SF 2077

3rd Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 05/19/2026 12:25 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to state government; modifying provisions of Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council and Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission;
modifying provisions for acquiring land interests; adding to and deleting from
certain state parks; authorizing sales and conveyances of certain lands; modifying
effective date for electronic licensing system; providing additional unemployment
insurance benefits for certain iron ore miners; appropriating money from outdoor
heritage fund; modifying and extending prior appropriations; appropriating money
for the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute; amending Minnesota Statutes
2024, sections 84.0272, subdivisions 1, 2; 84.96, by adding a subdivision; 85.536,
subdivisions 5, 7, 8, 10; 97A.056, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; Laws
2023, chapter 40, article 4, section 2, subdivision 6, as amended; Laws 2024,
chapter 90, article 1, section 52; Laws 2024, chapter 106, article 1, section 2,
subdivision 5; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 85.536, subdivisions 3,
4.

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 "2026" and "2027" used in
this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2026.
"The second year" is fiscal year 2027. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2026 and 2027. 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 2026 new text end		new text begin 2027 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 191,081,000 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 36,387,000 new text end

new text begin (a) RIM Grasslands Reserve, Phase 7
new text end

new text begin $2,334,000 the second year is to acquire
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat. Of this
amount, $191,000 is to the commissioner of
natural resources for an agreement with Ducks
Unlimited and $2,143,000 is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources. Of the amount to
the Board of Water and Soil Resources, up to
$50,000 is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A
list of permanent conservation easements must
be provided as part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (b) Accelerating Wildlife Management Area
Program, Phase 18
new text end

new text begin $4,521,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
in fee and to 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) DNR Wildlife Management Area and
Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition,
Phase 18
new text end

new text begin $3,502,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
in fee and to 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 (d) Martin County DNR WMA Acquisition,
Phase 10
new text end

new text begin $3,017,000 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 in Martin
and Watonwan Counties for wildlife
management area purposes under Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, as
follows: $2,363,000 to Fox Lake Conservation
League, Inc.; $583,000 to Ducks Unlimited;
and $71,000 to the Conservation Fund.
new text end

new text begin (e) Northern Tallgrass Prairie National
Wildlife Refuge, Phase 16
new text end

new text begin $3,087,000 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 to
restore and enhance lands in the Northern
Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in
western Minnesota to add 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 (f) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Program,
Phase 15
new text end

new text begin $3,492,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy to
acquire land in fee and to restore and enhance
native prairie, grasslands, wetlands, and
savanna. 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. Annual
income statements and balance sheets for
income and expenses from land acquired and
held by The Nature Conservancy with this
appropriation must be submitted to the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no
later than 180 days after the The Nature
Conservancy's fiscal year closes.
new text end

new text begin (g) Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of
Southern Red River Valley, Phase 12
new text end

new text begin $3,094,000 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 to
restore and enhance lands in 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 (h) RIM Buffers for Wildlife and Water,
Phase 12
new text end

new text begin $3,744,000 the second year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements and restore
habitat under Minnesota Statutes, section
103F.515, to protect, restore, and enhance
habitat by expanding the riparian buffer
program under the clean water fund for
additional wildlife benefits from buffers on
private land. Of this amount, up to $60,000 is
to establish a monitoring and enforcement
fund as approved in the accomplishment plan
and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. 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) Accelerating USFWS Habitat
Conservation Easement Program, Phase 6
new text end

new text begin $4,509,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to restore and enhance wetland
and prairie habitat on habitat easements of the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service as
follows: $3,019,000 to Ducks Unlimited and
$1,490,000 to Pheasants Forever.
new text end

new text begin (j) DNR Grassland Enhancement, Phase 17
new text end

new text begin $2,139,000 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 (k) Enhanced Public Land - Grasslands,
Phase 9
new text end

new text begin $2,948,000 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 in 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 36,939,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Northern Forests Legacy Project
new text end

new text begin $25,090,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
priority forest lands in fee in St. Louis County
as wildlife management areas, scientific and
natural areas, state forests, and county forests.
Of this amount, $12,866,000 is for an
agreement with St. Louis County.
new text end

new text begin (b) Sand Lake and Seven Beavers
Acquisition and Enhancement
new text end

new text begin $7,347,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy to
acquire priority forest habitat lands in fee as
The Nature Conservancy lands, Rajala Woods
Foundation lands, state forests, and county
forests. For lands held in perpetuity by The
Nature Conservancy and Rajala Woods
Foundation, annual income statements and
balance sheets for income and expenses from
land acquired with this appropriation must be
submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council no later than 180 days after
each organization's respective fiscal year
closes.
new text end

new text begin (c) Hardwood Hills Habitat Conservation
Program, Phase 3
new text end

new text begin $2,558,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire permanent conservation
easements and to restore and enhance forest
habitats in the hardwood hills ecological
section of west-central Minnesota as follows:
$90,000 to St. John's University, $354,000 to
Stearns Conservation District, and $2,114,000
to Minnesota Land Trust. Of the amount to
Minnesota Land Trust, $252,000 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 (d) DNR Forest Habitat Enhancement,
Phase 6
new text end

new text begin $1,944,000 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 Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Wetlands new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 33,188,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Accelerating Waterfowl Production
Area Acquisition Program, Phase 18
new text end

new text begin $5,431,000 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 to
restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands
to be designated and managed as waterfowl
production areas in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (b) RIM Wetlands - Restoring Most
Productive Habitat in Minnesota, Phase 15
new text end

new text begin $3,502,000 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 $60,000 is to establish
a monitoring and enforcement fund as
approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. 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) Shallow Lake and Wetland Protection
and Restoration Program, Phase 15
new text end

new text begin $6,087,000 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 (d) Wetland Habitat Protection and
Restoration Program, Phase 11
new text end

new text begin $3,210,000 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 prairie, wetland,
and other habitat on permanently protected
conservation easements in high-priority
wetland habitat complexes in the prairie,
forest/prairie transition, and forest ecoregions.
Of this amount, up to $140,000 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 (e) Living Shallow Lakes and Wetlands
Enhancement and Restoration Initiative,
Phase 12
new text end

new text begin $6,661,000 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 (f) Talcot Lake
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for the
survey, design, engineering, and permitting
of the Talcot Lake restoration and
enhancement project in Cottonwood County.
new text end

new text begin (g) Roseau Lake Rehabilitation, Phase 3
new text end

new text begin $3,553,000 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. The approved
accomplishment plan must include an
operational and management plan for the
Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project. The
Roseau River Watershed District must submit
to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
progress reports and a final report that include
monitoring data related to water quantity and
information about how flooding to adjacent
and downstream agricultural lands has been
addressed. No money from this appropriation
may be expended:
new text end

new text begin (1) before January 1, 2027; or
new text end

new text begin (2) during any period in which a court order
enjoining the project from moving forward is
in effect.
new text end

new text begin (h) Shallow Lakes and Wetlands
Enhancement, Phase 18
new text end

new text begin $3,744,000 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 Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Habitats new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 82,408,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Riparian Habitat Protection in Kettle
and Snake River Watersheds, Phase 3
new text end

