Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

SF 1036

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 08/17/2021 02:38pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - as introduced

Line numbers 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23
2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing cost-share program for soil health;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
103F.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [103F.06] SOIL HEALTH COST-SHARE PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision
have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Board" means the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Local units of government" has the meaning given under section 103B.305,
subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Soil health" has the meaning given under section 103C.101, subdivision 10a.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The board must establish a cost-share program consistent with
the provisions of section 103C.501 for the purpose of establishing soil health practices to
mitigate climate change impacts and improve water quality and related public benefits.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Financial assistance. new text end

new text begin (a) The board may provide financial assistance to local
units of government for the costs of soil health and related water quality practices consistent
with a plan approved according to chapter 103B, 103C, or 103D. The board must establish
costs eligible for financial assistance under this section, including costs for conservation
planning, cover crop seeding, equipment acquisition or use, and other practices to improve
soil health.
new text end

new text begin (b) The board must enter into agreements with local units of government receiving
financial assistance under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Technical assistance. new text end

new text begin (a) The board may employ or contract with agronomists,
biologists, or hydrologists in implementing the cost-share program.
new text end

new text begin (b) When implementing the program, the board must:
new text end

new text begin (1) assist local units of government in achieving the goals of the program;
new text end

new text begin (2) review and assess practice standards; and
new text end

new text begin (3) evaluate the effectiveness of completed practices constructed with assistance from
the cost-share program.
new text end

new text begin (c) The board shall cooperate with the Minnesota Office for Soil Health at the University
of Minnesota, the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation
Service, and other agencies and private sector organizations as needed to enhance program
effectiveness.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Federal aid availability. new text end

new text begin The board shall regularly complete an analysis of the
availability of federal funds and programs to supplement or complement state and local
efforts consistent with the purposes of this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2024, the board shall evaluate the effectiveness of the
program under this section and submit a report with the results and recommendations to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees
and divisions with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources. The report shall
include an assessment of the applicability and viability of tools to assist farm operators and
landowners in evaluating nutrient, soil organic matter, and soil loss management practices
on individual fields.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $2,750,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $2,750,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from
the general fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for the soil health program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.06.
new text end