The legislature is rolling up its sleeves and rolling back bedrock protections for water quality. Here's our top-10 list of bad water bills (so far) this session. >>
Legislative Updates
FMR is proud to be the voice for the Mississippi River at the Minnesota State Capitol. Here's what we're working on currently.
For an overview of our goals for this legislative session and in-depth articles on each, see the "Legislative Priorities" panel. As each important river-related bill or program progresses, we'll post updates below. Please take a moment to bookmark us as your go-to source for legislative news impacting the Mississippi River.
Join us! Sign up to be a River Guardian to receive legislative email action alerts and our e-newsletter, Mississippi Messages.
April 9, 2018
What do you do when administrative law judges strike down your Legislative provision as a violation of the Clean Water Act? Revive it, of course — and expand it. Welcome to the bad bill that just won't die. >>
April 6, 2018
Our Legislature is considering eliminating the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's ability to increase permit fees, potentially pushing the costs of monitoring and regulating water pollution onto taxpayers. >>
April 6, 2018
The Minnesota House and Senate are quickly advancing bills to eliminate water quality standards that protect wild rice – Minnesota’s state grain. >>
April 3, 2018
As reported by Josephine Marcotty in the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' request to stay a groundbreaking court order restricting heavy water use around White Bear Lake has been roundly rejected.
The judge, Ramsey County Judge Margaret Marrinan, harshly criticized the agency for what she called a “stunning” history of failing to comply with state laws designed to protect the environment.
Now, however, the Minnesota Legislature is considering a bill to essentially override the judge's ruling. >>
March 30, 2018
It wouldn’t be a legislative session without a bill from our friends at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to roll back basic environmental protections. Here's the worst of this year's edition. >>
March 30, 2018
Every so often, a bill starts moving at the Capitol that defies rational explanation. One such bill this year aims to give $2 million in state taxpayer funds to regulated parties to allow them to provide “oversight” of their own state regulators. Welcome to the MESERB bill. Fox…meet hen house. >>
March 27, 2018
In one of the more controversial moves of the legislative session, a key House committee is considering a bill granting immediate approval of the Enbridge Energy Line 3 project. >>
March 15, 2018
If all goes well at the state Capitol this session, the City of Saint Paul could begin designing a new environmental learning center on the river at Watergate Marina as early as July. >>
March 15, 2018