new text begin $1,137,000 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 and restore high-quality forests,
wetlands, and shoreline in the Kettle and
Snake River watersheds. Of this amount, up
to $70,000 is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17.
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) Cannon River Watershed Habitat
Restoration and Protection Program, Phase
15
new text end

new text begin $2,886,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire lands in fee and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the
Cannon River Watershed as follows: $92,000
to Clean River Partners and $2,794,000 to
Trust for Public Land.
new text end

new text begin (c) DNR Aquatic Management Area
Acquisition and Trout Stream Easement
Acquisition
new text end

new text begin $2,182,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
land in fee as aquatic management areas and
to acquire permanent conservation easements
to protect trout-stream aquatic habitat. Of this
amount, up to $88,000 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 (d) Washington County Habitat Protection
and Enhancement Partnership, Phase 2
new text end

new text begin $2,812,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire permanent conservation
easements and to restore and enhance wildlife
habitats in Washington County as follows:
$760,000 to Washington County and
$2,052,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Of the
amount to Minnesota Land Trust, $196,000 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 (e) Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic
North Central Minnesota Lakes, Phase 12
new text end

new text begin $2,317,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Northern Waters Land Trust
to acquire land in fee and to restore and
enhance wildlife habitat to sustain healthy fish
habitat on coldwater lakes in Aitkin, Cass,
Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties.
new text end

new text begin (f) Greenbelt, Phase 1
new text end

new text begin $1,467,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Comfort Lake-Forest Lake
Watershed District to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat within the
Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District
boundary.
new text end

new text begin (g) Integrating Habitat and Clean Water,
Phase 4
new text end

new text begin $1,827,000 the second year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat identified
under the One Watershed, One Plan program
for stacked benefit to wildlife and clean water.
Of this amount, up to $40,000 is to establish
a monitoring and enforcement fund as
approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (h) Metro Big Rivers, Phase 16
new text end

new text begin $6,776,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and to
restore and enhance natural habitat systems
associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota,
and St. Croix Rivers and their tributaries in
the metropolitan area as follows: $1,491,000
to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Trust, Inc.; $892,000 to Friends of the
Mississippi River; $1,055,000 to Great River
Greening; and $3,338,000 to Trust for Public
Land.
new text end

new text begin (i) Mississippi Headwaters Habitat
Corridor Project, Phase 10
new text end

new text begin $2,770,000 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, (1)
$1,387,000 is to the commissioner of natural
resources for agreements as follows: $60,000
to the Mississippi Headwaters Board and
$1,327,000 to Trust for Public Land; and (2)
$1,383,000 is to the Board of Water and Soil
Resources, of which up to $70,000 is to
establish a monitoring and enforcement fund
as approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (j) Protecting Coldwater Fisheries on
Minnesota's North Shore, Phase 4
new text end

new text begin $1,695,000 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 wildlife habitat in
priority coldwater tributaries to Lake Superior.
Of this amount, up to $196,000 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 (k) Protecting Minnesota's Lakes of
Outstanding Biological Significance, Phase
5
new text end

new text begin $2,983,000 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,
$1,612,000 is to the Northern Waters Land
Trust and $1,371,000 is to Minnesota Land
Trust. Of the amount to Minnesota Land Trust,
up to $140,000 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 (l) Red River Basin Riparian Habitat
Program, Phase 2
new text end

new text begin $3,920,000 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, $116,000 is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements with the Red River Watershed
Management Board and $3,804,000 is to the
Board of Water and Soil Resources. Of the
amount to the Board of Water and Soil
Resources, up to $250,000 is to establish a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (m) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat
Restoration Program, Phase 15
new text end

new text begin $2,066,000 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
to restore and enhance habitat in the Shell
Rock River watershed.
new text end

new text begin (n) Southeast Minnesota Protection and
Restoration, Phase 14
new text end

new text begin $7,956,000 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 wildlife habitat in
southeast Minnesota. Of this amount,
$1,035,000 is to The Nature Conservancy,
$5,825,000 is to Trust for Public Land, and
$1,096,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Of the
amount to Minnesota Land Trust, up to
$140,000 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 (o) St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection
and Restoration, Phase 7
new text end

new text begin $3,859,000 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:
$2,157,000 to Trust for Public Land, $130,000
to Wild Rivers Conservancy, and $1,572,000
to Minnesota Land Trust. Of the amount to
Minnesota Land Trust, up to $140,000 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 (p) Upper Mississippi Flyway Habitat
Conservation Program
new text end

new text begin $2,156,000 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 wetlands, stream
corridors, and associated uplands in central
Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $196,000 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 (q) A River of Birds in the Sky: Conserving
Minnesota's Flyway
new text end

new text begin $1,227,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with National Audubon Society to
restore and enhance priority wildlife habitat
along the St. Croix, Minnesota, and
Mississippi river valleys.
new text end

new text begin (r) Bone Lake South, Phase 2
new text end

new text begin $1,432,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Comfort Lake-Forest Lake
Watershed District to restore and enhance
wildlife habitat in the Bone Lake south habitat
complex in Washington County.
new text end

new text begin (s) DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and
Enhancement, Phase 9
new text end

new text begin $6,517,000 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 throughout Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (t) Little Cannon River Stream Habitat
Restoration
new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements for survey, design, engineering,
and permitting of the Little Cannon River
restoration and enhancement project in
Goodhue County as follows: $40,000 to Clean
Rivers Partners, $10,000 to Great River
Greening, and $450,000 to Trout Unlimited.
new text end

new text begin (u) Mission Creek Watershed Connectivity
new text end

new text begin $1,296,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance coldwater stream habitat in the
Mission Creek watershed in St. Louis County.
new text end

new text begin (v) Mud River Enhancement Project
new text end

new text begin $2,957,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Red Lake Watershed District
to restore and enhance the Mud River habitat
complex in Marshall County.
new text end

new text begin (w) Oak Savanna Restoration for Living
Landscapes
new text end

new text begin $1,702,000 the second year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources, in partnership with
the Xerces Society, to restore and enhance oak
savanna and associated ecosystems on local
public and Tribal lands.
new text end

new text begin (x) Swift Coulee Channel Restoration and
Enhancement, Phase 2
new text end

new text begin $2,671,000 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 priority habitat associated with the
Swift Coulee channel restoration in Marshall
County.
new text end

new text begin (y) Woods Creek Restoration
new text end

new text begin $750,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Cook County to restore and
enhance coldwater stream habitat in Woods
Creek in Cook County.
new text end

new text begin (z) Minnesota Statewide Trout Habitat
Enhancement and Protection
new text end

new text begin $750,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Trout Unlimited for survey,
design, engineering, and permitting of trout
stream restoration and enhancement projects
throughout Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (aa) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant
Program: Metro Habitat
new text end

new text begin $13,797,000 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 the seven-county metropolitan area and
cities with a population of 50,000 or more.
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.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 19, land acquired by fee
with money appropriated in this paragraph is
not required to be open to public taking of
game. 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, 2029.
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.
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 2,159,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Contract Management
new text end

new text begin $450,000 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, 2028.
new text end

