[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6640731,"mediaKeyId","2549866-2839ff37d30603325453ffd98f9e192e","parentId",2549866,"title","Committee moves to keep crossbow allowance permanent for archery seasons","audioSeconds",1122,"startMs",4813770,"endMs",5936600,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549866-2839ff37d30603325453ffd98f9e192e&start=4813&end=5936","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549866-2839ff37d30603325453ffd98f9e192e/thumbnail_4813770.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6640731/Minnesota/Committee-moves-to-keep-crossbow-allowance-permanent-for-archery-seasons","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640731-f62c5d3571fb5963b4a7fcf3b5c818be/orig.mp4?Expires=1769882830&Signature=L2uy3qp5d4sjItDUDkwxBy7E2UsErmcxTUFZOZ0Bx3tUL5G8rK8u0Mp~sbzmwwJmp~sdS~Gb1llvxW0qp4H2tUzuuttpzOWpfCwg~MEi0DFQkFIrcPikMlJ5esBQcBdYR~JjWBm~mCGpji38xBX3rkqmuE3v0xBnBV4O8iNqIQh4OqBa7fz16T6rKqeUHI-gROMZ2LZ-loYZEuQoTS4WY1rl~xzi2NhiQ8WDUKeT34i76ECvttxz6LVEPbljqDZd7QIRLLqIEHjeOe4tW4ndY5qqAA~ot8pCZRHT2i~0cr9~7A-zhoFDPDkIsUhf0P7Bpn0E2767S-HAs2tnCnrkSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-11T22:56:43.463Z","article","Chair Heintzeman introduced House File 15‑31 to remove the sunset provision that temporarily allowed crossbows to be used during Minnesota's archery deer and turkey seasons and to make that allowance permanent.

\"There's a lot of personal experience that I have around crossbows,\" Chair Heintzeman said, describing medical and accessibility reasons and noting bipartisan support for a permanent change. He said preliminary data indicate a higher proportion of archery harvests attributed to crossbow use since the temporary change.

Eric Simonson of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association testified in support and said the association wants policies that encourage more people to hunt. He noted a reported increase in archery-season harvests and that crossbow users tend to include younger, older and female hunters.

Barbara Keller, DNR Big Game Program Leader, told the committee the department prefers to complete its legislatively directed evaluation before making further regulatory recommendations. Keller summarized early findings: crossbows accounted for 43% of archery deer harvest in the first year of the change and archery’s share of the overall statewide harvest rose from about 13% pre‑change to about 16% after. Turkey harvests taken with crossbows remained small (under 10%). Keller said a full report to the legislature is due in October 2025.

Representatives of bowhunting organizations warned about potential shifts in hunter behavior and suggested alternatives such as a split season to protect traditional bowhunting opportunity while accommodating crossbow users.

Chair Heintzeman renewed a motion to move HF 15‑31 to the General Register; the committee approved the referral by voice vote. The bill will now proceed to the general register for further floor consideration. No changes to statute were enacted at the committee hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","Chair Heintzeman introduced House File 15‑31 to remove the sunset and make permanent the allowance permitting crossbow use during archery deer and turkey seasons.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6640736,"Schultz bill would require annual statewide wolf survey; DNR supports data-driven approach but prefers management-based timing",1265,3296220,4561550,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549866-2839ff37d30603325453ffd98f9e192e&start=3296&end=4561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549866-2839ff37d30603325453ffd98f9e192e/thumbnail_3296220.jpg","/articles/6640736/Minnesota/Schultz-bill-would-require-annual-statewide-wolf-survey-DNR-supports-data-driven-approach-but-prefers-management-based-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640736-f32d8a977b9f119199c0d5e588ed4a08/orig.mp4?Expires=1769882830&Signature=Q0lp5VavQuSe0nVao~xyncZfkcP7FAyI6NE298eRqRZ7EdCuZO8m2z34MqThwgu58zsPHt6jy3ZsaQ8qkJwCFL7Es3xPUCqWIFH9WFvRIT5bICTZRJLlapWMwzpgZUgCgqtiAB5W4zxkuyjQ02D3wlSptaCrsfOJY32vIYY9tE1TnxKzXgEc76q8-rUtSms2EuTHQd3dcy2m13HFGSs7bHIQRb~PsOJrHx1d3J5wZAU0CunLPCXOzLxhF4Typn-v-X9SyiVu-6Lw-SPPj266DaCXDfTegDXCtnbWIcPCYGxXrVMXDxzOFRj890RRnZscLgsv4l6euKSfZ6R1Il1QMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Schultz introduced House File 13‑31, which would require the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to conduct an annual statewide wolf population survey to better track range expansion and impacts.

