HF162 Summary

• Amends Minnesota drainage law by modifying petition and approval procedures for impounding, rerouting, and diverting drainage system waters for beneficial use.

• Establishes drainage stakeholder coordination role for the Board of Water and Soil Resources to foster mutual understanding and provide recommendations for drainage system management and related water management updates.

• Revises drainage inspector appointment requirements to apply to watershed districts and counties with constructed drainage systems having aggregate costs exceeding $50,000, replacing prior "constructed" language.

• Clarifies petition filing procedures and bonding requirements for impoundment and diversion projects, specifying where petitions must be filed based on jurisdiction type (county, joint county, or watershed district).

• Modifies drainage lien payment options, increases repair fund limits from $40,000 to $100,000, and establishes procedures for removing property from or partially abandoning drainage systems upon finding they provide no substantial public benefit or utility.