SF 4504 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Omnibus Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate policy bill

This bill clarifies how the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority can use funds received through gifts or grants related to its activities. It directs that any money given to the state for the authority's purposes must be deposited into the specific account established under subdivision 11 of the relevant statute. The legislation also updates the authority's general powers to include accepting gifts, grants, or property interests on behalf of the state for climate-related initiatives. This change ensures proper accounting and management of external funding sources supporting Minnesota's climate innovation efforts.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 17, 2026 Last action May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

2nd Engrossment → 3rd Engrossment · 3 edits · May 13, 2026

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from the 2nd to the 3rd Engrossment and updated with a new posting time. Substantively, the bill modified the sunset date for two energy-related programs, extending the expiration from June 30, 2028, to December 31, 2036. It also updated the federal law citation referenced in the text from Public Law 117-189 to Public Law 117-169.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the duration of specific energy programs was extended, while the scope of other sections remained unchanged aside from citation updates.

TIMELINE

Extended the sunset date for provisions in Laws 2005, chapter 97, article 10, section 3 from June 30, 2028, to December 31, 2036.

TECHNICAL

Corrected the citation for the federal Inflation Reduction Act from Public Law 117-189 to Public Law 117-169.

Updated the bill version from 2nd Engrossment to 3rd Engrossment and changed the posting timestamp.

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 6 edits · Apr 15, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, incorporating significant new provisions for energy policy. The most notable changes include the creation of a new grant program to reimburse homeowners for replacing pressurized single-walled steel piping in underground storage tanks, the establishment of registration requirements for portable solar devices, and the addition of specific siting priorities for thermal energy networks to favor environmental justice areas.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include new definitions for plug-in solar photovoltaic devices and thermal energy networks, and it added specific funding mechanisms and eligibility criteria for replacing aging underground tank equipment.

FISCAL

Added a new reimbursement program providing up to 50% of costs (capped at $100,000 per location) for replacing pressurized single-walled steel piping in underground petroleum storage tanks, with a total annual fund limit of $4 million.

ELIGIBILITY

Established that reimbursement for tank piping replacement is only available to systems installed before the effective date of the new subdivision and requires the owner to obtain at least two bids.

REQUIREMENT

Introduced a requirement for electric utilities to register portable plug-in solar photovoltaic devices with specific details, including model, size, and customer contact information.

Modified thermal energy network siting rules to require utilities to prioritize areas where residents have expressed interest, areas similar to successful natural gas projects, and environmental justice areas.

TIMELINE

Set the reimbursement program for tank piping replacement to expire on June 30, 2037, and established a deadline of December 31, 2036, for recovering thermal energy network costs.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'plug-in solar photovoltaic device' (portable, up to 1,200 watts) and 'thermal energy network' to clarify their legal status and exemptions.

Floor votes

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

Amendments

May 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third reading Passed as amended

upper

May 12, 2026

Introduced

Special Order: Amended

upper

May 12, 2026

Committee

Senate file first reading, referred to Energy Finance and Policy

lower

May 12, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate

lower

May 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended

upper

Apr 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Finance

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Committee

Referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor