Minnesota House Bill HF2562

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/20/25
• Refer: 3/20/25

Caption

Clean Water Council's clean water fund recommendations required to be broken out by fiscal year.

Impact

The intended impact of HF2562 is to substantiate the effectiveness of spending from the clean water fund, particularly in the domains of protecting and restoring groundwater and addressing impaired waters. By providing a structured report format, the bill aims to enhance understanding of the economic implications of water quality initiatives, opening the door for informed legislative decisions. This could potentially lead to increased funding and resources being allocated toward critical clean water projects and services, thus promoting public health and environmental sustainability.

Summary

House File 2562 (HF2562) proposes amendments to the Minnesota Statutes regarding the Clean Water Council’s responsibilities related to the clean water fund. The bill seeks to enhance accountability and transparency by requiring the Clean Water Council to submit biennial reports to the legislature that detail past expenditures and future recommendations for the clean water fund. Each report is mandated to categorize the recommendations by fiscal year and to include suggested legislative language to facilitate these proposed changes. This focus on fiscal year reporting aims to better align funding initiatives with state financial planning and priorities, ensuring clear guidelines for the allocation of resources.

Contention

Although HF2562 emphasizes accountability and transparency, there may be points of contention regarding how these recommendations are evaluated and acted upon by the legislature. Stakeholders may express concerns about the frequency and thoroughness of the reporting requirements, particularly if they perceive these processes as bureaucratic or potentially hindering swift action in response to urgent water quality issues. Furthermore, the effectiveness of proposed legislative language in translating the council's recommendations into efficient action may also be debated, particularly among those who advocate for more immediate solutions to water-related challenges.