1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to legacy; modifying requirements for restoration evaluations from parks 
1.3 	and trails fund;amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 85.53, subdivision 5.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 85.53, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
1.6 		Subd. 5.Restoration evaluations.  The commissioner of natural resources may convene 
1.7 	a technical evaluation panel comprised of five members, including one technical 
1.8 	representative from the Board of Water and Soil Resources, one technical representative 
1.9 	from the Department of Natural Resources, one technical expert from the University of 
1.10 	Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and two other representatives 
1.11 	with expertise related to the project being evaluated. The commissioner may add a technical 
1.12 	representative from a unit of federal or local government. The members of the technical 
1.13 	evaluation panel may not be associated with the restoration, may vary depending upon the 
1.14 	projects being reviewed, and shall avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Each year, the 
1.15 	commissioner may assign a coordinator to identify a sample of up to ten habitat restoration 
1.16 	projects completed with parks and trails funding. The coordinator shall secure the restoration 
1.17 	plans for the projects specified and direct the technical evaluation panel to evaluate the 
1.18 	restorations relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the 
1.19 	restoration plan and, when applicable, to the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native 
1.20 	vegetation establishment and enhancement guidelines. The coordinator shall summarize 
1.21 	the findings of the panel and provide a report to the chairs of the respective house of 
1.22 	representatives and senate policy and finance committees with jurisdiction over natural 
1.23 	resources and spending from the parks and trails fund. The report shall determine if the 
2.1 	restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, 
2.2 	and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations. The report shall be focused 
2.3 	on improving future restorations. Up to one-tenth of one percent of forecasted receipts from 
2.4 	the parks and trails fund may be used for restoration evaluations under this section.