1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to the environment; modifying environmental review requirements; 
1.3 	providing for the award of costs in civil actions; amending Minnesota 
1.4 	Statutes 2004, sections 116B.03, by adding a subdivision; 116D.04, by adding 
1.5 	subdivisions.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 116B.03, is amended by adding a 
1.8 	subdivision to read:
1.9 		Subd. 6. Award of costs.  Upon motion of a party prevailing in an action under this 
1.10 	section, the court may award costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney fees and 
1.11 	witness fees to that party. 

1.12 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 116D.04, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.13 	to read:
1.14 		Subd. 4b.Responsible governmental unit redesignation. (a) A responsible 
1.15 	governmental unit that reasonably believes it is not fully capable of preparing an 
1.16 	environmental assessment worksheet on a proposed project may make a request to the 
1.17 	board that another responsible governmental unit prepare the assessment. 
1.18 	(b) The request must be made within seven days after receiving the project 
1.19 	proposer's submission of initial documents. 
1.20 	(c) The board, upon receiving a request, shall determine another responsible 
1.21 	governmental unit that has greater expertise to analyze the potential impacts of the project. 

1.22 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 116D.04, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.23 	to read:
2.1 		Subd. 14.Award of costs. Upon motion of a party prevailing in an action under 
2.2 	subdivision 13, the court may award costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney fees 
2.3 	and witness fees to that party. 

2.4 	Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.5 	Sections 1 to 3 are effective the day following final enactment.