1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to energy; appropriating money for supplemental energy assistance;
1.3 requiring an annual report; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
1.4 chapter 216C.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [216C.392] SUPPLEMENTAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE GRANT
1.7PROGRAM.
1.8 Subdivision 1.Definition.For the purposes of this section, "LIHEAP" has the meaning
1.9given in section 142G.02, subdivision 59.
1.10 Subd. 2.Establishment.A supplemental energy assistance grant program is established
1.11in the department to award grants to eligible applicants.
1.12 Subd. 3.Applications; procedures.(a) The commissioner must develop policies and
1.13procedures governing the grant application and award process.
1.14 (b) An eligible applicant must file an application with the commissioner on a form
1.15developed by the commissioner.
1.16 (c) The commissioner must accept grant applications under this section throughout the
1.17year.
1.18 Subd. 4.Eligibility.A Minnesota resident whose household income is less than 60
1.19percent of the state median household income is eligible for a grant awarded under this
1.20section.
1.21 Subd. 5.Grant awards.(a) When awarding grants under this section, the commissioner
1.22must give priority to expanding the number of households receiving energy assistance over
1Section 1.
REVISOR RSI/CH 25-0061301/09/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 771
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Kraft, Howard, Jones, Reyer, Hollins and others02/13/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Energy Finance and Policy 2.1increasing grant amounts to households that already received assistance under LIHEAP
2.2during the same year.
2.3 (b) To the extent practicable, available LIHEAP funds must be used for all primary heat
2.4and crisis grants to eligible households before grants are awarded for heat and crisis grants
2.5under this section.
2.6 Subd. 6.Types of grants.The commissioner may award grants for the following:
2.7 (1) crisis grants to households that received a LIHEAP primary heat grant from federal
2.8funds but did not receive the maximum crisis grant amount while federal funds allocated
2.9for crisis grants were available;
2.10 (2) primary heat and crisis grants to eligible households that did not receive LIHEAP
2.11primary heat and crisis grants from federal funds;
2.12 (3) emergency heating system repair or replacement; and
2.13 (4) grants to support outreach.
2.14 Subd. 7.Reporting.(a) Beginning December 31, 2026, and annually thereafter until
2.15December 31, 2031, the commissioner must publish a report regarding state supplemental
2.16energy assistance funding under this section for the previous program year for October 1
2.17to September 30.
2.18 (b) To the extent practicable, the following information on grants awarded under this
2.19section must be reported by statewide total and by county:
2.20 (1) the number of households served;
2.21 (2) the average household primary heat benefit;
2.22 (3) the average household crisis benefit; and
2.23 (4) total energy costs.
2.24 (c) The following information on grants awarded under this section may be reported as
2.25statewide totals:
2.26 (1) the average household income;
2.27 (2) income by percentage of the federal poverty level established by the United States
2.28Department of Health and Human Services;
2.29 (3) the number of households that include a person over 60 years old;
2.30 (4) the number of households that include a disabled person;
2Section 1.
REVISOR RSI/CH 25-0061301/09/25 3.1 (5) the number of households that include a child under six years old; and
3.2 (6) the number of households served by race or ethnicity.
3.3 Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
3.4 (a) $....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
3.5of commerce for the supplemental energy assistance grant program. This is a onetime
3.6appropriation and is available until June 30, 2031.
3.7 (b) Of the amount appropriated in paragraph (a):
3.8 (1) up to ten percent may be used to administer the supplemental energy assistance grant
3.9program under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.392, of which up to 2.5 percent may be
3.10used by the Department of Commerce. The remaining amount allocated under this clause
3.11may be used to reimburse reasonable administrative costs incurred under Minnesota Statutes,
3.12section 216C.392, by service providers contracted by the Department of Commerce to
3.13deliver LIHEAP services, including services under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.392;
3.14and
3.15 (2) up to five percent may be used to reimburse the reasonable costs incurred under
3.16Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.392, by organizations the department has contracted with
3.17to provide outreach and assistance to households to complete grant applications under
3.18Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.392. Organizations that have the ability to conduct outreach
3.19to underserved communities and populations, including current service providers and other
3.20organizations, must be prioritized for outreach funding.
3Sec. 2.
REVISOR RSI/CH 25-0061301/09/25