Minnesota legislation · 94th Legislature 2025-2026
Minnesota HF5159: Nonferrous mining prohibited if sulfate levels increase in waters within the Rainy River headwaters, and penalties established.
Status: In committee, May 17, 2026
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to natural resources; prohibiting nonferrous mining if sulfate levels increase in waters within the Rainy River headwaters; establishing penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84.523; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84.
From the introduced text, May 16, 2026:
A bill for an act relating to natural resources; prohibiting nonferrous mining if sulfate levels increase in waters within the Rainy River headwaters; establishing penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84.523; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84. Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84.523, is amended to MANAGING MINERALS AND RELATED RESOURCES. Subdivision 1. Definition. new text begin [ADDED: (a) ] new text end For the purposes of this sectionnew text begin [ADDED: and section 84.5235] new text end , the deleted text begin termdeleted text end new text begin [ADDED: following terms have the meanings given.] new text end new text begin [ADDED: (b)] new text end "Boundary Waters Canoe Areanew text begin [ADDED: Wilderness] new text end " means that area of lands and waters included within the boundaries designated in deleted text begin federal regulation REG U-3, Code of Federal Regulations, title 36, section 293.16, as that regulation provided on January 1, 1975.deleted text end new text begin [ADDED: Public Law 95-495.] new text end new text begin [ADDED: (c) "Rainy River headwaters" means that area of land and waters included within the Rainy River headwaters of the Rainy River basin designated on the Department of Natural Resources map entitled Minnesota's Watershed Basins as identified in Minnesota Rules, part 7050.0470, subpart 2, item …
Sponsors
- Alex Falconer (D) · primary sponsor
- Larry Kraft (D)
- Liish Kozlowski (D, 08B)
Latest actions
- : Authors added Kraft and Kozlowski
- : Introduction and first reading, referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Common questions
- What is HF5159?
- HF5159 is a bill in the Minnesota Legislature (94th Legislature 2025-2026): Nonferrous mining prohibited if sulfate levels increase in waters within the Rainy River headwaters, and penalties established.
- What does HF5159 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to natural resources; prohibiting nonferrous mining if sulfate levels increase in waters within the Rainy River headwaters; establishing penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84.523; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84.
- What is the status of HF5159?
- In committee as of May 17, 2026. Latest action: Authors added Kraft and Kozlowski (May 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HF5159?
- Alex Falconer (D), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HF5159?
- On the Minnesota Legislature website: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=HF5159&y=2025&ssn=0&b=house
Source: official Minnesota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.