EN 
PT_BR 
The (ALMG) Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais has been focusing on the need for actions aimed at developing solar energy, encouraging environmental preservation and promoting research into innovation.
Last week, the three themes were on the agenda of the CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) for discussions on projects considered that are being processed in the House and must still be analyzed by the merit committees before going to the Plenary.
Among them is PL 765/2019, which aims to authorize Cemig (Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais) to allocate part of the PEE (Distribution Companies Energy Efficiency Program) investments to the production of solar energy for pumping artesian wells who belong to civil society organizations.
Initially, state deputy Cristiano Silveira (PT), author of the text, justified the need for the proposal by claiming that many localities in Minas Gerais still suffer from the absence of a public water supply system in homes.
However, the commission's opinion highlighted that measures that authorize another Power or public company to carry out actions that are already within its scope may become harmless and, therefore, presented a replacement for the original document.
As a result, the new text to be analyzed provides for the addition of a single paragraph to article 3 of the State Law 20,849/2013, which establishes a policy to encourage the use of solar energy in the state of Minas Gerais.
The article in question determines that the State develops actions aimed at installing photovoltaic energy systems in communities far from electricity transmission networks.. The substitute also changes the term “artesian well” to “tubular well”.
Green bag
Another project that will be analyzed by Minas Gerais parliamentarians will be the incentive for environmental preservation by rural landowners. The original idea, by state deputy Carlos Pimenta (PDT), envisaged the creation of a bill that would offer “eco credits” to residents, with resources paid for each hectare preserved.
However, the rapporteur of the proposal – deputy Zé Reis (Pode) – stressed that Minas Gerais already has a similar credit, called Bolsa Verde, provided for in State Law 17,727/2008. Thus, he agreed to approve the text in a substitute format.
The new text, therefore, intends to change the State Law 17,727/2008, with the aim of including, among the priority recipients of the Bolsa Verde, rural landowners or squatters, regardless of whether they fit into the conditions of family farmers or rural producers, to reforest new areas using native species.
Research and innovation
In the field of research and innovation, the proposal that awaits consideration is PL 4,792/2017, authored by state deputy Inácio Franco (PV), who aims to add a single paragraph to article 20 of the Law 17,348/2008.
With this change, the text seeks to offer incentives through tax exemptions to companies that financially support research and innovation projects in the State.
Currently, the benefit is only offered to companies that work in research for technological innovation through FIIT (State Fund for Incentive for Technological Innovation).
Before being sent to the Plenary, the matter must be forwarded and analyzed by the Economic Development and Financial and Budgetary Inspection committees of the Legislative Assembly.
