HF 615

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/14/2013 02:01pm

A bill for an act
relating to capital investment; appropriating money for Reinvest in Minnesota
(RIM) Conservation Reserve; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.

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

Section 1. new text begin REINVEST IN MINNESOTA (RIM) CONSERVATION RESERVE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $30,000,000 is appropriated from the bond
proceeds fund to the Board of Soil and Water Resources to acquire conservation easements
from landowners to preserve, restore, create, and enhance wetlands and prairie grasslands;
restore and enhance rivers and streams, riparian lands, and associated uplands in order to
protect soil and water quality; support fish and wildlife habitat; reduce flood damage; and
provide other public benefits. The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515,
apply to this appropriation, except that the board may establish alternative payment rates
for easements and practices to establish restored native prairies, as defined in Minnesota
Statutes, section 84.02, subdivision 5, and to protect uplands. Of this appropriation, up to
ten percent may be used to implement the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) The board is authorized to enter into new agreements and amend past agreements
with landowners as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, subdivision 5, to
allow for restoration, including overseeding and harvesting of native prairie vegetation
for use for energy production in a manner that does not devalue the natural habitat,
water quality benefits, or carbon sequestration functions of the area enrolled in the
easement. This shall occur after seed production and minimize impacts on wildlife. Of
this appropriation, up to five percent may be used for restoration, including overseeding.
new text end

new text begin (c) The board shall give priority to leveraging federal funds by (1) enrolling targeted
new lands eligible for the USDA Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) or (2) enrolling lands
that have expiring USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Bond sale. new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated in this section from the
bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue
bonds of the state in an amount up to $30,000,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with
the effect prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the
Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.
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