Minnesota
The House and Senate convened on January 8, 2013.
Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) continuously monitors bills introduced in the Minnesota State Legislature that could affect MRES and our member utilities in Minnesota. Many legislators now offer their own electronic newsletters that constituents may subscribe to. Simply go to the State of Minnesota website and click on the legislator’s name and follow the directions to subscribe. For state Senators, click here. For state Representatives, click here.
NOTICE: The legislature's website does not necessarily contain the latest status of any given bill. If you need up-to-the-minute information about legislation, call 1-888-234-1112 for Senate information, and 1-800-657-3550 for House information; or contact Deb Birgen at MRES.
2013 Minnesota Legislative Guide
2013 Senate Bill Introductions
SF 43 (Limmer): A bill to clarify that email lists in possession of the political subdivision are not public records. Companion bill to HF 20.
Status: Introduced 1/17/13; referred to Judiciary. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 97 (Ingebrigtsen): A bill to change the current Renewable Energy Standard into a goal. See also companion bill HF 306.
Status: Introduced 1/24/13; referred to Environment & Energy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 104 (Wiger): Eliminating sales taxes on purchases by local government units. See also companion bill HF 469.
Status: Introduced 1/24/13; referred to Taxes. Heard 4/9/13; discussion only. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 161 (Wiger): A bill to grant a property tax exemption to personal property used by a municipal power agency to upgrade certain facilities (RICE compliance). See also companion bill HF 337.
Status: Introduced 1/28/13; Referred to Taxes. Laid over for inclusion in omnibus bill 3/5/13. Included in Senate Omnibus Tax bill HF 677.
SF 183 (Dahle): A bill to change Buy the Farm provisions; allow additional compensation upon invoking the law. See also companion bill HF 338.
Status: Introduced 1/31/13; referred to Senate Environment & Energy. Set for hearing 3/12/13. Committee recommends Do Pass; referred to Judiciary 3/12/13. Enrolled into HF 976, Article 2, Section 52: Omnibus Environment and Economic Development bill.
SF 190 (Osmek): A bill repealing the moratorium on nuclear energy. See also companion bill HF 254.
Status: Introduced 1/31/13; referred to Senate Environment & Energy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 203 (Schmit): A bill revising wind siting for LWECS; revising RES off-ramps. See also companion bill HF 190.
Status: Introduced 1/31/13; referred to Senate Environment & Energy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 204 (Schmit): A bill requiring MPUC review of CBED ownership. See also companion bill HF 191.
Status: Introduced 1/31/13; referred to Senate Environment & Energy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 318 (Tomassoni): A bill to require use of American steel in public works projects. See also companion bill HF 548.
Status: Introduced 2/7/13; referred to State & Local Government. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 325 (Brown): A bill to prohibit political subdivisions of Minnesota from implementing United Nations Agenda 21.
Status: Introduced 2/7/13; referred to State & Local Government. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 329 (Senjem): A bill to exempt purchases by local government units from state sales taxes. See also companion bill HF 295.
Status: Introduced 2/7/13; referred to Taxes. Heard 4/9/13; laid over for possible inclusion in Omnibus bill. Was not included in Omnibus bill; failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 333 (Skoe): A bill exempting utilities from fees for crossing existing rights-of-way on public roads, land or w ater. See also companion bill HF 520.
Status: Introduced 2/7/13; referred to Finance. Set for hearing 3/4/13. Laid over for inclusion in omnibus bill 3/4/13. See Omnibus bill SF 1607, Article 2, Section 3. SF 1607 Passed Senate (38-25) 4/19/13.
SF 454 (Fischbach): A bill establishing a legislative energy commission to study high voltage transmission line routing. See also companion bill HF 438.
Status: Introduced 2/14/13; referred to Environment and Energy. Set for hearing 3/12/13. Not heard as scheduled. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 455 (Fischbach): Requiring that when there are 2 proposed routes for a HVTL; neither may be designated the preferred route by the MPUC until all alternative routes are vetted. See also companion bill HF 655.
Status: Introduced 2/14/13; referred to Environment and Energy. Set for hearing 3/12/13. Committee recommends Do Pass; referred to Senate floor 3/12/13. Second reading 3/13/13.
SF 570 (Tomassoni): A bill requiring solar used in state buildings to be manufactured in Minnesota. See also companion bill HF 567.
