Article 1

Environment and Natural Resources Appropriations

Sections 1 to 9 [Environment and natural resources appropriations] appropriate over $690 million in direct appropriations for environment and natural resources agencies from the following sources ($ in thousands):

Section 10 [Transfer; closed landfill investment account] modifies the transfer from the general fund to the closed landfill investment account to reduce the amount of the transfer in fiscal year 2015 by $2 million.  The transfer will be made-up in subsequent years.

Article 2

Environment and Natural Resources Statutory Changes

Section 1 [Product stewardship; data practices cross-reference]  provides a data practices cross-reference for trade secret information collected from the architectural paint product stewardship program.

Section 2 [Federal law compliance] allows the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to use written orders to comply with federal accessibility requirements for power-driven mobility devices on DNR lands and facilities.

Section 3 [Existing right-of-way fee exemption] exempts utility license fees for land and water crossings on an existing right-of-way.

Section 4 [Trail easements on state land] exempts trail easements on state lands for trails managed by a regional railroad authority.

Section 5 [Exchange of road easements] provides the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with the authority to exchange road easements on roads under the DNR’s jurisdiction.

Sections 6 to 8 [Snowmobile registration; nontrail use] allows a person to register a snowmobile for nontrail use at a reduced fee.

Section 9 [Matthew Lourey Trail] makes a technical change to the Matthew Lourey Trail.

Section 10 [State park reservation system] provides for the deposit and appropriation of the state park reservation fee.

Section 11 [Military personnel; state park permit] exempts military personnel or their dependents from the state park pass requirement when they have the federal military pass for national parks in their possession.

Section 12 [LaSalle Lake State Recreation Area] provides that a state park vehicle permit is not required for the LaSalle Lake State Recreation Area, unless the occupants are using the developed campground or day-use area.

Section 13 [Technical] updates the language on the reduced fee state park permit for persons with disabilities.

Section 14 [Technical] relates to the deposit and appropriation of the state park reservation system fee.

Section 15 [Duplicate cross-country ski pass] allows for the issuance of a duplicate cross-country ski pass when a pass is lost or destroyed.

Section 16 [Forest management investment account; cost certification] allows for quarterly transfers from the forest suspense account to the forest management investment account.

Section 17 [School forests] clarifies the process for the conveyance of tax-forfeited land for school forests and directs the DNR to monitor and report on whether the lands conveyed are continuing to be operated as school forests.

Sections 18-22 [Forestry technical changes] are minor revisions to clarify, simplify, and update language.

Section 23 [Executive Council and commissioner powers] increases the size of timber sale the Executive Council needs to approve from 6,000 cords to 12,000 cords.

Section 24 [Forestry technical changes] is a minor revision to clarify, simplify, and update language.

Sections 25-29 [Commissioner powers and duties] updates trespass reporting requirements, expands utility of forest improvement contracts, consolidates timber permit administrative fee charges into a new centralized fee schedule, and clarifies the authority to debar a permit holder.

Sections 30-31 [Forestry technical chnages] are minor revisions to clarify, simplify, and update language.

Section 32 [Timber sold at public auction] allow the DNR to offer unsold sales from a timber auction for purchase at appraised price for a period of one year instead of six months.  Only persons qualified as responsible bidders will be able to bid at timber auctions and on unsold sales.

Section 33 [Intermediate auction sales; maximum lots of 3,000 cords] allows any qualified bidder to purchase an unsold intermediate sale after a 30-day period.

Section 34 [Purchaser qualifications, registration, and requirements] clarifies the requirements of a purchaser operating a state timber permit and the registration system process that establishes the qualifications of a responsible bidder.

Sections 35-42 [Permits to cut and remove timber] provide for some streamlining to the issuance of the timber permit and short-term extension needs and makes consistent the financial penalty incurred by the permit holder during the forfeiture of a permit.

Section 43 [Surety bonds for auction timber permits; purchasers or assignee’s cash in lieu of bond] combines the two sections (90.161 and 90.173) into one section and reorders them both under section 90.161. This section also changes the term “bond” to “security deposit” to better reflect the current timber permit financial administration process, clarifies the forfeiture if a permit is not harvested, and removes the penalty on the purchaser for changing security.

