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Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance

TWENTY-THIRD MEETING

2015-2016 Regular Session - Monday, March 23, 2015

STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-THIRD MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION

JOB GROWTH & ENERGY AFFORDABILITY
POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Representative Pat Garofalo, Chair of the Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance Committee, called the meeting to order at 12:58 P.M. on Monday, March 23, 2015, in Room 10 of the State Office Building.:

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:


GAROFALO, Pat
BAKER, Dave
CLARK, Karen
FABIAN, Dan
GUNTHER, Bob
HORTMAN, Melissa
ISAACSON, Jason
JOHNSON, Sheldon
LOONAN, Bob
MAHONEY, Tim
METSA, Jason
NEWBERGER, Jim
O’NEILL, Marion
SCOTT, Peggy
SIMONSON, Erik
SMITH, Dennis
SWEDZINSKI, Chris
VOGEL, Bob
WAGENIUS, Jean


Representative Garofalo called the meeting to order at 12:58 P.M. A quorum was present.

Representative Smith moved to approve the minutes from the February 25th hearing. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Clark moved to approve the minutes from the previous hearing. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF813 (Loonan) Energy facility definitions clarified. This bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative Loonan moved the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Loonan; Mark Spurr, International District Energy Association; Benjamin Gerber, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; Ken Smith, Evergreen Energy; Bill Black, Minnesota Municipal Utilities Assocation; Deb Birgen, Missouri River Energy Services; Rick Evans, Xcel Energy; John Hottinger, Sierra Club; testified on HF813, as introduced.

HF688 (Albright) New markets tax credit program established, report required, and money appropriated.

Representative Albright; Julia Nelmark, Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation; testified on HF688, 2nd engrossment.

Representative Garofalo moved that HF688 be recommended to be pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF409 (Gunther) Centers for Independent Living grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative Gunther; Vicky Dolle-Molle, Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living; Sue Phillips, Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing; testified on HF409, as introduced.

HF1379 (Anderson, M.) Platform manlift requirement repealed.

Representative Anderson, M.; Patrick Murray, Cooperative Networks; Bob Zelenka, Minnesota Grain and Feed Association; Jim Kruger, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry; testified on HF1379, as introduced.

Representative Garofalo moved to lay the bill on the table at 2:25 P.M. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1425 (Daniels) Pilot program to provide, repair, and maintain motor vehicles for commuting to work created; and money appropriated. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative O’Neill moved the A2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Daniels; Anna Odegaard, Minnesota Asset Building Coalition; Mia Yang, Community Action of Ramsey and Washington County; Dan Jones, Minnesota Valley Action Council; testified on HF1425, as introduced.

Representative Scott assumed the gavel at 1:50 P.M.

Representative Garofalo assumed the gavel at 1:53 P.M.

Representative Gunther assumed the gavel at 2:05 P.M.

The committee went into recess at 2:32 P.M.

The committee reconvened at 4:30 P.M.

Representative Garofalo moved to take HF1379 from the table at 4:30 P.M. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Garofalo moved that HF1379 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the General Register. Representative Simonson requested a roll call vote. The results were as follows:

AYES:
GAROFALO, Pat
LOONAN, Bob
NEWBERGER, Jim
O’NEILL, Marion
SCOTT, Peggy
SWEDZINSKI, Chris
VOGEL, Bob

NAYS:
MAHONEY, Tim
HORTMAN, Melissa
ISAACSON, Jason
JOHNSON, Sheldon
METSA, Jason
SIMONSON, Erik

EXCUSED:
BAKER, Dave
CLARK, Karen
FABIAN, Dan
GUNTHER, Bob
SMITH, Dennis
WAGENIUS, Jean

On a vote of 7 AYES and 6 NAYS THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1405 (Metsa) Employment support services to persons with mental illness funding provided, and money appropriated. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative Metsa; Patti Simning, Synergy IPS; Natasha Olson, Rise, Incorporated; testified on HF1405, as introduced.

HF1549 (O’Neill) Construction Codes and Licensing Division housekeeping changes made; obsolete, redundant, and unnecessary laws and rules removed; conforming changes made; and rulemaking authorized.

Representative O’Neill; Charlie Durenberger, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry; testified on HF1549, 1st engrossment.

Representative O’Neill moved that HF1549 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1241 (Albright) Uniform statewide minimum wage required, uniformity for employment mandates on private employers provided. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative Albright; Benjamin Gerber, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; Tanya Rene, Thrifty White Pharmacy; Jarod Peterson, Touching Hearts at Home Services; Mike Hickey, National Federation of Independent Businesses; Anne Marie Metzger, Citizen; Ann Lindstrom, League of Minnesota Cities; Charlie Van Aarde, League of Minnesota Cities; Jessica English, Citizen; Tim Adams, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Lisa Stratton, Gender Justice; testified on HF1241, as introduced.
HF1426 (Isaacson) Skilled manufacturing industry customized training provided, and money appropriated. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative Isaacson testified on HF1426, as introduced.

Representative Isaacson moved the A15-0287 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1695 (O’Neill) Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council recommendations adopted; and federal conformity, policy, and technical changes made. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in omnibus bill.

Representative O’Neill testified on HF1695, as introduced.

Representative O’Neill moved the A15-0241 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Scott assumed the gavel at 5:26 P.M.

Representative Garofalo assumed the gavel at 5:45 P.M.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 P.M.




Representative Pat Garofalo, Chair




Jonathan Fortner, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF1379 (Anderson) - Platform manlift requirement repealed.
  • HF1695 (O'Neill) - Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council recommendations adopted; and federal conformity, policy, and technical changes made.
  • HF1426 (Isaacson) - Skilled manufacturing industry customized training provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF0813 (Loonan) - Cogeneration facilities environmental review requirements modified, and energy facility definitions clarified.
  • HF1241 (Albright) - Uniform statewide minimum wage required, and uniformity for employment mandates on private employers provided.
  • HF1405 (Metsa) - Employment support services to persons with mental illness funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF0409 (Gunther) - Centers for Independent Living grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF0688 (Albright) - New market tax credit program established, report required, and money appropriated.
  • HF1425 (Daniels) - Pilot program to provide, repair, and maintain motor vehicles for commuting to work created; and money appropriated.
Documents:

Pending referral we will also hear: HF1549 (O'Neill) Construction Codes and Licensing Division housekeeping changes made, unnecessary laws and rules removed, conforming changes made, and rulemaking authorized (pending referral from the Commerce Committee).

***Additional Bills may be added to the agenda