Environment

signed · Minnesota · House Aug 1, 2026

HF 4224: Notice requirements for water discharges modified.

This bill modifies Minnesota's water pollution reporting rules by requiring facilities that discharge pollutants to notify downstream users, including public water systems and Tribal governments, after informing state agencies. The law exempts discharges of five gallons or less of petroleum from immediate notification requirements while maintaining other pollution prevention duties. Facilities must use efficient communication methods like phone calls, social media, or signage to warn impacted areas about the discharge date, material type, and potential health risks. The state agency will also provide guidance on how to deliver these timely notifications effectively.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens water pollution reporting requirements, ensuring downstream users and Tribal governments are notified of discharges, enhancing environmental protection and transparency.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Minnesota · House Aug 1, 2026

HF 3298: Reimbursement program established for underground petroleum storage tank systems with pressurized single-walled steel piping.

HF 3298 establishes a reimbursement program for owners of underground petroleum storage tank systems to replace outdated pressurized single-walled steel piping. This directly affects property owners and operators of gas stations or similar facilities with these specific piping systems. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add a new provision (115C.09, subdivision 3l) allowing reimbursement from the existing petroleum tank release cleanup fund for the cost of replacing this piping. The program covers eligible piping between storage tanks and dispensers, excluding the tanks themselves or other site improvements. This creates a concrete financial mechanism to address a known safety and environmental risk associated with this aging infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReplaces leak-prone piping to prevent petroleum spills, reducing groundwater contamination and aligning with pollution control policies.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Minnesota · Senate May 27, 2026

SF 2077: Omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy and Lands bill

SF 2077 is an appropriations bill that allocates over $151 million for Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources programs in fiscal year 2026, with similar funding for 2027. It funds the Pollution Control Agency for water quality monitoring, air pollution programs, and hazardous chemical oversight, including $1.2 million annually for air monitoring and $144,000 for water quality programs. The bill also establishes a stewardship program for electronic waste (circuit boards, batteries) and prohibits mercury in batteries, while modifying fee structures and permitting processes. These funds directly support state environmental agencies, local municipalities managing water infrastructure, and businesses handling electronic products. The bill does not create new regulations but provides budget authority for existing environmental programs and specific policy adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $151M for environmental programs including water/air monitoring and e-waste stewardship, directly funding state budget priorities per appropriations language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $151M for pollution control, water/air monitoring, and e-waste stewardship, directly funding environmental protection programs per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Minnesota · House May 19, 2026

HF 3426: Environment and natural resources trust fund finance bill.

HF 3426 appropriates $103.288 million from Minnesota's environment and natural resources trust fund for fiscal year 2027 to fund community resilience and environmental protection projects. Key provisions include $3.3 million for AmeriCorps environmental projects, $468,000 for developing sustainable land-use ordinances, $612,000 for climate-resilient community spaces, $1.22 million for a regional climate plan in northeast and central Minnesota, and $2.6 million to protect community forests from emerald ash borer. These funds will support state agencies, local communities, Tribal nations, and nonprofits in implementing climate adaptation initiatives. The bill also extends certain prior appropriations, though specific extensions are not detailed in the provided text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $103M from trust fund for environmental projects, directly funding public services per budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $103M from environment trust fund for climate resilience, forest protection, and pollution-reducing projects per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

in committee · Minnesota · House May 12, 2026

HF 3945: Greenhouse gas pollution cost-recovery program created, account established, reports required, and money appropriated.

This bill creates a new Greenhouse Gas Pollution Superfund in Minnesota to address climate change impacts. It establishes a program that requires fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and 2026 to pay into a dedicated account. The collected funds will be used to finance climate change adaptation projects for state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as for disadvantaged communities. The bill defines specific terms like "responsible party" and "covered greenhouse gas emissions" to determine which companies must contribute and what types of projects can receive funding.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates Greenhouse Gas Pollution Superfund to fund climate adaptation projects and address emissions from fossil fuel companies, supporting environmental protection and climate resilience.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates Greenhouse Gas Pollution Superfund to fund climate adaptation projects and hold fossil fuel companies accountable for emissions, directly advancing environmental protection and climate change mitigation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

Track

passed · Minnesota · House May 12, 2026

HF 4348: Thermal energy networks designated as public improvements and waterworks.

This bill designates thermal energy networks as public improvements and waterworks, allowing municipalities in Minnesota to acquire, construct, and maintain these systems alongside existing utilities like water and sewer infrastructure. The legislation amends state statutes to explicitly include thermal energy networks in the list of authorized municipal projects, enabling local governments to build and operate district heating systems as part of their public works responsibilities. By reclassifying these networks under existing legal frameworks for waterworks and public improvements, the bill provides municipalities with the authority to plan, fund, and manage thermal energy distribution without requiring new legislative approvals for each project.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables municipalities to build and operate district heating systems, supporting clean energy infrastructure and energy efficiency initiatives.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables district heating systems which typically use renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and supporting environmental protection goals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 3732: Employment and economic development finance and policy bill.

HF 3732 repeals several unfunded programs within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, including specific sections related to green economy initiatives and redevelopment priorities. The bill removes these programs from state law and makes necessary adjustments to other statutes to eliminate references to them. This action simplifies the department's legal framework by eliminating outdated or unnecessary program requirements without affecting current funding. The repeal does not create new obligations or change existing programs, as the repealed provisions were unfunded and inactive.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals green economy initiatives programs, removing legal support for renewable energy development.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill repeals green economy initiatives and redevelopment priorities related to environmental programs, removing them from state law.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

Track

passed · Minnesota · House Mar 27, 2025

HF 1330: Commerce; gasoline specifications updated.

HF 1330 updates Minnesota's gasoline specifications to align with current ASTM standards (D4814-24a for gasoline, D4806-21a for ethanol). It requires gasoline blended with ethanol to meet these updated specs and prohibits blending with certain nonethanol oxygenates like MTBE after specific dates (July 1, 2000 for over 0.33% total, July 1, 2005 for any amount). The bill directly affects gasoline producers, refiners, and retailers who blend fuel in Minnesota by setting clearer technical requirements and restricting specific additives. These changes ensure fuel meets modern standards while maintaining ethanol's role as the primary biofuel in Minnesota gasoline.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates ethanol-blended gasoline compliance with updated specs and bans MTBE (fossil additive), promoting renewable fuel use per ASTM standards.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans MTBE (a groundwater contaminant) and aligns fuel specs with current standards to reduce pollution, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track