MinnesotaLocal governments would be allowed to build thermal energy networks
Local governments would be allowed to build heat networks as public projects; cities and towns would also place them in the legal category for water systems.
What it does
Local governments, including counties, would be allowed to build, rebuild, extend, and maintain heat networks as public projects. The bill calls these systems thermal energy networks.
Cities and towns would treat thermal energy networks as waterworks under a separate local-government law. Waterworks is a legal category covering water systems and related facilities.
Argument forAllowing counties to build and maintain heat networks could help county leaders coordinate these projects for their communities.
Argument againstLocal governments that choose to build these networks could take on long-term upkeep needs alongside their other public projects.
More detail
Local governments would be allowed to build, rebuild, extend, and maintain thermal energy networks. Counties would count as municipalities for this work. County public improvements would be limited to the activities covered by section 429.011, subdivision 2a. The networks would have to meet the definition in section 216B.2427, subdivision 1, paragraph (s). Local governments would have permission to undertake these projects, without a requirement to do so.
Cities and towns would count thermal energy networks as waterworks under section 444.075. This definition would apply to cities and towns under the cited waterworks law. The networks would have to meet the definition in section 216B.2427, subdivision 1, paragraph (s).
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 12Second readingLatest
- May 12Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders SF4503
- May 11Re-referred to Rules and Administration for comparison with SF4503, now on General Orders
- May 11Taken from table
- May 7Laid on table
- May 7Introduction and first readingMinor
- May 7Received from HouseMinor
- May 6Bill was passed as amendedPassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Passage, as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Third reading as amendedMinor
- May 6AmendedMajor
- May 4House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Wednesday, May 6, 2026
- Apr 9Second readingMinor
- Apr 9Committee report, to adopt as amendedMinor
- Mar 26Author added Virnig
- Mar 18Authors added Xiong and Rehrauer
- Mar 16Introduction and first reading, referred to Elections Finance and Government OperationsIntroduced
Environment & Energy