KLJ » Minnesota

Rural Community Development Initiative

klj — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 22:20:59 +0000

The US Department of Agriculture Rural Development has allocated an estimated $5.6 million to the Rural Community Development Initiative to intermediary applicants which will provide financial and technical assistance to develop the capacity and ability of private, nonprofit community-based housing and community development organizations. The program will also support low income rural communities to improve housing, community facilities, community and economic development projects in rural areas. Rural Community Development Initiative grants may be used for (but are not limited to):

training sub-grantees to conduct a program on home-ownership education
training sub-grantees to conduct a program for minority business entrepreneurs
providing technical assistance to sub-grantees on how to effectively prepare a strategic plan
provide technical assistance to sub-grantees on how to access alternative funding sources
building organizational capacity through board training
developing training tools, such as videos, workbooks and reference guides to be used by the sub-grantee
providing technical assistance and training on how to develop successful child care facilities
providing training on effective fundraising techniques

Eligible Applicants: nonprofits, for profit organizations other than small businesses, private institutions of higher education, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, independent school districts, public housing authorities, special district governments, state, county, city or township governments and federally recognized Native American Tribal governments

Match: 50 percent

Award Ceiling: $300,000

Award Floor: $50,000

Deadline: November 12, 2013

Contact: Shirley Stevenson, 202 205 9685, shirley.stevenson@wdc.usda.gov

For further information or assistance in applying for funding opportunities, contact KLJ’s Government Relations Group at 701 250 8400.

Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program

klj — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 22:19:12 +0000

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has $7,493,850 of available funding to provide grants to local units of government to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance. Eligible projects include acquisition, development, improvement and restoration of park and trail facilities. All park projects must meet requirements for perpetual outdoor recreational use. Trail acquisition projects require a perpetual easement for recreational purposes. Trail development projects require a 20-year maintenance commitment by the project sponsor.

Eligible Applicants: cities, counties and townships outside of the seven-county metropolitan area

Match: no match required

Award Floor: $20,000

Deadline: October 25, 2013

Contact: Joe Hiller, 651 259 5538, joe.hiller@state.mn.us

For further information or assistance in applying for funding opportunities, contact KLJ’s Government Relations Group at 701 250 8400.

Minnesota Legislative Update – May 31, 2013

klj — Fri, 31 May 2013 18:44:18 +0000

The gavel fell on Minnesota’s legislature at 11:59pm on May 20; many bills we were tracking were not voted on but may be readdressed next year when the Minnesota Legislature begins February 25, 2014. The two remaining bills we were waiting on last week were signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton. The bills include:

HF0729 – Economic Development

Omnibus jobs, economic development, housing, commerce and energy bill.

Appropriations – $462,819,000 for 2014 and 2015.

HF0819 – Grants

Public Facilities Authority grant programs reorganized, and small community wastewater treatment grants provided for.

Appropriations – maximum of $3,000,000 for wastewater; $60,000 for technical assistance; $2,000,000 for construction grants.

State Legislative Updates May 24, 2013

klj — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:21:45 +0000

Minnesota Legislative Update May 24, 2013

Minnesota’s Legislature wrapped up its 88^th legislative session one minute before the mandatory sine die of midnight, May 21, 2013. Several bills KLJ’s Government Relations Group were monitoring include topics involving transportation, Angel Investment Funds, local government aid formula, renewable energy and funding sources which will benefit water, sewer, bridge and other infrastructure in Minnesota communities. Governor Mark Dayton has until Saturday to either approve or veto bills which passed through legislation.

Bill signed by Governor Dayton

SF0340 — Economic Development

Development authorities redevelopment demolition loan terms modifications.

HF0854 — Energy

Distributed generation and renewable energy provisions modified, conservation improvement investments for low-income programs regulated, and eminent domain and condemnation procedures modified.

HF1183 — Grants

Omnibus Legacy Bill: to appropriate money from the outdoor heritage fund, clean water fund, parks and trails fund, and arts and cultural heritage fund; providing for watershed restoration and protection strategies; creating the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission; extending previous appropriations; providing for the allocation of arts and cultural heritage fund to the Minnesota State Arts Board; modifying certain grant eligibility; providing for sale of wine and malt liquor at Capitol cafeteria; requiring Minnesota-made solar photovoltaic modules.

Appropriations — $100,050,000

Bills presented but not signed

HF0729 — Economic Development

Omnibus jobs, economic development, housing, commerce and energy bill.

