SF2114

Purpose

To provide funding for operating and maintaining metropolitan area regional parks by appropriating money from the general fund to the Metropolitan Council.

Main Provisions

• Section 1 appropriates funds from the general fund to the Metropolitan Council to award grants for operating and maintaining metropolitan area regional parks.
• Funding amounts:
  • Fiscal year 2026: 11,050,000
  • Fiscal year 2027: 21,500,000
• The funds are to be used for grants in support of operating and maintaining regional parks, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes section 473.351.

Significance and Changes to Law

• Establishes new state funding to support the operation and maintenance of regional parks in the metropolitan area.
• Transfers management and distribution of these funds to the Metropolitan Council, in line with the referenced statute (473.351).
• Represents an addition to appropriations rather than a change to the existing program structure described in statute 473.351.

Fiscal Impact

• Budgetary outlay from the General Fund.
• Totals over two fiscal years: 11,050,000 (FY2026) and 21,500,000 (FY2027).
• This is a dedicated funding increase for regional parks’ operations and maintenance.

Relevant Changes to Policy (in plain terms)

• Adds dedicated appropriations to support regional parks operations and maintenance in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area.
• Places funding administration responsibility with the Metropolitan Council.

Potential Implications

• Could improve park operations, maintenance, and quality of facilities and services in the regional park system.
• May influence planning and budgeting for regional parks and related facilities.

Relevant Terms

• general fund
• Metropolitan Council
• grants
• operate and maintain
• metropolitan area regional parks
• regional parks
• Minnesota Statutes section 473.351
• appropriation
• fiscal year 2026
• fiscal year 2027
• natural resources
• regional parks and trails