as introduced - 79th Legislature (1995 - 1996) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to natural resources; reinvest in Minnesota 1.3 program purpose and administration; amending Minnesota 1.4 Statutes 1994, section 84.95; repealing Minnesota 1.5 Statutes 1994, section 88.80. 1.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 84.95, is 1.8 amended to read: 1.9 84.95 [REINVEST IN MINNESOTA RESOURCES PROGRAM AND FUND.] 1.10 Subdivision 1. [PROGRAM PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION.] The 1.11 reinvest in Minnesota resources program is established to 1.12 increase the reinvestment of state, local government, and 1.13 private funds to conserve and restore fish and wildlife habitat 1.14 and native plant communities, improve water quality, and 1.15 increase fish and wildlife oriented recreation opportunities in 1.16 the state. The department of natural resources shall be the 1.17 lead agency for sections 84.943, 84.944, and 84.96, and the 1.18 board of water and soil resources shall coordinate the program 1.19 activities under section 103F.511 to 103F.535. 1.20 Subd. 2. [PROGRAM FUND; ESTABLISHMENT.] A reinvest in 1.21 Minnesota resources fund is created as a separate fund in the 1.22 state treasury. The fund shall be managed to earn the highest 1.23 interest compatible with prudent investment, preservation of 1.24 principal, and reasonable liquidity. The principal and interest 1.25 attributable to the principal shall remain in the fund until 2.1 spent. Proceeds of state bonds issued for purposes of the fund 2.2 shall be segregated in a special account and disbursed only for 2.3 capital costs of the acquisition and betterment of public land 2.4 and easements in land and improvements in land for which the 2.5 proceeds are appropriated. 2.6 Subd.23. [PURPOSES AND EXPENDITURES.] Moneyfrom2.7 appropriated or donated to the reinvest in Minnesotaresources2.8fundprogram may only be spent for the following fish and 2.9 wildlife conservation enhancement purposes: 2.10 (1) development and implementation of the comprehensive 2.11 fish and wildlife management plan under section 84.942; 2.12 (2) implementation of the conservation reserve program 2.13 established by section 103F.515; 2.14 (3) soil and water conservation practices to improve water 2.15 quality, reduce soil erosion and crop surpluses; 2.16 (4) enhancement or restoration of fish and wildlife habitat 2.17 on lakes, streams, wetlands, and public and privateforest2.18 lands; 2.19 (5) acquisition and development of publicaccess sites2.20 lands and recreation easements to lakes, streams, and rivers for 2.21 fish and wildlife oriented recreation; 2.22 (6) matching funds with government agencies, federally 2.23 recognized Indian tribes and bands, and the private sector for 2.24 acquisition and improvement of fish and wildlife habitat; 2.25 (7) research and surveys of fish and wildlife species and 2.26 habitat; 2.27 (8) enforcement of natural resource laws and rules; 2.28 (9) information and education; 2.29 (10)implementing the aspen recycling program under section2.3088.80 and for otherforest wildlife management projects on 2.31 public and private lands; and 2.32 (11) necessary support services to carry out these purposes. 2.33 Subd.34. [WORK PLAN.]By February 1 of each yearThe 2.34 commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with the 2.35commissioner of agricultureboard, mustpresent atransmit 2.36 written workplan forplans and status reports, in formats 3.1 required by legislative commissions, on the expenditure of money 3.2fromappropriated to the reinvest in Minnesota resourcesfund3.3for the next fiscal yearprogram to the senate and house 3.4 committees on agriculture and environment and natural resources 3.5 for their review and comment.Any recommendations to the3.6commissioners by the committees must be returned to the3.7commissioners by March 15. By April 30 of each year the3.8commissioner must make the work plan, with any revisions,3.9available to the public for comment. In so doing, the3.10commissioner must hold at least three public meetings to inform3.11the public of the work plan; one meeting to be held in the Twin3.12Cities metropolitan area, the others at non-Twin Cities3.13locations, one each in northern and southern Minnesota. By3.14January 15 of each year,The commissioner mustprepare a written3.15progress report on projects undertaken and money encumbered3.16during the fiscal year just ended, and must transmit the report3.17to the above committees andmake the work plans and status 3.18 report available to the public. 3.19 Sec. 2. [REPEALER.] 3.20 Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 88.80, is repealed.