1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to environment; providing for planning for greenhouse gas reductions; 
1.3 	establishing a working group; providing appointments; requiring a report; 
1.4 	appropriating money;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.5 	chapter 116C.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [116C.99] FINDINGS; GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS.
1.8 	The legislature finds that changes in development patterns are necessary for 
1.9 	Minnesota to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction goals provided in section 216H.02, 
1.10 	subdivision 1. The legislature further finds that improved land use planning and 
1.11 	development practices that target growth in ways that reduce the number and length of 
1.12 	vehicle trips are necessary to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction goals provided in 
1.13 	section 216H.02, subdivision 1.

1.14 	Sec. 2. [116C.991] INVENTORY OF AVAILABLE FUNDS.
1.15 	The Environmental Quality Board shall inventory all funds that could be available 
1.16 	for distribution in an incentive-based system to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals in 
1.17 	such areas as housing, economic development, infrastructure, water and sewer, schools, 
1.18 	transportation, and recreation. The inventory must include state funds and federal funds 
1.19 	passed through the state over which the state has discretionary control.

1.20 	Sec. 3. [116C.992] GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION WORKING GROUP.
1.21 		Subdivision 1.Composition. A working group is established, to be comprised of:
2.1 	(1) the commissioners of agriculture, natural resources, transportation, employment 
2.2 	and economic development, commerce, health, education, the Pollution Control Agency, 
2.3 	and the Housing Finance Agency, or their designees;
2.4 	(2) a representative of the Board of Water and Soil Resources;
2.5 	(3) a representative of  the Metropolitan Council;
2.6 	(4) up to 12 members of the public, appointed by the Environmental Quality 
2.7 	Board, who have an interest in promoting sustainable communities and including at 
2.8 	least one representative from each of the business, natural resources protection, energy, 
2.9 	local government, affordable housing, planning, environmental justice, social justice, 
2.10 	and philanthropic sectors;
2.11 	(5) two senators, one appointed by the majority leader and one appointed by the 
2.12 	minority leader of the senate;
2.13 	(6) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of 
2.14 	the house and one appointed by the minority leader; and
2.15 	(7) two representatives of local governments, appointed by the Environmental 
2.16 	Quality Board.
2.17 	Members appointed under clauses (5) and (6) shall be nonvoting members. To 
2.18 	the extent possible, members appointed under clause (4) should be balanced between 
2.19 	members from greater Minnesota and suburban and urban communities.
2.20 		Subd. 2.Powers. The working group may accept gifts and grants, which are 
2.21 	accepted on behalf of the state and constitute donations to the state. Funds received are 
2.22 	appropriated to the commissioner of administration for purposes of the working group.
2.23 		Subd. 3.Purpose. The purpose of the working group is to align state infrastructure 
2.24 	investments with state greenhouse gas reduction goals.
2.25 		Subd. 4.Goals. The goals of the working group are to:
2.26 	(1) develop a list of performance goals and priorities for the state and local units 
2.27 	of government;
2.28 	(2) develop a coordinated investment approach that would align state infrastructure 
2.29 	funding to local government performance with regard to the state's priorities;
2.30 	(3) package and offer coordinated technical assistance, tools, and resources regarding 
2.31 	better land use to local governments; and
2.32 	(4) coordinate GIS information to ensure data sharing and adoption of a common 
2.33 	technical platform.
2.34 		Subd. 5.Strategies. The working group shall identify strategies, recommendations, 
2.35 	and a process for implementing state-level coordination of state and local policies, 
2.36 	programs, and regulations in the areas of housing, transportation, natural resource 
3.1 	preservation, health, education, and job creation. Strategies and recommendations shall 
3.2 	include, but are not limited to, strategies that:
3.3 	(1) provide citizens with safe and convenient transportation alternatives, such as 
3.4 	transit, walking, and bicycling;
3.5 	(2) maximize the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of public investments by 
3.6 	prioritizing infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation;
3.7 	(3) increase job and business opportunities, especially in locations near housing, 
3.8 	infrastructure, and transportation options;
3.9 	(4) expand life-cycle housing opportunities for all income levels, especially in 
3.10 	job-rich jurisdictions;
3.11 	(5) increase physical activity through community design changes that promote the 
3.12 	convenience and safety of walking and biking;
3.13 	(6) increase the quantity, quality, and accessibility of wildlands, wetlands, and water 
3.14 	with the goal of preserving and protecting connected ecosystem functions; and
3.15 	(7) maximize on-site or local nongreenhouse gas energy sources and energy efficient 
3.16 	building.
3.17 		Subd. 6.Report. The working group shall report the results of its study to the 
3.18 	legislature by January 1, 2009. The final report must include a suggested budget for staff 
3.19 	and expenses to fund the implementation of the recommended program, including the 
3.20 	technical assistance provisions.