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1/27/2023
Good afternoon,
This week Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan released additional details of their One Minnesota Budget, which gives a full picture of one-time and operational funding proposed for the DNR. The budget package would invest approximately $287.4 million to connect people to the outdoors, mitigate and adapt to climate change, manage natural resources proactively, and address operational needs. This budget includes a balance of one-time investments in outdoor recreation and conservation in addition to ongoing support for programs and services that will benefit Minnesota’s environment, economy, and health into the future. For more information on DNR legislative initiatives, visit the DNR's Legislative Resources page.
This Week:
Monday, January 23rd - House Ways and Means Committee
The committee heard the 2022 DNR Lands Bill, HF50 (Hansen) - Easement and state land conveying and leasing requirements modified, state forests added to and deleted from, state parks added to, and sales and conveyances of land authorized. The bill was amended and sent to the general register.
Tuesday, January 24th - House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee
The committee heard an amendment to HF234 (Vang) - Game and fish; provisions for taking turtles modified. The amendment was approved and the bill was re-referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. The committee also heard testimony on HF389 (Hansen) - Distribution of lottery in lieu tax modified. The bill was passed and is on its way to the House Ways and Means committee.
Tuesday, January 24th - Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee
The committee heard SF193 (Cwodzinski) - Nonresident military spouses authorization to obtain resident angling licenses establishment. The bill was orally amended to also include spouses of national guard members stationed in the state as those allowed to purchase resident licenses for both game and fish. DNR Fish and Wildlife Deputy Director, Pat Rivers, was present and responded to member questions. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion it the omnibus bill.
The committee heard SF31 (Jasinski) - Registration, transfer, and operation of snowmobiles modernization. The bill was amended with the A1 amendment and passed out of committee. The bill is now on its way to General Orders.
The committee also heard SF420 – All-terrain vehicle trails; Voyageur Country ATV Trail; Prospector Loop Trail appropriation. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion into an omnibus bill.
Wednesday, January 25th - Senate Finance Committee
The committee heard SF75 (Hawj) - Requirements for conveying easements and leasing state lands modification; state forest and state park modifications; sales and conveyances of certain land authorization, also known as the DNR Lands Bill. Deputy Division Director for Lands and Minerals, Susan Damon, was present to respond to questions that members raised. The bill was passed out of committee and sent to the general register.
Wednesday, January 25th - House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee
The committee heard HF609 (Hansen) - Statutes related to registration, transfer, and operation of snowmobiles modernized. The committee adopted the A1 amendment that was orally amended. DNR Division of Enforcement operations manager, Robert Gorecki, provided testimony in response to a question about the kind of information to be displayed on a registration. The amendment was adopted and was laid over for possible inclusion into an omnibus bill.
The committee heard HF509 (Urdahl) - Luce Line State Trail modified. Deputy Fish and Wildlife Division Director, Pat Rivers, provided testimony in support of the DE 3 amendment and responded to questions. The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
The committee also heard HF245 (Jordan) - Report on rough fish funding provided, and money appropriated. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion into an omnibus bill.
Thursday, January 26th - Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee
The Committee received overviews regarding the Legislative and Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources and the Lottery-In-Lieu funding. DNR Chief Financial Officer, Mary Robison, testified on the importance of Lottery-In-Lieu funding and described how the funding and other DNR funding sources work together.
Next Week:
Tuesday, January 31, 3:00 PM - House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Tuesday, January 31, 3:00 PM - Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Commitee
SF719 (Dibble) - Examination of neonicotinoid impact on game species appropriation
SF188 (Hoffman) - Rough Fish report appropriation
SF612 (Hawj) - Taking turtles provision modifications
SF617 (Kunesh) - School trust lands duties and powers modification
If your looking for something fun to watch this weekend, tune into America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell, a PBS series highlighting the amazing forests across the country. Episode 10 focuses on the forests and people on the north shore of Lake Superior and highlights some great conservation work. The 30-minute episode premieres on Twin Cities Public Television this Sunday, Jan 29 at 4:30pm. If you don’t get TPT, you can watch the episode on the website.
Thank you for subscribing to the DNR Legislative Update Email List. We look forward to sharing more updates with you during this year's legislative session. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jason Garms
Government Relations Unit
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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