STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION
JOB GROWTH & ENERGY AFFORDABILITY
POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Marion O’Neill, member of the Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance Committee, called the meeting to order at 12:51 P.M. on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, in Room 10 of the State Office Building.:
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
GAROFALO, Pat
BAKER, Dave
CLARK, Karen
FABIAN, Dan
GUNTHER, Bob
HORTMAN, Melissa
ISAACSON, Jason
JOHNSON, Sheldon
LOONAN, Bob
MAHONEY, Tim
METSA, Jason
NEWBERGER, Jim
O’NEILL, Marion
SCOTT, Peggy
SIMONSON, Erik
SMITH, Dennis
SWEDZINSKI, Chris
VOGEL, Bob
WAGENIUS, Jean
Representative O’Neill called the meeting to order at 12:51 P.M. A quorum was present.
Representative Loonan moved to approve the minutes from the previous hearing. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF1951 (Garofalo) Rate-regulated cooperative associations allowed to file for Public Utilities Commission review adjustments for property taxes and other costs. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Garofalo; Doug Larson and Margaret Schriner, Dakota Electric Cooperative; testified on HF1951, as introduced.
HF1693 (Atkins) Unclaimed property requirements modified; commissioner's duties modified, and money appropriated. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Atkins; Representative Loonan; testified on HF1693, as introduced.
Representative Garofalo assumed the gavel at 1:16 P.M.
HF1969 (Vogel) Legislative approval of housing incentives and allocations by the Metropolitan Council required.
Representative Vogel; Kelli Slavik, Mayor of Plymouth; Patricia Nauman, Metro Cities; Kim Crockett, Center for the American Experiment; Judd Schetnan, Metropolitan Council; testified on HF1969, as amended
The committee went into recess at 1:31 P.M.
The committee reconvened at 1:36 P.M.
HF750 (Kiel) Job training grants to employers provided, report required, and money appropriated.
Representative Gunther; Marty Seifert, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities; Kim Babine, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; testified on HF750, as introduced.
The committee went into recess at 2:08 P.M.
The committee reconvened at 6:25 P.M.
HF843 (Garofalo) Economic development; funding provided for Employment and Economic Development, Labor and Industry, Commerce, Bureau of Mediation Services, Housing Finance Agency, Explore Minnesota Tourism, Boards of Accountancy, AELSLAGID, Cosmetologist Examiners, Barber Examiners, Workers' Compensation Court of appeals, and Public Utilities Commission; policy and technical changes made; fees modified; penalties provided; reports required; data sharing modified; and money appropriated. The omnibus bill was presented to the committee as a delete-all amendment and public testimony was taken.
Representative Garofalo; Beth Fraser, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans; Louis King, Summit Academy; Joe Hobot, American Indian OIC; Bruce Snyder, Twin Cities Medical Society; Sarah Erickson, Distributed Wind Energy Association; John Frederick, Silent Power; Sheldon Strom, Center for Energy and Environment; Rick Evans, Xcel Energy; John Dukich, Minnesota High Tech Association; Lynn Hinkle, Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association; Joel Johnson, Minnesota Rural Electric Association; Sue Abderholden, National Alliance for Mental Illness; Jan Hubbard, Rural Renewable Energy Alliance; Bill Black, Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association; Kathy Hollander, Minnesota 350; Will Nissen, Fresh Energy; Allen Gleckner, Fresh Energy; Beth Soholt, Wind on the Wires; Sarah Psick, Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition; David Streier, Silicon Energy; Anne Kilzer, Minnesota Workforce Council Association; John Hottinger, Minnesota Sierra Club; Lee Samelson, Community Power; testified on the delete-all amendment to HF843.
Representative Baker assumed the gavel at 8:23 P.M.
Representative Garofalo assumed the gavel at 8:29 P.M.
The hearing was adjourned at 8:49 P.M.
Representative Pat Garofalo, Chair
Jonathan Fortner, Committee Legislative Assistant