House passes bare-bones environment, natural resources budget (Senate File 2077)

The Minnesota House on 2025-03-01 passed Senate File 2077, an environment and natural resources omnibus budget that sets biennial total spending for the area at $2,284,000,000 and holds agency operating budgets flat, by a vote of 129-5.

Supporters said the bill is a "bare bones" budget that meets a $10 million general fund cut target and excludes agency operating increases and many proposed fee hikes and policy changes. Representative Heintzeman, who introduced the bill on the floor, said total biennial spending in the bill is "$2,284,000,000" and that the measure sets general fund spending at $425,000,000.

The bill funds a small set of targeted changes and timing adjustments. Lawmakers said the bill: reduces unspent appropriations from prior sessions to backfill the $10 million general fund cut target (including $3,000,000 from a local government climate resiliency and water infrastructure grant program at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, $2,000,000 from a climate resiliency/adaptation program at the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and $5,000,000 from a wetland restoration program at the Department of Natural Resources); increases an air appropriation by $2,000,000 to comply with the Clean Air Act; and extends a provision transferring money from closed landfill incentive funds to the MPCA by four years, moving the sunset from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2029.

Representative Fisher, the bill co-chair, told members the package is a "lights on only bill" and urged a green vote. Fisher and Heintzeman both noted they did not reach agreement on policy and that the measure contains no policy provisions. Multiple members said the bill omits agency operating increase requests estimated at $31,000,000 and fee increases totaling about $16,000,000 (including aquatic invasive species fees, groundwater permit application fees, and state park permit changes) that had been requested but were not included.

Members from across the state spoke in support and expressed disappointment that policy items were not adopted on the floor. Representative Falconer (Hennepin) said the bill "keeps lights on" for protections for clean air and water and framed those protections as important for public health and the state's outdoor recreation economy. Representative Hollins said his bill (House File 2293), intended to direct statutorily dedicated trust funds to community grants for invasive-species work and outdoor education, was not included.

On final passage the clerk recorded 129 yeas and 5 nays; the clerk announced the bill "is passed as amended and its title agreed to." No additional formal amendments or further implementation dates were specified on the floor during the recorded discussion.

The House record as provided does not list individual roll-call votes by member except for a remote vote identified as "Acom," who was recorded as voting aye.