Status: Introduced 2/18/13; referred to State & Local Government. Committee recommends Do Pass as amended; referred to Environment and Energy 2/25/13. Set for hearing 3/12/13. Amended, recommended Do Pass; referred to Committee on Capital Investment 3/12/13.
SF 642 (Dibble): Authorizing certain waste-heat projects to count towards CIP requirements. See also companion bill HF 780.
Status: Introduced 2/21/13; referred to Environment and Energy. Set for hearing 3/14/13. Committee recommends Do Pass; referred to Senate floor 3/14/13. Committee recommends Do Pass as amended; referred to Senate floor 3/18/13. Second reading 3/18/13. See also Senate Omnibus bill SF 901.
SF 674 (Fischbach): A bill regarding HVTL routing for adjoining lands. See also companion bill HF 439.
Status: Introduced 2/21/13; referred to Environment & Energy. Set for hearing 3/12/13. Recommended Do Pass; referred to Senate floor 3/1213. Second reading 3/13/13.
SF 680 (Eaton): A bill to mandate net metering at a “value of solar”; mandate 10% solar renewable energy standard by 2030; study DG capacity on distribution lines. See also companion bill HF 773.
Status: Introduced 2/21/13; referred to Environment and Energy. Laid over for possible consideration in Omnibus bill 2/28/13. See also Senate Omnibus bill SF 901.
SF 695 (Dibble): A bill regarding energy conservation improvement investments for low income programs. See also companion bill HF 854.
Status: Introduced 2/21/13; referred to Environment & Energy. Set for hearing 3/14/13. Committee hearing set 3/22/13. Committee reports Do Pass; second reading 4/2/13. HF 854 substituted for SF 695 on Senate floor.
SF 716 (Bonoff): A bill adding a certificate of need requirement to 100kV and above lines that are located in a metropolitan area. See also companion bill HF 1205.
Status: Introduced 2/25/13; referred to Environment & Energy. Set for hearing 3/12/13. Recommended Do Pass; referred to Senate floor 3/12/13. Passed Senate (61-0) 4/4/13. Referred to House floor; deemed not identical to companion bill HF 1205. SF 716 substituted for HF 1205 on House floor 4/8/13.
SF 763 (Dahle): A bill establishing a 40% RES and a solar RES; repeals references to protecting rates. See also companion bill HF 880.
Status: Introduced 2/25/13; referred to Environment & Energy. Set for hearing 3/14/13. Laid over for inclusion in Omnibus Energy bill 3/14/13. See Omnibus Energy bill SF 901.
SF 901 (Marty): Department of Energy supported net metering bill; includes value of solar payments, solar mandate/RES; repeals ratepayer protection. See also companion bill HF 956.
Status: Introduced 2/28/13; referred to Environment & Energy. Set for hearing 3/14/13. Laid over for inclusion in Omnibus Energy bill 3/14/13. Omnibus bill to be heard 3/19/13. Omnibus Energy Bill. Hearing set 3/21/13. Passed committee (7-5) 3/21/13. Referred to Finance committee. Referred to Finance Division--Environment, Economic Development & Agriculture. Heard in committee 4/22/13; laid over for further reconsideration. See HF 956 (substituted for SF 901 on Senate floor).
SF 911 (Hayden): Regarding the purchase of service territory by a municipal utility; MPUC shall NOT consider loss of revenue to the utility in determining just compensation. See also companion bill HF 945.
Status: Introduced 2/28/13; referred to Environment & Energy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 936 (Tomassoni): A bill to fund Minnesota solar manufacturers using the RDF and CIP money. See also companion bill HF 1167.
Status: Introduced 2/28/13; referred to Environment and Energy. Set for hearing 3/12/13. Held over for inclusion in omnibus energy bill. Enrolled in Omnibus Energy Bill SF 901.
SF 972 (Rosen): A bill to require the MPUC open a docket on solar distribution impacts including costs and reliability. See also companion bill HF 1093.
Status: Introduced 3/4/13; referred to Environment & Energy. Held over for inclusion in omnibus energy bill. Enrolled in Omnibus Energy Bill SF 901.
SF 1011 (Dibble): Assess additional funds from utilities to fund clean energy resource teams. See also companion bill HF 1000.
Status: Introduced 3/4/13; referred to Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development. Set for hearing 3/19/13. Committee recommends Do Pass, referred to Finance 3/20/13. See Omnibus Energy bill SF 901.
