Reauthorization of environmental trust fund will be put to Minnesota voters in 2024

Minnesota voters will again be asked if they want to dedicate state lottery proceeds to the environment – a question answered with a resounding “yes” several times in the past 45 years.

The question to be asked at the 2024 general election is: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to protect drinking water sources and the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams; conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas; improve air quality; and expand access to parks and trails by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the environment and natural resources trust fund, and to dedicate the proceeds for these purposes?”

A positive response from voters will ensure at least 40% of the net lottery proceeds will go to the environment and natural resources trust fund through Dec. 31, 2050. The current authorization ends in 2025. Other changes to the constitution would include 7% of the trust fund’s market value could be spent each biennium instead of the 5.5% currently allowed; and trust fund money could not be used to pay off bonds or build, upgrade or operate wastewater facilities.

If the constitutional amendment is approved by the voters, other statutory changes would take effect:

• 1.5% of the trust fund’s market value would be statutorily appropriated beginning July 1, 2025 for purposes of a community grant program to help organizations that may not have the resources to navigate a complicated application process or that might need money upfront rather than the reimbursement system now in use; and

• an 11-member Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Community Grant Advisory Council would be established to provide recommendations to the legislature for improving the community grant program and advise the Department of Natural Resources in implementing the program, including development of forms and applications. At least four members of the council would be from tribal nations and four would come from communities of color.

Rep. Athena Hollins (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. Foung Hawj (DFL-St. Paul) sponsor the law.

HF1900*/SF2404/CH67

HF1900* / SF2404 / CH67