Proposal: Land bought with legacy funds would have to be open for fishing, hunting

The Minnesota Constitution requires land acquired with money from the Legacy Fund to be open for the public to fish and hunt.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont) aims to make sure that doesn’t change. HF4167 would require land acquisitions done using the Outdoor Heritage Fund comply with the constitution.

That would mean the purchase would have to benefit all Minnesotans and it would have to be open to the public for fishing and hunting. If the right to fish and hunt is impaired or restricted, the ownership of the land would be transferred to the state, the bill says.

The House Legacy Funding Finance Committee laid the bill over Monday for possible omnibus bill inclusion. Its companion, SF3403, sponsored by Sen. Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point), is awaiting action by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee.

Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-Mpls) asked if there were problems in the past that led to this bill. There wasn’t a clear answer, but Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-North St. Paul) said he believes the intent of the bill is to make sure future land that’s purchased with the fund remains open for the public to fish and hunt.

Minnesota voters in 2008 passed the Legacy Amendment, which increases the state sales tax by three-eighths of 1 percent through 2034. The tax revenue is distributed into four funds, including 33 percent going to the Outdoor Heritage Fund.

Since 2010, the Outdoor Heritage Fund has appropriated more than $741 million for projects that protect and enhance wetlands, prairies, forest and habitat for fish, hunting and wildlife.