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

new text begin $1,377,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to
administer 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
of Natural Resources as part of conveyance
of parcels to the department and initial
development activities on fee title acquisitions.
Money appropriated in this paragraph is
available until June 30, 2034.
new text end

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

new text begin $192,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for a
technical evaluation panel to conduct up to 20
restoration and enhancement evaluations under
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 10. Money appropriated in this
paragraph is available until June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin (d) Legislative Coordinating Commission
new text end

new text begin $140,000 the second year is to the Legislative
Coordinating Commission for administrative
expenses of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council and for compensating and
reimbursing expenses of council members.
This appropriation is in addition to the fiscal
year 2027 appropriation in Laws 2025, chapter
36, article 1, section 2, subdivision 6,
paragraph (b), and is available until June 30,
2027. Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.281,
applies to this appropriation.
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 to acquire real
property is available until June 30, 2030;
new text end

new text begin (2) money appropriated to restore and enhance
land acquired with an appropriation in this
article is available for four years after the
acquisition date, with a maximum end date of
June 30, 2034;
new text end

new text begin (3) money appropriated to restore and enhance
other land is available until June 30, 2031;
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, 2026, 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 a binding agreement with the
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 (c) Reimbursement of eligible expenses must
be submitted no later than 12 months after the
approval of the final report.
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 according to this section, must
provide geographic information to the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for
mapping 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 appropriation for
Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 1,
article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph
(l), St. Louis River Restoration Initiative,
Phase VIII, is extended to June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of the appropriation for
Laws 2022, chapter 77, article 1, section 2,
subdivision 5, paragraph (u), Daylighting
Phalen Creek, is extended to June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 10 is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.056, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.

(a) The Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council of 12 members is created in the legislative branch, consisting of:

(1) two public members appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the
Committee on Rules and Administration;

(2) two public members appointed by the speaker of the house;

(3) four public members appointed by the governor;

(4) two members of the senate appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees
of the Committee on Rules and Administration; and

(5) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house.

(b) Members appointed under paragraph (a) must not be registered lobbyists. In making
appointments, the governor, senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on
Rules and Administration, and the speaker of the house shall consider geographic balance,
gender, age, ethnicity, and varying interests including hunting and fishing. The governor's
appointments to the council are subject to the advice and consent of the senate.

(c) Public members appointed under paragraph (a) shall have practical experience or
expertise or demonstrated knowledge in the science, policy, or practice of restoring,
protecting, and enhancing wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.

(d) Legislative members appointed under paragraph (a) shall include the chairs of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance or
their designee, one member from the minority party of the senate, and one member from
the minority party of the house of representatives.

(e) Public members serve four-year terms. Appointed legislative members serve at the
pleasure of the appointing authority. Public and legislative members continue to serve until
their successors are appointed. Public members shall be initially appointed according to the
following schedule of terms:

(1) two public members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first Monday
in January 2011;

(2) one public member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the
Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January
2011;

(3) one public member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending the first
Monday in January 2011;

(4) two public members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first Monday
in January 2013;

(5) one public member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the
Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January
2013; and

(6) one public member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending the first
Monday in January 2013.

(f) Terms, compensation, and removal of public members are as provided in section
15.0575, except that a public member may be compensated at the rate of up to $125 a day.
A vacancy on the council may be filled by the appointing authority for the remainder of the
unexpired term. new text begin A public member of the council may not serve more than eight years, except
a public member may serve an additional six months as necessary to fill a vacancy.
new text end

(g) Members shall elect a chair, vice-chair, secretary, and other officers as determined
by the council. The chair may convene meetings as necessary to conduct the duties prescribed
by this section.

deleted text begin (h) The Legislative Coordinating Commission may appoint nonpartisan staff and contract
with consultants as necessary to support the functions of the council. The council has final
approval authority for the hiring of a candidate for executive director. Up to one percent of
the money appropriated from the fund may be used to pay for administrative expenses of
the council and for compensation and expense reimbursement of council members.
deleted text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.056, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Administration; executive director. new text end

new text begin (a) The Legislative Coordinating
Commission may appoint nonpartisan staff and contract with consultants as necessary to
support the functions of the council.
new text end

new text begin (b) The council has final approval authority for hiring a candidate for executive director.
Notwithstanding subdivision 5, a quorum of the council may discuss, interview, and select
candidates for executive director in a meeting closed to the public.
new text end

new text begin (c) Up to one percent of the money appropriated from the fund may be used to pay for
administrative expenses of the council and for compensation and expense reimbursement
of council members.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Laws 2024, chapter 106, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Habitats

-0-

101,294,000

(a) St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration, Phase 5

$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.

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

$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.

(c) Protecting Minnesota's Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance, Phase 3

$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.

(d) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program, Phase 13

$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.

(e) Cannon River Watershed Habitat Restoration and Protection Program, Phase 13

$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.

(f) Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project, Phase 8

$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:

(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

(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.

(g) Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes, Phase 10

$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.

(h) Red River Basin Riparian Habitat Program

$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.

(i) Resilient Habitat for Heritage Brook Trout, Phase 2

$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.

(j) Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration, Phase 12

$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.

(k) Lower Wild Rice River Corridor Habitat Restoration, Phase 4

$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.

(l) DNR Wildlife Management Area and Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition, Phase 16

$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.

(m) Accelerating Habitat Conservation in Southwest Minnesota, Phase 3

$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.

(n) Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration, Phase 5

$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.

(o) Metro Big Rivers, Phase 14

$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.

(p) Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation, Phase 9

$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.

(q) DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Phase 7

$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.

(r) Minnesota Statewide Trout Habitat Enhancement

$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.

(s) Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation, Phase 7

$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.

(t) DNR St. Louis River Restoration Initiative, Phase 11

$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.

(u) Roseau Lake Rehabilitation, Phase 2

$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.

(v) Highbanks Ravine Bat Hibernaculum

$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.

(w) Owámniyomni Native Landscape and River Restoration, St. Anthony Falls

$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.

(x) Silver Lake Dam Fish Passage Modification

$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.

(y) Little Devil Track River Restoration

$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.

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

$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.

(aa) Protecting Upper Mississippi River from Invasive Carp

$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 deleted text begin within two
years of the date of this appropriation deleted text end new text begin by June
30, 2027 new text end . 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.

Sec. 6. new text begin LESSARD-SAMS OUTDOOR HERITAGE COUNCIL; TRANSITION.
new text end

new text begin Section 3 is effective July 1, 2026, and applies to appointments of public members of
the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council made on or after that date. Years served on
the council before July 1, 2026, count toward the limits imposed by section 3. Members
appointed before July 1, 2026, may serve out the remainder of their terms if their service
has exceeded the term limits imposed by section 3.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

PARKS AND TRAILS FUND

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 85.536, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Districts; plans and hearings.

(a) The commissioner of natural resources, in
consultation with the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Coalition, shall establish
six regional parks and trails districts in the state encompassing the area outside the
seven-county metropolitan area. The commissioner shall establish districts by combining
counties and may not assign a county to more than one district.

