OOIDA Call to Action - Minnesota Members
March 22, 2007

Attention: Minnesota truckers! A bill in the Minnesota House would establish a grant program for idling reduction technology purchases. Take time now to voice your support of this legislation. The committee handling it has only until Friday, March 30, to vote on it, so your prompt action is needed.

Sponsored by Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, bill - HF1280 - would allow the state to award grants to eligible applicants for up to 50 percent of the purchase and installation costs for one or more qualifying idling reduction devices.

To be eligible, truckers must be headquartered in the state and pay out of their own pockets at least 50 percent of the purchase and installation cost of each idling reduction device covered by the grant. Truckers also must agree to collect and report information relating to the operation and performance of each idling reduction device covered by the grant.

The grant program would be funded with $2 million from the state's general fund during the next two fiscal years. A maximum of 20 percent of the fiscal year appropriation could be awarded to any single company. No more than 25 percent of the fiscal year appropriation could be reserved for companies with 20 or fewer trucks.

HF1280 is in the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Committee. The panel has until March 30 to advance the bill. Please contact members of the committee and let them know you support this legislation prior to the deadline.

You can also call the OOIDA Membership Department at 1-800-444-5791 and they will look up the information for you.