Minnesota Session Laws - 2024, Regular Session

CHAPTER 106--H.F.No. 4124

An act

relating to state government; appropriating money from the outdoor heritage fund, clean water fund, parks and trails fund, and arts and cultural heritage fund; modifying and extending prior appropriations;

amending Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 3, sections 2, subdivision 1; 3; 4; article 4, section 2, subdivision 3.

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

ARTICLE 1

OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the outdoor heritage fund for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The appropriations in this article are onetime appropriations. new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2024 new text end		new text begin 2025 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 0 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 192,711,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is from the outdoor heritage fund. The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Prairies new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 19,439,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Phase 14 new text end

new text begin $4,412,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance lands within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. new text end

new text begin (b) Accelerating Wildlife Management Area Program, Phase 16 new text end

new text begin $5,315,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. new text end

new text begin (c) Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of Southern Red River Valley, Phase 10 new text end

new text begin $3,794,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society, to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance lands within the southern Red River Valley for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. new text end

new text begin (d) Martin County DNR WMA Acquisition, Phase 8 new text end

new text begin $2,589,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and to restore and enhance strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat within Martin County for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, as follows: $1,921,000 to Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc.; $613,000 to Ducks Unlimited; and $55,000 to the Conservation Fund. new text end

new text begin (e) DNR Grassland Enhancement, Phase 16 new text end

new text begin $1,427,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. new text end

new text begin (f) Enhanced Public Land - Grasslands, Phase 7 new text end

new text begin $1,902,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance and restore grassland and wetland habitat on public lands within the forest prairie transition, metro urban, and prairie ecoregions of Minnesota. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Forests new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 32,164,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota Heritage Forest - Transition to Public Ownership Program new text end

new text begin $22,647,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire priority forest habitat lands in fee as wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, state forests, and county forests. Of this amount, $11,737,000 is for an agreement with Northern Waters Land Trust. new text end

new text begin (b) Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape Protection Program ACUB, Phase 12 new text end

new text begin $2,068,000 the second year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation with the Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District, to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance forest wildlife habitat within the boundaries of the Minnesota National Guard Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape and Army Compatible Use Buffer. Up to $110,000 to the Board of Water and Soil Resources is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8, paragraph (b), does not apply to this project. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. new text end

new text begin (c) Riparian Habitat Protection in Kettle and Snake River Watersheds, Phase 2 new text end

new text begin $1,569,000 the second year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation with the Pine County Soil and Water Conservation District, to acquire permanent conservation easements to protect high-quality forests, wetlands, and shoreline within the Kettle and Snake River watersheds. Up to $150,000 to the Board of Water and Soil Resources is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8, paragraph (b), does not apply to this project. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. new text end

new text begin (d) DNR Forest Habitat Enhancement, Phase 4 new text end

new text begin $1,727,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance forest wildlife habitats on public lands throughout Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (e) Young Forest Conservation, Phase 4 new text end

new text begin $2,229,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the American Bird Conservancy to enhance publicly owned, permanently protected forest lands for wildlife management. new text end

new text begin (f) Floodplain and Upland Forest Enhancement - Mississippi River, Phase 5 new text end

new text begin $1,924,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Audubon Society to restore and enhance floodplain and upland forest habitat for wildlife on public lands along the Mississippi River and Mississippi River tributaries. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Wetlands new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 38,412,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Wild-Rice Shoreland Protection, Phase 9 new text end

new text begin $2,042,000 the second year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements on wild-rice lake shoreland habitat for native wild-rice bed protection. Of this amount, up to $110,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8, paragraph (b), does not apply to this project. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. new text end

new text begin (b) Shallow Lake and Wetland Protection and Restoration Program, Phase 13 new text end

new text begin $7,670,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas or national wildlife refuges in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and to restore and enhance prairie lands, wetlands, and land buffering shallow lakes. new text end

new text begin (c) RIM Wetlands - Restoring Most Productive Habitat in Minnesota, Phase 13 new text end

new text begin $3,202,000 the second year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore wetlands and native grassland habitat under Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515. Of this amount, up to $50,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8, paragraph (b), does not apply to this project. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. new text end

new text begin (d) Accelerating Waterfowl Production Area Acquisition Program, Phase 16 new text end

new text begin $7,020,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (e) DNR Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement, Phase 16 new text end

new text begin $3,809,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes and wetland habitat statewide. new text end

new text begin (f) Nelson Slough - East Park Wildlife Management Area new text end

new text begin $4,174,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Middle-Snake-Tamarac Rivers Watershed District to restore and enhance wetland and upland wildlife habitat on Nelson Slough and East Park Wildlife Management Area in Marshall County, Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (g) Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program, Phase 9 new text end

new text begin $2,128,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat on permanently protected conservation easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes within the prairie, forest/prairie transition, and forest ecoregions. new text end

new text begin (h) Living Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Enhancement and Restoration Initiative, Phase 10 new text end

new text begin $7,867,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands on public lands and wetlands under permanent conservation easement for wildlife management. new text end

new text begin (i) Lake Alice Enhancement, Fergus Falls new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Fergus Falls to enhance Lake Alice in Fergus Falls. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Habitats new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 101,294,000 new text end

new text begin (a) St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration, Phase 5 new text end

new text begin $4,711,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural habitat systems in the St. Croix River watershed as follows: $1,905,000 to Trust for Public Land; $110,000 to Wild Rivers Conservancy; and $2,696,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $224,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. new text end

new text begin (b) Pine and Leech Watershed Targeted RIM Easement Permanent Land Protection, Phase 3 new text end

new text begin $2,242,000 the second year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation with the Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District, to acquire permanent conservation easements of high-quality forest, wetland, and shoreline habitat. Up to $120,000 of the total amount is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8, paragraph (b), does not apply to this project. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. new text end

new text begin (c) Protecting Minnesota's Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance, Phase 3 new text end

