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Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division

THIRTY-FOURTH MEETING

2009-2010 Regular Session - Tuesday, February 16, 2010

STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-FOURTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION

HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
FINANCE AND POLICY DIVISION

MINUTES


Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division, started the meeting at 1:05 P.M. on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:


Rukavina, Tom, Chair
Bly, David, Vice Chair
Anderson, Sarah
Atkins, Joe
Brynaert, Kathy
Clark, Karen
Dettmer, Bob
Downey, Keith
Eastlund, Rob
Gunther, Bob
Haws, Larry
Mahoney, Tim
McFarlane, Carol
Murphy, Mary
Nornes, Bud
Norton, Kim
Obermueller, Mike
Poppe, Jeanne
Reinert, Roger
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy

Chair Rukavina invited Mike Lalich, Director, Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) to come forward to begin his presentation.

Mike Lalich, Director, Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) introduced himself and Don Fosnacht, Director of the Center for Applied Research and Technology Development, NRRI, and Pam Sarvela, Business Development Manager, NRRI.

Mike Lalich provided testimony regarding the NRRI and the work that they do. A handout was provided.

A quorum was present.

Chair Rukavina called the meeting to order at 1:35 P.M.

Representative Brynaert moved that the minutes of January 26, 2010 and February 9, 2010 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Mike Lalich continued his presentation.

Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
February 16, 2010
Page Two


Questions and discussion followed.

Mike Lalich continued his presentation.

Questions and discussion followed.

Don Fosnacht, Director of the Center for Applied Research and Technology Development, NRRI, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding research projects at the NRRI.

Chair Rukavina commented regarding the NRRI and its importance during the last economic crisis.

Questions and discussion followed.

Chair Rukavina discussed the schedule for upcoming meetings and tentative deadline for the committee bill.

Chair Rukavina invited Dick Hemmingsen, Director of the Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE), at the University of Minnesota, to come forward to begin his presentation.

Dick Hemmingsen, Director of the Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE), University of Minnesota, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the IREE. Handouts were provided.

Questions and discussion followed.

Don Fosnacht assisted in answering questions.

Questions and discussion continued.

Chair Rukavina requested detailed financial information from both the NRRI and IREE for the entire committee.

Questions and discussion continued.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 P.M.


Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair


Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..

Economic Development and Job Creation
Natural Resources Research Institute - Michael Lalich, director
Green energy development and other innovative natural resources strategies
Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment - Dick Hemmingsen, director