Bill Summary

• Modifies Minnesota natural resources laws by amending statutes related to the Department of Natural Resources organizational structure, divisions, and regulatory processes.

• Eliminates requirement that the commissioner purchase four-stroke engine snowmobiles and outboard motors, allowing two-stroke engines if more environmentally efficient, and requires all-terrain vehicles be manufactured in Minnesota.

• Simplifies soil and water conservation district consolidation procedures by removing referendum and hearing requirements, establishing new petition standards, and allowing consolidations without voter approval if signed by majority of supervisors.

• Changes permitting reporting requirements from semiannual to annual reports for environmental permit processing and removes reporting requirement for grant/loan defaults and terminations.

• Repeals approximately 40 obsolete statutory sections and subdivisions related to resource management, water control, solid waste management, and agency operations from Minnesota Statutes 2012.