HF 3455

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/12/2024 12:00pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying citizen oversight committees; requiring a
report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.055, subdivision 4b.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.055, subdivision 4b, is amended to read:

Subd. 4b.

deleted text begin Citizen oversight committees deleted text end new text begin Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee new text end .

(a)
The commissioner shall appoint deleted text begin committees deleted text end new text begin a committee new text end of new text begin at least 15 new text end affected persons to new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end review the reports prepared under subdivision 4;

new text begin (2) new text end review deleted text begin the proposed work plans and budgets for the coming year; propose changes
in policies, activities, and revenue enhancements or reductions; review other relevant
information deleted text end new text begin annual outcomes achieved from game and fish fund expenditures new text end ; and

new text begin (3) new text end make recommendations to the legislature and the commissioner for new text begin desired outcomes
related to:
new text end

new text begin (i) protecting habitat;
new text end

new text begin (ii) fish and wildlife population management;
new text end

new text begin (iii) monitoring and research;
new text end

new text begin (iv) communications and engagement; and
new text end

new text begin (v) new text end improvements in the management and use of money in the game and fish fund.

deleted text begin (b) The commissioner shall appoint the following committees, each comprised of at
least ten affected persons:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) a Fisheries Oversight Committee to review fisheries funding and expenditures,
including activities related to trout-and-salmon stamps and walleye stamps; and
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deleted text begin (2) a Wildlife Oversight Committee to review wildlife funding and expenditures,
including activities related to migratory waterfowl, pheasant, and wild turkey management
and deer and big game management.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) The chairs of the Fisheries Oversight Committee and the Wildlife Oversight
Committee, and four additional members from each committee, shall form a Budgetary
Oversight Committee to coordinate the integration of the fisheries and wildlife oversight
committee reports into an annual report to the legislature; recommend changes on a broad
level in policies, activities, and revenue enhancements or reductions; and provide a forum
to address issues that transcend the fisheries and wildlife oversight committees.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) The Budgetary Oversight Committee shall develop recommendations for a biennial
budget plan and report for expenditures on game and fish activities. 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 with jurisdiction
over natural resources finance.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e) The chairs of the Fisheries Oversight Committee and the Wildlife Oversight
Committee shall be chosen by their respective committees. The chair of the Budgetary
Oversight Committee shall be appointed by the commissioner and may not be the chair of
either of the other oversight committees.
deleted text end

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

new text begin (b) The chair and the vice-chair of the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee are
appointed by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (c) By August 15 each year, the committee must submit a report to the commissioner
and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over natural resources finance and policy. Each even-numbered year, the report must focus
on biennial budget outcomes achieved from game and fish fund expenditures. Each
odd-numbered year, the report must focus on outcomes related to protecting habitat, fish
and wildlife population management, monitoring and research, and communications and
engagement.
new text end

new text begin (d) Annually, the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee must hold an open meeting
for the public to provide comments. The meeting must be organized to allow virtual
participation. The committee must consider comments received at the public meeting when
making the recommendations under paragraph (a), clause (3).
new text end

deleted text begin (g) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end The deleted text begin committees deleted text end new text begin committee new text end authorized under this subdivision deleted text begin are deleted text end new text begin is new text end not new text begin an new text end advisory
deleted text begin councils deleted text end new text begin council new text end or deleted text begin committees deleted text end new text begin committee new text end governed by section 15.059 and deleted text begin are deleted text end new text begin is new text end not subject
to section 15.059. Committee members appointed by the commissioner may request
reimbursement for mileage expenses in the same manner and amount as authorized by the
commissioner's plan adopted under section 43A.18, subdivision 2. Committee members
must not receive daily compensation for deleted text begin oversight deleted text end new text begin committee new text end activities. deleted text begin The Fisheries
Oversight Committee, the Wildlife Oversight Committee, and the Budgetary Oversight
Committee expire June 30, 2025.
deleted text end