Purpose of the Bill

The bill is intended to support a new initiative focused on groundwater protection and soil health in southeast Minnesota. It seeks to provide financial resources to help reduce nutrient leaching into groundwater, immobilize unused nitrogen, and decrease soil erosion.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocation: The bill proposes appropriating funds from the state's general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The money will be given as grants to soil and water conservation districts in specific counties in southeast Minnesota, including Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.

• Project Focus: The grants can be used for projects under the Olmsted County groundwater protection and soil health initiative. This includes programs for cover cropping, alternative crops, and the enhancement of haying, grazing, and pasture.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill allows soil and water conservation districts to use the grants for subgrants, which may be a deviation from existing legal stipulations under Minnesota Statutes section 103F.06. This change facilitates more flexible use of funds within the guidelines of the initiative.

Relevant Terms

• Groundwater protection
• Soil health initiative
• Nutrient leaching
• Nitrogen immobilization
• Soil erosion
• Cover crop program
• Alternative crops program
• Haying, grazing, and pasture enhancement program