Senate Bill Introductions
SF 3535 (Port): Revising the PACE program to allow for projects to move forward under PACE even if it does not meet certain cost-effective requirements but provides other benefits. Companion HF 3946.
Status: Introduced 2/12/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/6/24. Amended and recommended to pass; sent to Senate floor. Second reading 3/11/24. Also placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 3682 (McEwen): Within 30 days after a site or route permit has been issued for a project under chapter 216E (electric generation facilities, transmission), all state agencies must make any final decisions on any other pending permits for that project. Companion Bill HF 3457.
Status: Introduced 2/15/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/11/24. Hearing rescheduled to later date. Placed into SF 4784 (permit reform bill), and also placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 3683 (McEwen): Requiring utilities to study transmission congestion in Minnesota, identify the frequency of congestion in certain areas, analyze grid enhancing technology (GETS) that could alleviate the congestion, and propose a plan for installing GETS at each congestion point. Companion Bill HF 3704.
Status: Introduced 2/15/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 3637 (Marty): Require the Department of Commerce Division of Energy Resources to develop a detailed plan to move the state to all renewable energy by 2040.
Status: Introduced 2/15/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 3949 (McEwen): Requiring high-voltage transmission lines to be sited in certain priority areas; requiring utilities to pay for any relocation of transmission lines. Companion HF 3900.
Status: Introduced 2/19/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/4/24. Amended and recommended to pass; re-referred to Transportation 3/4/24. Set for hearing 3/18/24. Laid over for omnibus bill 3/18/24. Placed into Omnibus Transportation Bill SF 5284.
SF 3959 (Marty): Limiting rate recovery for IOUs’ CEO salaries. Companion HF 4851.
Status: Introduced 2/19/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 4062 (Koran): Prohibiting any entity that receives state funding from making campaign contributions or expending money or any political purpose (lobbying). Companion HF 3647.
Status; Introduced 2/22/24; referred to Elections.
SF 4078 (Lucero): Requiring a product stewardship program for wind and solar component reclamation and recycling. Companion HF 703.
Status: Introduced 2/22/24; referred to Environment, Climate and Legacy.
SF 4108 (Hauschild): Establishing the Minnesota Advisory Council on Infrastructure and funding it; to coordinate infrastructure planning, funding, and maintenance, particularly as it pertains to climate policy, economic development and energy. Companion HF 4025.
Status: Introduced 2/22/24; referred to Labor. Withdrawn and re-referred to State and Local Government and Veterans 2/26/24. Set for hearing 3/14/24. No action taken, discussion only 3/14/24. Set for hearing 3/26/24. Laid over for omnibus bill inclusion 3/26/24.
SF 4132 (Mitchell): Increasing civil penalties for non-compliance with state open meetings laws; requiring specific documentation if the entity is to close a meeting for attorney-client privilege reasons. Companion HF 4136.
Status: Introduced 2/22/24; referred to State and Local Government and Veterans. Set for hearing 3/19/24. Laid over 3/22/24.
SF 4159 (Port): Requiring all utilities (electric, water, etc.) to accept an individual taxpayer ID number in lieu of an SSN for applications for new service. Companion HF 4155.
Status: Introduced 2/22/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/6/24. Recommended to pass and re-referred to Housing and Homelessness Prevention. Referred to Senate floor 3/11/24; second reading. Placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 4167 (Xiong): Requiring the MPCA to formulate a methodology to calculate the GHG emissions of various stages of sourcing, producing and shipping of retail industry products. Companion HF 4189.
Status: Introduced 2/26/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 4295 (McEwen): Creation and funding of the MPCA local climate planning and action hub. Companion Bill HF 4240.
Status: Introduced 2/26/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate.
SF 4297 (Mitchell): Establishing a public comment period for certain meetings; allowing comment by internet platform. Companion HF 4120.
Status: Introduced 2/26/24; referred to State and Local Government. Set for hearing 3/19/24. Laid over for omnibus bill inclusion 3/19/24.
SF 4298 (Mitchell): Requiring electric vehicle charging stations in all new residential buildings with designated parking. Companion Bill HF 3439.
Status: Introduced 2/26/24; referred to Labor. Set for hearing 3/12/24. Not heard; continued to later date. Set for hearing 3/21/24. Committee recommends to pass; referred to State and Local Government and Veterans 3/21/24.
