This bill appropriates $650,000 from the renewable development account to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute to evaluate the state's geologic hydrogen potential. The funding is designated for fiscal year 2026 and aims to assess various aspects of hydrogen extraction, including the availability of mined hydrogen resources, the feasibility of extraction from underground deposits, potential groundwater management challenges, and cost-effective strategies for storage and transportation of mined hydrogen.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Natural Resources Research Institute submit an interim report to the relevant legislative committees by May 15, 2027, and a final report by May 15, 2028. This evaluation is intended to inform energy policy and finance discussions in the state, ensuring that legislative bodies are equipped with the necessary data regarding the potential of geologic hydrogen as an energy resource.