HF 4459

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/16/2020 09:56am

A bill for an act
relating to capital investment; appropriating money for wetland replacement credits
for local government roads; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.

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

Section 1. new text begin LOCAL ROAD WETLAND REPLACEMENT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $10,000,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds
fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire wetland banking credits to replace
wetlands drained or filled as a result of repairing, reconstructing, replacing, or rehabilitating
existing public roads as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.222, subdivision 1,
paragraph (m). The board may vary the priority order of Minnesota Statutes, section
103G.222, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), to implement the wetland replacement program
when consistent with the watershed approach of section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act.
The purchase price paid for acquiring wetland credits must be determined by the board. The
board may enter into agreements with the federal government, other state agencies, political
subdivisions, nonprofit organizations, fee title owners, or other qualified private entities to
acquire wetland replacement credits in accordance with Minnesota Rules, chapter 8420. Of
this appropriation, up to $5,000,000 is available to develop the required elements of an
in-lieu fee wetland mitigation program in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
103G.2242, subdivision 3, and up to $5,000,000 is available for mitigation easement
stewardship in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.103, subdivision 3.
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 $10,000,000 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