Amid growing concern that Minnesota has more state-owned land than it can effectively manage, the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee laid over a bill Feb. 22 that would allow the Department of Natural Resources to contract for services from outside sources.
Currently state agencies can only contract for services if there is no employee available to do the work, although there are a few exceptions.
Sponsored by Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck),
HF503 would provide the DNR with another “tool in the toolbox” by allowing the department to contract with private companies. The bill has no Senate companion.
Anderson said the policy change could follow similar steps used in contracting for services, such as the work being awarded to the lowest bidder. For example, farmers adjacent to state hunting lands could be reimbursed for planting food plots in wildlife management areas or spraying for invasive species.
Commissioner Tom Landwehr said many of the jobs and services require a high degree of technical expertise, and that the department is best equipped to do the work. Because a lot of the work is seasonal, the number of employees swells from 2,700 to 4,000 between May and September.
“We’re hearing the only entity that’s equipped to do this work is the state government,” said Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa). “These are the types of innovative approaches we have to go forward with.”
Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls) requested a fiscal note and said outsourcing may not save money. “If we give it to somebody else, how do we make sure it’s been done right? Does that mean hiring people to go up and check? ... That seems to add a cost, not subtract a cost.”
Minnesota Index: Enjoying the outdoors
Facts and statistics on state parks and trails
(view full story)
Published 4/20/2012
Minnesota Index: Birding
Facts and statistics on birding in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 4/6/2012
A prickly situation
Farmers seek fair fight against noxious weeds
(view full story)
Published 3/16/2012
Angling for more participation
DNR looks for ways to get more anglers and hunters into the great outdoors
(view full story)
Published 3/2/2012
Meeting halfway
Environment and energy law packs policy changes
(view full story)
Published 8/11/2011
Legacy bill brought back to life
More than $449 million appropriated from voter-approved sales tax increase
(view full story)
Published 8/11/2011
Trees from start to finish
Environment finance bill would close tree nursery
(view full story)
Published 5/20/2011
Legacy spending differences
Conference committee needed to determine parks and trails funding
(view full story)
Published 5/20/2011
Less means more
Some Legacy recipients may see increases despite drop in appropriation percentages
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2011
Minnesota Index: Outdoor Heritage Fund
Facts and statistics on the Outdoor Heritage Fund
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2011
Environment bill reflects ‘priorities’
House addresses wild rice, harvesting timber and closing of state parks
(view full story)
Published 4/1/2011
Putting a stop to aquatic invasive species
Broader enforcement, stiffer penalties proposed for violators
(view full story)
Published 4/1/2011
Wild rice study proposed
Committee approves policies for wild rice, state parks
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2011
Should Minnesotans be hunting for land?
Legislators aim for no-net-loss and no-net-gain targets
(view full story)
Published 3/4/2011
Minnesota Index: Horticulture and agriculture
Figures and statistics on horticulture and agriculture in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 3/4/2011
At Issue: Leaving a legacy
Recipients report outcomes of dedicated tax appropriations
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011