HF 207

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/13/2023 08:29am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing lawns to legumes grant program;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
103B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [103B.104] LAWNS TO LEGUMES PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin The Board of Water and Soil Resources may provide financial and technical assistance
to plant residential landscapes and community spaces with native vegetation and
pollinator-friendly forbs and legumes to protect a diversity of pollinators with declining
populations, providing additional benefits for water management, carbon sequestration, and
landscape resiliency. The board must establish criteria for grants or payments awarded under
this section. Grants or payments awarded under this section may give priority consideration
for proposals in areas identified by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as areas
where there is a high potential for rusty patched bumble bees and other priority species to
be present. The board may collaborate with and enter into agreements with federal, state,
and local agencies; Tribal Nations; and other nonprofit organizations and contractors to
implement and promote the program.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin LAWNS TO LEGUMES; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from
the general fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for the lawns to legumes program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.104. The board may enter into agreements with
local governments, Metro Blooms, and other organizations to support this effort.
new text end