Clean Water Council structure and membership modification

Minnesota Senate File 1736 (SF1736) proposes changes to the state's Clean Water Council, which advises on water quality issues. The bill suggests:

- **Membership Changes**: The governor would appoint 17 voting members from various groups, including farm organizations, environmental groups, business organizations, local governments, and tribal entities. These members must have expertise in areas like science or water quality and cannot be lobbyists or legislators. ([myreptracker.com](https://www.myreptracker.com/minnesota/bills/mn-2025-2026-regular-session-sf-1736?utm_source=openai))

- **Duties and Responsibilities**: The council would advise state agencies on water quality priorities, coordinate efforts across agencies, and recommend funding allocations from the Clean Water Fund. ([myreptracker.com](https://www.myreptracker.com/minnesota/bills/mn-2025-2026-regular-session-sf-1736?utm_source=openai))

- **Nonvoting Members**: Representatives from state agencies and the legislature would serve as nonvoting members. ([myreptracker.com](https://www.myreptracker.com/minnesota/bills/mn-2025-2026-regular-session-sf-1736?utm_source=openai))

The bill aims to enhance the council's effectiveness in advising and implementing policies related to water quality management. ([track.mn](https://track.mn/legislative_instruments/0942025-hf2481?utm_source=openai))

As of October 9, 2026, SF1736 has not progressed beyond the introduction and referral to the Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee on February 20, 2025. ([revisor.mn.gov](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=senate&f=SF1736&ssn=0&y=2025&utm_source=openai))

There is no specific media coverage available regarding SF1736. However, similar legislative efforts, such as HF2481, have been discussed in the context of potential impacts on the Clean Water Fund and related programs. For instance, concerns have been raised about the bills potentially undermining the Clean Water Council's recommendations and reducing funding for core clean water programs. ([fmr.org](https://fmr.org/node/3347?utm_source=openai))

MN SF1736 is a senate bill in the Minnesota 94th Legislature 2025-2026, sponsored by Mary Kunesh-Podein (D), currently “Introduced” since February 20, 2025.

We track 10,590 Minnesota bills this session, 106 of them sponsored by Mary Kunesh-Podein.

While there is no direct media coverage of SF1736, similar legislative efforts have been discussed in the context of potential impacts on the Clean Water Fund and related programs. For instance, concerns have been raised about the bills potentially undermining the Clean Water Council's recommendations and reducing funding for core clean water programs. ([fmr.org](https://fmr.org/node/3347?utm_source=openai))

While there is no direct media coverage of SF1736, similar legislative efforts have been discussed in the context of potential impacts on the Clean Water Fund and related programs. For instance, concerns have been raised about the bills potentially undermining the Clean Water Council's recommendations and reducing funding for core clean water programs. ([fmr.org](https://fmr.org/node/3347?utm_source=openai))