Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate passes House File 3426, sending $102 million‑scale natural‑resources spending to next steps
Summary
The Minnesota Senate adopted the conference committee report and passed House File 3426, an Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriation bill, by a 46–19 roll call after debate about program eligibility, a two‑year guardrail and a $2 million community grant cap.
The Minnesota Senate on Thursday adopted a conference committee report and passed House File 3426, a bill relating to natural resources that appropriates money from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, by a roll‑call vote of 46 ayes to 19 noes.
Senator Hur, the bill’s sponsor in the chamber, told colleagues the conference report largely mirrors the House bill but left out a grazing‑rotation amendment offered by Senator Westrom and removed a provision related to taking youth to the Boundary Waters. Hur said the report includes a two‑year guardrail for a community grant program with a cap of $2,000,000, changes an "emerging issues" community grant to require a 12‑member approval, and reduced the number of projects described in committee from 109 to 108. Hur characterized the bill total during debate as about $102,360,000.
The bill advanced after floor debate that included an acknowledgment from Senator Green that the conference committee produced useful reforms but an expression of continuing concern about the volume of spending and projects in the package; Green said he could not support final passage. After the brief debate the Senate adopted the conference committee recommendation and the secretary gave the bill its third reading.
On final passage the secretary conducted a roll‑call vote; the secretary and presiding officer announced the tally as 46 ayes and 19 noes and declared the bill passed and its title agreed to. Senator Hur closed remarks asking members for their votes: "ask for your support, vote green."
Why it matters: House File 3426 directs trust‑fund money to a set of natural‑resources, resiliency, water, education, outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife, energy and land‑administration projects across Minnesota. Supporters said the conference process produced reforms; opponents on the floor said the package remains too large and includes projects they consider not worthwhile.
What’s next: With passage in the Senate, the bill proceeds in the legislative process consistent with the conference report decisions already transmitted from the House. The Senate adjourned later in the day; additional action on related appropriations or reporting requirements would follow as required by statute or subsequent legislative steps.
