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
House OKs nearly $4 billion higher ed budget that would offset state grant program deficit
By Todd Abeln A program that helps families pay higher educational expenses is drowning. The state grant program was thrown a life preserver Monday as the House passed the omnibus higher ...House passes transportation finance bill with increased road funding, transit cuts
By Rob Hubbard
More money for roads, bridges and resilient pavement and less for mass transit: Those are among the upshots of the omnibus transportation finance and policy bill, which was pass...
Standoff over hourly, temporary school worker benefits could imperil education funding bill
By Brian Basham
An incomplete grade appears likely when it comes to the already late omnibus education finance bill. A proposal has been introduced more than two weeks past the committee deadli...
Week in Review: April 21-25
By Lisa Kaczke
Coming back from a weeklong Easter/Passover break, work picked up in the House this week as the May 19 constitutional deadline to finish session inches closer.
The House Way...
Bipartisan public safety policy package clears House
By Tim Walker
Much of the focus this week has been on multi-million or multi-billion dollar omnibus budget bills, prompting political pundits to opine on the impact the House’s 67-67 tie is h...
House lawmakers OK $3.7 billion public safety, judiciary budget bill
By Tim Walker
Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL-Shoreview) characterized the $3.66 billion omnibus public safety and judiciary budget bill as a bipartisan effort that funds critical government operation...
House passes $777 million omnibus Legacy finance bill
By Todd Abeln This year’s omnibus legacy bill does what it has traditionally done by appropriating money to four funds mentioned in the Legacy Amendment. How some of that money would get ...House OKs $172 million 'people-focused' agriculture finance bill
By Tim Walker
If you’re the type to keep score, take note that the omnibus agriculture and broadband finance bill is the first omnibus budget bill to pass off the House Floor this session.
...
Energy omnibus bill grows in House Ways and Means Committee
By Rob Hubbard Considering that one of the chief responsibilities of the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee is to create legislation that will keep your lights on, it’s appropriate that...Walz's State of the State address lays out priorities, slams D.C. 'chaos'
By Rob Hubbard
Gov. Tim Walz may have been seeking a job in Washington, D.C., during last year’s election, but he seems happy to have landed back in the position he’s held for more than six ye...
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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...
