1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to environment; establishing advisory task force on green roofs; 
1.3 	requiring a report; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. GREEN ROOF ADVISORY TASK FORCE; REPORT.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Definition. For the purposes of this section, "green roof" means 
1.7 	the roof of a building on which:
1.8 	(1) photovoltaic devices, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.06, are 
1.9 	sited; or
1.10 	(2) a vegetative landscape and associated elements are installed, which may include:
1.11 	(i) a growing medium;
1.12 	(ii) a waterproof membrane to protect the roof;
1.13 	(iii) a barrier to prevent plant roots from damaging the roof;
1.14 	(iv) a filter layer to prevent the growing medium from washing away;
1.15 	(v) thermal insulation to protect the vegetation and the building;
1.16 	(vi) a drainage system; and
1.17 	(vii) structural support.
1.18 		Subd. 2.Membership. (a) The Green Roof Advisory Task Force consists of the 
1.19 	following members:
1.20 	(1) the state building official, appointed under Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.127, 
1.21 	or the state building official's designee;
1.22 	(2) a representative of the Building Owners and Managers Association Greater 
1.23 	Minneapolis, appointed by the president of the association;
2.1 	(3) three representatives from Minnesota companies with extensive experience 
2.2 	installing green roofs, appointed by the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency;
2.3 	(4) a cochair of the Committee on the Environment of the American Institute of 
2.4 	Architects Minnesota, or the cochair's designee;
2.5 	(5) a horticultural expert from the University of Minnesota Extension, appointed 
2.6 	by the dean of extension;
2.7 	(6) a representative of the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building 
2.8 	Research, appointed by the director of the center;
2.9 	(7) a representative of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association, appointed 
2.10 	by the president of the association;
2.11 	(8) the commissioner of commerce, or the commissioner's designee; and
2.12 	(9) other members appointed by the advisory task force that it deems to be helpful in 
2.13 	carrying out its duties under subdivision 3.
2.14 	(b) Members of the advisory task force are not to be compensated for activities 
2.15 	associated with the advisory task force.
2.16 	(c) The Department of Commerce shall serve as staff to the advisory task force.
2.17 		Subd. 3.Duties. The advisory task force's duties are to review and evaluate:
2.18 	(1) laws relating to green roofs enacted in American cities and states and in foreign 
2.19 	countries;
2.20 	(2) estimates of the impacts of operating green roofs on:
2.21 	(i) energy use in the buildings on which the green roofs are installed and any 
2.22 	associated reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants;
2.23 	(ii) roof replacement costs; and
2.24 	(iii) storm water management costs; and
2.25 	(3) any other information the task force deems relevant.
2.26 		Subd. 4.Report. By March 1, 2017, the advisory task force shall submit a report to 
2.27 	the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house committees with primary 
2.28 	jurisdiction over energy policy and environmental policy. The report must contain the task 
2.29 	force's findings and recommendations, including discussion of the benefits and problems 
2.30 	associated with requiring buildings of a certain type and size to install green roofs.

2.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.32 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.33 	$....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
2.34 	of commerce to complete the report required under section 1.