SF3998

Purpose

This bill creates a new state park called the Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park in Ramsey County (in the city of St. Paul) and sets up how the park will be managed, interpreted, and developed. It also requires a future report to guide implementation and possible needed changes to state law.

Main Provisions

• Establishment: Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park is created in Ramsey County.
• No entry permit or fee: Entry to the park does not require a state park permit, and no entry fee may be charged.
• Boundaries: The park’s boundaries are defined by a specific boundary description that references streets and locations in St. Paul to enclose the park area.
• Management framework:
  • The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers all state land within the park boundary as it does for other state parks.
  • The Commissioner of Administration and the Minnesota Historical Society retain authority over state buildings located within the park boundaries, including authority to modify or demolish preexisting buildings or construct new ones, with input from the DNR.
  • The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) has input on state monuments and may help plan and maintain monuments, kiosks, and other interpretive or educational structures within the park.
  • The DNR may manage the park for historic and cultural purposes, and development is not limited to facilities that only support natural features.

Access, Buildings, and Monuments

• Buildings and monuments: Existing state buildings and monuments within the park boundaries are subject to the respective authorities (Administration and Minnesota Historical Society for buildings; CAAPB for monuments) with collaboration from the DNR. The park may include additional monuments, informational kiosks, and related structures to support interpretive, educational, or administrative purposes.
• Development scope: Physical development within the park can extend beyond purely natural features to accommodate historic, cultural, and interpretive aims.

Reporting Requirement

• By January 15, 2027, the DNR, in consultation with CAAPB, the Commissioner of Administration, and the Minnesota Historical Society, must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions that oversee state government finance and environment and natural resources. The report should include recommendations for implementing the act and identify any necessary statutory changes.

Significant Changes to Law

• Creates a new memorial state park in Ramsey County with no entry fee and no required permit.
• Establishes a coordinated management framework involving the DNR, the Commissioner of Administration, the Minnesota Historical Society, and CAAPB for buildings, monuments, and interpretive features.
• Enables historic and cultural-focused development within the park beyond traditional natural features.
• Establishes a mandatory management report with recommendations for implementing the act and potential statutory changes.

Note on Terminology and Concepts

• The bill uses terms such as state park, entry permit, entry fee, boundaries, administration, monuments, state buildings, interpretive kiosks, historic and cultural purposes, and statutory changes. It references entities like the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Commissioner of Administration, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB).

Relevant Terms - Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park - Ramsey County - St. Paul - no state park permit required - no entry fee - boundaries (described boundary) - Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Commissioner of Administration - Minnesota Historical Society - Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) - state monuments - buildings and monuments within park - interpretive kiosks - historic and cultural purposes - statutory changes - management report due January 15, 2027