BOARD/COMMISSION:  Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council

(a) The Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council of 12 members is created in the legislative branch, consisting of:

1.  Two public members appointed by the Senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration;
2.  Two public members appointed by the speaker of the House;
3.  Four public members appointed by the governor;
4.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration; and
5.  Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House.

(b) Members appointed under paragraph (1) must not be registered lobbyists.

Public members appointed under paragraph (a) shall have:

• practical experience or expertise or demonstrated knowledge in the science, policy, or practice of restoring, protecting, and enhancing wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.

In making appointments, the governor, Senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and the speaker of the House shall consider:

• geographic balance
• gender
• age
• ethnicity
• varying interests including hunting and fishing.

The council shall make recommendations to the Legislature on appropriations of money from the outdoor heritage fund that are consistent with the Constitution and state law and that take into consideration the outcomes of, including, but not limited to, the Minnesota Conservation and Preservation Plan, that directly relate to the restoration, protection, and enhancement of wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife, and that prevent forest fragmentation, encourage forest consolidation, and expand restored native prairie. The council shall submit its recommendations to the Legislature no later than January 15 each year. The council shall present its recommendations to the Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources budget by February 15 in odd numbered years, and within the first four weeks of the legislative session in even numbered years. The council's budget recommendations to the Legislature shall be separate from the Department of Natural Resource's budget recommendations.

(b) To encourage and support local conservation efforts, the council shall establish a conservation partners program. Local, regional, state, or national organizations may apply for matching grants for restoration, protection, and enhancement of wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife, prevention of forest fragmentation, encouragement of forest consolidation, and expansion of restored native prairie.

(c ) The council may work with the Clean Water council to identify projects that are consistent with both the purpose of the outdoor heritage fund and the purpose of the clean water fund. (d) The council may make recommendations to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on scientific research that will assist in restoring, protecting, and enhancing wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife, preventing forest fragmentation, encouraging forest consolidation, and expanding restored native prairie.