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HF 1078

Washington County; grant funding provided for county's wood waste and diseased tree utilization program, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rick Hansen and 3 co-sponsors

Provides grants, bonds, and state funding to Washington County to run a wood-waste and diseased-tree utilization program, boosting forest health and local jobs.

Author added Johnson, W.
#bonds #counties-specific #forestsandtrees
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Bill Summary · HF 1078

Summary of HF 1078 (Washington County; wood waste and diseased tree utilization program)

Overview

HF 1078 is a Minnesota House bill introduced on February 17, 2025. The bill focuses on Washington County’s program for utilizing wood waste and diseased trees and contemplates grant funding, bond issuance, and appropriation of money to support that program. The bill is classified as a bonds-and-counties-specific measure related to forests and trees. The author changed during the process: Lillie was listed as author on February 19, 2025, and Hemmingsen-Jaeger was added as author on March 5, 2025. A companion bill exists in the Senate, SF 2719.

What the bill would do

  • Provide grant funding to Washington County for its wood waste and diseased tree utilization program.
  • Authorize the issuance of bonds to support the program.
  • Appropriate money to fund the program and related activities.

Key provisions (as described)

  • Grants: Establish or allocate funds to Washington County specifically for a program addressing wood waste and diseased trees.
  • Bonding: Authorization to issue bonds to finance the program’s activities or capital needs.
  • Appropriation: Direct state funds to support the program, including ongoing or one-time appropriations as needed.

Who would be affected

  • Washington County: Primary beneficiary, receiving grants and potential bonding support to execute the wood waste and diseased tree utilization program.
  • County residents and local workers: Indirect beneficiaries through program activities, potential environmental benefits, and job impacts related to wood processing, tree health management, and related industries.
  • Forestry and wood utilization sector: Entities involved in processing wood waste and diseased material may see programmatic funding and potential market opportunities.
  • State financing and oversight bodies: Agencies responsible for bond issuance, appropriation, and monitoring of the program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced February 17, 2025; referred to the Capital Investment committee.
  • Author changes: Lillie listed as author on February 19, 2025; Hemmingsen-Jaeger added as author on March 5, 2025.
  • Related legislation: Companion Senate bill SF 2719 exists.
  • Next steps: If advanced, HF 1078 would proceed through committee hearings and debate in the House, with potential reconciliation with the companion Senate bill before any final passage.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Environmental and economic: The bill aims to enhance utilization of wood waste and diseased trees, potentially reducing waste, supporting forest health, and boosting local economic activity through processing and related services.
  • Financing: Bond issuance and appropriations would require careful fiscal planning, including terms, debt service, and oversight.
  • Unspecified details: The summary does not provide dollar amounts, bond terms, match requirements, or performance metrics; these would be determined in the bill’s amendments and final conference.

For readers seeking the precise fiscal figures, bond terms, or program parameters, the current text and any amendments from committee hearings should be consulted.

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

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