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
Workforce committee advances budget bill with program cuts, shift to competitive grants
By Margaret Stevens Charged with finding a $50 million reduction in its General Fund allocation for economic and labor programs, the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Pol...'We Can Work it Out' tax bill advances in House
By Rob Hubbard
Throughout his 17 terms in the House, Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston) has become known for lending nicknames to the biennial House tax bills, often appropriating the name of a popu...
'Real reforms' in human services policy bill that passes House with bipartisan support
By Todd Abeln There was little debate Monday as the House easily passed the omnibus human services policy bill. Sponsored by House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee Co-chair Rep...House passes human services budget bill proposing deep cuts
By Todd Abeln
The human services budget is taking the biggest hit this session.
With the second largest budget in state government and a looming deficit on the horizon, human services was...
House passes $2.3 billion ‘lights-on’ omnibus environmental budget bill
By Tim Walker A substantial language swap to the omnibus environmental budget bill means a minimal House position moving forward. The House passed HF2439/SF2077* 129-5 Monday four da...House passes amended cannabis policy bill, returns it to Senate
By Lisa Kaczke The House quickly gave its OK for the omnibus cannabis policy bill with little debate Monday. The bill would mostly make technical changes to the state’s cannabis laws, but ...Fraud committee eyes stricter rules for monitoring state-funded grants
By Mike Cook
There’s been plenty of talk this session about how fraud regarding state funds is occurring, preventative and reactive agency response, and potential solutions.
A pair of so...
Week in Review: April 28-May 2
By Lisa Kaczke
House members stayed busy with floor sessions this week as the clock ticks down to the constitutional deadline to adjourn on May 19.
This week, the House passed its omnibus ...
House OKs local government policy bill
By Brian Basham After a short debate Thursday, a wide-ranging omnibus local government policy bill that would make changes to many policy provisions that impact local governments in Minnesota w...Fraud prevention, whistleblower protection included in state government policy bill that clears House
By Mike Cook Going after fraudulent behavior through withholding payments, adding whistleblower protection and honoring the giant beaver are all aspects of the omnibus state government polic...Session Daily Home
Search Session Daily
Advanced Search OptionsPriority Dailies
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...
