Video & Transcript Research : 'DNR'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 01/29/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- At DNR, we are gasoline leaks.
- , Minnesota Geological Survey and the DNR, Minnesota Geological Survey and the DNR, it<00:20:15.919
- side of the screen is where the DNR side of the screen is where the DNR received<00:21:36.720>
- <01:03:32.799>
and is the responsibility of the DNR and is the responsibility of the DNR and- DNR um and community grant work.
- <01:03:32.799>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2025-03-25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So obviously, DNR is here. It's a big day.
- With the governor on the fiscal year 26-27 biennial budget, DNR took a collaborative one-DNR approach
- This budget represents a total budget of $1.6 billion across all DNR funds.
- Chair, members, Bob Meyer, DNR again.
- We are developing some new DNR-specific tribal relations training.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/01/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:02:06.719>
at they will face removal by the DNR at they will face removal by the DNR at - In the early '90s, the DNR and the U.S.
- <01:20:47.360>
is with this thing because if the DNR is with this thing because if the DNR - <01:26:16.040>
proposes mentioned each year the DNR proposes mentioned each year the DNR proposes - <01:26:26.560>
natural help the DNR manage the state's natural help the DNR manage the state's
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It goes through the DNR.
- Is that a DNR employee?
- Is that a DNR employee?
- /c><00:45:44.559>
uh <00:45:44.680>gets <00:45:44.920>the the DNR so when the DNR - uh gets the the DNR so when the DNR uh gets the funds<00:45:45.520>
and <00:45:45.680>then
Summary:
The Legacy Finance Committee held its first meeting of the session, with members and staff introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing the committee’s role in overseeing Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment funds. The committee then received an overview of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund from Mary Davis. She explained that the fund receives 19.75% of the 1% sales tax, is constitutionally limited to arts education, arts access, and preserving Minnesota history and cultural heritage, and is not a guaranteed base for prior recipients. She reviewed major recipients and statutory requirements, including the Minnesota State Arts Board’s 47% share, funding for the Historical Society, libraries, humanities and cultural organizations, public media, and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council. She also noted the 5% reserve requirement, reporting obligations, and a 2023 legislative directive to improve access through free or reduced admission and outreach to households regardless of income.
The committee next heard from Janelle Taylor on the natural resources funds, focusing on the Clean Water Fund and Parks and Trails Fund. She said the Clean Water Fund receives 33% of Legacy revenues and must be used to protect, enhance, and restore water quality and protect groundwater, with at least 5% dedicated to drinking water sources. She described the Clean Water Council’s recommendation process and said most of the money goes to Board of Water and Soil Resources projects, with additional funding for PCA and DNR monitoring. In response to a question about Hastings and PFAS contamination, she said the legislature could appropriate clean water money if the project fits the constitutional criteria and protects drinking water sources. For the Parks and Trails Fund, she explained it receives 14.25% of Legacy revenues and is allocated under the long-standing 40-40-20 split: 40% to state parks and trails, 40% to metropolitan regional parks and trails, and 20% to Greater Minnesota regional parks and trails.
House Fiscal Analysis staff then reviewed the reserve requirement and available balances, noting that each Legacy fund must keep a 5% reserve to protect against forecast changes. For the upcoming biennium, they cited approximately $327.229 million available for the Outdoor Heritage Fund, $184.73 million for the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and $133.13 million for the Parks and Trails Fund, with the Clean Water Fund total discussed earlier at about $311 million. Members briefly discussed the importance of the reserve and the zero-base nature of the funds. The committee then moved on to an overview of the Outdoor Heritage Fund and Outdoor Heritage Council from Mark Johnson and Joe Pelco, who explained that the fund was approved by voters in 2008, lasts 25 years, receives about one-third of the 3/8 of 1% sales tax, and is used to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. They described the council’s statutory role, the small grants program for projects from $5,000 to $500,000, and the annual recommendation process, but no votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Page two starts the DNR.
- Page two starts the DNR. Page two starts the DNR.
- <00:15:05.920>
out the DNR will go out the DNR will go out This<00:15:07.200>would <00: - Section 26 on page 151 requires the DNR Section 26 on page 151 requires the DNR to<00:34:03.520>
- So that's nine at DNR.
