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RELEASE: Rep. Hansen’s Statement on the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee Advancing Lottery-In-Lieu Legislation

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Rep. Hansen’s Statement on the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee Advancing Lottery-In-Lieu Legislation 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – This afternoon, the Minnesota House Environment and Natural Resources Committee advanced HF 389, a bill to increase the percentage of revenue from the lottery-in-lieu account that is dedicated to protecting fish and wildlife, and improving trails, parks, and zoos.

When the account was established, 97% of lottery-in-lieu funds were dedicated to the uses listed above. During the Pawlenty Administration, that account was raided, and the amount dedicated was reduced to 72.43% with the rest going to the general fund. HF 389 would increase the amount dedicated to those purposes from 72.43% to 99%.

State Representative Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, is the author of HF 389.

“This bill rights past wrongs by increasing the percentage of lottery-in-lieu funds dedicated to preserving our fish and wildlife and improving our trails, parks, and zoos after those funds were raided to pay for other projects,” Rep. Hansen said. “By returning funding to this dedicated account, we can protect our natural resources for future generations of Minnesotans to enjoy. I thank the testifiers and others who supported the bill during previous sessions and today’s hearing.”

The bill passed and was referred to the Ways and Means Committee. Video of the meeting is available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel. More information, including documents in support of the bill from the hearing, is available on the committee webpage.

 

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