Bill > SF2865

This bill appropriates a total of $407,511,000 from various legacy funds for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage initiatives. * **Outdoor Heritage Fund:** $162,886,000 is appropriated for projects focused on prairies, forests, wetlands, and other habitats. This includes land acquisition, restoration, and enhancement activities managed by the Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and various conservation organizations like Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and The Nature Conservancy. Specific projects target wildlife management areas, native prairie restoration, and riparian buffers. * **Clean Water Fund:** $303,926,000 is appropriated for initiatives aimed at improving water quality. This funding is allocated to the Department of Agriculture for pesticide monitoring and best management practices ($16,075,000), the Pollution Control Agency for surface and groundwater quality assessments and wastewater/stormwater management ($49,203,000), the Department of Natural Resources for stream flow monitoring and watershed strategies ($28,800,000), the Board of Water and Soil Resources for watershed-based plans and water quality projects ($114,336,000), the Department of Health for drinking water safety and source protection ($30,140,000), the Metropolitan Council for water supply planning and demand reduction ($4,150,000), the University of Minnesota for geological atlases and stormwater best practices ($2,400,000), the Public Facilities Authority for wastewater treatment grants and loans ($16,540,000), and the Legislature for website maintenance ($7,000). * **Parks and Trails Fund:** $130,168,000 is appropriated for the development, maintenance, and enhancement of state and regional parks and trails. This includes funding for the Department of Natural Resources for state parks, recreation areas, and trails ($68,316,000), and for the Metropolitan Council for regional parks and trails ($51,517,000). Grants are also provided to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission ($1,179,000). * **Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund:** $180,000,000 is appropriated to support arts, arts education, arts access, and the preservation of Minnesota's history and cultural heritage. This funding is distributed to the Minnesota State Arts Board for grants to artists and arts organizations ($84,558,000), the Minnesota Historical Society for historical grants and programs ($33,774,000), the Department of Education for library system grants ($5,846,000), the Department of Administration for grants to various organizations including public radio, public television, zoos, and museums ($20,432,000), the Minnesota Zoo ($3,640,000), the Minnesota Humanities Center for programs and grants ($27,065,000), and the Indian Affairs Council for Dakota and Ojibwe language and cultural programs ($4,060,000). Additional appropriations are made to the Department of Agriculture for county fair grants ($704,000) and FFA activities ($500,000), and the Legislative Coordinating Commission for website maintenance ($5,000).