Rep. Rick Hansen’s Statement on the House Passing ENRTF Renewal and Modification
SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 1900, legislation to renew and modify the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, on a vote of 87-41. The legislation proposes a constitutional amendment to be on the ballot in the 2024 general election that would extend the dedication of lottery proceeds to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) through December 31, 2050.
Representative Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, co-authored the legislation and released the following statement:
“Whether it’s funding cutting-edge research at the U of M, starting programs to get underserved communities outdoors, or funding the DNR’s conservation efforts, the ENRTF is a critical piece of our work protecting the environment,” said Rep. Hansen. “Minnesotans recognize the value of protecting, preserving, and enhancing our water, air, soil, and wildlife and that is why I am proud to vote to reauthorize the fund.”
If the constitutional amendment passes, HF 1900 increases the amount of the ENRTF available for the Legislature to appropriate from 5.5% to 7%. The bill will also establish a new Community Grants Advisory Council to oversee 1.5% of the fund and provide recommendations to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on the administration of the grant program for communities that are overburdened or underserved. It also explicitly states ENRTF funds would not be available to pay for bonds or wastewater facilities in response to 2018 attempts to raid the trust fund to pay for wastewater infrastructure.
The ENRTF is a constitutionally dedicated fund that may be spent only on the “protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.” The fund was created in 1988 when 77% of Minnesotan voters approved an amendment to the constitution to create long-term, consistent funding for the environment and natural resources. 40% of the net proceeds from the state lottery go into the fund. Over the past 30 years, the ENRTF has provided over $875 million to nearly 1,800 projects around the state.