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
Past committee meetings
- Ways and Means on: April 21, 2025 13:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 27, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Received from House | |
| March 19, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Legacy Finance |
| April 27, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Received from House | |
| April 09, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to | Ways and Means |
| April 27, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| April 27, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| April 22, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Committee report, to adopt | |
| April 27, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Rules and Administration |
| April 22, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Committee report, to adopt | |
| April 22, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Second reading | |
| April 28, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders | |
| April 22, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Second reading | |
| April 28, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders | |
| April 23, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day | |
| House | Floor | Action | House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day | ||
| April 28, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Second reading | |
| April 28, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Second reading | |
| April 23, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day | |
| April 29, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Special Order: Amended | |
| April 29, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Special Order: Amended | |
| April 24, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Third reading | |
| April 24, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Third reading | |
| April 24, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Bill was passed | |
| April 29, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Laid on table | |
| April 24, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Bill was passed | |
| April 29, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Laid on table |
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"
}
]