\"Proper management begins with sound science and data,\" Schultz said, arguing that the current survey covers only the known wolf range and that his district — spanning five counties — is not fully included.

A range of stakeholders supported the bill. Tim Sprecht of the Minnesota Trappers Association and representatives of farming and hunting groups told the committee they want a statewide baseline and ongoing counts so management decisions (including potential future seasons) are grounded in more complete data. Peter Ripka of the Minnesota Farmers Union and Eric Simonson of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association said they have observed wolves in nontraditional areas and argued that management and depredation responses depend on reliable counts. Myles Kushel of the Minnesota Farm Bureau and other agricultural witnesses described livestock depredation concerns and urged a statewide survey.

Pat Rivers, deputy director for Fish and Wildlife at the DNR, and other DNR staff said the agency shares the intent of better information and has methods for estimating wolf numbers. Rivers said the DNR currently conducts annual population estimates for wolves and a five‑year survey of wolf sign across the entire state that informs range maps; the department prefers that management needs determine survey frequency rather than a strict annual statutory requirement.

Members asked about data protections for precise wolf-location information; Representative Schultz said the bill does not include a data‑protection provision but that language could be added. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion; the author invited coauthors and said he would work to refine the measure and data‑security details.

No formal vote on policy change occurred; HF 13‑31 was laid over for further work.","Representative Schultz introduced House File 13‑31 to require the Minnesota DNR to conduct an annual statewide wolf population survey so lawmakers and stakeholders can track changes in range and population.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6640740,"Bill seeks permanent leases or sales for historic boathouses at Soudan Underground Mine State Park",584,2574800,3158810,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549866-2839ff37d30603325453ffd98f9e192e&start=2574&end=3158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549866-2839ff37d30603325453ffd98f9e192e/thumbnail_2574800.jpg","/articles/6640740/Minnesota/Bill-seeks-permanent-leases-or-sales-for-historic-boathouses-at-Soudan-Underground-Mine-State-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640740-3f426400094635741788c35b93a54afe/orig.mp4?Expires=1769882830&Signature=UAl~dvh2vtva9gq4YTPUXjfDvK13~BLEptrGUFSgAALWbzLSXuH4wpjLfX6zivKEkRWHSAbrJiwwIetUclkvRWWnpbi29hV9ENfHi-4VtXLnLt6rM8oREBnjouOxgvCwucIGGMMK1h2MKGCcT170lQFx5y47N~ERYDQJo5HZdveCCw6LMflE0k-Ir2uKruZWLatPZmDhmBDeDTdFU~NF9ZTrCH0-o-KuC9VCT5QS7m9BgF1rl9UvNQ~SgiWC0DpWSma~oDb67j4ptHwmid4sKdI~swWtaS3OHxW7FPpz0eMEQwZUNeJZFKz1sjaKOCFJ~0w~X~S~8HG9OYLKC1XNtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Scraba introduced House File 15‑70 concerning a cluster of historic boathouses at Soudan Underground Mine State Park on Lake Vermilion and said the proposal would allow leases to be continued or parcels sold so structures can be preserved.

\"What we're trying to do is we want these to become permanent,\" Representative Scraba said, explaining owners seek a path to keep boathouses maintained rather than let them deteriorate.

Phil Leversedge, deputy director of the Parks and Trails Division at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, testified that the DNR has concerns and described prior compromise legislation. He said US Steel donated the land in 1965 and that original lease terms were continued through 2015; the compromise allowed lifetime leases that could be transferred only once and only to close relatives, after which the lease would revert to the state and the DNR would restore the shoreline for public use.

Leversedge said the DNR is working with the State Historic Preservation Office to preserve a representative sample but that maintaining all 158 lakeshore lots and their boathouses may not be practical. He described the boathouses as corrugated-steel structures on the National Register and said some lots may be better returned to day-use public facilities.

Representative Schultz and other members supported further discussion; the committee laid HF 15‑70 over for possible inclusion so stakeholders and agencies can pursue compromise language and options.

