as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/07/2019 01:58pm
A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing Council of Environment and Natural
Resources Scientific Advisers; appropriating money; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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The Council of Environment and Natural Resources
Scientific Advisers is established to provide guidance to the governor and other policy
makers, cross-agency scientific leadership, and scientific oversight of state agencies working
to protect the state's environment and natural resources.
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The council must be appointed by the governor and include one
member representing each of the state's congressional districts and two members appointed
at-large. The governor may not appoint a registered lobbyist to the council. In making
appointments, the governor must appoint at least:
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(1) one member with expertise in biology;
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(2) one member with expertise in ecology;
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(3) one member with expertise in chemistry; and
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(4) one member with expertise in hydrology.
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Except as provided in subdivision
4, members must be appointed to serve four-year staggered terms. Removal of members,
filling of vacancies, and compensation are as provided in section 15.059.
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The governor
must make appointments by January 2, 2020. In making initial appointments, the governor
must designate half of the appointees, including the two at-large members, to serve a term
ending January 3, 2022. The remaining appointees must serve an initial term ending January
1, 2024. The first meeting of the council must be held before January 15, 2020. The governor
must designate one member to convene and chair the first meeting. At its first meeting, the
council must elect a chair from among its members.
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The council must:
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(1) review the scientific methods, peer review process, and other aspects of the scientific
work of the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of
Health, Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources;
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(2) initiate or recommend special studies where scientific research and analysis are
relevant to evaluation of public policy options; and
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(3) provide public policy counsel at the request of the governor, commissioners of state
government, or the legislature.
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The Pollution Control Agency must provide staff and administrative
support to the council.
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The council expires January 1, 2026.
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$....... in fiscal year 2020 and $....... in fiscal year 2021 are appropriated from the .... fund
to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency for the Council of Environment and
Natural Resources Scientific Advisers established in Minnesota Statutes, section 116.021.
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