The bill proposes significant changes to Minnesota's approach to supporting pollinators by eliminating the statutory appropriation of the pollinator account and repealing the Lawns to Legumes grant program. Specifically, it amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 103B.101, subdivision 19, to state that money in the pollinator account is "available for appropriation" rather than "annually appropriated." This change indicates a shift in how funds can be accessed for activities that support pollinator habitat. Additionally, the bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 103B.104, which outlined the Lawns to Legumes program aimed at promoting native vegetation and pollinator-friendly plants in residential and community landscapes.

Both the amendments and the repeal are set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The repeal of the Lawns to Legumes program removes a structured initiative that provided financial and technical assistance for planting efforts aimed at protecting pollinators, which could have implications for biodiversity and environmental health in Minnesota. Overall, the bill reflects a significant reduction in state-supported efforts to enhance pollinator habitats and manage related ecological concerns.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 103B.101, 103B.104