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j 74e • e « ,4,, , 4',,,, __,,,,,r estifue,,eiM #4.higal ., _ __ _ . ,. _ 4.. Vol. 15, No. 9 May 6, 2016 Senate Passes Regulatory Certainty Bill, House Vote Next Week On Monday, the "regulatory certainty" bill (S.F. 3272) passed off the Minnesota Senate floor with a 61-0 vote. Under the bill, if a city chose to voluntarily install biological nutrient removal systems to treat for nitrogen while also treating for phosphorus, the MPCA would agree not to increase the facilities' nitrogen and phosphorus limits for the useful life of the equipment (up to 20 years). The bill is scheduled for debate on the House floor next Monday. While expected to pass, it is unlikely that a unanimous vote will occur in the House. Several environmental-leaning House Democrats have been very critical of the bill(even though it is a proposal of the Dayton administration). If the option for "regulatory certainty" would be helpful as your city considers upgrades to its wastewater treatment facilities, you may want to consider contacting your State Representative and asking them to support the bill. Supplemental Budget Conference Committee in Place The Legislature has figured out the process to work out the differences in the House and Senate supplemental budget bills. Although the House passed three separate budget mini- omnibus bills and the Senate only one all-encompassing omnibus bill, a singular conference committee has been appointed to negotiate the supplemental budget provisions. Serving for the House: Ways and Means Chair Jim Knoblach, Education Chair Jenifer Loon, Jobs/Energy Chair Pat Garofalo, Health and Human Services Chair Matt Dean, and Environment Chair Denny McNamara. Serving for the Senate are: Finance Chair Dick Cohen, Education Chair Chuck Wiger, Health and Human Services Chair Tony Lourey, State Government Finance Chair Tom Saxhaug, and Sen. Michelle Fischbach. The supplemental budget conference committee will hold its first meeting on Monday. Negotiations Continue on Railroad Crossing Fees Bill Together with MREA and telecommunications partners, MMUA continues to advocate for the passage of standardized railroad crossing fees legislation(SF 877/HF 963). However, the railroads have brought up additional issues and counterproductive proposals in what seems to be an attempt to stall the bill. Due to this lack of progress, bill proponents have been informed that the crossing fees issue will be rolled into a larger negotiation effort with the railroads in the Transportation Conference Committee. This committee is attempting to get the railroads to fund several at-grade crossings and safety measures. House Transportation Chair Tim Kelly (R-Red Wing) will be convening a meeting of the railroads and utilities next week to continue to work on a resolution. 317