St. Paul, MN - The Minnesota Legislature has concluded its work for the 2025 session. In November, voters sent 67 members from each party to the House, creating the Minnesota Legislature’s second tied House since 1979. Representative Robert Bierman (DFL - Apple Valley) not only played a lead role in crafting Minnesota’s new health budget as the DFL Co-Chair of the House’s Health Finance Committee, but also secured key investments for the Minnesota Zoo.
"Our no longer ‘New Zoo’ has communicated the urgent need for a modern animal hospital and loading facility to properly transport and treat their residents,” said Rep. Bierman. “The existing infrastructure from the 1970s is inadequate, with limited operational space, outdated equipment, and poor lighting conditions. These improvements are essential for providing the high-quality care that ensures the zoo animals can thrive. I'm proud to champion this important funding initiative."
In the Capital Investment Bonding Bill, Rep. Bierman secured $13.7 million to rebuild the Zoo’s 47-year-old animal hospital. The project will provide modern technology and best care practices for the facility by including an ambulance bay for safe animal transport, a nutritional lab for diet analysis and preparation, an Intensive Care Unit for small and large animals housed at the Zoo, an animal surgical space and aseptic holding facilities for large animal species, medical equipment storage, updated electrical, HVAC and plumbing systems.
Rep. Bierman’s Health Finance Budget funds many of the pieces of Minnesota’s health care system, including hospitals, pharmacies, and emergency medical services, as well as a new requirement for mental health warning labels to be placed on social media platforms. Importantly, it also increases Medical Assistance reimbursements to help retain more mental health providers and expand access to mental health care.
Video of the special session can be found on the House Public Information YouTube channel.
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