Section 44 [Forestry technical changes] is a minor revision to clarify, simplify, and update language.

Section 45 [Timber permit development option] removes the requirement of a performance deposit when a purchaser wants to build a road into the permit area in advance of full harvest operations.

Sections 46-47 [Forestry technical changes] are minor revisions to clarify, simplify, and update language.

Section 48 [Informal sales of state timber; maximum lots of 500 cords] increases the number of informal sales any person is allowed to hold from two to four and removes language describing how partnerships and corporations are defined compared to a person.

Section 49 [Forestry technical changes] is a minor revision to clarify, simplify, and update language.

Section 50 [Special use and product permit] consolidates the use of the special permit for various forest products and adds timber from road right-of-way clearings to the list of uses for the special permit.

Sections 51-57 [Forestry technical changes] are minor revisions to clarify, simplify, and update language.

Section 58 [Scram mining definition] defines “scram mining” (mining previously developed stockpiles and basins) for the purpose of the mining laws and permit requirements.

Section 59 [Scram mining permit terms] clarifies that a scram mining permit term is determined in the same manner as a permit to mine taconite or iron ore.

Section 60 [Drill core library access] provides that the DNR shall not charge a fee for access to information from the Drill core library and must keep the library open during regular business hours.

Section 61 [Possession and transportation of wildlife] allows a wildlife rehabilitator with a federal permit to possess and transport wildlife affected by oil spills without a state permit.

Section 62 [Wastewater laboratory certification] transfers the authority for wastewater laboratory certification to the PCA from the Department of Health.

Section 63 [Technical] updates the reporting language to reference the PCA’s consolidated report.

Section 64 [Architectural paint product stewardship program] establishes an architectural paint product stewardship program.  Beginning July 1, 2014, retailers may only sell architectural paint in the state that is made by a producer who is participating in an approved stewardship plan.  After a producer has an approved stewardship plan, a stewardship assessment must be added to the cost of the paint.

Section 65 [Stewardship plan report] requires the PCA to include information on the implementation of the architectural paint stewardship program in the PCA’s consolidated report.

Section 66 [Superfund report] makes the superfund report biennial instead of annual.

Section 67 [Harmful substance compensation reporting] adds the reporting on harmful substance compensation to the superfund report.

Section 68 [Technical] strikes obsolete language related to the closed landfill investment fund.

Section 69 [Corrective action; petrofund] allows environmental covenants to be part of a corrective action under the petrofund requirements.

Section 70 [Property acquisition; petrofund] allows the PCA to acquire real property or interests in real property under the petrofund law, including easements, covenants, and leases under the petrofund law.

Section 71 [Disposition of property acquired; petrofund] provides for the disposition of property acquired for corrective action under the petrofund law.

Section 72 [Toxic pollution prevention evaluation report] adds the toxic pollution prevention evaluation report to the consolidated PCA report.

Section 73 [Affidavit, storage tanks] allows the PCA to require an affidavit for a person transferring property with an aboveground or underground storage tank when it is a condition of the corrective action. This section also makes a minor change to affidavit contents and clarifies that a failure to record the affidavit does not prevent transfer of ownership of the property.

Section 74 [Silica sand mining model standards and criteria] directs the PCA, DNR, and the Commissioners of Health and Transportation to consult with local governments and develop model standards for mining, processing, and transporting silica sand.  The term “silica sand” is defined to include only silica sand that is commercially valuable for hydraulic fracturing of shale to obtain oil and natural gas.  This section also directs the four agencies to assemble a silica sand technical assistance team to assist local governments that request the team’s assistance.

Section 75 [Environmental review; silica sand projects] provides that for one year an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) must be prepared for a silica sand project that will excavate 20 or more acres of land to a mean depth of ten feet or more.  If the project meets or exceeds thresholds for a mandatory environmental impact statement (EIS) under current rules, an EIS will be prepared.  This section also provides specific requirements that must be included in the EAW.

Section 76 [Silica sand ordinance and permit library] directs the PCA to create and maintain an online library on local government ordinances and local permits issued for silica sand projects.

