MN HF4078

Recognizes the Red River Basin Commission and establishes it in Minnesota Statutes chapter 103B with purposes of facilitating transboundary dialogue and coordinating interstate and international water management efforts across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba.

Requires the commission to develop comprehensive water management goals, monitor and evaluate the basin, conduct public meetings and education programs, and advise on scientifically sound watershed projects with landowner and local government support.

Mandates the commission to develop a framework plan for natural resources and provide periodic budget requests and reports to the governors of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, the premier of Manitoba, and their respective legislatures and congressional representatives.

Authorizes the commission to administer funds for implementing projects, track results, and assess collective work in the basin to make recommendations on sustaining or accelerating components of the framework plan.

Appropriates $50,000 in fiscal year 2019 to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for a grant to the Red River Basin Commission, added to the agency base.