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 speaker sees sticking points in budget negotiations, remains optimistic
By Rob Hubbard
House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) is looking for some unity, and she believes the Legislature and Gov. Tim Walz can find it.
Speaking after Tuesday’s House floor ses...
Combined public safety, judiciary budget bill heads to House Floor
By Tim Walker
The session’s second omnibus budget bill heading to the House Floor is a twofer.
The House Ways and Means Committee merged the House judiciary and public safety finance budg...
Higher education panel approves finance and policy bill
By Todd Abeln
Facing a committee base increase of zero, college students could nonetheless get more money for schooling.
The omnibus higher education finance and policy bill contains...
House remembers former Rep. Mary Murphy, votes to rename library grant program in her honor
By Rob Hubbard
Former Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown) was a teacher whose life was a lesson.
After 12 years as a history and social studies instructor at Duluth Central High School, she ...
Week in Review: April 7-11
By Lisa Kaczke
A busy week of negotiations and compromises was the theme as most — most — finance committees met Friday’s noon deadline to approve finance bills and send them to the House Ways...
House committee gives green light after omnibus transportation bill travels bumpy road
By Rob Hubbard
After emerging from a crucible of what both co-chairs described as some tough negotiations involving heated tempers, the omnibus transportation finance bill was approved vi...
Omnibus education finance bill is 2025 forecast adjustments — for now
By Brian Basham The House Education Finance Committee must receive a failing grade for not getting its work done on time. However, because the assignment is not yet finished a final mark could ...House lawmakers review transportation package with billions in funding, tougher penalties for speeding drivers
By Rob Hubbard
Funding for roads and runways, bridges and trains. And possibly securing driver’s licenses online and stiffer penalties for speeding. You’ll find that in the House Transportatio...
Compromise sends omnibus children’s bill to next committee stop
By Todd Abeln If a good compromise is when both parties are dissatisfied, then the House Children and Families Finance and Policy accomplished that goal. By approving the delete-all amend...Ethics committee takes no action, Tabke keeps District 54A seat
By Mike Cook
Any doubt about House membership staying at 67 DFLers and 67 Republicans may have finally been allayed.
The House Ethics Committee heard oral arguments Thursday and had memb...
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...
