Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

SF 1676

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/03/2017 09:01am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - as introduced

Line numbers 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6
1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4
2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8
2.9 2.10
2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying prairie and grasslands public grazing
program; requiring fencing on certain lands; appropriating money; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 84.972; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 84.972, is amended to read:


84.972 PRAIRIE AND GRASSLANDS PUBLIC GRAZING PROGRAM.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner of natural resources shall establish a prairie and grasslands public
grazing program. The commissioner shall enter into cooperative farming agreements or
lease agreements with livestock owners to annually graze prairie and grasslands administered
by the commissioner where grazing will enhance wildlife habitat. The commissioner shall
maintainnew text begin , on the department's Web site,new text end a list of lands grazed under the program describing
the location, acreage, and years grazed. The program shall have a goal of being financially
self-sufficient. Unless otherwise provided by law, revenues received under this section shall
be deposited in the game and fish fund and are appropriated to the commissioner for purposes
of the program.

new text begin (b) Fencing requirements for public prairie and grasslands included in the grazing program
established by the commissioner must follow the guidelines established by the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service for public prairie and grazing programs.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must annually increase the amount of public prairie and grassland
acres grazed by 15 percent.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner must submit an annual report on public prairie and grassland acres
grazed under this section to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture and the environment and natural
resources by January 15 each year.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [84.9725] PRAIRIE AND GRASSLAND FENCING REQUIRED.
new text end

new text begin Prairie and grasslands acquired in whole or in part with state money must be fenced
according to the guidelines provided under section 84.972, paragraph (b), before being
transferred to the commissioner of natural resources.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017, and applies to lands acquired
with money appropriated on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $100,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $100,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of natural resources to implement the prairie and grasslands
public grazing program under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.972.
new text end