Legacy conference committee finds common ground

The first and last legacy finance conference committee meeting Wednesday was brief – so much so that introductions of lawmakers and staff took more time than the sole agenda item.

Committee chairs had agreed to a compromise prior to the meeting as a means of efficiency as the session winds down, so there was little discussion.

The conferees agreed to a report that incorporates elements of both the House and Senate versions of the supplemental budget bill – HF4124*/SF5116 – sponsored by Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-North St. Paul) and Sen. Foung Hawj (DFL-St. Paul).

It now heads back to the House and Senate chambers for final passage. Lillie encouraged the conferees to support the bill when it reaches their respective chambers.

[MORE: See the side-by-side comparison]

In total, the bill would appropriate the following amounts:

• $192.86 million for the Outdoor Heritage Fund;
• $25.43 million for the Clean Water Fund;
• $12.21 million for the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund; and
• $9.11 million for the Parks and Trails Fund.