The 2025 Minnesota legislative session is up and running, and Freshwater is an active participant, providing nonpartisan science-based perspectives to help policymakers make informed decisions. Wonder what we are up to and how you can plug in?
Here are five water issues we are watching closely this session as outlined in our legislative agenda:
1. Siting and development of water-intensive industries, including data centers, with consideration of long-term water impacts.
This is one of the hot topics at the Legislature this year – how to evaluate siting of the many large data centers and other industrial projects that are coming to Minnesota. We are raising awareness about the need to involve water managers early in the planning process and to carefully consider regional impacts to groundwater. See our blog on questions to ask about water-intensive projects, along with our February 24 presentation to the Clean Water Council.
Related bills:
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- HF1277/SF769: Data centers sales and use tax exemption modified.
- HF28/SF1393: Data center energy generation redundancy establishment.
- HF1150/SF117: Study of environmental impacts of artificial intelligence required, report required, and money appropriated.
- HF1109/SF608: Data centers prohibited in certain districts.
2. Passage of 2025 bonding bill to fund urgent water infrastructure needs.
We are monitoring Public Facilities Authority funding needed to address aging drinking water, stormwater and wastewater systems across Minnesota. Water infrastructure is critical to support public health and the economy, and costs increase each year they are not funded.
Related bills:
3. Safe drinking water for all: Support for private well owners and continued nitrate contamination mitigation.
Unsafe levels of nitrate and other contaminants in drinking water are a serious health concern across Minnesota, especially in the southeastern part of the state where the karst topography makes groundwater particularly vulnerable to land-use practices. We support increased funding for private well testing and mitigation costs.
Related bills:
4. Increase to soil and water conservation district (SWCD) funding.
We support increased funding for SWCDs to restore prior funding levels and support local implementation of clean water conservation programs.
Related bills:
5. Maintaining integrity of state environmental funds including the Clean Water Fund and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Minnesota voted with 77 percent approval to support reauthorization of the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Let’s keep these funds working for Minnesotans and the environment.
Related bills:
Want to get more involved? Follow our blog and Policy page, contact your elected representatives (find them here), attend a Day at the Capitol of your favorite organization, or reach out to our Public Affairs Director Chris O’Brien. Bonus points: Visit Raise Our Grade, Minnesota to learn about water infrastructure needs in your community, and how you can voice your support!