Committee approves cleanup bill removing obsolete language from EQB statutes

The Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee on March 6, 2025, voted to recommend House File 1382 to the general register. The bill, presented as a statutory cleanup, removes outdated references and consolidates silica sand environmental review language into the Minnesota rules chapter, 4410.

Kathryn Neuschler, executive director of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, told the committee the bill is “related to a clean up bill for some obsolete language that is in the statute.” She said one provision references a 1992 lead report and another repeals a statutory list of silica sand projects that are now covered by rules in chapter 4410 so requirements are in one place.

Representative Hansen asked about the protections if a future administration chose not to enforce rules; Tess Missler, nonpartisan staff, and other staff replied that removing rules would require a full rule‑making process. Neuschler described the change as intended to reduce duplication and make requirements easier to find in the rules.

A voice vote carried the motion to recommend House File 1382 to the general register. Committee members asked no further questions after the explanation and the motion was renewed and passed.

The bill is intended as housekeeping: it does not create new environmental review requirements, but consolidates and removes obsolete statutory language so the rules and statute are aligned.

Committee action summary: House File 1382 was moved, the motion was carried by voice vote and the bill was recommended to be placed on the general register.