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HF2708 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Southeast regional groundwater protection and soil health initiative funding provided, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF3046

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to improve groundwater protection and enhance soil health in Southeast Minnesota. It aims to address issues such as nutrient leaching and soil erosion through a regional initiative.

Main Provisions

  • Funding Allocation: The bill proposes an appropriation of funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
  • Grant Distribution: These funds are earmarked for distribution to soil and water conservation districts in specific counties: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.
  • Project Focus: The initiative aims to reduce leaching of excess crop nutrients into groundwater, immobilize unused nitrogen from the rooting zone, and reduce erosion.

Significant Changes

  • Use of Grants: The bill allows the grants to be used for subgrants to projects conforming to the Olmsted County groundwater protection and soil health initiative. This includes programs such as:
    • Cover crop programs
    • Alternative crops programs
    • Haying, grazing, and pasture enhancement programs

Relevant Terms

groundwater protection, soil health, nutrient leaching, soil erosion, conservation districts, cover crop, alternative crops, haying, grazing, pasture enhancement, nitrogen immobilization

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toAgriculture Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows soil and water conservation districts to make subgrants under the new initiative."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill makes exceptions to the existing groundwater protection statute in Minnesota Statutes section 103F.06.",
      "modified": [
        "Expands use of grants for specific programs such as cover crops and alternative crops."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "103F.06",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Sponsors