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SF2258 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Provisions to petition for preparation of environmental assessment worksheets modifications

Related bill: HF1204

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes amendments to Minnesota Statutes 2024 related to environmental review procedures, particularly regarding the preparation of environmental assessment worksheets (EAWs) and environmental impact statements (EISs). Key provisions include:

  1. Expansion of Petition Rights: The bill allows Minnesota Tribal governments, in addition to at least 100 residents or property owners in the state, to petition for an EAW if there is potential for significant environmental effects.

  2. Clarification of Environmental Review Exemptions: It specifies exemptions from mandatory EAWs and EISs for certain ethanol and biobutanol facilities, particularly those producing below specific thresholds and located outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

  3. Timeframes for Review Decisions: The bill establishes strict timelines for responsible government units to determine whether an EAW or EIS is necessary, including a 15-day deadline after receiving a petition, with a possible extension of an additional 15 days under certain conditions.

  4. Enhanced Public Notification Requirements: The bill mandates notice publication for the completion of an EAW in local newspapers, designated government websites, or other approved methods.

  5. Coordination and Efficiency Improvements: It emphasizes reducing duplication between state and federal reviews, integrating permit reviews with environmental assessments, and expediting processes such as consultant selection for environmental impact statements.

  6. Cost Allocation for Environmental Reviews: The bill maintains provisions that assess proposers of actions for the costs associated with environmental review preparation and distribution, ensuring they fund the reasonable expenses of governmental units conducting the reviews.

Overall, the bill seeks to streamline environmental review processes, ensure broader public participation, and clarify exemptions while maintaining rigorous oversight of projects with potential environmental impacts.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 05, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 05, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEnvironment, Climate, and Legacy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Includes provisions for Minnesota Tribal government's involvement in petitioning."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Previous clauses that conflicted with new procedural definitions."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the provisions for petitioning the preparation of environmental assessment worksheets under section 116D.04, subdivisions 2a and 5a.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified procedural timelines for environmental assessment worksheets."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116D.04"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies assessment procedures for proposers under new rules."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Obsolete procedures for cost determinations."
      ],
      "summary": "Amendments to section 116D.045 regarding the assessment and cost procedures for preparing environmental impact statements.",
      "modified": [
        "Updated procedures authorizing proposer-prepared draft environmental impact statements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116D.045"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Referenced in context of new environmental assessment requirements."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References existing capacity definitions for ethanol plants under section 41A.09, subdivision 2a.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "41A.09"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Referenced to clarify facility capacities that affect environmental assessments."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References existing definitions for biobutanol facilities under section 41A.15, subdivision 2d.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "41A.15"
  }
]

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