Journal of the House - 45th Day - Tuesday, April 4, 2023 - Top of Page 2925

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

 

 

NINETY-THIRD SESSION - 2023

 

_____________________

 

FORTY-FIFTH DAY

 

Saint Paul, Minnesota, Tuesday, April 4, 2023

 

 

      The House of Representatives convened at 10:10 a.m. and was called to order by Dan Wolgamott, Speaker pro tempore.

 

      Prayer was offered by Bhai Sahib Gurdial Singh and Randeep Singh Arora, Sikh Society of Minnesota, Bloomington, Minnesota.

 

      The members of the House gave the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

 

      The roll was called and the following members were present:

 


Acomb

Agbaje

Altendorf

Anderson, P. E.

Anderson, P. H.

Backer

Bahner

Bakeberg

Baker

Becker-Finn

Berg

Bierman

Bliss

Brand

Carroll

Cha

Clardy

Coulter

Curran

Daniels

Daudt

Davids

Demuth

Dotseth

Elkins

Engen

Feist

Finke

Fischer

Franson

Frederick

Freiberg

Gillman

Gomez

Greenman

Hansen, R.

Hanson, J.

Harder

Hassan

Heintzeman

Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Her

Hicks

Hill

Hollins

Hornstein

Howard

Huot

Hussein

Igo

Jacob

Johnson

Jordan

Keeler

Klevorn

Knudsen

Koegel

Kotyza-Witthuhn

Kozlowski

Kraft

Kresha

Lee, F.

Lee, K.

Liebling

Lillie

Lislegard

Long

McDonald

Moller

Mueller

Murphy

Myers

Nadeau

Nash

Nelson, M.

Nelson, N.

Neu Brindley

Newton

Niska

Noor

Norris

Novotny

Olson, B.

Olson, L.

Pelowski

Pérez-Vega

Perryman

Petersburg

Pfarr

Pinto

Pryor

Pursell

Quam

Rehm

Reyer

Robbins

Schomacker

Schultz

Skraba

Smith

Stephenson

Swedzinski

Tabke

Torkelson

Vang

Wiens

Witte

Wolgamott

Xiong

Youakim

Zeleznikar

Spk. Hortman


 

      A quorum was present.

 

      Bennett, Burkel, Davis, Edelson, Fogelman, Frazier, Garofalo, Grossell, Hudella, Hudson, Joy, Kiel, Koznick, Mekeland, O'Driscoll, O'Neill, Richardson, Scott, Sencer-Mura, Urdahl, West and Wiener were excused. 

 

      The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding day.  There being no objection, further reading of the Journal was dispensed with and the Journal was approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk.


Journal of the House - 45th Day - Tuesday, April 4, 2023 - Top of Page 2926

REPORTS OF CHIEF CLERK

 

      S. F. No. 1213 and H. F. No. 1161, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be not identical.

 

      Wolgamott moved that S. F. No. 1213 be substituted for H. F. No. 1161 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

 

 

Olson, L., from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3, A bill for an act relating to elections; modifying provisions related to voter registration; absentee voting; requiring voting instructions and sample ballots to be multilingual and interpreters to be provided in certain situations; regulating intimidation, deceptive practices, and interference with voter registration and voting; campaign finance; expanding the definition of express advocacy; providing penalties; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 10A.01, subdivision 16a; 10A.27, subdivision 11; 13.607, by adding a subdivision; 171.06, subdivision 3; 201.054, subdivisions 1, 2; 201.061, by adding a subdivision; 201.071, subdivision 1, as amended; 201.091, subdivision 4; 201.161; 201.162; 203B.04, subdivisions 1, 5; 203B.06, subdivisions 1, 3; 203B.12, by adding subdivisions; 203B.121, subdivision 2; 211B.15, subdivisions 1, 7b, by adding subdivisions; 211B.32, subdivision 1; Laws 2023, chapter 12, section 9; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 204B; 211B.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, delete section 2 and insert:

 

"Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 171.06, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 2023, chapter 13, article 1, section 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Contents of application; other information.  (a) An application must:

 

(1) state the full name, date of birth, sex, and either (i) the residence address of the applicant, or (ii) designated address under section 5B.05;

 

(2) as may be required by the commissioner, contain a description of the applicant and any other facts pertaining to the applicant, the applicant's driving privileges, and the applicant's ability to operate a motor vehicle with safety;

 

(3) state:

 

(i) the applicant's Social Security number; or

 

(ii) if the applicant does not have a Social Security number and is applying for a Minnesota identification card, instruction permit, or class D provisional or driver's license, that the applicant elects not to specify a Social Security number;

 

(4) contain a notification to the applicant of the availability of a living will/health care directive designation on the license under section 171.07, subdivision 7; and


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(5) include a method for the applicant to:

 

(i) request a veteran designation on the license under section 171.07, subdivision 15, and the driving record under section 171.12, subdivision 5a;

 

(ii) indicate a desire to make an anatomical gift under subdivision 3b, paragraph (e);

 

(iii) as applicable, designate document retention as provided under section 171.12, subdivision 3c; and

 

(iv) indicate emergency contacts as provided under section 171.12, subdivision 5b; and

 

(6) meet the requirements under section 201.161, subdivision 3.

 

(b) Applications must be accompanied by satisfactory evidence demonstrating:

 

(1) identity, date of birth, and any legal name change if applicable; and

 

(2) for driver's licenses and Minnesota identification cards that meet all requirements of the REAL ID Act:

 

(i) principal residence address in Minnesota, including application for a change of address, unless the applicant provides a designated address under section 5B.05;

 

(ii) Social Security number, or related documentation as applicable; and

 

(iii) lawful status, as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 6, section 37.3.

 

(c) An application for an enhanced driver's license or enhanced identification card must be accompanied by:

 

(1) satisfactory evidence demonstrating the applicant's full legal name and United States citizenship; and

 

(2) a photographic identity document.

 

(d) A valid Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons identification card containing the applicant's full name, date of birth, and photograph issued to the applicant is an acceptable form of proof of identity in an application for an identification card, instruction permit, or driver's license as a secondary document for purposes of Minnesota Rules, part 7410.0400, and successor rules.

 

(e) An application form must not provide for identification of (1) the accompanying documents used by an applicant to demonstrate identity, or (2) except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), the applicant's citizenship, immigration status, or lawful presence in the United States.  The commissioner and a driver's license agent must not inquire about an applicant's citizenship, immigration status, or lawful presence in the United States, except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 1, 2023."

 

Page 10, line 26, after "given" insert ", contingent on appropriations being available for this purpose"

 

Page 12, line 10, delete "For"

 

Page 12, line 11, delete "purposes of this section,"


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Page 12, line 15, delete "statute" and insert "chapter"

 

Page 20, line 15, delete "format" and insert "formats"

 

Page 20, line 22, delete "A"

 

Page 20, line 23, delete "district must" and insert "districts will"

 

Page 20, line 26, delete "designated interpreters" and insert "interpreter required"

 

Page 20, line 27, delete "of the population"

 

Page 21, line 5, delete "certified by the American Translators Association"

 

Page 21, line 32, delete "may" and insert "must demonstrate"

 

Page 21, line 33, delete "show"

 

Page 22, line 2, delete everything after the period

 

Page 22, delete lines 3 to 4

 

Page 22, delete lines 9 to 14

 

Page 22, line 15, delete "(c)" and insert "(b)"

 

Page 23, line 8, delete "a" and insert "any"

 

Page 23, line 16, delete "the day following final enactment" and insert "June 15, 2023,"

 

Page 24, line 26, delete "July 1, 2023" and insert "January 1, 2024"

 

Page 25, after line 19, insert:

 

"The calculation of a person's or entity's ownership interest for purposes of clauses (1) and (2) must exclude any portion of the person's or entity's direct or indirect beneficial ownership of equity, outstanding voting shares, membership units, or otherwise applicable ownership interests of a corporation that are held or owned in a mutual fund based in the United States."

 

Page 26, lines 5 and 21, delete "July 1, 2023" and insert "January 1, 2024"

 

Page 26, line 19, after "person" insert "or entity" and after "contribution" insert "or donation"

 

Page 27, lines 9 and 18, delete "July 1, 2023" and insert "January 1, 2024"

 

Page 27, after line 19, insert:

 

"ARTICLE 4

APPROPRIATIONS

 

Section 1.  APPROPRIATIONS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Attorney general.  $100,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $100,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general fund to the attorney general for enforcement of Minnesota Statutes, section 211B.075.


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Subd. 2.  Secretary of state.  $709,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $152,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general fund to the secretary of state for implementation of the requirements of this act.  The base for this appropriation is $470,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $152,000 in fiscal year 2027.

 

Subd. 3.  Department of Public Safety.  $45,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the vehicle services operating account under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.705, to the commissioner of public safety for implementation of Minnesota Statutes, section 201.161.

 

Subd. 4.  Appropriations given effect once.  If an appropriation in this section is enacted more than once during the 2023 regular legislative session, the appropriation must be given effect only once."

 

Renumber the sections in sequence

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be placed on the General Register.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Gomez from the Committee on Taxes to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 100, A bill for an act relating to cannabis; establishing the Office of Cannabis Management; establishing advisory councils; requiring reports relating to cannabis use and sales; legalizing and limiting the possession and use of cannabis and certain hemp products by adults; providing for the licensing, inspection, and regulation of cannabis businesses and hemp businesses; requiring testing of cannabis flower, cannabis products, and certain hemp products; requiring labeling of cannabis flower, cannabis products, and certain hemp products; limiting the advertisement of cannabis flower, cannabis products, and cannabis businesses, and hemp businesses; providing for the cultivation of cannabis in private residences; transferring regulatory authority for the medical cannabis program; taxing the sale of adult-use cannabis flower, cannabis products, and certain hemp products; establishing grant and loan programs; clarifying the prohibition on operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of certain products and chemicals; amending criminal penalties; establishing expungement procedures for certain individuals; requiring reports on expungements; providing for expungement of certain evictions; clarifying the rights of landlords and tenants regarding use of certain forms of cannabis; establishing labor standards for the use of cannabis flower, cannabis products, and certain hemp products by employees and testing of employees; providing for the temporary regulation of certain edible cannabinoid products; providing for professional licensing protections; providing for local registration of certain cannabis businesses and hemp businesses operating retail establishments; amending the scheduling of marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols; classifying data; making miscellaneous cannabis‑related changes and additions; making clarifying and technical changes; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 13.411, by adding a subdivision; 13.871, by adding a subdivision; 34A.01, subdivision 4; 144.99, subdivision 1; 144A.4791, subdivision 14; 151.72; 152.01, by adding subdivisions; 152.02, subdivisions 2, 4; 152.021, subdivisions 1, 2; 152.022, subdivisions 1, 2; 152.023, subdivisions 1, 2; 152.024, subdivision 1; 152.025, subdivisions 1, 2; 152.11, subdivision 2; 169A.03, by adding subdivisions; 169A.20, subdivision 1; 169A.51, subdivisions 1, 4; 169A.72; 175.45, subdivision 1; 181.938, subdivision 2; 181.950, subdivisions 2, 4, 5, 8, 13, by adding a subdivision; 181.951, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, by adding subdivisions; 181.952, by adding a subdivision; 181.953; 181.954; 181.955; 181.957, subdivision 1; 244.05, subdivision 2; 245C.08, subdivision 1; 256.01, subdivision 18c; 256B.0625, subdivision 13d; 256D.024, subdivisions 1, 3; 256J.26, subdivisions 1, 3; 273.13, subdivision 24; 275.025, subdivision 2; 290.0132, subdivision 29; 290.0134, subdivision 19; 297A.61, subdivision 3; 297A.67, subdivisions 2, 7; 297A.70, subdivisions 2, 18; 297A.99, by adding a subdivision; 297D.01; 297D.04; 297D.06; 297D.07; 297D.08; 297D.085; 297D.09, subdivision 1a; 297D.10; 297D.11; 340A.412, subdivision 14; 484.014, subdivision 3; 504B.171, subdivision 1; 609.2112, subdivision 1; 609.2113, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 609.2114, subdivisions 1, 2; 609.5311, subdivision 1; 609.5314, subdivision 1; 609.5316, subdivision 2; 609A.01; 609A.03, subdivisions 5, 9; 609B.425, subdivision 2; 609B.435, subdivision 2; 624.712, by adding subdivisions; 624.713, subdivision 1; 624.714, subdivision 6; 624.7142, subdivision 1; 624.7151; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 3; 116J; 116L; 120B; 144; 152; 169A; 289A; 295; 340A; 504B; 609A; 624; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 151.72; 152.027, subdivisions 3, 4; 152.21; 152.22, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14; 152.23; 152.24; 152.25, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 3, 4; 152.26; 152.261; 152.27, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; 152.28, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 152.29, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3a, 4; 152.30; 152.31; 152.32, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 152.33, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 152.34; 152.35; 152.36, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5; 152.37.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 38, after line 25, insert:

 

"(i) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the state shall not issue a license to any cannabis business to operate in the Indian Country, as defined in United States Code, title 25, section 1151, of a Minnesota Tribal government without the consent of the Tribal government."

 

Page 143, delete article 2 and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 2

TAXES

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 270B.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4a.  Office of Cannabis Management.  The commissioner may disclose return information to the Office of Cannabis Management for the purpose of and to the extent necessary to administer section 270C.726.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 2.  [270C.726] POSTING OF TAX DELINQUENCY; SALE OF CANNABIS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Posting; notice.  (a) Pursuant to the authority to disclose under section 270B.12, subdivision 4a, the commissioner shall, by the 15th of each month, submit to the Office of Cannabis Management a list of all taxpayers subject to the tax imposed by section 295.81 that are required to pay, withhold, or collect the tax imposed by section 290.02, 290.0922, 290.92, 290.9727, 290.9728, 290.9729, 295.81, or 297A.62; a local sales and use tax payable to the commissioner; or a local sales and use tax administered and collected by the commissioner, and that are ten days or more delinquent in either filing a tax return or paying the tax.

 

(b) The commissioner is under no obligation to list a taxpayer whose business is inactive.  At least ten days before notifying the Office of Cannabis Management, the commissioner shall notify the taxpayer of the intended action.

 

(c) The Office of Cannabis Management shall post the list required by this section on the Office of Cannabis Management website.  The list must prominently show the date of posting.  If a previously listed taxpayer files all returns and pays all taxes specified in this subdivision then due, the commissioner shall notify the Office of Cannabis Management within two business days.


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Subd. 2.  Sales prohibited.  Beginning the third business day after the list is posted, no cannabis cultivator, cannabis manufacturer, cannabis microbusiness, cannabis mezzobusiness, cannabis wholesaler, or industrial hemp grower as defined in chapter 342 may sell or deliver any product to a taxpayer included on the posted list.

 

Subd. 3.  Penalty.  A cannabis cultivator, cannabis manufacturer, cannabis microbusiness, cannabis mezzobusiness, cannabis wholesaler, or industrial hemp grower who violates subdivision 2 of this section is subject to the penalties provided in sections 342.19 and 342.21.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 273.13, subdivision 24, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 24.  Class 3.  Commercial and industrial property and utility real and personal property is class 3a.

 

(1) Except as otherwise provided, each parcel of commercial, industrial, or utility real property has a classification rate of 1.5 percent of the first tier of market value, and 2.0 percent of the remaining market value.  In the case of contiguous parcels of property owned by the same person or entity, only the value equal to the first-tier value of the contiguous parcels qualifies for the reduced classification rate, except that contiguous parcels owned by the same person or entity shall be eligible for the first-tier value classification rate on each separate business operated by the owner of the property, provided the business is housed in a separate structure.  For the purposes of this subdivision, the first tier means the first $150,000 of market value.  Real property owned in fee by a utility for transmission line right-of-way shall be classified at the classification rate for the higher tier.

 

For purposes of this subdivision, parcels are considered to be contiguous even if they are separated from each other by a road, street, waterway, or other similar intervening type of property.  Connections between parcels that consist of power lines or pipelines do not cause the parcels to be contiguous.  Property owners who have contiguous parcels of property that constitute separate businesses that may qualify for the first-tier classification rate shall notify the assessor by July 1, for treatment beginning in the following taxes payable year.

 

(2) All personal property that is:  (i) part of an electric generation, transmission, or distribution system; or (ii) part of a pipeline system transporting or distributing water, gas, crude oil, or petroleum products; and (iii) not described in clause (3), and all railroad operating property has a classification rate as provided under clause (1) for the first tier of market value and the remaining market value.  In the case of multiple parcels in one county that are owned by one person or entity, only one first tier amount is eligible for the reduced rate.

 

(3) The entire market value of personal property that is:  (i) tools, implements, and machinery of an electric generation, transmission, or distribution system; (ii) tools, implements, and machinery of a pipeline system transporting or distributing water, gas, crude oil, or petroleum products; or (iii) the mains and pipes used in the distribution of steam or hot or chilled water for heating or cooling buildings, has a classification rate as provided under clause (1) for the remaining market value in excess of the first tier.

 

(4) Real property used for raising, cultivating, processing, or storing cannabis plants, cannabis flower, or cannabis products for sale has a classification rate as provided under clause (1) for the first tier of market value and the remaining market value.  As used in this paragraph, "cannabis plant" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 18, "cannabis flower" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 15, and "cannabis product" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 19.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective beginning with assessment year 2024 and thereafter.


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Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 275.025, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Commercial-industrial tax capacity.  For the purposes of this section, "commercial-industrial tax capacity" means the tax capacity of all taxable property classified as class 3 or class 5(1) under section 273.13, excluding:

 

(1) the tax capacity attributable to the first $150,000 of market value of each parcel of commercial-industrial property as defined under section 273.13, subdivision 24, clauses (1) and, (2), and (4);

 

(2) electric generation attached machinery under class 3; and

 

(3) property described in section 473.625.

 

County commercial-industrial tax capacity amounts are not adjusted for the captured net tax capacity of a tax increment financing district under section 469.177, subdivision 2, the net tax capacity of transmission lines deducted from a local government's total net tax capacity under section 273.425, or fiscal disparities contribution and distribution net tax capacities under chapter 276A or 473F.  For purposes of this subdivision, the procedures for determining eligibility for tier 1 under section 273.13, subdivision 24, clauses (1) and (2), shall apply in determining the portion of a property eligible to be considered within the first $150,000 of market value.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective beginning with assessment year 2024 and thereafter.

 

Sec. 5.  [289A.33] FILING REQUIREMENTS AND DUE DATES; SPECIAL RULES.

 

(a) Upon the request of any cannabis business as defined by section 342.01, subdivision 13, required to collect and remit taxes imposed under section 295.81, chapter 290, or chapter 297A, the commissioner shall waive the requirement that payment of tax must be made electronically if the failure to pay electronically is because the cannabis business is unable to secure banking services and the inability to secure the services is due to its engagement in cannabis-related business allowed under Minnesota law.

 

(b) If, in consultation with the commissioner of commerce, the commissioner determines the inability to find banking services is widespread and enforcement of the electronic payment requirement will significantly impede the ability of cannabis businesses to timely pay taxes imposed under section 295.81, chapter 290, or chapter 297A, the commissioner may publish notice on the department website that waives the requirement to pay the tax electronically.  If such notice is published, a cannabis business must file returns and pay taxes lawfully due in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.

 

(c) Nothing in this subdivision relieves a cannabis business from timely filing and paying taxes.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 290.0132, subdivision 29, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 29.  Disallowed section 280E expenses; medical cannabis manufacturers licensees.  The amount of expenses of a medical cannabis manufacturer business, as defined under section 152.22, subdivision 7 342.01, subdivision 51, related to the business of medical cannabis under sections 152.21 to 152.37 342.47 to 342.60, or a license holder under chapter 342 related to the business of nonmedical cannabis under that chapter, and not allowed for federal income tax purposes under section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code is a subtraction.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022.


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Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 290.0134, subdivision 19, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 19.  Disallowed section 280E expenses; medical cannabis manufacturers licensees.  The amount of expenses of a medical cannabis manufacturer business, as defined under section 152.22, subdivision 7 342.01, subdivision 51, related to the business of medical cannabis under sections 152.21 to 152.37 342.47 to 342.60, or a license holder under chapter 342 related to the business of nonmedical cannabis under that chapter, and not allowed for federal income tax purposes under section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code is a subtraction.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022.

 

Sec. 8.  [295.81] CANNABIS GROSS RECEIPTS TAX.

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

 

(b) "Cannabis flower" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 15.

 

(c) "Cannabis product" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 19.

 

(d) "Cannabis solution product" means any cartridge, bottle, or other package that contains a taxable cannabis product in a solution that is consumed or meant to be consumed through the use of a heating element, power source, electronic circuit, or other electronic, chemical, or mechanical means that produces vapor or aerosol.  A cannabis solution product includes any electronic delivery system, electronic vaping device, electronic vape pen, electronic oral device, electronic delivery device, or similar product or device, and any batteries, heating elements, or other components, parts, or accessories sold with and meant to be used in the consumption of a solution containing a taxable cannabis product.

 

(e) "Cannabis mezzobusiness" means a cannabis business licensed under section 342.29.

 

(f) "Cannabis microbusiness" means a cannabis business licensed under section 342.28.

 

(g) "Cannabis retailer" means a cannabis business licensed under section 342.32.

 

(h) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of revenue.

 

(i) "Gross receipts" means the total amount received in money or by barter or exchange for all taxable cannabis product sales at retail as measured by the sales price.  Gross receipts include but are not limited to delivery charges and packaging costs.  Gross receipts do not include:

 

(1) any taxes imposed directly on the customer that are separately stated on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document given to the purchaser; and

 

(2) discounts, including cash, terms, or coupons, that are not reimbursed by a third party and that are allowed by the seller and taken by a purchaser on a sale.

 

(j) "Hemp-derived consumer product" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 35.

 

(k) "Lower-potency hemp edible" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 48.

 

(l) "Lower-potency hemp edible retailer" means a cannabis business licensed under section 342.43, subdivision 1, clause (1).


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(m) "Medical cannabis flower" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 52.

 

(n) "Medical cannabinoid product" has the meaning given in section 342.10, subdivision 50.

 

(o) "Medical cannabis paraphernalia" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 53.

 

(p) "Retail sale" has the meaning given in section 297A.61, subdivision 4.

 

(q) "Taxable cannabis product" means cannabis flower, cannabis product, cannabis solution product, hemp‑derived consumer product, lower-potency hemp edible, and any substantially similar product.

 

(r) "Taxable cannabis product retailer" means a retailer that sells any taxable cannabis product, and includes a cannabis retailer, cannabis microbusiness, cannabis mezzobusiness, and lower-potency hemp edible retailer.  Taxable cannabis product retailer includes but is not limited to a:

 

(1) retailer maintaining a place of business in this state;

 

(2) marketplace provider maintaining a place of business in this state, as defined in section 297A.66, subdivision 1, paragraph (a);

 

(3) retailer not maintaining a place of business in this state; and

 

(4) marketplace provider not maintaining a place of business in this state, as defined in section 297A.66, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

 

Subd. 2.  Gross receipts tax imposed.  (a) A tax equal to a rate established by subdivisions 2 and 3 of gross receipts from retail sales in Minnesota of taxable cannabis products is imposed on any taxable cannabis product retailer that sells these products to customers:

 

(1) beginning on July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, the rate is equal to eight percent;

 

(2) beginning on July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, the rate is equal to 5.25 percent; and

 

(3) beginning with fiscal year 2028, the rate is equal to the amount established under subdivision 3.

 

(b) A taxable cannabis product retailer may but is not required to collect the tax imposed by this section from the purchaser as long as the tax is separately stated on the receipt, invoice, bill of sale, or similar document given to the purchaser.

 

(c) If a product subject to the tax imposed under this section is bundled in a single transaction with a product or service that is not subject to the tax imposed under this section, the entire sales price of the transaction is subject to the tax imposed under this section.

 

(d) The tax imposed under this section is in addition to any other tax imposed on the sale or use of taxable cannabis products.

 

Subd. 3.  Tax rate adjustment.  (a) In April of each odd-numbered year, the commissioner of revenue must make reductions to the tax imposed under this section if, on the basis of a February forecast of general fund revenues and expenditures reflecting the most recently completed fiscal year, the commissioner of management and budget determines that the conditions in paragraph (b) are met.


