HF 658

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:40am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; providing for citizen oversight of certain natural
resource fund accounts; requiring reports; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [84.995] NATURAL RESOURCES FUND; BUDGETARY
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Natural resources fund annual reports. new text end

new text begin (a) By December 15
each year, the commissioner shall submit to the legislative committees and divisions
having jurisdiction over appropriations and the environment and natural resources reports
on each of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the purposes for which expenditures were made from the following:
new text end

new text begin (i) the off-highway vehicle damage account under section 84.780;
new text end

new text begin (ii) the off-highway motorcycle account under section 84.794;
new text end

new text begin (iii) the off-road vehicle account under section 84.803;
new text end

new text begin (iv) the snowmobile trails and enforcement account under section 84.83;
new text end

new text begin (v) the all-terrain vehicle account under section 84.927;
new text end

new text begin (vi) the cross-country ski account under section 85.43;
new text end

new text begin (vii) the horse trails account under section 85.46, subdivision 6;
new text end

new text begin (viii) the water recreation account under section 86B.706; and
new text end

new text begin (ix) deposits to the natural resources fund under section 297A.94, paragraph (e),
clauses (2) to (5);
new text end

new text begin (2) outcome goals for the expenditures from the natural resources fund accounts
listed under clause (1); and
new text end

new text begin (3) a summary and comments of citizen oversight committee reviews under
subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (b) The reports must include the commissioner's recommendations, if any, for
changes in the laws relating to expenditures from and user fees and other revenue credited
to the accounts under paragraph (a), clause (1).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Budgetary Oversight Committee. new text end

new text begin (a) The chairs of each of the
subcommittees under subdivision 3 form the Budgetary Oversight Committee to coordinate
the integration of the subcommittee reports into an annual report to the legislature;
recommend changes on a broad level in policies, activities, and revenue enhancements
or reductions; provide a forum to address issues that transcend the subcommittees; and
submit a report for any subcommittee that fails to submit its report in a timely manner.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Budgetary Oversight Committee shall develop recommendations for a
biennial budget plan and report for expenditures on natural resource activities funded in
whole or in part by user fees. By August 15 of each even-numbered year, the committee
shall submit the budget plan recommendations to the commissioner and to the senate
and house of representatives committees and divisions with jurisdiction over natural
resources finance.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall appoint the chair of the Budgetary Oversight Committee.
new text end

new text begin (d) The Budgetary Oversight Committee must make recommendations to the
commissioner and to the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions
with jurisdiction over natural resources finance for outcome goals from expenditures.
new text end

new text begin (e) Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 5, or other law to the contrary, the
Budgetary Oversight Committee and subcommittees under subdivision 3 do not expire.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Citizen oversight subcommittees. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall appoint
subcommittees of affected persons to review the reports prepared under subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clause (1); review the proposed work plans and budgets for the coming
year; propose changes in policies, activities, and revenue enhancements or reductions;
review other relevant information; and make recommendations to the legislature and the
commissioner for improvements in the management and use of money in the natural
resources fund accounts specified under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1).
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall appoint the following subcommittees, each comprised of
at least three affected persons who are not legislators or employees of the Department of
Natural Resources:
new text end

new text begin (1) an Off-Highway Vehicle Damage Subcommittee to review funding from the
off-highway vehicle damage account under section 84.780;
new text end

new text begin (2) an Off-Highway Motorcycle Subcommittee to review funding from the
off-highway motorcycle account under section 84.794;
new text end

new text begin (3) an Off-Road Vehicle Subcommittee to review funding from the off-road vehicle
account under section 84.803;
new text end

new text begin (4) a Snowmobile Subcommittee to review funding from the snowmobile trails and
enforcement account under section 84.83;
new text end

new text begin (5) an All-Terrain Vehicle Subcommittee to review funding from the all-terrain
vehicle account under section 84.927;
new text end

new text begin (6) a Cross-Country Ski Subcommittee to review funding from the cross-country
ski account under section 85.43;
new text end

new text begin (7) a Horse Trails Subcommittee to review funding from the horse trails account
under section 85.46, subdivision 6;
new text end

new text begin (8) a Water Recreation Subcommittee to review funding from the water recreation
account under section 86B.706; and
new text end

new text begin (9) a Lottery in Lieu Subcommittee to review funding from deposits made to the
natural resources fund under section 297A.94, paragraph (e), clauses (2) to (5).
new text end

new text begin (c) Each subcommittee shall select its own chair.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall provide a subcommittee with any additional information
requested, with sufficient specificity to permit a detailed review of the expenditures and
recipients of money from the respective account of the subcommittee.
new text end