new text begin $3,321,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance lakes of outstanding biological significance in northeast and north-central Minnesota. Of this amount, $1,083,000 is to the Northern Waters Land Trust and $2,238,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $224,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. new text end

new text begin (d) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program, Phase 13 new text end

new text begin $2,060,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance habitat in the Shell Rock River watershed. new text end

new text begin (e) Cannon River Watershed Habitat Restoration and Protection Program, Phase 13 new text end

new text begin $2,555,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Cannon River watershed as follows: $54,000 to Clean River Partners; $888,000 to Great River Greening; and $1,613,000 to Trust for Public Land. new text end

new text begin (f) Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project, Phase 8 new text end

new text begin $2,706,000 the second year is to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore wildlife habitat in the Mississippi headwaters. Of this amount: new text end

new text begin (1) $1,706,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements as follows: $57,000 to the Mississippi Headwaters Board and $1,649,000 to Trust for Public Land; and new text end

new text begin (2) $1,000,000 is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, of which up to $100,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. new text end

new text begin (g) Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes, Phase 10 new text end

new text begin $2,687,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and in permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat to sustain healthy fish habitat on coldwater lakes in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties as follows: $2,252,000 to Northern Waters Land Trust and $435,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $56,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. new text end

new text begin (h) Red River Basin Riparian Habitat Program new text end

new text begin $5,119,000 the second year is to acquire permanent conservation easements to protect, restore, and enhance stream and riparian habitat throughout the Red River watershed. Of this amount, $169,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Red River Watershed Management Board and $4,950,000 is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources. Up to $380,000 of the total amount is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8, paragraph (b), does not apply to this project. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. new text end

new text begin (i) Resilient Habitat for Heritage Brook Trout, Phase 2 new text end

new text begin $2,486,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance habitat in targeted watersheds of southeast Minnesota to improve heritage brook trout and coldwater aquatic communities. Of this amount, $400,000 is to The Nature Conservancy, $612,000 is to Trout Unlimited, and $1,474,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. new text end

new text begin (j) Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration, Phase 12 new text end

new text begin $3,052,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands and permanent conservation easements in southeast Minnesota as follows: $970,000 to The Nature Conservancy, $964,000 to Trust for Public Land, and $1,118,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $112,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. new text end

new text begin (k) Lower Wild Rice River Corridor Habitat Restoration, Phase 4 new text end

new text begin $2,345,000 the second year is to acquire land in permanent conservation easement and to restore river and related habitat in the Wild Rice River corridor. Of this amount, $30,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Wild Rice Watershed District and $2,315,000 is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources. The Board of Water and Soil Resources may use up to $60,000 for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8, paragraph (b), does not apply to this project. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. new text end

new text begin (l) DNR Wildlife Management Area and Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition, Phase 16 new text end

new text begin $1,359,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. new text end

new text begin (m) Accelerating Habitat Conservation in Southwest Minnesota, Phase 3 new text end

new text begin $2,872,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance high-quality wildlife habitat in southwest Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $168,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. new text end

new text begin (n) Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration, Phase 5 new text end

new text begin $3,965,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Sauk River watershed as follows: $375,000 to Great River Greening; $1,199,000 to Sauk River Watershed District; $1,192,000 to Pheasants Forever; and $1,199,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. new text end

new text begin (o) Metro Big Rivers, Phase 14 new text end

new text begin $8,123,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural habitat systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers and their tributaries within the metropolitan area as follows: $1,250,000 to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $420,000 to Friends of the Mississippi River; $803,000 to Great River Greening; $2,750,000 to Trust for Public Land; and $2,900,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $224,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. new text end

new text begin (p) Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation, Phase 9 new text end

new text begin $1,802,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands and easements in the Anoka Sand Plain ecoregion and intersecting minor watersheds as follows: $1,508,000 to Great River Greening and $294,000 to Sherburne County. new text end

new text begin (q) DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Phase 7 new text end

new text begin $4,206,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded streams and aquatic management areas and to facilitate fish passage. new text end

new text begin (r) Minnesota Statewide Trout Habitat Enhancement new text end

new text begin $2,308,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along coldwater rivers, lakes, and streams throughout Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (s) Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation, Phase 7 new text end

new text begin $1,572,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, in cooperation with the Lake Superior Steelhead Association, to restore and enhance trout habitat in the Knife River watershed. If the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission declines to serve as the fiscal agent for the project, an alternative fiscal agent must be identified in the accomplishment plan for the project. new text end

new text begin (t) DNR St. Louis River Restoration Initiative, Phase 11 new text end

new text begin $2,163,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance priority aquatic, riparian, and forest habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. Of this amount, $716,000 is for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust. new text end

new text begin (u) Roseau Lake Rehabilitation, Phase 2 new text end

new text begin $3,054,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Roseau River Watershed District to restore and enhance the Roseau Lake and Roseau River habitat complex in Roseau County, Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (v) Highbanks Ravine Bat Hibernaculum new text end

new text begin $2,300,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of St. Cloud to enhance the Highbanks Ravine Bat Hibernaculum in St. Cloud. new text end

new text begin (w) Owámniyomni Native Landscape and River Restoration, St. Anthony Falls new text end

new text begin $1,918,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Friends of the Falls to restore and enhance wildlife habitat at Upper St. Anthony Falls. This appropriation may only be spent for site grading, oak savanna, and aquatic habitat portions of the project. new text end

new text begin (x) Silver Lake Dam Fish Passage Modification new text end

new text begin $2,368,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Rochester to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in Silver Lake and the south fork of the Zumbro River by modifying the existing low-head dam in Rochester. new text end

new text begin (y) Little Devil Track River Restoration new text end

new text begin $3,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Cook County to restore and enhance stream habitat in the Little Devil Track River. new text end

new text begin (z) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat, Phase 16 new text end

