SF 1564

1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:22am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing parks and trails legacy grant program;
establishing the parks and trails advisory task force; providing appointments;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 85.53.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 85.53, is amended to read:

85.53 PARKS AND TRAILS FUND.

Subdivision 1.

Fund established.

The parks and trails fund is established in the
Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 15. All money earned by the parks and trails
fund must be credited to the fund.

Subd. 2.

Parks and trails legacy grant program.

(a) The commissioner of natural
resources shall establish a grant program according to this subdivision to assist eligible
units of local government in acquiring, developing, improving, and restoring park and
trail lands of regional or statewide significance. For purposes of this subdivision, "eligible
units of local government" means any of the following located outside the metropolitan
area, as defined under section 473.121, subdivision 2:

(1) counties, statutory or home rule charter cities, and towns;

(2) organizations formed for the joint exercise of powers under section 471.59; and

(3) other special purpose districts or authorities exercising authority in parks or trails
related land resources management at the local level.

(b) Twenty-four percent of the money annually deposited in the parks and trails fund
must be allocated for the grant program under this subdivision. Of this amount, one
percent of the annual allocation, up to an accumulated total of $10,000,000, must be
reserved for emergency acquisition of qualifying lands, as defined by the commissioner
under paragraph (e). Grants awarded under this subdivision are supplemental to traditional
sources of funding and must not supplant traditional sources of funding, including, but not
limited to, funding from the environment and natural resources trust fund, general fund,
bond fund, and federal land and water conservation fund.

(c) Use of grants under this subdivision must be for projects of a capital nature.
Recipients of grants must provide a nonstate match of at least 25 percent of total eligible
project costs. An eligible match may be cash or in-kind services. The commissioner
shall make payment to a grant recipient upon receipt of documentation of reimbursable
expenditures.

(d) The commissioner shall determine priorities for awarding grants based on the
state comprehensive outdoor recreation plan. The commissioner shall consult with an
advisory task force to assist in establishing priorities under this paragraph. The advisory
task force must include:

(1) five members appointed by the Association of Minnesota Counties, representing
statewide geographic balance;

(2) three members appointed by the League of Minnesota Cities, representing
statewide geographic balance;

(3) one member of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the
house;

(4) one member of the senate, appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the
Rules and Administration Committee; and

(5) one member appointed by the governor.

The public task force members serve two-year terms without compensation except that
expenses may be reimbursed as provided in section 15.059. Legislative members serve
at the pleasure of their appointing authorities. The task force shall elect a chair from
its membership. The commissioner shall provide the task force with staff support and
meeting space. Notwithstanding section 15.059, the task force expires June 30, 2013.

(e) The commissioner is exempt from the rulemaking process under chapter 14 for
purposes of the grant program under this subdivision and section 14.386 does not apply to
implementation of the grant program. The commissioner may:

(1) specify criteria for eligibility for grants under this subdivision;

(2) define qualifying lands for purposes of emergency acquisition; and

(3) administer the grant program under this subdivision.

Sec. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PARKS AND TRAILS LEGACY GRANT
PROGRAM TASK FORCE.

The appointing authorities under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.53, subdivision
2, paragraph (d), shall complete their appointments no later than August 1, 2009. The
commissioner of natural resources shall convene the first meeting of the task force no
later than September 1, 2009. The task force shall select its chair from among the public
members at the first meeting.