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HF2439 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Environment and natural resources policy and finance bill.

Related bill: SF2077

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to address various environmental and natural resources issues in Minnesota by allocating funds, modifying laws related to fees, enhancing waste management and pollution control, and revising state policy on environmental protection.

Main Provisions

  • Funding Allocations: The bill outlines appropriations for multiple state agencies and programs, including the Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Natural Resources, providing financial support for initiatives over fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This includes the management of water quality, air pollution, waste, and conservation efforts.

  • Fee Adjustments: It revises fees for several state-related services and resources, such as state park permits and watercraft licensing, with increased costs outlined for annual park permits and watercraft surcharge fees.

  • Pollution and Waste Management: Establishes a stewardship program for managing circuit boards, batteries, and electrical products and prohibits mercury in batteries. The bill also addresses the recovery of expenses related to pollutant release and updates reimbursable costs under the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Act.

  • Infrastructure and Climate Adaptation: Modifies funding considerations for water infrastructure projects and provides support for communities to adapt to climate change, including financial assistance for regional parks and trail projects.

  • Regulations and Enforcement: Includes modifications to existing grant programs and prior appropriations, introduces civil penalties, and authorizes rulemaking to enhance environmental protection efforts.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Permit Efficiency: Changes permitting efficiency provisions to streamline processes and support municipalities in meeting water quality standards, including simplifying variance processes and enhancing economic analysis.

  • Watercraft Fees and Surcharges: Updates the watercraft surcharge fees for various types of boats to fund efforts against aquatic invasive species and modifies the requirement for sales tax inclusion in certain fees.

  • Repeals Outdated Statutes: Repeals several existing statutes related to waste management and establishes new provisions under Minnesota Statutes chapter 115A for updated environmental management practices.

Relevant Terms

pollution control, waste management, fee increase, water infrastructure, stewardship program, mercury prohibition, climate adaptation, environmental monitoring, invasive species control, rulemaking authority, environmental justice, remediation fund, state parks, watercraft surcharge.

Bill text versions

Past committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 16, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toEnvironment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
April 20, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer toWays and Means
April 20, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer toWays and Means
HouseFloorActionSee Senate file in House

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New fee tier for motorcycles."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Changes in state park permit fees under section 85.055.",
      "modified": [
        "Increased fees for annual permits and daily vehicle permits."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "85.055",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Distinction between personal and non-personal watercraft for surcharge fees."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modifies the watercraft surcharge fees under section 86B.415.",
      "modified": [
        "Increased fees for various lengths and types of watercraft."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "86B.415",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Changes proposed under section 103G.271.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "103G.271",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Changes in permitting requirements under section 103G.301.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "103G.301",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Addresses meeting requirements under section 116.07.",
      "modified": [
        "Establishes new public informational meeting requirements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116.07",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4m"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarified provisions for implementing air toxics emissions rules."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Addresses air toxics emission requirements under section 116.062.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "116.062",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New guidelines for cumulative impact analysis."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Discusses environmental justice cumulative impact analysis in section 116.065.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "116.065",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Funding for metropolitan-area parks in section 473.351.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "473.351",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Sponsors