On Thursday, MNHouse passed bill funding 101 environmental projects using lottery proceeds

 

Thanks @reprickhansen for the bipartisan passage of the LCCMR bill at the @mnhouseinfo. From pollinators, to protecting us from PFAS, this bill puts @mnlottery to work for Minnesotans through the @mnenrtf. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/wB0ZfWULd0

— Conservation MN (@ConservationMN) March 8, 2024

Last week was filled with errands, so I'm catching up with important developments on stories Bluestem follows. On Thursday, the Minnesota passed the HF 3377, legislation funding 101 environmental projects using lottery proceeds the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund on a bipartisan vote.

Bluestem received the following press release from House Environment and Natural Resources Committee chair and co-chair of the LCCMR Rick Hansen, DFL-S. St. Paul:

 [On Thursday, March 7] the Minnesota House passed HF 3377, legislation funding 101 environmental projects using lottery proceeds, on a bipartisan vote of 94-35.

The legislation, authored by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL—South St. Paul), appropriates nearly $80 million in state lottery proceeds from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) to projects that protect, restore, and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources. The projects included in the bill were recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR);

“From protecting pollinators to preventing PFAS and plastic pollution, your lottery dollars work for Minnesotans,” said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL—South St. Paul), Chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee and co-chair of the LCCMR. “The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is a key part of Minnesota’s legacy of environmental stewardship, funding habitat restoration, cutting-edge research, and clean water projects. These projects will help ensure our environment is protected for generations to come.”

The 2024 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Bill includes funding for environmental education projects, climate change and natural resources research, clean water resources, invasive species response, conservation land acquisition, and habitat protection and restoration projects. A full list of projects can be found here. A group of over 25 environmental and conservation organizations submitted a letter in support of the bill before today’s floor vote.

A recording of the floor debate and final vote can be found on the Minnesota House Public Information YouTube page

Here's that YouTube--be patient with the scroll as it begins:

Minnesotans who want to check on how their representatives voted can check the Roll Call Vote here.

Image: The ENRTF logo.

Related posts

• LCCMR finalizes project recommendations for projects seeking 2024 funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund 
• MN House passes bill asking voters to reauthorize lottery proceeds for ENRTF
• ENRTF bill up for House floor vote today; Senate version escapes committee after second chance
• Will ENRTF appropriation extensions bill find new life in Senate Environment committee?
• MN House Enviro & Natural Resources committee approves $71M in ENRTF projects
• Ecklund's HF219 passed out of MN House Environment committee on bipartisan 14-5 vote
• [VIDEO] $1 billion investment: Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus unveils 2022 proposals

Comments

[Mike Worcester]

When looking at the 34 “no votes it’s interesting to see those who voted that way even when there were projects in their districts or within counties that are part of their districts.