HF 1874

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A green building innovation account is created in
the bond proceeds fund. Money in the account may only be used for capital costs of
eligible green building innovation projects.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section:
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new text begin (1) "commissioner" means the commissioner of administration;
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new text begin (2) "local government unit" means a county, city, town, special district, or other
political subdivision or public corporation; and
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new text begin (3) "governing body" means the council, board of commissioners, board of trustees,
or other body charged with the governance of the local government unit.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant program established. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall administer
a green building innovation grant program and make grants for the construction,
reconstruction, renovation, or rehabilitation of public buildings owned by local
government units that will provide for more environmentally sustainable buildings which
require the use of less energy, save and treat water on site, generate power on site, provide
geothermal heating and cooling, and other conservation and green building measures.
Eligible grant proposals can include photovoltaic systems, passive and active solar
powered electrical and heating systems, building specific wind turbines on site, gray water
and black water waste treatment systems with biomass filtering, and green roofs.
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new text begin (b) Grants under this section must be matched by an equal amount of nonstate funds.
An individual grant may not exceed $100,000. However, an individual public building
may be eligible for more than one grant.
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new text begin (c) The commissioner shall report to the legislature annually beginning on January
1, 2009, on the number and amount of the grants, the names of the public buildings, and
an evaluation of the energy savings and conservation outcomes resulting from the grants.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must develop forms, criteria, and
procedures for soliciting and reviewing applications for grants under this section. At
a minimum, a local government unit must include the following information in its
application:
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new text begin (1) a resolution of its governing body certifying that the money required to complete
the project is available and committed;
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new text begin (2) a detailed estimate of the total development costs and timeline for the project;
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new text begin (3) an assessment of the potential or likely use and public benefit of the project; and
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new text begin (4) any additional information or material the commissioner prescribes.
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new text begin The determination of whether to make a grant under this section is within the discretion of
the commissioner. The commissioner's decision is not subject to judicial review, except
for abuse of discretion.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Cancellation of grant. new text end

new text begin If a grant is awarded to a local government unit
and funds are not encumbered for the grant within four years after the award date, the
grant must be canceled.
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