Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Present: Senator Foung Hawj - Chair, Senator Jennifer A. McEwen - Vice Chair, Senator Steve Green - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Steve Drazkowski, Senator Grant Hauschild, Senator Ann M. Johnson Stewart, Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Senator Andrew R. Lang, Senator Nathan Wesenberg
Absent: Senator John A. Hoffman
3:00 PM, 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Minutes
Present: Senator Foung Hawj - Chair, Senator Jennifer A. McEwen - Vice Chair, Senator Steve Green - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Steve Drazkowski, Senator Grant Hauschild, Senator Ann M. Johnson Stewart, Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Senator Andrew R. Lang, Senator Nathan Wesenberg
Absent: Senator John A. Hoffman
Senator Foung Hawj called the meeting to order at 3:09PM. Quorum is present. Senators Hauschild and McEwen joined Remotely. Senator Green has gavel at 3:39pm. Senator Hawj adjourn committee at 3:50pm
Call To Order
S.F. 4525: Senator Kunesh: Water discharges notice requirements modifications.
The following individuals testified on S.F.4525: --Alexis Donath, Assistant Director of Government Relations, MPCA
Senator Lang moved that S.F. 4525, be recommended to pass. - MOTION ADOPTED.
The following individuals testified on S.F.4525: --Alexis Donath, Assistant Director of Government Relations, MPCA
Senator Lang moved that S.F. 4525, be recommended to pass. - MOTION ADOPTED.
S.F. 3594: Senator Kunesh: School trust lands director duties modification provision, Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission director's required report modification.
Senator Kunesh offers the A-1 Amendment, Senator Kunesh motions, passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.3594: --Mark Waite, Office of School Trust Lands --Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR (REMOTE)
Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 3594, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Education Policy Committee. - MOTION ADOPTED.
Senator Kunesh offers the A-1 Amendment, Senator Kunesh motions, passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.3594: --Mark Waite, Office of School Trust Lands --Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR (REMOTE)
Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 3594, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Education Policy Committee. - MOTION ADOPTED.
S.F. 4374: Senator Hauschild: State park license plate contest requirements provision.
Senator Kunesh presented SF4374 on behalf of Senator Hauschild. The following individuals testified on S.F.4374: --Lars Leafblad, Friends of the Lake Superior Agate Plate (FOTAP)
Senator Kunesh moved that S.F. 4374, as amended, be recommended to pass. - MOTION ADOPTED.
Senator Kunesh presented SF4374 on behalf of Senator Hauschild. The following individuals testified on S.F.4374: --Lars Leafblad, Friends of the Lake Superior Agate Plate (FOTAP)
Senator Kunesh moved that S.F. 4374, as amended, be recommended to pass. - MOTION ADOPTED.
S.F. 3741: Senator Nelson: Well testing provision to establish baseline groundwater quality before certain construction.
Senator Nelson offers the A-4 DE amendment, Senator Hawj moves, passed by a voice vote.
Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 3741, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee. - MOTION ADOPTED.
Senator Nelson offers the A-4 DE amendment, Senator Hawj moves, passed by a voice vote.
Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 3741, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee. - MOTION ADOPTED.
S.F. 4446: Senator Hawj: Soil and water conservation provisions modification.
Senator Green offers the A-3 Amendment, motions, passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.4446: --John Jaschke, Executive Director, BWSR --Sheila Vanney, Assistant Director, Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) --Jay Eidsness, Supervising Attorney, MN Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA)
Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 4446, as amended, be recommended to pass. - MOTION ADOPTED.
Senator Green offers the A-3 Amendment, motions, passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.4446: --John Jaschke, Executive Director, BWSR --Sheila Vanney, Assistant Director, Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) --Jay Eidsness, Supervising Attorney, MN Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA)
Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 4446, as amended, be recommended to pass. - MOTION ADOPTED.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:51pm
|
Senator Foung Hawj, Chair |
Maikao Vue, Legislative Assistant |