Bill > HF821

This bill provides $3,866,000 in funding for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture specifically for addressing nitrate contamination in private drinking water wells in eight southeastern Minnesota counties: Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona. The funding can be used for multiple mitigation strategies including reverse osmosis treatment, well repair, and well reconstruction for private wells that exceed the maximum nitrate contaminant level of ten milligrams per liter. The bill prioritizes assistance for households at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty guideline and households with infants or pregnant individuals. The commissioner is also authorized to use the funds for educational outreach and technical assistance to homeowners, and can transfer money to the Commissioner of Health to help establish and administer the well mitigation program. Additionally, the bill allows the Commissioner of Agriculture to use up to 6.5 percent of the appropriation for administrative costs, which is an exception to standard state spending guidelines.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0821&ssn=0&y=2025