Minnesota Legislature
Working group strikes agreement on environment and natural resources finance, policy package
By Tim Walker
In this tight two-year budget cycle, it’s not surprising that several budget agreements have turned to raising fees or adding surcharges to state services to meet their lean targets for the 2026-27 biennium.
That includes environment and natural resources budget and policy.
An agreement would increase the aquatic invasive species surcharge for watercraft from a flat $10.60. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, surcharges would range from $14 to $62 depending on the size, type and use of the watercraft.
The DNR would also increase large groundwater-use permit fees and water appropriation permit application fees, including a rise from $150 to $600 for a business to apply for a permit to appropriate groundwater.
Recent Dailies
Environment, natural resources conference committee begins work
By Tim Walker
Predicting the future is a fool’s errand and Sen. Foung Hawj (DFL-St. Paul) showed he is no fool when he declined to predict the future course of HF2439/SF2077*, the omnibus env...
House, Senate far apart on ag bill, leaving path forward 'clear as mud'
By Tim Walker Moving forward toward reconciliation of the omnibus agriculture and broadband development policy and finance bill may prove very problematic. “At this point, it’s as clear a...State government, elections conferees delve into finance, fraud and absentee voting
By Mike Cook
No votes were taken Friday on the omnibus state government and elections bill. But plenty of information was shared before any votes are cast.
Like most other conference com...
State grants at center of House, Senate disagreement on higher education budget bills
By Todd Abeln
Beginning to piece together a budget and policy was the task Thursday as the higher education conference committee met for the first time.
Conferees received walkthroughs on...
Minnesota House, Senate revving up to bridge gaps in transportation bills
By Rob Hubbard
When it comes to transportation funding in the next biennium, the House is focusing more on specific large highway projects and less on public transit. Meanwhile, the Senate wou...
House, Senate find common ground on key housing policies despite $72 million funding difference
By Margaret Stevens
Even with a $72 million divide between the House and Senate housing budget proposals, lawmakers say there’s plenty of agreement as the housing conference committee convened its ...
Spending gap largest hurdle in reconciling House, Senate versions of veterans bill
By Mike Cook
Judging by the minimal differences between the House and Senate veterans and military affairs policy and finance bills, reconciliation could be easier than most committees.
...
Judiciary, public safety conference committee begins work
By Tim Walker
The first conference committee out of the gate in the 2025 session gathered Wednesday and took the first steps toward reconciling the differences between the House and Senate ve...
House passes a much lighter ‘lights-on’ omnibus energy bill
By Rob Hubbard If 2023 and 2024 provided the big bang when it came to changes in Minnesota’s energy policy and funding for renewable energy projects, then 2025 is looking to be more of a firec...Health finance bill moves to House Floor, but MinnesotaCare funding debate looms
By Margaret Stevens
Like a blockbuster with a planned sequel, the omnibus health finance bill coming from the House Health Finance and Policy Committee ended with “to be continued.”
It lea...
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Legislature — with budget incomplete — gavels out, prepares for special session
By Rob Hubbard
Some years, state legislative sessions surge to a climax on their final day, a flurry of activity providing a sustained adrenaline rush, culminating in smiles of satisfaction as...
Walz, lawmakers strike budget deal in session's final days
By Lisa Kaczke
With five days to go in the 2025 session, three of four legislative leaders announced a budget agreement Thursday that would sunset unemployment insurance for hourly school empl...
