HF 819

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 02/17/2025 02:48pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing the Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task
Force; providing appointments; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin MINNESOTA SUSTAINABLE FORAGING TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of natural resources must establish
the Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force to develop scientifically sound, data-driven
recommendations for foraging regulations on state lands that balance the need for ecological
sustainability with the right of Minnesotans to enjoy the state's bountiful natural resources
through foraging.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must establish the task force by September
1, 2025, which must include:
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new text begin (1) two members of the senate committee with jurisdiction over natural resources policy,
one appointed by the majority leader of the senate and one appointed by the minority leader
of the senate;
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new text begin (2) two members of the house of representatives committee with jurisdiction over natural
resources policy, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one
appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; and
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new text begin (3) the following 13 members appointed by the commissioner of natural resources:
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new text begin (i) two scientists with expertise in botany, ecology, and environmental science from
Minnesota universities;
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new text begin (ii) a representative of the Department of Natural Resources involved with managing
state parks and other public lands;
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new text begin (iii) two representatives of Indigenous communities with knowledge of traditional
foraging practices;
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new text begin (iv) two experts in food safety and public health;
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new text begin (v) one representative from the Minnesota Mycological Society;
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new text begin (vi) one representative from the Minnesota Foraging Alliance;
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new text begin (vii) one representative from a foraging advocacy group that represents one or more
underrepresented cultural groups;
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new text begin (viii) one representative from a small business teaching sustainable foraging practices;
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new text begin (ix) one representative from a conservation organization; and
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new text begin (x) one representative of an academic institution that conducts research on local
ecosystems, species recovery, and sustainable harvesting.
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new text begin (b) A member appointed under paragraph (a) may not be a registered lobbyist.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The task force must:
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new text begin (1) gather and review data on the impact of foraging on species resilience, ecosystem
health, and other aspects of Minnesota's diverse biomes;
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new text begin (2) review existing regulations governing foraging activities on state lands;
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new text begin (3) develop recommendations for science-based, data-driven foraging guidelines for
state lands that balance public access with conservation needs, setting limits on foraging
activities only where supported by data. The recommendations must be in the form of draft
statutory or rule language and must be consistent with Indigenous and other cultural practices
and traditions;
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new text begin (4) develop educational materials and recommendations for increasing public
understanding of sustainable foraging practices that include safety and ecological
considerations;
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new text begin (5) solicit public input, when appropriate; and
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new text begin (6) develop a permitting model that would include an option to pay for foraging permits
through volunteerism instead of through payment of a monetary fee.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin At its initial meeting, the task force must adopt a process for
rotating the chair at each meeting. The task force must meet at least monthly, and the
Department of Natural Resources must serve as staff to the task force.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Legislative recommendations; expiration. new text end

new text begin No later than December 1, 2026,
the task force must submit a written report containing its findings and recommendations to
the commissioner of natural resources and to the chairs and ranking minority members of
the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over natural resources policy. The
recommendations in the report must be specific and actionable. The task force expires
September 1, 2026, or upon submission of the report required by this subdivision, whichever
occurs later.
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