STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-EIGHTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-THIRD SESSION
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
FINANCE AND POLICY MINUTES
Representative Sydney Jordan, Vice Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. on March 6, 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 Finke moved to approve the technical changes to the minutes from February 28, 2024. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Burkel moved to approve the minutes from March 5, 2024. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3455 (Norris); Citizen oversight committees modified, and report required.
Representative Jordan moved that HF3455 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Jordan moved to adopt the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Norris presented HF3455, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Pat Rivers, Deputy Director, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife
• Greg Kvale, Policy Chair, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
• Gary Drotts, Member, WMA/AMA Stewardship Network
• Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Representative Jordan renewed the motion that HF3455, 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.
HF3596 (Vang); Natural resources; rulemaking authority clarified.
Representative Vang moved that HF3596 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Vang presented HF3596.
Testifying on the bill:
• Melissa Kuskie, Deputy Director, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Ecological and Water Resources
• Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates
• Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Representative Vang renewed the motion that HF3596 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
Representative Vang assumed the gavel at 3:24 P.M.
HF3731 (Jordan); Recovering waste heat from wastewater provided.
Representative Jordan moved that HF3731 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Jordan moved to adopt the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Jordan presented HF3731, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Michael Auger, Senior Vice President, Ever-Green Energy
Representative Jordan renewed the motion that HF3731, 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.
HF3417 (Jordan); Environment; waste composition studies required.
Representative Jordan moved that HF3417 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Jordan presented HF3417.
Testifying on the bill:
• Kirk Koudelka, Assistant Commissioner for Land Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Brian Martinson, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Analyst, Association of Minnesota Counties
Representative Jordan renewed the motion that HF3417 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
Representative Jordan assumed the gavel at 3:40 P.M.
HF3738 (Lee, F.); Community tree planting grants funding provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Lee moved that HF3738 be re-referred to the Committee on Capital Investment.
Representative Lee moved to adopt the DE3 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Lee presented HF3738, as amended.
Representative Hansen assumed the gavel at 3:42 P.M.
Testifying on the bill:
• Roxxanne O’Brien, Executive Director, Community Members for Environment Justice
• Pierce Hastings, Organizer, Parks and Power
• Erin Bogle, Director of Community Relations, Metro Bloom
• Mitchel Hansen, Community Outreach Director, Harrison Neighborhood Association
• Roxxanne O’Brien on behalf of Felicia Perry, Organizer, Parks and Power
Representative Lee renewed the motion that HF3738, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Capital Investment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF945 (Fischer); Trapping without permission prohibited on private lands.
Representative Fischer moved that HF945 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Fischer moved to adopt the DE2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Fischer presented HF945, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Gary Leistico, Lobbyist, Minnesota Trappers Association
• Pat Rivers, Deputy Director, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife
• Maureen Hackett, MD, President and Founder, Howling for Wolves
Representative Fischer renewed the motion that HF945, 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.
HF3320 (Kraft); Boat wrap product stewardship program established to promote recycling.
Chair Hansen moved that HF3320 be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce Finance and Policy.
Chair Hansen moved to adopt the DE2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Kraft presented HF3320, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Avonna Starck, State Director, Clean Water Action
• Kirk Koudelka, Assistant Commissioner for Land Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Elan Rochell-Share, Member, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates
Chair Hansen renewed the motion that HF3320, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce Finance and Policy. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3566 (Hollins); Electronic waste collection and recycling program established, accounts created, report required, and money appropriated.
Representative Jordan moved that HF3566 be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce Finance and Policy.
Chair Hansen moved to adopt the DE3 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Hollins presented HF3566, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Maria Jensen, Recycling Electronics for Climate Action
• Tony Kwilas, Director of Environmental Policy, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• Brian Martinson, Lobbyist, Solid Waste Administrators Association
• Sarah Psick, CTIA Wireless Association
• Amber Backhaus, National Waste and Recycling Association
Chair Hansen renewed the motion that HF3566, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce Finance and Policy. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Jordan assumed the gavel at 5:16 P.M.
HF3911 (Hansen, R.); Grant terms modified for a previous appropriation for a grant to Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center.
Chair Hansen moved that HF3911 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Chair Hansen presented HF3911.
Testifying on the bill:
• Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates
Chair Hansen renewed the motion that HF3911 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:23 P.M.
Representative Rick Hansen, Chair
Sam O’Neill, Committee Legislative Assistant