ALS research funding lone item in higher ed budget bill

A partnership between the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic for ongoing research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) helped the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee meet a looming deadline.

The committee must act favorably on its omnibus budget bill by noon Friday. Or, in this case, a vehicle bill expected to be amended when members agree on the totality of an omnibus higher education budget bill.

As it stands, HF2431, including a delete-all amendment, will go to the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Dan Wolgamott (DFL-St. Cloud), who co-chairs the committee with Rep. Marion Rarick (R-Maple Lake), is the sponsor.

The House will be in recess for the Easter/Passover break beginning at noon Friday. Members will return April 21.

“When we get back from break, we'll have a full conversation about the bill,” Rarick said. “We'll have it posted for the public when it's ready, we’ll be able to amend it, if need be and then move it out in that sense and then it will be taken up as a DE in ways and means.”

The bill currently appropriates $15.26 million in fiscal year 2026 for that ALS research partnership.

“It is a zero-target bill that matches our target so we're just moving some money, which is why we're using this bill,” Rarick said.