HF2165 Summary

• Updates the Minnesota Sustainable Forest Resources Act by revising governance structure, monitoring programs, and reporting requirements for forest management councils and committees.

• Expands the Minnesota Forest Resources Council membership from 15 to 16 members to include a representative from the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council.

• Changes council reporting from annual to biennial (every two years) reports due by February 1 of odd-numbered years, with regional committees reporting by November 1 of even-numbered years.

• Revises monitoring programs to focus on implementation and effectiveness of timber harvesting and forest management guidelines, with the council leading effectiveness evaluation rather than the commissioner.

• Extends the sunset date for all provisions in chapter 89A from June 30, 2017 to June 30, 2021, and makes implementation subject to biennial legislative appropriations.