Good afternoon,
This week many legislative committees added extra meetings and run long meetings in order to beat the first and second committee deadline of 5:00 p.m. today, March 22. The third committee deadline is April 19, the deadline for which committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.
On Monday of this week, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan released a supplemental budget proposal. The budget addresses pressing statewide needs, including rural emergency medical services, water quality, and child welfare. A complete list of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan's general fund proposals can be found here.
Next week will be a short week with the Easter Break set to begin at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 and run until 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 2.
This Week:
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee
The committee heard HF4822 (Feist) - Distribution of excess proceeds from sales of tax-forfeited property modified, grants for environmental remediation of tax-forfeited property provided, and money appropriated. Joe Henderson, DNR Lands and Minerals Division Director, testified that the DNR has concerns with the bill creating additional costs related to mineral evaluations, auction requirements, and attorney fees. The bill passed out of committee and was re-referred to the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee
The committee heard SF4165 (McEwen) - Certain rulemaking authority related to natural resources clarifications. Melissa Kuskie, DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division Director, testified and explained that the bill affirms and clarifies DNR’s standing rulemaking authority originally granted by the Legislature for Minnesota’s Water Law and Shoreland Management Act. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
The committee heard SF4142 (Hawj) - Aquatic farm licenses, taxidermy, game and fish possession, certain water designation, and elk management provisions modifications. Pat Rivers, DNR Fish and Wildlife Deputy Director, testified in support of the bill and was available for committee questions. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
The committee also heard SF3905 (Hawj) - Natural resource electronic licensing system establishment. Pat Rivers, DNR Fish and Wildlife Deputy Director, testified as to why the “good cause” rulemaking exemption applies, and is needed, for this bill. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - House Agriculture and Finance and Policy Committee
HF4065 (Anderson, PH) - Live Cervidae importation to accredited facilities allowed. Kelly Straka, DNR Wildlife Section Chief, testified and explained the DNR’s current strategy for preventing the spread of CWD, and expressed concern that the bill would relax the current state policy on importation of Cervidae. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee
The committee heard SF4143 (Morrison) - 50-year clean water plan appropriation. As amended, the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
The committee heard SF3911 (Hauschild) - Parks and trail fund appropriations modifications and grant availability extension Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) Recommendations on Outdoor Heritage Fund Appropriations. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
The committee also heard a presentation on the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) recommendations for the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The committee decided to discuss the LSOHC recommendations further on Wednesday.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee
The committee heard HF3457 (Kraft) - Deadline established for state agencies to issue permits for a large electric power facility that has been granted a site or route permit. Joe Henderson, DNR Lands and Minerals Division Director, testified and explained that some large projects can cross many different land and water types and can require extensive permit review, and that the DNR welcomes working with the author on amending timelines in the bill. Mr. Henderson also answered committee questions on the 60-day review timeline and how that could be challenging for larger projects. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee
The committee heard SF4152 (Westrom) - Live Cervidae importation authorization to certain accredited facilities. Bob Meier, DNR Assistant Commissioner, testified that the DNR would like to look more closely at the new amendment and the potential impact to the state's management of CWD, and welcomes working with the author and help support the needs of the Zoo. The bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee
The committee heard HF4214 (Hansen) - Water quality monitoring at state fish hatcheries required, and previous appropriations modified. Shannon Fisher, DNR Fisheries Section Manager, testified and summarized the current water quality monitoring efforts at DNR Fish Hatcheries, highlighted several concerns related to adding required monitoring at seasonal hatcheries, and confirmed there is potential to collect addition water quality data at some hatcheries. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
The committee heard HF3624 (Hansen) - Planting corn on state lands prohibited, and use of prior appropriations authorized. Pat Rivers, DNR Fish and Wildlife Deputy Director, testified to explain the value corn food plots have for managing wildlife on DNR administered lands, highlighted that only a very small percentage of DNR administered lands are cropped, and pointed to the current conservation practices being applied to DNR managed crop acres. The bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
The committee heard HF4420 (Hansen) - Provisions for aquatic farm licenses, taxidermy, taking and possessing game and fish, designating certain waters, and elk management modified, commonly referred to as the annual Game and Fish Policy and Technical Bill. Pat Rivers, DNR Fish and Wildlife Deputy Director, testified and provided an overview of the bill’s individual components. Mr. Rivers also answered committee questions regarding the agency’s public engagement on elk management and population goal setting. The bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
The committee also heard HF3418 (Hansen) - Investment accounts provided, transfer or sale of bison provided, enhanced restitution values for mistreatment of wild animals provided, protection of threatened species clarified, releaf program modified, water use general permit fee corrected, Mineral Coordinating Committee extended, and money appropriated, also known as the DNR Technical and Policy Bill. John Waters, DNR Government Relations Unit Supervisor, testified to explain the A1 amendment and A2 amendment. Mr. Waters also provided a summary of the bill’s various provisions and how they help the DNR manage the state’s natural resources adaptively and respond to public input. Mr. Waters also answered committee questions related to the ReLeaf Program and expanding utilization of wood from the program. The bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.
Thursday, March 21, 2024 - Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee
The committee heard a walk-through of SF5116 (Hawj) - Legacy Budget Omnibus Bill. Senate staff described each section of the bill, what language is coming from previously heard bills, and where there may be any differences or new language added. Senate staff also highlighted the fund allocations for the Outdoor Heritage Fund, Clean Water Fund, Parks and Trails Fund, and the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. As amended, the bill was passed out of committee and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
The committee also heard SF3631 (Hawj) - Environment Policy Omnibus Bill. Senate staff described each section of the bill, what language is coming from previously heard bills, and where there may be any differences or new language. The A3 amendment was adopted, which leaves Olmsted County in the current shotgun zone. Following that, an oral amendment was adopted that leaves Olmsted, Dodge, Blue Earth, Nicolet counties in the current shotgun zone. As amended, the bill was adopted and placed on General Orders, making its next stop the Senate Floor.
Friday, March 22, 2024 - House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee
SF2904DE3 (Hansen) - Environment and Natural Resources Policy Bill. House staff did a walk-through of the four articles within the omnibus policy bill. This omnibus bill contains several DNR bills that were previously heard, including Electronic Licensing System Modernization, Modifying Citizen Oversight Committees, and Native Prairie Banks easements. As amended, the bill passed out of committee and placed on the General Register, making its next stop the House Floor. A complete summary of the bill can be found here.
Next Week:
A Senate schedule can be found here.
A House schedule can be found here.
Warm, dry winter heightens drought concerns
With less than half the average snowfall across much of the state and extraordinarily warm winter temperatures, drought conditions in Minnesota have persisted through the winter. Abnormally dry conditions exist throughout the state and about half of Minnesota is in moderate or severe drought.
Minnesota has experienced significant drought conditions each year since 2021. The 2021 drought was the most severe in Minnesota since at least 1988. Drought in 2023 was generally less severe, but some areas of the state experienced conditions comparable to or worse than 2021.
“While climatologists don’t issue forecasts, we want everyone to recognize that, without substantial precipitation this spring, a continuation of widespread drought conditions in 2024 is likely,” State Climatologist Luigi Romolo said.
Recent drought events in Minnesota highlight the importance of year-round efficient water use and conservation. The DNR website has information about what individuals, families, businesses and communities can do to conserve water.
More information about drought is available on the DNR drought webpage.
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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