Environmental Legislation Action Needed
DFLEC Legislative Committee Updates: Action needed Monday and Tuesday (and beyone!)
Legislative Action Alerts
Action alerts: Please note the bills listed below that are coming up in committee this week. Submit testimony or sign up to speak 24 hours before the hearing, write to the committee members, and to your own representatives in the Minnesota House and Senate. More bills will be added later in a day or two. Note on Tuesday there are several bad bills being heard in the 3 House Committees at 1 pm.
Tuesday, March 4
1) 10:15 House Tax Committee, Capitol Room 120
HF1277: Davids Davids ; Huot ; Dotseth ; Norris ; Witte ; Warwas
Data centers sales and use tax exemption modified.
Written testimony or requests to testify in person are due via e-mail to the Committee Administrator sam.moyer@house.mn.gov by 1:00 PM on Monday, March 3rd, 2025.
See MCEA action alert Mega data center owners are some of the richest people in the world. They don’t need tax breaks!
Video: the Digital Dllema. The environmental cost of AI, cryptocurrency, and data centers
NOTE - this bill and the senate version have some DFL support. That is a real problem.
Text of bill all versions
2) 1 pm House Energy Committee, Capitol Room 123
OPPOSE EFFORTS TO HALT THE DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS
OPPOSE HF 1738 (Swedzinski) - Renewable development account repealed, conforming changes made in associated statutes, utility solar production incentive program sunset, accounts established, and money appropriated.
This bill would end 116C.779 FUNDING FOR RENEWABLE DEVELOPMENT
These funds are collected from Excel Energy, the owners of Prairie Island and Monticello nuclear generating plants, for the storage of nuclear waste in dry casks at Prairie Island. The funds collected are meant to be used to help fund research and development of renewable energy technologies, to encourage grid modernization, projects that implement electricity storage, load control, and smart meter technology; and to stimulate other innovative energy projects that reduce demand and increase system efficiency and flexibility.
3) 1 pm House Environment Committee has 2 bills that would rollback action to prohibit PFAS in certain products.
HF81 Heintzeman. Off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, and electric-assisted bicycles exempted from prohibitions on PFAS in certain juvenile products.
HF1627 Heintzeman. Commercial and industrial products exempted from PFAS restrictions, and PFAS reporting requirements modified.
Stop rollbacks to Amara’s law, from MCEA
TESTIMONY AND MATERIALS SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Individuals wishing to testify or submit written testimony or handouts for the hearing must e-mail the committee administrator (amy.zipko@house.mn.gov) by 1 p.m. the day prior to the hearing. Handouts must be in PDF format with OCR capability. In-person testimony may be limited due to committee time constraints.
Thursday, March 6 Not all bills posted yet
1) 1 pm House Environment
Oppose HF1327 (Burkel) - Definition of all-terrain vehicle modified.
Suggested email text from Minnesota Public Land Coalition
2) 3 pm Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee, 1150 Senate Office Building
Support the e-waste bill
S.F. 1690 Kupec Stewardship program establishment for circuit boards, batteries, and electrical products
Contact your legislator: https://act.cleanwater.org/page/163629/action/1
Proposed legislation (SF 1690/HF 1426) would require manufacturers to fully fund the collection of all electronic waste, ensuring it’s recycled responsibly. E-waste is recyclable, and the high-demand metals recovered—like copper, gold, and palladium—can be used in clean energy technologies. Currently, we are losing $2 Billion worth of precious metals into our landfills and incinerators. Send a message supporting this legislation today!
Please submit documents to be posted for committee members by March 5, 2025, 3:00 pm. Late submissions may Not be posted in advance of the hearing Or included in prepared materials for committee members.
All handouts and requests for testimony (both in-person and virtual) MUST be submitted using the following Testimony Request Form.
Testimony Request Form - Thurs 3-6-25
See more zero waste bills to support: https://mnzerowastecoalition.org/
Next Week
Don’t miss March 12 Rise and Repair Lobby Day.
SCHEDULE & HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Full Day Engagement:
10:00 AM – Advocacy training, prep session, and morning coffee at Christ on Capitol Hill (105 University Ave W, across from the Capitol)
11:45a - 12:20p - Light lunch served before walking across the street to Capitol
Legislative visits throughout the day pending legislator schedules (most 2-4pm)
Joining us for the Rally:
12:45 PM – Assemble on the Capitol steps
1:15–2:00 PM – Rally in the Rotunda!!
Now is the time to dig deep, unite, and push for the change we know is possible. When we stand together, we are a powerful force capable of accomplishing what this moment demands. We have the power to protect wild rice, freshwater, and biodiversity—our sacred life sources that need our care now more than ever. Let’s move forward with hope, resilience, and the strength of our collective will.
RSVP & Learn More: RiseAndRepair.org/rally
Getting There:
Christ Lutheran Church (Christ on Capitol Hill) is kitty-corner from the Capitol building at University Ave and Park St. The building is right in front of the Capitol / Rice St Station on the Green Line and a block away from the Rice St / University Ave bus stops served by routes 3, 62, and 67.
If you are driving, we recommend parking in Lot Q on Cedar and Sherburne, which is two blocks from the church/Capitol and costs $2/hour or $8 for the entire day. There is sometimes free on-street parking available in the neighborhoods north and west of the church; arrive early if you plan to look for this and be mindful of parking restriction signs.
It is also usually possible to park for free in the “Sears Lot” off Rice Street & Aurora Avenue west of the Capitol Complex.
Although the church has a small parking lot, it is restricted to their staff and we cannot use it as Rise + Repair attendees!