SF2866

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to update reporting requirements for the Clean Water Council's recommendations on how money from the Clean Water Fund should be utilized. This is aimed at improving transparency and clarity in the allocation and impact of funds related to water protection and restoration efforts in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Fiscal Year Breakdown: The bill requires that the Clean Water Council's recommendations for the spending of the Clean Water Fund be detailed for each fiscal year within the biennium. This means that instead of a single total budget, the recommendations must specify how money is to be used in each year separately.

• Legislative Report: By January 15 of each odd-numbered year, a report must be submitted to the Minnesota legislature. This report should include:

  1. A summary of activities funded during the current biennium.
  2. A detailed fiscal year breakdown of suggested future spending from the Clean Water Fund, including potential legislative language for the proposals.
  3. An assessment of the economic impact of efforts to protect and restore groundwater and manage impaired water bodies.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The amendment changes the existing statute by specifying that financial recommendations for the Clean Water Fund need to be broken down by each fiscal year instead of being presented as a single biennial sum. This change is intended to improve budgetary planning and accountability.

Relevant Terms

clean water fund, Clean Water Council, fiscal year, biennium, groundwater protection, impaired waters program, economic impact, legislative report