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HF 3879

Outdoor heritage fund; prior appropriations extended and modified, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Leon Lillie and 2 co-sponsors

HF 3879 extends and reallocates Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations, extending deadlines and adjusting allocations to keep prior grants usable and aligned with current needs.

Author added Rehm
#appropriations #naturalresourcesdepartment
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Bill Summary · HF 3879

Summary of HF 3879 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Overview

HF 3879 amends the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) provisions related to prior appropriations, extending and modifying existing appropriations and authorizing new funding. The bill appears to adjust timelines, modify funding terms, and specify allocations or conditions tied to previously approved OHF expenditures. The action history shows introduction and referral to the Legacy Finance committee, with two co-authors later added (Leon Lillie and Samantha Vang).

Purpose and Intent

  • Extend and modify prior appropriations from the Outdoor Heritage Fund.
  • Reallocate, update, or condition previously approved OHF dollars to align with current program needs, timelines, and statutory requirements.
  • Potentially create new funding or grant structures under the OHF framework, while ensuring compatibility with the fund’s established goals for habitat restoration, wildlife, and outdoor heritage.

Key Provisions (Proposed/Indicative)

Note: The bill’s text would provide the precise statutory changes; the following reflects common elements typically involved in OHF priority-appropriation amendments. Please consult the enacted language for exact changes.

  • Extension of Timelines: Extend deadlines for previously authorized OHF projects or allocations, allowing funds to be obligated or expended beyond earlier sunset/expiration dates.
  • Modification of Allocations: Reallocate portions of prior appropriations among projects or program areas (e.g., habitat restoration, land purchases, conservation easements, and wildlife management).
  • New or Reprogrammed Funding: Create authority for reallocating unspent balances or adding new appropriations within the OHF purse, subject to statutory caps or approval processes.
  • Reporting and Compliance: Preserve or adjust reporting requirements, performance criteria, and project oversight to ensure accountability for extended or reprogrammed funds.
  • Conditions and Matching Requirements: Maintain or revise any grant conditions, match requirements, or stewardship undertakings tied to OHF funds.

Who Is Affected

  • State Agencies and Tribes: Entities responsible for administering OHF grants and projects (e.g., DNR and other conservation partners) will implement extensions and reprogrammings.
  • Qualified Recipients: Local governments, nonprofit conservation organizations, and landowners receiving OHF funds for habitat restoration, conservation easements, or acquisition.
  • Taxpayers and Outdoor Heritage Stakeholders: Beneficiaries of the OHF’s mission to restore and protect natural resources, hunting and fishing heritage, and outdoor recreation.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: The bill was introduced and referred to the Legacy Finance committee, indicating a focus on funding and legacy-related budgetary considerations.
  • Sponsorship: Co-sponsors include Leon Lillie and Samantha Vang, with a later addition of Lillie as a sponsor.
  • Potential Next Steps: If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee hearings, possible amendments, and floor consideration, consistent with Minnesota legislative procedures for appropriation bills.

Practical Impact

  • The OHF has a constitutionally established balance and reporting framework. This bill could enable continued action on prioritized habitat and conservation projects by ensuring that previously approved funding remains usable and aligned with current needs.
  • For communities and environmental projects reliant on OHF funding, the bill could provide greater flexibility to complete projects that were lagging or require additional time.

For a complete understanding, please review the bill’s exact statutory text to confirm the specific changes to prior OHF appropriations, any new appropriations, project lists, and the precise deadlines or conditions involved.

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

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