SF 4361 (Morrison): Subjecting electric cooperatives to open meeting and public records laws. Companion HF 3895.
Status: Introduced 2/29/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 4373 (Lucero): Requiring that utilities get consent from customers before installing smart meters. Companion HF 4812.
Status: Introduced 2/29/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/18/24. Laid over 3/18/24.
SF 4379 (Fateh): Requiring additional physical measurements of air emissions and reporting of the measurements. Companion HF 3579.
Status: Introduced 2/29/24; referred to Environment, Climate and Legacy.
SF 4426 (Marty): Prohibiting IOUs from recovering lobbying expenses from ratepayers. Companion HF 4292.
Status: Introduced 2/29/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 4428 (Mitchell): State Public Utilities Commission added to the list of agencies which are subject to certain obligations to Tribal governments. Companion HF 4354.
Status: Introduced 2/29/24; referred to State and Local Government and Veterans. Laid over for possible omnibus bill 3/12/24. Placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 4433 (Hawi): Requiring reimbursement to the MPCA for any negotiated agreement to settle violations. Companion HF 4410.
Status: Introduced 2/29/24; referred to Environment, Climate and Legacy. Set for hearing 3/12/14. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety. Set for hearing 3/27/24. Committee reports to pass; re-referred to Environment, Climate and Legacy 3/27/24. Referred to Rules and Administration 4/2/24.
SF 4456 (Mann): Allowing advisory public bodies to meet by interactive technology if certain conditions are followed. Companion HF 4413.
Status: Introduced 2/29/24; referred to State and Local Government and Veterans.
SF 4498 (Dahms): Exempting some municipal construction materials from state sales and use taxes. Companion Bill HF 2576.
Status: Introduced 3/4/24; referred to Taxes.
SF 4535 (Wesenberg): Clarifying access to easements by governmental units; limiting landowner restrictions.
Status: Introduced 3/4/24; referred to Judiciary and Public Safety.
SF 4536 (Wesenberg): Requiring governmental notice to landowner prior to accessing easements.
Status: Introduced 3/4/24; referred to Judiciary and Public Safety.
SF 4562 (Rarick): Updates to the ECO law to provide for efficient fuel switching. Companion HF 4574.
Status: Introduced 3/4/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/20/24. Laid over 3/20/24. Placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 4579 (Dibble): A bill to push single-metering in residential buildings for electricity, water, and other services. Companion HF 4558.
Status: introduced 3/4/24; referred Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Heard in committee 3/6/24; tabled for further hearing. Set for hearing 3/13/24. Amended and recommended Do Pass; referred to Judiciary and Public Safety 3/13/24. Set for hearing 3/22/24. Amended and recommended to pass 3/22/24. Second reading 4/2/24. Passed Senate (44-19) 4/11/24; referred to House. Comparison with companion HF 4558 pending on House floor. Placed on House floor calendar 4/24/24.
SF 4686 (McEwen): Establishing and funding a geothermal heat exchange rebate program. Companion HF 4689.
Status: Introduced 3/7/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/27/24. Set for hearing 3/27/24. Laid over for possible omnibus bill 3/27/24. Placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 4687 (McEwen): Creating a utility thermal network deployment work group. Companion HF 4688.
Status: Introduced 3/7/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/20/24. Laid over as amended 3/20/24. Placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 4711 (Morrison): Stewardship and recycling for batteries. Companion HF 4721.
Status: Referred to Environment, Climate and Legacy.
SF 4760 (Mitchell): Pilot project authorized and funded for thermal energy network projects. Companion HF 4423.
Status: Introduced 3/7/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/20/24. Laid over as amended 3/20/24. Placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 4784 (Frentz): Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act—revising generation and transmission permitting in the state. Companion HF 4700.
Status: Introduced 3/7/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/11/24. Committee hearing canceled; re-set for 3/13/24. Re-referred to Environment, Climate and Legacy; set for hearing 3/14/23. Removed from Environment, Climate and Legacy; referred to State and Local Government. Set for hearing 3/19/24. Recommended Do Pass; referred to Environment, Climate and Legacy 3/19/24. Set for hearing 3/21/24. Referred to Finance 3/21/24. Committee reports To Pass 4/9/24. Second reading on Senate floor 4/11/24. Passed Senate (35-32) 4/18/24; referred to House.
