STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-FOURTH 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 2:59 P.M. on March 26, 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)
BRAND, Jeff
BURKEL, John
EDELSON, Heather
FINKE, Leigh
FISCHER, Peter
JACOB, Steven
LEE, Fue
LISLEGARD, Dave
PURSELL, Kristi
SKRABA, Roger
VANG, Samantha
Members Excused:
BLISS, Matt
GILLMAN, Dawn
A quorum was present.
Representative Jordan moved to approve minutes with a technical correction from March 22, 2024. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3705 (Fischer); Installation of permeable synthetic turf added to best management practices to control stormwater runoff.
Representative Fischer moved that HF3705 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Fischer presented HF3705.
Testifying on the bill:
• Troy Johnson, President, ForeverLawnMN
• Rebecca Wardell Gaertner, Member, Coalition for Plastic Reduction; Trained Steward, Minnesota Master Water Steward
• Brandon Smith, Legislative Coordinator, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Representative Fischer renewed the motion that HF3705 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
HF4181 (Lislegard); All-terrain vehicle trails funding provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Lislegard moved that HF4181 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Lislegard moved to adopt the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Lislegard presented HF4181, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Ron Potter, President, ATV Association of Minnesota
• Chris Rokke, Vice President, Twig Area Trail Riders ATV Club
• Nick Wognum, President, Prospector ATV Club
• Dave Clevenger, Vice President, ATV Minnesota
Representative Lislegard renewed the motion that HF4181, 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.
HF2791 (Pursell); Land, water quality, aquatic life, and wildlife protected from effects of using motorized recreational trails; environmental assessment worksheet required to construct or expand off-highway vehicle trails; and rulemaking required.
Representative Pursell moved that HF2791 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Pursell moved to adopt the DE4 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Pursell presented HF2791, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Susan Schubert, Member, Minnesota Public Lands Coalition
• Bruce Anderson, Member, Minnesota Public Lands Coalition
• Dr. John Nieber, Hydrology Professor, University of Minnesota
• Geof Salmos, Legislative Manager, MN4WD
• Karen Umphress, Government Relations Officer, Amateur Motorcycle Riders Association
• Tom Umphress, Government Relations Officer, Amateur Motorcycle Riders Association
• Ron Potter, President, ATV Association of Minnesota
• Tim Spreck, Lobbyist, Minnesota Trappers Association
• Erik Simonson, Lobbyist, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association
• Kory Cease, Land Commissioner, Itasca County, Minnesota
• Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Karen Brahm, Resident, Eagle’s Nest Township, Minnesota
Representative Pursell renewed the motion that HF2791, 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.
HF2796 (Brand); River Watch program funding provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Brand moved that HF2796 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Brand moved to adopt the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Brand presented HF2796, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Ted Suss, Executive Director, Friends of the Minnesota Valley
Representative Brand renewed the motion that HF2796, 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.
HF5084 (Dotseth); General C.C. Andrews State Nursery reopening report required.
Representative Heintzeman moved that HF5084 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Dotseth presented HF5084.
Testifying on the bill:
• Dough Tillma, Section Manager, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division
Representative Heintzeman renewed the motion that HF5084 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 4:29 P.M.
Representative Rick Hansen, Chair
Sam O’Neill, Committee Legislative Assistant