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(b) Revenues raised by the tax imposed under this section combined with the tax imposed under chapter 297A on taxable cannabis products exceed the projected expenditures related to the ongoing regulation of cannabis for the upcoming biennium, including:

 

(1) the appropriations to the Office of Cannabis Management;

 

(2) the appropriations to the Department of Agriculture;

 

(3) the appropriations to the Cannabis Expungement Board;

 

(4) the appropriations to the Department of Commerce;

 

(5) the appropriations to the Department of Corrections;

 

(6) the appropriations to the Department of Education;

 

(7) the appropriations to the Department of Employment and Economic Development;

 

(8) the appropriations to the Department of Health;

 

(9) the appropriations to the Department of Human Services;

 

(10) the appropriations to the Department of Labor and Industry;

 

(11) the appropriations to the Department of Natural Resources;

 

(12) the appropriations to the Office of Higher Education;

 

(13) the appropriations to the Pollution Control Agency;

 

(14) the appropriations to the Department of Public Safety;

 

(15) the appropriations to the Department of Revenue;

 

(16) the appropriations to the supreme court; and

 

(17) the appropriations to the substance use treatment, recovery, and prevention grant account.

 

(c) The new rate must be rounded to the nearest one-quarter of one percent.  The first rate reduction must occur by April 15, 2027, using the February 2027 forecast.  The commissioner of revenue must post the new rate on the department website within five business days.

 

Subd. 4.  Use tax imposed; credit for taxes paid.  (a) A person that receives taxable cannabis products for use or storage in Minnesota, other than from a taxable cannabis product retailer that paid the tax under subdivision 2, is subject to tax at the rate imposed under subdivision 2.  Liability for the tax is incurred when the person has possession of the taxable cannabis product in Minnesota.  The tax must be remitted to the commissioner in the same manner prescribed for taxes imposed under chapter 297A.

 

(b) A person that has paid taxes to another state or any subdivision thereof on the same transaction and is subject to tax under this section is entitled to a credit for the tax legally due and paid to another state or subdivision thereof to the extent of the lesser of (1) the tax actually paid to the other state or subdivision thereof, or (2) the amount of tax imposed by Minnesota on the transaction subject to tax in the other state or subdivision thereof.


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Subd. 5.  Exemptions.  (a) The use tax imposed under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), does not apply to the possession, use, or storage of taxable cannabis products if (1) the taxable cannabis products have an aggregate cost in any calendar month to the customer of $100 or less, and (2) the taxable cannabis products were carried into this state by the customer.

 

(b) The tax imposed under this section does not apply to sales of medical cannabis flower, medical cannabinoid products, or medical cannabis paraphernalia purchased by or for the patients enrolled in the registry program.

 

(c) Unless otherwise specified in this section, the exemptions applicable to taxes imposed under chapter 297A are not applicable to the taxes imposed under this section.

 

Subd. 6.  Tax collection required.  A taxable cannabis product retailer with nexus in Minnesota that is not subject to tax under subdivision 2 is required to collect the tax imposed under subdivision 3 from the purchaser of the taxable cannabis product and give the purchaser a receipt for the tax paid.  The tax collected must be remitted to the commissioner in the same manner prescribed for the taxes imposed under chapter 297A.

 

Subd. 7.  Taxes paid to another state or any subdivision thereof; credit.  A taxable cannabis product retailer that has paid taxes to another state or any subdivision thereof measured by gross receipts and is subject to tax under this section on the same gross receipts is entitled to a credit for the tax legally due and paid to another state or any subdivision thereof to the extent of the lesser of (1) the tax actually paid to the other state or any subdivision thereof, or (2) the amount of tax imposed by Minnesota on the gross receipts subject to tax in the other taxing state or any subdivision thereof.

 

Subd. 8.  Sourcing of sales.  Section 297A.668 applies to the taxes imposed by this section.

 

Subd. 9.  Administration.  Unless specifically provided otherwise, the audit, assessment, refund, penalty, interest, enforcement, collection remedies, appeal, and administrative provisions of chapters 270C and 289A that are applicable to taxes imposed under chapter 297A, except the requirement to file returns and remit taxes due electronically if authorized under section 289A.33, apply to the tax imposed under this section.

 

Subd. 10.  Returns; payment of tax.  (a) A taxable cannabis product retailer must report the tax on a return prescribed by the commissioner and must remit the tax in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.  The return and the tax must be filed and paid using the filing cycle and due dates provided for taxes imposed under section 289A.20, subdivision 4, and chapter 297A.

 

(b) Interest must be paid on an overpayment refunded or credited to the taxpayer from the date of payment of the tax until the date the refund is paid or credited.  For purposes of this subdivision, the date of payment is the due date of the return or the date of actual payment of the tax, whichever is later.

 

Subd. 11.  Deposit of revenues.  The commissioner must deposit all revenues, including penalties and interest, derived from the tax imposed by this section in the general fund.

 

Subd. 12.  Personal debt.  The tax imposed by this section, and interest and penalties imposed with respect to it, are a personal debt of the person required to file a return from the time that the liability for it arises, irrespective of when the time for payment of the liability occurs.  The debt must, in the case of the executor or administrator of the estate of a decedent and in the case of a fiduciary, only be that of the person in the person's official or fiduciary capacity, unless the person has voluntarily distributed the assets held in that capacity without reserving sufficient assets to pay the tax, interest, and penalties, in which event the person is personally liable for any deficiency.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for gross receipts received after June 30, 2023.


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Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297A.61, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Sale and purchase.  (a) "Sale" and "purchase" include, but are not limited to, each of the transactions listed in this subdivision.  In applying the provisions of this chapter, the terms "tangible personal property" and "retail sale" include the taxable services listed in paragraph (g), clause (6), items (i) to (vi) and (viii), and the provision of these taxable services, unless specifically provided otherwise.  Services performed by an employee for an employer are not taxable.  Services performed by a partnership or association for another partnership or association are not taxable if one of the entities owns or controls more than 80 percent of the voting power of the equity interest in the other entity.  Services performed between members of an affiliated group of corporations are not taxable.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, "affiliated group of corporations" means those entities that would be classified as members of an affiliated group as defined under United States Code, title 26, section 1504, disregarding the exclusions in section 1504(b).

 

(b) Sale and purchase include:

 

(1) any transfer of title or possession, or both, of tangible personal property, whether absolutely or conditionally, for a consideration in money or by exchange or barter; and

 

(2) the leasing of or the granting of a license to use or consume, for a consideration in money or by exchange or barter, tangible personal property, other than a manufactured home used for residential purposes for a continuous period of 30 days or more.

 

(c) Sale and purchase include the production, fabrication, printing, or processing of tangible personal property for a consideration for consumers who furnish either directly or indirectly the materials used in the production, fabrication, printing, or processing.

 

(d) Sale and purchase include the preparing for a consideration of food.  Notwithstanding section 297A.67, subdivision 2, taxable food includes, but is not limited to, the following:

 

(1) prepared food sold by the retailer;

 

(2) soft drinks;

 

(3) candy; and

 

(4) dietary supplements.

 

(e) A sale and a purchase includes the furnishing for a consideration of electricity, gas, water, or steam for use or consumption within this state.

 

(f) A sale and a purchase includes the transfer for a consideration of prewritten computer software whether delivered electronically, by load and leave, or otherwise.

 

(g) A sale and a purchase includes the furnishing for a consideration of the following services:

 

(1) the privilege of admission to places of amusement, recreational areas, or athletic events, and the making available of amusement devices, tanning facilities, reducing salons, steam baths, health clubs, and spas or athletic facilities;


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(2) lodging and related services by a hotel, rooming house, resort, campground, motel, or trailer camp, including furnishing the guest of the facility with access to telecommunication services, and the granting of any similar license to use real property in a specific facility, other than the renting or leasing of it for a continuous period of 30 days or more under an enforceable written agreement that may not be terminated without prior notice and including accommodations intermediary services provided in connection with other services provided under this clause;

 

(3) nonresidential parking services, whether on a contractual, hourly, or other periodic basis, except for parking at a meter;

 

(4) the granting of membership in a club, association, or other organization if:

 

(i) the club, association, or other organization makes available for the use of its members sports and athletic facilities, without regard to whether a separate charge is assessed for use of the facilities; and

 

(ii) use of the sports and athletic facility is not made available to the general public on the same basis as it is made available to members.

 

Granting of membership means both onetime initiation fees and periodic membership dues.  Sports and athletic facilities include golf courses; tennis, racquetball, handball, and squash courts; basketball and volleyball facilities; running tracks; exercise equipment; swimming pools; and other similar athletic or sports facilities;

 

(5) delivery of aggregate materials by a third party, excluding delivery of aggregate material used in road construction; and delivery of concrete block by a third party if the delivery would be subject to the sales tax if provided by the seller of the concrete block.  For purposes of this clause, "road construction" means construction of:

 

(i) public roads;

 

(ii) cartways; and

 

(iii) private roads in townships located outside of the seven-county metropolitan area up to the point of the emergency response location sign; and

 

(6) services as provided in this clause:

 

(i) laundry and dry cleaning services including cleaning, pressing, repairing, altering, and storing clothes, linen services and supply, cleaning and blocking hats, and carpet, drapery, upholstery, and industrial cleaning.  Laundry and dry cleaning services do not include services provided by coin operated facilities operated by the customer;

 

(ii) motor vehicle washing, waxing, and cleaning services, including services provided by coin operated facilities operated by the customer, and rustproofing, undercoating, and towing of motor vehicles;

 

(iii) building and residential cleaning, maintenance, and disinfecting services and pest control and exterminating services;

 

(iv) detective, security, burglar, fire alarm, and armored car services; but not including services performed within the jurisdiction they serve by off-duty licensed peace officers as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1, or services provided by a nonprofit organization or any organization at the direction of a county for monitoring and electronic surveillance of persons placed on in-home detention pursuant to court order or under the direction of the Minnesota Department of Corrections;

 

(v) pet grooming services;


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(vi) lawn care, fertilizing, mowing, spraying and sprigging services; garden planting and maintenance; tree, bush, and shrub pruning, bracing, spraying, and surgery; indoor plant care; tree, bush, shrub, and stump removal, except when performed as part of a land clearing contract as defined in section 297A.68, subdivision 40; and tree trimming for public utility lines.  Services performed under a construction contract for the installation of shrubbery, plants, sod, trees, bushes, and similar items are not taxable;

 

(vii) massages, except when provided by a licensed health care facility or professional or upon written referral from a licensed health care facility or professional for treatment of illness, injury, or disease; and

 

(viii) the furnishing of lodging, board, and care services for animals in kennels and other similar arrangements, but excluding veterinary and horse boarding services.

 

(h) A sale and a purchase includes the furnishing for a consideration of tangible personal property or taxable services by the United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or the state of Minnesota, its agencies, instrumentalities, or political subdivisions.

 

(i) A sale and a purchase includes the furnishing for a consideration of telecommunications services, ancillary services associated with telecommunication services, and pay television services.  Telecommunication services include, but are not limited to, the following services, as defined in section 297A.669:  air-to-ground radiotelephone service, mobile telecommunication service, postpaid calling service, prepaid calling service, prepaid wireless calling service, and private communication services.  The services in this paragraph are taxed to the extent allowed under federal law.

 

(j) A sale and a purchase includes the furnishing for a consideration of installation if the installation charges would be subject to the sales tax if the installation were provided by the seller of the item being installed.

 

(k) A sale and a purchase includes the rental of a vehicle by a motor vehicle dealer to a customer when (1) the vehicle is rented by the customer for a consideration, or (2) the motor vehicle dealer is reimbursed pursuant to a service contract as defined in section 59B.02, subdivision 11.

 

(l) A sale and a purchase includes furnishing for a consideration of specified digital products or other digital products or granting the right for a consideration to use specified digital products or other digital products on a temporary or permanent basis and regardless of whether the purchaser is required to make continued payments for such right.  Wherever the term "tangible personal property" is used in this chapter, other than in subdivisions 10 and 38, the provisions also apply to specified digital products, or other digital products, unless specifically provided otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

 

(m) The sale of the privilege of admission under section 297A.61, subdivision 3, paragraph (g), clause (1), to a place of amusement, recreational area, or athletic event includes all charges included in the privilege of admission's sales price, without deduction for amenities that may be provided, unless the amenities are separately stated and the purchaser of the privilege of admission is entitled to add or decline the amenities, and the amenities are not otherwise taxable.

 

(n) A sale and purchase includes the transfer for a consideration of a taxable cannabis product as defined in section 295.81, subdivision 1, paragraph (q).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for sales and purchases made after June 30, 2023.


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Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297A.67, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Food and food ingredients.  Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, food and food ingredients are exempt.  For purposes of this subdivision, "food" and "food ingredients" mean substances, whether in liquid, concentrated, solid, frozen, dried, or dehydrated form, that are sold for ingestion or chewing by humans and are consumed for their taste or nutritional value.  Food and food ingredients exempt under this subdivision do not include candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements, and prepared foods.  Food and food ingredients do not include alcoholic beverages and, tobacco, taxable cannabis products, medical cannabis flower, and medical cannabinoid products.  For purposes of this subdivision, "alcoholic beverages" means beverages that are suitable for human consumption and contain one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume.  For purposes of this subdivision, "tobacco" means cigarettes, cigars, chewing or pipe tobacco, or any other item that contains tobacco.  For purposes of this subdivision, "taxable cannabis product" has the meaning given in section 295.81, subdivision 1, paragraph (q), "medical cannabis flower" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 52, and "medical cannabinoid product" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 50.  For purposes of this subdivision, "dietary supplements" means any product, other than tobacco, intended to supplement the diet that:

 

(1) contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients:

 

(i) a vitamin;

 

(ii) a mineral;

 

(iii) an herb or other botanical;

 

(iv) an amino acid;

 

(v) a dietary substance for use by humans to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake; and

 

(vi) a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any ingredient described in items (i) to (v);

 

(2) is intended for ingestion in tablet, capsule, powder, softgel, gelcap, or liquid form, or if not intended for ingestion in such form, is not represented as conventional food and is not represented for use as a sole item of a meal or of the diet; and

 

(3) is required to be labeled as a dietary supplement, identifiable by the supplement facts box found on the label and as required pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations, title 21, section 101.36.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for sales and purchases made after June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297A.67, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Drugs; medical devices.  (a) Sales of the following drugs and medical devices for human use are exempt:

 

(1) drugs, including over-the-counter drugs;

 

(2) single-use finger-pricking devices for the extraction of blood and other single-use devices and single-use diagnostic agents used in diagnosing, monitoring, or treating diabetes;

 

(3) insulin and medical oxygen for human use, regardless of whether prescribed or sold over the counter;

(4) prosthetic devices;


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(5) durable medical equipment for home use only;

 

(6) mobility enhancing equipment;

 

(7) prescription corrective eyeglasses; and

 

(8) kidney dialysis equipment, including repair and replacement parts.

 

(b) Items purchased in transactions covered by:

 

(1) Medicare as defined under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, section 1395, et seq.; or

 

(2) Medicaid as defined under title XIX of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, section 1396, et seq.

 

(c) For purposes of this subdivision:

 

(1) "Drug" means a compound, substance, or preparation, and any component of a compound, substance, or preparation, other than food and food ingredients, dietary supplements, taxable cannabis products as defined under section 295.81, subdivision 1, paragraph (q), or alcoholic beverages that is:

 

(i) recognized in the official United States Pharmacopoeia, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or official National Formulary, and supplement to any of them;

 

(ii) intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease; or

 

(iii) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body.

 

(2) "Durable medical equipment" means equipment, including repair and replacement parts, including single‑patient use items, but not including mobility enhancing equipment, that:

 

(i) can withstand repeated use;

 

(ii) is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose;

 

(iii) generally is not useful to a person in the absence of illness or injury; and

 

(iv) is not worn in or on the body.

 

For purposes of this clause, "repair and replacement parts" includes all components or attachments used in conjunction with the durable medical equipment, including repair and replacement parts which are for single patient use only.

 

(3) "Mobility enhancing equipment" means equipment, including repair and replacement parts, but not including durable medical equipment, that:

 

(i) is primarily and customarily used to provide or increase the ability to move from one place to another and that is appropriate for use either in a home or a motor vehicle;

(ii) is not generally used by persons with normal mobility; and


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(iii) does not include any motor vehicle or equipment on a motor vehicle normally provided by a motor vehicle manufacturer.

 

(4) "Over-the-counter drug" means a drug that contains a label that identifies the product as a drug as required by Code of Federal Regulations, title 21, section 201.66.  The label must include a "drug facts" panel or a statement of the active ingredients with a list of those ingredients contained in the compound, substance, or preparation.  Over‑the-counter drugs do not include grooming and hygiene products, regardless of whether they otherwise meet the definition.  "Grooming and hygiene products" are soaps, cleaning solutions, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, antiperspirants, and suntan lotions and sunscreens.

 

(5) "Prescribed" and "prescription" means a direction in the form of an order, formula, or recipe issued in any form of oral, written, electronic, or other means of transmission by a duly licensed health care professional.

 

(6) "Prosthetic device" means a replacement, corrective, or supportive device, including repair and replacement parts, worn on or in the body to:

 

(i) artificially replace a missing portion of the body;

 

(ii) prevent or correct physical deformity or malfunction; or

 

(iii) support a weak or deformed portion of the body.

 

Prosthetic device does not include corrective eyeglasses.

 

(7) "Kidney dialysis equipment" means equipment that:

 

(i) is used to remove waste products that build up in the blood when the kidneys are not able to do so on their own; and

 

(ii) can withstand repeated use, including multiple use by a single patient, notwithstanding the provisions of clause (2).

 

(8) A transaction is covered by Medicare or Medicaid if any portion of the cost of the item purchased in the transaction is paid for or reimbursed by the federal government or the state of Minnesota pursuant to the Medicare or Medicaid program, by a private insurance company administering the Medicare or Medicaid program on behalf of the federal government or the state of Minnesota, or by a managed care organization for the benefit of a patient enrolled in a prepaid program that furnishes medical services in lieu of conventional Medicare or Medicaid coverage pursuant to agreement with the federal government or the state of Minnesota.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for sales and purchases made after June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297A.70, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Sales to government.  (a) All sales, except those listed in paragraph (b), to the following governments and political subdivisions, or to the listed agencies or instrumentalities of governments and political subdivisions, are exempt:

 

(1) the United States and its agencies and instrumentalities;


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(2) school districts, local governments, the University of Minnesota, state universities, community colleges, technical colleges, state academies, the Perpich Minnesota Center for Arts Education, and an instrumentality of a political subdivision that is accredited as an optional/special function school by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;

 

(3) hospitals and nursing homes owned and operated by political subdivisions of the state of tangible personal property and taxable services used at or by hospitals and nursing homes;

 

(4) notwithstanding paragraph (d), the sales and purchases by the Metropolitan Council of vehicles and repair parts to equip operations provided for in section 473.4051 are exempt through December 31, 2016;

 

(5) other states or political subdivisions of other states, if the sale would be exempt from taxation if it occurred in that state; and

 

(6) public libraries, public library systems, multicounty, multitype library systems as defined in section 134.001, county law libraries under chapter 134A, state agency libraries, the state library under section 480.09, and the Legislative Reference Library.

 

(b) This exemption does not apply to the sales of the following products and services:

 

(1) building, construction, or reconstruction materials purchased by a contractor or a subcontractor as a part of a lump-sum contract or similar type of contract with a guaranteed maximum price covering both labor and materials for use in the construction, alteration, or repair of a building or facility;

 

(2) construction materials purchased by tax exempt entities or their contractors to be used in constructing buildings or facilities which will not be used principally by the tax exempt entities;

 

(3) the leasing of a motor vehicle as defined in section 297B.01, subdivision 11, except for leases entered into by the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities;

 

(4) lodging as defined under section 297A.61, subdivision 3, paragraph (g), clause (2), and prepared food, candy, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages as defined in section 297A.67, subdivision 2, and taxable cannabis products as defined under section 295.81, subdivision 1, paragraph (q), except for lodging, prepared food, candy, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, and taxable cannabis products purchased directly by the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities; or

 

(5) goods or services purchased by a local government as inputs to a liquor store, gas or electric utility, solid waste hauling service, solid waste recycling service, landfill, golf course, marina, campground, cafe, or laundromat.

 

(c) As used in this subdivision, "school districts" means public school entities and districts of every kind and nature organized under the laws of the state of Minnesota, and any instrumentality of a school district, as defined in section 471.59.

 

(d) For purposes of the exemption granted under this subdivision, "local governments" has the following meaning:

 

(1) for the period prior to January 1, 2017, local governments means statutory or home rule charter cities, counties, and townships; and

 

(2) beginning January 1, 2017, local governments means statutory or home rule charter cities, counties, and townships; special districts as defined under section 6.465; any instrumentality of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or township as defined in section 471.59; and any joint powers board or organization created under section 471.59.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for sales and purchases made after June 30, 2023.

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297A.70, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


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Subd. 4.  Sales to nonprofit groups.  (a) All sales, except those listed in paragraph (b), to the following "nonprofit organizations" are exempt:

 

(1) a corporation, society, association, foundation, or institution organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, or educational purposes if the item purchased is used in the performance of charitable, religious, or educational functions;

 

(2) any senior citizen group or association of groups that:

 

(i) in general limits membership to persons who are either age 55 or older, or persons with a physical disability;

 

(ii) is organized and operated exclusively for pleasure, recreation, and other nonprofit purposes, not including housing, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholders; and

 

(iii) is an exempt organization under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

 

(3) an organization that qualifies for an exemption for memberships under subdivision 12 if the item is purchased and used in the performance of the organization's mission.

 

For purposes of this subdivision, charitable purpose includes the maintenance of a cemetery owned by a religious organization.

 

(b) This exemption does not apply to the following sales:

 

(1) building, construction, or reconstruction materials purchased by a contractor or a subcontractor as a part of a lump-sum contract or similar type of contract with a guaranteed maximum price covering both labor and materials for use in the construction, alteration, or repair of a building or facility;

 

(2) construction materials purchased by tax-exempt entities or their contractors to be used in constructing buildings or facilities that will not be used principally by the tax-exempt entities;

 

(3) lodging as defined under section 297A.61, subdivision 3, paragraph (g), clause (2), and prepared food, candy, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages as defined in section 297A.67, subdivision 2, except wine purchased by an established religious organization for sacramental purposes or as allowed under subdivision 9a, and taxable cannabis products as defined under section 295.81, subdivision 1, paragraph (q); and

 

(4) leasing of a motor vehicle as defined in section 297B.01, subdivision 11, except as provided in paragraph (c).

 

(c) This exemption applies to the leasing of a motor vehicle as defined in section 297B.01, subdivision 11, only if the vehicle is:

 

(1) a truck, as defined in section 168.002, a bus, as defined in section 168.002, or a passenger automobile, as defined in section 168.002, if the automobile is designed and used for carrying more than nine persons including the driver; and

 

(2) intended to be used primarily to transport tangible personal property or individuals, other than employees, to whom the organization provides service in performing its charitable, religious, or educational purpose.


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(d) A limited liability company also qualifies for exemption under this subdivision if (1) it consists of a sole member that would qualify for the exemption, and (2) the items purchased qualify for the exemption.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for sales and purchases made after June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297A.70, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 18.  Nursing homes and boarding care homes.  (a) All sales, except those listed in paragraph (b), to a nursing home licensed under section 144A.02 or a boarding care home certified as a nursing facility under title 19 of the Social Security Act are exempt if the facility:

 

(1) is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

 

(2) is certified to participate in the medical assistance program under title 19 of the Social Security Act, or certifies to the commissioner that it does not discharge residents due to the inability to pay.

 

(b) This exemption does not apply to the following sales:

 

(1) building, construction, or reconstruction materials purchased by a contractor or a subcontractor as a part of a lump-sum contract or similar type of contract with a guaranteed maximum price covering both labor and materials for use in the construction, alteration, or repair of a building or facility;

 

(2) construction materials purchased by tax-exempt entities or their contractors to be used in constructing buildings or facilities that will not be used principally by the tax-exempt entities;

 

(3) lodging as defined under section 297A.61, subdivision 3, paragraph (g), clause (2), and prepared food, candy, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages as defined in section 297A.67, subdivision 2, and taxable cannabis products as defined under section 295.81, subdivision 1, paragraph (q); and

 

(4) leasing of a motor vehicle as defined in section 297B.01, subdivision 11, except as provided in paragraph (c).

 

(c) This exemption applies to the leasing of a motor vehicle as defined in section 297B.01, subdivision 11, only if the vehicle is:

 

(1) a truck, as defined in section 168.002; a bus, as defined in section 168.002; or a passenger automobile, as defined in section 168.002, if the automobile is designed and used for carrying more than nine persons including the driver; and

 

(2) intended to be used primarily to transport tangible personal property or residents of the nursing home or boarding care home.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for sales and purchases made after June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297A.85, is amended to read:

 

297A.85 CANCELLATION OF PERMITS.

