Bill > HF2563

This bill appropriates a total of $400,000,000 from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, Clean Water Fund, Parks and Trails Fund, and Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. * **Outdoor Heritage Fund:** $240,000,000 is appropriated for various projects focused on restoring, enhancing, and protecting prairies, forests, wetlands, and other habitats across Minnesota. This includes land acquisition, conservation easements, and habitat restoration efforts, with specific allocations to agencies like the Department of Natural Resources and the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and organizations such as Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and The Nature Conservancy. Administrative costs for contract management and the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council are also funded. * **Clean Water Fund:** $303,926,000 is appropriated for projects aimed at improving and protecting the state's water resources. Funding is allocated to the Department of Agriculture for pesticide monitoring, groundwater protection, and agricultural best management practices; the Pollution Control Agency for surface and groundwater quality assessments, watershed restoration, and wastewater treatment grants; the Department of Natural Resources for stream flow monitoring, lake assessments, and water supply planning; the Board of Water and Soil Resources for watershed-based plans and riparian protection; the Department of Health for drinking water safety and contaminant monitoring; the Metropolitan Council for water sustainability and demand reduction measures; the University of Minnesota for water research; and the Public Facilities Authority for wastewater treatment grants. * **Parks and Trails Fund:** $130,167,000 is appropriated for the development, maintenance, and enhancement of state parks, recreation areas, and trails, as well as regional parks and trails outside the metropolitan area. Funds are directed to the Department of Natural Resources for state park and trail improvements and to the Metropolitan Council for regional park and trail projects. * **Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund:** $179,911,000 is appropriated to support arts, arts education, arts access, and the preservation of Minnesota's history and cultural heritage. Funding is allocated to the Minnesota State Arts Board for grants to artists and arts organizations, arts education programs, and cultural heritage events; the Minnesota Historical Society for historic preservation grants, programs, and partnerships; the Department of Education for regional library system grants; the Department of Administration for grants to various public media, museums, and cultural organizations; the Indian Affairs Council for Dakota and Ojibwe language preservation and education; the Department of Agriculture for county fair grants and FFA activities; and the Minnesota Humanities Center for statewide humanities programs, children's museum grants, and community identity initiatives.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF2563&ssn=0&y=2025