Minnesota Agencies

Created during the 2004-2005 legislative session to examine the process for expenditures from the trust fund. Issued a report on February 15, 2006.

The environment and natural resource trust fund was created in the Minnesota Constitution in 1988 and is supported by 40 percent of the proceeds of lottery sales. These funds are to be used for "the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife and other natural resources." Public concerns arose about the previous spending of the fund, so Governor Pawlenty requested reformation of the spending process in October 2004.
Funding: 2005 Laws of Minnesota, 1st Special Session, Ch. 7, Sec. 37.

2006 - The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) is created in 2006 legislation proposed by the Governor and signed into law. It replaces the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) as the body that makes funding recommendations to the Legislature from the Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund for special environment and natural resource projects.

16 members; 8 appointed by the Governor, and 8 appointed by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources. Governor's appointees: David Zentner, Joe Duggan, Karen Bowen, Craig Shaver, Jeff Broberg, Wayne Enger, Pam Landers, and Ryan Heiniger. LCMR appointees: Rep. Phyllis Kahn, Rep. Loren Solberg, Rep. Ron Erhardt, former Sen. Steve Morse, former Sen. Gary Laidig, former Sen. Jane Krentz, former Sen. Earl Renneke, and former Rep. Dave Bishop.

Co-chair: David Zentner