 

The commissioner may cancel a permit if one of the following conditions occurs:

 

(1) the permit holder has not filed a sales or use tax return for at least one year;


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(2) the permit holder has not reported any sales or use tax liability on the permit holder's returns for at least two years;

 

(3) the permit holder requests cancellation of the permit;

 

(4) the permit is subject to cancellation under section 270C.722, subdivision 2, paragraph (a); or

 

(5) the permit is subject to cancellation under section 297A.84.; or

 

(6) the permit holder is a taxable cannabis product retailer as defined in section 295.81, subdivision 1, paragraph (r), other than a lower-potency hemp edible retailer as licensed under section 342.43, subdivision 1, and its license to sell a taxable cannabis product as defined in section 295.81, subdivision 1, paragraph (q), has been revoked by the Office of Cannabis Management.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297A.99, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4a.  Cannabis local tax prohibited.  A political subdivision of this state is prohibited from imposing a tax under this section solely on the sale of taxable cannabis products as defined under section 295.81, subdivision 1, paragraph (q).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297D.01, is amended to read:

 

297D.01 DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Marijuana Illegal cannabis.  "Marijuana" "Illegal cannabis" means any marijuana taxable cannabis product as defined in section 295.81, subdivision 1, paragraph (q), whether real or counterfeit, as defined in section 152.01, subdivision 9, that is held, possessed, transported, transferred, sold, or offered to be sold in violation of chapter 342 or Minnesota criminal laws.

 

Subd. 2.  Controlled substance.  "Controlled substance" means any drug or substance, whether real or counterfeit, as defined in section 152.01, subdivision 4, that is held, possessed, transported, transferred, sold, or offered to be sold in violation of Minnesota laws.  "Controlled substance" does not include marijuana illegal cannabis.

 

Subd. 3.  Tax obligor or obligor.  "Tax obligor" or "obligor" means a person who in violation of Minnesota law manufactures, produces, ships, transports, or imports into Minnesota or in any manner acquires or possesses more than 42-1/2 grams of marijuana illegal cannabis, or seven or more grams of any controlled substance, or ten or more dosage units of any controlled substance which is not sold by weight.  A quantity of marijuana illegal cannabis or other controlled substance is measured by the weight of the substance whether pure or impure or dilute, or by dosage units when the substance is not sold by weight, in the tax obligor's possession.  A quantity of a controlled substance is dilute if it consists of a detectable quantity of pure controlled substance and any excipients or fillers.

 

Subd. 4.  Commissioner.  "Commissioner" means the commissioner of revenue.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297D.04, is amended to read:


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297D.04 TAX PAYMENT REQUIRED FOR POSSESSION.

 

No tax obligor may possess any marijuana illegal cannabis or controlled substance upon which a tax is imposed by section 297D.08 unless the tax has been paid on the marijuana illegal cannabis or other a controlled substance as evidenced by a stamp or other official indicia.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297D.06, is amended to read:

 

297D.06 PHARMACEUTICALS.

 

Nothing in this chapter requires persons registered under chapter 151 or otherwise lawfully in possession of marijuana illegal cannabis or a controlled substance to pay the tax required under this chapter.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297D.07, is amended to read:

 

297D.07 MEASUREMENT.

 

For the purpose of calculating the tax under section 297D.08, a quantity of marijuana illegal cannabis or other a controlled substance is measured by the weight of the substance whether pure or impure or dilute, or by dosage units when the substance is not sold by weight, in the tax obligor's possession.  A quantity of a controlled substance is dilute if it consists of a detectable quantity of pure controlled substance and any excipients or fillers.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297D.08, is amended to read:

 

297D.08 TAX RATE.

 

A tax is imposed on marijuana illegal cannabis and controlled substances as defined in section 297D.01 at the following rates:

 

(1) on each gram of marijuana illegal cannabis, or each portion of a gram, $3.50; and

 

(2) on each gram of controlled substance, or portion of a gram, $200; or

 

(3) on each ten dosage units of a controlled substance that is not sold by weight, or portion thereof, $400.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297D.085, is amended to read:

 

297D.085 CREDIT FOR PREVIOUSLY PAID TAXES.

 

If another state or local unit of government has previously assessed an excise tax on the marijuana illegal cannabis or controlled substances, the taxpayer must pay the difference between the tax due under section 297D.08 and the tax previously paid.  If the tax previously paid to the other state or local unit of government was equal to or greater than


Journal of the House - 45th Day - Tuesday, April 4, 2023 - Top of Page 2947

the tax due under section 297D.08, no tax is due.  The burden is on the taxpayer to show that an excise tax on the marijuana illegal cannabis or controlled substances has been paid to another state or local unit of government.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297D.09, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1a.  Criminal penalty; sale without affixed stamps.  In addition to the tax penalty imposed, a tax obligor distributing or possessing marijuana illegal cannabis or controlled substances without affixing the appropriate stamps, labels, or other indicia is guilty of a crime and, upon conviction, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than seven years or to payment of a fine of not more than $14,000, or both.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297D.10, is amended to read:

 

297D.10 STAMP PRICE.

 

Official stamps, labels, or other indicia to be affixed to all marijuana illegal cannabis or controlled substances shall be purchased from the commissioner.  The purchaser shall pay 100 percent of face value for each stamp, label, or other indicia at the time of the purchase.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023.

 

Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 297D.11, is amended to read:

 

297D.11 PAYMENT DUE.

 

Subdivision 1.  Stamps affixed.  When a tax obligor purchases, acquires, transports, or imports into this state marijuana illegal cannabis or controlled substances on which a tax is imposed by section 297D.08, and if the indicia evidencing the payment of the tax have not already been affixed, the tax obligor shall have them permanently affixed on the marijuana illegal cannabis or controlled substance immediately after receiving the substance.  Each stamp or other official indicia may be used only once.

 

Subd. 2.  Payable on possession.  Taxes imposed upon marijuana illegal cannabis or controlled substances by this chapter are due and payable immediately upon acquisition or possession in this state by a tax obligor.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2023."

 

Page 211, delete section 2 and insert:

 

"Sec. 2.  [3.9228] ADULT-USE CANNABIS; COMPACTS TO BE NEGOTIATED.

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

 

(b) "Adult-use cannabis flower" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 4.

 

(c) "Adult-use cannabinoid product" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 2.


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(d) "Cannabis business" means a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler, transporter, testing facility, microbusiness, event organizer, delivery service, or lower potency edible retailer.

 

(e) "Cannabinoid product" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 12.

 

(f) "Minnesota Tribal governments" means the federally recognized Indian Tribes located in Minnesota including:

 

(1) Bois Forte Band;

 

(2) Fond Du Lac Band;

 

(3) Grand Portage Band;

 

(4) Leech Lake Band;

 

(5) Mille Lacs Band;

 

(6) White Earth Band;

 

(7) Red Lake Nation;

 

(8) Lower Sioux Indian Community;

 

(9) Prairie Island Indian Community;

 

(10) Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community; and

 

(11) Upper Sioux Indian Community.

 

(g) "Tribal cannabis business" means a cannabis business licensed by a Minnesota Tribal government, including the business categories identified in paragraph (d) as well as any others that may be provided under the law of a Minnesota Tribal government.

 

(h) "Tribally regulated land" means:

 

(1) all land held in trust by the United States for the benefit of a Minnesota Tribal government;

 

(2) all land held by a Minnesota Tribal government in restricted fee status; and

 

(3) all land within the exterior boundaries of the reservation of a Minnesota Tribal government that is subject to the civil regulatory jurisdiction of the Tribal government.  For the purposes of this section, land that is subject to the civil regulatory jurisdiction of the Tribal government includes:

 

(i) fee land held by the Tribe, entities organized under Tribal law, or individual Indians; and

 

(ii) land held by non-Indian entities or individuals who consent to the civil regulation of the Tribal government or are otherwise subject to such regulation under federal law.

 

Subd. 2.  Acknowledgment and purpose; negotiations authorized.  (a) The state of Minnesota acknowledges the sovereign right of Minnesota Tribal governments to regulate Tribal cannabis businesses and address other matters of cannabis regulation related to the internal affairs of Minnesota Tribal governments without regard to whether such Tribal government has entered a compact authorized by this section.  The purpose of this section is to provide for the negotiation of compacts to proactively address jurisdictional issues related to the regulation of adult‑use cannabis.  The legislature finds that these agreements will facilitate and promote a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between the state and the Tribes regarding the legalization of cannabis.  Such cooperative agreements will enhance public health and safety, ensure a lawful and well-regulated cannabis market, encourage economic development, and provide fiscal benefits to both Indian Tribes and the state.

 

(b) The governor shall negotiate in good faith, and has the authority to execute and bind the state to, a compact with any Minnesota Tribal government wishing to enter into such compact regulating adult-use cannabis flower and adult-use cannabinoid products.

 

(c) This subdivision shall be effective upon enactment.

 

Subd. 3.  Terms of compact; rights of parties.  (a) A compact agreed to under this section may address any issues related to the adult-use cannabis industry including adult-use cannabis flower, adult-use cannabinoid products, extracts, concentrates, and artificially derived cannabinoids that affect the interest of both the state and Minnesota Tribal government or otherwise have an impact on Tribal-state relations.  Indian Tribes are not required to enter into compacts pursuant to this section in order to regulate or engage in cannabis businesses or activities on reservation lands or participate as a licensee in the state's legal cannabis market.

 

(b) The state shall not, as a condition for entering into a compact under this section:

 

(1) require any Minnesota Tribal government to waive any right, privilege, or immunity based on their status as independent sovereigns;

 

(2) require that any revenue generated by cannabis businesses licensed by a Minnesota Tribal government be subject to any state cannabis gross receipt taxes imposed under section 295.81 or state and local sales or use taxes on sales of cannabis;

 

(3) require any taxes collected by Minnesota Tribal governments to be shared in any manner with the state or any subdivisions thereof;

 

(4) require a Minnesota Tribal government to consent to state licensing of cannabis businesses on the Tribally regulated land of the Minnesota Tribal government; or

 

(5) require any cannabis business licensed by a Minnesota Tribal government pursuant to a compact agreed to under this section to comply with specific state regulations on Tribally regulated land.

 

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the state shall not impose, attempt to impose, and shall not require or attempt to require any Indian Tribe to impose, any taxes, fees, assessments, and other charges related to the production, processing, sale, purchase, distribution, or possession of adult-use cannabis flower and adult-use cannabinoid products on Minnesota Tribal governments, or their members, on a reservation or Tribally regulated land.

 

(d) Compacts agreed to under this section may allow an exemption from any otherwise applicable tax for sales to a Minnesota Tribal government, a Tribal cannabis business, or Tribal members, of cannabis flower and adult use cannabinoid products grown, produced, or processed as provided for in said compacts, or for activities, to the extent they are not already exempt under state or federal law from the state cannabis gross receipt tax under section 295.81 or state and local sales or use taxes on sales of cannabis.

 

(e) This subdivision shall be effective upon enactment.


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Subd. 4.  Tax agreements.  (a) For any cannabis business owned by a Minnesota Tribal government or its instrumentalities that is operated outside of Tribally regulated land, under a state-issued license, the collection and administration of taxes on such business may be governed through an agreement to be entered under section 270C.19.

 

(b) Any compact that provides for the voluntary sharing of tax or fee revenue among a Minnesota Tribal government and the state or a local government may provide that such sharing be carried out through an agreement to be entered under section 270C.19.

 

Subd. 5.  Civil and criminal immunities.  (a) The following acts, when performed by a licensed Tribal cannabis business or an employee in the course of their employment for a Tribal cannabis business, pursuant to a compact entered into under this section, do not constitute a criminal or civil offense under state law:

 

(1) the cultivation of cannabis flower, and the extraction, processing, or manufacture of adult-use cannabinoid and artificially derived cannabinoid products, extracts, or concentrates, as those terms are defined in section 342.01;

 

(2) the possession, purchase, and receipt of adult-use cannabis seed, flower, and adult-use cannabinoid products that are properly packaged and labeled as authorized under a compact entered into pursuant to this section, and the sale, delivery, transport, or distribution of such products to a licensed cannabis business; and

 

(3) the delivery, distribution, and sale of adult-use cannabis seed, flower, and adult-use cannabinoid products as authorized under a compact entered into pursuant to this section and that takes place on, or originates from, the premises of a Tribal cannabis business on Tribally regulated land, to any person 21 years of age or older.

 

(b) The following acts, when performed by a patron of a licensed Tribal cannabis business do not constitute a criminal or civil offense under state law:  the purchase, possession, or receipt of adult-use cannabis seed, flower, and adult-use cannabinoid products as authorized under a compact entered into pursuant to this section.

 

(c) Actions by a Tribal cannabis business, a Tribal member, employee, or agent of a Minnesota Tribal government or Tribal cannabis business on Tribally regulated land pursuant to Tribal laws governing cannabis, or a compact entered into under this section, do not constitute a criminal or civil offense under state law.

 

(d) The following acts, when performed by a state-licensed cannabis business, or an employee of such business, and which would be permitted under the terms of the applicable cannabis business license if undertaken with another state-licensed cannabis business, are permitted under the state license conditions when undertaken with a Tribal cannabis business and do not constitute a criminal or civil offense under state law:  the possession, purchase, wholesale and retail sale, delivery, transport, distribution, and receipt of adult-use cannabis, seed, flower, and adult‑use cannabinoid products that are properly packaged and labeled as authorized under a compact entered into pursuant to this section.

 

(e) The following acts, when performed by a Minnesota Tribal government, a Tribal cannabis business licensed by such Tribal government, or an employee of such Tribal government or Tribal cannabis business, regardless of whether the Minnesota Tribal government issuing such license has compacted with the state under this section, do not constitute a criminal or civil offense under state law:  purchase, sale, receipt, or delivery (including delivery that involves transit through the state, outside a reservation), from or to another Minnesota Tribal government or cannabis business licensed by such government.

 

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a state-licensed cannabis testing facility may provide cannabis testing services to a Tribal cannabis business, and the possession or transport of cannabis flower or cannabinoid products for such purpose by a Tribal cannabis business shall not constitute a criminal or civil offense under state law.

 

(g) This subdivision shall be effective upon enactment.


Journal of the House - 45th Day - Tuesday, April 4, 2023 - Top of Page 2952

Subd. 6.  Publication.  The governor shall post any compact entered into under this section on a publicly accessible website."

 

Renumber the sections in sequence

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 11, delete "adult-use"

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Olson, L., from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 463, A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for the Rural Finance Authority; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill be placed on the General Register.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Olson, L., from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 1999, A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money from outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage funds; modifying prior appropriations; modifying provisions related to outdoor heritage fund and parks and trials fund; modifying Clean Water Legacy Act; requiring reports; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 85.53, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 85.536, subdivisions 1, 2; 97A.056, subdivisions 2, 11, 22; 114D.20, subdivision 2; 114D.30, subdivisions 4, 6, 7; 114D.50, subdivision 4; 129D.17, by adding a subdivision; Laws 2020, chapter 104, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, as amended.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 20, line 21, after the period, insert "Unless there are not enough eligible grant applications received,"

 

Page 30, line 30, after "Minnesota" insert ", including reaching low- and moderate-income households"

 

Page 63, line 6, after "Minnesota" insert ", including reaching low- and moderate-income households"

 

Page 70, line 18, after "Minnesota" insert ", including reaching low- and moderate-income households"

 

Page 74, line 31, delete "$18,500,000" and insert "$19,523,000" and delete "$18,561,000" and insert "$19,524,000"

 

Page 76, line 32, after the period, insert "The funding for the significant public art installations in this paragraph is available until June 30, 2028."


Journal of the House - 45th Day - Tuesday, April 4, 2023 - Top of Page 2953

Page 77, line 1, delete "$936,000" and insert "Up to five percent of the totals in paragraphs (b) to (e)"

 

Page 86, line 6, delete "$2,000,000" and insert "$3,000,000"

 

Page 86, line 17, delete "$2,000,000" and insert "$3,000,000"

 

Page 91, after line 22, insert:

 

"(4) an assessment of whether the funding celebrates cultural diversity or reaches diverse communities in Minnesota;"

 

Page 91, line 23, delete "(4)" and insert "(5)"

 

Page 91, line 24, delete "(5)" and insert "(6)"

 

Page 91, after line 25, insert:

 

"ARTICLE 5

GRANTS MANAGEMENT

 

Section 1.  FINANCIAL REVIEW OF NONPROFIT GRANT RECIPIENTS REQUIRED.

 

Subdivision 1.  Financial review required.  (a) Before awarding a competitive, legislatively named, single source, or sole source grant to a nonprofit organization under this act, the grantor must require the applicant to submit financial information sufficient for the grantor to document and assess the applicant's current financial standing and management.  Items of significant concern must be addressed with the applicant and resolved to the satisfaction of the grantor before a grant is awarded.  The grantor must document the material requested and reviewed; whether the applicant had a significant operating deficit, a deficit in unrestricted net assets, or insufficient internal controls; whether and how the applicant resolved the grantor's concerns; and the grantor's final decision.  This documentation must be maintained in the grantor's files.

 

(b) At a minimum, the grantor must require each applicant to provide the following information:

 

(1) the applicant's most recent Form 990, Form 990-EZ, or Form 990-N filed with the Internal Revenue Service.  If the applicant has not been in existence long enough or is not required to file Form 990, Form 990-EZ, or Form 990-N, the applicant must demonstrate to the grantor that the applicant is exempt and must instead submit documentation of internal controls and the applicant's most recent financial statement prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and approved by the applicant's board of directors or trustees or, if there is no such board, by the applicant's managing group;

 

(2) evidence of registration and good standing with the secretary of state under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 317A, or other applicable law;

 

(3) unless exempt under Minnesota Statutes, section 309.515, evidence of registration and good standing with the attorney general under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 309; and

 

(4) if required under Minnesota Statutes, section 309.53, subdivision 3, the applicant's most recent audited financial statement prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.


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Subd. 2.  Authority to postpone or forgo.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this act, a grantor that identifies an area of significant concern regarding the financial standing or management of a legislatively named applicant may postpone or forgo awarding the grant.

 

Subd. 3.  Authority to award subject to additional assistance and oversight.  A grantor that identifies an area of significant concern regarding an applicant's financial standing or management may award a grant to the applicant if the grantor provides or the grantee otherwise obtains additional technical assistance, as needed, and the grantor imposes additional requirements in the grant agreement.  Additional requirements may include but are not limited to enhanced monitoring, additional reporting, or other reasonable requirements imposed by the grantor to protect the interests of the state.

 

Subd. 4.  Relation to other law and policy.  The requirements in this section are in addition to any other requirements imposed by law; the commissioner of administration under Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.97 and 16B.98; or agency policy."

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 5, delete "trials" and insert "trails" and after the second semicolon, insert "requiring financial review of certain grant recipients;"

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be placed on the General Register.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Olson, L., from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 2073, A bill for an act relating to higher education; providing funding and policy related changes for the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic; creating and modifying certain scholarships and student aid programs; creating and modifying grant programs to higher education institutions; establishing the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center; creating a direct admissions program; establishing higher education bonding policy; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 136A.101, subdivisions 5a, 7; 136A.121, subdivisions 6, 9, 13; 136A.1241, subdivision 5; 136A.125, subdivision 4; 136A.126, subdivision 4; 136A.1312; 136A.1791, subdivision 3a; 136A.246, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 8; 136F.04, subdivision 1; 136F.38, subdivisions 3, 4, 5; 175.45, subdivision 1; 354B.23, subdivision 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 135A; 136A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 136F.03; 136F.38, subdivision 2.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 13, line 10, delete "26" and insert "27"

 

Page 14, line 20, delete "27" and insert "28"

 

Page 27, after line 30, insert:

 

"Sec. 6.  FINANCIAL REVIEW OF NONPROFIT GRANT RECIPIENTS REQUIRED.

 

Subdivision 1.  Financial review required.  (a) Before awarding a competitive, legislatively named, single source, or sole source grant to a nonprofit organization under this act, the grantor must require the applicant to submit financial information sufficient for the grantor to document and assess the applicant's current financial standing and


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management.  Items of significant concern must be addressed with the applicant and resolved to the satisfaction of the grantor before a grant is awarded.  The grantor must document the material requested and reviewed; whether the applicant had a significant operating deficit, a deficit in unrestricted net assets, or insufficient internal controls; whether and how the applicant resolved the grantor's concerns; and the grantor's final decision.  This documentation must be maintained in the grantor's files.

 

(b) At a minimum, the grantor must require each applicant to provide the following information:

 

(1) the applicant's most recent Form 990, Form 990-EZ, or Form 990-N filed with the Internal Revenue Service.  If the applicant has not been in existence long enough or is not required to file Form 990, Form 990-EZ, or Form 990-N, the applicant must demonstrate to the grantor that the applicant is exempt and must instead submit documentation of internal controls and the applicant's most recent financial statement prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and approved by the applicant's board of directors or trustees, or if there is no such board, by the applicant's managing group;

 

(2) evidence of registration and good standing with the secretary of state under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 317A, or other applicable law;

 

(3) unless exempt under Minnesota Statutes, section 309.515, evidence of registration and good standing with the attorney general under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 309; and

 

(4) if required under Minnesota Statutes, section 309.53, subdivision 3, the applicant's most recent audited financial statement prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Subd. 2.  Authority to postpone or forgo.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this act, a grantor that identifies an area of significant concern regarding the financial standing or management of a legislatively named applicant may postpone or forgo awarding the grant.

 

Subd. 3.  Authority to award subject to additional assistance and oversight.  A grantor that identifies an area of significant concern regarding an applicant's financial standing or management may award a grant to the applicant if the grantor provides or the grantee otherwise obtains additional technical assistance, as needed, and the grantor imposes additional requirements in the grant agreement.  Additional requirements may include but are not limited to enhanced monitoring, additional reporting, or other reasonable requirements imposed by the grantor to protect the interests of the state.

 

Subd. 4.  Relation to other law and policy.  The requirements in this section are in addition to any other requirements imposed by law, the commissioner of administration under Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.97 to 16B.98, or agency policy."

 

Page 46, after line 21, insert:

 

"Sec. 25.  [268.193] POSTSECONDARY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AID.

 

Subdivision 1.  Postsecondary institutions.  For the purposes of this section, "eligible postsecondary institution" means:

 

(1) the University of Minnesota;

 

(2) a postsecondary institution governed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; or

 

(3) a Tribal college, which includes Leech Lake Tribal College, White Earth Tribal College, or Red Lake Nation Tribal College.


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Subd. 2.  Unemployment insurance aid.  Eligible postsecondary institutions are eligible to receive unemployment insurance aid under this section.  For each fiscal year, an eligible entity's aid is the difference between fiscal year 2022's unemployment insurance costs and the current year's unemployment insurance costs, as reflected in the unemployment insurance employer accounts maintained by the state.  If the total eligible unemployment insurance aid for a fiscal year is greater than the annual appropriation for that year, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education, as applicable, must proportionately reduce the aid payment to each eligible entity.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for aid beginning in fiscal year 2024."

 

Renumber the sections in sequence

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 7, after the second semicolon, insert "providing aid to postsecondary institutions for unemployment insurance;"

 

Page 1, line 8, after the first semicolon, insert "requiring financial review of nonprofit grant recipients;"

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be placed on the General Register.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Hansen, R., from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 2310, A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for environment and natural resources; modifying utilities license and permit provisions; modifying commissioner's duties; modifying disposition of certain receipts; modifying and providing for fees; modifying provisions for water and soil conservation; modifying requirements to notify of water pollution; modifying provisions for waste management assistance; modifying certain environmental stewardship and grant programs; providing for environmental justice considerations in certain permitting; prohibiting lead and cadmium in certain consumer products; modifying report requirements; requiring reports; requiring rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 84.415, subdivisions 3, 6, 7, by adding a subdivision; 84D.15, subdivision 2; 85.055, subdivision 1; 86B.005, by adding a subdivision; 86B.415, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7; 97A.473, subdivisions 2, 2a, 2b, 5, 5a; 97A.474, subdivision 2; 97A.475, subdivisions 6, 7, 8, 10, 10a, 11, 12, 13; 97C.087, subdivision 2; 103B.101, subdivisions 9, 16, by adding a subdivision; 103B.103; 103C.501, subdivisions 1, 4, 5, 6; 103D.605, subdivision 5; 103F.505; 103F.511, by adding a subdivision; 103G.2242, subdivision 1; 103G.271, subdivision 6; 103G.301, subdivision 2; 115.03, subdivision 1; 115.061; 115A.03, by adding a subdivision; 115A.1415; 115A.49; 115A.51; 115A.54, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a; 115A.565, subdivisions 1, 3; 115B.17, subdivision 14; 115B.171, subdivision 3; 115B.52, subdivision 4; 116.06, by adding subdivisions; 116.07, subdivision 6, by adding a subdivision; 168.1295, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 103B; 103F; 116; 325E; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 103C.501, subdivisions 2, 3; 115.44, subdivision 9; 116.011; 325E.389; 325E.3891; Minnesota Rules, parts 8400.0500; 8400.0550; 8400.0600, subparts 4, 5; 8400.0900, subparts 1, 2, 4, 5; 8400.1650; 8400.1700; 8400.1750; 8400.1800; 8400.1900.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 


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Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES APPROPRIATIONS

 

      Section 1.  ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2024.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2025.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2024

2025

 

      Sec. 2.  POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

 

 

 

 

 

      Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$276,096,000

 

$214,828,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

151,113,000

81,891,000

State Government 

 Special Revenue  

 

85,000

 

90,000

Environmental

105,227,000

112,600,000

Remediation

19,671,000

20,247,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

The commissioner must present the agency's biennial budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the legislature in a transparent way by agency division, including the proposed budget bill and presentations of the budget to committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the agency's budget.

