SF 4340
Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 03/12/2026 09:36 a.m.
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A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; extending availability of appropriation for a grant to
expand Minnesota's wild elk population and range; amending Laws 2023, chapter
60, article 1, section 3, subdivision 6, as amended.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Laws 2023, chapter 60, article 1, section 3, subdivision 6, as amended by Laws
2025, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, section 17, is amended to read:
Subd. 6.Fish and Wildlife Management
|
105,625,000 |
96,963,000 |
||||
| Appropriations by Fund |
||
| 2024 |
2025 |
|
| General |
18,143,000 |
9,888,000 |
| Natural Resources |
2,082,000 |
2,082,000 |
| Game and Fish |
85,400,000 |
84,993,000 |
(a) $11,158,000 the first year and $11,158,000
the second year are from the heritage
enhancement account in the game and fish
fund only for activities specified under
Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94,
paragraph (h), clause (1). Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, five
percent of this appropriation may be used for
expanding hunter and angler recruitment and
retention.
(b) $982,000 the first year and $982,000 the
second year are from the general fund and
$1,675,000 the first year and $1,675,000 the
second year are from the game and fish fund
for statewide response and management of
chronic wasting disease. The commissioner
and the Board of Animal Health must each
submit annual reports on chronic wasting
disease activities funded in this biennium to
the chairs and ranking minority members of
the legislative committees and divisions with
jurisdiction over environment and natural
resources and agriculture. The general fund
base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026
and beyond is $282,000.
(c) $5,150,000 the first year and $3,250,000
the second year are for inspections,
investigations, and enforcement activities
taken for the white-tailed deer farm program
and for statewide response and management
of chronic wasting disease. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2029.
(d) $8,546,000 the first year and $8,546,000
the second year are from the deer management
account for the purposes identified in
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.075,
subdivision 1.
(e) $268,000 the first year and $268,000 the
second year are for increased capacity for
broadband utility licensing for state lands and
public waters. This is a onetime appropriation
and is available until June 30, 2028.
(f) $4,500,000 the first year is for enhancing
prairies and grasslands and restoring wetlands
on state-owned wildlife management areas to
sequester more carbon and enhance climate
resiliency. This is a onetime appropriation and
is available until June 30, 2027.
(g) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the
second year are from the general fund and
$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the
second year are from the heritage enhancement
account in the game and fish fund for grants
for natural-resource-based education and
recreation programs serving youth under
Minnesota Statutes, section 84.976, and for
grant administration. Priority must be given
to projects benefiting underserved
communities. The base for this appropriation
in fiscal year 2026 and beyond is $500,000
from the heritage enhancement account in the
game and fish fund. The general fund
appropriation is onetime.
(h) $2,300,000 the first year is for a grant to
the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa to expand Minnesota's wild elk
population and range. Consideration must be
given to moving elk from existing herds in
northwest Minnesota to the area of the Fond
du Lac State Forest and the Fond du Lac
Reservation in Carlton and southern St. Louis
Counties. The Fond du Lac Band of Lake
Superior Chippewa's elk reintroduction efforts
must undergo thorough planning with the
Department of Natural Resources to develop
necessary capture and handling protocols,
including protocols related to cervid disease
management, and to produce postrelease state
and Tribal elk comanagement plans. Of this
amount, $300,000 is for the department for
the purposes of this paragraph. This is a
onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, deleted text begin 2026deleted text end new text begin 2029new text end .
(i) $767,000 the first year is from the heritage
enhancement account in the game and fish
fund to examine the effects of neonicotinoid
exposure on the reproduction and survival of
Minnesota's game species, including deer and
prairie chicken. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30,
2027.
(j) $134,000 the first year and $134,000 the
second year are from the heritage enhancement
account in the game and fish fund for native
fish conservation and classification.
(k) $82,000 the first year is for the native fish
reports required under this act. This is a
onetime appropriation.
(l) $65,000 the first year is for preparing the
report on feral pigs and mink required under
this act and holding at least one public meeting
on the topic.
(m) Up to $5,750,000 the first year and up to
$2,225,000 the second year are available for
transfer from the critical habitat private sector
matching account to the reinvest in Minnesota
fund for wildlife management areas
acquisition, restoration, and enhancement
according to Minnesota Statutes, section
84.943, subdivision 5b.
(n) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 297A.94, $300,000 the first year and
$300,000 the second year are from the heritage
enhancement account in the game and fish
fund for shooting sports facility grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 87A.10, including
grants for archery facilities. Grants must be
matched with a nonstate match, which may
include in-kind contributions. This is a
onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2028.
(o) $75,000 the first year is from the heritage
enhancement account in the game and fish
fund for enhanced fish stocking of white bass
and crappies in lakes in the metropolitan area
that have pier and shore fishing opportunities
where communities are currently underserved.
(p) $1,633,000 the first year is for a grant to
the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for chronic wasting disease
contingency plans developed by the Center
for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
This is a onetime appropriation.
(q) $900,000 the first year is to create new or
expand existing outreach and education
programs for non-native English-speaking
communities. Of this amount, $250,000 is for
the commissioner of the Pollution Control
Agency and $250,000 is for the Board of
Water and Soil Resources for this purpose. Up
to $400,000 may be used to expand the
Fishing in the Neighborhood program for
outreach to new and underserved audiences.
This appropriation may be used for community
outreach consultants for reaching new
audiences. This is a onetime appropriation and
is available until June 30, 2027.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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