[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"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","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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,"_75":74},"mediaId",6628354,"mediaKeyId","2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501","parentId",2717223,"title","Minnesota panel advances temporary framework for helium and gas development after amendments","audioSeconds",260,"startMs",398000,"endMs",658000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501&start=398&end=658","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501/thumbnail_398000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6628354/Minnesota/Minnesota-panel-advances-temporary-framework-for-helium-and-gas-development-after-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628354-fe79e30ea983aa194409b66c6c33879c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776175500&Signature=B8aABGzruvhQQwVOc51nymRoBta0py4TbD6r5Z1ySLWpBxTstmr6gHmnVBBabaSb9nD4CP-oyg1nw0goNL-P208CUvDZFKgiRaE3SceqEsVQ~0y-p5WBD8DjFy4eyTgArZIuE-5VZuGv66wWtZJ~gSgQPOc4184HnlebB3BuKiM4kjGRJOe6Ca1LdFnmpFVgPt4gffmH178cSLmrx~Gm5ImvesbBQgfiwMvWkHCMMJCfEY3VS1VZzSVWE~7XX-ibq4TRSno-bbdzpWJICqaS3Q6q1E-8Xy-Odz2kWFSMRC6FRjMmcE6fYIO0GoFmath3D4ApV4dK3kvM-BgncW~ahg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-20T22:57:07.663Z","article","The Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee on March 20 advanced legislation establishing an environmental permitting framework for newly discovered helium and other nonhydrocarbon gas resources in northern Minnesota.

Senator Sarah Hauschild, the bill's author, told the committee the bill largely follows recommendations from the Gas Technical Advisory Committee and \"that rule making process is playing out,\" with the DNR's expedited gas rulemaking expected to finish in about May 2026. She said the helium discovery in Lake County contains \"approximately 10 and a half percent\" concentration at the TOPAS project, and described helium as \"a critical resource\" for medical technology, chip manufacturing, rockets and other technologies.

The bill was amended in committee to address environmental and public concerns. The A6 amendment, offered by Senator Sarah McKeown, prohibits hydraulic fracturing in gas wells and removes language requiring agencies to consider authorizing fracking in rulemaking; the committee adopted that amendment by roll call (division count reported as 5 yes, 2 no). The A7 amendment removed language authorizing construction of oil wells; that amendment was accepted and adopted. An author's A8 amendment was adopted earlier to put the bill \"in the shape of\" the author's intent for committee consideration.

Testimony included state agency and industry speakers. Michael Sturdy, general manager of operations for Pulsar Helium, said Pulsar seeks to be \"the first helium producer that does not involve hydrocarbon extraction,\" and emphasized helium's industrial importance beyond party balloons: \"Every MRI machine across the planet requires helium.\" Alyss Kramer, a senior wetland scientist with SEH, described how Pulsar's pre‑planning reduced the footprint of exploration to roughly one acre and complied with existing permitting requirements during exploration.

Environmental groups raised concerns. Paula Maccabee, executive director of Water Legacy, urged the committee not to adopt a temporary framework in lieu of formal rulemaking and said the 2024 moratorium should remain until rulemaking completes. Aaron Clemens of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy said tribal and conservation group comments were not incorporated and warned the bill could allow hydrocarbon development and leave temporary permits effectively permanent unless amended by the permittee.

Senators and agency staff discussed tribal consultation and protections for burial sites; committee members and staff pointed to language in the amendment referencing work with tribal governments and respect for burial grounds. When asked about fees mentioned in earlier drafts, committee staff said the original larger fees had been reduced and fees were restructured among agencies but specifics were not provided in the hearing record.

After debate and amendment, Senator McCune moved that Senate File 2530 as amended be referred onward without recommendation; the committee approved the referral to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. The committee limited its current review to Article 1 of the bill, the environmental provisions; other tax and revenue provisions in the bill fall under other jurisdictions.

