Bill to Eliminate State Environmental Quality Board Introduced in Minnesota

Bill to Eliminate State Environmental Quality Board Introduced in Minnesota

On February 16, 2017, bills were introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives (House File 1291) and Senate (Senate File 1087) proposing to eliminate the state Environmental Quality Board (EQB). Established in 1973, EQB comprises the heads of nine state agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources and Pollution Control Agency, and eight citizen members. EQB is responsible for, among other things, providing leadership and coordination across agencies on priority environmental issues. This is, according to EQB’s supporters, vital to ensure the sharing of knowledge between agencies. However, others counter that EQB’s functions overlap with those of other agencies, and that it adds an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.