STATE OF MINNESOTA EIGHTEENTH 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 2:59 P.M. on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 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
GILLMAN, Dawn
JACOB, Steven
LEE, Fue
LISLEGARD, Dave
PURSELL, Kristi
SCHULTZ, Isaac
SKRABA, Roger
VANG, Samantha
A quorum was present.
Representative Pursell moved to approve the minutes from Tuesday, March 14, 2023. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF1828 (Hansen); Water and soil conservation provisions modified.
Chair Hansen moved that HF1828 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Chair Hansen moved to adopt the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Hansen presented HF1828, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• John Jaschke, Executive Director, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
• Sheila Vanney, Assistant Director, Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservations Districts
Chair Hansen renewed the motion that HF1828, 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.
HF2774 (Hansen); Sustainable Forest Resources Act extended.
Chair Hansen moved that HF2774 be re-referred to the General Register.
Chair Hansen HF2774 presented HF2774.
Testifying on the bill:
• None
Chair Hansen renewed the motion that HF2774, be re-referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Hansen assumed the gavel at 3:15 P.M.
HF2693 (Hollins); Zero-waste grant program established, reports required, and money appropriated.
Chair Hansen moved that HF2693 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Representative Hollins presented HF2693.
Testifying on the bill:
• Lucy Mullany, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Eureka Recycling
• Emily Barker, Executive Director, Reuse Minnesota
• Marcus Mills, Organizing Coordinator, Community Power
• Doug Carnival, Lobbyist, National Waste and Recycling Association
• Maria Jensen, Environment, Health, and Safety Advocate, Repowered
• Kirk Koudelka, Assistant Commissioner of Land Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Chair Hansen renewed the motion that HF2693 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 3:36 P.M.
HF2368 (Hansen); Minnesota Swan Protection Act established, swan resting areas designation allowed, criminal penalties provided, rulemaking required, and money appropriated.
Chair Hansen moved that HF2368 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Chair Hansen moved to adopt the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Hansen presented HF2368, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Carrol Henderson, Retired Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Nongame Wildlife Program Supervisor
• Dawn Tanner, Conservation Biologist, University of Minnesota
• Dr. Dale Gentry, Conservation Manager, Audubon Minnesota
• Tom Johnson, Government Relations Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Katie Smith, Director, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Ecological and Water Resources Division
Chair Hansen renewed the motion that HF2368, 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.
HF2761 (Hansen); Monitoring of biofuel, air emissions, wastewater, and coproducts for presence of chemicals required; voluntary biomonitoring of biofuel plant employees provided; and money appropriated.
Chair Hansen moved that HF2761 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.
Chair Hansen moved to adopt the A2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Hansen presented HF2761, as amended.
Testifying on the bill:
• Brian Werner, Executive Director, Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association
• Joe Smentek, Executive Director, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association
• Chris Cowen, Lobbyist, Pesticide Action Network
Chair Hansen renewed the motion that HF2761, 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.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:37 P.M.
Representative Rick Hansen, Chair
Sam O’Neill, Committee Legislative Assistant