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Minnesota2026Passed Legislature

HF3802

Changes to Exemptions from Certificate of Need Rules

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:39 AM

In one sentence

This bill updates the list of energy projects in Minnesota that do not need a certificate of need approval.

What it does

  • Adds an exemption for upgrading electric lines under 100 kilovolts to high-voltage lines if at least 80 percent of the line uses existing paths.
  • Clarifies rules for moving transmission lines to new locations without increasing their voltage capacity.
  • Confirms that wind and solar projects, energy storage systems, specific fuel changes, and efficiency upgrades do not need approval under certain conditions.
  • Sets a rule that these changes apply only to projects starting after the law is officially enacted.

Who it affects

  • Independent power producers building large wind or solar facilities
  • Companies upgrading existing electric lines or transmission infrastructure
  • Entities operating energy storage systems in Minnesota

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not state a specific calendar date for effectiveness, only that it starts the day after final enactment.
  • Exemptions apply only to projects where upgrading or rebuilding begins on or after the effective date.

Plain language

Terms to know

Certificate of Need
A government approval required before building certain large energy facilities.
Repowering project
Modifying or replacing parts of a wind or solar system to improve efficiency, replace turbines without increasing capacity, or increase the nameplate capacity.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

Exemptions to the certificate of need requirement amended.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Presented to Governor 04/20/2026House
  2. Presentment date 04/20/26Senate
  3. Returned from SenateHouse
  4. Special OrderSenate
  5. Author added AllenHouse
  6. Comm report: Subst. for SF on General Orders SF3760Senate
  7. Received from HouseSenate
  8. Third readingHouse
  9. House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Monday, March 23, 2026House
  10. Committee report, to adopt as amendedHouse
  11. Author added KraftHouse
  12. Author added SextonHouse
  13. Introduction and first reading, referred to Energy Finance and PolicyHouse