S.F. 3100 Summary

• Establishes Minnesota Farmers Insurance Pool administered by commissioner of management and budget to provide health coverage for farmers and their dependents through contracted insurers, with at least two benefit options including one exempt from state-mandated benefits, effective January 1, 2011.

• Streamlines environmental review processes by reducing environmental impact statement preparation timelines from 280 to 120 days, final decision timelines from 90 to 60 days, and exempting ethanol plants producing less than 125 million gallons annually outside the seven-county metropolitan area from mandatory environmental impact statements.

• Creates Job Growth Investment Tax Credit allowing 25% tax credits for investments in qualifying small businesses and green job businesses through regional investment funds or individual investors, with credits claimable after three-year holding periods and maximum annual credits of $100,000 per taxpayer.

• Authorizes water conservation tax credit of 5% of expenses for water recycling system purchases and installation by water-intensive businesses including ethanol plants, distilleries, and food processing facilities, with carryover provisions for up to 15 years.

• Modifies tax code provisions to align with federal Section 179 expensing allowances for property placed in service before January 1, 2010.