HF 1071

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/05/2025 12:27pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; implementing recommendations of Aggregate
Resources Task Force; requiring a report; appropriating money; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 84.94, subdivision 4; 473.859, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84.94, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Local action.

Each planning authority of a county or municipality receiving
information pursuant to subdivision 3 deleted text begin shall consider the protection of deleted text end new text begin must protect new text end identified
and important aggregate resources new text begin , and access to those resources, new text end in their land use decisions new text begin
and must incorporate those protections in their comprehensive land use plans, zoning
ordinances, and other land use controls new text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.859, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Land use plan.

(a) A land use plan must include the water management plan
required by section 103B.235, and shall designate the existing and proposed location,
intensity and extent of use of land and water, including lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams,
natural drainage courses, and adjoining land areas that affect water natural resources, for
agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial and other public and private purposes, or
any combination of such purposes.

(b) A land use plan must contain a protection element, as appropriate, for historic sites,
the matters listed in the water management plan required by section 103B.235, and an
element for protection and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems.

(c) A land use plan must also include a housing element containing standards, plans and
programs for providing adequate housing opportunities to meet existing and projected local
and regional housing needs, including but not limited to the use of official controls and land
use planning to promote the availability of land for the development of low and moderate
income housing.

(d) A land use plan must also include new text begin an element for protecting and developing access
to aggregate resources and new text end the local government's goals, intentions, and priorities concerning
deleted text begin aggregate and deleted text end other natural resources, transportation infrastructure, land use compatibility,
habitat, agricultural preservation, and other planning priorities, considering information
regarding supply from the Minnesota Geological Survey Information Circular No. 46.

(e) A land use plan must also include an inventory and projections pertaining to
greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled that are generated from activity that
occurs within the local government's jurisdiction. The inventory and projections must include
the emission sources from transportation, land use, energy use, solid waste, and, where
available and applicable, livestock and agriculture. The inventory and projections must
include the estimated impact of strategies, including efficient land use and compact growth,
that reduce or naturally sequester greenhouse gas emissions across sectors.

Sec. 3. new text begin RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERMITTING
CHANGES TO PROTECT AGGREGATE RESOURCES.
new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2026, the commissioner of natural resources must make recommendations
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary
jurisdiction over environment and local government for statutory changes that would facilitate
local government permitting processes that adequately protect the state's aggregate resources
and foster environmentally responsible reclamation of former aggregate mining sites. In
developing the recommendations, the commissioner must work with interested stakeholders.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION; AGGREGATE MAPPING.
new text end

new text begin (a) $950,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $950,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of natural resources to:
new text end

new text begin (1) map the aggregate resource potential of additional counties outside the metropolitan
area, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, and make the information available
in print and electronic format to local units of government for use in planning and zoning;
new text end

new text begin (2) update the department's A Handbook for Reclaiming Sand and Gravel Pits in
Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (3) provide technical assistance as needed to local units of government in making sound
land-use decisions that preserve the availability of aggregate resources.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with the Minnesota Geological
Survey and the commissioners of transportation and employment and economic development,
must examine whether a regional approach to aggregate mapping could yield financial or
time efficiencies. If the commissioner determines that a regional approach would yield
efficiencies, the commissioner must complete aggregate mapping for counties that have
already requested aggregate mapping and then must implement a regional approach to
mapping the remaining counties, notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 84.94.
new text end

new text begin (c) The base amount for this appropriation in fiscal year 2035 and thereafter is $0.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin APPROPRIATION; AGGREGATE RESOURCE INVENTORY.
new text end

new text begin $250,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of natural resources for the aggregate resource mapping program to update Information
Circular 46, Aggregate Resources Inventory of the Seven-County Metropolitan Area,
Minnesota (Minnesota Geological Survey 2000), with particular emphasis on projected
needs and the estimated time until the aggregate resource is exhausted, and to perform duties
under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.94.
new text end