Southeast regional groundwater protection and soil health initiative appropriation

This bill appropriates $X for fiscal years 2026-2027 from the general fund to fund a southeast Minnesota groundwater and soil health initiative. It provides grants to soil and water conservation districts in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties. The funds support specific projects to reduce nutrient leaching into groundwater, immobilize nitrogen, and prevent erosion through cover crops, alternative crops, and pasture enhancement programs aligned with the existing Olmsted County initiative. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on funding allocation for these established conservation practices.