Minn. House passes environment, natural resources appropriation after rejecting aquifer exemption amendment

The Minnesota House of Representatives passed Senate File 3, an environment and natural resources appropriation and policy bill, on a 105-26 roll-call vote after rejecting an amendment that would have allowed limited new agricultural irrigation permits from the Mount Simon–Hinckley aquifer outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Representative Nisga moved to suspend the rules under Article IV, Section 19 of the Minnesota Constitution so Senate File 3 could receive additional readings and be placed on final passage; that motion prevailed by voice vote. The clerk then read Senate File 3, described in the roll as "an act relating to state government, appropriating money for environment and natural resources."

The bill combines appropriations to the state agencies that handle parks, water, pollution control and soil resources with policy changes, including a large permitting-reform package and a mix of general‑fund and dedicated environmental fund spending. Representative Purcell, the co-vice chair (acting co-chair) of the House Environment…