Frac sand expansion would be halted in Minnesota until March 1, 2014, under a proposed statewide moratorium added to a bill Tuesday that would intensify and unify state regulation of the growing industry.

The amended frac sand bill was passed by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee by an 8-4 vote.

Under the bill, which was sent to the State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee, the moratorium would temporarily halt any permitting of new frac sand facilities, coinciding a comprehensive, statewide environmental impact study of the industry.

Click here for the Star Tribune Hot Dish item on the hearing.