1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; requiring a comprehensive review of mining; 
1.3 	appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. COMPREHENSIVE MINING REVIEW; APPROPRIATIONS.
 1.6 	(a) $....... in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated to the commissioner of health to study the 
1.7 	potential health impacts of mining activity in the state, including impacts on water quality 
1.8 	and the health impacts on humans, fish, and wildlife that use impacted waters.
1.9 	(b) $....... in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated to the commissioner of management and 
1.10 	budget for a comprehensive review of the financial impacts of mining on the state, including:
1.11 	(1) an analysis of the financial health of mining companies, including the history of the 
1.12 	mining industry overall and individual mining companies;
1.13 	(2) indemnification; and
1.14 	(3) an assessment of the ability to ensure accountability of foreign companies.
1.15 	(c) $....... in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated to the commissioner of employment and 
1.16 	economic development for a study that estimates the impact of mining operations on state 
1.17 	employment, including:
1.18 	(1) the number of jobs created due to mining, including the duration of the jobs, wage 
1.19 	rates, and the number of Minnesotans and out-of-state people employed;
1.20 	(2) a review of the use of robots and other forms of mechanization used as a substitute 
1.21 	for human labor; and
2.1 	(3) an assessment of the condition of communities affected following the completion of 
2.2 	mining operations.
2.3 	(d) $....... in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated to the attorney general for an analysis of 
2.4 	the current permitting process for mining operations and its adequacy to address current 
2.5 	mining operations. This analysis must include:
2.6 	(1) a review of the process used for the permit to mine issued for the PolyMet operation;
2.7 	(2) a review of concerns regrading the need for a health assessment and recommendations 
2.8 	for updating the current process to address the concerns;
2.9 	(3) public hearings and a chance for public comment during various stages of the analysis; 
2.10 	and
2.11 	(4) recommendations and any statutory changes necessary to:
2.12 	(i) ensure that the permitting process includes a clear identification of lands and waters 
2.13 	to be affected;
2.14 	(ii) ensure the state retains the right to require operations to cease if the state determines 
2.15 	that a condition of a permit has been violated;
2.16 	(iii) ensure that the public's interests in the state's water, air, and lands are protected and 
2.17 	clearly articulated in statute; and
2.18 	(iv) clearly state the role of state government to provide stewardship to protect the state's 
2.19 	natural resources.
2.20 	The attorney general must consult with the state's Indian tribes throughout the stages of the 
2.21 	analysis.