Sections 77 to 79 [EQB transfer] transfer the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to the PCA from the Department of Administration.

Sections 80 to 81 [Tax-forfeited land for school forests] establish the process for conveyance of tax-forfeited land at no charge to political subdivisions for school forests, including the reversion of the interest in the land if the political subdivision discontinues use of the land as a school forest.

Section 82 [Intermediate timber sales; tax-forfeited land] allows counties to offer timber at intermediate timber sales similar to what the DNR is able to do under current law.

Section 83 [Petition for the discontinuance of the Hennepin County SWCD] allows Hennepin County to petition to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) for discontinuance of the Hennepin County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and transfer of its powers and assets to the county board.  If BWSR determines that the county board will achieve progress toward the goals of SWCDs, then BWSR shall order the discontinuance of the Hennepin County SWCD.

Section 84 [Metropolitan landfill abatement activities report] makes technical changes to the metropolitan landfill abatement activities report and changes it to quadrennial instead of annual.

Section 85 [Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board; Hall’s Island] authorizes the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to recreate Hall’s Island.

Section 86 [North Mississippi Regional Park] allows the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to extend the Mississippi Regional Park to include certain adjacent land.

Section 87 [Timber permit cancellation] allows the DNR to cancel certain balsam fir permits upon the written request of the permit holder.

Section 88 [Rulemaking authority] allows the DNR to amend rules, by exempt rule, for possession and transportation permits related to statutory changes made in this article.

Section 89 [Rulemaking; paddle boards] allows the DNR to amend rules, by exempt rule, to exempt paddle boards from display of state licensing in the same manner as other nonmotorized watercraft.

Section 90 [Rules; silica sand] provides rulemaking authority for silica sand to:

1. PCA for particulate emissions;
2. DNR for reclamation; and
3. EQB for environmental  review rules by August 1, 2013.

This section also directs the Commissioner of Health to adopt an air quality health advisory for silica sand by January 1, 2014.

Section 91 [Interim ordinance extension or renewal] allows local governments to extend or renew their interim ordinances (commonly referred to as moratoria) prohibiting new or expanded silica sand mining, processing, or transfer facilities until March 1, 2015.  This allows local governments to extend an interim ordinance beyond the time limits provided by law.

Section 92 [Repealer] repeals statutes, law, and rules. Paragraph (a) contains the forestry repealers that repeal M.S. section:

1. 90.163, which is being recodified in the article;
2. 90.173, which is being combined with another section in this article; and
3. 90.41, subdivision 2 because it’s covered in current law.

Paragraph (b) repeals a 2011 law related to state tree nurseries.

Paragraph (c) repeals rules that the PCA has asked to have repealed, and several DNR public waters rules related to placing fill in public waters.

Article 3

Agriculture

Sections 1 to 5 [Agriculture appropriations] appropriate over $79.9 million in direct appropriations to agricultural agencies from the following sources ($ in thousands):

Section 6 [Federal funds] clarifies that federal funds received by the Commissioner of Agriculture may be paid pursuant to applicable federal provisions.

Section 7 [Promotional expenditures] clarifies that the Commissioner of Agriculture may spend money appropriated for promotional expenditures in the same manner that partner organizations make expenditures for those purposes.

Sections 8 and 11 [Pesticide education and training] directs the Department of Agriculture (MDA) to update the pesticide applicator training manual.

Section 9 [Commercial animal waste technician] recodifies and clarifies current exemptions from the requirement to be licensed as a commercial animal waste technician.  Under the change, a person who applies animal waste for hire must have:

1. A commercial animal waste technician applicator license;
2. A commercial animal waste technician site manager license; or
3. A commercial animal waste technician company license and a commercial animal waste technical site manager that is employed by the entity.

Section 10 [Technical] updates the requirement for feedlots over 300 animal units without an updated manure management plan to include the new commercial animal waste technician licensing categories.

Article 4

Commerce and Energy

Sections 1 to 4 [Commerce and energy appropriations] appropriate over $64 million in direct appropriations to commerce and energy agencies from the following sources ($ in thousands):

Section 5 [Insurance fraud prevention account] is a technical change related to the change in Section 7.

