Transcript Highlights:

• It was not generated from the DNR.
• It was not generated from the DNR.
• It was not generated from the DNR.
• It was not generated from the DNR.
• grants from the DNR appropriation. grants from the DNR appropriation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on state grant-management requirements. Deputy Legislative Auditor Katherine Tyson outlined the main controls agencies must follow, including pre-award risk assessments for grants of $50,000 or more, reimbursement as the preferred payment method, limits and documentation requirements for advance payments, and monitoring obligations for active grants. She emphasized that these controls are intended to reduce improper payments and fraud, but also require staff time and strong internal systems. In response to questions, she said advance payments are used in some grants but reimbursement is more common, and noted that agencies can add controls such as retaining a portion of funds, surprise visits, or audits. She also said surety bonds are required in some state programs, but not generally for grants, and that this could be a policy discussion for the executive branch. The committee then received a Department of Natural Resources presentation on the new Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund community grant program created in 2023 law. DNR officials said the program is intended to expand access to ENRTF funding, especially for communities affected by pollution and environmental degradation, and to support projects such as environmental education, resource restoration, trail work, and aquatic invasive species management. They said the department will use the same grants team that handles Outdoor Heritage Fund and LCCMR grants, which already manages a large volume of grants, and that the advisory council application is open through April 10. DNR described its implementation plan as similar to the Conservation Partners Legacy program, with both standard and expedited grant rounds, technical assistance, and use of technical experts. Differences include no match requirement, allowance for fiscal agents to help smaller organizations, and more flexibility for administrative expenses to reduce barriers to participation. Officials said the program will follow state grant rules, including pre-award financial reviews and monitoring, and will use the 5 percent administrative allowance to support both oversight and grantee assistance. They also said the report’s suggestion of advance payments for grants under $50,000 was raised for discussion, but they did not dispute the auditor’s emphasis that reimbursement is the preferred approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor's budget recommendation for DNR reflects the broader theme of his overall budget, which
• Minnesota's environment and DNR more Minnesota's environment and DNR more specifically<00:07:18.280><
• improvement strategies um through DNR improvement strategies um through DNR technical<00:24:04.559
• So with that, now any question from members, not about my announcement, but to the DNR?
• <00:25:45.320> Senator DNR Senator DNR Senator green<00:25:47.480> thanks<00:25:47.679>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Board of Natural Resources sets policies and management objectives for DNR.
• Part of what we'll be looking at is the inventory data that DNR is using.
• So DNR has. that what we're supposed to be studying is future effects.
• We will look to see how much DNR. harvested sustainably going into the future.
• We are reviewing the data and models that DNR uses to calculate the harvest level.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on September 17, 2025, in hybrid format. After roll call, the committee initially lacked a quorum and deferred approval of the July 15 minutes until Representative Berg arrived; the minutes were then adopted. Members also discussed the proposed 2026 JLARC meeting schedule, including possible changes to address crowded July meetings and the annual tax exemption review workload. Staff presented the annual lodging tax expenditures report, noting that 213 municipalities received distributions in 2024, with 91% reporting compliance, $114 million awarded for more than 1,700 activities, and no independent verification of the self-reported data. Several members questioned the value and usefulness of the report, and the executive committee indicated it may recommend removing the statutory reporting requirement. The committee then heard the preliminary performance audit of the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, which found the office meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but recommended updating the statute to better match the office’s current capacity and focus and improving performance measures to reflect long-term privacy outcomes rather than outputs. Members asked about FERPA and other federal privacy laws, and OPDP staff said they provide general privacy training and consultation but not law-specific training unless requested. The committee adopted the final report on Washington State recreational boating programs without recommendation, after staff reported that boating revenues support both general government and boating activities and that no participating agencies submitted formal comments. Members asked about boater safety education and possible overlap among the six agencies involved; Parks staff said education has reached more than 500,000 boaters and that fatalities and incidents have declined. The committee also reviewed planned study questions for a JLARC review of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker laws, with members raising scope questions about the term “farm worker” versus “agricultural worker,” and for DNR’s Eastern Washington sustainable harvest calculation, which JLARC will review as DNR completes its recalculation. Finally, staff outlined the 2026 tax preference performance reviews covering seven preferences, and members asked about racial equity, environmental impacts, disclosure of beneficiary savings, and how the reviews will measure effectiveness; the meeting adjourned before noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• DNR notes that there are 13 Minnesota.
• However, the DNR has concerns with this bill in its current form.
• How many question for the DNR or not.
• >> Uh, we've got somebody from the DNR >> Uh, we've got somebody from the DNR coming
• <00:21:28.960> is and pop in a law again that our DNR is and pop in a law again that our DNR

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This requires surety bond or DNR This requires surety bond or DNR approval<00:09:04.839> of
• Uh, but is the DNR in the room there? >> Is anyone from the DNR in the room?
• Uh but is the DNR in the room there? Uh but is the DNR in the room there?
• >> Is anyone from the DNR in the room? >> Is anyone from the DNR in the room?
• <00:15:14.440> in Um I don't see anyone from the DNR in Um I don't see anyone from the DNR