Summary:
The working group on the Omnibus Environment Bill opened with remarks from House and Senate co-chairs describing the agreement as a compromise with wins and tradeoffs for both sides, and thanking nonpartisan staff and administration agencies for helping negotiate the package. Staff then walked through the finance spreadsheet, explaining that the agreement met the group’s general fund target by combining new spending with cancellations and fund shifts across the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, BWSR, Metro Parks, the Zoo, the Science Museum, and other entities. Major fiscal items included PCA operating and permitting-efficiency funding, PFAS-related and mercury-related provisions, county feedlot reductions, closed landfill and remediation fund changes, groundwater and aquatic invasive species fee increases, DNR groundwater and AIS spending, ATV trail grants, watercraft enforcement, and several one-time appropriations and extensions for specific water quality and conservation projects.
The policy walk-through covered Article 3’s community grants changes, including a requirement that grants benefit all regions of the state, permission to use some funds for trail maintenance and AIS management, prohibitions on awards to certain entities, and a DNR reporting requirement. Article 4 contained a range of natural resources and environmental policy provisions, including abandoned watercraft seizure and forfeiture authority, higher watercraft AIS surcharges, disabled veterans license fee reductions, a county-based replacement for the shotgun zone, a one-year crossbow extension, a continuous bass season, increased water use permit fees, PFAS sales exemptions for certain products, creation of the Sustainable Foraging Task Force, and a moratorium on DNR foraging rules shortened to July 1, 2026. Article 5 addressed state lands, including an additional Cass County land sale authority.
Article 6 focused on PCA permitting reform, requiring more emphasis on complex Tier 2 permits in annual reporting, giving applicants five business days to fix deficiencies, allowing the PCA to decline expedited permitting when it lacks capacity, and letting the agency retain certain fees if expedited permits are completed early. It also included changes to environmental review procedures, feedlot permitting, and EQB rules. During member questions, Senator McEwen asked about the $952,000 ATV trail appropriation and whether projects must have permits before receiving funds; DNR Assistant Commissioner Bob Myers said no project list had been finalized and that grants would go through the existing process, with environmental review and readiness considered, but he said he would need to verify the exact permitting policy and follow up with the committee.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/13/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- Next is testimony from the DNR.
- Next is testimony from the DNR. If Miss Thelen can come over... Next is testimony from the DNR.
- Let's keep working with the DNR.
- DNR has reviewed sections two, three, and four, which were proposed by the counties, and DNR does not
- knew that the DNR would indeed be knew that the DNR would indeed be interested<02:09:00.360>
in
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on SF2077 5/9/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Of DNR are rolled into this one line.
- This one is $129,000 that goes to DNR.
- And later on in the that goes to DNR.
- million of new money going to the DNR million of new money going to the DNR for<00:19:42.960>
- um assistant commissioner of DNR, Mr. um assistant commissioner of DNR, Mr.
Summary:
The conference committee on the Environment budget for Senate File 2077 met to introduce members and staff, then walked through the Senate and House budget spreadsheets side by side. Nonpartisan staff explained that the Senate budget was built around a smaller general fund increase and more use of environmental and dedicated funds, while the House met its target through several reductions, including cuts to DNR, PCA, and Board of Water and Soil Resources appropriations. The committee reviewed major agency items for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Zoo, and other accounts, including operating adjustments, permit-related funding, and transfers between funds.
Several major differences were highlighted. For the PCA, the Senate included operating adjustments, permitting efficiency funding, composting grants, outreach funding, and a closed landfill investment fund approach that repeals an expiring statutory appropriation, while the House instead extends that appropriation for four more years. For the DNR, the Senate included operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, aquatic invasive species funding, trail grants, outdoor schools for all, abandoned watercraft enforcement, and a sustainable foraging task force; the House had fewer of these fee and policy items and used reductions to meet its target. The committee also noted Senate-only policy provisions on outreach to diverse communities, field citations and mercury certification for skin-lightening products, disabled veteran license fee changes, and a moratorium on foraging rulemaking until July 1, 2027.
Agency testimony followed. The MPCA commissioner praised both chambers for recognizing core agency work and urged adoption of operating adjustments, the closed landfill fund access, and the air appropriation increase. The DNR assistant commissioner supported operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, and the veteran license proposal, but raised concerns about the Senate’s foraging task force language, saying it overweights consumptive users and could limit the agency’s ability to manage foraging without clear data. He also noted support for the land transfer funding and said the agency would continue working with the committee on unresolved issues. No votes were taken in this portion of the meeting.
