1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; directing the NextGen Energy Board to examine biobased 
1.3 	chemical production from agricultural and forestry feedstocks;amending 
1.4 	Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 41A.105, subdivisions 1a, 3.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 41A.105, subdivision 1a, is amended to 
1.7 	read:
1.8 		Subd. 1a.Definitions. For the purpose of this section:
1.9 	(1) "biobased chemical" means a polymer, monomer, chemical, plastic, or 
1.10 	formulated product that is not sold primarily for the use as food, feed, or fuel and that has a 
1.11 	biobased content percentage of at least 25 percent as determined by testing representative 
1.12 	samples using American Society for Testing and Materials specification D6866;
1.13 	(1) (2) "biobutanol facility" means a facility at which biobutanol is produced; and
1.14 	(2) (3) "biobutanol" means fermentation isobutyl alcohol that is derived from 
1.15 	agricultural products, including potatoes, cereal grains, cheese whey, and sugar beets; 
1.16 	forest products; or other renewable resources, including residue and waste generated 
1.17 	from the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural products, forest products, 
1.18 	and other renewable resources.

1.19 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 41A.105, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.20 		Subd. 3.Duties. The board shall research and report to the commissioner of 
1.21 	agriculture and to the legislature recommendations as to how the state can invest its 
1.22 	resources to most efficiently achieve energy independence, agricultural and natural 
1.23 	resources sustainability, and rural economic vitality. The board shall:
2.1 	(1) examine the future of fuels, such as synthetic gases, biobutanol, hydrogen, 
2.2 	methanol, biodiesel, and ethanol within Minnesota;
2.3 	(2) examine the opportunity for biobased chemical production by integrated 
2.4 	biorefineries or stand-alone facilities that use agricultural and forestry feedstocks;
2.5 	(2) (3) develop equity grant programs to assist locally owned facilities;
2.6 	(3) (4) study the proper role of the state in creating financing and investing and 
2.7 	providing incentives;
2.8 	(4) (5) evaluate how state and federal programs, including the Farm Bill, can best 
2.9 	work together and leverage resources;
2.10 	(5) (6) work with other entities and committees to develop a clean energy program; 
2.11 	and
2.12 	(6) (7) report to the legislature before February 1 each year with recommendations 
2.13 	as to appropriations and results of past actions and projects.