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Joint Appropriations sets Mineral Impact Grant funding at $15 million after debate
Summary
Committee members debated a governor request of roughly $20.2 million for the Mineral Royalty Grant (MRG) program and ultimately adopted an amendment setting the capital construction appropriation at $15 million (amendment carried by roll call).
The committee considered a $20,169,592 general fund request for the Mineral Royalty Grant (MRG) capital construction appropriation (Agency 060, Unit 0902). Representative Pendergraft moved to reduce the request to $10 million; Senator Driscoll proposed increasing the amendment to $30 million; after debate the committee adopted a compromise amendment to set the appropriation at $15 million.
Members discussed the program’s role funding small communities’ infrastructure such as water tanks, lift stations, ambulances and other critical local needs. Budget staff and committee members noted the MRG account had previously been funded at $27 million in the 2024 budget and that the cash balance reported in the materials was about $39.7 million but largely committed to previously approved projects. Committee members said the program commonly denies many applications and that local communities rely on the account for emergency repairs.
After debate and several amendment votes, the committee approved the amendment setting the unit at $15,000,000; roll call recorded 11 ayes and 1 excused.
