Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Present: Senator Foung Hawj - Chair, Senator Steve Green - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Steve Drazkowski, Senator Grant Hauschild, Senator John A. Hoffman, Senator Ann M. Johnson Stewart, Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Senator Andrew R. Lang, Senator Nathan Wesenberg
Absent: Senator Jennifer A. McEwen - Vice Chair
3:00 PM, 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Minutes
Present: Senator Foung Hawj - Chair, Senator Steve Green - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Steve Drazkowski, Senator Grant Hauschild, Senator John A. Hoffman, Senator Ann M. Johnson Stewart, Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Senator Andrew R. Lang, Senator Nathan Wesenberg
Absent: Senator Jennifer A. McEwen - Vice Chair
Senator Foung Hawj called the meeting to order at 3:07pm. Senator Hauschild has gavel at 3:15pm.. Senator Hawj gets gavel back at 4:47pm
Call to Order
S.F. 4340: Senator Hauschild: Minnesota wild elk population and range expansion grant availability extension provision.
The following individuals testified on S.F.4340: --Mike Schrage, Wildlife Biologist, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 4340, be laid over. - MOTION ADOPTED.
The following individuals testified on S.F.4340: --Mike Schrage, Wildlife Biologist, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 4340, be laid over. - MOTION ADOPTED.
S.F. 4304: Senator Hawj: Outdoor heritage fund appropriation and prior appropriations extension and modification.
Senator Hawj offers the A-5 and A6 amendment, Sen.Hawj moves, passed by a voice vote. Senator Green offers the A-7 amendment, moves, passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.4304: o Kristina Smitten, Executive Director, LSOHC o Joe Pavelko, Assistant Director, LSOHC o Kelly Pennington, Invasive Species Unit Supervisor, DNR o Debby Stone MN Landowners Coalition o Erick Kardaal, Mohrman, Kardaal and Erickson, P.A. o Kurt Kveen, Landowner o Maxwell Becker, Mohrman, Kardaal and Erickson, P.A. (REMOTE) o Tracy Halstensgard, Administrator, Roseau River Watershed Board Manager (REMOTE) o Vangie Buflygien, Landowner (REMOTE) o Monica Dohmen, Landowner (REMOTE) o Mitchell Magnusson, Landowner (REMOTE)
Senator Hauschild moved that S.F. 4304, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Finance Committee. - MOTION ADOPTED.
Senator Hawj offers the A-5 and A6 amendment, Sen.Hawj moves, passed by a voice vote. Senator Green offers the A-7 amendment, moves, passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.4304: o Kristina Smitten, Executive Director, LSOHC o Joe Pavelko, Assistant Director, LSOHC o Kelly Pennington, Invasive Species Unit Supervisor, DNR o Debby Stone MN Landowners Coalition o Erick Kardaal, Mohrman, Kardaal and Erickson, P.A. o Kurt Kveen, Landowner o Maxwell Becker, Mohrman, Kardaal and Erickson, P.A. (REMOTE) o Tracy Halstensgard, Administrator, Roseau River Watershed Board Manager (REMOTE) o Vangie Buflygien, Landowner (REMOTE) o Monica Dohmen, Landowner (REMOTE) o Mitchell Magnusson, Landowner (REMOTE)
Senator Hauschild moved that S.F. 4304, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Finance Committee. - MOTION ADOPTED.
S.F. 4361: Senator Johnson Stewart: Permitting efficiency provisions modification.
The following individuals testified on S.F.4361: o Alexis Donath, Assistant Director of Government Relations, MPCA
Senator Johnson Stewart moved that S.F. 4361, be recommended to pass. - MOTION ADOPTED.
The following individuals testified on S.F.4361: o Alexis Donath, Assistant Director of Government Relations, MPCA
Senator Johnson Stewart moved that S.F. 4361, be recommended to pass. - MOTION ADOPTED.
S.F. 3677: Senator Green: Certain agricultural land exemption from certain wetland replacement plan requirements.
Not heard.
Not heard.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00pm
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Senator Foung Hawj, Chair |
Maikao Vue, Legislative Assistant |