 

      Subd. 2.  Environmental Analysis and Outcomes

 

46,983,000

 

41,231,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

28,970,000

20,714,000

Environmental

17,764,000

20,312,000

Remediation

249,000

205,000

(a) $122,000 the first year and $125,000 the second year are from the general fund for:


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(1) a municipal liaison to assist municipalities in implementing and participating in the rulemaking process for water quality standards and navigating the NPDES/SDS permitting process;

 

(2) enhanced economic analysis in the rulemaking process for water quality standards, including more-specific analysis and identification of cost-effective permitting;

 

(3) developing statewide economic analyses and templates to reduce the amount of information and time required for municipalities to apply for variances from water quality standards; and

 

(4) coordinating with the Public Facilities Authority to identify and advocate for the resources needed for urban, suburban, and Greater Minnesota municipalities to achieve permit requirements.

 

(b) $216,000 the first year and $219,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for a monitoring program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.454.

 

(c) $132,000 the first year and $137,000 the second year are for monitoring water quality and operating assistance programs.

 

(d) $390,000 the first year and $399,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for monitoring ambient air for hazardous pollutants.

 

(e) $106,000 the first year and $109,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for duties related to harmful chemicals in children's products under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116.9401 to 116.9407.  Of this amount, $68,000 the first year and $70,000 the second year are transferred to the commissioner of health.

 

(f) $128,000 the first year and $132,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for registering wastewater laboratories.

 

(g) $1,492,000 the first year and $1,519,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to continue perfluorochemical biomonitoring in eastern metropolitan communities, as recommended by the Environmental Health Tracking and Biomonitoring Advisory Panel, and to address other environmental health risks, including air quality.  The communities must include Hmong and other immigrant farming communities.  Of this amount, up to $1,226,000 the first year and $1,248,000 the second year are for transfer to the commissioner of health.


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(h) $61,000 the first year and $62,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for the listing procedures for impaired waters required under this act.

 

(i) $72,000 the first year and $74,000 the second year are from the remediation fund for the leaking underground storage tank program to investigate, clean up, and prevent future releases from underground petroleum storage tanks and for the petroleum remediation program for vapor assessment and remediation.  These same annual amounts are transferred from the petroleum tank fund to the remediation fund.

 

(j) $500,000 the first year is to facilitate the collaboration and modeling of greenhouse gas impacts, costs, and benefits of strategies to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(k) $20,266,000 the first year and $20,270,000 the second year are to establish and implement a local government water infrastructure grant program for local governmental units and Tribal governments.  Of this amount, $19,720,000 each year is for grants to support communities in planning and implementing projects that will allow for adaptation for a changing climate.  At least 50 percent of the money granted under this paragraph must be for projects in the seven-county metropolitan area.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.  The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $270,000.

 

(l) $2,070,000 the first year and $2,070,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to develop and implement a drinking water protection and PFAS response program related to emerging issues, including Minnesota's PFAS Blueprint.

 

(m) $1,820,000 the second year is from the environmental fund to support improved management of data collected by the agency and its partners and regulated parties to facilitate decision-making and public access.

 

(n) $500,000 the first year is for developing and implementing firefighter biomonitoring protocols required under this act.  Of this amount, up to $250,000 may be transferred to the commissioner of health for biomonitoring of firefighters.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.

 

(o) $2,000,000 the first year is to develop protocols to be used by agencies and departments for sampling and testing groundwater, surface water, public drinking water, and private wells for microplastics and nanoplastics and to begin implementation.  The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency may transfer money appropriated under this paragraph to the commissioners of agriculture, natural resources, and health to implement the protocols developed.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2025.


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(p) $50,000 the first year is from the remediation fund for the work group on PFAS manufacturer fees and report required under this act.

 

(q) $387,000 the first year and $90,000 the second year are to develop and implement the requirements for fish kills under Minnesota Statutes, sections 103G.216 and 103G.2165.  Of this amount, up to $331,000 the first year and $90,000 the second year may be transferred to the commissioners of health, natural resources, agriculture, and public safety and to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota as necessary to implement those sections.  The base for this appropriation for fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $7,000.

 

(r) $63,000 the first year and $92,000 the second year are for transfer to the commissioner of health for amending the health risk limit for PFOS.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

(s) $5,000,000 the first year is for community air-monitoring grants as provided in this act.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2025.

 

(t) $625,000 the first year and $779,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to adopt rules and implement air toxics emissions requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.062.  The base for this appropriation is $669,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $1,400,000 in fiscal year 2027 and beyond.

 

      Subd. 3.  Industrial

 

54,056,000

 

34,308,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

34,980,000

14,577,000

Environmental

17,355,000

17,958,000

Remediation

1,721,000

1,773,000

 

(a) $1,621,000 the first year and $1,670,000 the second year are from the remediation fund for the leaking underground storage tank program to investigate, clean up, and prevent future releases from underground petroleum storage tanks and for the petroleum remediation program for vapor assessment and remediation.  These same annual amounts are transferred from the petroleum tank fund to the remediation fund.

 

(b) $448,000 the first year and $457,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to further evaluate the use and reduction of trichloroethylene around Minnesota and identify its potential health effects on communities.  Of this amount, $145,000 the first year and $149,000 the second year are transferred to the commissioner of health.


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(c) $4,000 the first year and $4,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to purchase air emissions monitoring equipment to support compliance and enforcement activities.

 

(d) $3,200,000 the first year and $3,200,000 the second year are to provide air emission reduction grants.  Of this amount, $2,800,000 each year is for grants to reduce air pollution at regulated facilities within environmental justice areas of concern.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, and is a onetime appropriation.

 

(e) $40,000 the first year and $40,000 the second year are for air compliance equipment maintenance.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(f) $20,000,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year are to support research on innovative technologies to treat difficult‑to‑manage pollutants and for implementation grants based on this research at taconite facilities.  Of this amount, $2,100,000 is for transfer to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for academic and applied research through the MnDRIVE program at the Natural Resources Research Institute for research to foster economic development of the state's natural resources in an environmentally sound manner and $17,600,000 is for grants.  Of the $2,100,000 transferred, at least $900,000 is to develop and demonstrate technologies that enhance the long-term health and management of Minnesota's water and mineral resources.  This appropriation is for continued characterization of Minnesota's iron resources and development of next-generation process technologies for iron products and reduced effluent.  This research must be conducted in consultation with the Mineral Coordinating Committee established under Minnesota Statutes, section 93.0015.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(g) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are for the purposes of biofuel wastewater monitoring requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 115.03, subdivision 12.

 

(h) $250,000 the first year is for a life cycle assessment of the presence of neonicotinoid pesticide in the production of ethanol, biodiesel, and advanced biofuel, including feedstocks, coproducts, air emissions, and the fuel itself.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2025.  No later than December 15, 2024, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency must submit the assessment, including recommendations, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture and environment.

 

(i) $670,000 the first year and $522,000 the second year are from the general fund and $277,000 the first year and $277,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for the purposes of the nonexpiring state individual air quality permit requirements under


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Minnesota Statutes, section 116.07, subdivision 4m.  The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $277,000 from the environmental fund.

 

(j) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for rulemaking and implementation of the odor management requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.063.  The base for this appropriation is $250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 and beyond.

 

(k) $9,526,000 the first year and $9,221,000 the second year are from the general fund for implementation of the environmental justice, cumulative impact analysis, and demographic analysis requirements under this act.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2028.  The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $9,021,000 from the environmental fund.

 

      Subd. 4.  Municipal

 

10,725,000

 

11,373,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

761,000

767,000

State Government

 Special Revenue

 

85,000

 

90,000

Environmental

9,879,000

10,516,000

 

(a) $217,000 the first year and $223,000 the second year are for:

 

(1) a municipal liaison to assist municipalities in implementing and participating in the rulemaking process for water quality standards and navigating the NPDES/SDS permitting process;

 

(2) enhanced economic analysis in the rulemaking process for water quality standards, including more-specific analysis and identification of cost-effective permitting;

 

(3) developing statewide economic analyses and templates to reduce the amount of information and time required for municipalities to apply for variances from water quality standards; and

 

(4) coordinating with the Public Facilities Authority to identify and advocate for the resources needed for municipalities to achieve permit requirements.

 

(b) $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for transfer to the Office of Administrative Hearings to establish sanitary districts.


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(c) $1,240,000 the first year and $1,338,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) program administration and community technical assistance and education, including grants and technical assistance to communities for water-quality protection.  Of this amount, $350,000 each year is for assistance to counties through grants for SSTS program administration.  A county receiving a grant from this appropriation must submit the results achieved with the grant to the commissioner as part of its annual SSTS report.  Any unexpended balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

(d) $994,000 the first year and $1,094,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to address the need for continued increased activity in new technology review, technical assistance for local governments, and enforcement under Minnesota Statutes, sections 115.55 to 115.58, and to complete the requirements of Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 1, section 165.

 

(e) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2025, as grants or contracts for subsurface sewage treatment systems, surface water and groundwater assessments, storm water, and water-quality protection in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2028.

 

      Subd. 5.  Operations

 

34,236,000

 

32,836,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

23,250,000

21,859,000

Environmental

8,369,000

8,486,000

Remediation

2,617,000

2,491,000

 

(a) $1,154,000 the first year and $1,124,000 the second year are from the remediation fund for the leaking underground storage tank program to investigate, clean up, and prevent future releases from underground petroleum storage tanks and for the petroleum remediation program for vapor assessment and remediation.  These same annual amounts are transferred from the petroleum tank fund to the remediation fund.

 

(b) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,109,000 the second year are to support agency information technology services provided at the enterprise and agency level to improve operations.

 

(c) $906,000 the first year and $919,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to develop and maintain systems to support agency permitting and regulatory business processes and data.


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(d) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year are to provide technical assistance to Tribal governments.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(e) $18,250,000 the first year and $16,750,000 the second year are to support modernizing and automating agency environmental programs and data systems and how the agency provides services to regulated parties, partners, and the public.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(f) $270,000 the first year and $270,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to support current and future career pathways for underrepresented students.

 

(g) $700,000 the first year and $700,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to improve the coordination, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of the environmental review and permitting process.

 

(h) $438,000 the first year and $333,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency citizen members.

 

      Subd. 6.  Remediation

 

40,318,000

 

16,022,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

25,000,000

-0-

Environmental

607,000

628,000

Remediation

14,711,000

15,394,000

 

(a) All money for environmental response, compensation, and compliance in the remediation fund not otherwise appropriated is appropriated to the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency and agriculture for purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 115B.20, subdivision 2, clauses (1), (2), (3), (6), and (7).  At the beginning of each fiscal year, the two commissioners must jointly submit to the commissioner of management and budget an annual spending plan that maximizes resource use and appropriately allocates the money between the two departments.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.

 

(b) $415,000 the first year and $426,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to manage contaminated sediment projects at multiple sites identified in the St. Louis River remedial action plan to restore water quality in the St. Louis River Area of Concern.


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(c) $4,476,000 the first year and $4,622,000 the second year are from the remediation fund for the leaking underground storage tank program to investigate, clean up, and prevent future releases from underground petroleum storage tanks and for the petroleum remediation program for vapor assessment and remediation.  These same annual amounts are transferred from the petroleum tank fund to the remediation fund.

 

(d) $308,000 the first year and $316,000 the second year are from the remediation fund for transfer to the commissioner of health for private water-supply monitoring and health assessment costs in areas contaminated by unpermitted mixed municipal solid waste disposal facilities and drinking water advisories and public information activities for areas contaminated by hazardous releases.

 

(e) $25,000,000 the first year is for grants to support planning, designing, and preparing for solutions for public water treatment systems contaminated with PFAS.  The grants are to reimburse local public water supply operators for source investigations, sampling and treating private drinking water wells, and evaluating solutions for treating private drinking water wells.  At least 50 percent of the money appropriated under this paragraph must be for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, and is a onetime appropriation.

 

(f) $76,000 the first year is from the remediation fund for the petroleum tank release cleanup program duties and report required under this act.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

      Subd. 7.  Resource Management and Assistance

 

75,025,000

 

63,467,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

31,477,000

18,655,000

Environmental

43,548,000

44,812,000

 

(a) Up to $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year may be transferred from the environmental fund to the small business environmental improvement loan account under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.993.

 

(b) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are for competitive recycling grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.565.  Of this amount, $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year are from the general fund, and $700,000 the first year and $700,000 the second year are from the environmental fund.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.

(c) $694,000 the first year and $694,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for emission-reduction activities and grants


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to small businesses and other nonpoint-emission-reduction efforts.  Of this amount, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are to continue work with Clean Air Minnesota, and the commissioner may enter into an agreement with Environmental Initiative to support this effort.

 

(d) $22,450,000 the first year and $22,450,000 the second year are for SCORE block grants to counties.  Of this amount, $4,000,000 the first year and $4,000,000 the second year are from the general fund, and $18,450,000 the first year and $18,450,000 the second year are from the environmental fund.  The base in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $18,450,000 from the environmental fund.  For fiscal years 2024 and 2025, each county's allocation is based on Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.557, and $2,000,000 must be used only for waste prevention and reuse activities.

 

(e) $119,000 the first year and $119,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for environmental assistance grants or loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.0716.

 

(f) $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for grants to develop and expand recycling markets for Minnesota businesses.

 

(g) $767,000 the first year and $770,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for reducing and diverting food waste, redirecting edible food for consumption, and removing barriers to collecting and recovering organic waste.  Of this amount, $500,000 each year is for grants to increase food rescue and waste prevention.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(h) $2,797,000 the first year and $2,811,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 473.844.

 

(i) $318,000 the first year and $474,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to address chemicals in products, including to implement and enforce flame retardant provisions under Minnesota Statutes, section 325F.071, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food packaging provisions under Minnesota Statutes, section 325F.075.  Of this amount, $78,000 the first year and $80,000 the second year are transferred to the commissioner of health.

 

(j) $180,000 the first year and $140,000 the second year are for quantifying climate-related impacts from projects for environmental review.  This is a onetime appropriation.

(k) $1,790,000 the first year and $70,000 the second year are for accelerating pollution prevention at small businesses.  Of this


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amount, $1,720,000 the first year is for zero-interest loans to phase out high-polluting equipment, products, and processes and replace with new options.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(l) $190,000 the first year and $190,000 the second year are to support the Greenstep Cities program.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(m) $420,000 the first year is to complete a study on the viability of recycling solar energy equipment.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(n) $650,000 the first year and $650,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for Minnesota GreenCorps investment.

 

(o) $4,210,000 the first year and $210,000 the second year are for PFAS reduction grants.  Of this amount, $4,000,000 the first year is for grants to industry and public entities to identify sources of PFAS entering facilities and to develop pollution prevention and reduction initiatives to reduce PFAS entering facilities, prevent releases, and monitor the effectiveness of these projects.  Priority must be given to projects in underserved communities.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(p) $12,940,000 the first year and $12,940,000 the second year are for a waste prevention and reduction grants and loan program.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(q) $825,000 the first year and $1,453,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for rulemaking and implementation of the new PFAS requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.943.  Of this amount, $312,000 the first year and $468,000 the second year are for transfer to the commissioner of health.  The base for this appropriation is $1,115,000 in fiscal year 2026 and beyond.  The base for the transfer to the commissioner of health in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $468,000.

 

(r) $680,000 the first year is for the zero-waste report required in this act.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

(s) $1,592,000 the first year and $805,000 the second year are for zero-waste grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.566.

 

(t) $35,000 the second year is from the environmental fund for the compostable labeling requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 325E.046.  The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $68,000.

(u) $175,000 the first year is for the rulemaking required under this act providing for the safe and lawful disposal of waste treated seed.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.


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(v) $1,000,000 the first year is for a lead tackle reduction program that provides outreach, education, and opportunities to safely dispose of and exchange lead tackle throughout the state.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2025.

 

(w) $4,000,000 is for a grant to the owner of a biomass energy generation plant in Shakopee that uses waste heat from the generation of electricity in the malting process to purchase a wood dehydrator to facilitate disposal of wood that is infested by the emerald ash borer.  By October 1, 2024, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources on the use of money appropriated under this paragraph.

 

(x) Any unencumbered grant and loan balances in the first year do not cancel but are available for grants and loans in the second year.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2025, as contracts or grants for environmental assistance awarded under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.0716; technical and research assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.152; technical assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.52; and pollution prevention assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 115D.04, are available until June 30, 2027.

 

      Subd. 8.  Watershed

 

12,678,000

 

13,952,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

4,821,000

3,906,000

Environmental

7,484,000

9,662,000

Remediation

373,000

384,000

 

(a) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are for grants to delegated counties to administer the county feedlot program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.0711, subdivisions 2 and 3.  Money remaining after the first year is available for the second year.  The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $1,959,000.

 

(b) $236,000 the first year and $241,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for the costs of implementing general operating permits for feedlots over 1,000 animal units.

(c) $125,000 the first year and $129,000 the second year are from the remediation fund for the leaking underground storage tank program to investigate, clean up, and prevent future releases from


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underground petroleum storage tanks and for the petroleum remediation program for vapor assessment and remediation.  These same annual amounts are transferred from the petroleum tank fund to the remediation fund.

 

(d) $459,000 the first year and $494,000 the second year are from the general fund and $1,680,000 the second year is from the environmental fund to implement feedlot financial assurance requirements and compile the annual feedlot and manure storage area lists required under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.07, subdivisions 7f and 7g.  The general fund base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $315,000.  The environmental fund base in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $1,680,000.

 

(e) $700,000 the first year is for distribution to delegated counties based on registered feedlots and manure storage areas for inspections of manure storage areas and the abandoned manure storage area reports required under this act.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.

 

(f) $250,000 the first year is for a grant to the Minnesota Association of County Feedlot Officers to provide training on state feedlot requirements, working efficiently and effectively with producers, and reducing the incidence of manure or nutrients entering surface water or groundwater.

 

(g) $140,000 the first year and $140,000 the second year are for the Pig's Eye Landfill Task Force.

 

      Subd. 9.  Environmental Quality Board

 

2,075,000

 

1,639,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

1,854,000

1,413,000

Environmental

221,000

226,000

 

$620,000 the first year and $140,000 the second year are to develop a Minnesota-based greenhouse gas sector and source‑specific guidance, including climate information, a greenhouse gas calculator, and technical assistance for users.  This is a onetime appropriation.

      Subd. 10.  Transfers

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The commissioner must transfer up to $23,000,000 the first year and $24,000,000 the second year from the environmental fund to the


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remediation fund for purposes of the remediation fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.155, subdivision 2.  The base for this transfer is $24,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and beyond.

 

(b) By June 30, 2024, the commissioner of management and budget must transfer $29,055,000 from the general fund to the metropolitan landfill contingency action trust account in the remediation fund to restore the money transferred from the account as intended under Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 1, section 10, paragraph (e), and Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 17, and to compensate the account for the estimated lost investment income.

 

      Sec. 3.  NATURAL RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

 

      Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$569,950,000

 

$424,403,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

307,778,000

165,064,000

Natural Resources

125,611,000

124,456,000

Game and Fish

129,903,000

131,814,000

Remediation

117,000

117,000

Permanent School

791,000

702,000

Reinvest in Minnesota  

 Resources

 

5,750,000

 

2,250,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

      Subd. 2.  Land and Mineral Resources Management

 

9,095,000

 

8,828,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

4,095,000

3,828,000

Natural Resources

4,438,000

4,438,000

Game and Fish

344,000

344,000

Permanent School

218,000

218,000

 

(a) $319,000 the first year and $319,000 the second year are for environmental research relating to mine permitting, of which $200,000 each year is from the minerals management account in the natural resources fund and $119,000 each year is from the general fund.

(b) $3,383,000 the first year and $3,383,000 the second year are from the minerals management account in the natural resources fund for use as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 93.2236, paragraph (c), for mineral resource management, projects to enhance future mineral income, and projects to promote new mineral-resource opportunities.


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(c) $218,000 the first year and $218,000 the second year are transferred from the forest suspense account to the permanent school fund and are appropriated from the permanent school fund to secure maximum long-term economic return from the school trust lands consistent with fiduciary responsibilities and sound natural resources conservation and management principles.

 

(d) $338,000 the first year and $338,000 the second year are from the water management account in the natural resources fund for mining hydrology.

 

(e) $1,052,000 the first year and $242,000 the second year are for modernizing utility licensing for state lands and public waters.  The first year appropriation is available through fiscal year 2026.

 

(f) $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the second year are for conservation stewardship.

 

      Subd. 3.  Ecological and Water Resources

 

58,394,000

 

46,763,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

37,664,000

26,008,000

Natural Resources

15,006,000

15,031,000

Game and Fish

5,724,000

5,724,000

 

(a) $5,397,000 the first year and $5,422,000 the second year are from the invasive species account in the natural resources fund and $2,831,000 the first year and $2,831,000 the second year are from the general fund for management, public awareness, assessment and monitoring research, and water access inspection to prevent the spread of invasive species; management of invasive plants in public waters; and management of terrestrial invasive species on state-administered lands.

 

(b) $6,056,000 the first year and $6,056,000 the second year are from the water management account in the natural resources fund for only the purposes specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.27, subdivision 2.

 

(c) $124,000 the first year and $124,000 the second year are for a grant to the Mississippi Headwaters Board for up to 50 percent of the cost of implementing the comprehensive plan for the upper Mississippi within areas under the board's jurisdiction.  By December 15, 2025, the board must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources on the activities funded under this paragraph and the progress made in implementing the comprehensive plan.


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(d) $10,000 the first year and $10,000 the second year are for payment to the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa Indians to implement the band's portion of the comprehensive plan for the upper Mississippi River.

 

(e) $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year are for grants for up to 50 percent of the cost of implementing the Red River mediation agreement.  The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $264,000.

 

(f) $2,498,000 the first year and $2,498,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund for only the purposes specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), clause (1).

 

(g) $1,150,000 the first year and $1,150,000 the second year are from the nongame wildlife management account in the natural resources fund for nongame wildlife management.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 290.431, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year may be used for nongame wildlife information, education, and promotion.

 

(h) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 84.943, $48,000 the first year and $48,000 the second year from the critical habitat private sector matching account may be used to publicize the critical habitat license plate match program.

 

(i) $5,700,000 the first year and $6,000,000 the second year are for the following activities:

 

(1) financial reimbursement and technical support to soil and water conservation districts or other local units of government for groundwater-level monitoring;

 

(2) surface water monitoring and analysis, including installing monitoring gauges;

 

(3) groundwater analysis to assist with water-appropriation permitting decisions;

 

(4) permit application review incorporating surface water and groundwater technical analysis;

 

(5) precipitation data and analysis to improve irrigation use;

(6) information technology, including electronic permitting and integrated data systems; and

 

(7) compliance and monitoring.

 


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(j) $410,000 the first year and $410,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund and $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are from the general fund for grants to the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center at the University of Minnesota to prioritize, support, and develop research-based solutions that can reduce the effects of aquatic invasive species in Minnesota by preventing spread, controlling populations, and managing ecosystems and to advance knowledge to inspire action by others.

 

(k) $134,000 the first year and $134,000 the second year are for increased capacity for broadband utility licensing for state lands and public waters.

 

(l) $998,000 the first year and $568,000 the second year are for protecting and restoring carbon storage in state-administered peatlands by reviewing and updating the state's peatland inventory, piloting a restoration project, and piloting trust fund buyouts.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2028.

 

(m) $900,000 the first year is for a grant to the Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates to work with civic leaders to purchase, install, and operate waterless cleaning stations for watercraft; conduct aquatic invasive species education; and implement education upgrades at public accesses to prevent invasive starry stonewort spread beyond the lakes already infested.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2025.

