HF 2864

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 07/09/2019 10:53am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; creating Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116U.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [116U.60] MINNESOTA OUTDOOR RECREATION OFFICE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Office established. new text end

new text begin The Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office is
established as an office in Explore Minnesota Tourism. The governor, in consultation with
the commissioners of natural resources and employment and economic development, must
appoint the director of the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The purpose of the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office is to promote
and increase participation in outdoor recreation by all Minnesota citizens by:
new text end

new text begin (1) supporting the outdoor recreation economy of Minnesota and working toward
equitable and inclusive access to the outdoors;
new text end

new text begin (2) creating and developing an inventory of existing public and private resources
promoting outdoor recreation;
new text end

new text begin (3) coordinating outdoor recreation policy and management among state and federal
agencies and local government entities;
new text end

new text begin (4) assisting in promoting and marketing opportunities and events for outdoor recreation;
new text end

new text begin (5) assisting the Department of Employment and Economic Development in supporting
outdoor recreation businesses and providing technical assistance with resources and
opportunities for economic development;
new text end

new text begin (6) developing strategies to recruit and grow outdoor recreation businesses and to enhance
recreation-related employment in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (7) promoting outdoor recreation opportunities for people with disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (8) promoting education and use of outdoor recreation assets to enhance public health;
new text end

new text begin (9) supporting outdoor recreation programs at Minnesota educational institutions;
new text end

new text begin (10) collecting data on the impact of outdoor recreation in the state and the accessibility
of natural resources for underserved populations; and
new text end

new text begin (11) recommending initiatives to increase access to outdoor recreational amenities and
experiences.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Account; donations. new text end

new text begin The director of the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office
may accept gifts and grants for purposes related to the duties of the Minnesota Outdoor
Recreation Office. Money received by the director from gifts and grants is deposited in an
account in the special revenue fund and appropriated to the director for the purposes specified
in the gift or grant.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Strategic plan. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2020, the director of the Minnesota Outdoor
Recreation Office must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over Explore
Minnesota Tourism and environment and natural resources policy and finance that contains
a strategic plan for the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office. In developing the strategic
plan, the director must consult with the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council; the
commissioners of natural resources, health, transportation, and employment and economic
development; and the chairs and ranking minority members or their designees of the house
of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over Explore
Minnesota Tourism and environment and natural resources policy and finance.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Consultation and cooperation. new text end

new text begin (a) The director of the Minnesota Outdoor
Recreation Office must consult with the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council in carrying
out the purposes of the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office.
new text end

new text begin (b) Explore Minnesota Tourism and the commissioners of natural resources, health,
transportation, and employment and economic development must cooperate with the director
of the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office in fulfilling the duties of the Minnesota Outdoor
Recreation Office as they relate to the purposes of the respective office or agencies.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 1, 2021, and each year thereafter, the director of the
Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office must submit an annual report to the legislature on
the donations received, accomplishments, recommendations, and findings of the Minnesota
Outdoor Recreation Office from the preceding fiscal year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Regulatory authority. new text end

new text begin Nothing contained in this section supplants or impacts
the regulatory authority of other state agencies.
new text end