1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; appropriating money for minerals and water research.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; MINERALS AND WATER RESEARCH.
 1.5 	(a) $2,400,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
1.6 	commissioner of natural resources for a transfer to the Board of Regents of the University 
1.7 	of Minnesota for academic and applied research through MnDRIVE at the Natural Resources 
1.8 	Research Institute to develop and demonstrate technologies that enhance long-term Minnesota 
1.9 	mineral opportunities. Of this amount:
1.10 	(1) $800,000 is to support continued applied research to advance new technologies to 
1.11 	improve water quality;
1.12 	(2) $700,000 is to initiate the characterization of western Mesabi iron resources and 
1.13 	development of next-generation Minnesota iron products;
1.14 	(3) $500,000 is to develop emerging hydrometallurgy technology to support high-value 
1.15 	mineral product development in Minnesota; and
1.16 	(4) $400,000 is to support efforts of the Natural Resources Research Institute to accelerate 
1.17 	demonstration of high-capacity, cost-effective energy storage using Minnesota's historical 
1.18 	auxiliary mine lands.
1.19 	(b) This research must be conducted in consultation with the Minerals Coordinating 
1.20 	Committee established under Minnesota Statutes, section 93.0015. This appropriation is 
1.21 	onetime and is available until June 30, 2021.