Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee
Tuesday, April 14, 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
Vice Chair McEwen has gavel, called the meeting to order at 3:07pm. Chair Hawj has gavel at 3:57pm
Call to Order
S.F. 4214: Senator Hawj: Natural resources reporting requirements modifications to improve efficiency.
Sen.Hawj offers the following amendments: A1, A7 and A19 amendment. Senator Hawj motions, all amendments passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.4214: o John Frawley, Director, MN Zoo o Trista Martinson, Executive Director, Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy o Tom Johnson, Director of Government Relations & External Affairs, MPCA o Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR o Lt. Col. Robert Gorecki, Assistant Director of Enforcement, DNR
Senator McEwen moved that S.F. 4214, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Finance Committee. - MOTION ADOPTED.
Sen.Hawj offers the following amendments: A1, A7 and A19 amendment. Senator Hawj motions, all amendments passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.4214: o John Frawley, Director, MN Zoo o Trista Martinson, Executive Director, Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy o Tom Johnson, Director of Government Relations & External Affairs, MPCA o Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR o Lt. Col. Robert Gorecki, Assistant Director of Enforcement, DNR
Senator McEwen moved that S.F. 4214, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Finance Committee. - MOTION ADOPTED.
S.F. 4737: Senator Pha: Foraging on state land authorization and appropriation.
Senator Pha offers the A2 amendment. Senator Hawj motions, passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.4737: o Peter Martignacco, President of Minnesota Mycological Society o Nibi Ogichidaa Ikwe, Wild Rice, Water, & Forestry Consultant o Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson, Citizen, Past Chair of Parks and Trails Legacy Fund Committee, Outdoor Recreation State Task Force, and BIPOC Outdoor Guide o David Schultz, Foraging Task Force Member and MN Foraging Alliance (REMOTE) o Greg Kvale, Backcounrty Hunters and Anglers (REMOTE) o Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR o Matt Wappler, Assistant Region Forestry Manager and Task Force Member, DNR
Senator Kunesh moved that S.F. 4737, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the State and Local Government Committee. - MOTION ADOPTED.
Senator Pha offers the A2 amendment. Senator Hawj motions, passed by a voice vote. The following individuals testified on S.F.4737: o Peter Martignacco, President of Minnesota Mycological Society o Nibi Ogichidaa Ikwe, Wild Rice, Water, & Forestry Consultant o Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson, Citizen, Past Chair of Parks and Trails Legacy Fund Committee, Outdoor Recreation State Task Force, and BIPOC Outdoor Guide o David Schultz, Foraging Task Force Member and MN Foraging Alliance (REMOTE) o Greg Kvale, Backcounrty Hunters and Anglers (REMOTE) o Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner, DNR o Matt Wappler, Assistant Region Forestry Manager and Task Force Member, DNR
Senator Kunesh moved that S.F. 4737, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the State and Local Government Committee. - MOTION ADOPTED.
The meeting was adjourned at 5PM
|
Senator Foung Hawj, Chair |
Maikao Vue, Legislative Assistant |