STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-FOURTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION
JOB GROWTH & ENERGY AFFORDABILITY
POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Pat Garofalo, Chair of the Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance Committee, called the meeting to order at 12:50 P.M. on Wednesday, March 30, 2016, in Room 10 of the State Office Building. A quorum was present.
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
METSA, Jason
NEWBERGER, Jim
O’NEILL, Marion
SCOTT, Peggy
SIMONSON, Erik
SMITH, Dennis
SWEDZINSKI, Chris
VOGEL, Bob
WAGENIUS, Jean
MAHONEY, Tim
Representative Swedzinski moved the minutes of March 23, 2016 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF2992 (Rarick) Workplace Accident and Injury Recovery program modified.
The Chair moved HF2992 be recommended to pass and referred to the General Register
Representative Rarick presented HF2992
John Rajkowski, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry; testified on HF2992
The Chair renewed his motion that HF2992 be recommended to pass and referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3117 (Knoblach) Human rights commissioner added to the urban initiative board.
The Chair moved HF3117 be recommended to pass and referred to the General Register
Representative Knoblach presented HF3117
Kevin Lindsey, Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Human Rights; testified on HF3117
The Chair renewed his motion that HF3117 be recommended to pass and referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3074 (Swedzinski) Community solar gardens regulated. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Swedzinski moved HF2240 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill
Representative Baker assumed the gavel at 1:06 P.M.
Chair, Representative Garofalo assumed the gavel at 1:07 P.M.
James Canaday, Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General; Lynn Hinkle, Policy Director, Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association; Holly Lahd, Director of Electricity Markets, Fresh Energy; Julie Jorgensen, CEO, GreenMark Solar; Cliff Kaehler, CEO, Novel Energy Solutions; Ralph Kaehler, Novel Energy Solutions; testified on HF3074
HF2728 (Lien) Small business development center services modified, and money appropriated. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
The Chair moved that HF2728 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill
Greg Bergman, Director, Central Lakes College North Central Small Business Development Center; Mary Magers, Magers & Quinn Booksellers; testified on HF2728
HF2989 (Loon) Qualified small business investor certification requirements modified.
Representative Newberger moved HF2989 be recommended to pass and referred to the committee on Taxes
Zachary Robins, Attorney, Winthrop & Weinstine; testified on HF2989
Representative Newberger renewed his motion that HF2989 be recommended to pass and referred to the committee on Taxes THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The committee went into recess at 2:28 P.M.
The committee reconvened at 7:44 P.M.
HF2240 (Swedzinski) Public Utilities Commission required to provide a property rights ombudsman to assist landowners affected by large energy facility construction, and assessment by the commission provided to reimburse the costs of the property rights ombudsman. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Swedzinski moved HF2240 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill
Dan Wolf, Executive Assistant, Public Utilities Commission; testified on HF2240
HF963 (Kiel) Railroad crossing right-of-way by utilities requirements established.
The Chair moved HF963 be recommended to pass and referred to the Transportation Policy and Finance Committee
The Chair moved the DEI amendment be adopted THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Brent Christensen, President and CEO, Minnesota Telecom Alliance; Tim O’Leary, CEO, Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative; Jim Horan, Director of Government Affairs, Minnesota Rural Electric Association; John Apitz, Legislative Counsel, Messerli & Kramer representing Minnesota Regional Railroads Association; Bob Fox, Renville County Commissioner and Chair of Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority; Ann Kennedy, Private Practitioner and Union Pacific; testified on HF963
The chair renewed his motion that HF963, as amended, be recommended to pass and referred to the Transportation Policy and Finance Committee THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3353 (Hamilton) Voluntary solar site management practices established, and local governments allowed to require management practices as a condition of a site permit.
The Chair moved HF3353 be recommended to pass and referred to the Agriculture Policy Committee
Ron Bowen, Founder and President, Prairie Restorations, Inc.; Rob Davis, Director, Fresh Energy; testified on HF3353
The Chair renewed his motion that HF3353 be recommended to pass and referred to the Agriculture Policy Committee THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3251 (Baker) Propane education research council assessable amount modified.
Representative Baker moved HF3251 be recommended to pass and referred to the General Register
Roger Lieder, Executive Director, Minnesota Propane Association; testified on HF3251
Representative Baker renewed his motion that HF3251 be recommended to pass and referred to the General Register THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3388 (Masin) Small Business Bureau duties modified. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Mahoney moved HF3388 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Masin presented HF3388
Daniel Swenson-Klatt, Operator and Owner, Butter Bakery Café; testified on HF3388
HF3559 (Mariani) Business development initiatives for economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. The bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Metsa moved HF3559 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Metsa moved the A1 amendment be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Mariani presented HF3559
Isabel Chanslor, NDC Chief Program Officer; testified on HF3559
HF2543 (Garofalo) Interstate Pipeline requirement to obtain a certificate of need exemption provided. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
The Chair moved HF2543 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Paul Eberth, Enbridge Energy; Kathy Hollander, MN 350; Willis Mattison, citizen; Bill Grant, MN Department of Commerce; testified on HF2543
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Representative Pat Garofalo, Chair
Meagan Rice, Committee Legislative Assistant