This bill aims to reinstate citizen membership on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) board, which was eliminated in 2015. The legislation emphasizes the importance of the citizens board in providing oversight and representation for the diverse concerns of Minnesotans regarding environmental decisions made by the agency. The bill introduces new provisions that outline the structure and membership requirements of the agency, including the appointment of eight members by the governor, with specific qualifications to ensure representation from various communities, including environmental justice communities and Tribal Nations.

Key amendments to Minnesota Statutes include the establishment of a more diverse and representative membership for the agency, with stipulations that no more than two members can be municipal officials, and that certain members must have specific backgrounds, such as being a farmer or a labor union member. The bill also details the decision-making authority of the agency, requiring it to make final decisions on significant environmental matters and ensuring that the agency considers the impact of projects on Tribal Nations. Additionally, the commissioner of the agency is tasked with informing the public about their rights to request agency decisions and must regularly update the agency on activities of public interest.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 116.02, 116.03