Chippewa Bands authorized to establish open seasons for big game in accordance with 1854 treaty, and money appropriated.

HF 820 authorizes specific Chippewa Bands, as identified under the 1854 treaty, to establish their own open seasons for big game hunting for tribal members if the state of Minnesota does not set such seasons. The bill appropriates $3 million for fiscal year 2026 and $3 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to fund proportional payments to these tribes under treaty obligations. It amends Minnesota Statutes to clarify the commissioner of natural resources' role in fulfilling treaty agreements and ensures funding for these payments. This directly affects the Chippewa Bands and the state's natural resources agency, with no impact on non-tribal hunters.