State senator briefs Dunn County commissioners on Special Session, rural health funding and potential nuclear study

Sen. Dale Patten (R) briefed the Dunn County Board of County Commissioners at their Jan. 7 meeting on several near-term state-level items, including the start of a Special Session, rural health-care funding, tax-credit clarifications and energy planning that could affect the county.

Patten said a Special Session is scheduled to begin Jan. 21 and is expected to last roughly three days; lawmakers will prioritize rural health-care funding and related grant compliance requirements. He told commissioners that new bills may clarify how the $1,600 Primary Resident Credit is applied and that the Gross Production Tax (GPT) formula and ending fund balances for oil-producing counties are likely to be topics during the session.

On energy matters, Patten said Dunn County is one of seven areas in the state identified for an advanced nuclear study focused on small modular reactors, and he described the work as a long-term possibility that would likely take 10–20 years. He also said statewide power demand could rise roughly 7% over the next five years and that two new pipelines are likely in the coming years; he presented these items as informational updates rather than board action items.

The senator's remarks were framed as a briefing; the commission took no formal position during the meeting. Commissioners and staff heard the update and may follow up as state proposals and grant requirements emerge.

The meeting record notes the Special Session date and the Manning project bid opening set for Jan. 21 at 10:00 a.m. as near-term items.