The bill will proceed to further committees where members said there would be more opportunities to refine rulemaking language, revenue provisions and tribal consultation.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/20/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee on March 20 advanced legislation to create an environmental permitting framework for helium and other gas development in Minnesota, adopting amendments that prohibit fracking and oil‑well construction from the bill's scope and referring the measure to the next committee without recommendation.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628337,"Committee lays over bill limiting warrantless searches by conservation officers after contentious hearing",262,7656000,7918000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501&start=7656&end=7918","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501/thumbnail_7656000.jpg","/articles/6628337/Minnesota/Committee-lays-over-bill-limiting-warrantless-searches-by-conservation-officers-after-contentious-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628337-c1eac1b2682fdba297d05a62db266e1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776175500&Signature=oOEHxFcOyON1dhFgCY8Tu~uGo4ajFqhQHdEURmX4CzTcASgW-ZUZV2LNtf57Mg1zjwx2I6D2ZG-jMcTHC0yP03XLm3zzDLtIzRHy43qTLmfY4vytXXW7jQdd4wCkeFfbGVO9NY7U8l78OWUKWqQfFgqK12MtB2EihRJjVHZ1eA3gNgG6Lev1GPO4emur8v3oz7HASaI~DSuuK4RYdKZhOiFUCTdzxAuU-7cQH3myrdZNvwqkNCh5l90MlnA481tc4hIAuyXtW~XmtD1PbLX2xrkhCocSwgl9QYb5RcJfh0J336TaVrcEKPIlWN~Tgyj6VUMtecmdgm6-QYV3H-WLPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 956, a proposal to limit warrantless searches and seizures by conservation officers, prompted a contentious hearing on March 20 and was laid over for further study.

Senator Green, sponsor of the bill, said the measure was intended to require conservation officers to follow the Fourth Amendment and a 2001 directive that advised officers to obtain consent or a warrant before entering fish houses. He said complaints from constituents across northern Minnesota reflected a loss of trust stemming from what they describe as aggressive searches and seizures by DNR enforcement staff.

Steve Porter, a long‑time hunter and board member of a hunters' group, testified that conservation officers had entered fish houses without consent, confiscated firearms and imposed fines; Porter said the bill is \"not asking for anything new... We're just asking that they would follow the Fourth Amendment.\" Several sheriffs and local law‑enforcement representatives provided input supportive of Fourth Amendment parity, according to the sponsor.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Director, Colonel Rodman Smith, strongly opposed the bill, calling it \"an extreme and punitive bill\" that would \"put conservation officers and the public in harm's way.\" He said conservation officers are trained, licensed peace officers who follow the same search and seizure laws as other officers and that removing current search authority for conservation officers would create a double standard, complicate mutual aid and slow responses to urgent public‑safety incidents.

Other testimony included criminal‑defense and constitutional perspectives. Attorney Sarah McKeown, a defense lawyer, said she opposed a special carve‑out that would give conservation officers different rules from other peace officers and advised caution about creating a separate statutory regime. Senator Wiesenberg, speaking from the floor remotely, recounted his own concerns about DNR practices and broader regulatory disputes, and urged enforcement of constitutional protections.

Committee members debated whether the bill would create a different standard from other peace officers or merely affirm constitutional protections. Several senators asked for clarifying legal language. Sponsor Senator Green asked to lay the bill over so staff could work with him to refine the text; the committee agreed to hold the bill for further work.

","Senate File 956 would restrict conservation officers' authority to conduct warrantless searches and seizures; the DNR enforcement director warned of public‑safety impacts and partner confusion, sponsors said the bill restores Fourth Amendment protections and parity with other peace officers; the committee laid the bill over for further work.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628341,"Committee approves funding bill to replenish local road wetland replacement program",356,7229000,7585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501&start=7229&end=7585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501/thumbnail_7229000.jpg","/articles/6628341/Minnesota/Committee-approves-funding-bill-to-replenish-local-road-wetland-replacement-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628341-8e7ae5378fc1f3f2e5794e8f9e3d9156/orig.mp4?Expires=1776175500&Signature=C6N9ahcVJs2R-NHB6MBOdGrf0qJeQZldVLh4vzscvf~nZ9tL-f4oFiCmJD43QN6gdHt19q3Sh-9-szvU7XuhhTn6xQU5YZAFhbvkh7T93su54uwygyXHvcT4gLEy~aVY~MKy2A8-HK7-YW7PFwCcazvFoo~mTgazA--298tcNppa9VYjOKmjYrkd3dUZqoRUrLEE6ahdALYJgJFtRA7SkwXUSv-haFLQZIezrZ5VUV9GJptyifDWbcH8pEkF~FsT8VXgjQR1QFAry0c7MBQYHiVdIzSSceglBcL4NILwKvXtirAWkorZ6XCyVZK2dlqnwLHpwey9hhG42ywZpzqcBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee on March 20 recommended approval of Senate File 1535, which would provide one‑time and ongoing funding to the Local Government Road Wetland Replacement Program administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR).

