HF4757

Purpose

This bill changes how the Pollution Control Agency ranks regional or multi-jurisdiction projects for the point source implementation grant program. When multiple government units work together on a project, the agency will now consider each unit’s likely ranking as if the units were applying separately, and place the joint project at the ranking position of the highest-ranked unit.

Main provisions

• Adds a new Subdivision 6 (Regional projects) to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 446A.073.
• For joint projects with multiple governmental units, the Pollution Control Agency must determine where each unit would rank on the agency’s project priority list if evaluated separately.
• The total joint project is then placed on the priority list at the position equal to the highest ranking among the participating units.
• Applies this rule to the ranking process for the point source implementation grant program.

Significant changes to existing law

• Establishes a rule that multi-unit regional projects are ranked using the best (highest) ranking achieved by any participating unit, rather than averaging or using another method.
• This could affect which regional projects receive grants and may influence decisions to form regional or joint projects, since the highest unit’s ranking drives the joint project’s position on the list.
• The change amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 446A.073 by adding Subdivision 6.

Potential considerations

• Could incentivize collaboration if a single highly prioritized unit helps a regional project compete for funding.
• May disadvantage regional projects if one participating unit has a lower ranking, since the joint project adopts the highest ranking, which could be less favorable than other methods.

Relevant Terms

Pollution Control Agency; project priority list; point source implementation grant program; Minnesota Statutes 2024; section 446A.073; Subd. 6 Regional projects; regional projects; joint project; multi-governmental units; ranking; highest-ranking governmental unit.