ST. PAUL – Legislation authored by Rep. Tony Albright (R-Prior Lake) that would transfer the responsibility of administering federal energy assistance grants to low-income Minnesotans from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Human Services passed the House Commerce and Regulatory Reform today.
Albright put forward this bill (House File 544) in response to a series of audit reports provided by the Office of the Legislative Auditor and the Department of Human Services pointing to a lack of oversight and internal controls relevant to LIHEAP and the weatherization programs over the past several years.
Initially, this legislation proposed to transfer the responsibility of administering energy assistance grants to the Department of Administration. However, Albright offered an amendment in committee to his legislation that would put the grant program under the purview of the Department of Human Services.
“This legislation is about streamlining services for low income Minnesotans. The Department of Human Services is well-versed in administering assistance to low-income Minnesotans,” said Albright. “The recent events surrounding this program, coupled with reports of the Department’s inability to effectively administer these vital energy grants, has demonstrated the necessity of appointing a new Department to oversee these programs. We have a fiduciary duty as legislators to responsibly provide for those most in need among us. My legislation will streamline services, remove politics from assistance for families in need, and maintain the ability for these programs to serve those most in need.”
Albright’s legislation moves to the House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance Committee where it awaits a hearing.
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