MN
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, and we are working with DNR.
- We prefer uh a broader uh DNR.
- >> since you're here for DNR. >> since you're here for DNR.
- <01:38:15.040>
We DNR the administrating agency. We DNR the administrating agency. - funding for Hisk remaining with DNR funding for Hisk remaining with DNR while<01:43:46.159>
DNR
Bills:
SB2606, SB3253, SB237, SB3252, SB1178, SB2322, SB2019, SB3043, SB3014, SB2972, SB1190, SB2488
Keywords:
wildlife sanctuary, environmental conservation, Hawaii, nonprofit corporation, freshwater preservation, community stewardship, biodiversity, ecological heritage, conservation, endangered species, wildlife preservation, native birds, sanctuary, nonprofit, DLNR, agricultural district, land use, chapter 195D, chapter 205, chapter 42F
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on several measures related to wildlife, conservation, shoreline adaptation, and climate governance. On SB 2606, which would establish the Freshwater State Recreational Area Wildlife Sanctuary Corporation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it had concerns about employee eligibility and was not yet prepared to comment further on the bill’s ramifications. After testimony ended, a senator asked DLNR to follow up with more detail, and the department said it would relay the questions to leadership and respond later. No vote was taken on the measure during the excerpt.
On SB 3253, which would create the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity to work with DLNR, the department said it supported the bill. In discussion, DLNR said Hawaii has not done anything like this before, described a similar model in New Zealand, and estimated that developing such a sanctuary could cost millions of dollars. Members also discussed whether the concept would fit with existing efforts such as Hakalau, and DLNR said the bill could apply to private or state lands depending on the site. No action was taken.
The most extensive discussion was on SB 237, which would expand state and county authority to develop adaptation pathways for relocating infrastructure away from sea level rise and coastal flooding areas. DLNR supported the bill, saying it prioritizes public trust resources over economic development or private property. The Kahana Bay Steering Committee and the Shoreline Preservation Coalition opposed the measure, arguing it was too focused on managed retreat and should include a broader range of shoreline responses, such as erosion mitigation, groins, sand nourishment, and other interim protections. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it appreciated the bill’s intent but wanted broader language that would allow more tools in the toolbox. Members debated whether retreat is inevitable, whether different shorelines require different approaches, and whether the bill should be more flexible. No vote was taken.
The final measure discussed was SB 3252, which would amend the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, create a coordinator position, and appropriate funds. The commission’s coordinator testified in support, while OPSD opposed the bill, saying it would remove the two cabinet-level co-chair positions, raise accountability concerns, and duplicate some of OPSD’s functions. In questioning, members debated whether the current commission structure has been effective, who would appoint or confirm the coordinator, and whether the bill would improve transparency and implementation. OPSD said it supported more statewide interdepartmental funding for climate planning and staffing, but had concerns about the proposed governance changes. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The PWI is used by the DNR, local governments, and others to identify public waters.
- Next up, Randall, Conservation Assistance and Regulations Section Manager, DNR.
- um getting the DNR to start taking<00:26:22.520>
action <00:26:23.520>um <00:26:24.080> - For example, in 17,640 stream miles of waterways were removed from the PWI by the DNR.
- Could the DNR come back up?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment panel hears bill to establish responsible foraging task force 2/27/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 2023 um about the possibility of the DNR 2023 um about the possibility of the DNR severely<00:02
- <00:02:18.480>
which those concerns with the DNR which those concerns with the DNR which appeared - I asked the Minnesota DNR where is the average person supposed to forage?
- I have a question for the commissioner of the DNR, Mr. Chair.
- I have a question for the commissioner of the DNR, Mr. Chair.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Emerging Issues Apr 29th, 2026
Emerging Issues and Professional Registration
Transcript Highlights:
- They have heard DNR has been on the sites and that DNR cannot get access to the sites.
- He said all of those funds are subject to DNR approval and have always been subject to DNR approval.
- They're submitted to DNR to be approved. DNR will approve them or deny them.
- Receipts are received, submitted to DNR. All of this stuff is aboveboard.
- So we also don't believe that DNR needs this legislation. ...by this.