(b) The commission shall develop a strategic plan and criteria for determining parks and
trails of regional significance that are eligible for funding from the parks and trails fund and
meet the criteria under subdivision 6.

(c) Counties within each district may jointly prepare, after consultation with all affected
municipalities, and submit to the commission, and from time to time revise and resubmit
to the commission, a master plan for the acquisition and development of parks and trails of
regional significance located within the district. deleted text begin Districtwide plans and master plans for
individual parks and trails must meet the protocols and criteria as set forth in the greater
Minnesota regional parks and trails strategic plan. The counties, after consultation with the
commission, shall jointly hold a public hearing on the proposed plan and budget at a time
and place determined by the counties. Not less than 15 days before the hearing, the counties
shall provide notice of the hearing stating the date, time, and place of the hearing and the
place where the proposed plan and budget may be examined by any interested person. At
any hearing, interested persons shall be permitted to present their views on the plan and
budget.
deleted text end

(d) The commission shall review each master plan to determine whether it meets the
conditions of subdivision 6. If it does not, the commission shall return the plan with its
comments to the district for revision and resubmittal.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 85.536, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Recommendations.

(a) In recommending grants under this section, the
commission shall make recommendations consistent with master plans.

(b) The commission shall determine recommended grant amounts through an adopted
merit-based evaluation process that includes the level of local financial support. The
evaluation process is not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and section
14.386 does not apply.

(c) When recommending grants, the commission shall consider balance of the grant
benefits across greater Minnesota.

(d) Grants may be recommended only for deleted text begin parks and trails deleted text end new text begin projects new text end included in a plan
approved by the commission under subdivision 5.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 85.536, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Chair.

The commission shall deleted text begin annually deleted text end new text begin biennially new text end elect from among its members
a chair and other officers necessary for the performance of its duties.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 85.536, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Report.

The commission shall submit a report by January 15 each year listing
its recommendations new text begin by regional parks and trails district new text end under subdivision 7 deleted text begin , in priority
order, deleted text end to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the senate and house
of representatives with primary jurisdiction over legacy appropriations.

Sec. 5. new text begin PARKS AND TRAILS FUND APPROPRIATION EXTENSIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The availability of the grant to the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad
Authority for the Mesabi Trail project from the parks and trails fund fiscal year 2024
appropriation under Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 3, section 3, paragraph (c), is extended
to June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of the grant to Olmsted County for the Oxbow Park and Zollman
Zoo project from the parks and trails fund fiscal year 2024 appropriation under Laws 2023,
chapter 40, article 3, section 3, paragraph (c), is extended to June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (c) The availability of the grant to Stearns County for the Kraemer Lake and Wildwood
County Park project from the parks and trails fund fiscal year 2024 appropriation under
Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 3, section 3, paragraph (c), is extended to June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (d) The availability of the grant to Redwood County for the Plum Creek Park project
from the parks and trails fund fiscal year 2024 appropriation under Laws 2023, chapter 40,
article 3, section 3, paragraph (c), is extended to June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (e) The availability of the grant to the city of Sandstone for the Robinson Quarry Park
project from the parks and trails fund fiscal year 2025 appropriation under Laws 2023,
chapter 40, article 3, section 3, paragraph (c), is extended to June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin (f) The availability of the appropriations for coordination and projects between partners
from the parks and trails fund in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 under Laws 2023, chapter 40,
article 3, section 3, paragraph (f), is extended to June 30, 2028.
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. 6. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 85.536, subdivisions 3 and 4, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

ARTICLE 3

ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND

Section 1.

Laws 2023, chapter 40, article 4, section 2, subdivision 6, as amended by Laws
2025, chapter 36, article 4, section 15, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Department of Administration

17,040,000

14,105,000

(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.

(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.

(c) Minnesota Public Radio

$2,050,000 each year is for Minnesota Public
Radio to create programming and expand news
service on Minnesota's cultural heritage and
history.

(d) Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations

$2,050,000 the first year and $2,050,000 the
second year are to the Association of
Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations
for production and acquisition grants in
accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
129D.19.

(e) Public Television

$5,000,000 the first year and $4,500,000 the
second year are to the Minnesota Public
Television Association for production and
acquisition grants according to Minnesota
Statutes, section 129D.18. Of the amount in
the first year, $1,000,000 is for producing
Minnesota military and veterans' history
stories and unique immigrant stories from
around the state.

(f) Wilderness Inquiry

$500,000 the first year and $600,000 the
second year are to Wilderness Inquiry to
preserve Minnesota's outdoor history, culture,
and heritage by connecting Minnesota youth
and families to natural resources.

(g) Como Park Zoo

$1,725,000 each year is to the Como Park Zoo
and Conservatory for program development
that features educational programs and habitat
enhancement, special exhibits, music
appreciation programs, and historical garden
access and preservation.

(h) Science Museum of Minnesota

$825,000 each year is to the Science Museum
of Minnesota for arts, arts education, and arts
access and to preserve Minnesota's history and
cultural heritage, including student and teacher
outreach, statewide educational initiatives, and
community-based exhibits that preserve
Minnesota's history and cultural heritage.

(i) Appetite for Change

$200,000 the first year is to the nonprofit
Appetite for Change for the Community Cooks
programming, which will preserve the cultural
heritage of growing and cooking food in
Minnesota.

(j) Lake Superior Zoo

$150,000 each year is to the Lake Superior
Zoo to develop educational exhibits and
programs.

(k) Great Lakes Aquarium

$250,000 each year is to the Lake Superior
Center Authority to prepare, fabricate, and
install a hands-on exhibit with interactive
learning components to educate Minnesotans
on the history of the natural landscape of the
state.

(l) State Band

$25,000 the first year and $25,000 the second
year are to the Minnesota state band to provide
free concerts throughout the state.

(m) Veterans Memorial Park in Wyoming

$100,000 the first year is for a grant to the city
of Wyoming to build the Veterans Memorial
Plaza and related interpretive walk in Railroad
Park.

(n) Great Northern Festival

$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second
year are for a grant to support the Great
Northern Festival, which connects attendees
to parks, outdoor spaces, and cultural venues
through a festival.

(o) Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

$50,000 the first year is to the Minnesota
Governor's Council on Developmental
Disabilities to continue to preserve and raise
awareness of the history of Minnesotans with
developmental disabilities.

(p) Minnesota Council on Disability

$125,000 the first year and $125,000 the
second year are to the Minnesota Council on
Disability to provide educational opportunities
in the arts, history, and cultural heritage of
Minnesotans with disabilities in conjunction
with the 50th anniversary of the Minnesota
Council on Disability. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2027.

(q) Keller Regional Park

$500,000 the first year is for a grant to Ramsey
County to preserve Minnesota's cultural
heritage by enhancing the tuj lub courts at
Keller Regional Park.

