Bill > SF1736

This bill modifies the structure and membership of the Clean Water Council, changing its primary function from advising on water quality implementation to making recommendations to the legislature about appropriations from the clean water fund. The bill reduces the council's membership from 17 to approximately 12 voting members, replacing the previous detailed representation (which included specific organizational representatives) with one member from each congressional district and two at-large members. Members must now have expertise in science, water quality, or hydrology, and cannot be registered lobbyists or legislators. The council's responsibilities are refined to focus on recommending how clean water fund money should be spent, with an emphasis on protecting and restoring water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams, and ensuring at least 5% of funds are used to protect drinking water sources. The bill also requires the council to submit biennial reports to the legislature that include a summary of fund expenditures, recommendations for future spending, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of past appropriations. Additionally, the bill removes previous provisions related to implementation planning and public education strategies, streamlining the council's role to be more focused on strategic funding recommendations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1736&ssn=0&y=2025