St. Paul Reporter

The 2025 legislative session in Minnesota ended on May 19, but not all legislative goals were completed before the deadline. Lawmakers will reconvene for a special session to address outstanding issues.

State Representative Josh Heintzeman, who serves as co-chair of the House Environment Finance and Policy Committee, highlighted progress on environmental legislation. According to Heintzeman, an agreement has been reached within the working group and the final bill will be ready for a vote during the special session.

Key elements of the environment bill include ending the shotgun zone, which was initially established for game control but is now considered outdated due to its negative impact on whitetail deer populations and local ecosystems. The Community Grants Program is now open for applications related to aquatic invasive species management and trail maintenance. This program is currently the only dedicated funding source for maintaining trails in Minnesota.

The bill also allows year-round bass fishing, aligning it with crappie fishing regulations and providing anglers with more opportunities throughout the year.

Heintzeman described environmental permitting reform as "the biggest win in the bill." These reforms are designed to accelerate permitting by simplifying reviews and allowing local governments to process feedlot applications more quickly. This aims to benefit farmers, small businesses, and job creators by reducing project delays.

Additional changes include eliminating duplicate environmental paperwork when a full Environmental Impact Statement is required, which is expected to save applicants time and money. The reforms also restrict who can file petitions for discretionary environmental reviews, limiting this ability to local residents or neighboring counties. This measure seeks to prevent non-local groups from delaying projects through objections.

To improve transparency, the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) will be required to report on delays related to wetland permits.

"This legislation strikes a balanced approach by protecting Minnesota’s natural resources while supporting a strong, growing economy. We don’t have to choose between environmental stewardship and economic progress – we can achieve both and this is a welcome example," said Heintzeman.

Outside of legislative work, Heintzeman mentioned participating in a Fox 9 interview with his wife Kerri—who recently became a state senator—and other legislators Marion and Jason Rarick. They discussed their experiences serving together as married couples at the Capitol.

Heintzeman thanked constituents for their support and pledged continued communication as lawmakers move into the special session.