Sixty-year-old trophy spending cap could be shelved

The House voted 98-32 Monday to lift a 60-year-old spending limit on trophies and recreational awards for municipalities.

A statute enacted in 1957 put an $800 cap on what counties, cities and groups like the American Legion can spend on awards for their recreational leagues.

Rep. Drew Christensen

Sponsored by Rep. Drew Christensen (R-Savage) and Sen. Dan Hall (R-Burnsville), HF1345/SF1020* would remove that limit, allowing these groups to spend more on things like championship trophies and participation ribbons.

Because of an added amendment to include House language, the bill must return to the Senate.

Another change, an amendment by Rep. Michael Nelson (DFL-Brooklyn Park), would remove veterans’ organizations from the statutory requirement, so “they have the ability to monitor their own funds.”

Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) voted against the bill. “We are encouraging governments to spend, as I see it with this bill, more funds on trophies and awards instead of on roads and bridges.”

Christensen said registration fees and other “pass-through” funding covers the award cost. The problem, he previously said, is that larger cities with many recreational leagues have to provide more trophies.

Laura Ziegler, senior intergovernmental relations liaison for the League of Minnesota Cities, told the House Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee that, when adjusted for inflation, the $800 limit is closer to $7,000.