HF 2916

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/02/2025 12:32 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; appropriating money for a southeast regional groundwater
protection and soil health initiative.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; SOUTHEAST REGIONAL GROUNDWATER
PROTECTION AND SOIL HEALTH INITIATIVE.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to soil and water conservation
districts in the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted,
Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona to reduce leaching of excess crop nutrients into
groundwater, immobilize unused nitrogen from the rooting zone, and reduce erosion as part
of a new southeast regional groundwater protection and soil health initiative.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, section 17.134, to the contrary,
a soil and water conservation district that receives a grant under this section may use the
grant to make subgrants for projects that conform to the requirements and limitations of the
Olmsted County groundwater protection and soil health initiative, including a cover crop
program, alternative crops program, and a haying, grazing, and pasture enhancement program.
new text end