SF 1464

1st Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/31/2025 02:37 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing the Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task
Force; providing appointments; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin MINNESOTA SUSTAINABLE FORAGING TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A task force is established to develop scientifically sound,
data-driven recommendations for foraging regulations on state lands that balance the need
for ecological sustainability with the right of Minnesotans to enjoy the state's bountiful
natural resources through foraging.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force shall consist of the following members:
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new text begin (1) two members of the senate committee with jurisdiction over natural resources policy,
one appointed by the majority leader of the senate and one appointed by the minority leader
of the senate;
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new text begin (2) two members of the house of representatives committee with jurisdiction over natural
resources policy, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one
appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;
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new text begin (3) two members appointed by the Minnesota Mycological Society, of which one member
must be an owner of a small business;
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new text begin (4) two members appointed by the Minnesota Foraging Alliance, of which one member
must be from an underrepresented cultural group;
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new text begin (5) two scientists with expertise in botany, ecology, and environmental science appointed
by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota;
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new text begin (6) three representatives of the Department of Natural Resources involved with managing
state parks, forestry, fish and wildlife, and public lands appointed by the commissioner of
natural resources;
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new text begin (7) one member of the Minnesota Ojibwe Tribe appointed by the Minnesota Indian
Affairs Council;
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new text begin (8) one member of the Minnesota Dakota Tribe appointed by the Minnesota Indian
Affairs Council; and
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new text begin (9) two representatives with expertise on local ecosystems, species recovery, and
sustainable harvesting appointed by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota
Extension.
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new text begin (b) A member appointed under paragraph (a) may not be a registered lobbyist.
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new text begin (c) The appointing authorities must make the appointments by July 1, 2025.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The task force must:
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new text begin (1) gather and review data and information, including traditional ecological knowledge,
on the impact of foraging on species resilience, ecosystem health, and other aspects of
Minnesota's diverse biomes;
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new text begin (2) review existing regulations governing foraging activities on state lands;
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new text begin (3) develop recommendations for science-based, including traditional ecological
knowledge, foraging guidelines for state lands that balance public access with conservation
needs, setting limits on foraging activities only where supported by data. The
recommendations must be in the form of draft statutory or rule language and must be
consistent with Indigenous and other cultural practices and traditions;
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new text begin (4) develop recommendations for increasing public understanding of sustainable foraging
practices that include safety and ecological considerations;
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new text begin (5) solicit public input, when appropriate; and
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new text begin (6) develop recommendations for reduced-priced foraging permits.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Facilitation; organization; meetings. new text end

new text begin (a) The Legislative Coordinating
Commission shall facilitate the task force, provide administrative assistance, and convene
the first meeting by August 1, 2025.
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new text begin (b) The task force must meet at regular intervals as often as necessary to accomplish the
goals enumerated under subdivision 3. Meetings of the task force are subject to the Minnesota
Open Meeting Law under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Legislative recommendations; expiration. new text end

new text begin No later than February 28, 2026,
the task force must submit a written report containing its findings and recommendations to
the commissioner of natural resources and to the chairs and ranking minority members of
the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over natural resources policy. The
recommendations in the report must be specific and actionable. The task force expires March
15, 2026, or upon submission of the report required by this subdivision, whichever occurs
later.
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Sec. 2. new text begin MORATORIUM ON FORAGING RULES.
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new text begin The commissioner of natural resources shall not commence or complete any rule making
on foraging until July 1, 2027.
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