1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; appropriating money to prepare feasibility study on 
1.3 	voluntarily merging soil and water conservation districts and watershed districts.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR MERGING SOIL AND WATER 
1.6 	CONSERVATION DISTRICTS AND WATERSHED DISTRICTS; 
1.7 	APPROPRIATION.
 1.8 	$....... in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the Board of Water 
1.9 	and Soil Resources to prepare, in consultation with soil and water conservation districts, 
1.10 	watershed districts, and other local units of government, a feasibility study on voluntarily 
1.11 	merging soil and water conservation districts and watershed districts that have completed 
1.12 	a plan under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.801. By January 15, 2022, the board must 
1.13 	submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives 
1.14 	and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources 
1.15 	policy and finance with the study and any recommendations for legislation necessary for 
1.16 	implementation. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2022.