2023 Session Recap

The Minnesota legislature finished its work on time in May 2023, with many positive outcomes for the profession of architecture and Minnesota communities. Most of the original legislative proposals were rolled into omnibus policy bills produced by each committee. 

View a video overview of 2023 session results.

Key proposals signed into law in 2023:

The Labor and Jobs Omnibus bill included several provisions of interest: 

  • The Department of Labor and Industry will have licensing authority over assisted living facilities (page 17).
  • Acceleration of the Commercial Energy Code review window from six years to three years (pages 18-19).
  • Codes related to window washing anchors on buildings with pitched roofs will be updated to comply with national standards (pages 20-21).
  • The Department of Labor and Industry will update the building code to require electric vehicle charging stations at some buildings (page 21).
  • The Department of Labor and Industry will conduct an expedited code review regarding the installation of adult changing facilities in public buildings (pages 21 and 23).
  • The definition of a project for the purpose of determining prevailing wage includes predesign/design (page 85).
  • Refrigerants allowed for use will be determined by the federal listing of allowed refrigerants (page 107).
  • Microunit sacred dwelling communities are authorized, with regulation and established requirements (pages 117-120).
  • An emerging developer revolving loan fund is established (pages 160-164).
  • A capitol area community vitality task force is established (pages 187-188).

The State Government omnibus bill included the following provisions of interest: 

  • The Minnesota Department of Management and Budget received funding to provide additional technical support to applicants for capital investment (page 14).
  • The SB2030 alternative energy allowance is modified to allow for greater use of alternative energy to meet program requirements (pages 63-64).
  • The State Designer Selection Board thresholds are increased, with an automatic inflationary index every five years (pages 65-67, 75).
  • Several changes to procurement for the Department of Administration (pages 71-75).
    An infrastructure resilience advisory task force is established (pages 110-113).
  • A Capitol mall design framework is established (page 114).
  • Rules for Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contracts are clarified. (pages 126-131).

The Energy and Environment omnibus bill included: 

  • A climate innovation authority is established (page 301).
  • A study for improvements to the administration of the SB2030 program is established and funded (page 302).
  • Weather trend information and its integration into design for public buildings (page 309).
  • Buy clean/buy fair provisions adopted (page 312).
  • Sustainable building guidelines are updated (page 318).
  • A statewide program for commercial building energy benchmarking is established (pages 367-376).
  • A rebate program to encourage adoption of residential heat pumps is established (page 404).
  • Statewide greenhouse gas reduction goals are created (page 416).
  • Grants to cities for climate action are established (page 423).

These are highlights of relevant omnibus bills; additional provisions of interest were passed during the 2023 session. If you have questions about any of these provisions, please contact Sheri Hansen for more information.

Governor’s Residence Council Update

Eric J. Hansen, AIA, serves on the Governor’s Residence Council, and provided this update on the preservation and restoration of this important public building in May 2023:

The need to provide a comprehensive restoration of the Residence has been well documented over the years. In 1983, a master plan for building preservation was developed by architecture, landscape architecture and interior design professionals, and that plan was updated in 1995. Then in 2011, a facilities assessment was conducted which outlined building system and infrastructure requirements that needed to be addressed over the next five years. The assessment confirmed that many of the Residence’s infrastructure components and systems were beyond their life expectancy, and that the accessibility, security and sustainability of the building needed to be addressed.

In January 2012, the Department of Administration initiated predesign efforts for the repair, restoration, and preservation of the Residence, and retained the architecture firm, Miller Dunwiddie, to lead the effort. The predesign examined all interior and exterior components of the Residence and provides a template for future design and construction efforts. The most critical work identified in the predesign report was prioritized and, with the limited funding available, the Department of Administration completed a portion of necessary repairs.

Miller Dunwiddie completed an updated predesign in 2020, which found that the backlog of deferred maintenance was growing along with the concern for safety. The predesign document focuses on addressing long standing deficiencies in regular facility condition assessments. In particular, most building infrastructure components and systems are beyond their useful life expectancy and deteriorated to the point of requiring replacement.

A Construction Manager at Risk Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued in December 2022 for construction services including replacement of outdated or inadequate building infrastructure components (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, foundation, and exterior envelope), and an upgrade to security systems. In addition, minor modifications are needed to existing space to improve food service operations, accommodate State sponsored receptions, and to improve livability.

The Governor’s Residence Council reviewed and provided its support for the draft predesign at its November 9, 2022, meeting. The Department of Administration will begin construction in June 2023 with completion anticipated in September 2024.

Architect of Record: Miller Dunwiddie (Minneapolis, MN)

Construction Manager: Donlar Construction (Shoreview, MN)

  • 1983: A master plan for building preservation was developed by architecture, landscape architecture and interior design professionals
  • 1995: The master plan from 1983 was updated
  • 2011: A facilities assessment was conducted which outlined building system and infrastructure requirements that needed to be addressed over the next five years. The assessment confirmed that many of the Residence’s infrastructure components and systems were beyond their life expectancy, and that the accessibility, security and sustainability of the building needed to be addressed.
  • 2012: The Department of Administration initiated predesign efforts for the repair, restoration, and preservation of the Residence, and retained the architecture firm, Miller Dunwiddie, to lead the effort.
  • 2020: Miller Dunwiddie completed an updated predesign which found that the backlog of deferred maintenance was growing along with the concern for safety.
  • November 2022: The Governor’s Residence Council reviewed and provided its support for the draft predesign at its November 9, 2022, meeting
  • December 2022: A Construction Manager at Risk Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued for construction services including replacement of outdated or inadequate building infrastructure components (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, foundation, and exterior envelope), and an upgrade to security systems. In addition, minor modifications are needed to existing space to improve food service operations, accommodate State sponsored receptions, and to improve livability.
  • June/July 2023: The First Family will move out of the Residence and construction will begin.
  • September 2024: Construction is anticipated to be completed and the First Family will move back into the Residence.