Section 6 [Appointment fee] increases the insurance agent appointment fee to $30 from $10.

Section 7 [Insurance fraud prevention account transfer] allows the transfer of unobligated balances in the auto theft prevention account to the insurance fraud prevention account.

Section 8 [Revenue allocation among consumer classes] provides for the revenue allocation among certain consumer classes for investor-owned utilities with at least 50,000 customers but fewer than 200,000 customers.

Sections 9 to 13 and 21 to 22 [“Made in Minnesota” Solar production incentive] establish a “Made in Minnesota” solar production incentive program.

Sections 14, 17, and 19 [Office of Broadband Development] establish the Office of Broadband Development in the Department of Commerce.

Section 15 [Statutory appropriation LCC] provides a statutory appropriation from the telecommunication access Minnesota (TAM) fund to the Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) for the purpose of providing captioning of legislative activity.

Section 18 [Petroleum inspection fee] increases the amount of the petroleum inspection fee that goes to the Department of Commerce and requires five percent for the installation of renewable energy equipment in households that are eligible for weatherization assistance.

Section 20 [Solar photovoltaic modules] requires any solar photovoltaic modules financed with appropriations in this act to be “Made in Minnesota.”

Article 5

Jobs and Economic Development Appropriations

Section 1 [Jobs and Economic Development appropriations] provides the summary of appropriations, by fund, in economic development and housing for FY 2014 and FY 2015.  The total appropriation for the biennium is $383,014,000.

Section 2 [Jobs and Economic Development] describes the layout and application of the Article.

Section 3 [Department of Employment and Economic Development], subdivision 1 (Total Appropriation) appropriates $95,692,000 million in FY 2014, and $95,452,000 million in FY 2015 to the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Of that amount, $75,775,000 million in FY 2014, and $75,535,000 million in FY 2015 are appropriated from the General Fund; $19,217,000 million in FY 2014 and $19,217,000 million in FY 2015 are appropriated from the Workforce Development Fund; and $700,000 is appropriated each year of the biennium from the Remediation Fund.

Subdivision 2 (Business and Community Development) appropriates $45,571,000 million in FY 2014 and $45,471,000 in FY 2015 for business and community development.  Appropriates money for following purposes:

1. Minnesota investment fund;
2. Minnesota job creation fund;
3. Redevelopment program;
4. Upper Minnesota Film Office;
5. Minnesota Film and TV Board;
6. contaminated site cleanup and development grants;
7. contaminated site cleanup and development grants (remediation fund);
8. Job skills partnership program;
9. Film production jobs program;
10. Enterprise Minnesota, Inc.;
11. Women Venture for women's business development programs, etc.;
12. Metropolitan Economic Development Association for continuing minority business development;
13. BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota for bioscience business development;
14. Minnesota Inventors Congress;
15. Rural Policy and Development Center in St. Peter, MN;
16. North Central Small Business Development Center at Central Lakes College;
17. South Central Small Business Development Center at Mankato;
18. Neighborhood Development Center;
19. Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency;
20. St. Paul East Side Area Business Association;
21. Advocating Change Together;
22. entrepreneur and small business development grants; and
23. publication of labor market information.

Subdivision 3 (Workforce Development) appropriates $13,745,000 in FY 2014 and $13,605,000 in FY 2015 for workforce development. Appropriates money for the following purposes:

1. Minnesota youth program;
2. Youthbuild program;
3. Twin Cities RISE! to provide training to hard-to-train individuals;
4. Minnesota Diversified Industries; Inc. to provide progressive development and employment opportunities for people with disabilities;
5. Rise, Inc. for the Minnesota Employment Center for People Who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing;
6. Lifetrack Resources for an immigrant and refugee collaborative program;
7. Opportunities Industrialization Center programs;
8. Minneapolis Summer Youth Employment Program and Learn-to-Earn;
9. Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs to administer a statewide project of youth job skills development;
10. summer youth employment in St. Paul;
11. interpreters for a regional transition program that specializes in providing culturally appropriate services leading to employment for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind students;
12. Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Service;
13. Goodwill/Easter Seals;
14. International Institute of Minnesota;
15. Project for Pride in Living, Inc.;
16. RESOURCE-Pathway to Advancement;
17. SOAR Careers-Duluth Manufacturing Pathways;
18. Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council;
19. African Development Center;
20. Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training;
21. South Central Workforce Council/Minnesota; and
22. Northern Connections in Perham;

Subdivision 4 (General Support Services) appropriates $1.018 million each year of the biennium for general support services.

