HF3899

Purpose

• Establish wild rice as the official state grain of Minnesota.
• Recognize the inherent right of uncultivated wild rice to exist and thrive in Minnesota.
• Allow a photograph of wild rice to be displayed in the Office of the Secretary of State.

Main Provisions

• Redefines the state grain as wild rice, with its scientific names Zizania aquatica or Zizania palustris, and notes common names used locally (manomin and manoomin).
• States the official designation and the policy that wild rice has the inherent right to exist and thrive in Minnesota.
• Adds a provision allowing a photograph of wild rice to be displayed in the Office of the Secretary of State.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 1.148, to formally designate wild rice as the official state grain.
• Introduces a policy recognizing the inherent rights of uncultivated wild rice to persist in the state.
• Adds permission for a photograph of wild rice to be displayed in a state office (Secretary of State).

Terminology and Related Terms

• Wild rice
• Zizania aquatica
• Zizania palustris
• manomin
• manoomin
• Official state grain
• State government
• Office of the Secretary of State

Potential Impacts (plain language)

• Official designation may influence state branding or cultural recognition related to Minnesota’s natural resources.
• The inherent-right language signals a recognition of wild rice’s ecological role in Minnesota’s environment.

Relevant Terms wild rice, Zizania aquatica, Zizania palustris, manomin, manoomin, official state grain, Secretary of State, Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 1.148, inherent right to exist and thrive, Office of the Secretary of State