(r) Vietnam War Anniversary

$250,000 the first year is for a grant to the
commissioner of veterans affairs to prepare
and host a commemoration program for the
50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

(s) St. Paul Cultural Art Installation

$500,000 the first year is for a grant to
deleted text begin Forecast Public Art for an deleted text end new text begin the city of St. Paul
for a public new text end art installation celebrating
Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee. The project
funded by this paragraph must be located in
St. Paul at the Conway Recreation Center or,
if that site is not practicable, at Lake Phalen
at the platform containing the bust of Suni
Lee. This appropriation is available until June
30, deleted text begin 2027 deleted text end new text begin 2028 new text end .

(t) One Heartland Center

$50,000 each year is for a grant to One
Heartland Center for programming and
outdoor activities for families and youth in
Minnesota.

(u) Forest Lake Veterans Memorial

$100,000 the first year is for a grant to the
Forest Lake Veterans Memorial Committee
to construct a memorial to veterans of the
United States armed forces at Lakeside
Memorial Park in the city of Forest Lake. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.

(v) Hmong Plaza

$450,000 the first year is for a grant to the city
of St. Paul to construct the Hmong Plaza at
Phalen Lake.

(w) Camille Gage Artist Fellowship

$55,000 the first year and $55,000 the second
year are for a grant to YWCA Minneapolis to
fund an annual fellowship to be known as the
Camille J. Gage Artist Fellowship. Of this
amount, up to $5,000 each year may be used
for administrative expenses. YWCA
Minneapolis must select a person for the
Camille J. Gage Artist Fellowship after an
application process that allows both
applications by interested persons and
nominations of persons by third parties. By
October 1, 2026, YWCA Minneapolis must
report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over legacy on the
use of money appropriated under this
paragraph and on the activities of the person
selected for the Camille J. Gage Artist
Fellowship under this paragraph. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2026.

(x) Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery

$235,000 the first year and $125,000 the
second year are for arts and cultural heritage
programming celebrating African American
and Black communities in Minnesota. Of the
amount in the first year, $110,000 is for C.
Caldwell Fine Arts for an outdoor mural
project in North Minneapolis to work with
young people to develop skills while using art
as the impetus.

(y) Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota

$25,000 the first year and $25,000 the second
year are for a grant to the Tibetan American
Foundation of Minnesota to celebrate and
teach the art, culture, and heritage of Tibetan
Americans in Minnesota.

(z) Hong De Wu Guan

$25,000 the first year is for a grant to Hong
De Wu Guan to create cultural arts projects
like Lion Dance for after-school programs for
youth.

(aa) Sepak Takraw of USA

$50,000 the first year is for a grant to the
Sepak Takraw of USA to work with youth and
after-school programs in the community to
teach the cultural games of tuj lub and sepak
takraw. This appropriation may not be used
to hold events.

(bb) 30,000 Feet

$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second
year are for a grant to 30,000 Feet, a nonprofit
organization, to help youth and community
artists further develop their artistic skills, to
create community art and artistic
performances, and to promote and share
African American history and culture through
the arts.

(cc) Siengkane Lao Minnesota

$50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second
year are for a grant to Siengkane Lao MN to
create cultural arts projects and to preserve
traditional performances.

(dd) Hmong Cultural Center

$150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
second year are for a grant to the Hmong
Cultural Center of Minnesota for
museum-related programming and educational
outreach activities to teach the public about
the historical, cultural, and folk arts heritage
of Hmong Minnesotans.

(ee) Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio

$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are for a grant to Comunidades
Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES) to
expand arts programming to celebrate Latino
cultural heritage; support local artists; and
provide professional development, networking,
and presentation opportunities.

(ff) Hmong RPA Writing System

$300,000 the first year and $300,000 the
second year are for grants to recipients who
have demonstrated knowledge and interest in
preserving Hmong culture to preserve Hmong
Minnesotans' heritage, history, language, and
culture. Grants must be used in conjunction
with Minnesota universities to improve and
develop a unified and standardized Latin
alphabet form of the Hmong RPA writing
system. No portion of this appropriation may
be used to encourage religious membership
or to conduct personal ceremonies or events.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2028.

(gg) Somali Museum of Minnesota

$125,000 the first year and $125,000 the
second year are for a grant to the Somali
Museum of Minnesota for heritage arts and
cultural vitality programs to provide classes,
exhibits, presentations, and outreach about the
Somali community and heritage in Minnesota.

(hh) Minnesota Museum of American Art

$200,000 the first year and $200,000 the
second year are for a grant to the Minnesota
Museum of American Art for exhibit
programming and for a Native American
Fellowship at the museum.

(ii) Fanka Programs

$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are for a grant to Ka Joog
statewide Somali-based collaborative
programs for arts and cultural heritage. The
funding must be used for Fanka programs to
provide arts education and workshops, mentor
programs, and community presentations and
community engagement events throughout
Minnesota.

(jj) The Bakken Museum

$150,000 the first year is for a grant to The
Bakken Museum for interactive exhibits and
outreach programs on arts and cultural
heritage.

(kk) 4-H Shooting Sports

$50,000 the first year is to the University of
Minnesota Extension Office to provide grants
to Minnesota 4-H chapters that have members
participating in state and national
4-H-sanctioned shooting sports events.
Eligible costs for grant money include
shooting sports equipment and supplies and
event fees associated with participating in state
shooting sports events.

(ll) Public Art Saint Paul

$75,000 each year is for a grant to Public Art
Saint Paul for art programming at the Wakpa
Triennial Art Festival to showcase new art
across the Twin Cities by Minnesota artists in
outdoor and indoor settings and to encourage
visitors to experience the arts and culture
produced by local arts and culture
organizations.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

ARTICLE 4

STATE LANDS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84.0272, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Acquisition procedure.

When the commissioner of natural resources is
authorized to acquire deleted text begin lands or interests in lands deleted text end new text begin fee title or an easement interest in land, new text end the
procedure set forth in this section deleted text begin shall apply deleted text end new text begin applies new text end . The commissioner of natural resources
shall first prepare a fact sheet showing the lands to be acquired, the legal authority for their
acquisition, and the qualities of the land that make it a desirable acquisition. The
commissioner of natural resources shall cause the lands to be appraised. An appraiser shall
before entering upon the duties of office take and subscribe an oath to faithfully and
impartially discharge the duties as appraiser according to the best of the appraiser's ability
and that the appraiser is not interested directly or indirectly in any of the lands to be appraised
or the timber or improvements thereon or in the sale thereof and has entered into no
agreement or combination to purchase the same or any part thereof, which oath shall be
attached to the report of the appraisal. The commissioner of natural resources may pay less
than the appraised value, but shall not agree to pay more than ten percent above the appraised
value, except that if the commissioner pays less than the appraised value for a parcel of
land, the difference between the purchase price and the appraised value may be used to
apply to purchases at more than the appraised value. The sum of accumulated differences
between appraised amounts and purchases for more than the appraised amount may not
exceed the sum of accumulated differences between appraised amounts and purchases for
less than the appraised amount. New appraisals may be made at the discretion of the
commissioner of natural resources.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84.0272, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Stream easements.