Senator (chair) introduced the bill as an effort to replenish wetland credits and provide base funding for a program established in the 1990s that streamlines mitigation for local road improvements. Testimony from Kristen Foster of Otter Tail County, representing county engineers and associations, and Marcus (Mark) Culver, city engineer for Brooklyn Park speaking for the League of Minnesota Cities, described the program's role in allowing timely roadway and bridge work by providing wetland mitigation credits and noted the program has been chronically underfunded since 2017.

Kristen Foster said counties manage more than 44,534 miles of road and rely on the wetland replacement program to avoid project delays and to reduce costs; she told the committee several bank service areas had account balances near less than one year of demand. Mark Culver said the bill combines bonding dollars and general‑fund operating support to restore credits and provide a more predictable funding base so projects scheduled in coming years can proceed.

David Wirons of BWSR explained how the program works: when a qualifying local road project unavoidable impacts wetlands, BWSR identifies mitigation opportunities, negotiates easements with landowners, restores wetlands and monitors performance, and then allocates bank credits to local projects. Committee members discussed the geographic distribution of credits and that using out‑of‑area credits requires higher replacement ratios.

Senator Anne Johnson Stewart moved that the committee recommend Senate File 1535 and re‑refer it to the Capital Investment Committee; the committee approved the motion and the bill was re‑referred.

","Senate File 1535 would provide one‑time and ongoing funding to replenish wetland replacement credits used for mitigation of locally owned road projects; committee recommended the bill and re‑referred it to the Capital Investment Committee.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628346,"Panel advances bill requiring retailers be notified that mercury in skin‑lightening products is illegal",659,5706000,6365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501&start=5706&end=6365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501/thumbnail_5706000.jpg","/articles/6628346/Minnesota/Panel-advances-bill-requiring-retailers-be-notified-that-mercury-in-skinlightening-products-is-illegal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628346-1d6dc4e81dc2a2c25ff71223aa816f0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776175500&Signature=mZzNnobzKV119a3TvuysNpxD4RE7ekoBtwF0vC0dd95y6MskcAQ6QJZ1mxXkWm-QbUwxBqGNfqYzdH0y-ZHhn6u78bnpWnJ1AxoO4Bw5V7hn20AaM6MVP9zBaFh7dNqggFdE7zl8x6HlfxpcHl1po01y4NYdaErtbkA5TrIoX4qgpLKYUHQkriPe4s9KEeKkzcAknoBh6lSyVOC0NOM2pBmcFwJpuxEAZZQ2KoiURWei-9BNIk9~jTDZsrOMC6ZD5N1dq72if1Eg0hYX4p-~IVM0NWb-Gi-fKQYUjfBPsqRGJJreZ7fl6XlVvEl94H3BHrvrPVJhh99AX0MvQm7P-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee heard Senate File 1481 on March 20, a bill that would require the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to send annual notice to retailers that selling skin‑lightening products containing mercury is illegal and require retailers to return a certification confirming receipt and compliance.

Senator Sarah Pappas, sponsor of the bill, said the statute aims to help retailers and consumers in communities where skin‑lightening products are widely available and often used without medical supervision. She noted such products commonly contain mercury and other hazardous ingredients and cited public‑health concerns for women of reproductive age because mercury \"can cross the placenta and interfere with the neurological development of the fetus.\"

Several community health and advocacy groups testified in support. Amira Adawi, executive director of the Beauty Well Project, described home use of mixed products containing \"mercury, hydroquinone, and steroid based creams\" and said department testing has found some homes with measurable mercury in the air. Anjali Cameron, CEO of Seva, said Minnesota's South Asian and immigrant communities are particularly affected and urged removal of dangerous products from shelves to prevent exposure.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency testified they support efforts to reduce mercury in these products and that the governor's recommendations include related work; MPCA government relations director Tom Johnson said MPCA \"look[s] forward to continuing to work on this legislation.\" Retail and community advisors urged the bill include resources for retailers to transition to safer products, testing and technical assistance.