new text begin $15,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive matching grants of up to $500,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Unless there are not enough eligible grant applications received, of this amount, at least $4,000,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or more and at least $4,000,000 is for grants to applicants that have not previously applied for money from the outdoor heritage fund. Grants must not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants must not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $1,000,000. Of the total appropriation, $600,000 may be spent for personnel costs, outreach, and support to first-time applicants and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. The program must require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner must provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources must, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving, or a charter to receive, private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement, or by public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority must be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient completes a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner must provide notice of the grant program in the summary of game and fish law prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin (aa) Protecting Upper Mississippi River from Invasive Carp new text end

new text begin $12,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to fund activities to protect the upper Mississippi River from invasive carp. Activities within this appropriation include agreements with federal partners, such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to design, construct, and begin operating and maintaining a structural deterrent for invasive carp at Lock and Dam No. 5 on the Mississippi River to protect Minnesota's aquatic habitat through an adaptive management approach. Deterrent design must be fully completed within two years of the date of this appropriation. Deterrent installation must be completed by June 30, 2029. Money not spent or obligated for design installation and operation of the deterrent may be used for testing technologies to support the future effectiveness of the deterrent. A detailed accomplishment plan must be submitted to and approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council before money is released. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2029. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end new text begin Administration new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 1,402,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Contract Management new text end

new text begin $350,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner must provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on expending this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended before the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council approves the accomplishment plan. Money appropriated in this paragraph is available until June 30, 2026. new text end

new text begin (b) Technical Evaluation Panel new text end

new text begin $160,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to 25 restoration and enhancement evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10. Money appropriated in this paragraph is available until June 30, 2026. new text end

new text begin (c) Core Functions in Partner-led OHF Land Acquisitions new text end

new text begin $892,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for administering the initial development, restoration, and enhancement of land acquired in fee with money appropriated from the outdoor heritage fund. This appropriation may be used for land acquisition costs incurred by the department in conveying parcels to the department and for initial development activities on fee title acquisitions. Money appropriated in this paragraph is available until June 30, 2032. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end new text begin Availability of Appropriation new text end

new text begin (a) Money appropriated in this section may not be spent on activities unless they are directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation and are specified in the accomplishment plan approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. Money appropriated in this section must not be spent on indirect costs or other institutional overhead charges that are not directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation. Money appropriated for fee title acquisition of land may be used to restore, enhance, and provide for public use of the land acquired with the appropriation. Public-use facilities must have a minimal impact on habitat in acquired lands. new text end

new text begin (b) Money appropriated in this section is available as follows: new text end

new text begin (1) money appropriated for acquiring real property is available until June 30, 2028; new text end

new text begin (2) money appropriated for restoring and enhancing land acquired with an appropriation in this section is available for four years after the acquisition date with a maximum end date of June 30, 2032; new text end

new text begin (3) money appropriated for restoring or enhancing other land is available until June 30, 2029; new text end

new text begin (4) notwithstanding clauses (1) to (3), money appropriated for a project that receives at least 15 percent of its funding from federal funds is available until a date sufficient to match the availability of federal funding to a maximum of six years if the federal funding was confirmed and included in the original approved draft accomplishment plan; and new text end

new text begin (5) money appropriated for other projects is available until the end of the fiscal year in which it is appropriated. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end new text begin Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures new text end

new text begin (a) All agreements referred to in this section must be administered on a reimbursement basis unless otherwise provided in this section. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.41, expenditures directly related to each appropriation's purpose made on or after July 1, 2024, or the date of accomplishment plan approval, whichever is later, are eligible for reimbursement unless otherwise provided in this section. For the purposes of administering appropriations and legislatively authorized agreements paid out of the outdoor heritage fund, an expense must be considered reimbursable by the administering agency when the recipient presents the agency with an invoice or binding agreement with a landowner and the recipient attests that the goods have been received or the landowner agreement is binding. Periodic reimbursement must be made upon receiving documentation that the items articulated in the accomplishment plan approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council have been achieved, including partial achievements as evidenced by progress reports approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. Reasonable amounts may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash-flow needs, support future management of acquired lands, or match a federal share. The advances must be approved as part of the accomplishment plan. Capital equipment expenditures for specific items in excess of $10,000 must be itemized in and approved as part of the accomplishment plan. new text end

new text begin (b) Unless otherwise provided, no money appropriated from the outdoor heritage fund in this article may be used to acquire, restore, or enhance any real property unless the specific acquisition, restoration, or enhancement is approved as part of the accomplishment plan on the parcel list. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end new text begin Mapping new text end

new text begin Each direct recipient of money appropriated in this section, as well as each recipient of a grant awarded pursuant to this section, must provide geographic information to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for mapping of any lands acquired in fee with funds appropriated in this section and open to public taking of fish and game. The commissioner of natural resources must include the lands acquired in fee with money appropriated in this section on maps showing public recreation opportunities. Maps must include information on and acknowledgment of the outdoor heritage fund, including a notation of any restrictions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end new text begin Carryforward new text end

new text begin (a) The availability of the following appropriations is extended to June 30, 2025: new text end

new text begin (1) Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph (f), Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement and Restoration - Phase XI; and new text end

new text begin (2) Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph (j), Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program - Phase VIII. new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of the appropriation in Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (g), Big Rice Lake Wild Rice Enhancement, is extended to June 30, 2026. new text end

new text begin (c) The availability of the appropriation in Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph (o), Restoring Upper Mississippi River at Lake Pepin, is extended to June 30, 2028. new text end