Appropriations — $462,819,000 for 2014 and 2015

HF0819 — Grants

Public Facilities Authority grant programs reorganized, and small community wastewater treatment grants provided for.

Appropriations — maximum of $3,000,000 for wastewater; $60,000 for technical assistance; $2,000,000 for construction grants

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Minnesota’s Legislature

Minnesota Legislative Update – May 17, 2013

klj — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:51:24 +0000

Minnesota’s Legislature still has work to do before wrapping up the legislature by midnight, Tuesday May 21, 2013. Minnesota’s constitution prohibits the legislature to work after that day. Several bills still on our radar but not yet decided on include the omnibus energy bill, omnibus legacy bill, omnibus jobs and economic development finance bill and the transportation bill. Look for next week’s recap of the session and a list of the bills and their outcomes.

HF 1113 – Environmental

Relating to natural resources; appropriating money from Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund; modifying provisions for Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources; modifying requirements for land acquisition with trust fund money.

Funding Available: $38,160,000

SF 0521 – Energy

Biomass power mandate project provision modification; transmission line certificate of need and routing assessment requirement.

SF 1291 – Environmental

Relating to mines; making technical, clarifying and other policy changes to mine inspector provisions.

Minnesota Legislative Update – May 10, 2013

klj — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:00:38 +0000

The Minnesota Legislature has begun picking up pace with only 10 days left to determine the fate of many bills. Hot bills this week have included two energy bills including HB 956 and SF 901 which promote renewable energy in Minnesota. The 2007 Next Generation Energy Act has been a large proponent of the switch to renewable energy in the state. By 2025, the House bill proposes to have four percent of all power originating from solar energy, but the Senate’s version proposes only one percent.

Representative Melissa Hortman, author of the House bill, stated she knows the cost of installing the units will be expensive upfront, but the price of solar power in 30 years is known but the price of natural gas is unknown. Many utility companies are reluctant because the price of solar power is pricier than other sources. Utility companies fear the prices of utility bills will rise significantly with the passage of the two omnibus energy bills due to users without solar power making up the price for the users who do.

Bill Number: HF 956

Title: Omnibus Energy Bill.

Sponsors: Representative Hortman

Purpose: to amend various provisions related to utilities, modify provisions governing cogeneration and small power production, establishing a value of solar rate and related regulations, permitting community solar generating facilities, creating various renewable energy incentives, requiring studies, extending sunsets, making technical corrections and appropriating money.

Action: second reading in the House on May 9, 2013.

Bill Number: SF 901

Title: Omnibus Energy Bill.

Sponsors: Senator Marty

Purpose: to promote renewable energy, regulating the distributed generation of electric energy, establishing a requirement for utilities to generate solar energy, providing various incentives for the production of solar energy, requiring several studies related to electric energy, regulating utility cost recovery for certain transmission, emission reduction and gas infrastructure investments, providing state energy policies and appropriating money.

Action: delete all language after the enacting clause of HF 956, the fourth engrossment; and inserted the language after the enacting clause of SF 901, the second engrossment; further, delete on May 9, 2013.

Bill Number: HF 1183

Title: Omnibus Legacy Bill.

Sponsors: Representative Kahn

Purpose: to appropriate money from constitutionally dedicated legacy funds; modifying provisions of Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council; establishing certain land acquisition requirements; providing for agricultural water quality certification; modifying provisions for restoration evaluations; requiring use of certain standards for public water access sites; establishing Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission; modifying certain metropolitan area regional park provisions; extending previous appropriation; modifying Clean Water Legacy Act; modifying Mississippi River corridor critical area program; modifying certain grant eligibility; requiring issuance of city license; authorizing certain expenditures; requiring recapture of certain funds previously appropriated; providing for reimbursement of certain costs; requiring reports.

Action: placed on the calendar for May 10, 2013.

Bill Number: SF 521

Title: Biomass power mandate project provision modification; transmission line certificate of need and routing assessment requirement.

Sponsors: Senator Tomassoni

Purpose: to regulate a biomass mandate project and a proposed high-voltage transmission line.

Action: Bill passed both House and Senate.

Bill Number: SF 1011

Title: Clean energy resources teams activities funding requirement.

Sponsors: Senator Dibble

Purpose: to requiring the commissioner of commerce to make assessments to fund clean energy resource teams.