The committee adopted an author's A2 amendment clarifying annual notice frequency and penalty language consistent with MPCA penalty processes. Senators laid the bill over for further consideration and possible inclusion in the omnibus environmental package.

","Senate File 1481 would require the MPCA to notify retailers that selling skin‑lightening products containing mercury is illegal and require retailer self‑certification; sponsors and public‑health groups emphasized mercury's harms and requested education and enforcement support; committee laid the bill over.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628350,"Committee hears bill to allow untreated stormwater for outdoor irrigation; agencies urge caution",1427,3728000,5155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501&start=3728&end=5155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2717223-26deef6f2b0972f8dc8a4d4aecf22501/thumbnail_3728000.jpg","/articles/6628350/Minnesota/Committee-hears-bill-to-allow-untreated-stormwater-for-outdoor-irrigation-agencies-urge-caution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628350-17a7bceae11b376aa970967910b1d852/orig.mp4?Expires=1776175500&Signature=brQAKczqJ4rw~-kRAB2a8A2T9Mpky4bt3qKt5hSUnwVu9MP2d22w6uiNbt5f0q3I0KcWE5zbarrZhktfOzqW1dHv-hBwBI~piqCpjfEHBICxQm9TYm~OR-72fCPZgaEXBX~lqmT6u0hvp8Rk8tli3Atc~ZHrNtHk5Wlsks3fzIGBbw7oZexf~ZU7qfGzwcehkvdGMSQNoCRZ5XBa3CJedvSOr9jAOlDCBxEzSHRkfM1qldIpd3WyQLa1Nl2n4LIjoGFD4d8EP3jFzmuWa6KL2CwsyQQSDPp4AUaLAHAwzVN8906KnKkerL1Dl6MU2lnd-1yODk98jj~CxSt6yQi19A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 2442, which would allow state agencies and political subdivisions that establish water‑quality standards to permit untreated rainwater or stormwater for outdoor uses where the probability of human or animal immersion or consumption is \"low to nonexistent,\" was heard by the Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee on March 20.

Senator Weber, the bill's sponsor, said the measure is \"a common sense piece of legislation\" to reduce potable water use for irrigation and to advance low‑impact development practices. He cited state estimates that a large share of potable water use in warm months is for outdoor nonpotable purposes and described examples of projects that reuse stormwater, including large irrigation systems and green roofs.

Industry witnesses and irrigation professionals supported the bill. Tim Malluli, an irrigation contractor and MNLA volunteer, said on‑site stormwater reuse can process runoff while supplying irrigation needs and cited examples including Minneapolis park and sports facilities. Jeff Laterl, an irrigation distributor, noted existing reuse systems at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and other long‑running projects.

Municipal and public works interests raised objections. Randy Neaprash, staff for the Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition, said the bill as written \"endangers public health\" and removes local authority to require treatment for polluted stormwater; he emphasized exposure pathways including inhalation of sprayed water and called for safeguards and local discretion. Dana Vander Bosch, assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said untreated stormwater can carry microbes and chemicals and that agencies have an interagency work group that produced reports in 2018 and 2022 and are developing best practices; she said a statutory change is not necessary at this time and MPCA would provide technical assistance to the committee.

Supporters and some senators said the existing interagency work has been slow to produce actionable results and urged the committee to continue discussion and consider targeted amendments; opponents urged more time to develop guidance to protect public health.

Senators and agency witnesses agreed to further stakeholder work. The committee laid over Senate File 2442 for possible inclusion in omnibus environmental legislation and directed continued collaboration among the sponsor, MPCA, MDH and local governments.

","Senate File 2442 would authorize certain public entities to use untreated rainwater or stormwater for outdoor, non‑immersive purposes; municipalities and MPCA raised health, treatment and local‑control concerns and the committee laid the bill over for further work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Minnesota panel advances temporary framework for helium and gas development after amendments

Committee lays over bill limiting warrantless searches by conservation officers after contentious hearing

Committee approves funding bill to replenish local road wetland replacement program

Panel advances bill requiring retailers be notified that mercury in skin‑lightening products is illegal

Committee hears bill to allow untreated stormwater for outdoor irrigation; agencies urge caution