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HF 2293

Commissioner of natural resources funding provided for grants under the environment and natural resources trust fund community grant program, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patty Acomb and 4 co-sponsors

HF 2293 authorizes using ENRTF funds, via the DNR, to administer and distribute Community Grant Program grants for environmental and natural resources projects.

Author added Pursell
#environment #naturalresourcesdepartment
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Bill Summary · HF 2293

Summary of HF 2293 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Purpose and intent

HF 2293 proposes changes to the funding and administration of grants under the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) Community Grant Program. The core aim is to provide funding to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to administer and distribute ENRTF community grants, ensuring resources are available to support community-driven projects in environment and natural resources sectors. The bill appears to authorize appropriations to the DNR specifically for grants under the ENRTF Community Grant Program and related environment and natural resources funding.

Key provisions and changes

  • Funding authorization to DNR for ENRTF grants: The bill designates that money appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources may be used to fund ENRTF community grants, under the program administered by ENRTF. This clarifies or expands the DNR’s role in managing and distributing grant funds derived from the ENRTF.

  • Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) context: The ENRTF is Minnesota’s long-standing fund supported by receipts from the state lottery and other sources, used to finance projects related to the environment, natural resources, outdoor recreation, and related themes. HF 2293 ties ENRTF community grant funding to the DNR’s appropriation authority.

  • Grant program governance and administration: While the specific text is not provided, the bill’s focus on funding for the ENRTF Community Grant Program via the DNR suggests adjustments to how grants are administered, potentially including:

    • Allocation of ENRTF dollars to the DNR for grant management.
    • Oversight, reporting, or eligibility criteria aligned with community-based environmental projects.
    • Possible alignment with statutory ENRTF purposes and grant cycles.

  • Budgetary and fiscal mechanics: The bill likely delineates the amount of money (or the range) appropriated to the DNR for ENRTF community grants within the state fiscal years, and any conditions attached to those funds (e.g., matching requirements, reporting deadlines).

Who is affected

  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Receives explicit authorization to expend ENRTF-derived funds for the Community Grant Program and to administer related grants.
  • Community grant applicants and recipients: Local governments, non-profit organizations, tribal entities, and community groups seeking ENRTF-funded environmental projects would be directly impacted by the enhanced or clarified accessibility of grant funds and the administration framework.
  • General public and environment-related projects: Communities that benefit from ENRTF-supported environmental and natural resources initiatives stand to gain through potential increases in grant funding or streamlined access.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Bill status: Introduced and referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy committee (as of March 13, 2025). The action history notes the addition of sponsor Pursell on March 17, 2025.
  • Next steps: If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, and votes in the Minnesota House. Any enacted version would then move to the Minnesota Senate and, if passed, be sent to the governor for signature.
  • Effective date: The bill’s text would specify when its provisions take effect (often July 1 of the fiscal year or a specified date once enacted). The summary does not provide an exact effective date.

Notes

  • The summary reflects the information available from the bill title and action history. For precise statutory language, specific dollar amounts, matching requirements, reporting mandates, and exact effective dates, the bill’s text and fiscal note should be consulted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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