6.1. ERMUSR 02-15-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Government Relations MMUA's Government Relations program represents the interests of municipal utilities before federal and state government entities. Staff includes Government Relations Director Greg Oxley and the Senior Govern- ment Relations Representative Bill Black. Two outside consultants assist in this work-Doug Carnival from the McGrann Shea Carnival Straughn and Lamb law firm on the state level and Michael Nolan, MJN Consulting, on the federal level. Annually, the MMUA Government Relations team at- tends dozens of legislative hearings and monitors count- less hours of debate at the state and federal capitols. During the 2010 state legislative session, the preeminent issue was proposed restrictions on the use of eminent do- main by utilities. The target of these proposals was said to be large transmission and gas pipelines. However, the bills before the House and Senate would have affected municipal electric, gas, water, wastewater and other utilities to great detriment. MMUA staff led the effort along with the League of Minnesota Cities to influence legislators in both bodies to adopt changes to limit the scope of the law changes, averting a very bad situation for MMUA members. Efforts included meetings with committee chairs, bill sponsors, as well as proponents and other opponents of the legislation. MMUA was key to crafting the compromise that ultimately became law. MMUA Government Relations is typically involved with the following functions. 1) Monitor Government Activities 2) Communications/Member Relations 3) Research & Analysis 4) Communications with Policy Makers 5) Issues Management State Legislative Activity Monitor Government Activity and Industry Trends Review of Proposed Legislation More than 1,000 bills are introduced in a typical Minne- sota legislative session. MMUA's legislative staff reviews bills to determine impact to the MMUA membership. Significant bills are tracked. Bills that would have a ma- jor impact on the membership are thoroughly analyzed. Staff informs members about the bill, develops positions and policy alternatives, testifies at hearings, and edu- cates legislators and legislative staff regarding MMUA's concerns. During the 2010 legislative session MMUA's legislative tracking list included more than 150 bills. Legislative Hearings During the 20101egislative session MMUA staff aC- tended dozens of legislative hearings. MMUA was able to effectively address a key eminent domain issue largely as a result of what legislators said about the issue in committee. On the federal level our consultant, as well as legislative representatives from the American Public Power Association, did the same thing at the Congressio- nal level on climate change and other issues. Interact with Executive and Legislative Staff Much of what is to be proposed at the Legislature or Congress can be predicted as a result of discussions with the Governor's staff or the staffs of committees. Rela- tionships are vital because they affect willingness to share information. Any improvements in the Conserva- tion Improvement Program {CIP), For example, can only result from discussions and negotiations with staff for the Governor, legislative staff, the environmental com- munity and the utilities. MMUA worked on cultivating these important relationships throughout the year. Interact with Legislators MMUA had many individual meetings with legisla- tors over the course of the year to find out where they were coming from and to provide information about the impact of various proposals on municipal utilities, and in some cases, the municipal utilities in their districts. We held meetings with the chairpersons of the House and Senate energy committees, members of leadership, and members of important committees. We have also made a special effort to talk with the legislators whe represent municipal util- ity districts. 2010 Year in Review - 3 MMUA Government Relations Director Greg Oxley makes a point. MMUA Washington Representative Michael Nolan, Execu- tive Director Jack Kegel and Senior Government Relations Representative Bill Black, from left to right.