1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to economic development; requiring a study of higher education training 
1.3 	needs in the renewable energy economy; requiring a report; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. TRAINING AND PERSONNEL NEEDS FOR THE RENEWABLE 
1.6 	ENERGY ECONOMY.
 1.7 	The commissioner of employment and economic development shall contract 
1.8 	with a public higher education institution in Minnesota jointly with the Center for 
1.9 	Rural Development to study the needs of the renewable energy economy for trained 
1.10 	employees and the training required for those employees. The study must include 
1.11 	extensive consultation and involvement of representatives of the renewable energy 
1.12 	industry, environmental interests, labor, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota 
1.13 	State Colleges and Universities. The commissioner shall report the results of the study 
1.14 	to the chairs of the finance divisions of the legislature with jurisdiction over economic 
1.15 	development, energy, and higher education by November 1, 2007.

1.16 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 1.17 	$102,500 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of employment 
1.18 	and economic development for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, for the purposes of 
1.19 	section 1. The commissioner shall seek, but is not required to obtain, a match for the 
1.20 	appropriation from nonstate sources. The match may be in money or in-kind.