HF 3802 Minnesota House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Exemptions to the certificate of need requirement amended.

HF 3802 amends Minnesota's energy certificate of need exemptions, removing the requirement for certain energy projects to seek state approval. The bill specifically exempts projects like wind/solar facilities (including repowering projects that don't exceed capacity limits), transmission line upgrades (e.g., converting to natural gas or increasing efficiency by ≤10%), and energy storage systems from the standard review process. It also clarifies exemptions for small transmission lines (≤1 mile) and upgrades using existing rights-of-way. These changes directly affect energy developers and utilities building or modifying infrastructure, streamlining approval for projects that align with existing state energy policies. The bill focuses on updating technical definitions and scope rather than creating new regulatory requirements.

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed Apr 21, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 3 edits · Mar 12, 2026

MINOR

The bill was formally amended from its introduction stage to its first engrossment, updating the header and posting date. The most significant policy change involves tightening the eligibility criteria for a specific energy exemption. Previously, upgrading an electric line to 115 kilovolts was exempt from certificate requirements if it primarily used existing rights-of-way. The new version adds a stricter requirement that at least 80 percent of the line's length in Minnesota must be located along an existing right-of-way. Additionally, a new effective date provision was added, specifying that the law applies to projects where construction begins after the enactment date.

Scope change

The scope of the exemption for upgrading electric lines was narrowed by adding a specific geographic and physical constraint regarding the use of existing rights-of-way.

ELIGIBILITY

The exemption for upgrading electric lines to 115 kilovolts now requires that at least 80 percent of the line's length in Minnesota be located along an existing right-of-way, replacing the previous looser standard of 'primarily uses existing rights-of-way.'

TIMELINE

A new effective date clause was added, stating the law applies to projects where upgrading or rebuilding has begun on or after the day following final enactment.

TECHNICAL

The title and header were updated from 'Introduction' to '1st Engrossment,' and the posting date was changed from March 9, 2026, to April 21, 2026.

Floor votes · House Mar 23, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 21, 2026

Signed into law

Governor's action Approval 04/21/26

executive

Apr 21, 2026

Introduced

Secretary of State, Filed 04/21/2026

lower

Apr 21, 2026

Signed into law

Governor approval 04/21/2026

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third reading Passed

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules and Administration for comparison with SF3760, now on General Orders

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Introduced

Received from House

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill was passed

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee report, to adopt as amended

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading, referred to Energy Finance and Policy

lower

1 primary · 9 co-sponsors