On Sunday, the Minnesota Senate voted to adopt the Legacy Conference Committee Report, House File 707, on a broad bipartisan vote of 64-3. This year’s legacy bill invests $527 million in clean water, parks and trails, the arts, and cultural heritage across Minnesota. The money for the four-parts of legacy bill comes from the proceeds of Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment, which constitutionally dedicated the revenue in 2008.

“This year’s legacy bill is the result of a strong compromise between the Senate, House and Governor Dayton,” said Senator Carrie Ruud, Chief-Author of the bill and Chair of the Senate’s Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee. “The bipartisan bill has allowed us to come together to focus on improving clean water projects, restoring the outdoors and funding our state’s parks and trails.”

This legacy bill fully funds the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) at their requested levels. The $102.6 million investment will allow Lessard-Sams to continue to support projects that help preserve wetlands, protect game and fish habitats, and conserve forests throughout Minnesota.

The Clean Water Fund received significant funding based on recommendations from the Clean Water Council and Governor Dayton’s administration. The Clean Water Council will have an operational budget of nearly 212 million over the next biennium, allowing them to focus on projects that protect and restore Minnesota’s water sources. Of that appropriate $22 million will be distributed in grants for the state’s 90 soil and water conservation districts to assist them with compliance with the 2015 buffer law.

The legislation also includes significant funding for Minnesota’s Parks and Trails Fund, following recommendations from the Parks and Trails Advisory Committee and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. With the $89.7 million-dollar investment, Minnesota will not only be able preserve the state’s current parks and trails but pursue new projects as well. 

Lastly the bill continues to support the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund supporting the Art Boards request for 47% of their funding. The $123.3 million investment will allow the state to promote art and cultural projects in Minnesota. Additionally, the funds will be used to support the Minnesota Zoo, Humanities Center, Minnesota Historical Society and Indian Affairs Council.

I’m proud of this bill, and the efforts it makes to preserve Minnesota’s outdoors and cultural heritage for generations of Minnesotans to come, “said Senator Ruud. “I look forward to this bill being presented to the Governor and signed into law.”