Advocacy News

May 30, 2017

Legislative Session ends with mixed bag for parks and trails

The 2017 legislative session is finally over. Minnesota lawmakers wrapped up a four-day special session early Friday morning, and Gov. Dayton signed most of the bills into law on Tuesday following the Memorial Day holiday. While there are still a few outstanding issues at the …

May 19, 2017

Legislative Update: Uncertainty remains as the end of session draws near

The end of the legislative session is only three days away, and important pieces of legislation that will impact Minnesota’s parks and trails are still up-in-the-air. Lawmakers have spent most of the week going back-and-forth on what the overall size of the state budget should …

May 15, 2017

Stalemate in budget and bonding for state parks and trails

We've reached the end of a contentious week at the Minnesota State Capitol. Budget negotiations between Gov. Dayton and legislative leaders have reached a stalemate, and will be suspended over the weekend as lawmakers celebrate Mother's Day and the state fishing opener. Negotiations are expected to resume early next week.

May 5, 2017

Parks & Trails Legislative News

After a flurry of activity, lawmakers are entering the final stages of the legislative process. The House and Senate presented their budget proposals to Gov. Dayton earlier this week, and now the three sides are working towards agreement on overall spending goals for each area …

April 22, 2017

Legislative Action Alert – Tell Lawmakers to Support Parks and Trails Funding

Lawmakers returned to the Minnesota Capitol this week after their Easter and Passover break and now have a full agenda of work to complete before the constitutional adjournment deadline of May 22. Most policy and finance bills have been passed and are in conference committees to compare the House and Senate version of each bill. Gov. Dayton is also involved in the process as all sides are working to reach an agreement on the final budget.

March 8, 2017

North Country Trail Needs Congress to act to continue development in Minnesota

The longest National Scenic Trail in the country–the North Country Trail (NCT)–runs right through Minnesota on its way from New York to North Dakota; but there’s a snag in completing it that only Congress can fix. In 1982 a route was planned that would bring the trail through 70 miles …

February 9, 2017

Trail Fee Requirement

Bill would make it a misdemeanor to hike or bike on state-sponsored trails without paying a fee. Bill Numbers: HF 929 House Authors: Gruenhagen Senate Authors: NA Update: House File introduced on 2/9/17 and referred to Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance. Back to Bill Tracker

February 9, 2017

Keeping OHVs out of state parks

Efforts to add off-highway vehicles into Minnesota State Parks are popping up in unexpected places like the Taconite State Trail Plan and Lake Vermilion State Park Plan.

January 2, 2017

Comments Needed on Taconite State Trail Plan by Jan. 6

The draft plan for the Taconite State Trail suggests OHVs may be permitted through two state parks. We urge members to share their desire to keep state parks as places where the sounds of nature dominate and natural resources are protected.

Woman pointing to "No ATVs Permitted" sign along Taconite State Trail

October 17, 2016

Say no to motorized off-highway vehicles in state parks

One of the decisions that lawmakers are considering is whether or not we should open up our state parks to off-highway motor vehicles also known as OHVs (that includes ATVs, off-highway motorcycles and 4x4s).

June 1, 2016

Bonding Bill

No bonding bill was passed during the 2016 session.

June 1, 2016

Supplemental Budget Bill

This bill increases state park and trail funding in FY 2017 by $5.1 million. It includes $2.8 million general funds and $2.3 million from the State Parks Account. Reserves $1.2 million for state park acquisition.

May 30, 2016

Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (LCCMR)

Appropriated funds from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for projects that benefit Minnesota’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. The following portion of the appropriated funds benefitted parks and trails:

May 23, 2016

Legislative Session Closes with Mixed Results for Parks & Trails

The 2016 Legislative Session came to a close late Sunday with a flurry of activity as legislators worked to pass bills before the mandatory midnight deadline. While legislators were able to strike deals on a supplemental budget and a tax bill, the two sides couldn’t …

May 18, 2016

Legislative Update: House Releases Bonding Bill

With only five days until the close of the 2016 legislative session, the House released its bonding proposal today (HF 622). In comparison to the Senate bonding proposal that was released two weeks ago, we’re disappointed that the House proposal shortchanges Minnesota’s parks and trails. …