Minnesota
The 2021 MN legislative session begins
The Minnesota legislature formally convened on Tuesday. Due to COVID-19, this was an opening day unlike any other. The Capitol remains closed to the public. A chain link fence around the Capitol is a solemn reminder of a tumultuous summer of 2020. Inside the Capitol, only a handful of members were on-hand for opening day.
The 2021 session will be an interesting one from a process standpoint. The House of Representatives will be all virtual this year. From hearings to meetings with lobbyists to floor session, the House will run on technology. The Senate, on the other hand, still hopes to have a hybrid meeting system in place before the end of the session.
For lobbyists and members of the public, getting to know new legislators will be a challenge. Educating legislators about complicated issues will require patience and perseverance.
The state of Minnesota remains in a projected $1.27 billion deficit. By law, the only job of the Legislature is to balance the budget. We can expect a DFL-controlled House to propose tax increases to fill the gap. We can expect a Republican-controlled Senate to propose cuts to solve the deficit. The answer will come somewhere in between. And getting there will be long and difficult.
Additionally, both House and Senate have formed a large number of committees on various issue areas. Chairs in both bodies will want to also pass policy issues. Education, health care and economic development will be at the top of the agenda. With the COVID-19 pandemic still a key concern for Minnesotans, there will also be attempts to limit the governor’s executive authority and find ways to get the economy back on track.
Finally, with respect to energy issues, two new chairs and several new members means lots of opportunity for education. Gov. Tim Walz will propose several bills to move the state on clean energy. Walz and environmental groups argue the state must take more aggressive action in order to meet the emissions reductions goals set for the state in the Next Generation Energy Act. The governor’s policy proposal includes:
- A 100% carbon-free mandate by 2040
- The so-called “Clean Energy First” bill which will require utilities who submit resource plans to consider “clean energy” resources before any other generation resource
- The Energy Conservation and Optimization Act (ECO) – which is supported by the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) and Great River Energy
- A goal to reduce emissions from existing buildings by 50% by 2035
We can also expect a number of other proposals on energy. Great River Energy opposes any mandates. Great River Energy will work with MREA on passing ECO and ensuring cooperatives continue to have a strong voice at the Capitol.
As Senate Pro Tem President Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm) said: The 2021 COVID adventure begins.
North Dakota
The 2021 ND legislative session convened Jan. 5
The North Dakota 2021 legislative session brings many changes with in-person attendance at the Capitol significantly decreased. Virtual participation will dominate the session. Legislative leaders spent $2.64 million in federal CARES Act aid to ramp up livestreaming and remote technology. Committee rooms have been moved to larger spaces to allow for social distancing. Meeting face-to-face with lawmakers to develop relationships and educate them on issues will be a challenge throughout the session.
The 141 members of the House and Senate convene for regular legislative session every other year. The Republicans hold a super majority in both houses and hold every statewide office. Leaders from both parties agree that balancing the state’s budget, using a portion of the Legacy Fund earnings and a bonding bill, will be prominent this session. Legislative Council is anticipating more than 800 bills and resolutions to be introduced during the session.
During his State of the State address, Gov. Doug Burgum said North Dakota is in a prime position to bounce back from the pandemic health crisis, economic troubles and natural disasters. He presented a $15 billion budget that relies on reserves to maintain general fund spending. The plan calls for no tax increases but does make small cuts to higher education. He also proposes to issue $1.25 billion in bonds to carve out money for infrastructure projects which would benefit the energy industry.
All of the above energy is at the top of many lawmakers’ minds. Great River Energy is working closely with the North Dakota Utilities Working Group, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Lignite Energy Council and EmPower ND as North Dakota’s energy policy and potential legislation is discussed. Together, we will help guide the best possible outcomes regarding current and future generation and transmission strategies for Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives.
Great River Energy has several position statements available to inform stakeholders on key issues. Find them here.