SF 1751 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Recommendations of Aggregate Resources Task Force implementation and appropriation

This bill requires Minnesota local governments to protect sand, gravel, and stone resources in land use planning by incorporating safeguards for these materials into zoning and comprehensive plans. It mandates the Natural Resources Commissioner to develop permitting recommendations by 2026 to balance resource protection with responsible mining site reclamation. The bill appropriates $950,000 for mapping additional county aggregate resources (beyond the metro area) and $250,000 to update the state’s aggregate inventory, including projected depletion timelines. These provisions directly affect county/municipal planners, mining operations, and developers by shaping how land use decisions address critical natural resource availability.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 24, 2025 Last action Mar 24, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 6 edits · Mar 20, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended from an introduction to its first engrossment, expanding its scope to focus exclusively on the Aggregate Resources Task Force rather than including other unrelated statutes. Key substantive changes include extending the deadline for the commissioner of natural resources to submit permitting recommendations from February 1, 2026, to February 1, 2027, and requiring specific consultation with industry and county associations. Additionally, the bill now mandates a comprehensive audit of how counties collect and spend aggregate production tax revenues, requiring reports on revenue totals, distribution methods, and mine reclamation expenditures. The language regarding local land use plans was also modified to require an assessment of how designations impact access to aggregate resources, replacing the previous requirement to create a separate planning element.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed to focus solely on natural resources and the Aggregate Resources Task Force, removing references to amending Minnesota Statutes section 84.94 regarding local planning authority.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the commissioner of natural resources to submit recommendations on aggregate resource protection was extended from February 1, 2026, to February 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

The commissioner of natural resources must now consult with the Minnesota Asphalt Paving Association, the Aggregate and Ready Mix Association of Minnesota, and the Association of Minnesota Counties when making recommendations.

Local land use plans must now include an assessment of how designations impact access to aggregate resources, replacing the previous requirement to include a separate element for protecting aggregate resources.

The commissioner of natural resources must develop recommendations for statutory changes to facilitate local government permitting processes that protect aggregate resources and foster responsible reclamation.

FISCAL

A new requirement was added for the Office of the Legislative Auditor to conduct a program audit of county aggregate production tax revenues, detailing how funds are collected, distributed, and spent on reclamation.

SCOPE

The bill no longer includes provisions to amend Minnesota Statutes section 84.94 regarding local planning authority.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to State and Local Government

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Committee

Referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors