SF840 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer certain water appropriations authorization
Related bill: HF647
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- To change how new water use permits from the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer are approved, by adding requirements for potable and nonpotable uses and aligning with existing water law.
Main Provisions
- Potable water use from the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer
- A new permit may not be issued unless:
- There are no feasible or practical alternatives to using this aquifer for potable water.
- A water conservation plan is included with the permit, using best available water conservation technology and practices.
- The permit complies with the broader water law framework, including sections 103G.255 through 103G.299 and the general permit requirements in sections 103G.301 and 103G.111.
- Nonpotable water use from the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer
- A new permit may not be issued unless:
- The potable-use requirements above (the conditions in paragraph a) are satisfied, and
- The requested appropriation occurs outside a metropolitan county (as defined in section 473.121 subdivision 4).
How this changes current law
- Introduces a new hurdle for any fresh permits to take water from the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer for drinking water, requiring exploration of alternatives and a built-in conservation plan.
- Adds a geographic limit for nonpotable water uses from this aquifer, specifically excluding metropolitan counties from new nonpotable allocations.
- Ties the new permit standards to existing statute sections on water use and general permit processes.
Implications
- Encourages conservation and the search for other water sources before approving new potable-water withdrawals from this aquifer.
- Potentially reduces or delays new water projects that rely on the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer for potable water.
- Creates a clear separation: potable uses must meet stringent sustainability criteria; nonpotable uses are restricted by location.
Effective framework references (within the bill)
- Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer
- potable water use
- nonpotable use
- feasible or practical alternatives
- water conservation plan
- best available water conservation technology and practices
- sections 103G.255 to 103G.299
- sections 103G.301 and 103G.111
- metropolitan county (473.121 subdivision 4)
Relevant Terms - Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer - water use permits - potable water use - nonpotable use - feasible or practical alternatives - water conservation plan - best available water conservation technology and practices - Minnesota Statutes 103G.271 subdivision 4a - Minnesota Statutes sections 103G.255 to 103G.299 - Minnesota Statutes sections 103G.301 and 103G.111 - metropolitan county - 473.121 subdivision 4
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 30, 2025 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| January 30, 2025 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Environment, Climate, and Legacy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requires a water conservation plan that incorporates best available water conservation technology and practices as a condition of the permit.",
"Requires the permit for potable water use from the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer to be consistent with sections 103G.255 to 103G.299 and the general permit requirements of sections 103G.301 and 103G.111, as applicable."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 103G.271, subdivision 4a, to tighten potable water use permitting from the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer by requiring a water conservation plan and conformity with broader permit requirements.",
"modified": [
"Changes the criteria for issuing new water-use permits for potable water from Mt. Simon-Hinckley to require alternatives have been exhausted and conservation measures included."
]
},
"citation": "103G.271",
"subdivision": "4a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Incorporates these sections as applicable requirements in permit issuance and conservation standards."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes sections 103G.255 through 103G.299 as applicable permit requirements for Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer water permissions.",
"modified": [
"Stipulates that the Mt. Simon-Hinckley permit must comply with these provisions."
]
},
"citation": "103G.255 to 103G.299",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Aligns permit requirements with 103G.301 as applicable."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references general permit requirements of Minnesota Statutes section 103G.301 in relation to Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer permits.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates 103G.301 as part of applicable permit framework."
]
},
"citation": "103G.301",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Inclusion of 103G.111 within applicable permit framework."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes section 103G.111 as applicable permit requirements.",
"modified": [
"Note that 103G.111 forms part of the general permit requirements."
]
},
"citation": "103G.111",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Geographic restriction on permit issuance for certain water appropriations outside metropolitan counties."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill restricts new Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer water permits outside a metropolitan county as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 4.",
"modified": [
"Defines geographic boundary for non-potable/potentially potable water permit eligibility."
]
},
"citation": "473.121",
"subdivision": "4"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee