Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to shift the administration of the Environmental Standards Procurement Task Force grant program from the Department of Administration to the Department of Transportation. This change is intended to improve how the grant program is managed and potentially enhance its effectiveness.

Main Provisions

• The Department of Transportation will now oversee the Environmental Standards Procurement Task Force grant program.
• The program is designed to help manufacturers in Minnesota obtain environmental product declarations, improve efficiency in their operations, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Department of Transportation will be responsible for developing procedures to process and evaluate grant applications.
• Grant applicants will need to submit their applications using a specific form provided by the commissioner.
• The Department of Transportation will act as the fiscal agent, handling the reception, review, and awarding of grants.

Significant Changes

• The bill amends the Minnesota Statutes to transfer the administrative responsibilities of the grant program from the Department of Administration to the Department of Transportation. This is the primary change proposed by the bill, aiming to centralize transportation-related environmental efficiency initiatives under a single department.

Relevant Terms

• Environmental product declarations
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Grant program administration
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Administration
• Plant efficiencies
• Asphalt, ready-mix, and aggregate manufacturers