HF3426

Purpose

• This act authorizes and specifies funding from Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to support a wide range of natural resources, conservation, climate resilience, water quality, and outdoor education initiatives for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, while extending several prior appropriations.

What the bill does (Main provisions)

• Establishes that appropriations are from the environment and natural resources trust fund (and other named funds) and are available for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years (biennium).
• Creates a broad set of programs and projects across state agencies, nonprofits, tribes, and universities aimed at:
  • Building community and climate resilience (e.g., AmeriCorps-based resiliency work, model land use ordinances, regional climate resilience planning, and community spaces that promote biodiversity and climate adaptation).
  • Protecting and restoring natural resources and ecosystems (e.g., forest health, biodiversity, watershed planning, emerald ash borer responses, and wild rice/other habitat protections).
  • Advancing water quality, groundwater, and contaminant research and management (e.g., PFAS, microplastics, phenolic compounds, algal bloom forecasting, and development of water treatment tools).
  • Expanding green infrastructure, nature-based recreation, and ecosystem services (e.g., floodplain and watershed projects, parks and trail enhancements, and community access to nature).
  • Supporting education, outreach, and youth engagement in natural resources (e.g., outdoor education programs, native fish exhibits, pollinator conservation, and training for conservation educators).
  • Encouraging Indigenous-led initiatives and culturally relevant programming (e.g., Indigenous-led environmental education and signage, and partnerships with tribal communities).
• Authorizes numerous multi-year and multi-partner projects, many with specific partners (universities, local governments, nonprofits, and tribal nations), including some projects with explicit deadlines (completion by 2030–2031) and conditions (e.g., requiring a fiscal agent or work plan approval).
• Allows some appropriations to be spent on green infrastructure and pollinator planting where there are long-term landowner commitments.
• Includes a number of research, technology, and assessment efforts (e.g., soil and geologic atlases, risk estimates for contaminants, enzyme-based water treatment research, and karst groundwater modeling).
• Adds or clarifies definitions (notably “Trust fund”) and outlines how the funds are to be allocated and administered.

Notable programs and focus areas (selected examples)

• Resiliency and planning:
  • Community resiliency through AmeriCorps and model land use ordinances for sustainable development.
  • Regional climate resilience planning collaboratives and partnerships with universities and regional development commissions.
• Ecosystem health and wildlife:
  • Emerald ash borer management, urban forestry support, and diverse tree canopy planting.
  • Restoration and protection of wetlands, rivers, lakes, and native fish habitats.
• Water quality and contaminants:
  • Studies and tools for contaminants of emerging concern (PFAS, microplastics) and efforts to forecast and mitigate harmful algal blooms.
  • Development of low-cost sensors and treatment approaches to reduce pollutants in water bodies.
• Education, outdoor recreation, and access:
  • Expanded nature-based education, schoolyard habitat projects, and cultural/linguistic accessibility in environmental programming.
  • Trail and park enhancements, urban farming education, and opportunities for youth to engage with outdoor careers.
• Indigenous and community engagement:
  • Programs designed with Indigenous communities and signage, placemaking, and culturally relevant outreach.
• Research and information tools:
  • Geologic atlases for water resource management and public dashboards for ecological data.
  • Public access to project results through enhanced online platforms and story maps.

Administrative and implementation details

• Money is appropriated for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years and some projects extend to 2030 or 2031.
• Several projects require a work plan or fiscal agent approval, and partnerships span state agencies, universities, Tribes, and nonprofit organizations.
• The act extends and formalizes funding for prior appropriations, while expanding the scope to include new initiatives and partners.
• Some items explicitly authorize spending on green infrastructure and pollinator planting, subject to landowner commitments.
• Several items specify outcomes such as improved water quality, better flood resilience, enhanced biodiversity, and expanded public access to natural resources.

Significance

• This bill represents a substantial, multi-year investment in Minnesota’s natural resources, ecosystems, and climate resilience, with broad collaboration across state agencies, higher education, tribes, and communities.
• It emphasizes not only conservation and scientific research but also education, cultural inclusion, and public access to nature.
• By extending prior appropriations and adding new programs, it aims to accelerate climate adaptation, habitat restoration, water quality improvements, and outdoor learning opportunities for Minnesotans.

Notable changes to law or policy (summary)

• Codifies and broadens the use of the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for a wide array of projects, many with new partners and outcomes.
• Introduces or expands programs focused on climate resilience planning, model land use ordinances, biodiversity, green infrastructure, and Indigenous-led environmental work.
• Aligns multiple environmental and outdoor education initiatives under one act with explicit funding for research, technology, and data sharing.
• Sets specific deadlines and conditions for several projects, including multi-year commitments through 2030–2031.

Relevant Terms - Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund - Appropriations / funding authorization - Climate resilience / community resiliency - AmeriCorps - Model land use ordinances - Biodiversity / ecosystem restoration - Emerald ash borer / forest health - Water quality / contaminants of emerging concern (PFAS, microplastics) - Algal blooms forecasting and management - Green infrastructure - Pollinator conservation - Indigenous-led environmental programming - Environmental education and outdoor recreation - Geologic atlases / water resource management - Dam safety / dam removal feasibility - Multiyear funding (2026–2027; 2030–2031 deadlines) - Partnerships (state agencies, universities, tribes, nonprofits) - Public dashboards / story maps for project results - Multicultural accessibility / inclusive programming - Urban farming / schoolyard habitat programs - Public access to resources and results

If you want, I can tailor this summary to emphasize a particular area (e.g., water quality, education, or climate resilience) or convert it into a shorter one-page briefing.