(a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, the commissioner may
acquire permanent stream easements for angler access, fish management, and habitat work
new text begin and easements to access permanent stream easements acquired under this subdivision new text end for
a onetime payment based on a value attributed to deleted text begin both deleted text end the stream deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin , new text end the easement corridor new text begin ,
and any access easement new text end . The payment deleted text begin shall equal deleted text end new text begin equals new text end :

(1) the per linear foot of stream within the easement corridor times $5; plus

(2) the easement corridor acres times the estimated market value deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; plus
new text end

new text begin (3) the access corridor acres times the estimated market value.
new text end

(b) The estimated market value is equal to:

(1) the agricultural market value plus the rural vacant market value plus the managed
forest market value; divided by

(2) the acres of agricultural land plus the rural vacant land plus the managed forest land.

(c) The agricultural market value, rural vacant market value, and managed forest market
value or equivalent are determined from data collected by the Department of Revenue during
its annual spring mini abstract survey. If the Department of Revenue changes its property
type groups for its annual spring mini abstract survey, the agricultural market value, the
rural vacant market value, and the managed forest market value shall be determined by the
commissioner from data collected by the Department of Revenue in a manner that provides
the most reasonable substitute for the market values as presently reported. The commissioner
must use the most recent available data for the city or township within which the easement
corridor is located.

(d) The commissioner shall periodically review the easement payment rates under this
subdivision to determine whether the stream easement payments reflect current shoreland
market values. If the commissioner determines that the easements do not reflect current
shoreland market values, the commissioner shall report to the senate and house of
representatives natural resources policy committees with recommendations for changes to
this subdivision that are necessary for the stream easement payment rates to reflect current
shoreland market values. The recommendations may include an adjustment to the dollar
amount in paragraph (a), clause (1).

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84.96, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Access easement. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may acquire easements to access native
prairie acquired under this section. The commissioner may pay the landowner or land
administrator for access easements an amount equal to or less than 50 percent of the payment
rate under subdivision 5.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Laws 2024, chapter 90, article 1, section 52, is amended to read:

Sec. 52. EFFECTIVE DATE.

new text begin (a) new text end Sections deleted text begin 1 to 51 deleted text end new text begin 4, 7, 10 to 12, 14 to 17, and 19 to 51, and the amendments to
Minnesota Rules, parts 6100.5002, 6213.0100, 6213.0400, 6213.0500, 6232.0200, 6232.0300,
6232.0400, 6232.0500, 6232.0900, 6232.1250, 6232.1300, 6232.1600, 6232.1950, 6232.1970,
6232.1980, 6232.2550, 6232.2800, 6232.3100, 6232.4400, 6234.1600, 6234.1700, 6234.2000,
6234.2600, 6236.0300, 6236.0500, 6236.0950, 6237.0200, 6262.1000, 6262.3200, 6264.0400,
and 6266.0700, and the repealer as adopted by the commissioner of natural resources and
published in the State Register, volume 49, page 1416, June 30, 2025, new text end are effective upon
full implementation of the replacement electronic license new text begin , permits, and pass portions of the
electronic license new text end system.

new text begin (b) Sections 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, and 18 are effective upon full implementation of the vehicle
registration portions of the electronic license system.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end The commissioner of natural resources must notify the revisor of statutes when the
deleted text begin replacement electronic license system is fully implemented. deleted text end new text begin portions of the replacement
electronic licensing system governed by the sections and rule modifications described in
paragraph (a) are fully implemented and when the portions of the replacement electronic
licensing system governed by the sections described in paragraph (b) are fully implemented.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin ADDITIONS TO STATE PARKS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin [85.012] [Subd. 21.] Frontenac State Park, Goodhue County. new text end

new text begin The
following area is added to Frontenac State Park: Lot 3, Block 1, VILLA MARIA ADDITION,
according to the recorded plat thereof, Goodhue County, Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin [85.012] [Subd. 24a.] Great River Bluffs State Park, Winona County. new text end

new text begin The
following area is added to Great River Bluffs State Park: the West Half of the Southeast
Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, Section 33, Township 106 North, Range 5 West, Winona
County, Minnesota.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin DELETION FROM STATE PARK.
new text end

new text begin [85.012] [Subd. 42.] Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, Mille Lacs County. The following
area is deleted from Mille Lacs Kathio State Park: that part of Government Lot 3, Section
33, Township 43 North, Range 27 West, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, lying easterly of
the easterly right-of-way line of U.S. Trunk Highway 169. Excepting therefrom the following
described tract of land: commencing at the northwest corner of said Government Lot 3, said
corner being marked by a 2-½-inch aluminum post with brass cap (Bureau of Land
Management Monument); thence North 89 degrees 43 minutes 55 seconds East, assumed
bearing, along the north line of said Government Lot 3, a distance of 1,076.85 feet to the
point of beginning of the land to be described; thence continuing North 89 degrees 43
minutes 55 seconds East, along said north line, a distance of 40.88 feet to a ¾-inch iron rod
with disk stamped MN DNR PROPERTY; thence continuing North 89 degrees 43 minutes
55 seconds East, along said north line, a distance of 299.64 feet to a ¾-inch rebar with
plastic cap stamped MN DNR LS 47461; thence South 14 degrees 26 minutes 27 seconds
East, a distance of 170.18 feet to a ¾-inch iron rod with disk stamped MN DNR PROPERTY;
thence South 89 degrees 43 minutes 55 seconds West, a distance of 413.14 feet to a ¾-inch
iron rod; thence continuing South 89 degrees 43 minutes 55 seconds West, a distance of
10.50 feet; thence North 07 degrees 53 minutes 17 seconds East, a distance of 70.68 feet;
thence North 18 degrees 01 minute 43 seconds East, a distance of 100.09 feet to the point
of beginning.
new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER;
BECKER COUNTY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, the commissioner of natural
resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described
in paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct
errors and ensure accuracy.
new text end

new text begin (c) The land that may be sold is located in Becker County and is described as: all that
part of Government Lot 1, Section 9, Township 138 North, Range 43 West, Becker County,
Minnesota, bounded by the water's edge of Rossman Lake and the following described
lines: commencing at meander corner No. 17 located at the northwesterly corner of said
Government Lot 1; thence North 89 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East on an assumed
bearing 98.96 feet on and along the north line of said Section 9; thence South 10 degrees
10 minutes 30 seconds East, 233.06 feet to a point on the centerline of a township road and
the point of beginning; thence South 10 degrees 10 minutes 30 seconds East, 355.37 feet
on and along the centerline of said township road; thence South 87 degrees 05 minutes 10
seconds East, 33.46 feet to the northwesterly corner of Erickson Shores, a plat recorded in
the Office of the Register of Deeds, Becker County; thence South 87 degrees 05 minutes
10 seconds East, 443.59 feet on and along the north line of said plat to the northwesterly
corner of Lot 1 of Block 1 of said plat; thence North 58 degrees 09 minutes 38 seconds
East, 135 feet, more or less, on and along the north line of said Lot 1 of Block 1 to the
water's edge of said Rossman Lake and there terminating. And also, from the point of
beginning; thence North 88 degrees 40 minutes 54 seconds East, 263 feet, more or less, to
the water's edge of Rossman Lake and there terminating. Including all riparian rights to the
contained 4.3 acres, more or less, and subject to all existing easements.
new text end

new text begin (d) The land borders Rossman Lake and is not contiguous to other state lands. The
Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural
resource purposes and that the state's land management interests would best be served if
the land was returned to private ownership.
new text end

Sec. 8. new text begin PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER;
MILLE LACS COUNTY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the
commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land bordering public
water that is described in paragraph (c) to a federally recognized Indian Tribe, subject to
the state's reservation of access and dam easements over the land described in paragraph
(c) if the state elects to reserve such easements.
new text end

new text begin (b) The land must not be sold for less than the appraised value. The buyer must reimburse
the commissioner for all costs and expenses, including staff costs, incurred by the
commissioner in making the property salable and in selling the property. The commissioner
may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
new text end

new text begin (c) The land that may be sold is all of or a portion of the land located in Mille Lacs
County and described as: that part of Government Lot 3, Section 33, Township 43 North,
Range 27 West, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, lying easterly of the easterly right-of-way
line of U.S. Trunk Highway 169. Excepting therefrom the following described tract of land:
commencing at the northwest corner of said Government Lot 3, said corner being marked
by a 2-½-inch aluminum post with brass cap (Bureau of Land Management Monument);
thence North 89 degrees 43 minutes 55 seconds East, assumed bearing, along the north line
of said Government Lot 3, a distance of 1,076.85 feet to the point of beginning of the land
to be described; thence continuing North 89 degrees 43 minutes 55 seconds East, along said
north line, a distance of 40.88 feet to a ¾-inch iron rod with disk stamped MN DNR
PROPERTY; thence continuing North 89 degrees 43 minutes 55 seconds East, along said
north line, a distance of 299.64 feet to a ¾-inch rebar with plastic cap stamped MN DNR
LS 47461; thence South 14 degrees 26 minutes 27 seconds East, a distance of 170.18 feet
to a ¾-inch iron rod with disk stamped MN DNR PROPERTY; thence South 89 degrees
43 minutes 55 seconds West, a distance of 413.14 feet to a ¾-inch iron rod; thence continuing
South 89 degrees 43 minutes 55 seconds West, a distance of 10.50 feet; thence North 07
degrees 53 minutes 17 seconds East, a distance of 70.68 feet; thence North 18 degrees 01
minute 43 seconds East, a distance of 100.09 feet to the point of beginning.
new text end

new text begin (d) The land to be sold borders on Mille Lacs Lake. The Department of Natural Resources
has determined that the state's land management interests would best be served if the land
was conveyed to a federally recognized Indian Tribe.
new text end

Sec. 9. new text begin PRIVATE CONVEYANCE OF SURPLUS LAND BORDERING PUBLIC
WATER; PINE COUNTY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the
commissioner of natural resources may convey by private sale the surplus land bordering
public water that is described in paragraph (c) for no consideration, subject to the state's
reservation of an access easement over the land described in paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct
errors and ensure accuracy.
new text end

new text begin (c) The land that may be conveyed is located in Pine County and is described as: that
part of the West 105 feet of the West 205 feet of that part of Lot 48, Auditor's Subdivision
of Section 24, Township 41, Range 21, Pine County, Minnesota, lying South of a line
described as follows: commencing at a point on the west line of said Lot 48, 570 feet South
of the northwest corner of said lot; thence southeasterly to a point in the east line of said
Lot 48, midway between the northeast corner and the southeast corner of said lot, and lying
North of the northerly water's edge of the North Branch of the Grindstone River, including
all riparian rights.
new text end

new text begin (d) The land borders the Grindstone River. The Department of Natural Resources has
determined that the conveyance will ensure that the private landowners have continued
access to the Grindstone River after the Grindstone River dam is removed and the channel
restored to a natural alignment.
new text end

Sec. 10. new text begin CONVEYANCE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND; REDWOOD COUNTY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.281 to 16B.298, or any other law
to the contrary, upon approval by the Minnesota Historical Society's Executive Council,
the director of the Minnesota Historical Society may convey to the Lower Sioux Indian
Community in the state of Minnesota, for no consideration, the surplus land and real property
described in paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (b) The Minnesota Historical Society may make necessary changes to the legal description
to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
new text end

new text begin (c) The land to be conveyed is located in Redwood County and is described as: Tract
"C" that part of the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 8, Township 112,
Range 34, Redwood County, Minnesota, lying southerly of the centerline of CSAH 2 as
shown on Redwood County Right of Way Plat No. 3 C.S.A.H. Number 2 as of public record,
Redwood County, Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (d) The Minnesota Historical Society has determined that the state's land management
interests and interpretive program interests would best be served if portions of the Lower
Sioux Agency Historic Site were conveyed to the Lower Sioux Indian Community in the
state of Minnesota.
new text end

Sec. 11. new text begin PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or
other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited land
described in paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney
general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
new text end

new text begin (c) The land to be sold is located in St. Louis County and is described as:
new text end

new text begin Government Lot 2, EXCEPT the South 760 feet; AND EXCEPT that part of Government
Lot 2, shown as Parcel 75 on Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way
Plat No. 69-181, Section 18, Township 62 North, Range 20 West.
new text end

new text begin (d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best
be served if the land was returned to private ownership to resolve a structure encroachment.
new text end

Sec. 12. new text begin PRIVATE SALE OF LAND; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding the public sale and competitive bidding requirements of Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 373, or other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may sell by private sale
the county fee-owned lands described in paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) The lands to be sold are located in St. Louis County, Section 34, Township 51 North,
Range 18 West, and are described as:
new text end

new text begin (1) Lots 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, and 12, Block B, including part of the vacated alley adjacent and
including part of vacated 3rd Avenue adjacent, Brookston;
new text end

new text begin (2) Lots 4 thru 9, Block B, including part of the vacated alley adjacent, and including
part of 3rd Street S adjacent to Lots 6 and 7, and including part of 3rd Avenue adjacent to
Lots 4 thru 6 tool house, Brookston; and
new text end

new text begin (3) that part of the South Half of the Northeast Quarter lying southerly of the Brookston
Plat and westerly of County State-Aid Highway 31.
new text end

new text begin (c) St. Louis County has determined that the county's interest would best be served if
the lands were sold.
new text end

