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Senate passes state government omnibus (SF 3045), including elections provisions; vote split 36‑31
Summary
The Senate approved the conference committee report and passage of Senate File 3045, a state government operations omnibus bill that sets a biennial budget for state agencies and includes elections appropriations and policy changes. Senators described measures to protect voting rights and noted omitted anti‑bribery language.
The Minnesota Senate on Feb. 16 adopted the conference committee report and passed Senate File 3045, a state government operations omnibus bill that establishes a biennial budget and appropriates money for the legislature, constitutional offices and state agencies. The measure includes appropriations and policy language related to elections.
Senator Jeong moved adoption of the conference committee report on Senate File 3045 and the motion prevailed. Senator Jeong thanked committee staff and others for their work on the bill.
Elections, lobbying and voting provisions Senator Champion and Senator Westland, who said they led parts of the bill related to elections, emphasized provisions intended to protect voting rights. Senator Champion noted the bill’s work on elections; Senator Westland said the conference report included measures to “protect voting rights in this state” while some items did not survive the conference process — for example, she said anti‑bribery language was left out. Westland also confirmed a change discussed on the floor that sets an absentee ballot deadline at 5 p.m.
Senator Pappas commented on a separate matter within the state and local government bill: a “vitality fund” reserve from 2023 containing $5,000,000. Pappas said $3,000,000 of that fund was preserved for Capitol Mall safety purposes while $2,000,000 was redirected by the administration for rent and operating adjustments for the attorney general’s office.
Budget and appropriations Senator Jeong said the committee adopted appropriations spreadsheets for state government and incorporated elections appropriations and policy. Several senators thanked staff for their work. Senator Jeong asked for quick consideration so the Senate could vote.
Vote and final disposition The Senate passed the bill as amended by the conference committee by a roll call of 36 yeas and 31 nays. The secretary closed the roll and the presiding officer announced the bill passed as amended by the conference committee.
Procedural notes and next steps Senator Murphy and other leaders said additional conference committee work and negotiations on pending budget bills would continue in the following days; senators anticipated returning to work in informal working groups and possibly meeting with administration officials to resolve remaining language and spreadsheets.