Summary:
The committee met in public hearing on Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown, which would address abandoned, ownerless landfills in Missouri. Brown described the bill as a response to a constituent who discovered contamination near property in Franklin County, and said the measure had evolved through multiple versions. He explained that the bill would give the Department of Natural Resources clearer authority over ownerless landfill sites, direct 10% of tipping fees from solid waste districts toward assessment, investigation, testing, remediation, and management of those sites, create an interim committee for further study, and tighten seller disclosure requirements to require written, dated notice by mail.
Brown said the state has 29 such sites and argued that counties and DNR lack the resources to study or clean them up. Support testimony came from Marisa Grosoccoe, dean of engineering at the University of Missouri, who said the bill provides both a regulatory framework and a steady funding stream, and that environmental studies are a necessary first step to determine the scope and cost of cleanup and potentially return contaminated land to productive use. She said the funding would likely support only a few studies per year, but would reduce uncertainty and help unlock other funding sources.
Opposition came from representatives of solid waste districts, including Chris Bussin and Diana Bryant, who argued the districts already perform important recycling, household hazardous waste, and grant administration work, and that the proposed diversion of tipping fees would reduce funding for those programs. They said the districts are already tightly regulated, that the abandoned landfill issue has been known for years, and that DNR already has authority to act. Lacey Miller, speaking for informational purposes, said the districts support local recycling and community programs, especially in small counties and schools, and warned that consolidation or funding cuts would hurt local services. No vote was taken; the hearing on Senate Bill 1586 was concluded.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP/WAL Joint Public Hearing - Tue Mar 18, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- The idea of you give DNR sunset, right?
- But DNR they they slacking together.
- Be DNR, billionaire, talk story.
- Uh someone from DNR. questions. Uh someone from DNR. Any<00:50:23.520>
questions? - exempt your recommended testimony of DNR exempt your recommended testimony of DNR is<00:57:27.520
Summary:
The joint hearing covered three measures. SB 1602 would appropriate funds to DLNR for monitoring wells for the Koho aquifer system; DLNR and HHFDC supported it, and written testimony from several organizations and individuals was also in support. Members asked whether monitoring wells are a statewide function rather than a county function, and staff confirmed they are done statewide. The second bill was an administration measure clarifying that criminal water pollution enforcement remains with the Department of Health rather than DLNR. The Attorney General’s office said it was a cleanup clarification and that DOH has stronger enforcement powers and better testing capability; DOH and DLNR supported it, and there was no opposition noted.
The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1074 on environmental impact statements. The bill would let previously authorized or permitted commercial activities continue for up to one year while an agency determines whether environmental review applies after a challenge, and would allow permit renewals during that review. DLNR said it stood on written comments and suggested aligning the bill with similar House language. Supporters, including several ocean tourism and Maui business representatives, argued the bill would provide certainty and keep families and small operators working while environmental review is completed, especially in the wake of the Lahaina fires and ongoing business losses. Some supporters said the measure should be narrowed with a sunset or limited to recently renewed permits.
Opponents, including the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could weaken HEPA/NEPA-style environmental review, especially for fisheries and other commercial activities. They said the bill could be used as a “Trojan horse” to avoid review and that DLNR could resolve the underlying disputes more quickly through settlement or existing exemption processes. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- But DNR is responsible for these facilities. The system should help that out.
- All of those funds are subject to DNR approval, and they have always been subject to DNR approval.
- I believe DNR denied the purchase, and... ...subject to DNR approval.
- They're submitted to DNR to be approved. DNR will approve them or deny them.
- DNR is a regulatory body. They do regulate the landfills. They permit them.
Summary:
The committee met to hear Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Senator Ben Brown, which would address abandoned, ownerless landfills in Missouri. Brown described a constituent’s discovery of contamination near an abandoned landfill in St. Clair and argued the state has at least 29 similar sites, creating risks to water supplies and public health. He said the bill evolved through multiple versions and now keeps the solid waste districts intact while redirecting 10% of tipping fees to fund environmental studies, investigation, remediation, and management of ownerless landfills. The bill also would clarify seller disclosure requirements by requiring written, dated notice delivered by mail.
