MN SF718

Establishes a highways for habitat program within the Department of Transportation to enhance roadsides with pollinator and wildlife habitat and vegetative buffers using integrated roadside vegetation management techniques.

Requires the commissioner to identify and prioritize installations on new construction and reconstruction projects, develop signage, train personnel and contractors on integrated vegetation management and native plant identification, and maintain a public website with program information.

Mandates development of management standards in consultation with natural resources and water/soil resource agencies that include native vegetation guidance, prohibit pollinator-lethal insecticides, protect nesting birds and wildlife, and identify appropriate tracts for wildflower habitat establishment.

Appropriates $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 from the general fund for the highways for habitat program.

Appropriates $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 from the general fund and $330,000 annually in fiscal years 2024-2025 from the trunk highway fund for living snow fence implementation consisting of climate-adaptive trees, shrubs, native grasses, and wildflowers.