HF 4313

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/21/2022 04:29pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing a highways for habitat program; requiring
a report; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 160.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [160.2325] HIGHWAYS FOR HABITAT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Integrated roadside vegetation management" means an approach to right-of-way
maintenance that combines a variety of techniques with sound ecological principles to
establish and maintain safe, healthy, and functional roadsides. Integrated roadside vegetation
management includes but is not limited to judicious use of herbicides, spot mowing,
biological control, prescribed burning, mechanical tree and brush removal, erosion prevention
and treatment, and prevention and treatment of other right-of-way disturbances.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Program" means the highways for habitat program established in this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must establish a highways for
habitat program to enhance roadsides with pollinator and other wildlife habitat and vegetative
buffers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin General requirements. new text end

new text begin In implementing the program, the commissioner must:
new text end

new text begin (1) identify and prioritize highways for habitat installations under an integrated roadside
vegetation management plan with priority given to new construction and reconstruction;
new text end

new text begin (2) develop and erect signage that identifies highways for habitat projects and clearly
marks the habitat and management restrictions;
new text end

new text begin (3) develop and require training for road authorities on the use of integrated roadside
vegetation management and native plant identification;
new text end

new text begin (4) assess, in consultation with the commissioners of natural resources and agriculture,
the categorization and management of noxious weeds to reduce the use of mowing and
pesticides;
new text end

new text begin (5) maintain a website that includes information on program implementation, integrated
roadside vegetation management, and related best management practices; and
new text end

new text begin (6) identify funding sources and develop proposals for ongoing funding for the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Management standards. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the
commissioner of natural resources and the Board of Water and Soil Resources, must develop
standards and best management practices for integrated roadside vegetation management
plans under the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) The standards and best management practices must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) guidance on seed and vegetation selection based on the Board of Water and Soil
Resources' native vegetation establishment and enhancement guidelines;
new text end

new text begin (2) requirements for roadside vegetation management protocols that use the least toxic
methods first;
new text end

new text begin (3) restrictions on broadcast herbicide spraying and mowing that are designed to avoid
habitat destruction and protect nesting birds and pollinators; and
new text end

new text begin (4) identification of appropriate right-of-way areas for wildflower propagation.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; REPORT.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of transportation for the highways for habitat program under Minnesota Statutes, section
160.2325. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2024. This
appropriation may be used to match federal funds made available for this purpose.
new text end

new text begin (b) By January 15, 2025, the commissioner of transportation must submit a report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with
jurisdiction over transportation and the environment and natural resources on the
implementation of the highways for habitat program and the expenditure of the appropriation
in this section.
new text end