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LCCMR Page 8 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund: MN Constitution and Statutory Expenditures Minnesota Constitution Art. XI, Sec.14- Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Established A permanent environment and natural resources trust fund is established in the state treasury. Loans may be made of up to five percent of the principal of the fund for water system improvements as provided by law. The assets of the fund shall be appropriated by law for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. The amount appropri- ated each year of a biennium, commencing on July 1 in each odd -numbered year and ending on and including June 30 in the next odd -numbered year, may be up to 5-1/2 percent of the market value of the fund on June 30 one year before the start of the biennium. Not less than 40 percent of the net proceeds from any state -operated lottery must be credited to the fund until the year 2025. [Adopted, November 8, 1988; Amended, November 6, 1990; November 3, 1998] M.S. 116P.08 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Expenditures and Exceptions Subdivision 1. Expenditures. (a) Money in the trust fund may be spent ONLY for: (1) the reinvest in Minnesota program as provided in section 84.95, subd. 2; (2) research that contributes to increasing the effectiveness of protecting or managing the state's environment or natural resources; (3) collection and analysis of information that assists in developing the state's environmental and natural resources policies; (4) enhancement of public education, awareness, and understanding necessary for the protection, conservation, restoration, and enhancement of air, land, water, forests, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources; (5) capital projects for the preservation and protection of unique natural resources; (6) activities that preserve or enhance fish, wildlife, land, air, water, and other natural resources that otherwise may be substantially impaired or destroyed in any area of the state; (7) administrative and investment expenses incurred by the state board of investment in investing deposits to the trust fund; and (8) administrative expenses subject to the limits in section 116P.09. (b) In making recommendations for expenditures from the trust fund, the commission shall give priority to funding programs and projects under paragraph (a), clause (1) and (6). Any request for proposals issued by the commission shall clearly indicate these priorities. Subdivision 2. Exceptions. Money from the trust fund may not be spent for: (1) purposes of environmental compensation and liability under chapter 115B and response action under chapter 115C; (2) purposes of municipal water pollution control in municipalities with a population of 5,000 or more under the authority of chapters 115 and 116; (3) costs associated with the decommissioning of nuclear power plants; (4) hazardous waste disposal facilities; (5) solid waste disposal facilities; or (6) projects or purposes inconsistent with the strategic plan.