ARTICLE 2

CLEAN WATER FUND

Section 1. new text begin CLEAN WATER FUND APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the clean water fund and are available for the fiscal years indicated for allowable activities under the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 15. The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under the figure are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2024 and 2025. These are onetime appropriations. new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2024 new text end		new text begin 2025 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin CLEAN WATER FUND new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 25,426,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is from the clean water fund. The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following sections. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Availability of Appropriation new text end

new text begin Money appropriated in this article may not be spent on activities unless they are directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation. Money appropriated in this article must be spent in accordance with Minnesota Management and Budget MMB Guidance to Agencies on Legacy Fund Expenditure. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, and unless otherwise specified in this article, fiscal year 2024 appropriations are available until June 30, 2025, and fiscal year 2025 appropriations are available until June 30, 2026. If a project receives federal funds, the period of the appropriation is extended to equal the availability of federal funding. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Disability Access new text end

new text begin Where appropriate, grant recipients of clean water funds, in consultation with the Council on Disability and other appropriate governor-appointed disability councils, boards, committees, and commissions, should make progress toward providing people with disabilities greater access to programs, print publications, and digital media related to the programs the recipient funds using appropriations made in this article. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers new text end

new text begin Agencies should work to provide opportunities that encourage a diversity of students to pursue careers in environment and natural resources when implementing appropriations in this article. new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 4,402,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $1,000,000 the second year is for monitoring and evaluating trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater; promoting, developing, and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices, cover crops, and other vegetative cover; assessing adoption of best management practices and other recommended practices; education and technical support from University of Minnesota Extension; grants to support agricultural demonstration and implementation activities, including research activities at the Rosholt Research Farm; and other actions to protect groundwater from degradation from nitrate. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 3, paragraph (b), and is available until June 30, 2028. new text end

new text begin (b) $3,402,000 the second year is for the agriculture best management practices loan program for loans for water-quality-related projects. Of this amount, $3,000,000 is for projects in southeast Minnesota. Any unencumbered balance at the end of the second year must be added to the corpus of the loan fund. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 3, paragraph (c). new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 5,326,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $326,000 the second year is for completing needed statewide assessments of surface water quality and trends according to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 114D. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 4, paragraph (a). new text end

new text begin (b) $1,950,000 the second year is for enhancing the county-level delivery systems for subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) activities necessary to implement Minnesota Statutes, sections 115.55 and 115.56, for protecting groundwater. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 4, paragraph (f). Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations in this paragraph are available until June 30, 2028. new text end

new text begin (c) $1,000,000 the second year is for activities and grants that reduce chloride pollution. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 4, paragraph (g). new text end

new text begin (d) $2,000,000 the second year is to purchase and install nitrate sensors to develop a continuous nitrate-monitoring network to monitor watershed and basin pour points where elevated loads of nitrate have been measured historically. new text end

new text begin (e) $50,000 the second year is for a grant to the Friends of the Minnesota Valley to continue and expand the existing water quality and watershed monitoring river watch activities in schools in the Minnesota River Valley. By February 15, 2027, Friends of the Minnesota Valley must provide a report to the commissioner and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance and policy and the clean water fund on the outcomes achieved with the money received under this appropriation. new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 90,000 new text end

new text begin $90,000 the second year is for assessing mercury and other fish contaminants, including PFAS compounds, and monitoring to track the status of impaired waters over time. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 5, paragraph (c). new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 11,434,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $3,434,000 the second year is for a working-lands floodplain program and to purchase, restore, or preserve riparian land and floodplains adjacent to lakes, rivers, streams, and tributaries, by conservation easements or contracts to keep water on the land, to decrease sediment, pollutant, and nutrient transport; reduce hydrologic impacts to surface waters; and increase protection and recharge for groundwater. Up to $225,000 is for deposit in a conservation easement stewardship account established according to Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.103. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 6, paragraph (f). new text end

new text begin (b) $4,000,000 the second year is to purchase permanent conservation easements to protect lands adjacent to public waters that have good water quality but that are threatened with degradation. Up to $160,000 is for deposit in a conservation easement stewardship account established according to Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.103. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 6, paragraph (k). new text end

new text begin (c) $2,000,000 the second year is for developing and implementing a water legacy grant program to expand partnerships for clean water. Of this amount, $500,000 is for grants to watershed districts to reduce the costs to landowners for green infrastructure projects, including rain gardens, permeable pavement, rainwater harvesting and reuse, and other clean water practices. Priority must be given to projects in low-income and high-pollution areas. Watershed districts may partner with local community groups, nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties to perform the work and provide outreach to communities. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 6, paragraph (m). new text end

new text begin (d) $1,000,000 the second year is to provide support to soil and water conservation districts and other local governments and partner organizations in the Lake Superior basin to leverage Great Lakes Restoration Initiative or other federal Great Lakes funding to implement prioritized activities. new text end

new text begin (e) $1,000,000 the second year is for conservation easements acquired under Minnesota Statutes, sections 103F.501 to 103F.535, or for grants or contracts to local units of government or Tribal governments, including for fee title acquisition or for long-term protection of groundwater supply sources. Consideration must be given to drinking water supply management areas and alternative management tools in the Department of Agriculture Minnesota Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan, including using low-nitrogen cropping systems or implementing nitrogen fertilizer best management practices. Priority must be placed on land that is located where the vulnerability of the drinking water supply is designated as high or very high by the commissioner of health, where drinking water protection plans have identified specific activities that will achieve long-term protection, and on lands with expiring conservation contracts. Up to $50,000 is for deposit in a conservation easement stewardship account established according to Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.103. This appropriation, including the conditions and considerations, is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 6, paragraph (g). new text end

new text begin (f) The board must require grantees to specify the outcomes that will be achieved by the grants. new text end

new text begin (g) The appropriations in this section are available until June 30, 2028, except grant or easement funds are available for five years after the date a grant or other agreement is executed. Returned grant funds must be regranted consistent with the purposes of this section. new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 3,174,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $384,000 the second year is for developing health-risk limits for contaminants found or anticipated to be found in Minnesota drinking water, to certify private laboratories to conduct analyses for these contaminants, and to increase the capacity of the department's laboratory to analyze for these contaminants. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 7, paragraph (a). new text end

new text begin (b) $2,790,000 the second year is for managing a voluntary program in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona Counties to conduct an inventory of private wells, provide testing for nitrates, develop education and outreach for private well owners and users, and develop a dashboard to communicate testing results and report on progress. new text end

new text begin (c) Unless otherwise specified, the appropriations in this section are available until June 30, 2027. new text end

Sec. 8. new text begin UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 1,000,000 new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the second year is for a program to evaluate performance and technology transfer for stormwater best management practices; to evaluate best management performance and effectiveness to support meeting total maximum daily loads; to develop standards and incorporate state-of-the-art guidance using minimal impact design standards as the model; and to implement a system to transfer knowledge and technology across local government, industry, and regulatory sectors. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 2, section 9, paragraph (b), and is available until June 30, 2030. new text end

ARTICLE 3

PARKS AND TRAILS FUND

Section 1.

Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 3, section 2, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

72,155,000

$

deleted text begin 64,455,000 deleted text end new text begin 73,563,000 new text end

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following sections.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 2.

Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 3, section 3, is amended to read:

Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

$

43,580,000

$

deleted text begin 38,931,000 deleted text end new text begin 44,396,000 new text end

(a) $28,572,000 the first year and deleted text begin $25,524,000 deleted text end new text begin $29,167,000 new text end the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to:

(1) connect people to the outdoors;

(2) acquire land and create opportunities;

(3) maintain existing holdings; and

(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan.

(b) The commissioner may spend money appropriated under paragraph (a) on I Can! programs, including but not limited to programs designed to provide underserved youth and youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer the opportunity to experience the outdoors with similar peers.

(c) $14,286,000 the first year and deleted text begin $12,762,000 deleted text end new text begin $14,584,000 new text end the second year are for grants for parks and trails of regional significance outside the seven-county metropolitan area under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.535. The grants awarded under this paragraph must be based on the lists of recommended projects submitted to the legislative committees under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, subdivision 10, from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536. Grants funded under this paragraph must support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance that meet the applicable definitions and criteria for regional parks and trails contained in the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan adopted by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission on deleted text begin April 22, deleted text end deleted text begin 2015 deleted text end new text begin March 24, 2021 new text end . Grant recipients identified under this paragraph must submit a grant application to the commissioner of natural resources. Up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation may be used by the commissioner for the actual cost of issuing and monitoring the grants for the commission. Of the amount appropriated, $475,000 the first year and $475,000 the second year are for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to carry out its duties under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, including the continued development of a statewide system plan for regional parks and trails outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

(d) By January 15, 2024, the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission must submit a list of projects that contains the commission's recommendations for funding from the parks and trails fund for fiscal year 2025 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources and the parks and trails fund.

(e) By January 15, 2024, the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission must submit a report that contains the commission's criteria for funding from the parks and trails fund, including the criteria used to determine if a park or trail is of regional significance, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources and the parks and trails fund.

(f) $722,000 the first year and $645,000 the second year are for coordination and projects between the department, the Metropolitan Council, and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission; enhanced web-based information for park and trail users; and support of activities of the Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee.

(g) The commissioner must contract for services with Conservation Corps Minnesota for restoration, maintenance, and other activities under this section for at least $850,000 the first year and $850,000 the second year.

(h) Grant recipients of an appropriation under this section must give consideration to contracting with Conservation Corps Minnesota for restoration, maintenance, and other activities.

(i) In addition to the requirements under paragraph (g), the commissioner should work to provide other opportunities that encourage a diversity of students to pursue careers in environment and natural resources when implementing appropriations in this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 3.

Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 3, section 4, is amended to read:

Sec. 4. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

$

28,572,000

$

deleted text begin 25,524,000 deleted text end new text begin 29,167,000 new text end

(a) $28,572,000 the first year and deleted text begin $25,524,000 deleted text end new text begin $29,167,000 new text end the second year are for distribution according to Minnesota Statutes, section 85.53, subdivision 3.

(b) Money appropriated under this section and distributed to implementing agencies must be used only to fund the list of projects approved by the elected representatives of each of the metropolitan parks implementing agencies. Projects funded by the money appropriated under this section must be substantially consistent with the project descriptions and dollar amounts approved by each elected body. Any money remaining after completing the listed projects may be spent by the implementing agencies on projects to support parks and trails.

(c) Grant agreements entered into by the Metropolitan Council and recipients of money appropriated under this section must ensure that the money is used to supplement and not substitute for traditional sources of funding.

(d) The implementing agencies receiving appropriations under this section must give consideration to contracting with Conservation Corps Minnesota for restoration, maintenance, and other activities.

new text begin (e) Implementing agencies that charge a fee for activities or rental equipment, including but not limited to watercraft, skis, bicycles, golf clubs, and green fees, must report to the Metropolitan Council the opportunities to participate in the activities and rent equipment at free or reduced rates offered in their park and recreation programs. By February 1, 2025, the Metropolitan Council must provide a report to the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over legacy funding on the information gathered under this paragraph. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin PARKS AND TRAILS FUND APPROPRIATION EXTENSIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Bluffs Traverse Trail; city of Winona. new text end

new text begin The availability of the grant to the city of Winona for the Bluffs Traverse Trail project from the parks and trails fund appropriation under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 3, paragraph (b), is extended to June 30, 2026. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Jay C. Hormel Nature Center; city of Austin. new text end

new text begin The availability of the grant to the city of Austin for the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center project from the parks and trails fund appropriation under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 3, paragraph (b), is extended to June 30, 2027. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Hole in the Mountain Park; Lincoln County. new text end

new text begin The availability of the grant to Lincoln County for the Hole in the Mountain Park project from the parks and trails fund appropriation under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 3, paragraph (b), is extended to June 30, 2027. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Alexander Ramsey Park; city of Redwood Falls. new text end

new text begin The availability of the grant to the city of Redwood Falls for the Alexander Ramsey Park project from the parks and trails fund appropriation under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 3, paragraph (b), is extended to June 30, 2027. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Coordination among partners. new text end

new text begin The appropriations from the parks and trails fund under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 3, paragraph (e), are available until June 30, 2026. new text end

