The House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee heard two of the most pressing concerns this year: regulating farmed white-tailed cattle to control chronic wasting and attempting to stop perfluoroalkyl and other fluoroalkyl substances from contaminating state waters.
It’s not surprising that these two topics are a major part of the Omnibus environment and natural resource finance and policy bill.
Members received more information Tuesday about the delete-all amend to HF4492. Representative Rick Hansen (DFL–South St. Paul) will be presenting the proposal to the committee and taking public testimony.
The bill contains 2023 additional budget appropriations for Pollution Control Agency and Department of Natural Resources. It also includes appropriations for Board of Water and Soil Resources and other agencies. It also contains statutory and other changes relating to the environment or natural resources.
Hansen said that this bill is comprehensive. This bill reflects the priorities that we heard this year, as well as last year. As I said last week, we are focusing on the future and also redressing past wrongs.
The bill would allocate $68.9million to the Board of Water and Soil Resources and $57.9million to the Pollution Control Agency. $54.3 million would go to the DNR and a variety of existing programs.
[MORE:View the spreadsheet]
The bill would provide these funds in fiscal 2023 in addition to a $45,000 one-time appropriation to the Minnesota Zoo:
- $13.1 million to the Metropolitan Council
- $10.5 Million to Explore Minnesota Tourism
- $1.75 million to aMinnesota outdoor recreation office, established in the bill
- Conservation Corps Minnesota: $500,000
- $500,000 to Science Museum of Minnesota;
- $180,000 to University of Minnesota
The total funds appropriated by the General Fund would be an increase of $240 millions over base in fiscal 2023 and $35million over base in the following biennium.
The farmed Cervidae, which includes white-tailed Deer, would require that owners immediately notify DNR if a farmed Cervid escapes or is not returned or captured in 24 hours. They also require perimeter fencing for farmed Cervids. They prohibit intentional movement of the animals unless certain criteria have been met.
The bill would ban all PFAS found in carpet, textiles and cookware, cosmetics and ski wax.
Other provisions include:
- An ordinance prohibits the use of a pesticide that is pollinator-lethal in cities.
- It is forbidden to sell or use seeds that have been treated with neonicotinoids in any form for food, feed or oil production.
- requiring guidance for the disposal of neonicotinoid-treated seed;
- To establish goals to restore, protect and enhance peat soil lands.
- Interdiction of pesticides in wildlife management zones, state parks and state forests, aquatic management area, scientific and natural areas or scientific areas
- A long-term management plan is necessary for invasive species.
- Changing the age requirement and other modifications to operate watercraft
- The Swan Protection Act was created.
- Creating certain protections for the taking or selling of turtles, including licensing requirements.
- Grants to the Lawns to Legumes programme
- Establishing soil health goals and creating cost-share programs;
- Establishing a grant program for stormwater infrastructure;
- Establishing a grant program to compost multifamily properties
- Initiating a zero waste grant programme
- It is prohibited to import, manufacture, sell, hold for sale, distribute or offer certain products containing lead or other cadmium at higher levels than specified levels.
- Air quality monitoring funding and creation
Many components of the air-quality bill, sponsored and sponsored by Rep. Fuel (DFL–Mpls), have been included, including a study on areas of environmental justice.
Hansen stated that we have spent a lot on water quality in the last 30 years. This bill is a good example of how we can make air quality and air-quality priority.
Also included are the DNRs policy as well as technical proposals.
The Senate Omnibus Environment and Natural Resources Bill, SF4062The bill, which is sponsored by Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R -Alexandria), awaits action from the full Senate.
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What’s in the bill?
The following are selected bills that have been incorporated into the omnibus environment, natural resources finance and policy bill in whole or in part.
