This bill appropriates funds for various environmental and natural resource initiatives in Minnesota for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with significant allocations from the environmental fund for programs such as air monitoring, water quality assistance, and perfluorochemical biomonitoring. It establishes a municipal liaison to assist municipalities with water quality standards and permitting processes, while also providing funding for environmental justice initiatives in underserved areas. The bill outlines the responsibilities of state agencies in managing these funds and emphasizes transparency in budget presentations. Additionally, it modifies existing laws related to environmental permitting, grant programs, and hazardous substance management, with specific appropriations for addressing chemicals in products, enhancing recycling efforts, and supporting community adaptation to climate change.

Key changes in the bill include a reduction in the appropriation for drought relief from $5 million to $2.195 million, now focused on reforestation needs associated with wildfires, and the extension of the appropriation for a boat launch on the Mississippi River to June 30, 2026. The bill also mandates that recipients of specific grants report on their expenditures and outcomes, ensuring accountability in the use of public funds. Furthermore, it introduces new definitions and regulations concerning products containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), prohibiting the sale of certain products containing PFAS effective January 1, 2025, while allowing exceptions for specific components. Overall, the bill aims to enhance Minnesota's environmental protection efforts while ensuring effective resource management and accountability.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 116X.03, 84.027, 84.705, 86B.415, 88.82, 97A.223, 97A.421, 97A.465, 97A.475, 97B.031, 97B.318, 97B.037, 97C.395, 103G.271, 103G.301, 115B.421, 116.07, 116.943, 325F.072, 473.355, 103E.067, 116.03, 116D.04