This past week, I participated in the Council of State Governments’ (CSG) National Conference in Chicago, where I represent the Midwest Region on the Shared State Legislation (SSL) Committee. On the SSL, we discussed and voted on the 2026 Docket throughout the conference. CSG is a national nonpartisan organization that brings together lawmakers from all states to discuss legislative solutions to the issues facing our country.
I served on two committees, attended a panel alongside State Senator Mary Kunesh focused on protecting the Mississippi River for future generations to enjoy, and attended another on the impact of federal Medicaid cuts on rural healthcare, SNAP, and more. As we look towards the next year, I am digging into how that will impact Minnesotans and our state’s budget as we try to fill in gaps left by the federal government.
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary land conservation program that is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Landowners can enroll eligible environmentally sensitive acres into a 10-15-year contract and receive an annual rental rate payment to establish and maintain vegetative cover that strengthens our collective natural resources.
CRP State Incentive Grants provide eligible Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan partnerships and Watershed Management planning areas with funds to incentivize landowner enrollment and re-enrollment into the federal Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) and associated administrative and project development responsibilities.
Eligible activities include the installation or preservation of CCRP practices that improve or protect surface water or groundwater pollution, drinking water, soil health, pollinator and wildlife habitat, and other conservation enhancements. Learn more about this program here.
The Great Minnesota Ski Pass is your ticket to 1,100 miles of groomed ski trails at over 90 destinations across the state. Your ski pass fee goes directly toward grooming cross-country ski trails.
If you are 16 or older, you must have a Great Minnesota Ski Pass to ski on groomed trails in Minnesota state parks or state forests, or on state or grant-in-aid trails. Sign your ski pass and be sure to carry it with you every time you go skiing. (If you prefer, take a photo of both sides of your pass and carry it on your phone.) More information can be found on the DNR’s website here.
 The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has released two reports on wolf depredation payments and elk damage payments commissioned by the Legislature. These payments are overseen by the department and funded by the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, which I serve on as co-chair. You can read the reports linked above.
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“Good Morning South Saint Paul” 2026 calendars are available for order online, with $10 from each calendar donated to SSP’s Kaposia Days fund. Local pickup and in-person purchases is available at Picture Perfect Art and Frame (West Saint Paul). More info can be found here.
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Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the year. You can reach me by email at [email protected] or by phone at 651-296-6828.
For more regular updates, you can subscribe to these regular legislative updates if you haven’t already, here, and you can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative
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