SF770

SF770 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriation and certain land leveraging for federal grant funds authorization provision

Related bill: HF1250

AI Generated Summary

Senate Bill SF No. 770 proposes to allocate funds from Minnesota's Outdoor Heritage Fund for various environmental projects focusing on natural resources conservation during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill intends to support the acquisition, restoration, and enhancement of wildlife habitats, prairies, forests, wetlands, and other natural areas across Minnesota. It specifies how the appropriated funds should be distributed among different projects and organizational partners like the Department of Natural Resources, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and The Nature Conservancy. Additionally, it outlines certain terms for the management, evaluation, and reporting of funded projects to ensure effectiveness and transparency. The bill also addresses leveraging these funds to attract federal grants, enhancing the overall impact and reach of the conservation efforts. By doing so, the bill aims to preserve and improve Minnesota's natural landscapes and biodiversity.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
January 29, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 29, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Referred to	Environment, Climate, and Legacy
January 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Subd. 2 and 3 provide for leveraging land for federal grant funds."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Subdivision 17, paragraph b does not apply to certain projects."
      ],
      "summary": "Amends various sections concerning project funding, implementation, and management for outdoor heritage projects, including monitoring and enforcement fund appropriations under section 97A.056.",
      "modified": [
        "Modification emphasizes priority to lands eligible for native prairie bank under section 84.96."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.056",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 17"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Up to $400,000 allocated to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Subdivision 8, paragraph b does not apply to certain projects."
      ],
      "summary": "Modified enforcement plans related to forest conservation easements under subdivision 13 of section 97A.056.",
      "modified": [
        "Ensures compliance with conservation easement acquisition."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.056",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 13"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Projects for wildlife management area purposes."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Allows various agencies to acquire land and manage it for public and conservation purposes under section 86A.05, subdivision 8.",
      "modified": [
        "Criteria to prioritize acquisitions of protected lands."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "86A.05",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Established a monitoring and enforcement fund."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Appropriation for permanent conservation easements and restoration under section 103F.515.",
      "modified": [
        "Enhancement projects focus on habitat protection."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "103F.515",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Ensures funds carry forward under certain conditions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Applies to appropriation availability under section 16A.281.",
      "modified": [
        "Extends the availability of appropriations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "16A.281",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Increased outreach and support for first-time applicants."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Informs about the grant program in the summary of game and fish law under section 97A.051, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Sets priorities for grant coverage and regional allocation."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.051",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Emphasizes public lands and restoration projects."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines public waters within the appropriations under section 103G.005, subdivision 15.",
      "modified": [
        "Guides land use and habitat restoration projects."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "103G.005",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 15"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Fund allocation for ensuring public access to legislation and project mappings."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Appropriation for Legacy Website related duties under section 330.3, subdivision 10.",
      "modified": [
        "Maintains transparency in conservation efforts."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "330.3",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 10"
  }
]