HF3399 • 2026

Lake Elmo; requirements to issue water-use permits modified.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Johnson, W.
Last action: 2026-02-17
Official status: Introduction and first reading, referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the volume of water that can be permitted or the process for approving or modifying permits.

Lake Elmo Water-Use Permit Requirements

The bill changes how water-use permits are issued to Lake Elmo for their municipal water supply needs.

What This Bill Does

Requires the commissioner of natural resources to issue permits necessary for Lake Elmo to construct and operate municipal water wells.
Allows the commissioner to amend existing water-use permits to increase the authorized volume of water based on a plan approved by them.

Who It Names or Affects

The city of Lake Elmo
The commissioner of natural resources

Terms To Know

Water-use permit: A document that allows a city or organization to use water from a specific source.
Municipal water supply: The system used by a city to provide clean drinking water to its residents.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify the exact volume of water that can be permitted.
Does not include details about how the commissioner will approve or modify permits.

Bill History

2026-02-17 House
Introduction and first reading, referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Official Summary Text

Lake Elmo; requirements to issue water-use permits modified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

A bill for an act

relating to natural resources; modifying requirements to issue water-use permits

to city of Lake Elmo; amending Laws 2023, chapter 60, article 4, section 105.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Laws 2023, chapter 60, article 4, section 105, is amended to read:

Sec. 105.
WATER-USE PERMITS; CITY OF LAKE ELMO.

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(a)
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Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner of natural resources
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may
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must
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:

(1) issue permits necessary for the city of Lake Elmo to construct and operate
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a
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new

municipal water supply
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well
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wells
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; and

(2) amend existing water-use permits issued to the city of Lake Elmo to increase the

authorized volume of water that may be appropriated under the permits to a level consistent

with the amount anticipated to be needed each year according to a water supply plan approved

by the commissioner under Minnesota Statutes, section
103G.291
.

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(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), all new and amended water-use permits issued by

the commissioner to the city of Lake Elmo must contain the same water-use conservation

and planning measures required by law for municipal wells located wholly or partially

within the five-mile radius of White Bear Lake.

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(c) This section expires June 30, 2027.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective the day following final enactment.

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