HF 3438 is legislation for Minnesota’s dedicated Clean Water, Land, and Legacy funding, providing appropriations for the Outdoor Heritage Fund and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and allowing for future supplemental recommendations for the Clean Water Fund.
Since voter approval in 2008, the Legacy Amendment has allowed the state to use a small state sales tax increase to fund environmental protection and cultural enhancement. This year’s supplemental bill for Legacy appropriations provides $159 million for the Outdoor Heritage Fund to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forest and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. In addition, HF 3438 includes a provision to allow future even-year recommendations from the Clean Water Council, paving the way for supplemental budget appropriations to the Clean Water Fund.