 

(n) $300,000 the first year is to prepare an analysis of alternative sources of water to resolve the water-use conflict in the Little Rock Creek area and to protect the stream from negative impacts due to groundwater use.  The analysis must be submitted to the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources by June 30, 2027, and include:

 

(1) a conceptual engineering plan;

 

(2) an estimate of implementation costs and funding needs;

 

(3) governance and operational considerations;

 

(4) a development schedule; and

 

(5) an economic evaluation of lost revenue if no action is taken.

(o) $6,000,000 the first year is for land acquisition and maintenance and restoration at Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 


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(p) $6,000,000 the first year is for improved maintenance at scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5, including additional natural resource specialists and technicians, coordinators, seasonal crews, equipment, supplies, and administrative support.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(q) The general fund base for the Ecological and Water Resources Division in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $25,004,000.

 

      Subd. 4.  Forest Management

 

116,725,000

 

76,067,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

99,072,000

58,389,000

Natural Resources

16,161,000

16,161,000

Game and Fish

1,492,000

1,517,000

 

(a) $7,521,000 the first year and $7,521,000 the second year are for prevention, presuppression, and suppression costs of emergency firefighting and other costs incurred under Minnesota Statutes, section 88.12.  The amount necessary to pay for presuppression and suppression costs during the biennium is appropriated from the general fund.  By January 15 each year, the commissioner of natural resources must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house and senate committees and divisions having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance that identifies all firefighting costs incurred and reimbursements received in the prior fiscal year.  These appropriations may not be transferred.  Any reimbursement of firefighting expenditures made to the commissioner from any source other than federal mobilizations must be deposited into the general fund.

 

(b) $15,386,000 the first year and $15,386,000 the second year are from the forest management investment account in the natural resources fund for only the purposes specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 89.039, subdivision 2.

 

(c) $1,492,000 the first year and $1,517,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund to advance ecological classification systems (ECS), forest habitat, and invasive species management.

(d) $906,000 the first year and $926,000 the second year are for the Forest Resources Council to implement the Sustainable Forest Resources Act.

 

(e) $1,143,000 the first year and $1,143,000 the second year are for the Next Generation Core Forestry data system.  Of this


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appropriation, $868,000 each year is from the general fund and $275,000 each year is from the forest management investment account in the natural resources fund.

 

(f) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are from the forest management investment account in the natural resources fund for forest road maintenance on state forest roads.

 

(g) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are for forest road maintenance on county forest roads.

 

(h) $2,086,000 the first year and $2,086,000 the second year are to support forest management, cost-share assistance, and inventory on private woodlands.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(i) $800,000 the first year and $800,000 the second year are to accelerate tree seed collection to support a growing demand for tree planting on public and private lands.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(j) $10,400,000 the first year and $10,400,000 the second year are for grants to local and Tribal governments and nonprofit organizations to enhance community forest ecosystem health and sustainability under Minnesota Statutes, section 88.82, the Minnesota ReLeaf program.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.  Money appropriated for grants under this paragraph may be used to pay reasonable costs incurred by the commissioner of natural resources to administer the grants.  The base is $400,000 beginning in fiscal year 2026.

 

(k) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are for forest stand improvement and to meet the reforestation requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 89.002, subdivision 2.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(l) $5,000,000 is for purposes of the Lowland Conifer Carbon Reserve under Minnesota Statutes, section 88.85.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

(m) $37,000,000 the first year is for emerald ash borer response grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 88.83.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2030.  The commissioner may use up to two percent of this appropriation to administer the grants.  Of this amount:

(1) $9,000,000 is for grants to local units of government responding or actively preparing to respond to an emerald ash borer infestation; and

 


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(2) $28,000,000 is for grants to a Minnesota nonprofit corporation that owns a cogeneration facility that serves a St. Paul district heating and cooling system.

 

(n) $1,000,000 the first year is for grants to schools, including public and private schools, to plant trees on school grounds while providing hands-on learning opportunities for students.  A grant application under this section must be prepared jointly with the parent-teacher organization or similar parent organization for the school.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

      Subd. 5.  Parks and Trails Management

 

125,897,000

 

113,230,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

50,094,000

38,707,000

Natural Resources

73,503,000

72,223,000

Game and Fish

2,300,000

2,300,000

 

(a) $7,985,000 the first year and $7,985,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for state trail, park, and recreation area operations.  This appropriation is from revenue deposited in the natural resources fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), clause (2).

 

(b) $23,828,000 the first year and $23,828,000 the second year are from the state parks account in the natural resources fund to operate and maintain state parks and state recreation areas.

 

(c) $1,300,000 the first year and $1,300,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for park and trail grants to local units of government on land to be maintained for at least 20 years for parks or trails.  Priority must be given for projects that are in underserved communities or that increase access to persons with disabilities.  This appropriation is from revenue deposited in the natural resources fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), clause (4).  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

(d) $9,624,000 the first year and $9,624,000 the second year are from the snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund for the snowmobile grants-in-aid program.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

(e) $2,435,000 the first year and $2,435,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for the off-highway vehicle grantsin-aid program.  Of this amount, $1,960,000 each year is from the all-terrain vehicle account; $150,000 each year is from the off-highway motorcycle account; and $325,000 each year is from


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the off-road vehicle account.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

(f) $2,250,000 the first year and $2,250,000 the second year are from the state land and water conservation account in the natural resources fund for priorities established by the commissioner for eligible state projects and administrative and planning activities consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 84.0264, and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Act.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

(g) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for matching grants for local parks and outdoor recreation areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019, subdivision 2.

 

(h) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for matching grants for local trail connections under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019, subdivision 4c.

 

(i) $750,000 the first year is from the all-terrain vehicle account in the natural resources fund for a grant to St. Louis County to match other funding sources for design, right-of-way acquisition, permitting, and construction of trails within the Voyageur Country ATV trail system.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.  This appropriation may be used as a local match to a 2023 state bonding award.

 

(j) $700,000 the first year is from the all-terrain vehicle account in the natural resources fund for a grant to St. Louis County to match other funding sources for design, right-of-way acquisition, permitting, and construction of a new trail within the Prospector trail system.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.  This appropriation may be used as a local match to a 2023 state bonding award.

 

(k) $5,000,000 the first year is to facilitate the transfer of land within Upper Sioux Agency State Park required under this act, including but not limited to the acquisition of any land necessary to facilitate the transfer.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2033.

 

(l) $10,000,000 the first year is to remove hazardous trees and replace ash trees with more diverse, climate-adapted species within the state park system.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

(m) $100,000 the first year is for the report on state trails required under this act.

 

(n) $1,075,000 the first year and $1,075,000 the second year are from the water recreation account in the natural resources fund for maintaining and enhancing public water-access facilities.


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      Subd. 6.  Fish and Wildlife Management

 

116,489,000

 

99,230,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

20,936,000

3,616,000

Natural Resources

2,082,000

2,082,000

Game and Fish

87,721,000

91,282,000

Reinvest in Minnesota

 Resources

 

5,750,000

 

2,250,000

 

(a) $10,458,000 the first year and $10,658,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund only for activities specified under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), clause (1).  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, five percent of this appropriation may be used for expanding hunter and angler recruitment and retention.

 

(b) $982,000 the first year and $982,000 the second year are from the general fund and $1,675,000 the first year and $1,675,000 the second year are from the game and fish fund for statewide response and management of chronic wasting disease.  The commissioner and the Board of Animal Health must each submit annual reports on chronic wasting disease activities funded in this biennium to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources and agriculture.  The general fund base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $282,000.

 

(c) $484,000 of the general fund appropriation for fiscal year 2023 in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 1, section 3, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), for planning for and emergency response to disease outbreaks in wildlife is canceled no later than June 29, 2023.

 

(d) $8,546,000 the first year and $8,546,000 the second year are from the deer management account for the purposes identified in Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.075, subdivision 1.

 

(e) $134,000 the first year and $134,000 the second year are for increased capacity for broadband utility licensing for state lands and public waters.

(f) $15,000,000 the first year is for enhancing prairies and grasslands and restoring wetlands on state-owned wildlife management areas to sequester more carbon and enhance climate resiliency.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(g) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are from the general fund and $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second


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year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund for grants for natural-resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.976, and for grant administration.  Priority must be given to projects benefiting underserved communities.  The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $500,000 from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund.  The general fund appropriation is onetime.

 

(h) $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund for the walk-in access program under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.126.

 

(i) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are from the game and fish fund for investments in fish management activities.

 

(j) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year are for grants to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to expand Minnesota's wild elk population and range.  Consideration must be given to moving elk from existing herds in northwest Minnesota to the area of the Fond du Lac State Forest and the Fond du Lac Reservation in Carlton and southern St. Louis Counties.  The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's elk reintroduction efforts must undergo thorough planning with the Department of Natural Resources to develop necessary capture and handling protocols, including protocols related to cervid disease management, and to produce postrelease state and Tribal elk comanagement plans.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

(k) $773,000 the first year is to examine the impacts of neonicotinoid exposure on the reproduction and survival of Minnesota's game species, including deer and prairie chicken.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(l) $134,000 the first year and $134,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund for native fish conservation and classification.

 

(m) $1,400,000 the first year is for designating swan protection areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.096, and to provide increased education and outreach promoting the protection of swans in the state, including education regarding the restrictions on taking swans.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

(n) $65,000 the first year is for preparing the report on feral pigs and mink required under this act and holding at least one public meeting on the topic.

 


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(o) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 84.943, subdivision 3, $5,750,000 the first year and $2,250,000 the second year are transferred from the Minnesota critical habitat private sector matching account to the reinvest in Minnesota resources fund and are appropriated from the reinvest in Minnesota resources fund for wildlife management area acquisition.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(p) $82,000 the first year is for the native fish reports required under this act.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(q) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund for shooting sports facility grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 87A.10, including grants for archery facilities.  Grants must be matched with a nonstate match, which may include in-kind contributions.  Priority must be given to facilities that prohibit the use of lead ammunition.  Recipients of money appropriated under this paragraph must provide information on the toxic effects of lead.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.  This appropriation must be allocated as follows:

 

(1) $200,000 each fiscal year is for grants of $25,000 or less; and

 

(2) $100,000 each fiscal year is for grants in excess of $25,000.

 

      Subd. 7.  Enforcement

 

64,672,000

 

67,712,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

18,322,000

22,937,000

Natural Resources

13,911,000

14,011,000

Game and Fish

32,322,000

30,647,000

Remediation

117,000

117,000

 

(a) $1,718,000 the first year and $1,718,000 the second year are from the general fund for enforcement efforts to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

(b) $2,080,000 the first year and $1,892,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund for only the purposes specified under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), clause (1).

 

(c) $1,442,000 the first year and $1,442,000 the second year are from the water recreation account in the natural resources fund for grants to counties for boat and water safety.  Any unencumbered


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balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

(d) $315,000 the first year and $315,000 the second year are from the snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund for grants to local law enforcement agencies for snowmobile enforcement activities.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

(e) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the all-terrain vehicle account in the natural resources fund for grants to qualifying organizations to assist in safety and environmental education and monitoring trails on public lands under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.9011.  Grants issued under this paragraph must be issued through a formal agreement with the organization.  By December 15 each year, an organization receiving a grant under this paragraph must report to the commissioner with details on expenditures and outcomes from the grant.  Of this appropriation, $25,000 each year is for administering these grants.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

(f) $510,000 the first year and $510,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for grants to county law enforcement agencies for off-highway vehicle enforcement and public education activities based on off-highway vehicle use in the county.  Of this amount, $498,000 each year is from the all-terrain vehicle account, $11,000 each year is from the off-highway motorcycle account, and $1,000 each year is from the off-road vehicle account.  The county enforcement agencies may use money received under this appropriation to make grants to other local enforcement agencies within the county that have a high concentration of off-highway vehicle use.  Of this appropriation, $25,000 each year is for administering the grants.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

(g) $2,250,000 the first year and $5,734,000 the second year are appropriated for inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities taken in conjunction with the Board of Animal Health for the white-tailed deer farm program and for statewide response and management of chronic wasting disease.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.  The base for fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $3,250,000.

 

(h) $3,000,000 of the general fund appropriation for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 1, section 3, subdivision 7, paragraph (i), for inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities taken in conjunction with


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the Board of Animal Health for the white-tailed deer farm program is canceled no later than June 29, 2023.

 

(i) $3,050,000 the first year is for modernizing the enforcement aviation fleet.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(j) $360,000 the first year and $360,000 the second year are for training department enforcement officers and for maintaining and storing equipment for conservation officer public safety responses.  The training may not include training for duties unrelated to enforcement of game and fish laws.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

      Subd. 8.  Operations Support

 

2,434,000

 

1,408,000

 

(a) $1,684,000 the first year and $1,408,000 second year are for information technology security and modernization.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(b) $750,000 the first year is for legal costs.  The unencumbered amount of the general fund appropriation in Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 4, article 1, section 3, subdivision 8, for legal costs, estimated to be $750,000, is canceled no later than June 29, 2023.

 

      Subd. 9.  Pass Through Funds

 

11,244,000

 

11,165,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

10,161,000

10,171,000

Natural Resources

510,000

510,000

Permanent School

573,000

484,000

 

(a) $510,000 the first year and $510,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for grants to be divided equally between the city of St. Paul for the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory and the city of Duluth for the Lake Superior Zoo.  This appropriation is from revenue deposited to the natural resources fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), clause (5).

(b) $211,000 the first year and $221,000 the second year are for the Office of School Trust Lands.

 

(c) $250,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are transferred from the forest suspense account to the permanent school fund and are appropriated from the permanent school fund for transaction and project management costs for divesting of school trust lands within Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.


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(d) $323,000 the first year and $334,000 the second year are transferred from the forest suspense account to the permanent school fund and are appropriated from the permanent school fund for the Office of School Trust Lands.

 

(e) $9,950,000 the first year and $9,950,000 the second year are to be added as a supplement to the 1854 Treaty Area agreement payment under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.165.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

      Subd. 10.  Get Out MORE (Modernizing Outdoor Recreation Experiences)

 

65,000,000

 

 

-0-

 

(a) $65,000,000 the first year is for modernizing Minnesota's state‑managed outdoor recreation experiences.  Of this amount:

 

(1) $25,000,000 is for enhancing access and welcoming new users to public lands and outdoor recreation facilities, including improvements to improve climate resiliency;

 

(2) $4,000,000 is for modernizing camping and related infrastructure, including improvements to improve climate resiliency;

 

(3) $25,000,000 is for modernizing fish hatcheries and fishing infrastructure; and

 

(4) $11,000,000 is for restoring streams and modernizing water‑related infrastructure with priority given to fish habitat improvements, dam removal, and improvements to improve climate resiliency.

 

(b) The commissioner may reallocate money appropriated in paragraph (a) across those purposes based on project readiness and priority.  The appropriations in paragraph (a) are available until June 30, 2029.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  Subdivisions 6, 7, and 8 are effective the day following final enactment.

      Sec. 4.  BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES

$52,086,000

 

$46,574,000

 

(a) $3,116,000 the first year and $3,116,000 the second year are for grants and payments to soil and water conservation districts for accomplishing the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103C, and for other general purposes, nonpoint engineering, and implementation and stewardship of the reinvest in Minnesota reserve program.  Expenditures may be made from this appropriation for supplies and services benefiting soil and water


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conservation districts.  Any district receiving a payment under this paragraph must maintain a website that publishes, at a minimum, the district's annual report, annual audit, annual budget, and meeting notices.

 

(b) $761,000 the first year and $761,000 the second year are to implement, enforce, and provide oversight for the Wetland Conservation Act, including administering the wetland banking program and in-lieu fee mechanism.

 

(c) $1,560,000 the first year and $1,560,000 the second year are for the following:

 

(1) $1,460,000 each year is for cost-sharing programs of soil and water conservation districts for accomplishing projects and practices consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 103C.501, including perennially vegetated riparian buffers, erosion control, water retention and treatment, water quality cost-sharing for feedlots under 500 animal units and nutrient and manure management projects in watersheds where there are impaired waters, and other high-priority conservation practices; and

 

(2) $100,000 each year is for county cooperative weed management programs and to restore native plants at selected invasive species management sites.

 

(d) $166,000 the first year and $166,000 the second year are to provide technical assistance to local drainage management officials and for the costs of the Drainage Work Group.  The board must coordinate the activities of the Drainage Work Group according to Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.101, subdivision 13.  The Drainage Work Group must review a drainage authority's power under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103E, to consider the abandonment or dismantling of drainage systems; to re-meander, restore, or reconstruct a natural waterway that has been modified by drainage; or to deconstruct dikes, dams, or other water-control structures.

 

(e) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are for a grant to the Red River Basin Commission for water quality and floodplain management, including program administration.  This appropriation must be matched by nonstate funds.

(f) $140,000 the first year and $140,000 the second year are for grants to Area II Minnesota River Basin Projects for floodplain management.

 

(g) $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the second year are for conservation easement stewardship.

 

(h) $240,000 the first year and $240,000 the second year are for a grant to the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District to defray the


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annual cost of operating and maintaining sites for dredge spoil to sustain the state, national, and international commercial and recreational navigation on the lower Minnesota River.

 

(i) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year are for the lawns to legumes program under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.104.  The board may enter into agreements with local governments, Metro Blooms, and other organizations to support this effort.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2029.  The base for fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter is $250,000.

 

(j) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year are for the habitat enhancement landscape program under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.106.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2029.

 

(k) $203,000 the first year and $203,000 the second year are for soil health practice adoption purposes consistent with the cost‑sharing provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 103C.501, and for soil health program responsibilities in consultation with the University of Minnesota Office for Soil Health.

 

(l) $8,500,000 the first year and $8,500,000 the second year are for conservation easements and to restore and enhance grasslands and adjacent lands consistent with Minnesota Statutes, sections 103F.501 to 103F.531, for the purposes of climate resiliency, adaptation, carbon sequestration, and related benefits.  Of this amount, up to $423,000 is for deposit in the water and soil conservation easement stewardship account established under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.103.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2029.  The board must give priority to leveraging nonstate funding, including practices, programs, and projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture via the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, the Conservation Reserve Program, the Federal Inflation Reduction Act, the Federal Farm Bill, or the Climate-Smart Commodities Program.

 

(m) $2,500,000 the first year and $5,000,000 the second year are to acquire conservation easements and to restore and enhance peatlands and adjacent lands consistent with Minnesota Statutes, sections 103F.501 to 103F.531, for the purposes of climate resiliency, adaptation, carbon sequestration, and related benefits.  Of this amount, up to $299,000 is for deposit in the water and soil conservation easement stewardship account established under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.103.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2029.  The board must give priority to leveraging nonstate funding, including practices, programs, and projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture via the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, the Conservation Reserve Program, the Federal Inflation Reduction


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Act, the Federal Farm Bill, or the Climate-Smart Commodities Program.

 

(n) $3,550,000 the first year and $3,550,000 the second year are to enhance existing easements established under Minnesota Statutes, sections 103F.501 to 103F.531.  Enhancements are for the purposes of climate resiliency, adaptation, and carbon sequestration and include but are not limited to increasing biodiversity and mitigating the effects of rainfall and runoff events.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2029.  The board must give priority to leveraging nonstate funding, including practices, programs, and projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture via the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, the Conservation Reserve Program, the Federal Inflation Reduction Act, the Federal Farm Bill, or the Climate-Smart Commodities Program.

 

(o) $8,500,000 the first year and $8,500,000 the second year are for water quality and storage practices and projects to protect infrastructure, improve water quality and related public benefits, and mitigate climate change impacts consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.05.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2029.  The board must give priority to leveraging nonstate funding, including practices, programs, and projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture via the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, the Conservation Reserve Program, the Federal Inflation Reduction Act, the Federal Farm Bill, or the Climate-Smart Commodities Program.

 

(p) $4,673,000 the first year and $4,673,000 the second year are for natural resources block grants to local governments to implement the Wetland Conservation Act and shoreland management program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103F, and local water management responsibilities under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103B.  The board may reduce the amount of the natural resources block grant to a county by an amount equal to any reduction in the county's general services allocation to a soil and water conservation district from the county's previous year allocation when the board determines that the reduction was disproportionate.  The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $3,423,000.

(q) $129,000 the first year and $136,000 the second year are to accomplish the objectives of Minnesota Statutes, section 10.65, and related Tribal government coordination.  The base for fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter is $144,000.

 

(r) $5,000,000 the first year is to provide onetime state incentive payments to enrollees in the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) during the continuous enrollment period and to enroll complementary areas in conservation easements consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515.  The board may establish


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payment rates based on land valuation and on environmental benefit criteria, including but not limited to surface water or groundwater pollution reduction, drinking water protection, soil health, pollinator and wildlife habitat, and other conservation enhancements.  The board may use state funds to implement the program and to provide technical assistance to landowners or their agents to fulfill enrollment and contract provisions.  The board must consult with the commissioners of agriculture, health, natural resources, and the Pollution Control Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture in establishing program criteria.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(s) $3,000,000 the first year is to acquire conservation easements from landowners to preserve, restore, create, and enhance wetlands and associated uplands of prairie and grasslands and to restore and enhance rivers and streams, riparian lands, and associated uplands of prairie and grasslands, in order to protect soil and water quality, support fish and wildlife habitat, reduce flood damage, and provide other public benefits.  Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, applies to this program.  The board must give priority to leveraging federal money by enrolling targeted new lands or enrolling environmentally sensitive lands that have expiring federal conservation agreements.  The board is authorized to enter into new agreements and amend past agreements with landowners as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, subdivision 5, to allow for restoration.  Up to five percent of this appropriation may be used for restoration and enhancement.

 

(t) $200,000 the first year is to establish the drainage registry information portal under Minnesota Statutes, section 103E.122.

 

(u) $5,623,000 the first year and $5,804,000 the second year are for agency administration and operation of the Board of Water and Soil Resources.

 

(v) The board may shift money in this section and may adjust the technical and administrative assistance portion of the funds to leverage federal or other nonstate funds or to address accountability, oversight, local government performance, or high‑priority needs.

(w) Returned grants and payments are available for two years after they are returned or regranted, whichever is later.  Funds must be regranted consistent with the purposes of this section.  If an appropriation for grants in either year is insufficient, the appropriation in the other year is available for it.

 

(x) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.97, grants awarded from appropriations in this section are exempt from the Department of Administration, Office of Grants Management Policy 08-08 Grant Payments and 08-10 Grant Monitoring.

 


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     Sec. 5.  METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

 

$35,540,000

 

$16,490,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

35,540,000

7,540,000

Natural Resources

8,950,000

8,950,000

 

(a) $7,540,000 the first year and $7,540,000 the second year are for metropolitan-area regional parks operation and maintenance according to Minnesota Statutes, section 473.351.  The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $2,540,000.

 

(b) $8,950,000 the first year and $8,950,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for metropolitan-area regional parks and trails maintenance and operations.  This appropriation is from revenue deposited in the natural resources fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), clause (3).

 

(c) $5,000,000 the first year is for developing a decision-making support tool set to help local partners quantify the risks of a changing climate and prioritize strategies that mitigate those risks.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(d) $9,000,000 the first year is to modernize regional parks and trails.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(e) $5,000,000 the first year is for reducing the amount of inflow and infiltration to the Metropolitan Council's metropolitan sanitary sewer disposal system.  Of this amount, $4,000,000 is for grants to cities for capital improvements in municipal wastewater collection systems under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.5491, and $1,000,000 is for grants and loans to inspect, repair, and replace privately owned sewer service lines.  Priority for grants and loans for privately owned lines must be given to applicants with a household income at or below 80 percent of area median income.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

(f) $9,000,000 the first year is for grants to implementing agencies to remove hazardous trees and replace ash trees with more diverse, climate-adapted species within the metropolitan regional park system.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

      Sec. 6.  CONSERVATION CORPS MINNESOTA

 

$1,195,000

 

$1,195,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

705,000

705,000


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Natural Resources

490,000

490,000

 

Conservation Corps Minnesota may receive money appropriated from the natural resources fund under this section only as provided in an agreement with the commissioner of natural resources.

 

      Sec. 7.  ZOOLOGICAL BOARD

 

$14,494,000

 

$13,812,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

General

14,239,000

13,557,000

Natural Resources

255,000

255,000

 

(a) $255,000 the first year and $255,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund from revenue deposited under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (h), clause (5).

 

(b) $850,000 the first year is to improve safety and security at the Minnesota Zoo.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(c) $250,000 the first year is for removing hazardous trees and replacing ash trees with more diverse, climate-adapted species.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

      Sec. 8.  SCIENCE MUSEUM

 

$10,200,000

 

$1,710,000

 

$9,000,000 the first year and $450,000 the second year are for debt reduction, rehiring and retaining employees, and reducing entrance fees for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

 

      Sec. 9.  LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COMMISSION

$52,000

 

$52,000

 

$52,000 the first year and $52,000 the second year are for the Legislative Water Commission established in this act.

 

      Sec. 10.  UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

 

$8,433,000

 

$1,856,000

 

(a) $1,633,000 the first year and $1,856,000 the second year are for chronic wasting disease contingency plans developed by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.  The center must develop, refine, and share with relevant experts and stakeholders contingency plans regarding the potential transmission of chronic wasting disease from Cervidae to humans, livestock, and other species.  The contingency plans must provide a blueprint for preparedness and response planning documents, including authoritative risk communication, education, and outreach materials.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

(b) $200,000 the first year is for the University of Minnesota Water Council to develop a scope of work, timeline, and budget for the 50-year clean water plan as required under this act.


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(c) $6,600,000 the first year is for the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center to enhance and implement the center's aquatic invasive species research-based solutions through:

 

(1) implementation of a watershed-scale carp management plan and additional research focused on site-specific method refinement and evaluation;

 

(2) creation of a long-term monitoring program with state and local partners that evaluates the feasibility of whole-lake zebra mussel control projects and the development of criteria for selecting and managing lakes;

 

(3) refinement and implementation of large-scale surveillance and early detection methods for high-priority aquatic invasive species, including but not limited to zebra mussels, spiny water flea, and starry stonewort; and

 

(4) development and sharing, with relevant experts and stakeholders, contingency plans regarding the potential risks of aquatic invasive species.  The contingency plans must provide a blueprint for preparedness and response planning documents, including authoritative risk communication, education, and outreach materials.  The communication, education, and outreach materials must be prepared in multiple languages, including but not limited to Tribal languages.

 

(d) The board must ensure that the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center coordinates research activities funded under paragraph (c) with Tribal governments.

 

(e) The appropriation under paragraph (c) is onetime and available until June 30, 2027. 

 

      Sec. 11.  PUBLIC SAFETY

 

$-0-

 

$229,000

 

$229,000 the second year is from the fire safety account in the special revenue fund for purposes of the class B firefighting foam requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 325F.072.

ARTICLE 2

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND

 

      Section 1.  APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the environment and natural resources trust fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2024.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2025.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.  Any unencumbered balance remaining in the first year does not cancel and is available for the second year or until the end of the appropriation.  These are onetime appropriations.


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APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2024

2025

 

      Sec. 2.  MINNESOTA RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

 

      Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$79,833,000

 

$-0-

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2024

 

2025

Environment and

 Natural Resources

 Trust Fund

 

 

79,644,000

 

 

-0-

Great Lakes Protection

 Account

 

189,000

 

-0-

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

      Subd. 2.  Definitions

 

 

 

 

 

(a) "Trust fund" means the Minnesota environment and natural resources trust fund established under the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 14.

 

(b) "Great Lakes protection account" means the account referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section 116Q.02.

 

      Subd. 3.  Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information

 

8,219,000

 

 

-0-

 

(a) Assessing Restorations for Rusty-Patched and Other Bumblebee Habitat

 

 

 

 

$75,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Friends of the Mississippi River to assess how prairie restoration and different restoration seeding methods affect bumblebee abundance, diversity, and habitat and make recommendations to improve restoration outcomes.

 

(b) Removing Barriers to Carbon Market Entry

 

 

 

 

 

$482,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop ground-tested carbon stock models of forest resources throughout Minnesota to enable better resource management of public and private forests as well as


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generate reliable tools for landowners seeking to enter carbon markets.

 

(c) Mapping Migratory Bird Pit Stops in Minnesota

 

 

 

 

 

$340,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Audubon Society, Minnesota office, to identify avian migratory stopover sites, develop a shared decision-support tool, and publish guidance for conserving migratory birds in Minnesota.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(d) Enhancing Knowledge of Minnesota River Fish Ecology

 

 

 

 

$199,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to collect baseline information about the diets, distribution, status, and movement patterns of fish in the Minnesota River to inform management and conservation decisions.

 

(e) Changing Distribution of Flying Squirrel Species in Minnesota

 

 

 

 

$186,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth to determine current distribution and habitat associations of northern and southern flying squirrels to fill key knowledge gaps in flying squirrel status in Minnesota.

 

(f) Statewide Forest Carbon Inventory and Change Mapping

 

 

 

 

$987,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to work with Minnesota Forest Resources Council, Minnesota Forestry Association, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the University of Minnesota to develop a programmatic approach and begin collecting plot-based inventories on private forestland for use with remote sensing data to better assess changing forest conditions and climate mitigation opportunities across all ownerships in the state.

(g) Predicting the Future of Aquatic Species by Understanding the Past

 

 

 

 

$170,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to use past and present information to model future ranges of native aquatic species in Minnesota to generate publicly available tools for species and habitat management.

 


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(h) Assessing Status of Common Tern Populations in Minnesota

 

 

 

 

$199,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth to assess the population status of Common Tern breeding colonies in Minnesota, implement management activities, and develop a standardized monitoring protocol and online database for accessing current and historic monitoring data to help prioritize conservation and restoration actions for this state-threatened species.

 

(i) Salvaged Wildlife to Inform Environmental Health, Ecology, and Education

 

 

 

 

$486,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, Bell Museum of Natural History, to establish a statewide network to collect, analyze, and archive salvaged dead wildlife and build a foundation of biodiversity resources to track ecosystem-wide changes, monitor environmental health, and educate Minnesotans about the value of scientific specimens.

 

(j) Developing Conservation Priorities for Rare and Specialist Bees

 

 

 

 

$619,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to collect data on rare and specialist bees and their habitat preferences, determine their conservation status, and develop strategies to improve their chances of survival.

 

(k) Efficacy of Urban Archery Hunting to Manage Deer

 

 

 

 

 

$393,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for Bemidji State University to conduct an analysis of deer survival, habitat use, and hunter data in the city of Bemidji to improve special archery hunt management practices in urban areas of the state.

(l) Mapping the Ecology of Urban and Rural Canids

 

 

 

 

 

$601,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to determine how disease prevalence, diet, habitat use, and interspecies interactions of coyotes and foxes change from urban to rural areas along the Mississippi River corridor.

 

(m) Maximizing Lowland Conifer Ecosystem Services - Phase II

 

 

 

 


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$482,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to continue monitoring forested peatland hydrology and wildlife, conduct new wildlife and habitat surveys, and quantify carbon storage to provide support for management decisions.

 

(n) Modernizing Minnesota's Wildlife (and Plant) Action Plan

 

 

 

 

$889,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to modernize the Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan by filling critical data gaps, including adding rare plants to the plan, and standardizing conservation status assessment methods to ensure Minnesota's natural heritage is protected into the future.

 

(o) Linking Breeding and Migratory Bird Populations in Minnesota

 

 

 

 

$199,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory to map year-round habitat use of understudied bird species of special conservation concern and evaluate areas with the greatest risk of contaminant exposure.

 

(p) Old Growth Forest Monitoring

 

 

 

 

 

$441,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to establish baseline conditions and develop a cost-effective method to monitor approximately 93,000 acres of old growth forest in Minnesota to ensure that these rare and important forest resources are properly protected.

 

(q) Integrating Remotely Sensed Data with Traditional Forest Inventory

 

 

 

 

$191,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth to calibrate and optimize the use of LiDAR for forest inventory purposes and estimate stand-level forest resource metrics in northeastern Minnesota so ecosystem services can be better considered in management decisions.

(r) Community Response Monitoring for Adaptive Management in Southeast Minnesota

 

 

 

 

$483,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to assess community-level plant and animal responses to past restoration efforts in select southeast Minnesota conservation focus areas to determine if management outcomes are being achieved.

 

(s) Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas - Phase III

 

 

 

 


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$797,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, Bell Museum of Natural History, to expand the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas to include more than 2,000,000 records and images of Minnesota wildlife, plants, and fungi by adding insect specimens, collections from new partners, historical data, and repatriating records of Minnesota's biodiversity that exist in various federal institutions.

 

      Subd. 4.  Water Resources

 

8,328,000

 

-0-

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

Environment and

 Natural Resources   

 Trust Fund

 

 

8,139,000

 

 

-0-

Great Lakes Protection

 Account

 

189,000

 

-0-

 

 

(a) Ditching Delinquent Ditches:  Optimizing Wetland Restoration

 

 

 

 

$199,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to use new techniques to identify and rank areas statewide where targeted removal of poorly functioning drainage ditches and restoration to wetlands can provide maximum human and ecological benefits, including aquifer recharge and flood prevention.

 

(b) Assessment of Red River Basin Project Outcomes

 

 

 

 

 

$920,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Red River Watershed Management Board acting as fiscal agent for the Red River Basin Flood Damage Reduction Work Group to plan and implement multiresource monitoring at flood damage reduction and natural resource enhancement projects across the Red River Basin to evaluate outcomes and improve design of future projects at a regional scale.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

(c) Wind Wave and Boating Impacts on Inland Lakes

 

 

 

 

 

$415,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory to conduct a field study to measure the impacts of boat propeller wash and boat wakes on lake bottoms, shorelines, and water quality compared to the impacts of wind-generated waves.

 

(d) Finding, Capturing, and Destroying PFAS in Minnesota Waters

 

 

 


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$478,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop novel methods for the detection, sequestration, and degradation of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Minnesota's lakes and rivers.

 

(e) Sinking and Suspended Microplastic Particles in Lake Superior

 

 

 

 

$412,000 the first year is to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Large Lakes Observatory in Duluth to investigate the abundance, characteristics, and fate of microplastic particles in Lake Superior to inform remediation strategies and analyses of environmental impacts.  Of this amount, $189,000 is from the Great Lakes protection account and $223,000 is from the trust fund.  These appropriations may also be used to educate the public about the research conducted with this appropriation.

 

(f) Ecotoxicological Impacts of Quinone Outside Inhibitor (QoI) Fungicides

 

 

 

 

$279,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the University of St. Thomas to assess the ecological hazards associated with QoI fungicides and their major environmental transformation products.

 

(g) Brightsdale Dam Channel Restoration

 

 

 

 

 

$1,004,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Fillmore County Soil and Water Conservation District to reduce sedimentation and improve aquatic habitat by restoring a channel of the north branch of the Root River at the site of a failed hydroelectric power dam that was removed in 2003.

 

(h) Mapping Aquifer Recharge Potential

 

 

 

 

 

$391,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory to partner with the Freshwater Society to develop a practical tool for mapping aquifer recharge potential, demonstrate the tool with laboratory and field tests, use the tool to evaluate recharge potential of several aquifers in Minnesota, and analyze aquifer recharge policy.

 

(i) ALASD's Chloride Source Reduction Pilot Program

 

 

 

 

 

$764,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary District (ALASD) to coordinate with Douglas County and the Pollution Control Agency to pilot an incentive program for


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residences and businesses to install high-efficiency water softeners, salt-free systems, or softener discharge disposal systems to reduce the annual salt load to Lake Winona and downstream waters.  The pilot program includes rebates, inspections, community education, and water quality monitoring to measure chloride reduction success.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(j) Removing CECs from Stormwater with Biofiltration

 

 

 

 

 

$641,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory to develop a treatment practice design using biofiltration media to remove contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from stormwater runoff and to provide statewide stormwater management guidance.

 

(k) Didymo II The North Shore Threat Continues

 

 

 

 

 

$394,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Science Museum of Minnesota for the St. Croix Watershed Research Station to identify North Shore streams with didymo, determine the risk of invasion to other streams, document didymo impacts to stream functioning, and develop strategies to prevent further spread of didymo.

 

(l) Leveraging Data Analytics Innovations for Watershed District Planning

 

 

 

 

$738,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to integrate local and statewide data sets into a high-resolution planning tool that forecasts the impacts of changing precipitation patterns and quantitatively compares cost effectiveness and outcomes for water quality, ecological integrity, and flood prevention projects in the district.  Minnehaha Creek Watershed District may license third parties to use products developed with this appropriation without further approval from the legislature or the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, provided the licensing does not generate income.  This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.

(m) Protecting Water in the Central Sands Region of the Mississippi River Headwaters

 

 

 

 

$1,693,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the White Earth Band of Minnesota Chippewa Indians to conduct a policy analysis and assess aggregate irrigation impacts on water quality and quantity in the Pineland Sands region of the state.

 

      Subd. 5.  Environmental Education

 

3,905,000

 

-0-

 

(a) Fostering Conservation by Connecting Students to the BWCA

 

 

 


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$1,080,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness to connect Minnesota youth to the Boundary Waters through environmental education, experiential learning, and wilderness canoe trips.

 

(b) Statewide Environmental Education via PBS Outdoor Series

 

 

 

 

$391,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pioneer Public Broadcasting Service to produce new episodes of a statewide public television series and an educational web page designed to inspire Minnesotans to connect with the outdoors and to restore and protect the state's natural resources.

 

(c) Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers

 

 

 

 

 

$763,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources in cooperation with Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa to ensure a stable and prepared natural resources work force in Minnesota by encouraging a diversity of students to pursue careers in environment and natural resources through internships, mentorships, and fellowships with the Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the Pollution Control Agency.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(d) Reducing Biophobia & Fostering Environmental Stewardship in Underserved Schools

 

 

 

 

$180,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Raptor Center to foster long-lasting environmental stewardship and literacy in Minnesota youth in underserved schools by providing engaging, multiunit, standards-based environmental programming featuring positive interactions with raptors and evaluating program effectiveness and areas for improvement.

(e) Sharing Minnesota's Biggest Environmental Investment

 

 

 

 

$628,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Science Museum of Minnesota, in coordination with the Legislative‑Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), to increase public access to the results of LCCMR‑recommended research, including through a free online interactive map, in-depth videos, and public events.

 

(f) North Shore Private Forestry Outreach and Implementation

 

 

 


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$375,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Sugarloaf:  The North Shore Stewardship Association to conduct outreach to private forest landowners, develop site restoration plans, and connect landowners with restoration assistance to encourage private forest restoration and improve the ecological health of Minnesota's North Shore forest landscape.

 

(g) Teaching Students about Watersheds through Outdoor Science

 

 

 

 

$290,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited to engage students in classroom and outdoor hands-on learning focused on water quality, groundwater, aquatic life, and watershed stewardship and provide youth and their families with fishing experiences to further foster a conservation ethic.

 

(h) Bioblitz Urban Parks:  Engaging Communities in Scientific Efforts

 

 

 

 

$198,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to work with volunteers to collect baseline biodiversity data for neighborhood and regional parks to inspire stewardship and inform habitat restoration work.

 

      Subd. 6.  Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species

 

5,104,000

 

-0-

 

(a) Northward Expansion of Ecologically Damaging Amphibians and Reptiles

 

 

 

 

$163,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to assess the distribution and potential for expansion of key detrimental and nonnative amphibians and reptiles in Minnesota.

(b) Developing Research-Based Solutions to Minnesota's AIS Problems

 

 

 

 

$4,941,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center to conduct high-priority projects aimed at solving Minnesota's aquatic invasive species problems using rigorous science and a collaborative process.  Additionally, funds may be spent to deliver research findings to end users through strategic communication and outreach.  This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.  This appropriation is


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available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

      Subd. 7.  Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy

3,913,000

 

-0-

 

(a) Community Forestry AmeriCorps

 

 

 

 

 

$1,500,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with ServeMinnesota to preserve and increase tree canopy throughout the state by training, supporting, and deploying AmeriCorps members to local agencies and nonprofit organizations to plant and inventory trees, develop and implement pest management plans, create and maintain nursery beds for replacement trees, and organize opportunities for community engagement in tree stewardship activities.

 

(b) Biochar Implementation in Habitat Restoration:  A Pilot

 

 

 

 

$185,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Great River Greening to pilot the use of portable biochar kilns as an alternative to open-pile burning of trees and shrubs to reduce smoke and carbon emissions and produce beneficial by-products from invasive species removal and land restoration efforts.

 

(c) Completing Installment of the Minnesota Ecological Monitoring Network

 

 

 

 

$1,094,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to improve conservation and management of Minnesota's native forests, wetlands, and grasslands by completing the Ecological Monitoring Network to measure ecosystems' change through time.

 

(d) Lichens as Low-Cost Air Quality Monitors in Minnesota

 

 

 

 

$341,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop community science protocols for using lichens as indicators of air quality and conduct an analysis of air pollution changes across Minnesota in the present and in the past century.

(e) Environment-Friendly Decarbonizing of Steel Production with Hydrogen Plasma

 

 

 

 

$739,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to investigate the use of microwave hydrogen plasma to reduce fossil fuel use, carbon dioxide emissions, and waste and enable the use of alternative iron resources, including lower quality iron ores, tailings, and iron ore waste piles, in the iron-making industry.  This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.


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(f) Economic Analysis Guide for Minnesota Climate Investments

 

 

 

 

$54,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to create a guide that will incorporate nation-wide best practices for considering costs, benefits, economics, and equity in Minnesota climate policy decisions.

 

      Subd. 8.  Methods to Protect or Restore Land, Water, and Habitat

 

15,997,000

 

 

-0-

 

(a) Minnesota Bee and Beneficial Species Habitat Enhancement II

 

 

 

 

$876,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever Inc. to enhance grassland habitats to benefit pollinators and other wildlife species on permanently protected lands and to collaborate with the University of Minnesota to determine best practices for seeding timing and techniques.

 

(b) Karner Blue Butterfly Insurance Population Establishment in Minnesota

 

 

 

 

$405,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Three Rivers Park District to establish a breeding population of the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly on protected lands within the butterfly's northern expanding range, increase the habitat area, and evaluate the butterfly establishment effort to assist with adaptive management.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(c) Root River Habitat Restoration at Eagle Bluff

 

 

 

 

 

$866,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center to restore habitat in and alongside the Root River north of Lanesboro, Minnesota, and to conduct monitoring to ensure water quality and fish population improvements are achieved.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(d) Restoring Mussels in Streams and Lakes - Continuation

 

 

 

 

$825,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to propagate, rear, and restore native freshwater


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mussel assemblages and the ecosystem services they provide in the Mississippi, Cedar, and Cannon Rivers; to evaluate reintroduction success; and to inform the public on mussels and mussel conservation.

 

(e) Minnesota Million:  Seedlings for Reforestation and CO 2 Sequestration

 

 

 

 

$906,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, Duluth, to collaborate with The Nature Conservancy and Minnesota Extension to expand networks of seed collectors and tree growers and to research tree planting strategies to accelerate reforestation for carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, and watershed resilience.

 

(f) Panoway on Wayzata Bay Shoreline Restoration Project

 

 

 

 

$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Wayzata to restore native lake bottom and shoreline vegetation to improve shoreline stability, wildlife habitat, and the natural beauty of Lake Minnetonka's Wayzata Bay.  The recipient must report to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on the effectiveness of any new methods tested while conducting the project and may use a portion of the appropriation to prepare that report.

 

(g) Pollinator Central III:  Habitat Improvement with Community Monitoring

 

 

 

 

$190,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Great River Greening to restore and enhance pollinator habitat in parks, schools, and other public spaces to benefit pollinators and people and to build knowledge about impacts of the pollinator plantings through community-based monitoring.

(h) Restoring Forests and Savannas Using Silvopasture ‑ Phase II

 

 

 

 

$674,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Great River Greening to continue to partner with the University of Minnesota and the Sustainable Farming Association to demonstrate, evaluate, and increase adoption of the combined use of intensive tree, forage, and grazing as a method to restore and manage forest and savanna habitats.


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(i) Minnesota Community Schoolyards

 

 

 

 

 

$1,433,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to engage students and communities to create nature-focused habitat improvements at schoolyards across the state to increase environmental outcomes and encourage outdoor learning.

 

(j) Pollinator Enhancement and Mississippi River Shoreline Restoration

 

 

 

 

$187,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the adjutant general of the Department of Military Affairs to restore native prairie, support pollinator plantings, and stabilize a large section of stream bank along the Mississippi River within Camp Ripley.

 

(k) Conservation Cooperative for Working Lands

 

 

 

 

 

$2,611,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever Inc. to collaborate with Natural Resources Conservation Service, Board of Water and Soil Resources, and Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts to accelerate adoption of voluntary conservation practices on working lands in Minnesota by increasing technical assistance to farmers and landowners while also attracting federal matching funds.

 

(l) Quantifying Environmental Benefits of Peatland Restoration in Minnesota

 

 

 

 

$754,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to quantify the capacity of restored peatlands to store and accumulate atmospheric carbon and prevent release of accumulated mercury into the surrounding environment.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

(m) Renewing Access to an Iconic North Shore Vista

 

 

 

 

 

$197,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Superior Hiking Trail Association to use national trail design best practices to renew trails and a campground along the Bean and Bear Lakes section of the Superior Hiking Trail that provides access to one of Minnesota's most iconic vistas.

 

(n) Addressing Erosion Along High Use River Loops

 

 

 

 

 


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$368,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Superior Hiking Trail Association to rehabilitate and renew popular river loops of the Superior Hiking Trail to withstand high visitor use and serve Minnesotans for years to come.

 

(o) Pollinator Habitat Creation at Minnesota Closed Landfills

 

 

 

 

$1,508,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to conduct a pilot project to create pollinator habitat at closed landfill sites in the closed landfill program.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(p) Enhancing Habitat Connectivity within the Urban Mississippi Flyway

 

 

 

 

$190,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to enhance and restore habitat in and between urban neighborhood parks and the Mississippi River to benefit animals, plants, and neighborhoods traditionally disconnected from nature and to raise awareness of the Mississippi River Flyway.

 

(q) Statewide Diversion of Furniture and Mattress Waste Pilots

 

 

 

 

$2,833,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with EMERGE Community Development to work collaboratively with the University of Minnesota, Second Chance Recycling, and local governments to test and implement methods to expand mattress and furniture recycling statewide, including by researching value-add commodity markets for recycled materials, piloting mattress collection in greater Minnesota counties, piloting curbside furniture collection in the metropolitan area, and increasing facility capacity to recycle collected mattresses.  Any revenue generated from selling products or assets developed or acquired with this appropriation must be repaid to the trust fund unless a plan is approved for reinvestment of income in the project.  This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.

 

(r) Phelps Mill Wetland and Prairie Restoration

 

 

 

 

 

$974,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Otter Tail County to plan, engineer, and restore wetlands and prairie within the newly expanded Phelps Mill County Park to improve habitat connectivity for wildlife and enhance recreational experiences for users.  Up to $322,000 of this appropriation may be used to plan, engineer, and construct a boardwalk, viewing platforms, and soft trails within the


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park.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

      Subd. 9.  Land Acquisition, Habitat, and Recreation

 

31,241,000

 

-0-

 

(a) SNA Stewardship, Outreach, and Biodiversity Protection

 

 

 

 

$1,919,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance exceptional habitat on scientific and natural areas (SNAs), increase public involvement and outreach, and strategically acquire lands that meet criteria for SNAs under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, from willing sellers.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(b) Wannigan Regional Park Land Acquisition

 

 

 

 

 

$727,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Frazee to acquire land for protecting and enhancing natural resources and for future development as Wannigan Regional Park, where the Heartland State, North Country National, and Otter Tail River Water Trails will meet.  Initial site development or restoration work may be conducted with this appropriation.

 

(c) Local Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas Grant Programs

 

 

 

 

$3,802,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to solicit and rank applications and fund competitive matching grants for local parks, trail connections, and natural and scenic areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019.  This appropriation is for local nature-based recreation, connections to regional and state natural areas, and recreation facilities and may not be used for athletic facilities such as sport fields, courts, and playgrounds.

(d) Outreach and Stewardship Through the Native Prairie Bank Program

 

 

 

 

$620,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and monitor lands enrolled in the native prairie bank and to provide outreach and technical assistance to landowners, practitioners, and the public to increase awareness and stewardship of the state's remaining native prairie.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(e) Minnesota State Trails Development

 

 

 

 

 


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$4,952,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to expand recreational opportunities on Minnesota state trails by rehabilitating and enhancing existing state trails and replacing or repairing existing state trail bridges.

 

(f) Construction of East Park

 

 

 

 

 

$700,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of St. Joseph to increase recreational opportunities and access at East Park along the Sauk River in St. Joseph through enhancements such as a canoe and kayak access, a floating dock, paved and mowed trails, and parking entrance improvements.