Action: amended to include language from House companion bill on May 9, 2013.

Minnesota Legislative Update May 3, 2013

klj — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:18:14 +0000

The Minnesota Legislature is in its final weeks before wrapping up its 88^th Legislative Session and there is still a lot of work to do. At this point in the legislature, many rural communities and legislators feel overlooked. Legislators claim the Democrats budget is heavily focused toward the metropolitan area rather than rural communities. Much of the concern is lack of focus on businesses and farmers in greater Minnesota. With only 17 days left in the session, many metropolitan and rural legislators have a lot of vetting to do considering only 39 bills have been signed into law.

Bill Number: HF819

Title: Public Facilities Authority grant programs reorganized, and small community wastewater treatment grants provided for.

Sponsors: Representative Murphy

Purpose: to reorganize certain grant programs; providing for small community wastewater treatment grants.

Action: Second Reading in the Senate on May 1, 2013.

Bill Number: HF683

Title: Legislative Water Commission created, appointments provided and money appropriated.

Sponsors: Representative Fischer

Purpose: to create a Legislative Water Commission; providing appointments; appropriating money.

Action: Second Reading in the Senate on May 1, 2013.

Bill Number: SF1011

Title: Clean energy resources teams activities funding requirement.

Sponsors: Senator Dibble

Purpose: relating to energy; requiring the commissioner of commerce to make assessments to fund clean energy resource teams.

Action: Second Reading in the Senate on May 1, 2013.

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Minnesota Legislature

Contact Group: Government Relations

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Blog Sub-Title: Montana Legislative Update May 3, 2013

Blog Text:

The 63^rd session of the Montana Legislature adjourned, sine die, April 24, 2013. Below is an end of session report for bills signed into law, relevant to the work KLJ does and our clients. Many bills remain to be signed or vetoed by Governor Bullock.