SF 4794 (Dibble): Using Xcel’s renewable energy development fund to fund MRETS (Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System). Companion HF 4709.
Status: Introduced 3/11/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Laid over 3/13/24.
SF 4802 (Rest): Creating a carbon emission assessment (tax) on coal-fired generation and natural gas-fired generation used in the state of Minnesota by MN electric energy users. Companion Bill HF 4953.
Status: Introduced 3/11/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 4822 (Limmer): Defining “correspondence” for the purposes of retention under the government record retention law; requiring 3 year retention period. Companion HF 4836.
Status: Introduced 3/11/24; referred to Judiciary and Public Safety.
SF 4824 (Kreun): Modifying definitions of local government actions under state lobbying laws.
Status: Introduced 3/11/24; referred to Elections.
SF 4846 (Xiong): Creating a mental health advisory task force to study the effects of climate change on mental health. Companion HF 4821.
Status: Introduced 3/11/24; referred to Health and Human Services.
SF 4849: (Port): Establishing a grant program for political subdivisions to study geothermal energy systems. Companion HF 4759.
Status: Introduced 3/11/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/27/24. Laid over for possible omnibus bill 3/27/24. Placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 4863 (Rest): Revising the ongoing grant program under the Renewable Development Account. Companion HF 5016.
Status: Introduced 3/11/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/27/24. Laid over for possible omnibus bill 3/27/24. Placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 4874 (Wiklund): Requiring cyber incident reporting by local governmental entities. Companion HF 4749.
Status: Introduced 3/13/24; referred to State and Local Government and Veterans. Committee reports To Pass 4/5/24; referred to Judiciary and Public Safety.
SF 4900 (Lucero): Allowing customers to decline installation of AMI. Companion Bill HF 5149.
Status: Introduced 3/13/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 4904 (Limmer): Applying the penalties under the Government Data Practices Act to violations of the Official Records Act. Companion HF 4835.
Status: Introduced 3/13/24; referred to Judiciary and Public Safety.
SF 4910 (McEwen): Funding a study of climate change adaptation costs. Companion HF 4684.
Status: Introduced 3/13/24; referred to Environment, Climate and Energy. Set for hearing 4/2/24. Laid over 4/4/24.
SF 4942 (Frentz): Amended to become Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill.
Status: : Introduced 3/13/24; referred to State and Local Government and Veterans. Companion Bill HF 4975. Heard and passed by committee 4/17/24; referred to Finance. Finance committee amended and recommended to pass 4/19/24.
SF 4943 (Frentz): Making technical and housekeeping changes to Department of Commerce provisions. Companion HF 4177.
Status: Introduced 3/13/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 3/18/24. Laid over 3/18/24. Placed into Senate Omnibus Energy, Environment, Utilities, and Finance Supplemental bill SF 4942.
SF 4949 (Westlin): Updating data storage requirements for public records. Companion HF 4647.
Status: Introduced 3/13/24; referred to Judiciary and Public Safety. Set for hearing 3/20/24. Pulled from hearing list.
SF 4969 (McEwen): Grant program for the electrification of lawn and snow removal equipment for schools and public entities. Companion Bill HF 5056.
Status: Introduced 3/14/24; Environment, Climate and Legacy. Laid over 4/9/24.
SF 5033 (Green): Exempting cooperatives from the RES and CFS. Companion Bill HF 5060.
Status: Introduced 3/18/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 5060 (Marty): Prohibiting state agencies from issuing permits for carbon pipelines.
Status: Introduced 3/18/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 5268 (Carlson): Road usage charge for all electric vehicles. Companion Bill HF 4889.
Status: Introduced 4/2/24; referred to Transportation.
SF 5271 (Port): Establishing an incentive program to residential solar permitting apps for cities. Companion Bill HF 5171.
Status: Introduced 4/2/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate. Set for hearing 4/15/24.
SF 5310 (Howe): Modifying the surcharge for electric vehicles. Companion Bill HF 5265.
Status: Introduced 4/4/24; referred to Transportation.
SF 5395 (Xiong): Requiring the MPUC to open a docket on allocating the cost of adding distribution hosting capacity for distributed generation. Companion Bill HF 5097.
Status: Introduced 4/9/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate.
SF 5448 (Kunesh): Revising current law on shared-metered utility service in residential buildings; regulating the billing thereof.
Status: Introduced 4/18/24; referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate.