SF 4462

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/18/2026 09:12 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing requirements for hiring executive director
of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council; amending Minnesota Statutes
2024, section 97A.056, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

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.

(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. 2.

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 the hiring of a candidate for executive
director. An interview panel consisting of a selection of members of the council designed
to interview and recommend candidates for executive director to the entire council for
consideration must include an equal number of members representing the two largest major
political parties. If an interview panel does not agree unanimously on a candidate to
recommend to the full council, the interview panel must forward multiple candidates to the
entire council for consideration.
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