Subdivision 5 (Minnesota Trade Office) appropriates $2.142 million each year of the biennium for the Minnesota Trade Office.

Subdivision 6 (Vocational Rehabilitation) appropriates $27.191 million each year of the biennium for the following programs:

1. Vocational rehabilitation program;
2. Centers for independent living;
3. Extended Employment Services for persons with severe disabilities; and
4. Employment support services to persons with mental illness.

Subdivision 7 (Services for the Blind) appropriates $5.925 million each year of the biennium for Services for the Blind.  

Section 4 [Housing Finance Agency], subdivision 1 (Total Appropriation) appropriates $63.048 million in FY 2014 and $43.048 million in FY 2015 to the Housing Finance Agency.

Subdivision 2 (Challenge Program) appropriates $21.955 in FY 2014 and $6.955 in FY 2015 to the Housing Challenge Program.  Of that amount, $1,208,000 is available for the first eleven months of each year of the biennium for American Indian housing projects.

Subdivision 3 (Housing Trust Fund) appropriates $15.555 million in FY 2014 and $10.555 million in FY 2015 for deposit in the Housing Trust Fund Account.  Of that amount, $3 million is for temporary rental assistance for families with school-age children who have moved in the last school year, $2 million is for temporary rental assistance for adults who are in the process of being released from state correction facilities or are on supervised release, and $500,000 is for a grant to a nonprofit.

Subdivision 4 (Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill) appropriates $3.638 million each year of the biennium to the Rental Housing Assistance Program for persons who have mental illness or families with an adult member who has a mental illness.

Subdivision 5 (Family Homeless Prevention) appropriates $9.465 million each year of the biennium to the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program.

Subdivision 6 (Home Ownership Assistance Fund) appropriates $797,000 each year of the biennium to the Home Ownership Assistance Program.

Subdivision 7 (Affordable Rental Investment Fund) appropriates $5.218 million each year of the biennium to the Affordable Rental Investment Fund to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and debt restructuring of federally assisted rental property and for making equity take-out loans. The appropriation may also be used to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and debt restructuring of existing supportive housing properties.

Subdivision 8 (Housing Rehabilitation) appropriates $2.772 million each year of the biennium for rehabilitation of single-family homes under the Housing Rehabilitation Program.

Subdivision 9 (Homeownership Education, Counseling, and Training) appropriates $751,000 each year of the biennium to the Homeownership Education, Counseling, and Training Program.

Subdivision 10 (Capacity-Building Grants) appropriates $125,000 each year of the biennium for nonprofit capacity building grants.

Subdivision 11 (Rental Rehabilitation) appropriates $2.772 million each year of the biennium for rental housing rehabilitation loans.

Subdivision 12 (Transfers and Appropriations) cancels $3 million of the unobligated balance of the appropriation made following the 2012 Duluth flood to the general fund.  Appropriates the amount to Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for the housing development fund for the rehabilition loan program.  Requires priority be given to assistance to eligible homeowners whose homes were damaged by the 2012 flood.

Section 5 [Labor and Industry], subdivision 1 (Total Appropriation) appropriates $22.866 million each year of the biennium to the Department of Labor and Industry. Of that amount $966,000 is appropriated each year of the biennium from the General Fund; $20.871 million is appropriated each year of the biennium from the Workers' Compensation Fund; and $1.029 million each year of the biennium is appropriated from the Workforce Development Fund.

Subdivision 2 (Workers' Compensation) appropriates $10.678 million each year of the biennium for the Workers' Compensation Program. 

Subdivision 3 (Labor Standards and Apprenticeship) appropriates $1.995 million each year of the biennium for labor standards and apprenticeship.

