Karst region soil health grants to protect groundwater from degradation appropriation

1.1 A bill for an act​ 1.2 relating to legacy; appropriating money for soil health grants that protect Karst​ 1.3 region groundwater from degradation.​ 1.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:​ 1.5 Section 1. APPROPRIATION; SOIL HEALTH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE​ 1.6 GRANTS; KARST REGION NITROGEN FERTILIZER REDUCTION.​ 1.7 (a) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the clean water fund to the​ 1.8 commissioner of agriculture for soil health financial assistance grants under Minnesota​ 1.9 Statutes, section 17.134, to eligible applicants located in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston,​ 1.10 Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, or Winona County. The commissioner may award grants under​ 1.11 this appropriation only for projects that the commissioner reasonably anticipates will protect​ 1.12 groundwater from degradation by measurably reducing the application of nitrogen fertilizer​ 1.13 through:​ 1.14 (1) increased usage of precision agricultural practices under Minnesota Statutes, section​ 1.15 17.134, subdivision 2, clause (4); or​ 1.16 (2) enabling purchases under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.134, subdivision 2, clause​ 1.17 (6), that further increase usage of precision agricultural practices.​ 1.18 (b) This is a onetime appropriation. Amounts encumbered under contract by June 30,​ 1.19 2025, are available until June 30, 2027. This appropriation is in addition to Laws 2023,​ 1.20 chapter 40, article 2, section 3.​ 1​Section 1.​ 24-07378 as introduced​02/27/24 REVISOR BD/AD​ SENATE​ STATE OF MINNESOTA​ S.F. No. 4776​NINETY-THIRD SESSION​ (SENATE AUTHORS: DRAZKOWSKI)​ OFFICIAL STATUS​D-PG​DATE​ Introduction and first reading​03/07/2024​ Referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy​