STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FOURTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FOURTH SESSION
REGULATED INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Rep. Torrey Westrom, Chair of the Regulated Industries Committee, called the twenty-fourth meeting to order at 2:40 p.m. on March 29, 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. Hackbarth moved adoption of the minutes for March 28, 2006. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 3712 (Hackbarth) Mercury Emissions Reduction Act of 2006 adopted requiring mercury emissions by public utilities.
Rep. Westrom brought HF 3712 before the committee for reconsideration.
The following individuals testified before the committee during the first portion of the meeting:
David Thornton, Assistant Commissioner, MPCA
Bill Grant, Mercury Free Minnesota
Rep. Hackbarth moved to amend HF 3712 (H3612A5 amendment).
A division was requested on the H3612A5 amendment to HF 3712.
There being 13 Ayes and 11 Nays THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Rep. Hackbarth withdrew the H3712A6 amendment to HF 3712.
Rep. Gunther moved to amend HF 3712 (H3712A7 amendment).
David Thornton testified before the committee regarding the H3712A7 amendment to HF 3712.
A division was requested on the H3612A7 amendment to HF 3712.
There being 13 Ayes and 11 Nays THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Rep. Powell moved to amend HF 3712 (H3712A4 amendment).
Rep. Peterson moved to amend the H3712A4 amendment to HF 3712 as follows:
Line 1.7, after “7” insert “report the amount of renewable energy
investment that offsets mercury emissions.”
Rep. Peterson withdrew the amendment to the amendment.
Rep. Powell renewed the motion to amend HF 3712 (H3712A4 amendment). THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Rep. Thissen moved to amend HF 3712 (H3712A9 amendment).
Rep. Thissen incorporated the following oral amendment to the H3712A9 amendment:
After line 1.3 insert “Page 5, line 27, delete “attempt to”
The following individuals testified before the committee:
Margaret Hodnik, Minnesota Power
Lee Eberly, Excel Energy
Rep. Thissen renewed the motion to amend HF 3712 (H3712 amendment, as amended). THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
Rep. Hackbarth moved to amend HF 3712 by the following oral amendment:
Page 5, line 27, strike “attempt to”
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Rep. Hackbarth moved to amend HF 3712 (H3712A10 amendment).
Margaret Hodnik, Minnesota Power, testified before the committee regarding the amendment.
Rep. Hackbarth renewed the motion that HF 3712, as amended, be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Closing comments by the Chair.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
______________________________
REP. TORREY WESTROM
CHAIR
______________________________
Kathleen Anderson
Committee Legislative Assistant