1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; exempting environmental learning centers from 
1.3 	certain space requirements;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 84.0875.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 84.0875, is amended to read:
1.6 	84.0875 ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTERS.
1.7 	(a) The commissioner may acquire and better, or make grants to counties, home 
1.8 	rule charter or statutory cities, or school districts to acquire and better, residential 
1.9 	environmental learning centers where students may learn how to use, preserve, and 
1.10 	renew the natural resources of this state. A facility and reasonable access to it must be 
1.11 	owned by the state or a political subdivision but may be leased to or managed by a 
1.12 	nonprofit organization to carry out an environmental learning program established by the 
1.13 	commissioner. The lease or management agreement must comply with the requirements 
1.14 	of section 16A.695 and must provide for the procurement of liability insurance by the 
1.15 	nonprofit organization. A nonprofit organization that is operating an environmental 
1.16 	learning center under this section is a municipality for purposes of the liability limitations 
1.17 	of section 466.04 while acting within the scope of these activities. 
1.18 	(b) Residential environmental learning centers are not subject to the space 
1.19 	requirements under Minnesota Rules, part 4625.0900.

1.20 	Sec. 2. EFFECT ON RULES.
 1.21 	The commissioner of health shall amend Minnesota Rules, part 4625.0900, to 
1.22 	conform with Minnesota Statutes, section 84.0875, paragraph (b). The commissioner 
1.23 	may use the good cause exemption in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, 
2.1 	clause (3), and Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided 
2.2 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.

2.3 	Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.4 	Sections 1 and 2 are effective the day following final enactment.