HF3460

Purpose

To provide funding for a regional facility in Washington County that processes wood waste and diseased trees into high-value sustainable products. The bill also authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds to pay for the project.

Main Provisions

• Subdivision 1 – Appropriation: $4,000,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the Pollution Control Agency. The money is for a grant to Washington County to acquire land and to design, construct, and equip a regional facility for processing wood waste and diseased trees into high-value sustainable products.
• Subdivision 2 – Bond sale: The money appropriated may be funded by selling and issuing up to $4,000,000 in state bonds. Bond issuance must follow Minnesota statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution Article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Financing and Bonding

• The funding comes from the bond proceeds fund.
• The Minnesota Management and Budget is directed to sell and issue bonds up to $4,000,000 to cover this appropriation.
• The bond process must follow the referenced statutes and constitutional provisions.

Entities Involved and Location

• Washington County: recipient of the grant for land acquisition and facility development.
• Pollution Control Agency: receives the appropriation to administer the grant and oversee project activities.
• Minnesota Management and Budget: directs the bond sale process.

Effect on Existing Law

• This bill creates a new capital investment appropriation and authorizes bonding for a specific project.
• It relies on existing bonding authorities and statutory framework (16A.631-16A.675) and constitutional provisions (Article XI) but does not otherwise amend broad existing law.

Significance

• Promotes waste-to-value activity by turning wood waste and diseased trees into usable, high-value products.
• Involves state funding and debt through bonds to support local land acquisition and development of a regional facility.

Potential Impacts (Plain English)

• Supports waste management and forest health by processing unwanted wood materials.
• Could create a regional facility that serves Washington County and possibly surrounding areas.
• Encourages development of sustainable products from wood waste and diseased trees.

Relevant Terms - wood waste - diseased trees - regional facility - Washington County - high-value sustainable products - grant - acquire land - design - construct - equip - Pollution Control Agency - bond proceeds fund - bonds / bond sale - Minnesota Management and Budget - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI (sections 4 to 7)