AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The primary aim of the bill is to allocate funds from the Outdoor Heritage Fund and related environmental initiatives in Minnesota to support various conservation, restoration, and enhancement projects over the fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Main Provisions
Appropriations: The bill outlines specific financial allocations for numerous conservation and restoration projects targeting prairies, forests, wetlands, and other habitats across Minnesota during the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.
Project Funding: Detailed funding is provided for specific initiatives like land acquisition, habitat restoration, and enhancement programs. Various organizations and state departments, such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and non-profits like Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever, are designated to receive funds for the implementation of these projects.
Project Examples:
- Martin County land acquisition for wildlife habitat.
- Minnesota Prairie Recovery Program in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy.
- Various forest recovery and conservation efforts, including permanent conservation easements in several Minnesota counties.
- Shallow lake and wetland restoration and protection.
Use of Funds: The funds are mainly for acquiring land, restoring and enhancing habitats, establishing conservation easements, and supporting threatened ecosystems.
Monitoring and Reporting: The bill mandates detailed reporting and monitoring for projects, requiring recipients of funds to submit final reports and lists of permanent conservation easements or acquisitions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
Extension of Appropriations: The bill amends and extends previous funding appropriations and projects from 2020 and 2023, allowing funds to be available for extended periods to ensure completion of long-term projects.
Reporting Requirements: Updates are made to the reporting requirements for projects, ensuring a more structured and accountable process for the allocation of appropriations.
Relevant Terms
- Outdoor Heritage Fund
- Conservation easements
- Habitat restoration
- Wetlands
- Forest recovery
- Land acquisition
- Prairie conservation
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Ducks Unlimited
- Pheasants Forever
- Monitoring and enforcement fund
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 19, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 19, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Environment, Climate, and Legacy |
| March 31, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to | Finance |
| April 08, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Authors added | |
| April 21, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Comm report: To pass as amended | |
| April 21, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Comm report: To pass as amended | |
| April 21, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Second reading | |
| April 21, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Second reading | |
| April 24, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Rules and Administration |
| Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Rules and Administration | |
| April 28, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders | |
| April 28, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"A clause further defining the use of funds for conservation easements."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends statute 97A.056 subdivision 17 to manage aspects related to monitoring and enforcement funds.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "97A.056",
"subdivision": "subdivision 17"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Details on new priorities for land acquisitions involving specific conservation projects."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The legislation refers to section 86A.05 subdivision 8 regarding wildlife management area purposes.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "86A.05",
"subdivision": "subdivision 8"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New guidelines for land prioritized as eligible for the native prairie bank."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill makes reference to the native prairie bank provisions in section 84.96.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "84.96",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Instructions on establishing long-term conservation easements."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill references sections 103F.501 to 103F.531 related to conservation easements.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "103F.501 to 103F.531",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"The expansion of the riparian buffer program under the clean water fund."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The legislation cites section 103F.515 concerning the management of riparian buffer programs.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "103F.515",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Funds allocated for legacy website purposes."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Web management and public data accessibility under Minnesota Statutes section 3.303 subdivision 10.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "3.303",
"subdivision": "subdivision 10"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarifications on how funds are to be managed within the legislative process."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Application of financial management principles per section 16A.281.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "16A.281",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Mandated notice for grant programs regarding habitat conservation."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill requires notification in the summary of game and fish law as per section 97A.051 subdivision 2.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "97A.051",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
}
]