HF2563

HF2563 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Legacy finance bill.

Related bill: SF2865

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill allocates funds from Minnesota's Outdoor Heritage, Clean Water, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage funds. It aims to preserve and enhance the state's natural resources, including prairies, forests, wetlands, and habitats, by extending existing appropriations and leveraging federal grants.

Main Provisions

Appropriations for Conservation and Restoration: The bill details the amounts allocated to various conservation projects throughout Minnesota. It includes funding for prairie, forest, wetland, and habitat restoration projects, often in cooperation with local conservation groups.
Acquisition of Lands and Easements: Funds are allocated for acquiring lands and conservation easements to ensure permanent habitat protection and restore crucial ecosystems.
Monitoring and Reporting: The allocations include setting up funds for monitoring and enforcing conservation easements. Detailed accomplishment plans are required to ensure accountability and proper use of funds.
Federal Grant Leveraging: Projects receiving federal funding may receive extended fund availability to match the longevity of their federal grants.
Administrative Support: Funding is also provided for contract management, legislative coordination, and technical evaluations of restoration and enhancement projects.
Public Use: Enhancements made to acquired lands must consider public access and use while ensuring minimal habitat impact.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amendments to Statutes and Laws: The bill amends several Minnesota Statutes to incorporate new subdivisions and extend the availability of funds for certain projects.
Extended Availability for Previous Appropriations: Some projects' funding timelines are extended, allowing continued work and utilization of available funds.
Cancellation of Unused Funds: Specific past appropriations that have unused funds are canceled, redirecting resources for more immediate use.

Relevant Terms

Outdoor Heritage Fund
Conservation Easements
Habitat Restoration
Federal Grant Leveraging
Accountability Provisions
Wildlife Management Areas
Monitoring and Enforcement

Bill text versions

1st Engrossment PDF file
Introduction PDF file
1st Unofficial Engrossment PDF file
CCR-HF2563 PDF file
2nd Engrossment PDF file

Past committee meetings

Ways and Means on: April 21, 2025 13:00

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
April 28, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Received from House
April 28, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
April 28, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Rules and Administration
April 28, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Rules and Administration
April 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders
April 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders
April 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Second reading
April 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Second reading
April 30, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Special Order: Amended
April 30, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Special Order: Amended
April 30, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Laid on table
April 30, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Laid on table
May 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Returned from Senate with amendment
May 12, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Taken from table
May 12, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Special Order: Amended
May 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	House refuses to concur, conference committee of 4 requested
May 12, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Third reading Passed as amended
May 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	House conferees
May 13, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	House not concur, conference committee requested
May 13, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	House conferees
May 13, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Senate accedes, CC of 5 be appointed
May 13, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Senate conferees
May 14, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Senate accedes, conference committee of 5 be appointed
May 14, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Senate conferees
May 18, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Conference committee report, delete everything
May 18, 2025	House	Floor	Action	House adopted conference committee report
May 18, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	House adopted HCC report and repassed bill
May 18, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Third reading as amended by Conference
May 18, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Bill was repassed as amended by Conference
May 18, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Conference committee report, delete everything
May 18, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Third Reading Repassed
May 19, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Senate adopted conference committee report, bill repassed
	House	Floor	Action	House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
	House	Floor	Action	Presented to Governor
	Senate	Note	Action	Presentment date
	Senate	Note	Action	Governor's action Approval
	House	Note	Action	Governor approval
	House	Floor	Action	Secretary of State, Filed
	Senate	Note	Action	Secretary of State
	Senate	Note	Action	Effective date
	House	Note	Action	Chapter number

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Regulations for monitoring and enforcement funds."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Some capital equipment expenditure conditions."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies accountability provisions related to outdoor heritage fund appropriations under Minnesota Statutes 97A.056.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifications on payment conditions and capital equipment expenditures."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.056",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Agreements with Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and The Nature Conservancy."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This act provides for the acquisition of land for wildlife management area purposes under section 86A.05, subdivision 8.",
      "modified": [
        "Prioritization criteria for land acquisition."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "86A.05",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Establishment of a monitoring and enforcement fund."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "RIM Buffers program under section 103F.515 is addressed to protect, restore, and enhance habitat by expanding the riparian buffer program.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies uses of appropriations for easements and restoration projects."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "103F.515",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Applicability of section 16A.281 to appropriations is described in relation to the Legislative Coordinating Commission.",
      "modified": [
        "Duration and application of appropriations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "16A.281",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Funding for up to 20 restoration and enhancement evaluations."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Establishment and purpose of a technical evaluation panel for evaluation under section 97A.056, subdivision 10.",
      "modified": [
        "Extends availability of funds until June 30, 2027."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.056",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 10"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement for projects on public lands to be prioritized."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References Minnesota Statutes 103G.005, subdivision 15, with regard to defining public waters.",
      "modified": [
        "Protection definitions and criteria under public use of land."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "103G.005",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 15"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Grant program notifications."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Notice requirement of the grant program in the summary of game and fish laws mandated under section 97A.051, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Update of content format based on legislative changes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.051",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

Enacted