Subdivision 4 (Workplace Safety) appropriates $4.154 million each year of the biennium for workplace safety.

Subdivision 5 (General Support) appropriates $6.039 million each year of the biennium for general support.

Section 6 [Explore Minnesota Tourism] appropriates $15.888 million each year of the biennium to Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Section 7 [Bureau of Mediation Services], subdivision 1 (Total Appropriation) appropriates $1.873 million in FY 2014 and $1.777 million in FY 2015 to the Bureau of Mediation Services, including $68,000 each year for grants to area labor management committees and $100,000 in FY 2014 for development of a new business management system for case and document management.

Section 8 [Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals) appropriates $1.9 million in FY 2014 and $1.7 million in FY 2015 to the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals.

Article 6

Labor and Industry

Section 1 (Single-family dwelling; fire sprinklers) prohibits the State Building Code, State Fire Code, or a politcal subdivision from requring installation of fire sprinklers, fire sprinkling system components, or automatic fire-extinguishing equipment, or devices in new or existing single-family detached dwellings.

Section 2 (Limitation) adds elevator contractors to the list of those exempt from laws that regulate engineers, architects, landscape architects, surveyors, geoscientists, and interior designers.

Sections 3 through 14 provide definitions relating to elevator industry employment regulation and licensing. 

Section 15 (Licenses) sets out the requirements for the licensing and registration of elevator constructors and contractors; requires bond and insurance; provides for designation of a responsible master or limited elevator constructor; requires a written and oral examination to determine competence prior to licensure; sets out exemptions from licensing and provides for reciprocity for licensure in other states.

Section 16 (Permits) adds elevator repairs to activities requiring a permit.  Provides that a permit is valid for work that begins within 12 months of application and completed within two years of application. If no work is started within 12 months of application, the applicant may cancel a permit and request a refund of inspections fees.

Section 17 (Department permit and inspection fees) provides permit and inspection fees to construct, install, alter, repair, or remove and elevator.

Section 18 (Operating permits and fees; periodic inspections) adds vertical reciprocating conveyors to the items that do not require an operating permit fee subsequent to initial permit fees.

Section 19 (Rules) deletes reference to electrician’s license in elevator constructor rule authority.

Section 20 (License, registration, and renewal fees; expiration) makes changes in the Minnesota Electrical Act to reflect the new language for elevator constructors and contractors.

Section 21 (Exemptions from licensing) makes changes in the Minnesota Electrical Act to reflect the new language for elevator constructors and contractors.

Section 22 (Exemptions from inspections) makes changes in the Minnesota Electrical Act to reflect the new language for elevator constructors and contractors.

Section 23 (Utility interconnected wind generation installations) provides for calculation of fees associated with utility interconnected generation installations of one or more generator sources interconnected with a utility power system and not supplying other premises loads. 

Section 24 (Fees for plan reviews and audits) eliminates fees for accelerated review.

Section 25 (Permits; fees) sets out plumbing fees.

Section 26 (Fee schedule) sets out new fees for professional licenses issues by the commissioner of labor and industry for combative sports.

Section 27 (Repealer) repeals obsolete rule and statutory language that is no longer necessary under the new elevator constructor/contractor licensing structure.

Article 7

Employment and Economic Development

Section 1 (Labor market information data production requirement) requires DEED, in collaboration with the Office of Higher Education and local workforce councils, to produce and publish labor market analysis describing the alignment between employer requirements and workforce qualifications.

Section 2 (Administration) allows the commissioner to provide forgivable loans under the Minnesota Investment Fund program directly to a private enterprise without requiring a local community or tribal government application other than a resolution supporting the assistance.

Section 3 (Eligible expenditures) allows money appropriated to the Minnesota Investment Fund program to be used for loans for infrastructure.

Section 4 (Minnesota Job Creation fund) establishes a Minnesota Job Creation fund program.  Provides definitions, requirements to receive a designation as a Minnesota job creation fund business, certification for eligibility benefits categories, a capital investment rebate, and job creation award schedule.  Exempts the commissioner from rulemaking.  Makes the program effective January 1, 2014.

