1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; modifying prairie and grasslands public grazing 
1.3 	program; requiring fencing on certain lands; appropriating money;amending 
1.4 	Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 84.972; proposing coding for new law in 
1.5 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 84.972, is amended to read:
1.8 	84.972 PRAIRIE AND GRASSLANDS PUBLIC GRAZING PROGRAM.
1.9 	(a) The commissioner of natural resources shall establish a prairie and grasslands public 
1.10 	grazing program. The commissioner shall enter into cooperative farming agreements or 
1.11 	lease agreements with livestock owners to annually graze prairie and grasslands administered 
1.12 	by the commissioner where grazing will enhance wildlife habitat. The commissioner shall 
1.13 	maintain, on the department's Web site, a list of lands grazed under the program describing 
1.14 	the location, acreage, and years grazed. The program shall have a goal of being financially 
1.15 	self-sufficient. Unless otherwise provided by law, revenues received under this section shall 
1.16 	be deposited in the game and fish fund and are appropriated to the commissioner for purposes 
1.17 	of the program.
1.18 	(b) Fencing requirements for public prairie and grasslands included in the grazing program 
1.19 	established by the commissioner must follow the guidelines established by the United States 
1.20 	Fish and Wildlife Service for public prairie and grazing programs.
1.21 	(c) The commissioner must annually increase the amount of public prairie and grassland 
1.22 	acres grazed by 15 percent.
2.1 	(d) The commissioner must submit an annual report on public prairie and grassland acres 
2.2 	grazed under this section to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
2.3 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture and the environment and natural 
2.4 	resources by January 15 each year.

2.5 	Sec. 2. [84.9725] PRAIRIE AND GRASSLAND FENCING REQUIRED.
2.6 	Prairie and grasslands acquired in whole or in part with state money must be fenced 
2.7 	according to the guidelines provided under section 84.972, paragraph (b), before being 
2.8 	transferred to the commissioner of natural resources.

2.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2017, and applies to lands acquired 
2.10 	with money appropriated on or after that date.

2.11 	Sec. 3. APPROPRIATION.
 2.12 	$100,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $100,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the 
2.13 	general fund to the commissioner of natural resources to implement the prairie and grasslands 
2.14 	public grazing program under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.972.