ARTICLE 4

ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND

Section 1. new text begin ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the entities and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the arts and cultural heritage fund and are available for the fiscal years indicated for allowable activities under the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 15, except that any unencumbered balance remaining under this article from the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under the figure are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2024 and 2025. All appropriations in this article are onetime. new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2024 new text end		new text begin 2025 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 12,209,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Availability of Appropriation new text end

new text begin Money appropriated in this article must not be spent on activities unless they are directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation. Money appropriated in this article must not be spent on institutional overhead charges that are not directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation. Money appropriated in this article must be spent in accordance with Minnesota Management and Budget MMB Guidance to Agencies on Legacy Fund Expenditure. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, and unless otherwise specified in this article, fiscal year 2024 appropriations are available until June 30, 2025, and fiscal year 2025 appropriations are available until June 30, 2026. Water and energy conservation technology and the use of renewable energy should be priorities for construction and building projects funded through this appropriation. If a project receives federal funds, the period of the appropriation is extended to equal the availability of federal funding. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Minnesota State Arts Board new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 5,738,000 new text end

new text begin (a) The amounts in this subdivision are appropriated to the Minnesota State Arts Board for arts, arts education, arts preservation, and arts access. Grant agreements entered into by the Minnesota State Arts Board and other recipients of appropriations in this subdivision must ensure that the money is used to supplement and not substitute for traditional sources of funding. Each grant program established in this appropriation must be separately administered from other state appropriations for program planning and outcome measurements, but may take into consideration other state resources awarded in the selection of applicants and grant award size. new text end

new text begin (b) Arts and Arts Access Initiatives new text end

new text begin $4,590,000 the second year is to support Minnesota artists and arts organizations in creating, producing, and presenting high-quality arts activities; to preserve, maintain, and interpret art forms and works of art so that they are accessible to Minnesota audiences; to overcome barriers to accessing high-quality arts activities; and to instill the arts into the community and public life in this state. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3, paragraph (b). new text end

new text begin (c) Arts Education new text end

new text begin $861,000 the second year is for high-quality, age-appropriate arts education for Minnesotans of all ages to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3, paragraph (c). new text end

new text begin (d) Arts and Cultural Heritage new text end

new text begin $287,000 the second year is for events and activities that represent, preserve, and maintain the diverse cultural arts traditions, including folk and traditional artists and art organizations, represented in this state. This appropriation is added to the appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3, paragraph (d). new text end

new text begin (e) Administrative Costs new text end

new text begin Up to five percent of the totals in paragraphs (b) to (d) each year is for administering grant programs, delivering technical services, providing fiscal oversight for the statewide system, and ensuring accountability for fiscal year 2025 appropriations. new text end

new text begin (f) Regional Arts Councils new text end

new text begin Thirty percent of the remaining total appropriation to each of the categories listed in paragraphs (b) to (d) is for grants to the regional arts councils. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, regional arts council grants or other arts council grants for touring programs, projects, or exhibits must ensure the programs, projects, or exhibits are able to tour in their own region as well as all other regions of the state. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Department of Administration new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 1,720,000 new text end

new text begin (a) The amounts in this subdivision are appropriated to the commissioner of administration for grants to the named organizations for the purposes specified in this subdivision. The commissioner of administration may use a portion of this appropriation for costs that are directly related to and necessary for the administration of grants in this subdivision. new text end

new text begin (b) Grant agreements entered into by the commissioner and recipients of appropriations under this subdivision must ensure that money appropriated in this subdivision is used to supplement and not substitute for traditional sources of funding. new text end

new text begin (c) Berger Fountain Renovation new text end

new text begin $200,000 the second year is for a grant to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to restore Berger Fountain at Loring Park and for improvements to the surrounding plaza. new text end

new text begin (d) Capri Theater new text end

new text begin $250,000 the second year is for a grant to Capri Theater to enrich and expand youth and adult arts programming and effective arts and educational offerings for youth, families, and emerging and accomplished artists. new text end

new text begin (e) Veterans Memorial and Commemorations new text end

new text begin $150,000 the second year is for a competitive grant program to award grants for groups celebrating, recognizing, and honoring the sacrifices of those who served in the military, including memorials, commemorations, facilities, and park features. new text end

new text begin Of this amount, $30,000 is for a grant to the VFW Post 5252 in Pelican Rapids for the relocation of their Honor Wall, and $15,000 is for a grant to Clitherall Township for the Clitherall Township Veterans Memorial in Battle Lake for improvements to the grounds. new text end

new text begin (f) Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center and Cypher Side new text end

new text begin $175,000 the second year is for a grant to Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center to partner with Cypher Side to provide dance and other arts programming. new text end

new text begin (g) Hrvatski Dom Croatian Hall new text end

new text begin $195,000 the second year is for a grant to the Hrvatski Dom Croatian Hall in South St. Paul for restoring and operating the hall for community gatherings and to preserve the history and cultural heritage of Croatian immigrants in Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (h) Justus Ramsey Stone House new text end

new text begin $300,000 the second year is for a grant to the Minnesota Transportation Museum for costs related to preserving Minnesota's historic Justus Ramsey Stone House and relocating it to the Jackson Street Roundhouse property owned and operated by the Minnesota Transportation Museum. new text end

new text begin (i) Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum new text end

new text begin $275,000 the second year is for a grant to the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley for the restoration, relocation, and interpretation of the USS Ward Number Three Gun and World War II display. This funding may also be used for site reclamation and improvements at the location of the removed work. Award of this grant is contingent on compliance and approvals in Minnesota Rules, part 2400.2703, subpart 7. This funding is available until June 30, 2027. new text end

new text begin (j) PROCEED new text end

new text begin $100,000 the second year is for a grant to PROCEED, Inc., for arts, cultural, and environmental preservation work with youth. new text end

new text begin (k) Twin Cities Jazz Festival new text end

new text begin $75,000 the second year is for arts and arts access at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Minnesota Humanities Center new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 3,550,000 new text end

