Bill > HF1250

This bill appropriates approximately $168.5 million from Minnesota's Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, primarily focusing on conservation, habitat restoration, and land acquisition across various ecosystems including prairies, forests, wetlands, and other critical habitats. The bill allocates funds through multiple subdivisions: $34.2 million for prairie conservation, $20.4 million for forest habitat, $29.7 million for wetland protection, and $82.2 million for general habitat restoration and enhancement. A significant portion of the funding will be distributed through competitive grants to local, regional, and national organizations, with specific requirements such as matching funds and prioritizing first-time applicants and metropolitan area projects. The bill also adds a new provision to Minnesota statutes allowing lands acquired through the Outdoor Heritage Fund to be used for leveraging federal conservation grant funds from programs like Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration, without requiring prior review from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The appropriations are generally available until June 30, 2029-2033, depending on the specific type of project, and are intended to support public land acquisition, habitat restoration, and wildlife conservation efforts across Minnesota.

Budget and Finance

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1250&ssn=0&y=2025