Section 5 (Trade Policy Advisory Council) establishes a Trade Policy Advisory Council to advise and assist the governor and legislature regarding Unites States trade agreements.  Provides membership, terms, duties, and reporting requirements for the council.

Section 6 (Minnesota trade offices if foreign markets) requires the commissioner to establish three new Minnesota trade offices in key foreign markets by July 1, 2014. 

Section 7 (Minnesota STEP grants) requires the commissioner to create a State Trade and Export Promotion grants program to provide financial (up to $7,500 in reimbursement for export-development activities) and technical assistance to eligible Minnesota small businesses. 

Section 8 (Invest Minnesota) requires the commissioner to establish the Invest Minnesota marketing initiative to focus on branding the state’s economic development initiatives and promote Minnesota business opportunities. 

Section 9 (Workforce center; credentialing assistance) requires the commissioner to provide services at workforce centers that assist individuals in identifying and obtaining credentials for jobs in high demand.

Section 10 (Film Production Jobs Program) moves oversight and control of the program from the commissioner of administration to the commissioner of employment and economic development.  Makes changes to the program relating to reimbursement of production costs. 

Section 11 (Job placement impact on program review; information to students) requires labor market survey data collected by DEED to be included and used when deciding upon course and program offerings for MnSCU.

Section 12 (Availability of community support services) modifies the community support services program relating to employment.

Section 16 (Employment support services for persons with mental illness) makes changes to emphasize efforts by persons with mental illness who wish to work.  Directs that projects funded shall ensure integration of services with mental health treatment, provide benefits counseling, and conduct rapid job search. 

Section 17 (Employment support services and programs) makes changes to the employment support services for persons with mental illness program, including incorporation of rapid competitive job search.

Section 18 (Unemployment insurance employer tax reduction) specifies that no additional unemployment assessment will be assigned to the base tax rate for employers in calendar years 2014 and 2015 provided that the balance of the unemployment trust fund is more than the amounts specified on the dates provided.

Section 19 (Pilot programs; combining career and higher education advising) requires workforce councils in certain service areas (Hennepin/Carver, Northeast Minnesota, Stearns/Benton, and rural Minnesota CEP) to cooperate with at least one public school district in operating a pilot program to assist high school students in selecting careers and provide a postsecondary path to prepare for that career.

Article 8

Miscellaneous Economic Development Provisions

Section 1 (Purchases; printing) provides that when practicable, a public entity purchase paper made in Minnesota.

Section 2 (Grants) authorizes the commissioner of mediation services to make grants to private nonprofit entities that assist in dispute resolution. 

Section 3 (The office of the commissioner of Iron Range resources and rehabilitation) allows the IRRRB to utilize contracting options available to municipalities.  Exempts the IRRRB from the requirements of 16E.016 (technology employees) and 16C.05 (contract procurement).

Section 4 (Taconite environmental fund) provides that 0.20 per ton deposited in the taconite environmental fund be paid to the city of Eveleth for support of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Section 5 (Penalty for failure to file) prevents a vendee from being responsible for filing the contract for deed if they are not provided a copy in a recordable form.

Section 6 (Definitions) provides definitions for terms used in section 8 (new section 595.202) relating to contracts for deed involving residential property.

Section 7 (Contracts for deed involving residential property) provides requirements and contents of the notice that must be delivered to a prospective purchaser. 

Section 8 (Remedies additional) provides that the remedies are in addition to the ones already existing in law.

Section 9 (2013 distribution only) provides distribution amounts in 2013 as specified for the projects listed.

Section 10 (St. Paul RiverCentre Arena) allows forgiveness of the St. Paul RiverCentre Area loan debt to the state as specified.  Requires amounts to be repaid in fiscal years 2016 through 2021 to be used solely to pay for or finance design, construction, or equipment to make arena improvements. 

Section 11 (Repealer) repeals the Office of Science and Technology (Ch.116W) and a subdivision relating to filing requirement penalties for contracts for deed (507.235, subd. 4).

Article 9

Sanitary Districts

Article 9 moves the jurisdiction for sanitary district formation from the Pollution Control Agency (PCA) to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).

GK/CDF:dv