HF 5154

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/25/2024 02:51pm

A bill for an act
relating to capital investment; establishing a metropolitan shade tree grant program;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 473.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [473.352] METROPOLITAN SHADE TREE PROGRAM.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Local government" means a statutory or home rule charter city, county, town, or
park and recreation board in a city of the first class. A local government must be located in
the metropolitan area.
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new text begin (c) "Shade tree" means a woody perennial grown primarily for aesthetic or environmental
purposes with minimal to residual timber value.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin (a) The council shall make grants to local governments for the removal
and the planting of shade trees on public land for one or more of the following purposes:
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new text begin (1) to provide environmental benefits;
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new text begin (2) to replace trees lost to forest pests, disease, or storm; or
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new text begin (3) to establish a more diverse community forest better able to withstand disease and
forest pests.
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new text begin (b) A grant under this section may be made in an amount up to 50 percent of the cost
for the removal and the planting of shade trees.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Priority; emerald ash borer. new text end

new text begin The council must give priority to grant requests
to remove and replace trees with active infestations of emerald ash borer.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Species requirement. new text end

new text begin Any tree planted with money granted through the program
in this section must be a climate-adapted species to Minnesota.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Cancellation. new text end

new text begin If a grant is awarded to a local government and funds are not
encumbered for the grant within four years after the award date, the grant must be canceled.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2024.
new text end