No formal committee action beyond the layover was taken at the hearing.","Representative Scraba introduced HF 15‑70 to change lease/sale options for historic boathouses at Soudan Underground Mine (Lake Vermilion). DNR described long-standing lease terms, historic protections, and a prior compromise that limited transfers to family descendants; committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6640744,"Minn. bill would bar sale of school trust land in Boundary Waters, push for land-for-land trades",2548,29860,2578300,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549866-2839ff37d30603325453ffd98f9e192e&start=29&end=2578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549866-2839ff37d30603325453ffd98f9e192e/thumbnail_29860.jpg","/articles/6640744/Minnesota/Minn-bill-would-bar-sale-of-school-trust-land-in-Boundary-Waters-push-for-land-for-land-trades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640744-58578a615f091c5dc3d3d18f54fec44a/orig.mp4?Expires=1769882830&Signature=Jyq7zK1G2pJGEi-dkSFN2Z3Pkc1j0Z8ZxjOtVjRJDTuPabF2XKtBEeSvkCimtZ32PAVqORFrETNthU5zCwgxyk2ZDmE1MUI5FVQPnySC3ba9CV1CUcuouPbcvOuE3aQnBQHbo~eueEN6-e4~~zei7K42ngeNuBI19~7j4GHS3dMd4niz5glefIg7ck8RlWjK8YeXGyaa-5aqTi3qLu8ymdJ9Pjeyy0UGIwdUXo159b8-NBhxqsoJYTYCqMs~hFBqP6nRCo3yESAwnmqju78O4Vaz4fZg0R5HvJz5wY0t7rqQlCc4uSSFjj56VOMVVrmE9Ygj8C5w2OAXAnyjxOYZLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Scraba introduced House File 14‑25 on behalf of constituents in northern Minnesota, saying the bill would prohibit the sale of state-owned school trust land inside the Boundary Waters and require the state to pursue land-for-land exchanges consistent with the federal law he cited.

\"So basically what public law 80 eight-five 77 states is it has to be a trade, not a sale, a trade,\" Representative Scraba said, reading language he said came from a federal wilderness act. He described school trust revenues from mining near Minntac and said a small trade could preserve those revenues for local communities.

Aaron Vandelein, director of the Office of School Trust Lands, testified in opposition. He said the office’s fiduciary duty under state law and the Minnesota Constitution is to secure the maximum long-term return for the permanent school fund and that a sale of the Boundary Waters parcels would generate proceeds the fund could invest for beneficiaries. \"Selling school trust lands is the last opportunity that we can make off of school trust lands to fund education,\" Vandelein said, adding a $30 million hypothetical sale invested by the State Board of Investment could grow substantially over decades.

Bob Meyer, assistant commissioner at the Department of Natural Resources, told the committee the DNR supported Vandelein’s testimony and noted mineral rights would not be negotiable in the way the bill’s author described.

Environmental witnesses opposed HF 14‑25. Aaron Lehi of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Amanda Hefner of Save the Boundary Waters each urged the committee to reject legislation that would bar sale to the U.S. Forest Service, arguing proceeds from a sale should be deposited into the permanent school fund to benefit K–12 education. Lehi said managing the school trust to maximize long-term returns is the statutory goal. Hefner said a sale to the Forest Service would consolidate federal ownership of the Boundary Waters and produce greater long-term returns for schools.

Committee members pressed DNR and school trust staff about appraisals and valuation methodology. Joe Henderson, DNR lands and minerals division director, said the appraisal used to generate the $375‑per‑acre figure dated to 2020 and that the DNR has ordered an updated appraisal. Vandelein said multiple appraisals have been performed over years and that the 2020 number was presented only as a hypothetical.

Representative Lee Fisher offered and then withdrew an amendment that would encourage sale; instead he moved to refer the bill to the Education Finance committee. That motion failed on a voice vote. After additional discussion the committee chair moved that HF 14‑25 be laid over for possible inclusion; members approved the layover by voice vote and the bill was laid over.

Votes at a glance: the committee rejected a motion to refer HF 14‑25 to the Education Finance Committee (voice vote; outcome: failed). The committee approved a motion to lay HF 14‑25 over for possible inclusion (voice vote; outcome: laid over).

The discussion included multiple references to federal withdrawal and prior land-exchange negotiations, differing appraisals, and competing fiduciary duties to school beneficiaries versus local economic interests. Several lawmakers said they supported further discussion; the bill will be considered later as part of omnibus drafting.","Representative introduced HF 1425 to prohibit sale of state-owned school trust lands inside the Boundary Waters and require trades consistent with cited federal law. State trust and conservation witnesses urged selling to the U.S. Forest Service to generate education revenue; the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee moves to keep crossbow allowance permanent for archery seasons

Schultz bill would require annual statewide wolf survey; DNR supports data-driven approach but prefers management-based timing

Bill seeks permanent leases or sales for historic boathouses at Soudan Underground Mine State Park

Minn. bill would bar sale of school trust land in Boundary Waters, push for land-for-land trades