Bill Text: MN SF705 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) conservation reserve bond issue and appropriation
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-25 - Referred to Finance [SF705 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF705-Introduced.html
1.2relating to capital investment; appropriating money for Reinvest in Minnesota
1.3(RIM) Conservation Reserve; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. REINVEST IN MINNESOTA (RIM) CONSERVATION RESERVE.
1.6 Subdivision 1. Appropriation. (a) $30,000,000 is appropriated from the bond
1.7proceeds fund to the Board of Soil and Water Resources to acquire conservation easements
1.8from landowners to preserve, restore, create, and enhance wetlands and prairie grasslands;
1.9restore and enhance rivers and streams, riparian lands, and associated uplands in order to
1.10protect soil and water quality; support fish and wildlife habitat; reduce flood damage; and
1.11provide other public benefits. The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515,
1.12apply to this appropriation, except that the board may establish alternative payment rates
1.13for easements and practices to establish restored native prairies, as defined in Minnesota
1.14Statutes, section 84.02, subdivision 5, and to protect uplands. Of this appropriation, up to
1.15ten percent may be used to implement the program.
1.16(b) The board is authorized to enter into new agreements and amend past agreements
1.17with landowners as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, subdivision 5, to
1.18allow for restoration, including overseeding and harvesting of native prairie vegetation
1.19for use for energy production in a manner that does not devalue the natural habitat,
1.20water quality benefits, or carbon sequestration functions of the area enrolled in the
1.21easement. This shall occur after seed production and minimize impacts on wildlife. Of
1.22this appropriation, up to five percent may be used for restoration, including overseeding.
2.1(c) The board shall give priority to leveraging federal funds by (1) enrolling targeted
2.2new lands eligible for the USDA Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) or (2) enrolling lands
2.3that have expiring USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts.
2.4 Subd. 2. Bond sale. To provide the money appropriated in this section from the
2.5bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue
2.6bonds of the state in an amount up to $30,000,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with
2.7the effect prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the
2.8Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.
2.9EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
1.3(RIM) Conservation Reserve; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. REINVEST IN MINNESOTA (RIM) CONSERVATION RESERVE.
1.6 Subdivision 1. Appropriation. (a) $30,000,000 is appropriated from the bond
1.7proceeds fund to the Board of Soil and Water Resources to acquire conservation easements
1.8from landowners to preserve, restore, create, and enhance wetlands and prairie grasslands;
1.9restore and enhance rivers and streams, riparian lands, and associated uplands in order to
1.10protect soil and water quality; support fish and wildlife habitat; reduce flood damage; and
1.11provide other public benefits. The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515,
1.12apply to this appropriation, except that the board may establish alternative payment rates
1.13for easements and practices to establish restored native prairies, as defined in Minnesota
1.14Statutes, section 84.02, subdivision 5, and to protect uplands. Of this appropriation, up to
1.15ten percent may be used to implement the program.
1.16(b) The board is authorized to enter into new agreements and amend past agreements
1.17with landowners as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, subdivision 5, to
1.18allow for restoration, including overseeding and harvesting of native prairie vegetation
1.19for use for energy production in a manner that does not devalue the natural habitat,
1.20water quality benefits, or carbon sequestration functions of the area enrolled in the
1.21easement. This shall occur after seed production and minimize impacts on wildlife. Of
1.22this appropriation, up to five percent may be used for restoration, including overseeding.
2.1(c) The board shall give priority to leveraging federal funds by (1) enrolling targeted
2.2new lands eligible for the USDA Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) or (2) enrolling lands
2.3that have expiring USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts.
2.4 Subd. 2. Bond sale. To provide the money appropriated in this section from the
2.5bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue
2.6bonds of the state in an amount up to $30,000,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with
2.7the effect prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the
2.8Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.
2.9EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
