1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; establishing management requirements for Hill-Annex 
1.3 	Mine State Park; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. HILL-ANNEX MINE STATE PARK; MANAGEMENT AND 
1.6 	OPERATION; APPROPRIATIONS.
 1.7 	(a) $260,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.8 	of natural resources to operate the Hill-Annex Mine State Park in fiscal years 2020 to 2023. 
1.9 	In fiscal years 2020 to 2023, the commissioner must operate the park to at least the level of 
1.10 	service and hours of operation as in fiscal year 2019, including care and maintenance of 
1.11 	park facilities consistent with the purposes for which the park was originally established. 
1.12 	This is a onetime appropriation specific to this park, is in addition to funds budgeted by or 
1.13 	otherwise available to the commissioner for this park, and is available until June 30, 2023.
1.14 	(b) Revenue generated by the Hill-Annex Mine State Park through park tours, shop 
1.15 	sales, or any other activities at the park must be credited for the park to supplement the 
1.16 	amount appropriated in paragraph (a).
1.17 	(c) The commissioner of natural resources must work with the city of Calumet and other 
1.18 	neighboring cities, townships, and local units of government to identify and coordinate 
1.19 	volunteers to supplement the Department of Natural Resources' park operations to the extent 
1.20 	allowable under state law and rules.
1.21 	(d) $150,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.22 	of natural resources for a grant to Itasca County for the expenses of a park advisory group 
2.1 	comprised of representatives from the Department of Natural Resources, the Department 
2.2 	of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, the city of Calumet, Itasca County, and the 
2.3 	Western Mesabi Mine Planning Board. The park advisory group must meet at least four 
2.4 	times each fiscal year to:
2.5 	(1) exchange information, review park activities, and identify portions of the alternate 
2.6 	operating model developed under Laws 2017, chapter 93, article 2, section 156, that can be 
2.7 	improved; and
2.8 	(2) identify options for sustainable and viable operation of the park site, including 
2.9 	planning, performing and implementing studies, hiring consultants, developing a concept 
2.10 	plan, conducting a feasibility study, identifying possible alternative park management 
2.11 	options, continuing local partnership development, and other activities the park advisory 
2.12 	group deems necessary and appropriate to move the park toward a more viable, sustainable 
2.13 	future.
2.14 	This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2023.
2.15 	(e) The commissioner of natural resources must prepare information to assist the park 
2.16 	advisory group in studying alternatives for the long-term viability of the park, including 
2.17 	information on the long-term status of buildings and equipment and security for these 
2.18 	resources, identifying public safety concerns associated with continued public access to the 
2.19 	Hill-Annex mine lands, identifying and developing means to address possible concerns and 
2.20 	issues related to the site having been an operating mine, and identifying and reporting various 
2.21 	options for cultural and historic artifacts and properties.
2.22 	(f) Beginning July 1, 2019, while operating the park as required under paragraph (a), 
2.23 	the commissioner of natural resources must no longer allocate costs for fleet, facilities, 
2.24 	professional services, or lease payments to the Hill-Annex Mine State Park under Minnesota 
2.25 	Statutes, sections 16A.127; 84.025, subdivision 9; 84.0856; and 84.0857.
2.26 	(g) The commissioner of natural resources and park advisory group must recognize and 
2.27 	prioritize the long-term use of the Hill-Annex Mine State Park property for mining purposes 
2.28 	while park operation and maintenance continue for state park purposes until active mining 
2.29 	is ready to resume on the property.