HF 747

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/07/2019 04:28pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing Council of Environment and Natural
Resources Scientific Advisers; appropriating money; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [116.021] COUNCIL OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
SCIENTIFIC ADVISERS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The Council of Environment and Natural Resources
Scientific Advisers is established to provide guidance to the governor and other policy
makers, cross-agency scientific leadership, and scientific oversight of state agencies working
to protect the state's environment and natural resources.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The council must be appointed by the governor and include one
member representing each of the state's congressional districts and two members appointed
at-large. The governor may not appoint a registered lobbyist to the council. In making
appointments, the governor must appoint at least:
new text end

new text begin (1) one member with expertise in biology;
new text end

new text begin (2) one member with expertise in ecology;
new text end

new text begin (3) one member with expertise in chemistry; and
new text end

new text begin (4) one member with expertise in hydrology.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Terms; removal; vacancies; compensation. new text end

new text begin Except as provided in subdivision
4, members must be appointed to serve four-year staggered terms. Removal of members,
filling of vacancies, and compensation are as provided in section 15.059.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Initial appointments; convening authority; first meeting. new text end

new text begin The governor
must make appointments by January 2, 2020. In making initial appointments, the governor
must designate half of the appointees, including the two at-large members, to serve a term
ending January 3, 2022. The remaining appointees must serve an initial term ending January
1, 2024. The first meeting of the council must be held before January 15, 2020. The governor
must designate one member to convene and chair the first meeting. At its first meeting, the
council must elect a chair from among its members.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The council must:
new text end

new text begin (1) review the scientific methods, peer review process, and other aspects of the scientific
work of the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of
Health, Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources;
new text end

new text begin (2) initiate or recommend special studies where scientific research and analysis are
relevant to evaluation of public policy options; and
new text end

new text begin (3) provide public policy counsel at the request of the governor, commissioners of state
government, or the legislature.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin The Pollution Control Agency must provide staff and administrative
support to the council.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The council expires January 1, 2026.
new text end

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

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2020 and $....... in fiscal year 2021 are appropriated from the .... fund
to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency for the Council of Environment and
Natural Resources Scientific Advisers established in Minnesota Statutes, section 116.021.
new text end