Bill > HF8

This bill appropriates over $1.1 billion for environment and natural resources programs and policy for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. * **Pollution Control Agency:** Receives $305.3 million in FY2026 and $311.3 million in FY2027 from the General Fund, Environmental Remediation Fund, and State Government Special Revenue Fund for various environmental analysis, outcomes, industrial, municipal, operations, remediation, resource management, and watershed programs. This includes funding for air monitoring, water quality standards, PFAS initiatives, and leaking underground storage tank programs. * **Department of Natural Resources:** Receives $398.6 million in FY2026 and $398.4 million in FY2027 from the General Fund, Natural Resources Fund, Game and Fish Fund, and Permanent School Fund. This funding supports land and mineral resources management, ecological and water resources, forest management, parks and trails, fish and wildlife management, and enforcement activities. Specific allocations include funding for invasive species management, forest road maintenance, state park operations, and chronic wasting disease response. * **Board of Water and Soil Resources:** Receives $16.1 million in FY2026 and $16.1 million in FY2027 from the General Fund and Environmental Fund for grants to soil and water conservation districts, cost-sharing programs, technical assistance for drainage management, and water quality initiatives. * **Metropolitan Council:** Receives $13.4 million in FY2026 and $11.7 million in FY2027 from the General Fund and Natural Resources Fund for regional parks operation and maintenance. * **Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa:** Receives $1.1 million in FY2026 and $1.1 million in FY2027 from the General Fund and Natural Resources Fund. * **Zoological Board:** Receives $14.2 million in FY2026 and $14.5 million in FY2027 from the General Fund and Natural Resources Fund. * **Science Museum:** Receives $1.5 million in FY2026 and $1.3 million in FY2027. * **Legislative Coordinating Commission:** Receives $198,000 in FY2026 for the Sustainable Foraging Task Force. * **Department of Employment and Economic Development:** Receives $444,000 in FY2026 and $444,000 in FY2027 for business permitting assistance. * **Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund:** Appropriates $103.3 million in FY2026 for various foundational data, water resources, environmental education, invasive species, air quality, climate change, renewable energy, land, water, habitat, and recreation projects. * **Policy Changes:** The bill also includes various policy changes related to abandoned watercraft, fishing and hunting licenses, water appropriation fees, environmental permitting efficiency, PFAS prohibitions, and state land sales. It also establishes a Sustainable Foraging Task Force and repeals provisions related to firearms use areas and ditch buffer strips.