 

(g) Scandia Gateway Trail to William O'Brien State Park

 

 

 

 

 

$2,689,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Scandia to engineer and construct a segment of the Gateway State Trail between the city of Scandia and William O'Brien State Park that will be maintained by the Department of Natural Resources.  The segment to be constructed includes a pedestrian tunnel and trailhead parking area.  This project must be designed and constructed in accordance with Department of Natural Resources state trail standards.  Engineering and construction plans must be approved by the commissioner of natural resources before construction may commence.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(h) Grand Marais Mountain Bike Trail Rehabilitation - Phase II

 

 

 

 

$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Superior Cycling Association to rehabilitate and modify existing mountain bike trails at Pincushion Mountain to increase the trail's environmental sustainability and provide better access to beginner and adaptive cyclers.

(i) Acquisition of State Parks and Trails Inholdings

 

 

 

 

 

$5,425,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire high-priority inholdings from willing sellers within the legislatively authorized boundaries of state parks, recreation areas, and trails to protect Minnesota's natural heritage, enhance outdoor recreation, and improve the efficiency of public land management.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(j) St. Louis River Re-Connect - Phase II

 

 

 

 

 


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$1,375,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Duluth to increase recreational opportunities and access to the Waabizheshikana hiking and water trails in West Duluth with trail and trailhead enhancements such as accessible canoe and kayak launches, picnic areas, and restrooms; restored habitat; stormwater improvements; directional signage, and trailside interpretation.  This appropriation may also be used to partner with the St. Louis River Alliance to create an ambassadors program to engage the surrounding community and facilitate use of the trails.

 

(k) City of Biwabik Recreation

 

 

 

 

 

$1,306,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Biwabik to reconstruct and renovate Biwabik Recreation Area's access road, parking area, and bathroom facilities.

 

(l) Silver Bay Multimodal Trailhead Project

 

 

 

 

 

$1,970,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Silver Bay to develop a multimodal trailhead center to provide safe access to the Superior Hiking, Gitchi-Gami Bike, and C.J. Ramstad/North Shore trails; Black Beach Park; and other recreational destinations.  Before any construction costs are incurred, the city must demonstrate that all funding to complete the project are secured.

 

(m) Above the Falls Regional Park Restoration Planning and Acquisition

 

 

 

 

$1,376,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to acquire land along the Mississippi River from willing sellers for habitat restoration, trail development, and low-intensity recreational facilities in Above the Falls Regional Park.  This appropriation may also be used to prepare restoration plans for lands acquired.  This appropriation may not be used to purchase habitable residential structures.  Before the acquisition, a phase 1 environmental assessment must be completed and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board must not accept any liability for previous contamination of lands acquired with this appropriation.

 

(n) Redhead Mountain Bike Park

 

 

 

 

 

$1,666,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Chisholm as the fiscal agent for the Minnesota Discovery Center to enhance outdoor recreational opportunities by adding trails and amenities to the Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisholm.  Amenities may


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include such things as pump tracks, skills courses, changing stations, shade shakes, and signage.

 

(o) Maplewood State Park Trail Segment of the Perham to Pelican Rapids Regional Trail

 

 

 

 

$2,514,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Otter Tail County to partner with the Department of Natural Resources to construct the Maplewood State Park segment of the Perham to Pelican Rapids Regional Trail.  This project must be designed and constructed in accordance with Department of Natural Resources state trail standards.  Engineering and construction plans must be approved by the commissioner of natural resources before construction may commence.

 

      Subd. 10.  Administration, Emerging Issues, and Contract Agreement Reimbursement

 

3,126,000

 

 

-0-

 

(a) LCCMR Administrative Budget

 

 

 

 

 

$2,133,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Legislative‑Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for administration in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09, subdivision 5.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.11, paragraph (b), Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.281, applies to this appropriation.

 

(b) Emerging Issues

 

 

 

 

 

$767,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Legislative‑Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources to an emerging issues account authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.08, subdivision 4, paragraph (d).

(c) Contract Agreement Reimbursement

 

 

 

 

 

$224,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources, at the direction of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, for expenses incurred in preparing and administering contracts, including for the agreements specified in this section.

 

(d) Legislative Coordinating Commission Legacy Website

 

 

 

 

 

$2,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the website required in Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10.


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      Subd. 11.  Availability of Appropriations

 

 

 

 

 

Money appropriated in this section may not be spent on activities unless they are directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation and are specified in the work plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.  Money appropriated in this section must not be spent on indirect costs or other institutional overhead charges that are not directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation.  Costs that are directly related to and necessary for an appropriation, including financial services, human resources, information services, rent, and utilities, are eligible only if the costs can be clearly justified and individually documented specific to the appropriation's purpose and would not be generated by the recipient but for receipt of the appropriation.  No broad allocations for costs in either dollars or percentages are allowed.  Unless otherwise provided, the amounts in this section are available for three years beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2026, when projects must be completed and final products delivered.  For acquisition of real property, the appropriations in this section are available for an additional fiscal year if a binding contract for acquisition of the real property is entered into before the expiration date of the appropriation.  If a project receives a federal award, the period of the appropriation is extended to equal the federal award period to a maximum trust fund appropriation length of six years.

 

      Subd. 12.  Data Availability Requirements Data

 

 

 

 

 

Data collected by the projects funded under this section must conform to guidelines and standards adopted by Minnesota IT Services.  Spatial data must also conform to additional guidelines and standards designed to support data coordination and distribution that have been published by the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.  Descriptions of spatial data must be prepared as specified in the state's geographic metadata guideline and must be submitted to the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.  All data must be accessible and free to the public unless made private under the Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13.  To the extent practicable, summary data and results of projects funded under this section should be readily accessible on the Internet and identified as having received funding from the environment and natural resources trust fund.

 

      Subd. 13.  Project Requirements

 

 

 

 

 

(a) As a condition of accepting an appropriation under this section, an agency or entity receiving an appropriation or a party to an agreement from an appropriation must comply with paragraphs (b) to (l) and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116P, and must submit a work plan and annual or semiannual progress reports in the form


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determined by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for any project funded in whole or in part with funds from the appropriation.  Modifications to the approved work plan and budget expenditures must be made through the amendment process established by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.

 

(b) A recipient of money appropriated in this section that conducts a restoration using funds appropriated in this section must use native plant species according to the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation establishment and enhancement guidelines and include an appropriate diversity of native species selected to provide habitat for pollinators throughout the growing season as required under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.973.

 

(c) For all restorations conducted with money appropriated under this section, a recipient must prepare an ecological restoration and management plan that, to the degree practicable, is consistent with the highest-quality conservation and ecological goals for the restoration site.  Consideration should be given to soil, geology, topography, and other relevant factors that would provide the best chance for long-term success and durability of the restoration project.  The plan must include the proposed timetable for implementing the restoration, including site preparation, establishment of diverse plant species, maintenance, and additional enhancement to establish the restoration; identify long-term maintenance and management needs of the restoration and how the maintenance, management, and enhancement will be financed; and take advantage of the best-available science and include innovative techniques to achieve the best restoration.

 

(d) An entity receiving an appropriation in this section for restoration activities must provide an initial restoration evaluation at the completion of the appropriation and an evaluation three years after the completion of the expenditure.  Restorations must be evaluated relative to the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan, current science, and, when applicable, the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation establishment and enhancement guidelines.  The evaluation must determine whether the restorations are meeting planned goals, identify any problems with implementing the restorations, and, if necessary, give recommendations on improving restorations.  The evaluation must be focused on improving future restorations.

 

(e) All restoration and enhancement projects funded with money appropriated in this section must be on land permanently protected by a conservation easement or public ownership.

 


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(f) A recipient of money from an appropriation under this section must give consideration to contracting with Conservation Corps Minnesota for contract restoration and enhancement services.

 

(g) All conservation easements acquired with money appropriated under this section must:

 

(1) be permanent;

 

(2) specify the parties to an easement in the easement;

 

(3) specify all provisions of an agreement that are permanent;

 

(4) be sent to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources in an electronic format at least ten business days before closing;

 

(5) include a long-term monitoring and enforcement plan and funding for monitoring and enforcing the easement agreement; and

 

(6) include requirements in the easement document to protect the quantity and quality of groundwater and surface water through specific activities such as keeping water on the landscape, reducing nutrient and contaminant loading, and not permitting artificial hydrological modifications.

 

(h) For any acquisition of lands or interest in lands, a recipient of money appropriated under this section must not agree to pay more than 100 percent of the appraised value for a parcel of land using this money to complete the purchase, in part or in whole, except that up to ten percent above the appraised value may be allowed to complete the purchase, in part or in whole, using this money if permission is received in advance of the purchase from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.

 

(i) For any acquisition of land or interest in land, a recipient of money appropriated under this section must give priority to high‑quality natural resources or conservation lands that provide natural buffers to water resources.

(j) For new lands acquired with money appropriated under this section, a recipient must prepare an ecological restoration and management plan in compliance with paragraph (c), including sufficient funding for implementation unless the work plan addresses why a portion of the money is not necessary to achieve a high-quality restoration.

 

(k) To ensure public accountability for using public funds, a recipient of money appropriated under this section must, within 60 days of the transaction, provide to the Legislative-Citizen


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Commission on Minnesota Resources documentation of the selection process used to identify parcels acquired and provide documentation of all related transaction costs, including but not limited to appraisals, legal fees, recording fees, commissions, other similar costs, and donations.  This information must be provided for all parties involved in the transaction.  The recipient must also report to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources any difference between the acquisition amount paid to the seller and the state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal, if a state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal was conducted.

 

(l) A recipient of an appropriation from the trust fund under this section must acknowledge financial support from the environment and natural resources trust fund in project publications, signage, and other public communications and outreach related to work completed using the appropriation.  Acknowledgment may occur, as appropriate, through use of the trust fund logo or inclusion of language attributing support from the trust fund.  Each direct recipient of money appropriated in this section, as well as each recipient of a grant awarded pursuant to this section, must satisfy all reporting and other requirements incumbent upon constitutionally dedicated funding recipients as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10, and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116P.

 

(m) A recipient of an appropriation from the trust fund under this section that is receiving funding to conduct children's services, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 299C.61, subdivision 7, must certify to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, as part of the required work plan, that criminal background checks for background check crimes, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 299C.61, subdivision 2, are performed on all employees, contractors, and volunteers that have or may have access to a child to whom the recipient provides children's services using the appropriation.

 

      Subd. 14.  Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures

 

 

 

 

(a) All agreements, grants, or contracts referred to in this section must be administered on a reimbursement basis unless otherwise provided in this section.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.41, expenditures made on or after July 1, 2023, or the date the work plan is approved, whichever is later, are eligible for reimbursement unless otherwise provided in this section.  Periodic payments must be made upon receiving documentation that the deliverable items articulated in the approved work plan have been achieved, including partial achievements as evidenced by approved progress reports.  Reasonable amounts may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash-flow needs or match federal money.  The advances must be approved as part of the work plan.  No


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expenditures for capital equipment are allowed unless expressly authorized in the project work plan.

 

(b) Single-source contracts as specified in the approved work plan are allowed.

 

      Subd. 15.  Purchasing Recycled and Recyclable Materials

 

 

 

 

A political subdivision, public or private corporation, or other entity that receives an appropriation under this section must use the appropriation in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 16C.0725, regarding purchasing recycled, repairable, and durable materials, and Minnesota Statutes, section 16C.073, regarding purchasing and using paper stock and printing.

 

      Subd. 16.  Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Guidelines

 

 

 

 

A recipient to whom an appropriation is made under this section for a capital improvement project must ensure that the project complies with the applicable energy conservation and sustainable building guidelines and standards contained in law, including Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.325, 216C.19, and 216C.20, and rules adopted under those sections.  The recipient may use the energy planning, advocacy, and State Energy Office units of the Department of Commerce to obtain information and technical assistance on energy conservation and alternative-energy development relating to planning and constructing the capital improvement project.

 

      Subd. 17.  Accessibility

 

 

 

 

 

Structural and nonstructural facilities must meet the design standards in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines.

 

      Subd. 18.  Carryforward; Extensions

 

 

 

 

 

The availability of the appropriations for the following projects is extended to June 30, 2024:

(1) Laws 2018, chapter 214, article 4, section 2, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center - Phase 4;

 

(2) Laws 2018, chapter 214, article 4, section 2, subdivision 8, paragraph (e), Restoring Forests in Minnesota State Parks;

 


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(3) Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 4, article 2, section 2, subdivision 3, paragraph (d), Minnesota Trumpeter Swan Migration Ecology and Conservation;

 

(4) Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 4, article 2, section 2, subdivision 8, paragraph (g), Agricultural Weed Control Using Autonomous Mowers;

 

(5) Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 4, article 2, section 2, subdivision 10, paragraph (d), Grants Management System; and

 

(6) Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 5, section 2, subdivision 10, Emerging Issues Account; Wastewater Renewable Energy Demonstration Grants.

 

      Subd. 19.  Repurpose

 

 

 

 

 

The unencumbered amount, estimated to be $176,000, in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 6, section 2, subdivision 8, paragraph (f), Restoring Upland Forests for Birds, is for examining the impacts of neonicotinoid exposure on the reproduction and survival of Minnesota's game species, including deer and prairie chicken.  This amount is in addition to the appropriation under article 1, section 3, subdivision 6, for these purposes and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116P.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Membership.  (a) A Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources of 17 19 members is created in the legislative branch, consisting of the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees on environment and natural resources finance or designees appointed for the terms of the chairs, four members of the senate appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and four members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker ten legislative members and nine citizen members.

 

(b) At least two members from the senate and two members from the house of representatives must be from the minority caucus.  Members are entitled to reimbursement for per diem expenses plus travel expenses incurred in the services of the commission.

 

(b) The legislative members of the commission consist of:

 

(1) three members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house, including the chair of the environment and natural resources finance committee or the chair's designee;

(2) three members of the senate appointed by the senate majority leader, including the chair of the environment and natural resources finance committee or the chair's designee;

 

(3) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the house minority leader; and

 

(4) two members of the senate appointed by the senate minority leader.

 

(c) Seven citizens are The citizen members of the commission, five consist of:


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(1) four members appointed by the governor, one;

 

(2) two members appointed by the Senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and one senate majority leader;

 

(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house.  The; and

 

(4) one member appointed by the governor as recommended by the Tribal government representatives of the Indian Affairs Council.

 

(d) A citizen members are selected and recommended to the appointing authorities according to subdivision 1a and member must:

 

(1) have experience or expertise in the science, policy, or practice of the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources;

 

(2) have strong knowledge in the state's environment and natural resource issues around the state; and

 

(3) have demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment; and

 

(4) not be a registered lobbyist.

 

(d) (e) Members shall must develop procedures to elect a chair that rotates between legislative and citizen members each meeting.  A citizen member, a senate member, and a house of representatives member shall serve as chairs.  The citizen members, senate members, and house of representatives members must select their respective chairs.  The chair shall must preside and convene meetings as often as necessary to conduct duties prescribed by this chapter.

 

(e) (f) Appointed legislative members shall serve on the commission for two-year terms, beginning in January of each odd-numbered year and continuing through the end of December of the next even-numbered year.  Appointed citizen members shall serve four-year terms, beginning in January of the first year and continuing through the end of December of the final year.  Citizen and legislative members continue to serve until their successors are appointed.

 

(f) (g) A citizen member may be removed by an appointing authority for cause.  Vacancies occurring on the commission shall do not affect the authority of the remaining members of the commission to carry out their duties, and vacancies shall must be filled for the remainder of the term in the same manner under paragraphs (a) to (c).

 

(g) (h) Legislative members are entitled to reimbursement for per diem expenses plus travel expenses incurred in the services of the commission.  Citizen members are entitled to per diem and reimbursement for expenses incurred in the services of the commission, as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 3, except that a citizen member may be compensated at the rate of up to $125 a day.

(h) The governor's appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the senate.

 

(i) A citizen member may serve no more than eight years, except as necessary to fill a vacancy.  A citizen member may not serve more than ten years if serving additional time to fill a vacancy.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2026.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116P.05, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

 


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Subd. 1a.  Citizen selection committee.  (a) The governor shall must appoint a Trust Fund Citizen Selection Committee of five members who come from different regions of the state and who have knowledge and experience of state environment and natural resource issues to provide recommendations for appointments under subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (1).

 

(b) The duties of the Trust Fund Citizen Selection Committee shall be are to:

 

(1) identify citizen candidates to be members of the commission as part of the open appointments process under section 15.0597;

 

(2) request and review citizen candidate applications to be members of the commission; and

 

(3) interview the citizen candidates and recommend an adequate pool of candidates to be selected for commission membership by the governor, the senate, and the house of representatives.

 

(c) Members serve three-year terms and are entitled to travel expenses incurred to fulfill their duties under this subdivision as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 6 per diem and reimbursement for expenses incurred in the services of the committee, as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 3, except that a citizen selection committee member may be compensated at the rate of up to $125 a day.

 

(d) A member appointed under this subdivision may not be a registered lobbyist.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2025.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116P.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Duties.  (a) The commission shall must recommend an annual or biennial legislative bill for appropriations from the environment and natural resources trust fund and shall must adopt a strategic plan as provided in section 116P.08.  Except as provided under section 116P.09, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), approval of the recommended legislative bill requires an affirmative vote of at least 12 11 members of the commission.

 

(b) It is a condition of acceptance of the appropriations made from the Minnesota environment and natural resources trust fund, and oil overcharge money under section 4.071, subdivision 2, that the agency or entity receiving the appropriation must submit a work plan and annual or semiannual progress reports in the form determined by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, and comply with applicable reporting requirements under section 116P.16.  None of the money provided may be spent unless the commission has approved the pertinent work plan.  Modifications to the approved work plan and budget expenditures shall must be made through the amendment process established by the commission.  The commission shall must ensure that the expenditures and outcomes described in the work plan for appropriations funded by the environment and natural resources trust fund are met.

(c) The peer review procedures created under section 116P.08 must also be used to review, comment, and report to the commission on research proposals applying for an appropriation from the oil overcharge money under section 4.071, subdivision 2.

 

(d) The commission may adopt operating procedures to fulfill its duties under this chapter.

 

(e) As part of the operating procedures, the commission shall must:

 

(1) ensure that members' expectations are to participate in all meetings related to funding decision recommendations;


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(2) recommend adequate funding for increased citizen outreach and communications for trust fund expenditure planning;

 

(3) allow administrative expenses as part of individual project expenditures based on need;

 

(4) provide for project outcome evaluation;

 

(5) keep the grant application, administration, and review process as simple as possible; and

 

(6) define and emphasize the leveraging of additional sources of money that project proposers should consider when making trust fund proposals.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2026.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116P.09, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Conflict of interest.  (a) A commission member, a technical advisory committee member, a peer reviewer, or an employee of the commission may not participate in or vote on a decision of the commission, advisory committee, or peer review relating to an organization in which the member, peer reviewer, or employee has either a direct or indirect personal financial interest.  While serving on the commission or technical advisory committee or as a peer reviewer or while an employee of the commission, a person shall must avoid any potential conflict of interest.

 

(b) A commission member may not vote on a motion regarding the final recommendations of the commission required under section 116P.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), if the motion relates to an organization in which the member has a direct personal financial interest.  If a commission member is prohibited from voting under this paragraph, the number of affirmative votes required under section 116P.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), is reduced by the number of members ineligible to vote under this paragraph.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2026.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116P.11, is amended to read:

 

116P.11 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR DISBURSEMENT.

 

(a) The amount annually available from the trust fund for the legislative bill developed by the commission is as defined in the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 14.

 

(b) Any appropriated funds not encumbered in the biennium in which they are appropriated cancel and must be credited to the principal of the trust fund.

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116P.15, is amended to read:

 

116P.15 CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION AND LAND ACQUISITION; RESTRICTIONS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Scope.  A recipient of an appropriation from the trust fund or the Minnesota future resources fund who acquires an interest in real property with the appropriation must comply with this section subdivision 2.  For the purposes of this section, "interest in real property" includes, but is not limited to, an easement or fee title to property.  A recipient of an appropriation from the trust fund who uses any portion of the appropriation for a capital construction project with a total cost of $10,000 or more must comply with subdivision 3.

 


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Subd. 2.  Land acquisition restrictions; modification procedure.  (a) An easement, fee title, or other interest in real property acquired with an appropriation from the trust fund or the Minnesota future resources fund must be used in perpetuity or for the specific term of an easement interest for the purpose for which the appropriation was made.  The ownership of the interest in real property transfers to the state if:  (1) the holder of the interest in real property fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement or work plan; or (2) restrictions are placed on the land that preclude its use for the intended purpose as specified in the appropriation.

 

(b) A recipient of funding who acquires an interest in real property subject to this section may not alter the intended use of the interest in real property or convey any interest in the real property acquired with the appropriation without the prior review and approval of the commission or its successor.  The commission shall notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the trust fund or Minnesota future resources fund at least 15 business days before approval under this paragraph.  The commission shall establish procedures to review requests from recipients to alter the use of or convey an interest in real property.  These procedures shall allow for the replacement of the interest in real property with another interest in real property meeting the following criteria:

 

(1) the interest must be at least equal in fair market value, as certified by the commissioner of natural resources, to the interest being replaced; and

 

(2) the interest must be in a reasonably equivalent location, and have a reasonably equivalent useful conservation purpose compared to the interest being replaced, taking into consideration all effects from fragmentation of the whole habitat.

 

(c) A recipient of funding who acquires an interest in real property under paragraph (a) must separately record a notice of funding restrictions in the appropriate local government office where the conveyance of the interest in real property is filed.  The notice of funding agreement must contain:

 

(1) a legal description of the interest in real property covered by the funding agreement;

 

(2) a reference to the underlying funding agreement;

 

(3) a reference to this section; and

 

(4) the following statement:

 

"This interest in real property shall be administered in accordance with the terms, conditions, and purposes of the grant agreement controlling the acquisition of the property.  The interest in real property, or any portion of the interest in real property, shall not be sold, transferred, pledged, or otherwise disposed of or further encumbered without obtaining the prior written approval of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources or its successor.  The ownership of the interest in real property transfers to the state if:  (1) the holder of the interest in real property fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement or work plan; or (2) restrictions are placed on the land that preclude its use for the intended purpose as specified in the appropriation."

Subd. 3.  Capital construction restrictions; modification procedure.  (a) A recipient of an appropriation from the trust fund who uses the appropriation to wholly or partially construct a building, trail, campground, or other capital asset may not alter the intended use of the capital asset or convey any interest in the capital asset for 25 years from the date the project is completed without the prior review and approval of the commission or its successor.  The commission must notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the trust fund at least 15 business days before approval under this paragraph.  The commission must establish procedures to review requests from recipients to alter the use of or convey an interest in a capital asset under this paragraph.  These procedures must require that:

 


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(1) the sale price must be at least fair market value; and

 

(2) the trust fund must be repaid a portion of the sale price equal to the percentage of the total funding provided by the fund for constructing the capital asset.

 

(b) The commission or its successor may waive the requirements under paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2), by recommendation to the legislature if the transfer allows for a continued use of the asset in a manner consistent with the original appropriation purpose or with the purposes of the trust fund.

 

(c) If both a capital asset and the real property on which the asset is located were wholly or partially purchased with an appropriation from the trust fund and the commission approves a request to alter the use of or convey an interest in the real property under subdivision 2, a separate approval under this subdivision to alter the use of the capital asset is not required.

 

(d) A recipient of an appropriation from the trust fund who uses the appropriation to wholly or partially construct a building, trail, campground, or other capital asset must separately record a notice of funding restrictions in the appropriate local government office.  The notice of funding restrictions must contain:

 

(1) a legal description of the interest in real property covered by the funding agreement;

 

(2) a reference to the underlying funding agreement;

 

(3) a reference to this subdivision; and

 

(4) the following statement:

 

"This interest in real property must be administered in accordance with the terms, conditions, and purposes of the grant agreement controlling the improvement of the property.  The interest in real property, or any portion of the interest in real property, must not be altered from its intended use or be sold, transferred, pledged, or otherwise disposed of or further encumbered without obtaining the prior written approval of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources or its successor."

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2025, and applies to money appropriated on or after that date.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116P.16, is amended to read:

 

116P.16 REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS; REPORT.

 

(a) By December 1 each year, a recipient of an appropriation from the trust fund, that is used for the acquisition of an interest in real property, including, but not limited to, an easement or fee title, or for the construction of a building, trail, campground, or other capital asset with a total cost of $10,000 or more must submit annual reports on the status of the real property to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources or its successor in a form determined by the commission.  The responsibility for reporting under this section may be transferred by the recipient of the appropriation to another person who holds the interest in the real property.  To complete the transfer of reporting responsibility, the recipient of the appropriation must:

 

(1) inform the person to whom the responsibility is transferred of that person's reporting responsibility;

 

(2) inform the person to whom the responsibility is transferred of the property restrictions under section 116P.15; and

 


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(3) provide written notice to the commission of the transfer of reporting responsibility, including contact information for the person to whom the responsibility is transferred.

