STATE OF MINNESOTA NINTH 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 9:38 A.M. on Monday, February 9, 2015, in the Life Center Building on the MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar, Minnesota.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
GAROFALO, Pat
BAKER, Dave
CLARK, Karen
MAHONEY, Tim
HORTMAN, Melissa
LOONAN, Bob
METSA, Jason
NEWBERGER, Jim
O’NEILL, Marion
SCOTT, Peggy
SMITH, Dennis
SWEDZINSKI, Chris
VOGEL, Bob
Members excused:
FABIAN, Dan
GUNTHER, Bob
ISAACSON, Jason
JOHNSON, Sheldon
SIMONSON, Erik
WAGENIUS, Jean
Representative Garofalo called the meeting to order at 9:38 A.M. A quorum was present.
Representative Smith moved to approve the minutes from February 4, 2015. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Marv Calvin, Mayor of Willmar provided opening remarks.
Representative Garofalo introduced honorary pages Preston de Cathelineau and Nick Revier.
Joanna Schrupp provided an overview of the MinnWest Technology Campus.
Annie Levenson-Falk, Executive Director at the Legislative Energy Commission, gave an overview on propane conversion strategies.
HF550 (Baker) Natural gas utilities not subject to rate regulations size limit increased, scope of energy improvement projects whose costs can be repaid via a property tax surcharge expanded, propane tank purchases exempted from sales tax, definitions added, unused funds transferred, report required, and money appropriated.
Representative Baker; Andrew Combs, CHS, Inc.; Patrick Murray, Cooperative Network; Patricia Elizondo, Heartland Agency; Roger Leider, Minnesota Propane Association and Allison Groebner, Minnesota Department of Commerce all testified on HF550, as introduced.
Citizens Steve and Melissa Uchytil from Atwater, Minnesota gave public testimony.
Representative Baker moved the HO550A5 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Baker moved the HO550A2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Baker moved the HO550A6 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Garofalo moved the HO550A3 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Hortman moved the HO550A4 amendment. Representative Hortman requested a roll call vote. The results were as follows:
AYES:
CLARK, Karen
MAHONEY, Tim
HORTMAN, Melissa
METSA, Jason
NAYS:
GAROFALO, Pat
BAKER, Dave
LOONAN, Bob
NEWBERGER, Jim
O’NEILL, Marion
SCOTT, Peggy
SMITH, Dennis
SWEDZINSKI, Chris
VOGEL, Bob
On a vote of 4 AYES and 9 NAYS THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Baker moved that HF550 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Taxes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Garofalo announced that the next committee hearing will be held on February 10, 2015 in the State Office Building in room 200 at 6:00 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:26 A.M.
Representative Dave Baker, Vice Chair
Jonathan Fortner, Committee Legislative Assistant