Purpose

This bill aims to expand the Fishing in the Neighborhood program by providing funding to reach more counties and cities across Minnesota. The goal is to increase opportunities for children to go fishing, raise public awareness about fishing, and promote environmental stewardship.

Key Provisions

• Creates new appropriations to support the Fishing in the Neighborhood program.
• Amounts: $200,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 in fiscal year 2027.
• Source: These funds come from the Game and Fish Fund.
• Recipient: The funds would go to the Commissioner of Natural Resources (DNR) to administer the expansion.
• Geographic expansion: The program would be expanded to counties and cities throughout Minnesota.
• Objectives: Increase angling opportunities for children, raise public awareness about fishing, and foster environmental stewardship.

Financial Details

• Total new funding: $400,000 over two fiscal years (FY2026 and FY2027).
• Funding stream: Game and Fish Fund.
• Administered by: Commissioner of Natural Resources.

Effects on Existing Law

• Adds a new appropriation to expand the Fishing in the Neighborhood program.
• Expands the program’s reach from its current scope to include more counties and cities statewide.
• No other explicit statutory changes are described in the provided text.

Implementation and Oversight

• Administration and use of funds would be handled by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
• The bill establishes the funding, but specific implementation details (grant criteria, timelines, reporting) are not provided in the text.

Relevant Terms fishing in the neighborhood program appropriations game and fish fund commissioner of natural resources expand to counties and cities angling opportunities for children public awareness environmental stewardship fiscal year 2026 fiscal year 2027