MN SF3675

Appropriates $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2019 from the renewable development account to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents for research through MnDRIVE at the Natural Resources Research Institute.

Allocates $500,000 annually for developing and demonstrating new technologies to support forest resource characterization, $800,000 annually for research into high-value utilization of forest resources, and $1,200,000 annually for seed funding for large-scale precommercial demonstration of biomass conversion to energy products and new materials.

Requires the Natural Resources Research Institute to pursue this work in consultation with the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, Minnesota Forest Industries, and the Minnesota Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Commerce.

Mandates the commissioner submit reports to legislative committees with jurisdiction over economic development by January 15, 2020, 2021, and 2022 on the outcome of grants under this section.

Sets the base amount for this appropriation at $0 in fiscal year 2022 and thereafter.