Purpose

This bill extends and updates a set of funding managed by the state to support wildlife, natural resources, and related programs. A key goal is to expand Minnesota’s wild elk population and range through a grant to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, while also funding disease management, habitat restoration, youth education, community outreach, and other natural-resource activities through 2024–2029. It makes changes to how money is allocated (which fund it comes from), adds reporting requirements, and creates one-time and ongoing funding for various projects.

Main Provisions (what the bill seeks to accomplish)

• Elk population expansion and reintroduction

  • Provides a grant of about $2.3 million in the first year to expand Minnesota’s wild elk population and range, with consideration given to moving elk from northwest Minnesota to the Fond du Lac State Forest area and Fond du Lac Reservation. Requires thorough planning with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), including capture/handling and cervid disease management protocols, and to produce state-tribal elk co-management plans. About $0.3 million of this amount is for the state Department (administrative purposes).

• Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and deer management

  • Funds for statewide response and management of CWD from the General Fund and the Game and Fish Fund, with annual reporting by the commissioner and the Board of Animal Health to legislative chairs and ranking minority members.
  • A separate appropriation supports inspections, investigations, and enforcement related to the white-tailed deer farm program and CWD, available through June 30, 2029.

• Habitat, wildlife, and climate-related investments

  • Deer management and related activities funded from the deer management account.
  • Habitat work on state wildlife management areas to sequester carbon and boost climate resilience (prairies, grasslands, wetlands) as a one-time appropriation.
  • Increased capacity for broadband licensing on state lands and public waters (one-time).

• Education, outreach, and community equity

  • Grants for natural-resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth, with priority to projects benefiting underserved communities; funds may come from the General Fund and the Heritage Enhancement Account, with a base continuing in 2026 from the Heritage Enhancement Account.
  • Outreach programs for nonnative English-speaking communities, including components funded by the Pollution Control Agency and the Board of Water and Soil Resources; potential expansion of the Fishing in the Neighborhood program to reach new audiences; possible use of community outreach consultants; onetime appropriation.

• Elk-related and other specific programs

  • A one-time grant for enhanced fish stocking of white bass and crappies in metro-area lakes with underserved communities.
  • A grant to the University of Minnesota for chronic wasting disease contingency plans developed by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (one-time).
  • Reports on native fish conservation, and preparation of a feral pigs and mink report with a public meeting.

• Resource management funding transfers and facility grants

  • Transfers from the private sector critical habitat matching account to the Reinvent in Minnesota (RIM) fund for wildlife management areas acquisition, restoration, and enhancement.
  • Shooting sports facility grants (including archery facilities), with grants requiring a nonstate match (including in-kind contributions); one-time funding.

• Onetime and base funding status

  • Several items are one-time appropriations (funds expire by specific dates, e.g., 2026–2029 for elk-related and some disease programs).
  • Some youth and outreach funding includes a base amount that continues in 2026 and beyond (with other components being one-time).

Significant changes to existing law

• Extended availability: The bill extends or modifies the time windows for existing appropriations tied to wildlife and natural-resource activities, including the elk grant and related programs.
• Fund sources and bases: It reassigns or clarifies funding by fund (e.g., heritage enhancement account, general fund, game and fish fund) and sets baselines for future years (including a defined base amount from the heritage enhancement account starting in 2026 for some education grants).
• Reporting requirements: It requires annual reporting on chronic wasting disease activities to legislative committees/divisions with jurisdiction over the environment, natural resources, and agriculture.
• Program changes and expansions: It adds or expands programs such as elk reintroduction coordination with tribal partners, broadens wildlife habitat and climate resilience efforts, and strengthens outreach to underserved and non-English-speaking communities.
• Matching requirements: It requires nonstate matching (including inkind contributions) for shooting sports facility grants.

How this would affect Minnesota

• Wildlife and elk: Potential expansion of Minnesota’s wild elk population and range, with collaboration between the DNR and the Fond du Lac Band.
• Disease management: Increased actions and oversight for chronic wasting disease and deer-farm activities, with reporting to lawmakers.
• Habitat and climate: More habitat restoration aimed at carbon sequestration and climate resilience on state wildlife lands.
• Education and outreach: More grants and programs targeting youth, underserved communities, and English-language learners; expanded natural-resource education and recreation opportunities.
• Community and access: Investments intended to improve access to fishing and outdoor activities across communities that have been underserved.

Relevant Terms - elk population, elk reintroduction, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, cervid disease, chronic wasting disease (CWD), DNR (Department of Natural Resources), white-tailed deer farm program, deer management account, 97A.075, private sector critical habitat matching account, Reinvent in Minnesota fund, wildlife management areas, habitat acquisition, restoration and enhancement, sequester carbon, climate resiliency, heritage enhancement account, game and fish fund, general fund, shooting sports facility grants, archery facilities, native fish conservation, Fishing in the Neighborhood, nonnative English-speaking communities, underserved communities, broadband utility licensing.