SF 4379

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/31/2022 08:38am

A bill for an act
relating to environment; appropriating money for research to analyze impact of
weather trends on agriculture, forests, and infrastructure; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MITIGATING EFFECTS OF PROJECTED
WEATHER TRENDS ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTS, AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of administration to contract with the Institute on the Environment at the University of
Minnesota to conduct research to determine how:
new text end

new text begin (1) projected future weather conditions in the state may exacerbate conditions such as
drought, elevated temperatures, and flooding to the point where the ability of natural systems
to mitigate those conditions is weakened; and
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new text begin (2) human intervention may be required to rectify the imbalance through changes in
design, operation, and scale of infrastructure and agricultural and forest management practices
in order to:
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new text begin (i) maintain and extend infrastructure lifespan and reduce infrastructure maintenance
and repair costs;
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new text begin (ii) maintain and increase the amount and quality of food and wood production;
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new text begin (iii) reduce fire risk on forested land;
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new text begin (iv) maintain and enhance water quality; and
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new text begin (v) maintain and enhance natural habitats.
new text end

new text begin (b) The contract must provide that, no later than February 1, 2024, the director of the
Institute on the Environment submit a written report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over environment policy
and capital investment summarizing the findings and recommendations of the research,
including any recommendations for legislation.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end