new text begin (a) The amounts in this subdivision are appropriated to the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Humanities Center for the purposes specified in this subdivision. The Minnesota Humanities Center may use up to 5.5 percent of the appropriations to administer this money and to cover the cost of administering, planning, evaluating, and reporting these grants. The Minnesota Humanities Center must develop a written plan to issue the grants under this subdivision and must submit the plan for review and approval by the commissioner of administration. The written plan must require the Minnesota Humanities Center to create and adhere to grant policies that are similar to those established according to Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.97, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (1). new text end

new text begin No grants awarded under this subdivision may be used for travel outside the state of Minnesota. The grant agreement must specify the repercussions for failing to comply with the grant agreement. new text end

new text begin (b) Community Identity and Heritage Grant Program; Administration and Capacity-Building Grants; Festival Grants new text end

new text begin (1) $50,000 the second year is for outreach and education on the grant programs in this subdivision, with a focus on reaching diverse community organizations and providing assistance with grant opportunities, qualifications, and reporting requirements and specifically providing technical assistance and a nontraditional application process to improve access to grant funding for diverse communities. new text end

new text begin (2) $1,690,000 the second year is for a competitive grant program to provide grants to organizations or individuals working to create, celebrate, and teach the art, culture, and heritage of diverse Minnesota communities, including but not limited to Asian and Pacific Island communities, the Somali diaspora and other African immigrant communities, Indigenous communities with a focus on the 11 Tribes in Minnesota, the African American community, the Latinx community, the LGBTQIA+ community, and other underrepresented cultural groups, including communities of Black, Indigenous, and people of color, to celebrate the cultural diversity of Minnesota. An individual or organization that receives a grant under this clause must do at least one of the following: new text end

new text begin (i) preserve and honor the cultural heritage of Minnesota; new text end

new text begin (ii) provide education and student outreach on cultural diversity; new text end

new text begin (iii) support the development of culturally diverse humanities programming, including arts programming, by individuals and organizations; or new text end

new text begin (iv) empower communities in building identity and culture, including preserving and honoring communities whose Indigenous cultures are endangered or disappearing. new text end

new text begin (3) Of the amount in clause (2), $750,000 must be used for grants for community events, music and jazz festivals, cultural festivals for art installations, music, and other performances and activities that support festivals and events. Funding under this clause must not go to parades. Amounts not awarded under this clause may be used for the purposes provided in clause (2). new text end

new text begin (4) Of the amount in clause (3): new text end

new text begin (i) $100,000 is for a grant to an organization to celebrate Minnesota's historical, cultural, and artistic heritage to provide boxes of essentials to mothers in the state. The organization must consult with the commissioner of health to develop and distribute the boxes; new text end

new text begin (ii) $100,000 is for a grant to (Neo)Muralismos de Mexico to expand classes and support artists; and new text end

new text begin (iii) $100,000 is for a grant to a nonprofit organization that can support and facilitate the art and music of Rondo Days. new text end

new text begin (c) Underrepresented Groups Cultural Studies Materials new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is for competitive grants to develop high-quality academic cultural and ethnic studies materials for communities that do not have adequate cultural and ethnic studies materials or who are underrepresented in those materials, including but not limited to the Hmong, Karen, Somali, and Oromo cultures, and cultures without a formal writing system that are largely oral-based. In developing these materials, a recipient of a grant under this paragraph must work with school districts that intend to use the materials. new text end

new text begin (d) Urban Debate League new text end

new text begin $180,000 the second year is for a grant to the Minnesota Urban Debate League to expand the Minnesota Urban Debate League program to serve additional school districts throughout Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (e) Monkeybear new text end

new text begin $100,000 the second year is for a grant to the Monkeybear's Harmolodic Workshop for developing creative and technical skills in contemporary puppetry. new text end

new text begin (f) Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) new text end

new text begin $100,000 the second year is for a grant to Saint Paul Neighborhood Network in St. Paul for a grant to support their programs in cinematography, lighting, and editing; storytelling; documentary filmmaking; and other artistic programming. new text end

new text begin (g) SivYig Culture Center new text end

new text begin $40,000 the second year is for a grant to the SivYig Culture Center for programming and educational outreach activities to teach the public about the historical, cultural, and folk arts heritage of Hmong Minnesotans. new text end

new text begin (h) African Immigrants Community Services (AICS) new text end

new text begin $40,000 the second year is for a grant to the African Immigrants Community Services (AICS) in Minneapolis for arts programming serving and celebrating the African arts and cultural heritage. new text end

new text begin (i) Mini Sota Agricultural Children's Museum new text end

new text begin $50,000 the second year is for a grant to the Mini Sota Agricultural Children's Museum in Benson for improved accessibility and planning, design, and construction of exhibits. new text end

new text begin (j) Arts and Music Education; ACH Learners Grants new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is for grants to organizations to offer scholarships to underserved youth and adults to pursue music, including singing, band, and orchestral instruments; creative writing; studio arts, including traditional craft and folk arts; and performing arts, including dance and theater, throughout the state. Priority for grants distributed in this paragraph must be given to: new text end

new text begin (1) programs that have matching funding or existing resources to help facilitate group or individual lessons in the arts; new text end

new text begin (2) high-quality arts programming that helps provide students with access to experienced teachers, musicians, and artists; new text end

new text begin (3) programs that will provide scholarships to low-income and diverse communities that have been underserved by traditional arts funding; new text end

new text begin (4) programs that are partnering with, or plan to partner with, public schools and community organizations to help reach students from diverse backgrounds; new text end

new text begin (5) programs that can offer scholarships to existing high-quality arts programming, including camps, schools, and centers devoted to teaching any of the artistic scholarships; and new text end

new text begin (6) programs that offer outreach and transportation services, as well as on-site services, to help communities gain access to and use the scholarships awarded in this paragraph. new text end

new text begin (k) 50th Anniversary of Vietnam War/Southeast Asian Conflict new text end

