1854 Treaty Authority appropriation for a bear population study

SF 2151 appropriates $500,000 from the general fund for the 1854 Treaty Authority to study bear populations in the ceded area established by the 1854 treaty between the Lake Superior Chippewa and the U.S. government. The bill requires the Authority to complete the study by December 31, 2026, and submit findings to environmental committees, including assessments of current bear populations, factors affecting them, and future population trends. This funding directly supports the 1854 Treaty Authority’s work in the treaty ceded area. The bill is procedural, focusing on allocating resources for a specific wildlife study rather than enacting new regulations.