 

(b) After the transfer, the person who holds the interest in the real property is responsible for reporting requirements under this section.

 

(c) The annual reporting requirements on the status of a building, trail, campground, or other capital asset with a total cost of $10,000 or more and that was constructed with an appropriation from the trust fund expire 25 years after the date the final progress report under section 116P.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), is approved.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2025, and applies to money appropriated on or after that date.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116P.18, is amended to read:

 

116P.18 LANDS IN PUBLIC DOMAIN.

 

Money appropriated from the trust fund must not be used to purchase any land in fee title or a permanent conservation easement if the land in question is fully or partially owned by the state or a political subdivision of the state or was acquired fully or partially with state money, unless:

 

(1) the purchase creates additional direct benefit to the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources; and

 

(2) the purchase is approved, prior to the acquisition, by an affirmative vote of at least 12 11 members of the commission.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2026.

 

Sec. 11.  [116P.21] ADDITIONAL CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT REQUIREMENTS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Full funding.  If an appropriation from the trust fund for a capital construction project or project phase is not alone sufficient to complete the project or project phase and a commitment from sources other than the trust fund is required:

 

(1) the commitment must be in an amount that, when added to the appropriation from the trust fund, is sufficient to complete the project or project phase; and

 

(2) the agency administering the appropriation from the trust fund must not distribute the money until the commitment is determined to be sufficient.  In determining the sufficiency of a commitment under this clause, the agency must apply the standards and principles applied by the commissioner of management and budget under section 16A.502.

Subd. 2.  Match.  A recipient of money appropriated from the trust fund for a capital construction project must provide a cash or in-kind match from nontrust fund sources of at least 50 percent of the total costs to complete the project or project phase.

 

Subd. 3.  Sustainable building guidelines.  The sustainable building guidelines established under sections 16B.325 and 216B.241, subdivision 9, apply to new buildings and major renovations funded from the trust fund.  A


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recipient of money appropriated from the trust fund for a new building or major renovation must ensure that the project complies with the guidelines.

 

Subd. 4.  Applicability.  (a) Subdivisions 1, 2, and 3 do not apply to:

 

(1) a capital construction project with a total cost of less than $10,000; or

 

(2) a land acquisition project.

 

(b) If land is acquired with trust fund money for the purpose of capital construction, the land acquisition is not exempted under paragraph (a), clause (2).

 

Subd. 5.  Other capital construction statutes.  The following statutes also apply to recipients of appropriations from the trust fund:  sections 16B.32; 16B.326; 16B.335, subdivisions 3 and 4; 16C.054; 16C.16; 16C.28; 16C.285; 138.40; 138.665; 138.666; 177.41 to 177.44; and 471.345.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2025, and applies to money appropriated on or after that date.

 

Sec. 12.  Laws 2022, chapter 94, section 2, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

      Subd. 5.  Environmental Education

 

-0-

 

4,269,000

 

(a) Teacher Field School:  Stewardship through Nature-Based Education

 

 

 

 

$500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Hamline University to create an immersive, research-backed field school for teachers to use nature-based education to benefit student well‑being and academic outcomes while increasing stewardship habits.

 

(b) Increasing K-12 Student Learning to Develop Environmental Awareness, Appreciation, and Interest

 

 

 

 

$1,602,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center to partner with Minnesota's five other accredited residential environmental learning centers to provide needs-based scholarships to at least 25,000 K-12 students statewide for immersive multiday environmental learning experiences.

(c) Expanding Access to Wildlife Learning Bird by Bird

 

 

 

 

 

$276,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to engage young people from diverse communities in wildlife conservation through bird‑watching in schools, outdoor leadership training, and participating in neighborhood bird walks.


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(d) Engaging a Diverse Public in Environmental Stewardship

 

 

 

 

$300,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Great River Greening to increase participation in natural resources restoration efforts through volunteer, internship, and youth engagement activities that target diverse audiences more accurately reflecting local demographic and socioeconomic conditions in Minnesota.

 

(e) Bugs Below Zero:  Engaging Citizens in Winter Research

 

 

 

 

$198,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to raise awareness about the winter life of bugs, inspire learning about stream food webs, and engage citizen scientists in research and environmental stewardship.

 

(f) ESTEP:  Earth Science Teacher Education Project

 

 

 

 

 

$495,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Science Teachers Association to provide professional development for Minnesota science teachers in environmental and earth science to strengthen environmental education in schools.

 

(g) YES!  Students Take Action to Complete Eco Projects

 

 

 

 

 

$199,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, in partnership with Ney Nature Center and Laurentian Environmental Center, to empower Minnesota youth to connect with natural resource experts, identify ecological challenges, and take action to complete innovative projects in their communities.

 

(h) Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers

 

 

 

 

 

$500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources, in cooperation with Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa, to encourage a diversity of students to pursue careers in the environment and natural resources through internships, mentorships, and fellowships with the Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the Pollution Control Agency.

(i) Diversity and Access to Wildlife-Related Opportunities

 

 

 

 

 

$199,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to broaden the state's conservation constituency by researching diverse communities' values about nature and wildlife experiences and identifying barriers to engagement.

 


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Sec. 13.  Laws 2022, chapter 94, section 2, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

      Subd. 8.  Methods to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat

 

-0-

 

 

11,294,000

 

(a) Minnesota's Volunteer Rare Plant Conservation Corps

 

 

 

 

 

$859,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to partner with the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Native Plant Society to establish and train a volunteer corps to survey, monitor, and bank seed from Minnesota's rare plant populations and enhance the effectiveness and efficiencies of conservation efforts.

 

(b) Conservation Corps Veterans Service Corps Program

 

 

 

 

 

$1,339,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Conservation Corps Minnesota to create a Veterans Service Corps program to accelerate natural resource restorations in Minnesota while providing workforce development opportunities for the state's veterans.

 

(c) Creating Seed Sources of Early-Blooming Plants for Pollinators

 

 

 

 

$200,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to establish new populations of early-season flowers by hand-harvesting and propagating species that are currently lacking in prairie restorations and that are essential to pollinator health.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(d) Hastings Lake Rebecca Park Area

 

 

 

 

 

$1,000,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Hastings to develop an ecological-based master plan for Lake Rebecca Park and to enhance habitat quality and construct passive recreational facilities consistent with the master plan.  No funds for implementation may be spent until the master plan is complete.

(e) Pollinator Plantings and the Redistribution of Soil Toxins

 

 

 

 

$610,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to map urban and suburban soil toxins of concern, such as heavy metals and microplastics, and to test whether pollinator plantings can redistribute these toxins in the soil of yards, parks, and community gardens and reduce exposure to humans and wildlife.


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(f) PFAS Fungal-Wood Chip Filtering System

 

 

 

 

 

$189,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to identify, develop, and field-test various types of waste wood chips and fungi to sequester and degrade PFAS leachate from contaminated waste sites.  This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.

 

(g) Phytoremediation for Extracting Deicing Salt

 

 

 

 

 

$451,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to protect lands and waters from contamination by collaborating with the Department of Transportation to develop methods for using native plants to remediate roadside deicing salt.

 

(h) Mustinka River Fish and Wildlife Habitat Corridor Rehabilitation

 

 

 

 

$2,692,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Bois de Sioux Watershed District to permanently rehabilitate a straightened reach of the Mustinka River to a naturally functioning stream channel and floodplain corridor for water, fish, and wildlife benefits.

 

(i) Bohemian Flats Savanna Restoration

 

 

 

 

 

$286,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to restore an area of compacted urban turf within Bohemian Flats Park and adjacent to the Mississippi River to an oak savanna ecosystem.

 

(j) Watershed and Forest Restoration:  What a Match! 

 

 

 

 

 

$3,318,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation with soil and water conservation districts, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and the Department of Natural Resources, to acquire interests in land and to accelerate tree planting on privately owned, protected lands for water-quality protection and carbon sequestration.  Notwithstanding subdivision 14, paragraph (e), this appropriation may be spent to reforest lands protected through long-term contracts as provided in the approved work plan.

 

(k) River Habitat Restoration and Recreation in Melrose

 

 

 

 

 


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$350,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Melrose to conduct habitat restoration and create fishing, canoeing, and camping opportunities along a segment of the Sauk River within the city of Melrose and to provide public education about stream restoration, fish habitat, and the importance of natural areas.

 

Sec. 14.  Laws 2022, chapter 94, section 2, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

      Subd. 9.  Habitat and Recreation

 

-0-

 

26,179,000

 

(a) Mesabi Trail:  Wahlsten Road (CR 26) to toward Tower

 

 

 

 

$1,307,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority to acquire easements, engineer, and construct a segment of the Mesabi Trail beginning at the intersection of Wahlsten Road (CR 26) and Benson Road in Embarrass and extending to toward Tower.

 

(b) Environmental Learning Classroom with Trails

 

 

 

 

 

$82,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Mountain Iron-Buhl Public Schools to build an outdoor classroom pavilion, accessible trails, and a footbridge within the Mountain Iron-Buhl School Forest to conduct environmental education that cultivates a lasting conservation ethic.

 

(c) Local Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas Grant Programs

 

 

 

 

$3,560,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to solicit, rank, and fund competitive matching grants for local parks, trail connections, and natural and scenic areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019.  This appropriation is for local nature-based recreation, connections to regional and state natural areas, and recreation facilities and may not be used for athletic facilities such as sport fields, courts, and playgrounds.

(d) St. Louis River Re-Connect

 

 

 

 

 

$500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Duluth to expand recreational access along the St. Louis River and estuary by implementing the St. Louis River National Water Trail outreach plan, designing and constructing upgrades and extensions to the


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Waabizheshikana Trail, and installing interpretive features that describe the cultural and ecological significance of the area.

 

(e) Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition

 

 

 

 

$1,353,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to provide technical stewardship assistance to private landowners, restore and enhance native prairie protected by easements in the native prairie bank, and acquire easements for the native prairie bank in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, including preparing initial baseline property assessments.  Up to $60,000 of this appropriation may be deposited in the natural resources conservation easement stewardship account created under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.69, proportional to the number of easements acquired.

 

(f) Minnesota State Parks and State Trails Maintenance and Development

 

 

 

 

$1,600,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for maintenance and development at state parks, recreation areas, and trails to protect Minnesota's natural heritage, enhance outdoor recreation, and improve the efficiency of public land management.

 

(g) Minnesota State Trails Development

 

 

 

 

 

$7,387,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to expand recreational opportunities on Minnesota state trails by rehabilitating and enhancing existing state trails and replacing or repairing existing state trail bridges.

 

(h) SNA Habitat Restoration and Public Engagement

 

 

 

 

 

$5,000,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the scientific and natural areas (SNA) program to restore and enhance exceptional habitat on SNAs and increase public involvement and outreach.

(i) The Missing Link:  Gull Lake Trail, Fairview Township

 

 

 

 

$1,394,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Fairview Township to complete the Gull Lake Trail by engineering and constructing the trail's final segment through Fairview Township in the Brainerd Lakes area.

 


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(j) Silver Bay Multimodal Trailhead Project

 

 

 

 

 

$1,000,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Silver Bay to develop a multimodal trailhead center to provide safe access to the Superior, Gitchi-Gami, and C.J. Ramstad/North Shore trails; Black Beach Park; and other recreational destinations.

 

(k) Brookston Campground, Boat Launch, and Outdoor Recreational Facility

 

 

 

 

$453,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Brookston to build a campground, boat launch, and outdoor recreation area on the banks of the St. Louis River in northeastern Minnesota.  Before any trust fund dollars are spent, the city must demonstrate that all funds to complete the project are secured and a fiscal agent must be approved in the work plan.

 

(l) Silver Lake Trail Connection

 

 

 

 

 

$727,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Virginia to design, engineer, and construct a multiuse trail that will connect Silver Lake Trail to a new Miners Entertainment and Convention Center and provide lighting on Bailey Lake Trail.

 

(m) Floodwood Campground Improvement Project

 

 

 

 

 

$816,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Floodwood to upgrade the Floodwood Campground and connecting trails to provide high-quality nature and recreation experience for people of all ages.

 

(n) Ranier Safe Harbor/Transient Dock - Phase 2

 

 

 

 

 

$1,000,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Ranier to construct a safe harbor and transient dock to accommodate watercraft of many sizes to improve public access for boat recreation on Rainy Lake.  Before trust fund dollars are spent, a fiscal agent must be approved in the work plan.  Before any trust fund dollars are spent, the city must demonstrate that all funds to complete the project are secured.  Any revenue generated from selling products or assets developed or acquired with this appropriation must be repaid to the trust fund unless a plan is approved for reinvestment of income in the project as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.

 

Sec. 15.  INITIAL CITIZEN APPOINTMENTS AND FIRST MEETING.


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(a) Initial citizen appointments to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources as amended in this act must be made by February 1, 2026.  The first meeting of the revised Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources must be convened by the chair or a designee of the Legislative Coordinating Commission by June 15, 2026.  The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources must select cochairs from its membership at its first meeting.

 

(b) Citizen members of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources must initially be appointed according to the following schedule of terms:

 

(1) two citizen members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first Monday in January 2028;

 

(2) three citizen members appointed by the governor, including the member from a federally recognized Tribe, for a term ending the first Monday in January 2030;

 

(3) one citizen member appointed by the senate majority leader for a term ending the first Monday in January 2028;

 

(4) one citizen member appointed by the senate majority leader for a term ending the first Monday in January 2030;

 

(5) one citizen member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending the first Monday in January 2028; and

 

(6) one citizen member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending the first Monday in January 2030.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the law in effect at the time of their appointment, the terms of all incumbent citizen members appointed before the effective date of this act are terminated effective January 1, 2026.  An incumbent citizen member whose appointment is terminated by this paragraph may apply for reappointment as provided in this act.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2026.

 

Sec. 16.  APPROPRIATIONS GIVEN EFFECT ONCE.

 

If an appropriation or transfer in this article is enacted more than once during the 2023 regular session, the appropriation or transfer must be given effect once.

 

Sec. 17.  EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Unless otherwise provided, this article is effective the day following final enactment.

 

ARTICLE 3

POLLUTION CONTROL

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16A.151, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Exceptions.  (a) If a state official litigates or settles a matter on behalf of specific injured persons or entities, this section does not prohibit distribution of money to the specific injured persons or entities on whose behalf the litigation or settlement efforts were initiated.  If money recovered on behalf of injured persons or entities cannot reasonably be distributed to those persons or entities because they cannot readily be located or identified or because the cost of distributing the money would outweigh the benefit to the persons or entities, the money must be paid into the general fund.

 

(b) Money recovered on behalf of a fund in the state treasury other than the general fund may be deposited in that fund.

 


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(c) This section does not prohibit a state official from distributing money to a person or entity other than the state in litigation or potential litigation in which the state is a defendant or potential defendant.

 

(d) State agencies may accept funds as directed by a federal court for any restitution or monetary penalty under United States Code, title 18, section 3663(a)(3), or United States Code, title 18, section 3663A(a)(3).  Funds received must be deposited in a special revenue account and are appropriated to the commissioner of the agency for the purpose as directed by the federal court.

 

(e) Tobacco settlement revenues as defined in section 16A.98, subdivision 1, paragraph (t), may be deposited as provided in section 16A.98, subdivision 12.

 

(f) Any money received by the state resulting from a settlement agreement or an assurance of discontinuance entered into by the attorney general of the state, or a court order in litigation brought by the attorney general of the state, on behalf of the state or a state agency, related to alleged violations of consumer fraud laws in the marketing, sale, or distribution of opioids in this state or other alleged illegal actions that contributed to the excessive use of opioids, must be deposited in the settlement account established in the opiate epidemic response fund under section 256.043, subdivision 1.  This paragraph does not apply to attorney fees and costs awarded to the state or the Attorney General's Office, to contract attorneys hired by the state or Attorney General's Office, or to other state agency attorneys.

 

(g) Notwithstanding paragraph (f), if money is received from a settlement agreement or an assurance of discontinuance entered into by the attorney general of the state or a court order in litigation brought by the attorney general of the state on behalf of the state or a state agency against a consulting firm working for an opioid manufacturer or opioid wholesale drug distributor, the commissioner shall deposit any money received into the settlement account established within the opiate epidemic response fund under section 256.042, subdivision 1.  Notwithstanding section 256.043, subdivision 3a, paragraph (a), any amount deposited into the settlement account in accordance with this paragraph shall be appropriated to the commissioner of human services to award as grants as specified by the opiate epidemic response advisory council in accordance with section 256.043, subdivision 3a, paragraph (d).

 

(h) If the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, through litigation or settlement of a matter that could have resulted in litigation, recovers $250,000 or more in a civil penalty from violations of a permit issued by the agency, then 40 percent of the money recovered must be distributed to the community health board, as defined in section 145A.02, where the permitted facility is located.  Within 30 days of a final court order in the litigation or the effective date of the settlement agreement, the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency must notify the applicable community health board that the litigation has concluded or a settlement has been reached.  The commissioner must collect the money and transfer it to the applicable community health board.  The community health board must meet directly with the residents potentially affected by the pollution that was the subject of the litigation or settlement to identify the residents' concerns and incorporate those concerns into a project that benefits the residents.  The project must be implemented by the community health board and funded as directed in this paragraph.  The community health board may recover the reasonable costs it incurs to administer this paragraph from the funds transferred to the board under this paragraph.  This paragraph directs the transfer and use of money only and does not create a right of intervention in the litigation or settlement of the enforcement action for any person or entity.  A supplemental environmental project funded as part of a settlement agreement is not part of a civil penalty and must not be included in calculating the amount of funds required to be distributed to a community health board under this paragraph.  For the purposes of this paragraph, "supplemental environmental project" means a project that benefits the environment or public health that a regulated facility agrees to undertake, though not legally required to do so, as part of a settlement with respect to an enforcement action taken by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to resolve noncompliance.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to all litigation actions or settlements from which the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recovers $250,000 or more on or after that date.


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Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 8a.  Microplastics.  "Microplastics" means particles of plastic less than 500 micrometers in size.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 8b.  Nanoplastics.  "Nanoplastics" means plastic particles less than or equal to 100 nanometers in size.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 10a.  Plastic.  "Plastic" means a synthetic material made from linking monomers through a chemical reaction to create a polymer chain that can be molded or extruded at high heat into various solid forms that retain their defined shapes during their life cycle and after disposal.  Plastic does not mean natural polymers that have not been chemically modified.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Generally.  (a) The agency commissioner is hereby given and charged with the following powers and duties:

 

(a) (1) to administer and enforce all laws relating to the pollution of any of the waters of the state;

 

(b) (2) to investigate the extent, character, and effect of the pollution of the waters of this state and to gather data and information necessary or desirable in the administration or enforcement of pollution laws, and to make such classification of the waters of the state as it may deem advisable;

 

(c) (3) to establish and alter such reasonable pollution standards for any waters of the state in relation to the public use to which they are or may be put as it shall deem necessary for the purposes of this chapter and, with respect to the pollution of waters of the state, chapter 116;

 

(d) (4) to encourage waste treatment, including advanced waste treatment, instead of stream low-flow augmentation for dilution purposes to control and prevent pollution;

 

(e) (5) to adopt, issue, reissue, modify, deny, or revoke, enter into or enforce reasonable orders, permits, variances, standards, rules, schedules of compliance, and stipulation agreements, under such conditions as it may prescribe, in order to prevent, control or abate water pollution, or for the installation or operation of disposal systems or parts thereof, or for other equipment and facilities:

 

(1) (i) requiring the discontinuance of the discharge of sewage, industrial waste or other wastes into any waters of the state resulting in pollution in excess of the applicable pollution standard established under this chapter;

(2) (ii) prohibiting or directing the abatement of any discharge of sewage, industrial waste, or other wastes, into any waters of the state or the deposit thereof or the discharge into any municipal disposal system where the same is likely to get into any waters of the state in violation of this chapter and, with respect to the pollution of waters of the state, chapter 116, or standards or rules promulgated or permits issued pursuant thereto, and specifying the schedule of compliance within which such prohibition or abatement must be accomplished;

 

(3) (iii) prohibiting the storage of any liquid or solid substance or other pollutant in a manner which does not reasonably assure proper retention against entry into any waters of the state that would be likely to pollute any waters of the state;


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(4) (iv) requiring the construction, installation, maintenance, and operation by any person of any disposal system or any part thereof, or other equipment and facilities, or the reconstruction, alteration, or enlargement of its existing disposal system or any part thereof, or the adoption of other remedial measures to prevent, control or abate any discharge or deposit of sewage, industrial waste or other wastes by any person;

 

(5) (v) establishing, and from time to time revising, standards of performance for new sources taking into consideration, among other things, classes, types, sizes, and categories of sources, processes, pollution control technology, cost of achieving such effluent reduction, and any nonwater quality environmental impact and energy requirements.  Said standards of performance for new sources shall encompass those standards for the control of the discharge of pollutants which reflect the greatest degree of effluent reduction which the agency determines to be achievable through application of the best available demonstrated control technology, processes, operating methods, or other alternatives, including, where practicable, a standard permitting no discharge of pollutants.  New sources shall encompass buildings, structures, facilities, or installations from which there is or may be the discharge of pollutants, the construction of which is commenced after the publication by the agency of proposed rules prescribing a standard of performance which will be applicable to such source.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of this state, any point source the construction of which is commenced after May 20, 1973, and which is so constructed as to meet all applicable standards of performance for new sources shall, consistent with and subject to the provisions of section 306(d) of the Amendments of 1972 to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, not be subject to any more stringent standard of performance for new sources during a ten-year period beginning on the date of completion of such construction or during the period of depreciation or amortization of such facility for the purposes of section 167 or 169, or both, of the Federal Internal Revenue Code of 1954, whichever period ends first.  Construction shall encompass any placement, assembly, or installation of facilities or equipment, including contractual obligations to purchase such facilities or equipment, at the premises where such equipment will be used, including preparation work at such premises;

 

(6) (vi) establishing and revising pretreatment standards to prevent or abate the discharge of any pollutant into any publicly owned disposal system, which pollutant interferes with, passes through, or otherwise is incompatible with such disposal system;

 

(7) (vii) requiring the owner or operator of any disposal system or any point source to establish and maintain such records, make such reports, install, use, and maintain such monitoring equipment or methods, including where appropriate biological monitoring methods, sample such effluents in accordance with such methods, at such locations, at such intervals, and in such a manner as the agency shall prescribe, and providing such other information as the agency may reasonably require;

 

(8) (viii) notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and with respect to the pollution of waters of the state, chapter 116, requiring the achievement of more stringent limitations than otherwise imposed by effluent limitations in order to meet any applicable water quality standard by establishing new effluent limitations, based upon section 115.01, subdivision 13, clause (b), including alternative effluent control strategies for any point source or group of point sources to insure the integrity of water quality classifications, whenever the agency determines that discharges of pollutants from such point source or sources, with the application of effluent limitations required to comply with any standard of best available technology, would interfere with the attainment or maintenance of the water quality classification in a specific portion of the waters of the state.  Prior to establishment of any such effluent limitation, the agency shall hold a public hearing to determine the relationship of the economic and social costs of achieving such limitation or limitations, including any economic or social dislocation in the affected community or communities, to the social and economic benefits to be obtained and to determine whether or not such effluent limitation can be implemented with available technology or other alternative control strategies.  If a person affected by such limitation demonstrates at such hearing that, whether or not such technology or other alternative control strategies are available, there is no reasonable relationship between the economic and social costs and the benefits to be obtained, such limitation shall not become effective and shall be adjusted as it applies to such person;


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(9) (ix) modifying, in its discretion, any requirement or limitation based upon best available technology with respect to any point source for which a permit application is filed after July 1, 1977, upon a showing by the owner or operator of such point source satisfactory to the agency that such modified requirements will represent the maximum use of technology within the economic capability of the owner or operator and will result in reasonable further progress toward the elimination of the discharge of pollutants; and

 

(10) (x) requiring that applicants for wastewater discharge permits evaluate in their applications the potential reuses of the discharged wastewater;

 

(f) (6) to require to be submitted and to approve plans and specifications for disposal systems or point sources, or any part thereof and to inspect the construction thereof for compliance with the approved plans and specifications thereof;

 

(g) (7) to prescribe and alter rules, not inconsistent with law, for the conduct of the agency and other matters within the scope of the powers granted to and imposed upon it by this chapter and, with respect to pollution of waters of the state, in chapter 116, provided that every rule affecting any other department or agency of the state or any person other than a member or employee of the agency shall be filed with the secretary of state;