner. The commissioner must develop
procedures for soliciting and reviewing applications and awarding grants under this section.
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new text begin (b) Eligible applicants for a grant under this section must be located in or conduct the
preponderance of their work in the city where the grant activities are to take place. Eligible
applicants include city governments, organizations that are exempt from taxation under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and educational institutions.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Awarding grants. new text end

new text begin In awarding grants under this section, the commissioner
must give preference to proposals that seek to involve a broad array of community residents,
organizations, and institutions in the city's efforts to address climate change.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Grant amounts. new text end

new text begin (a) No grant awarded under this section may exceed $50,000.
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new text begin (b) A grant awarded under this section for activities taking place in a city that has a
population that exceeds 20,000 must be matched 100 percent with local funds.
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new text begin (c) A grant awarded under this section for activities taking place in a city that has a
population that is less than 20,000 must be matched a minimum of five percent with local
funds or equivalent in-kind services.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Eligible expenditures. new text end

new text begin Appropriations made to support the activities of this
section may be used only to:
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new text begin (1) provide grants as specified in this section; and
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new text begin (2) reimburse the reasonable expenses of the Pollution Control Agency in administering
the grant program.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of the Pollution Control Agency to award city climate action grants under section 1. This
is a onetime appropriation and is available until December 31, 2025.
new text end