SF 1054 (Eaton): Allowing 3rd party ownership and wheeling of solar generation; requires a proceeding at the MPUC for interconnection standards and DG evaluation of availability, and allows a “solar community” project by a third party owner. See also HF 1146.
Status: Introduced 3/5/13; referred to Environment and Energy. Amended and laid over for inclusion in Omnibus Energy bill 3/14/13. See Omnibus Energy bill SF 901.
SF 1121 (Dibble): Local government energy improvement programs modified. See also companion bill HF 1147.
Status: Introduced 3/7/13; referred to Environment and Energy. Committee reports Do Pass 3/20/13; referred to Senate floor; second reading. See Omnibus Energy bill SF 901.
SF 1135 (Dibble): Energy conservation (CIP) set at least 1.5% with interim study. See companion bill HF 1301.
Status: Introduced 3/7/13; referred to Environment & Energy. Held over for inclusion in omnibus energy bill. Enrolled in Omnibus Energy Bill SF 901.
SF 1349 (Bonoff): Allowing certain geothermal heating projects to count towards the RES if the utility provides an incentive.
Status: Introduced 3/13/13; referred to Environment & Energy. See Omnibus Energy bill SF 901.
SF 1358 (Saxhaug): Removing language that allows some utilities to lower their CIP to 1%. See also companion bill HF 1271.
Status: Introduced 3/13/13; referred to Environment and Energy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 1361 (Marty): A bill establishing feed in tariff rates. See also companion bill HF 1174.
Status: Introduced 3/13/13; referred to Environment & Energy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 1488 (Benson): A bill to count WAPA power as renewable (and as part of electric sales). See also Companion Bill HF 1640.
Status: introduced 3/20/13; referred to Environment and Energy Committee. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
SF 1495 (Saxhaug): Utility property tax class rate increase. See also Companion bill HF 1628.
Status: Introduced 3/21/13; referred to Taxes. Heard 4/10/13; laid over for possible inclusion in Omnibus bill. Failed to be included in Omnibus Tax Bill HF 677.
SF 1597 (Newman): A bill prohibiting public funds use in ballot question campaigns. Companion bill HF 1762.
Status: Introduced 4/15/13; referred to Rules and Administration. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
2013 House Bill Introductions
HF 20 (Freiberg): A bill to make certain personal contact information (emails for city newsletters, etc.) confidential. Companion bill to SF 60.
Status: Introduced 1/10/13; referred to House Civil Law. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 190 (Kelly): Expanding the “off ramps” of the RES by allowing a delay in compliance for lack of site due to land use or other restrictions; county ordinances on siting and restrictions of LWECS. See also companion bill SF 203.
Status: Introduced 1/28/13; referred to Energy Policy.
HF 191 (Kelly): A bill to modify CBED rules by allowing aggregation of projects; allowing review of the eligibility of a CBED project (qualified ownership) yearly. See also companion bill SF 204.
Status: Introduced 1/28/13; referred to Energy Policy.
HF 254 (Peppin): A bill repealing the moratorium on nuclear energy. See also companion bill SF 190.
Status: Introduced 1/31/13; referred to Energy Policy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 306 (Beard): Changing the current renewable energy standard to a renewable energy goal/objective. See companion bill SF 97.
Status: Introduced 2/4/13; referred to House Energy Policy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 338 (Bly): A bill to modify the Buy the Farm statute; adding additional compensation; deleting commercial viability requirement. See also companion bill SF 183.
Status: Introduced 2/4/13; referred to Energy Policy. Heard in committee 2/12/13; no vote taken. Committee recommends Do Pass as amended; referred to Government Operations 3/13/13. Hearing sed in Government Operations 3/20/13. Committee recommends Do Pass as amended; referred to Rules and Legislative Administration 3/21/13. Committee report Do Pass; referred to Civil Law; Joint rule 2.03 waived—allows bill to be heard after committee deadlines. Enrolled into HF 976, Article 2, Section 52; Omnibus Environment and Economic Development bill.
HF 438 (Howe): A bill to study whether assistance should be provided to citizens opposing HVTL routing; to study whether compensation should be paid to landowners whose land is adjacent to HVTL routing. See also companion bill SF 454.