Chapter Number	Bill Number	Sponsor	Short Title	Summary
168	HB 7	Rob Cook	Reclamation and development grants	Implements the Reclamation and Development Grants Program; appropriates money to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation for grants under the Reclamation and Development Grants Program
215	HB 9	Roy Hollandsworth	Cultural and aesthetic grants	Establishes priorities for cultural and aesthetic project grant awards; Appropriates money for cultural and aesthetic grants; and provides an effective date
236	HB 37	Bill McChesney	Allow temporary leasing of water rights	Allows a temporary change of use of a water right through a lease; establishes requirements for a temporary lease; requires public notice; provides rulemaking authority, an effective date and a termination date
103	HB 45	Steve Lavin	Require EQC eminent domain handbook included in condemnation complaint	Requires that complaint for condemnation include a copy of the Environmental Quality Council’s eminent domain in Montana handbook
65	HB 169	Kerry White	Allow growth policy to be used for coordination	Allows for a local governing body to use or modify a growth policy for the purpose of coordinating and cooperating with the Federal Land Management Agencies
72	HB 243	Nancy Wilson	Revise professional engineering, engineering intern, and surveyor examination laws	Revises engineering examination laws to further conform with national standards and providing rule making authority to the appropriate oversight board
230	HB 256	Brian Hoven	Revise landowner notification requirements under MFSA	Requires DEQ to provide written notice disclosing the availability of an environmental assessment to owners of a property within a one-mile-wide facility siting corridor for certain facilities under the Major Facility Siting Act (MFSA); requires that a certificate issues under MFSA must include confirmation that notice of the environmental review was provided
171	HB 314	Doug Kary	Revising special district laws	Revises laws governing special districts; allows a governing body to order a referendum on the creation of a special district, revises the requirements for initiating the creation of special district by petition, requires that maps of boundaries be made available, clarify who must receive notice of passage of resolution of intent, revises deadline for protestation, requires protests be sent to property owners, requires a referendum under certain circumstances
218	HB 513	Bill McChesney	Exempt oversize load permits from the Montana Environmental Policy Act	Exempts permits for oversize vehicles from environmental review under certain circumstances
285	HB 605	Nicholas Schwaderer	Generally revise resort district laws	Provides a process for annexation of property into a resort district areas; requires a proposal for annexation and a review fee to be submitted to the Department of Commerce for designation as a resort area; requires an election in the area proposed to be annexed
22	SB 16	Dick Barrett	Revise tax increment financing laws related to distribution	Amends the entitlement share payment for Missoula tax increment financing district 1-1c
109	SB 40	Edward Buttrey	Generally revising provisions governing subdivision review	Revises provisions governing subdivision review; revises procedures for the submission of subdivision applications
187	SB 48	Greg Jergeson	Establish regional water system rate process	Provides a process for regional authorities to establish and change rates, fees and charges for providing water and wastewater services
110	SB 77	John Brenden	Revise public contract competitive bidding law – no bid required up to $80,000	Raises from $50,000 to $80,000 the contact amount on certain local government and school purchase and construction contracts that require use of the competitive, advertised, bidding process
45	SB 111	Matthew M Rosendale	Revising the apportionment of certain highway construction funds	Redefines the recipient of federal-aid highway funds from city to urban area
159	SB 137	Alan Olson	Revise local government laws related to property environmental clean-up	Provides a local government entity with a defense against liability in a tort action for damages suffered as a result of an act or omission that constitutes a violation of the Clean Water Statues, the Solid Waste Management Act, the Hazardous Waste Act, Petroleum Storage Tank Cleanup Requirements, or the Underground Storage Tank Act on property acquired by virtue of the local governments authority
44	SB 141	Alan Olson	Revise definitions for certain common carrier pipelines	Clarifies that pipelines transporting carbon dioxide from plants or facilities that produce or capture carbon dioxide are common carrier pipelines
232	SB 209	Ron Arthun	Authorize resort area district to issue bonds and pledge resort tax revenue	Authorizes resort area districts to issue bonds and provide for repayment
214	SB 239	Edward Buttrey	Generally revise tax increment financing districts	Generally revises tax increment financing district laws; provides for creation of targeted economic development districts; allows counties to create targeted economic development districts and to use tax increment financing; removes provisions for creation of and bonding in technology, aerospace transportation and technology districts, and industrial districts
233	SB 271	Fred Thomas	Generallyrevise county sewer and water district laws	Revises laws governing dissolution of water and sewer districts; allows a process of dissolution to be initiated by a district board and referred to the electors of a district under certain circumstances
274	SB 290	Elsie Arntzen	Revise county zoning regarding notice of change of use	Provides a process for notification of nearby municipal property owners when a change in use in certain county zoning districts occurs; and requires the county to hold a public hearing under certain circumstances
165	SB 293	Bruce Tutvedt	Require certain water and sanitation information at subdivision preapplications	Requires a subdivider to submit information requiring whether a proposed subdivision’s water and wastewater systems will be under the Public Service Commission’s jurisdiction
195	SB 316	Jenifer Fielder	Generally revise subdivision laws regarding encroachment onto private property	Revises subdivision and local board of health laws related to encroachment onto private property; prohibits local approval of proposed subdivision if a well isolation zone or other features and improvements of the subdivision encroach onto private property
197	SB 327	Alan Olson	Generally revise renewable portfolio standard	Exempts certain competitive electric suppliers from the requirements of the Montana Renewable Power Production and Rural Economic Development Act

Minnesota Legislative Update – April 26, 2013

klj — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:38:20 +0000

Last week the Minnesota Legislature had the third deadline which made it mandatory for committees to act on major appropriation and finance bills, including several omnibus bills. The omnibus Transportation bill (HF1416) was indefinitely postponed on April 24. The Senate’s companion bill (SB 1270) is being heard in the House and had its second reading in the full House on April 24. With the session adjournment on the horizon, Governor Dayton has now signed 28 bills into law, which can be found on the Office of the Revisor’s of Statutes website. The upcoming weeks will be busy with much movement in both chambers.

Bill Number: HF 729

Title: Omnibus jobs and economic development finance bill.

Sponsors: Representative Mahoney

Purpose: to appropriate money for jobs and economic development, commerce and consumer protection, and housing; making changes to labor and industry provisions; modifying and providing for certain fees; modifying employment, economic development, and workforce development provisions; making unemployment insurance changes; reducing the unemployment insurance tax; establishing notice for contracts for deed involving residential property; providing remedies; establishing the Office of Broadband Development in the Department of Commerce and assigning it duties; requiring the Department of Transportation to post a database on its Web site; appropriating money to various boards, departments and the Housing Finance Agency.

Action: Senate accedes, Conference Committee appointed on April 23, 2013.