Sec. 13. new text begin PRIVATE CONVEYANCE OF SURPLUS LAND BORDERING PUBLIC
WATER; WABASHA COUNTY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the
commissioner of natural resources may convey by private sale the surplus land that is
described in paragraph (c) to the city of Elgin for no consideration.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct
errors and ensure accuracy.
new text end

new text begin (c) The land that may be conveyed is located in Wabasha County and is described as:
new text end

new text begin (1) OUTLOT A, OUTLOT B, and OUTLOT C of WHITEWATER WAY, according
to the plat on file and of record in the Office of the County Recorder in and for Wabasha
County, Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (2) that part of the West Half of the Northeast Quarter of Section 27, Township 108
North, Range 12 West, Wabasha County, Minnesota, described as follows: beginning at a
point of intersection of the north line of the south 165.00 feet of the Northwest Quarter of
the Northeast Quarter of said Section 27, with the east line of the West Half of the Northeast
Quarter of said Section 27; thence on an assumed bearing of North 89 degrees 44 minutes
01 second West, along said north line of the south 165.00 feet, a distance of 250 feet, more
or less, to the centerline of the North Fork of the White Water River; thence northeasterly
along said centerline, to a point of intersection with the east line of the West Half of the
Northeast Quarter of said Section 27; thence South 00 degrees 11 minutes 14 seconds East,
along said east line to the point of beginning.
new text end

new text begin (d) The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for
natural resource purposes and that the state's land management interests would best be
served if the land was conveyed to and used by the city of Elgin for nonmotorized public
recreation and public fishing access.
new text end

new text begin (e) The conveyance must provide that the lands revert to the state if the city of Elgin:
new text end

new text begin (1) fails to provide the public use intended on the property;
new text end

new text begin (2) without the written approval of the commissioner, allows a public use other than the
public use agreed to by the commissioner at the time of conveyance; or
new text end

new text begin (3) abandons the public use of the property.
new text end

new text begin (f) The commissioner must require that the city of Elgin reimburse the commissioner
for all costs and expenses, including staff costs, incurred by the commissioner in making
the property salable and in conveying the property.
new text end

Sec. 14. new text begin CONVEYANCE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND; WASHINGTON COUNTY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.281 to 16B.298, or any other law
to the contrary, upon approval by the Minnesota Historical Society's Executive Council,
the director of the Minnesota Historical Society may convey to the city of Marine on Saint
Croix, for no consideration, the surplus land and real property described in paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (b) The Minnesota Historical Society may make necessary changes to the legal description
to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
new text end

new text begin (c) The land to be conveyed is located in Washington County and is described as: that
part of Block 47 of Marine, according to the recorded plat thereof, Washington County,
Minnesota, described as follows: commencing at the southwest corner of said Block 47;
thence North 24 degrees 18 minutes 37 seconds West, assumed bearing, along the westerly
line of said Block 47, a distance of 98.35 feet, to the point of beginning of the tract of land
to be described; thence continuing North 24 degrees 18 minutes 37 seconds West, along
said westerly line of Block 47, a distance of 61.38 feet; thence North 66 degrees 16 minutes
53 seconds East, 89.81 feet; thence South 24 degrees 27 minutes 39 seconds East, 59.63
feet; thence South 65 degrees 09 minutes 47 seconds West, 89.96 feet, to the point of
beginning.
new text end

Sec. 15. new text begin APPROPRIATION EXTENSION.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the appropriation in Laws 2024, chapter
116, article 1, section 3, subdivision 5, for an electronic licensing system is available until
June 30, 2027.
new text end

Sec. 16. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 4 to 15 are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

ARTICLE 5

AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH
INSTITUTE.
new text end

new text begin $80,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the Agricultural
Utilization Research Institute for legal costs. This is a onetime appropriation and is available
until June 30, 2029. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 645.435, if the same
appropriation for this purpose is enacted more than once in the 2026 regular session, the
appropriation must be given effect only once.
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

ARTICLE 6

IRON ORE MINING; UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Section 1. new text begin IRON ORE MINING ADDITIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Availability of additional benefits. new text end

new text begin Additional unemployment benefits
are available from the Minnesota unemployment insurance trust fund to an applicant who
was laid off due to lack of work on or after November 1, 2025, and before March 15, 2026,
from:
new text end

new text begin (1) an employer in the iron ore mining industry that laid off 40 percent or more of the
employer's workforce on or after March 15, 2025, and before June 16, 2025; or
new text end

new text begin (2) an employer that is in the explosive manufacturing industry and providing goods or
services to an employer in the iron ore mining industry, if the applicant was laid off due to
the cessation or substantial reduction in operations of an employer in the iron ore mining
industry as described in clause (1).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility requirements. new text end

new text begin An applicant is eligible to receive additional
unemployment benefits under this section for any week through the week ending March
20, 2027, if:
new text end

new text begin (1) the applicant established a benefit account under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.07,
with 50 percent or greater of the wage credits from an employer as described in subdivision
1, and has exhausted the maximum amount of regular unemployment benefits available on
that benefit account; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the applicant meets the same requirements that an applicant for regular unemployment
benefits must meet under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.069, subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Weekly and maximum amount of additional unemployment benefits. new text end

new text begin (a)
The weekly benefit amount of additional unemployment benefits is the same as the weekly
benefit amount of regular unemployment benefits on the benefit account established in
subdivision 2, clause (1).
new text end

new text begin (b) The maximum amount of additional unemployment benefits available to an applicant
under this section is an amount equal to 26 weeks of payment at the applicant's weekly
additional unemployment benefit amount.
new text end

new text begin (c) If an applicant qualifies for a new regular benefit account that meets the requirements
of subdivision 4, paragraph (b), before the applicant has been paid additional unemployment
benefits, and the new regular benefit account meets the requirements of subdivision 2, clause
(1), the applicant's weekly additional unemployment benefit amount is equal to the weekly
unemployment benefit amount on the applicant's new regular benefit account.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Qualifying for a new regular benefit account. new text end

new text begin (a) If, after exhausting the
maximum amount of regular unemployment benefits available as a result of the layoff under
subdivision 1, an applicant qualifies for the new regular benefit account under Minnesota
Statutes, section 268.07, the applicant must apply for and establish the new regular benefit
account.
new text end

new text begin (b) If the applicant's weekly benefit amount under the new regular benefit account is
equal to or higher than the applicant's weekly additional unemployment benefit amount, the
applicant must request unemployment benefits under the new regular benefit account. An
applicant is ineligible for additional unemployment benefits under this section until the
applicant has exhausted the maximum amount of unemployment benefits available on the
new regular benefit account.
new text end

new text begin (c) If the applicant's weekly unemployment benefit amount on the new regular benefit
account is less than the applicant's weekly benefit amount of additional unemployment
benefits, the applicant must request additional unemployment benefits. An applicant is
ineligible for new regular unemployment benefits until the applicant has exhausted the
maximum amount of additional unemployment benefits available under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Eligibility for federal Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits. new text end

new text begin An applicant
who has applied and been determined eligible for federal Trade Readjustment Allowance
benefits is not eligible for additional unemployment benefits under this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from November 1, 2025.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S2077-3

85.536 GREATER MINNESOTA REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION.

Subd. 3.

First appointments.

The governor shall make the first appointment by June 15, 2013. The governor shall designate six of the first appointees to terms ending on the first Monday in January 2015, and the remainder of the first appointees shall serve terms ending the first Monday in January 2016.

Subd. 4.

First meeting.

The governor or the governor's designee shall convene the first meeting of the commission by July 15, 2013, and shall act as chair until the commission elects a chair. The commission shall elect a chair at its first meeting.