Status: Introduced 2/11/13; referred to Energy Policy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 439 (Howe): To require the MPUC in HVTL routing decisions to consider the impact to value of adjacent land; to require Buy the Farm condemnation of adjacent land that will be diminished in value by HVTL. See also companion bill SF 674.
Status: Introduced 2/11/13; referred to Energy Policy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 469 (Fischer): A bill to eliminate sales tax on purchases by political subdivisions. See also companion bill SF 104.
Status: Introduced 2/11/13; referred to Taxes. Heard in committee 2/13/13; no vote taken. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 567 (Melin): A bill to require that the current mandate on installation of solar energy on state buildings use a certain percentage of Minnesota made solar panels. See also companion bill SF 570.
Status: Introduced 2/13/13; referred to Energy Policy. Set for hearing 3/11/13. Committee moves without recommendation to refer the bill to Capital Investment 3/13/13.
HF 653 (Quam): A bill to clarify that social media communications do not constitute a “meeting” under open meeting laws. See also companion bill SF 527.
Status: Introduced 2/18/13; referred to Government Operations. Committee recommends Do Pass as amended; second reading 3/20/13. Referred to House Floor. Placed on Calendar for the Day 5/6/13.
HF 655 (Howe): A bill requiring that when there are 2 proposed routes for a HVTL; neither may be designated as preferred by the MPUC until all alternatives are vetted. See also companion bill SF 455.
Status: Introduced 2/18/13; referred to Energy Policy. Committee recommends Do Pass as amended; second reading 3/20/13. Referred to Government Operations. Passed committee; referred to House Floor 4/2/13.
HF 773 (Morgan): A bill to mandate net metering at a “value of solar”; mandate 10% solar renewable energy standard by 2030; study DG capacity on distribution lines. See also companion bill SF 680.
Status: Introduced 2/21/13; referred to Energy Policy. Committee hearing held 2/26/13; held over for Omnibus bill. Enrolled into Omnibus Energy bill HF 956.
HF 780 (Mahoney): Authorizing certain waste-heat projects to count towards CIP requirements. See also companion bill SF 642.
Status: Introduced 2/21/13; referred to Energy Policy. See House Omnibus bill HF 956.
HF 843 (Garofalo): Utilities and associations permitted to retain unspent funds if it contributes to a low-income home energy assistance program.
Status: Introduced 2/21/13; referred to Energy Policy.
HF 854 (Atkins): A bill regarding energy conservation improvement investments for low income programs. See also companion bill SF 695.
Status: Introduced 2/21/13; referred to Energy Policy. Set for hearing 3/11/13. Committee report Do Pass; referred to House floor 3/13/13. Passed House as amended (118-12) 5/7/13. SF 695 substituted for HF 854; second reading 5/9/13.
HF 880 (Hornstien): Establishing a solar mandate; raising the RES to 40%. See also companion bill SF 763.
Status: Introduced 2/25/13; referred to Energy Policy. Heard in committee 3/8/13; held over for possible inclusion in Omnibus Energy bill. Enrolled into Omnibus Energy bill HF 956.
HF 945 (Hornstein): Regarding the purchase of service territory by a municipal utility; MPUC shall NOT consider loss of revenue to the utility in determining just compensation. See also companion bill SF 911.
Status: Introduced 2/25/13; referred to Energy Policy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 955 (Hortman): Raising net metering to one MW.
Status: Introduced 2/25/13; referred to Energy Policy. Heard in committee 3/6/13; held over for hearing 3/11/13. Enrolled into Omnibus Energy bill HF 956.
HF 956 (Hortman): DER bill to increase net metering; repeal ratepayer protection, establish solar standard. See also companion bill SF 901.
Status: Introduced 2/28/13; referred to Energy Policy. Heard in committee 3/5/13; held over for possible inclusion in Omnibus Energy bill. House Omnibus Energy bill; referred to Commerce 3/13/13. Committee recommends Do Pass; referred to Ways and Means committee 3/20/13. Set for hearing 4/22/13. Continued for further committee hearing 5/2/13. Passed House (70-63) 5/7/13; sent to Senate. Senate amended and passed 37-26 5/10/13. House refuses to concur with Senate amendments; conference committee assigned 5/13/13: Reps. Hortman, Garofalo, Simonson and Senators Hoffman, Marty, Dahle. Amended into HF 729 5/13/13. Conference report on HF 729 passed House (73-59) 5/14/13.
