SF 3741 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

High-voltage transmission line route permit applicants requirement to consult with the commissioner of natural resources

SF 3741 requires project owners to conduct independent groundwater testing before construction in rural Minnesota areas. It mandates testing all private and public wells within a two-mile radius of a project site (with landowner consent), establishing a baseline for groundwater quality. The results must be submitted to the Environmental Quality Board and Minnesota Geospatial Information Office for public database entry. This directly affects rural landowners whose wells may be sampled and developers planning projects requiring environmental assessments. The bill does not regulate construction but documents current water quality to inform future assessments.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 23, 2026 Last action Mar 25, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 5 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift its focus from requiring groundwater testing for rural construction projects to requiring consultation with the Department of Natural Resources for high-voltage transmission lines crossing karst geological areas. This change reflects a pivot from general environmental baseline testing to specific geotechnical planning for infrastructure in regions prone to sinkholes and unique subsurface conditions.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from applying to all construction projects in rural areas requiring environmental assessments to applying specifically to high-voltage transmission line permit applicants proposing routes through karst geology.

REQUIREMENT

Removed requirements for landowners to consent to well sampling within a two-mile radius of construction projects.

Removed the mandate for project owners to hire independent third parties to test groundwater and submit results to the Environmental Quality Board.

Added a requirement for transmission line applicants to consult with the commissioner of natural resources to incorporate karst-specific data into project planning.

Added options for applicants to conduct preconstruction geotechnical investigations or complete a karst survey to evaluate subsurface conditions.

SCOPE

Changed the subject matter from 'environment; well testing' to 'energy; high-voltage transmission line route permits in karst regions'.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Committee

Referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors