New law authorizes more than $100 million for bonding projects, changes funding source

Communities seeking money for local projects will get it under a new law that appropriates more than $100 million to several state agencies in order to fund capital improvements around Minnesota.

Sponsored by Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown) and Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), the law, effective March 6, 2019, also repeals the 2018 appropriations for the same projects from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Now the appropriations in nearly the same amounts will be funded from the sale of general-obligation bonds.

The appropriations include:

• $59 million to the Public Facilities Authority for water infrastructure;

• $13 million to the Department of Natural Resources for projects in Elk River, Redwood and South St. Paul, along with asset preservation;

• $10.3 million to the Pollution Control Agency for cleanup of a hazardous landfill in Anoka County;

• $10 million to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for conservation easements; and

• $10 million to the Metropolitan Council for regional parks.

HF80*/SF1836/CH2

HF0080* / SF1836 / CH2