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, to finalize House File 3426. After roll call established a quorum, staff walked members through the conference agreement and spreadsheet, noting that most appropriations were unchanged from the House and Senate positions. The report kept the LCCMR recommendations in resiliency, water, fish and wildlife, energy, and most land and education/outdoor recreation items, while removing the “cultivating conservation leaders through education and wilderness experiences” project and a Senate rotational grazing pilot provision. The committee also noted the overall appropriation total and carryforwards/extensions, and that the community grants program appropriation remained in the bill. Members then reviewed the policy language in the DE amendment. The agreement retained House provisions setting guardrails for the community grants program, including requirements for emerging issues account votes, maximum grant amounts, staff training, monitoring visits, pre-award risk assessments, surety bond or fiscal-agent approval for advance payments, and quarterly progress reports, while also adopting Senate language repealing a DNR acquisition-approval requirement. Senators McEwen and Her offered contrasting comments about the removal of the Boundary Waters-related project, with McEwen criticizing the decision as politicized and Her emphasizing stewardship and the importance of exposing young people to the Boundary Waters. Representatives Heintzeman and Fischer defended the need for accountability and said the issue had been addressed in a bipartisan way. The committee reported receiving a letter from the DNR supporting the language and thanking the conferees and staff. Chair Her moved adoption of the HF 3426 DE amendment and the spreadsheet dated 5/13/26 at 11:38 a.m., authorized staff to prepare the conference committee report and make technical and conforming changes, and the motion passed 7-0. The meeting ended with thanks to staff, LCCMR participants, and Speaker Melissa Hortman, followed by adjournment and instructions for members to watch for and sign the conference committee report electronically that night.

Transcript Highlights:

• In working with the governor on the fiscal year 2026-27 biennial budget, DNR took a collaborative one-DNR
• > committed<00:03:00.080> to Minnesota DNR is deeply committed to Minnesota DNR is deeply
• :15.400> approach took a collaborative one DNR approach took a collaborative one DNR approach
• to everyone with the DNR for being here. to everyone with the DNR for being here.
• your your tribal liaison that is at DNR. your your tribal liaison that is at DNR.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , through some of the stuff for the DNR, through some of the stuff for the DNR, and<00:35:33.920>
• > and advisory council to advise the DNR and advisory council to advise the DNR and review<00:
• > in<00:41:37.359> accordance DNR grants are managed in accordance DNR grants are managed
• resources division at Minnesota DNR. resources division at Minnesota DNR.
• Um the DNR shares concerns comments.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tribal treaty payments come through the DNR. PILT payments come through the DNR.
• Tribal treaty payments come through the DNR. PILT payments come through the DNR.
• Tribal treaty payments come through the DNR. PILT payments come through the DNR.
• um and to what extent um is the DNR um and to what extent um is the DNR committed<00:20:50.400><
• been communicating with Wisconsin DNR been communicating with Wisconsin DNR and<00:30:22.440>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam's, thank you for being here with us today and with the DNR as well.
• Pat Rivers, deputy director of DNR Fish and Wildlife, is also here.
• Combined Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations in 2016 with the DNR as a managing organization and in
• Yes, I see Mister Rivers, the deputy commissioner of the DNR in our Fish and Wildlife Division.
• And the DNR... Is part of the initial... So it's the allocation acquired.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testifying first on SB 2130 is DNR. DNR. Good afternoon. Oh, 213. Oh, we can hunt in the ocean too.
• And testifying first on 2937 is DNR on Zoom, Jackson Bower from DNR. >> All right, we'll come back. >
• Jackson Bower from DNR. Jackson Bower from DNR.
• <00:33:03.519> I I guess we just have one for DNR. I I guess we just have one for DNR.
• <00:46:06.319> to know the outcomes of allowing DNR to know the outcomes of allowing DNR to

Bills: SB2341, SB2306, SB2782, SB2161, SB17, SB2358, SB2367, SB2240, SB2547, SB2401, SB3031, SB1406, SB521, SB3247, SB1654, SB1112, SB1301, SB2443, SB2996

Keywords: historic preservation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, construction, state review, burial sites, cultural artifacts, development review, phased review, administrative fees, bureau of conveyances, land court, transaction fees, public services, cost recovery, notary public, fraud, real property, Bureau of Conveyances, title recording, property rights