new text begin $150,000 the second year is for a joint commemoration program, in collaboration with the Minnesota Historical Society, for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War/Secret War in Laos/Southeast Asian conflict that recognizes and honors the contributions of the Vietnamese, Lao, Cambodian, Hmong, and other Minnesota Vietnam veterans. The Minnesota Humanities Center must prepare the program to leverage the unique skillsets and relationships in the four Southeast Asian Minnesotan communities and the broader communities. new text end

new text begin (l) Art From the Inside new text end

new text begin $150,000 the second year is for a grant to Art From the Inside to use the arts, including but not limited to visual art, poetry, literature, theater, dance, and music, to address the supportive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative needs of incarcerated persons and persons on supervised release and promote a safer correctional facility and community environment. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end new text begin Minnesota Historical Society new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 1,201,000 new text end

new text begin (a) The amounts in this subdivision are appropriated to the governing board of the Minnesota Historical Society to preserve and enhance access to Minnesota's history and its cultural and historical resources. Grant agreements entered into by the Minnesota Historical Society and other recipients of appropriations in this subdivision must ensure that these funds are used to supplement and not substitute for traditional sources of funding. Funds directly appropriated to the Minnesota Historical Society must be used to supplement and not substitute for traditional sources of funding. The appropriations in this subdivision are onetime. new text end

new text begin (b) Grants new text end

new text begin (1) $100,000 the second year is to facilitate negotiations for the purchase by the state of the Wizard of Oz ruby slippers through a combination of available state funds and nonstate sources of funding; new text end

new text begin (2) $400,000 the second year is for statewide historic and cultural grants to cultural community organizations, historical organizations, and veterans organizations for activities to commemorate 50 years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota. Money under this paragraph must be distributed through a competitive grant process. The Minnesota Historical Society must administer the grants using established grant mechanisms with assistance from the advisory committee created under Laws 2009, chapter 172, article 4, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), item (ii). new text end

new text begin (3) $200,000 the second year is for activities to prepare and coordinate community commemoration programs celebrating 50 years of Hmong Americans in Minnesota. The Minnesota Historical Society must form an advisory task force consisting of members of the Hmong community to advise the society on the design and implementation of these activities and programs; new text end

new text begin (4) $200,000 the second year is for planning and outreach, in collaboration with the Minnesota Humanities Center, for Minnesota's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Minnesota Historical Society and Minnesota Humanities Center must enter into an agreement between the organizations on how best to maximize the impact of this grant and of collaboration with statewide partners; new text end

new text begin (5) $50,000 the second year is for a grant to the Greater Litchfield Opera House Association to repair and update the Litchfield Opera House; and new text end

new text begin (6) $251,000 the second year is for a grant to the Dakota County Historical Society to design and build exhibits at the Lawshe Memorial Museum. new text end

Sec. 3.

Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Minnesota State Arts Board

47,421,000

44,796,000

(a) The amounts in this subdivision are appropriated to the Minnesota State Arts Board for arts, arts education, arts preservation, and arts access. Grant agreements entered into by the Minnesota State Arts Board and other recipients of appropriations in this subdivision must ensure that these funds are used to supplement and not substitute for traditional sources of funding. Each grant program established in this appropriation must be separately administered from other state appropriations for program planning and outcome measurements, but may take into consideration other state resources awarded in the selection of applicants and grant award size.

(b) Arts and Arts Access Initiatives

$35,737,000 the first year and $36,437,000 the second year are to support Minnesota artists and arts organizations in creating, producing, and presenting high-quality arts activities; to preserve, maintain, and interpret art forms and works of art so that they are accessible to Minnesota audiences; to overcome barriers to accessing high-quality arts activities; and to instill the arts into the community and public life in this state. Grants provided under this paragraph must prioritize artists and arts organizations that plan to present art from communities that have been historically underrepresented in the arts or that improve access to the programs and projects for groups, including youth and historically underserved communities, that have struggled to access arts programming in the past.

(c) Arts Education

$7,263,000 the first year and $6,269,000 the second year are for high-quality, age-appropriate arts education for Minnesotans of all ages to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts. Priority in the award of grants under this paragraph must be given to providing educational opportunities to underserved communities with grants for organizations or entities providing opportunities to K-12 students throughout the state for arts education, including access to arts instruction, arts programming, museums, and arts presentations.

(d) Arts and Cultural Heritage

$2,421,000 the first year and $2,090,000 the second year are for events and activities that represent, preserve, and maintain the diverse cultural arts traditions, including folk and traditional artists and art organizations, represented in this state.

(e) Significant Art Project St. Paul

$2,000,000 the first year is for a grant to the Minnesota United Foundation for the design, land development, land transfer fees, and production costs of a public art project in St. Paul at the United Village site celebrating Minnesota arts and cultural heritage and providing a unique public art experience through sculpture and design. The project funded by this paragraph must have a matching deleted text begin grant deleted text end new text begin contribution new text end from nonpublic funds and must include a public-private partnership agreement providing an agreement for the future ownership, maintenance, taxes, and associated costs for the art project and project site. The project funded by this paragraph must have a permanent sign indicating the project was funded through the arts and cultural heritage fund. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028. new text begin Nonpublic contributions made after January 1, 2024, are eligible matching expenditures for the purposes of this grant. new text end

(f) Administrative Costs

Up to five percent of the totals in paragraphs (b) to (e) each year is for administering grant programs, delivering technical services, providing fiscal oversight for the statewide system, and ensuring accountability deleted text begin in deleted text end new text begin for new text end fiscal deleted text begin years deleted text end new text begin year new text end 2024 and new text begin fiscal year new text end 2025 new text begin appropriations new text end .

(g) Regional Arts Councils

Thirty percent of the remaining total appropriation to each of the categories listed in paragraphs (b) to (d) is for grants to the regional arts councils. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, regional arts council grants or other arts council grants for touring programs, projects, or exhibits must ensure the programs, projects, or exhibits are able to tour in their own region as well as all other regions of the state.

(h) Any unencumbered balance remaining under this subdivision the first year does not cancel but is available the second year.

Presented to the governor May 17, 2024

Signed by the governor May 17, 2024, 4:55 p.m.