Legislative Conference

Date:	January 24-25, 2023
Time:	Day 1: Jan 24, 2023 8:30 am - 7:00 pm Day 2: Jan 25, 2023 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location:	DoubleTree Hotel, 411 Minnesota Street, St. Paul, MN 55101 Get Directions
This event is now closed for online registration

MMUA’s Legislative Conference is one of the municipal utility community’s primary opportunities to inform and influence state lawmakers. This year’s event is early in the session so we can introduce ourselves to the many new legislators.

On day one of the conference, we will discuss the impact of the 2022 elections and hear from a panel of legislators what their top priorities are as they relate to municipal utilities. MMUA staff and our partners at McGrann Shea Carnival will brief attendees on key issues for our Capitol visits. After lunch, members will visit their legislators’ offices (appointments to be scheduled by members). We will cap off the day with a legislative reception at the DoubleTree, providing MMUA members the opportunity for further conversation with lawmakers.

Day two will feature a half-day of timely and useful conference sessions, leaving your afternoon free for safe travel back home.

Who Should Attend

Public power staff and leaders
Mayors, city council and board members
Others who want to get involved and advocate for public power

Tentative Schedule

Tuesday, January 24

8:30 am Registration
9:15 am Welcome and conference overview, Karleen Koss, MMUA and Roger Warehime, Owatonna Public Utilities
9:30 am  What the 2022 election results mean for the 2023 legislative session and where utilities fit, Aaron Brown
10:30 am  Legislative panel on utility and energy issues, Aaron Brown, Moderator; Senator Nick Frentz, Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee; Senator Andrew Mathews, Minority Lead, Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee; Rep. Patty Acomb, Chair, House Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee; Rep. Chris Swedzinski, Minority Lead, House Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee
11:15 am  MMUA's 2023 legislative agenda—Where we are and where we want to be, Kent Sulem and Bill Black, MMUA and Doug Carnival, McGrann Shea Carnival Straughn & Lamb
Noon  Lunch served
12:30-7:45 pm  Shuttle service to and from the Capitol
1:00-4:30 pm  Meet with legislators *
4:30-7:00 pm  Legislative reception (at hotel's Grand Atrium); Invite your legislators to join us! A shuttle service will be provided for them as well.

*Contact Bill Black at MMUA if you need assistance scheduling your appointments. Email bblack@mmua.org or phone 651.398.2098.

Wednesday, January 25

8:30 am  Feedback from legislative visits
Members share comments from their afternoon on the hill. Identifying supporters of MMUA efforts, as well as reasons why a legislator will not support an MMUA objective or supports an issue of concern to MMUA is particularly helpful.
9:15 am  Update on IIJA/IRA funding, Kellye Rose, Minnesota Dept. of Commerce
10:15 am  How to approach grant writing, Mike Siebenaler, MMUA
11:15 am  Common concerns and joint efforts MMUA and MREA, Keith Butcher, Princeton Public Utilities; Vernell Roberts, Detroit Lakes Public Utilities; Ryan Hentges, Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative; Steve Shurts, East Central Energy (retired); Karleen Kos, MMUA; Darrick Moe, Minnesota Rural Electric Association
12:15 pm  Conference adjourns
12:15 pm MMUA business meeting
12:30 pm Business meeting adjourns

Registration

$325 per person
Fee includes: conference materials, refreshment breaks, Tuesday lunch, reception and bus transportation.

Fee will increase $50 on January 3. Deadline to register is January 13.

Hotel Information

DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul Downtown
411 Minnesota Street, St. Paul, MN 55101

Reservations

Reservations can be made online using our special link. You can also call the hotel directly at 651.291.8800 and ask for MMUA's Legislative Conference room block to get our group rate. MMUA’s standard room rate is $139 per night plus tax for single or double occupancy. Check-in is 3:00 pm. Check-out is 12:00 pm.

Cut-Off Date

Reservations must be received on or before January 7, 2023. Reservation requests received after this date will be accepted on a space and rate availability basis.

Transportation

Bus transportation will be provided for your visits to the Capitol. The bus will take attendees from the hotel to the Capitol starting at 12:30 pm and later back to the hotel.

Spouses/Guests

We do not include meals for spouses/guests at this meeting, but we do encourage them to come along and enjoy area attractions. Contact Rita Kelly if you would like to arrange for an extra meal or to attend the evening reception.

Special Dietary Requests

Special dietary needs can be arranged by emailing Rita Kelly or calling 763.746.0707.

Cancellations/Refunds

Cancellations are subject to a $35 charge per person if received by 4:30 pm on January 10, 2023. No refunds issued after January 10.

Photographs

By registering for this event attendees authorize Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) to photograph them at this event and use such photographs in MMUA marketing materials (both electronic and print). Attendees understand that they will not be paid for giving this consent.