Minnesota Legislative Update – April 19, 2013

klj — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:44:17 +0000

With only a few weeks left, the Minnesota Legislature had a busy week working on economic development and transportation bills. The House Transportation Bill, which was approved Monday in the House Transportation Finance Committee, would give counties the authority to implement a sales tax of a half-cent. The bill would also make it possible for counties to charge $10 per year for vehicle registration to supplement the cost of transportation infrastructure improvements.

The Senate Transportation Bill would remove six cents for the 28.5-cent tax per gallon on gasoline and increase the fees the state put on oil wholesale companies by 5.5 percent. This action will increase revenues for transportation projects such as bridges and roads by $200 million, without putting the burden on consumers.

On Monday April 15, the full House passed the omnibus jobs, commerce and housing bill which would allow businesses in Minnesota to potentially have a total of $346 million in tax cuts. The bill would also provide $20 million for the Minnesota Investment Fund and $18.5 million for Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to help support Minnesota businesses in job creation.

Bill Number: HF 729

Title: Omnibus jobs and economic development finance bill.

Sponsors: Representative Mahoney

Purpose: to appropriate money for jobs and economic development, commerce and consumer protection and housing; making changes to labor and industry provisions; modifying and providing for certain fees; modifying employment, economic development and workforce development provisions; making unemployment insurance changes; reducing the unemployment insurance tax; establishing notice for contracts for deed involving residential property; providing remedies; establishing the Office of Broadband Development in the Department of Commerce and assigning it duties; requiring the Department of Transportation to post a database on its website; appropriating money to various boards, departments and the Housing Finance Agency.

Action: passed in the House on Monday April 15. Heads to Senate, sponsored by Senator Dziedzic.

Bill Number: HF 1416

Title: Omnibus transportation policy bill.

Sponsors: Representative Erhardt

Purpose: to amend various provisions related to transportation policy, including logo sign program, trunk highway routes, state-aid systems, motor vehicle registration, license plates, vehicle dealers, pupil transportation, traffic regulations, bicycles, parking, motor vehicle equipment, driver licensing, agency organization, commercial vehicle regulations, railroads, land conveyance and snow removal.

Action: Ways and Means Committee recommended do pass sent to House for second reading on April 17.

Bill Number: SF 1619

Title: Local roads and bridges bond issue and appropriation.

Sponsors: Representative Westrom

Purpose: to authorize spending for local roads with statewide or regional significance and local bridges; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds; appropriating money.

Action: referred to the Senate Finance Committee on April 19.

Minnesota Legislative Update – April 12, 2013

klj — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:17:49 +0000

With a little more than five weeks left of the 63^rd Minnesota Legislative Session, the Governor has only 10 bills signed so far this session out of more than 3,300 bills. One bill signed into law, HF 66, relates to drainage system provision modifications which were recommended by the Drainage Work Group. For more information on HF 66, check out the Office of the Revisor of Statutes Session Laws page on HF 66.

The Environment and Natural Resources Committee passed HF976 on the evening of Tuesday April 9, 2013. Several state departments the Omnibus Environment & Agriculture Finance bill will fund include the Department of Agriculture, Pollution Control Agency, Department of Natural Resources which houses the Land and Minerals Management and Parks and Trails Management. The bill will also fund the Board of Water and Soil Resources, Conservation Corps of Minnesota.

Bill Number: HF 729

Title: Omnibus jobs and economic development finance bill.

Sponsors: Representative Mahoney

Action: placed on the House calendar for Monday April 15, 2013.

Bill Number: HF 811

Title: Aircraft sales tax, jet and special fuel excise tax, and aircraft registration tax provisions modified, and report required.

Sponsors: Representative Persell

Purpose: to modifying provisions related to aircraft sales taxes, jet and special fuel excise taxes, and aircraft registration taxes; requiring a report.

Action: committee report, to pass as amended and re-referred to the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee on April 11, 2013.

Bill Number: HF 1183

Title: Omnibus Legacy Bill

Sponsors: Representative Kahn

Purpose: to appropriate money from constitutionally dedicated legacy funds; modifying provisions of Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council; establishing certain land acquisition requirements; providing for agricultural water quality certification; modifying provisions for restoration evaluations; requiring use of certain standards for public water access sites; establishing Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission; extending previous appropriation; modifying Clean Water Legacy Act; modifying certain grant eligibility; requiring issuance of city license; authorizing certain expenditures; requiring recapture of certain funds previously appropriated; providing for reimbursement of certain costs.

Action: committee report, to pass as amended and re-referred to Ways and Means Committee on April 11, 2013.