STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-THIRD SESSION
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
FINANCE AND POLICY MINUTES
Representative Rick Hansen, Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. on February 21, 2024, in Room 10 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
HANSEN, Rick (Chair)
JORDAN, Sydney (Vice Chair)
HEINTZEMAN, Josh (GOP Lead)
BLISS, Matt
BRAND, Jeff
BURKEL, John
EDELSON, Heather
FINKE, Leigh
FISCHER, Peter
GILLMAN, Dawn
JACOB, Steven
LEE, Fue
LISLEGARD, Dave
PURSELL, Kristi
SKRABA, Roger
VANG, Samantha
A quorum was present.
Representative Gillman moved to approve the minutes from February 20, 2024. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3389 (Pursell); Subsurface drain tile installation and modification reporting required.
Representative Pursell moved that HF3389 be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.
Representative Pursell moved to adopt the DE1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Pursell presented HF3389, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Amanda Bilek, Senior Public Policy Director, Minnesota Corn Growers Association
• Scott Gillespie, Citizen, Johnson, MN
• Brian Martinson, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Analyst, Association of Minnesota Counties
Representative Pursell renewed the motion that HF3389, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3385 (Pursell); Public waters definition modified.
Representative Pursell moved that HF3385 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Pursell presented HF3385.
Testifying on the bill:
• Carly Griffith, Water Program Director, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
• Peg Furshong, Director of Programs, CURE
• Scott Sparlin, Executive Director, Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River
• Jim Sehl, Citizen, Garvin, MN
• Joe Smentek, Executive Director, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association
• Brian Martinson, Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Analyst, Association of Minnesota Counties
• Randall Doneen, Conservation Assistance and Regulation Section Manager, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Representative Pursell renewed the motion that HF3385 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
Vice-Chair Jordan assumed the gavel at 3:38 P.M.
HF3550 (Hansen, R.); Watersheds, soil and water conservation districts, and wetland management provisions modified; wetland banking program and conservation easement programs modified; riparian protection and water quality jurisdiction clarified; control beaver damage grants eliminated; Board of Water and Soil Resources authority and duties modified; and money appropriated.
Chair Hansen moved that HF3550 be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Chair Hansen moved to adopt the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Hansen presented HF3550, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• John Jaschke, Executive Director, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
• Louis Smith, Lobbyist, Red River Watershed Management Board
• Sheila Vanney, Assistant Director, Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
• Brian Martinson, Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Analyst, Association of Minnesota Counties
• Don Armosti, Citizen, St. Paul, MN
• John Waller, Citizen, Hugo, MN
Chair Hansen renewed the motion that HF3550, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Hansen assumed the gavel at 4:01 P.M.
HF3200 (Jordan); Beverage container recycling refunds program established, civil and criminal penalties provided, reports required, and money appropriated.
Representative Jordan moved that HF3200 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Jordan moved to adopt the DE1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Jordan presented HF3200, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Kate Bailey, Lobbyist, Association of Plastic Recyclers
• Nicholas Hartse, Business Agent and Trustee, Teamsters Local 792
• Scott Breen, Lobbyist, Can Manufacturers Institute
• Tony Kwilas, Environmental Policy Director, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• Lucy Mullany, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Eureka
• Tim Wilkin, President, Minnesota Beverage Association
• Dylan de Thomas, Vice-President of Public Policy and Government Affairs, The Recycling Partnership
• Joel Carlson, Lobbyist, Minnesota Wine and Spirit Wholesalers
• Jennifer DeJournett, Advocate, Clean Water Action
• Brandt Erwin, President, Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association
• Kirk Koudelka, Assistant Commissioner for Land Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Tony Chesak, Executive Director, Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association
• Bruce Nustad, President, Minnesota Retailers Association
• Jill Sims, Director of Government Relations, Hospitality Minnesota
• Jamie Pfuhl, President, Minnesota Grocers Association
• David Ring, Lobbyist, Kwik Trip
Representative Jordan renewed the motion that HF3200, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
Chair Hansen announced the committee will not meet on February 27, 2024.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:39 P.M.
Representative Rick Hansen, Chair
Sam O’Neill, Committee Legislative Assistant