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HF 3643

Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park working group established, report required, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patty Acomb and 33 co-sponsors

Establishes a working group to study, plan, and recommend creating a new Minnesota state park honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman, including location, governance, and funding.

Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · HF 3643

Summary of HF 3643 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Purpose

HF 3643 establishes a Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park working group, requires a report, and provides funding related to the creation and planning of a state park honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman. The bill outlines the composition and duties of the working group, sets reporting requirements, and appropriates money to support the process.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Establishment of a Working Group

    • Creates a dedicated working group named for Melissa and Mark Hortman to explore the establishment of a new state park.
    • The group is charged with coordinating, studying, and recommending a pathway for designating a state park that memorializes Melissa and Mark Hortman.

  • Membership and Representation

    • The bill specifies a set of members appointed to the working group (likely including legislators, state agency representatives, local government, stakeholders, and possibly representatives of the Hortman family or community groups). The exact roster and appointment process would be defined in the bill or accompanying fiscal note.

  • Authority and Duties

    • The working group is charged with:
    • Identifying potential locations or parcels suitable for state park designation.
    • Assessing feasibility, cost implications, environmental impact, and long-term stewardship requirements.
    • Recommending a preferred site(s) and design concepts, if appropriate.
    • Outlining governance, funding, operations, and management considerations for the proposed park.

  • Reporting Requirement

    • A comprehensive report detailing findings, analysis, and a recommended course of action is required to be submitted to the Legislature (likely to a specified committee or committees) by a defined deadline.
    • The report would cover rationale for park designation, anticipated benefits (e.g., cultural, educational, conservation), and any statutory or regulatory changes needed to establish the park.

  • Funding and Appropriations

    • The bill appropriates funds to support the working group’s activities, including planning, studies, stakeholder outreach, and the formal reporting process.
    • Allocation types may cover staff support, consultants, data collection, public engagement events, and related administrative costs.

  • Timing and Process

    • The bill has undergone committee action, with amendments proposed and re-referrals to Ways and Means and State Government Finance and Policy.
    • If enacted, the funding and process timeline would align with the committee-reported schedule, with a report due by a specified date following establishment of the working group.

Who is Affected

  • State Agencies: Departments involved in natural resources, environmental planning, and parks and trails (e.g., Department of Natural Resources) will participate in the working group and implement resulting recommendations.
  • Legislature: Lawmakers receive the final report and determine next steps, potential authorizations, and capital or operating budget implications.
  • Local Governments and Stakeholders: Regions considered for park location will be engaged in planning, feasibility studies, and public input processes.
  • Public Interest: Minnesota residents gain a potential new state park and increased opportunities for recreation, conservation, and historical remembrance tied to Melissa and Mark Hortman.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Committee Action: Initial introduction and referral to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy, followed by amendments and re-referrals to State Government Finance and Policy and Ways and Means as the bill progressed.
  • Reporting Timeline: The core deliverable is a final report from the working group with recommendations to the Legislature by a legislatively specified deadline.
  • Budget Cycle Alignment: The appropriation supports the working group in the current and upcoming fiscal years, with ongoing obligations likely contingent on final statutory authorization for park establishment.

Notes

  • The bill focuses on establishing a formal, deliberative process to evaluate and propose the creation of a state park in memory of Melissa and Mark Hortman.
  • Specific details such as the exact membership composition, site criteria, funding amounts, and reporting deadline would be defined in the bill text and any accompanying fiscal notes or amendments.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize particular aspects (e.g., the financial implications, governance structure, or public engagement provisions) once you provide the full bill text or key sections.

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

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