HF 1000 (Kelly): Assess additional funds from utilities to fund clean energy resource teams. See also companion bill SF 1011.
Status: Introduced 2/28/13; referred to Energy Policy. Committee recommends Do Pass 3/13/13; referred to House floor. Referred back to Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance & Policy 3/14/13. Set for hearing 3/20/13. Committee recommends Do Pass; referred to Ways and Means 4/2/13. Committee report Do Pass as amended 4/23/13; second reading on House floor. Passed House as amended (132-0) 5/7/13. Sent to Senate; SF 1011 substituted for HF 1000; second reading 5/9/13.
HF 1079 (Benson): A bill to allow certain geothermal DG to count towards the RES if the utility provides an incentive.
Status: Introduced 3/4/13; referred to Energy Policy. Set for hearing 3/11/13. Committee recommends Do Pass as amended 3/13/13; referred to House floor.
HF 1093 (Garofalo): A bill to open a docket to analyze the costs of solar DG. See also companion bill HF 972.
Status: Introduced 3/4/13; referred to Energy Policy.
HF 1130 (Falk): Establishing a feed in tariff for renewables and CBED.
Status: Introduced 3/4/13; referred to Energy Policy. Heard in committee 3/11/13; held over for inclusion in Omnibus Energy bill. Was not included in Omnibus Bill. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 1146 (Morgan): A bill to allow 3rd party ownership and aggregation of meters of solar. See also companion bill SF 1054.
Status: introduced 3/4/13; referred to Energy Policy. Set for hearing 3/11/13. Enrolled into Omnibus Energy Bill HF 956.
HF 1167 (Melin): A bill taking money from the RDF and other resources to fund MN made solar panels. See also companion bill SF 936.
Status: Introduced 3/4/13; referred to Energy Policy. Set for hearing 3/11/13. Held over for possible inclusion in Energy or Tax Omnibus billls. Rolled into Omnibus Bill HF 956.
HF 1170 (Falk): A bill requiring net metering up to 105 MW at retail rate plus a premium; utility required to take excess generation.
Status: Introduced 3/4/13; referred to Energy Policy. Set for hearing 3/11/13. Enrolled into Omnibus Energy Bill HF 956.
HF 1205 (S. Anderson): Certificate of need for transmission lines in the twin cities modified. See also companion bill SF 716.
Status: Introduced 3/4/13; referred to Energy Policy. Committee recommends Do Pass as amended; second reading 3/20/13. Referred to House floor. Compared on House floor with SF 716; Withdrawn in favor of SF 716.
HF 1271 (R. Erickson): Modifying CIP; changing the requirement that 1% savings must be achieved before certain CIP projects count towards savings.
Status: Introduced 3/5/13; referred to Energy Policy. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 1301 (Hortman): Energy conservation (CIP) set at minimum of 1.5% with interim study. See companion bill SF 1135. See Omnibus Energy bill HF 956.
Status: Introduced 3/6/13; referred to Energy Policy. Set for hearing 3/11/13. Committee report Do Pass; referred to House floor 3/13/13. Re-referred back to Commerce Committee. See House Omnibus bill HF 956.
HF 1493 (Lenczewski): A bill to close all state tax “loopholes”; includes repeal of tax exempt status of municipal bonds.
Status: Introduced 3/13/13; referred to Taxes. Heard 4/4/13; laid over for possible inclusion in Omnibus bill. NOT included in Omnibus Tax Bill HF 677. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 1628 (Anzelc): Utility property tax class rate increase. See also Companion bill SF 1495.
Status: Introduced 3/20/13; referred to Taxes. NOT included in Omnibus Tax Bill HF 677. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 1640 (Scott): A bill to count WAPA power as renewable (and as part of electric sales). See also Companion Bill SF 1488.
Status: introduced 3/20/13; referred to Energy Policy committee. Failed to move forward in 2013 session.
HF 1762 (Gruenhagen): A bill prohibiting public funds use in ballot question campaigns. Companion bill SF 1597.
Status: Introduced 4/11/13; referred to Elections.
Regulatory
C-BED
MRES cooperates with the effort of the State of Minnesota to develop community-based wind energy projects by communities within the state. This effort is known as Community-Based Energy Development or C-BED. To learn about MRES participation in C-BED, click here.