as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/07/2019 07:40pm
Engrossments | ||
---|---|---|
Introduction | Posted on 03/04/2019 |
A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing response program to support control of
emerald ash borer; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 88.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
new text begin
The commissioner must establish a program to provide
state matching grants of up to 75 percent of costs associated with community responses to
emerald ash borer infestations in ash trees.
new text end
new text begin
Matching grants provided under this section are available
to:
new text end
new text begin
(1) cities, counties, regional authorities, joint powers boards, towns, and parks and
recreation boards in cities of the first class that are responding or actively preparing to
respond to an emerald ash borer infestation; or
new text end
new text begin
(2) a Minnesota nonprofit corporation that operates a biomass-fueled district heating
system.
new text end
new text begin
(a) Costs associated with the following activities are
eligible for a state matching grant:
new text end
new text begin
(1) inventorying and planning work to identify infested ash trees and develop prescriptions
to address an emerald ash borer infestation;
new text end
new text begin
(2) treating infested trees, when appropriate, using the least environmentally harmful
chemicals available;
new text end
new text begin
(3) removing and replacing trees that are infested or at risk of being infested with emerald
ash borer; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) disposing of or using ash material, including processing wood waste into usable
biomass fuel.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Money appropriated for grants under this section may be used to pay reasonable
costs incurred by the commissioner of natural resources to administer this section.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
new text begin
$13,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $13,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the emerald ash borer
response program under Minnesota Statutes, section 88.83.
new text end