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to hunting, trespass enforcement, conservation banking, coral reef resilience, and search and rescue. SB 2130 would require DLNR to increase the percentage of public land acreage designated for public hunting areas; DLNR offered comments, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council expressed concern, and a Game Management Advisory Commission member urged adequate funding for both study and maintenance of any expanded hunting areas. SB 2128 would require forfeiture to the state of firearms or motor vehicles used in hunting trespass on private land; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the bill, and another signer testified without additional detail. The committee also heard SB 3053, which appropriates funds to DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline/stream maintenance in the Westlock and Middleock shorelines and watersheds. DLNR supported the measure and noted staff involved in mangrove removal work; no other testimony was offered. On SB 20005, which authorizes conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in habitat conservation plans and incidental take licenses, DLNR supported the bill but said a House measure, HB 1802, would place key safeguards in statute rather than administrative rules. Earthjustice opposed SB 20005 for lacking statutory safeguards and said it would support incorporating the House language, while CARES supported the bill as a modernization that could reduce permit processing time and provide more predictable costs. A lengthy discussion followed on SB 3201, which would direct DLNR to prioritize coral reef resilience and set performance targets for coral cover and herbivore biomass. DLNR said it supported the intent but wanted more flexibility because outside factors such as climate and emissions policy affect reef conditions; the Nature Conservancy shared that concern and asked for more flexible language. For the bill, For the Fishes strongly supported stronger protections and suggested adding abundance as a metric, while NOAA and DLNR discussed the difficulty of setting universal benchmarks because reef conditions vary by location. Randy Kosaki and CARES supported the bill, emphasizing coral decline and the need for measurable goals, while committee members asked about restoration projects, benchmarks, and whether the bill’s deadlines were meant to require a plan rather than immediate achievement. Finally, the committee took up SB 2937, which would create a search and rescue card program and special fund to reimburse state, county, and volunteer search-and-rescue operations. DLNR’s wildlife division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii SAR Alliance supported the concept but said Hawaii first needs a stronger search-and-rescue framework, including a state coordinator, before implementing such a program. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:20:05.239> data current ATV user according to DNR data current ATV user according to DNR
• <01:24:39.920> also that time the development DNR also that time the development DNR also
• This board coordinates with the Minnesota DNR, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S.
• <01:28:30.679> permitted County follows strict DNR permitted County follows strict DNR permitted
• <01:41:29.119> and recommendations are from the DNR and recommendations are from the DNR and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:27.200> to have this opportunity for the DNR to have this opportunity for the DNR to
• this report is available on the DNR this report is available on the DNR website<00:21:52.840>
• those sometimes for trail so for the DNR those sometimes for trail so for the DNR to<00:34:19.760
• Is there someone from DNR that maybe could address that?
• DNR collects some pretty interesting information.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and the early indications from the DNR and the early indications from the DNR says<00:02:52.640>
• The city of Winona worked with MMB and the DNR on this proposed new language.
• The city of Winona worked with MMB and the DNR on this proposed new language.
• 08:44.320> MMB, with the DNR and MMB, with the DNR and MMB, we<00:08:45.840> are<00:08:
• by the DNR. by the DNR.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• terms of side rails, guardrails, on this new program, and a lot of the details there were left for DNR
• provide measurable results and DNR provide measurable results and DNR cannot<00:04:35.720> award
• <00:04:53.240> to the details there were left for DNR to the details there were left for DNR
• By January 15th, 2026, DNR has to report to the legislature on its plan to implement these new grants
• <00:08:23.960> has<00:08:24.120> to program by January 15th 2026 DNR has to program

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I do believe that the DNR wants to testify.
• We're just saying that the DNR has to follow the same rules.
• laws and uh and we think that the DNR laws and uh and we think that the DNR should<01:45:52.719>
• This is exactly what the DNR they want.
• of the badge once worn by the DNR.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provision has been reviewed by the DNR. provision has been reviewed by the DNR.
• shotgun zone language on the uh DNR shotgun zone language on the uh DNR policy<00:19:41.600>
• Maybe DNR would like to talk, Mr. Chairman. Maybe DNR would like to talk, Mr. Chairman.
• Maybe DNR would like to talk, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I like to call DNR up as well.
• Maybe DNR would like to talk, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I like to call DNR up as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the DNR to implement this bill, the counties would need to provide the DNR with the acreage on the
• The DNR manages over 5 million 477.
• The DNR is unable to run a lake.
• For the DNR to called out in this bill.
• > need<00:42:37.359> additional closing, the DNR would need additional closing, the DNR

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is where DNR manages many agricultural leases.
• DNR cannot lease water rights separately from surface rights.
• DNR cannot lease water rights separately from surface rights.
• DNR cannot lease water rights separately from surface rights.
• And this has implications for DNR trust lands.

Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• :56.080> recommendations requiring DNR to make recommendations requiring DNR to make recommendations
• Article five is the DNR land bill.
• <00:06:58.880> land force and article five the DNR land force and article five the DNR land
• that um the AIS program under the DNR that um the AIS program under the DNR did<00:35:54.960>
• The DNR will be additional revenue.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, DNR, two weeks ago, we had a presentation by DNR.
• Um, DNR, two weeks ago, we had a presentation by DNR.
• <00:30:47.360> that anything in the way from the DNR that anything in the way from the DNR
• > for have a presentation by DNR is not for have a presentation by DNR is not for for<00:30:58.799
• . was Minnesota DNR of Georgia, 1968. was Minnesota DNR assistant<01:41:22.400> wildlife<01:41

Keywords: 1187, senate, all