DNR Legislative Updates

[Lee Borgersen]

                           Legislative Updates January 15, 2015

 
01/15/2015 
Good afternoon,


My name is Pat Rivers and I am the Legislative Affairs Coordinator for the 2015 session and am working with Bob Meier.

The DNR has developed a number of policy technical bills, including an "Omnibus Policy" bill.  Most are small, technical fixes to existing statute, while others are more substantial, such as the Game and Fish Omnibus Bill.  Look for bills to be introduced in the coming weeks.

This week the House Environment & Natural Resources Policy & Finance Committee heard a DNR Overview from Commissioner Landwehr and Assistant Commissioner Meier.  There were several topics that generated a number of questions including the AIS trailer sticker requirement and AIS in general, the state parks system, and the pheasant summit.  Next week overviews are scheduled for MPCA, BWSR, MN Zoo, LSOHC, and LCCMR.

The House Mining & Outdoor Recreation Committee met briefly on Tuesday and the schedule for next week has not been posted as of today.

The Governor's budget is scheduled to be released on January 27.  We look forward to sharing the DNR budget at that time.

The Senate Environment, Economic Development and Agriculture Budget Division schedule has not been posted as of today.

If you have any questions about information contained in the message or any other legislative issue please feel free to contact me at pat.rivers@state.mn.us, phone at 651-342-3372 or Bob Meier at bob.meier@state.mn.us, phone 651-259-5024.

Have a great long weekend and get outside and enjoy our great state's natural resources!!

Pat Rivers