summary of the DNR bills

[Lee Borgersen]

03/01/2013


              2013 Legislative Session Update


 
With the 2013 Legislative Session in full swing here is a summary of the DNR bills that we are working on this session. As this is a budget session most the Departments attention is being focused on budget related issues.

In support of the overall state budget Governor Dayton's states "My proposed 14/15 biennial budget provides what Minnesotans want and deserve from their government: honest accounting, responsible management, and wise investments for a better state, now and into the future. It ends the fiscal games, accounting gimmicks, payment delays, and other financial manipulations of the last ten years. It eliminates the $1.1 billion deficit; then balances the rest of the state governments spending and revenues during the next two years".

For more information about Governor Dayton's complete budget proposal go to:

www.mn.gov\governor\budget\toolkit\

The DNR's portion of the Governor's budget recommendations includes a General Fund increase of $2 million per year for investments in forest management, a General Fund increase of $2.25 million per year for parks and trails operations and customer services, a $3.75 million General Fund per year for managing aquatic invasive species and other budget change items. For more information on the DNR budget go to:

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/legislativeinfo/biennial-budget-factsheets/2013/fact-sheets.pdf

On the policy side of things the DNR is pursuing six initiatives this session.

DNR Omnibus Policy Bill - HF 731 / SF 889 This bill is was heard in the Game and Fish Subcommittee in the Senate on 2/28 and is scheduled in the House Environment Committee for 3/5.

DNR AIS Technical Bill - SF 571 / HF XXX This bill was heard in the Game and Fish Subcommittee in the Senate on 2/28. It will most likely be part of a larger bill that the Senate Game and Fish Subcommittee will be approving at its next meeting which is scheduled next Tuesday at 6 pm in Room 107 of the State Capitol. The House File will be introduced early next week with a hearing to follow shortly

DNR Forestry Bill - HF 778 / SF 563 This bill was heard in the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee earlier this week and should be having a hearing in the Senate Environment Committee next week sometime.

DNR Game and Fish Bill SF 796 / HF 742 This bill was heard in the Game and Fish Subcommittee in the Senate on 2/26. It will be part of a larger bill that the Senate Game and Fish Subcommittee will be approving at its next meeting which is scheduled next Tuesday at 6 pm in Room 107 of the State Capitol. The House File will be heard next Tuesday in the House Environment Committee in Room 200 of the State Office Building at 4 pm.

DNR Lands Bill HF 740 / SF 886 This bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Lands Subcommittee next Monday (3/4) at 6 pm in 107 of the State Capitol. The House file will be heard in the House Environment Committee next Wednesday (3/6) in Room 200 of the State Office Building.

DNR Tax Forfeit Land for School Forests Bill HF 876 / SF XXX This bill has not been scheduled for a hearing at this time but most likely will be heard next week sometime.

For detailed information about each of these bills go to:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/legislativeinfo/2013/policyfactsheets.html

This website contains the DNR fact sheets on each of these bills.

Things have been somewhat quite over the last several weeks but with the first committee deadline coming up on March 15th things will become quite fluid over the next several weeks.

If you have any questions about anything contained in this message or any DNR related legislative issue please feel free to contact me at 651-259-5024 or bob.meier@state.mn.us

Have a great weekend and make sure you get outside and enjoy our great states natural resources!!

Bob Meier