Senate Passes Environment and Natural Resources Bill Protecting the Outdoors While Reducing Regulatory Overreach

The Minnesota Senate today passed a comprehensive environment natural resource bill to support Minnesota’s critical environmental priorities. The bill, S.F. 4062, authored by Environment and Natural Resource Finance Chair Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria), continues Senate Republicans’ commitment to supporting groundwater preservation, recycling, and regulatory reform. The legislation also supports outdoorsmen and helps grow Minnesota’s tourism industry.  

“Senate Republicans are continuing our commitment to protect Minnesota’s environment and preserve it for generations to come,” Ingebrigtsen said. “We all support clean lakes and rivers, efforts to enhance recycling, and protecting our lands. Living in Greater Minnesota, I can see just how much our state has to offer. I’m also aware government bureaucracy can blur the line between sound policy and overreach. Based on the feedback from across the state, we delivered a bill that strikes a balance between meeting our goals while not burdening our communities or constituents.” 

Some notable policy provisions include:  

  • Prohibition of the DNR to impose or require unadopted rules without first being adopted under Minnesota statutes  
  • Establishment of a Mining Dashboard to improve the coordination, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of the environmental review and permitting process for metallic mineral mining projects 
  • Increased funding for Score Grants to assist counties with solid waste and plastic removal costs to keep our lakes and rivers clean  
  • Increased funding for Shooting Range Improvement Grants to increase outdoor shooting range capacity for youth shooters and the general public use  
  • Increased tourism funding to secure revenue-generating events around the state to support local economies 
  • Greater access for disabled Minnesotans by allowing them to use motor vehicles in wildlife management areas 

“As outdoorsmen myself, I’m also very proud of Minnesota’s outdoor heritage,” Ingebrigtsen continued. “We think everyone should be able to enjoy the outdoors, and we want to encourage more people to visit Minnesota too. In that spirit, we moved forward on initiatives that will help our hunters and anglers, improve our trails, and fund tourism. Whether you’re a hunter, fisher, or just someone who enjoys our state parks, you will benefit from this bill.”