ST. PAUL – State Representative Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) has been elected by a bipartisan group of lawmakers to serve as co-chair of the Minnesota Legislative Water Commission.
“It is an honor to be chosen for this job, and I look forward to working with Minnesota residents on specific water issues,” Torkelson said.
The Legislative Water Commission was re-established into law last year. 12 lawmakers: three House Republicans, three House Democrats, three Senate Republicans, and three Senate Democrats, comprise the group. State Senator Bev Scalze (DFL-Little Canada) will co-chair with Rep. Torkelson.
Torkelson said most lawmakers don’t have the time to learn details about water problems taking place across Minnesota, and said he looks forward to investigating these issues and reporting the findings back to his colleagues.
The Legislative Water Commission reviews water policy reports and recommendations of the Environmental Quality Board, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, the Department of Natural Resources, the Metropolitan Council, the Clean Water Council and other water-related reports as may be required by law or the legislature