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Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee
Thursday, April 3, 2025
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 3:06pm. Quorum is present. Senator Hoffman has gavel. Senator Hawj gets gavel back at 3:50pm.

Call To Order


S.F. 2077: Senator Hawj: Environment and natural resources appropriations and provisions modifications.

Senator Green offered the A1 amendment. Passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.2077: Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR Andrew Morley, Director, Environment Policy, MN Chamber of Commerce

Senator Hoffman moved that S.F. 2077, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION ADOPTED.

S.F. 2547: Senator Hawj: Environment and natural resources trust fund community grant program grants appropriation.

The following individuals testified on S.F.2547: o Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner Department of Natural Resources o Mike Harley, Executive Director, Environmental Initiative o James Trice, Founder & CEO, Public Policy Project

Senator Hoffman moved that S.F. 2547, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION ADOPTED.

S.F. 3015: Senator McEwen: Water availability atlas development appropriation and siting methodology.

Johnson-Stewart presenting The following individuals testified on S.F.3015: o Katie Smith, Ecological and Water Resources Division Director, Department of Natural Resources o Dr. Carrie Jennings, Research and Policy Director, Freshwater

Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 3015, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION ADOPTED.

S.F. 593: Senator Hauschild: St. Louis County and City of Duluth all-terrain vehicle trails and studies appropriations.

Senator Hauschild offers the A-2 amendment. Passed by voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.0593: o Paul McDonald (REMOTE) o Susan Schubert, Minnesota Public Lands Coalition (REMOTE) o Willis Mattison, Professional Ecologist, Izaak Walton League of America (REMOTE)

Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 593, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION ADOPTED.

S.F. 594: Senator Hauschild: St. Louis County all-terrain vehicle trails appropriation.

The following individuals testified on S.F.0594: o Nick Wognum, Prospector Loop ATV & ATV Minnesota o Bruce Beste Susan Schubert (REMOTE) Willis Mattison

Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 594, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION ADOPTED.

S.F. 2258: Senator Kunesh: Provisions to petition for preparation of environmental assessment worksheets modifications.

Senator Green offered the A-1 amendment. Roll called 4/4. Amendment does not pass. The following individuals testified on S.F.2258: o Catherine Neuschler, Environmental Quality Board Ex. Dir.

Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 2258, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION ADOPTED.

S.F. 1247: Senator Kunesh: Pesticide provisions modification to protect wild rice waters.

Senator Kunesh offered the A-2 amendment. Passed by voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.1247: o Eugene Sommers - District 2 Representative White Earth Nation (REMOTE) o Leanna Goose, Rise and Repair Alliance Co-Facilitator and Organizer o Evan Mulholland, Program Director, MCEA o Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR o Steve Morse, MN Environmental Partnership o Rev. Susie Hayward, Minister of Justice and Formation, Creekside UCC o David Toutloff - Elder of the Bois Forte Band o Patty O'Keefe, Community Member o Annette Drewes, Wild Rice Connections o Joshua Preston, R.I.S.E. Coalition o Alison (Doe) Hoyer, Student, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities o Gina Peltier o Thomas Houle o David Toutloff, Elder of the Bois Forte Band (REMOTE) o Dawn Goodwin (REMOTE)

Senator Hawj moved that S.F. 1247, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION ADOPTED.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:38pm


 
                                                                      
Senator Foung Hawj, Chair
                                                                      
Maikao Vue, Legislative Assistant