STATE OF MINNESOTA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SIXTEENTH MEETING
NINETY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee Minutes
Representative Peter Fischer, Co-Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Hearing Room G3 of the Minnesota Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present
FISCHER, Peter, DFL Co-Chair
HEINTZEMAN, Josh, GOP Co-Chair
PURSELL, Kristi, DFL Co-Vice Chair
BURKEL, John, GOP Co-Vice Chair
FALCONER, Alex
FINKE, Leigh
GILLMAN, Dawn
GOTTFRIED, David
HANSEN, Rick
JACOB, Steven
JORDAN, Sydney
NELSON, Nathan
SCHULTZ, Isaac
WARWAS, Cal
A quorum was present.
Co-Vice Chair Pursell moved to approve the minutes for April 1, 2025. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF2419 (Tabke) Life jackets for children aboard watercraft required to have reflective material.
Co-Chair Fischer moved that HF2419 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.
Co-Chair Fischer moved H2419A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Tabke presented HF2419, as amended.
Testifying on HF2419, as amended:
• Jeff Pilgrim, Pilgrim Paddles LLC
• Col. Rodmen Smith, Enforcement Division Director, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
HF2419, as amended, was laid over.
HF2602 (Vang) Replacement seedlings appropriation modified and extended.
Co-Chair Fischer moved that HF2602 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.
Representative Vang presented HF2602.
Testifying on HF2602:
• Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR
• Felipe Illescas, Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association
HF2602 was laid over.
HF2620 (Finke) Emerald ash borer response and community tree-planting grants funding provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Finke moved that HF2620 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.
Representative Finke presented HF2620.
Testifying on HF2620:
• Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR
HF 2620 was laid over.
HF 2621 (Finke) Community tree-planting grants funding provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Finke moved that HF2621 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.
Representative Finke presented HF2621.
HF2621 was laid over.
HF2861 (Curran) Groundwater management areas and comprehensive planning provided, and money appropriated.
Co-Chair Fischer moved that HF2861 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.
Representative Curran presented HF2861.
HF2861 was laid over.
HF820 (Jordan) Chippewa Bands authorized to establish open seasons for big game in accordance with 1854 treaty, and money appropriated.
Representative Jordan moved that HF820 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.
Representative Jordan moved the H0820A1 amendment.
Testifying on H0820A1:
• Reid LeBeau
Representative Jordan moved to amend the H0820A1 amendment as follows:
After line 1.3, insert “Page 1, delete sections 2 and 3”
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE ORAL AMENDMENT WAS INCORPORATED.
Representative Jordan renewed the motion to adopt the H0820A1 amendment, as amended. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifying on HF820, as amended:
• Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR
• Reid LeBeau
HF820, as amended, was laid over.
Co-Vice Chair Pursell assumed the gavel at 2:04 PM.
HF3007 (Fischer) Evaluation and permitting of projects requiring large water appropriations provided.
Co-Chair Fischer moved that HF3007 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.
Co-Chair Fischer moved the H3007A2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Fischer presented HF3007, as amended.
Testifying on HF3007, as amended:
• Sarah Mooradian, CURE
• Darin Broton, Minnesota AgriGrowth Council
• Andrew Morley, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• Michelle Benson, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• Julia Nerbonne, Minnesota Inter-Faith Power and Light
• Patty O’Keefe, Vote Solar
• Aaron Klemz, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
• Katie Smith, Ecological and Water Resources Division Director, DNR
• Craig Johnson, League of Minnesota Cities
HF3007, as amended, was laid over.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:29 PM.
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Representative Peter Fischer, Co-Chair
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Jared Margolis, DFL Committee Legislative Assistant