STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-THIRD MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FOURTH SESSION
REGULATED INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Rep. Torrey Westrom, Chair of the Regulated Industries Committee, called the twenty-third meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. on March 28, 2006 in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Clerk noted the roll.
Members of the Committee:
WESTROM, Torrey, Chair ANDERSON, I.
BEARD, Mike, Vice Chair ATKINS, Joe
CHARRON, Mike HANSEN, Rick
EMMER, Tom HILTY, Bill
ERICKSON, Sondra HUNTLEY, Tom
GUNTHER, Bob JOHNSON, Sheldon
HACKBARTH, Tom LESCH, John
HOPPE, Joe PETERSON, Aaron
LANNING, Morrie RUUD, Maria
POWELL, Duke THISSEN, Paul
SIMPSON, Dean WALKER, Neva
WESTERBERG, Andy
ZELLERS, Kurt
Members Excused: NONE
Rep. Westrom addressed the committee agenda with the members.
A quorum was present.
Rep. Peterson moved adoption of the minutes for March 22, 2006. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 1812 (Abeler) Racetrack and horsepersons' organizations agreements provided, and simulcasting and card club operation restrictions modified.
Rep. Westrom moved adoption of the Division Report. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE DIVISION REPORT WAS ADOPTED.
Rep. Westrom moved that HF 1812 be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register.
The following individuals testified before the committee:
Rep. Jim Abeler
James Druck, NMHI
John McCarthy, Executive Director, MN Indian Gaming Association
Deb Davies, Columbus Concerned Citizens
Don Steinke, Columbus Concerned Citizens
Ann Heikes, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
The committee was informed that material distributed by Columbus Concerned Citizens required corrections to information and data. New material to be distributed to members and staff.
Rep. Atkins noted that he would offer no amendments to HF 1812.
Rep. Emmer moved to amend HF 1812 (EL-BLKAMD-4 amendment).
Rep. Westrom spoke against the Emmer amendment.
Rep. Emmer renewed the motion to amend HF 1812 (EL-BLKAMD-4 amendment). THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
Rep. Atkins requested a roll call on final passage of HF 1812.
AYE NAY ABSENT
Westrom Anderson
Beard Atkins
Charron Hansen
Emmer Hillty
Erickson Huntley
Gunther Johnson
Hackbarth Peterson
Hoppe Ruud
Lanning Thissen
Simpson Walker
Westerberg Powell
Zellers
Lesch
There being 13 Ayes and 11 Nayes THE MOTION PREVAILED. HF 1812 WAS RECOMMENDED TO PASS AND BE PLACED ON THE GENERAL REGISTER.
HF 3541 (Westrom) Public Utilities Commission reports regarding heating customers required.
Rep. Beard assumed the gavel at 3:35 p.m.
Rep. Westrom moved that HF 3541 be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register.
Rep. Beard clarified that the remaining bills would be presented to the committee and then laid over for future consideration.
The following individuals testified before the committee:
Rep. Torrey Westrom
Pam Marshall, Energy Cents Coalition
Rep. Beard laid HF 3541 over for future consideration.
HF 3542 (Westrom) Gas utility service reconnection plan preparation and implementation required.
Rep. Westrom moved that HF 3542 be recommended to pass and be place on the General Register.
Rep. Beard reminded members that remaining bills would be presented to the committee and then laid over for future consideration.
The following individuals testified before the committee:
Rep. Torrey Westrom
Pam Marshall, Energy Cents Coalition
Burl Haar, Executive Secretary, PUC
Rep. Beard laid HF 3542 over for future consideration.
Rep. Westrom resumed the gavel at 4:00 p.m.
HF 3712 (Hackbarth) Mercury Emissions Reduction Act of 2006 adopted requiring mercury emissions by public utilities.
Rep. Hackbarth moved that HF 3712 be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register.
Rep. Hackbarth provided a brief introduction of the Mercury Emissions Reduction Action of 2006 to the committee.
Bob Eleff, House Research, provided the committee with an overview of HF 3712, the Mercury Emissions Reduction Action of 2006.
David Thornton, Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, testified before the committee.
Rep. Westrom waived the 24-hour rule and requested that amendments to remaining legislation be provided to staff by noon on March 29, 2006.
Mark Peters, Executive Director, Lutheran Coalition on Public Policy testified before the committee.
Closing comments by the Chair.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
______________________________
REP. TORREY WESTROM
CHAIR
______________________________
Kathleen Anderson
Committee Legislative Assistant