Members questioned the fiscal impact and whether the 10% diversion would effectively amount to a larger share of district revenues. Brown said he was open to further discussion but emphasized the need to fund at least initial studies and to create an interim committee for broader stakeholder input next year. Supportive testimony came from University of Missouri engineering dean Marisa Crusoe, who said the bill provides both a clearer regulatory framework and a stable funding stream, and that studies are a necessary first step to determine cleanup costs and potential reuse of the sites.
Opposition testimony came from solid waste district representatives, including Chris Busson, Diana Bryant, and Lacey Miller. They argued the districts already perform important recycling and household hazardous waste functions, that the proposed cut would significantly reduce local programs and staffing, and that DNR already has authority to address abandoned landfills. They also said the districts are subject to oversight and that the system has generally worked, while warning that consolidation or funding cuts would harm local recycling, grants, and hazardous waste services. No vote was taken, and the hearing concluded without further business.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- DNR-built assets have a current replacement value of $3.5 billion.
- DNR-built assets have a current replacement value of $3.5 billion.
- DNR-built assets have a current replacement value of $3.5 billion.
- we’ve got plenty more questions for the DNR.
- <00:18:16.960>
and here but no we uh we love the DNR and here but no we uh we love the DNR
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/27/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- comments in conversation with the DNR comments in conversation with the DNR through<00:37:12.760
- I can refer to the DNR.
- at any time uh with the DNR at any time uh with the DNR just<01:07:01.359>
confirm <01:07: - I've talked to the DNR about this.
- Meyer, does the DNR like my idea?
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Next up we have DNR with comments. Good morning, everyone.
- And so, with that, taking destination management out of the authority and putting it in DNR requires
- <00:29:46.720>
um <00:29:46.960>does while we appreciate all that DNR um does while - but also DOT um county agencies only DNR but also DOT um county agencies from<00:31:05.279>
you - And to that point, I'd like to thank DNR for their partnership, um, you know, through the many years
Bills:
SB2187
Keywords:
housing, economic development, tourism, state department, renaming, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 910, house, all
Summary:
The joint House Tourism and Water and Land hearing focused on HB 1947, which would repeal the Hawaii Tourism Authority, create an Office of Tourism in DBEDT, and establish a Division of Destination Management in DLNR. The Attorney General opposed provisions allowing the new tourism office or advisory board to hire independent attorneys, and also noted civil service and transfer-of-functions issues, including the need for standard transition language for employees, contracts, records, and equipment. DNR said it stood on its written comments, while the Department of Taxation also stood on its written testimony.
HTA opposed the bill, arguing that Act 132 had already improved its governance and that destination management should remain within a single, holistic tourism framework. HTA said it is better positioned to coordinate with counties, communities, and state agencies on both tourism promotion and mitigation of impacts, and pointed to its strategic plan and DMAP work as evidence. The County of Kauai Office of Economic Development also opposed the bill, saying tourism issues cross multiple agencies and that coordination is best handled by one entity rather than splitting responsibilities between DBEDT and DLNR. One member of the public testified in support with reservations, saying Hawaii needs stronger leadership and control, but also warning that dissolving HTA would be a major change.
During questioning, committee members pressed HTA on why destination management should not simply be handled by DLNR if HTA already consults with it on land-use and conservation issues. HTA responded that its role is broader than conservation alone and includes balancing economic development, visitor management, and resident quality of life, while deferring to DLNR on matters within DLNR’s jurisdiction. The hearing then moved to decision-making, where the chairs announced amendments that removed the transfer of destination management to DLNR, added counties and state/county agency assistance to the Office of Tourism, and made other conforming changes. The House committees voted to recommend HB 1947 pass with amendments, with several members voting aye and some voting with reservations, and the hearing was adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House environment panel considers bill to establish year-round bass fishing season 4/1/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As all of us know, much of the DNR budget comes from license sales.
- Parsons, DNR fisheries section manager.
- As all of us know, much of the DNR budget comes from license sales.
- Uh, Brad Parsons, fisheries section manager for the Minnesota DNR.
- Uh, Brad Parsons, fisheries section manager for the Minnesota DNR.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/24/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- DNR approached uh me about repealing DNR approached uh me about repealing this<00:06:30.200>
language - And it updates statutory and the DNR.
- The DNR Commissioner Stroman and the DNR are in support of this.
- The DNR is that was passed in the House.
- We do Meyer, Assistant Commissioner DNR.