Governor Walz Signs Omnibus Budget, Bonding Bills into Law
Press Release
[ST. PAUL, MN] -- Tonight, Governor Tim Walz signed four omnibus budget bills and a bonding technical bill into law. Highlights from the bills include providing direct COVID-19 relief for small businesses; investing in statewide economic development and redevelopment grants; building safer communities for all Minnesotans by establishing public safety measures and establishing a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office; supporting Minnesota's veterans through measures such as the Restorative Justice Act; and a historic investment in education--$1.2 billion over four years, the largest formula increase in 15 years.
"Tonight, I am proud to sign legislation that invests in our students, bolsters public safety, and builds a stronger economy," said Governor Walz. "This legislation will help small businesses create jobs, allow our students to catch up on learning, and make our communities safer for every Minnesotan."
"Minnesota's COVID-19 Recovery Budget ensures we get back to better for all Minnesotans," continued Governor Walz.
Chapter 9, HF 52: Bonding Technical
The bill makes needed technical changes to bonding projects approved in the 2020 5th Special Legislative Session and other previous legislative sessions. It includes agency project modifications and local project modifications. In October 2020, Governor Walz signed the historic $1.9 billion Local Jobs and Projects Plan, investing in construction and renovation projects across the state and create thousands of jobs for Minnesotans.
Chapter 10, SF 9: Jobs and Labor Omnibus
The bill includes $80 million in funding for the Main Street Economic Revitalization Program to address the greatest economic development and redevelopment needs that have developed over the past year; $70 million in funding for the Main Street COVID-19 Relief Grant Program to assist businesses affected by the pandemic, with $10 million set aside for minority-owned businesses and $3 million set aside for cultural malls; and $10 million in funding for child care. It also appropriates funding to support Minnesota's workers through workforce development grants and broadband development grants. In addition, the bill strengthens workplace protections for expectant and new parents and provides funding to increase the number of Minnesota OSHA safety and health investigators.
Chapter 11, HF 63: Public Safety and Judiciary Omnibus
The bill includes public safety measures such as restrictions on the use of no-knock warrants, increasing mental health response in crisis calls, reforming civil asset forfeiture by law enforcement, and provides body cameras for law enforcement at the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Natural Resources. The bill establishes a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office and a Youth Justice Office, as well as overhauls how Minnesota enforces safety standards and reforms use of force guidelines in Minnesota jails and prisons.
Chapter 12, SF 2: State Government Omnibus
The bill includes funding for the legislature, Governor's office, Constitutional offices, and several state agencies, boards, and commissions. This bill also contains policy provisions for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, including funding for preventing and ending Veteran homelessness and suicide and the passage of the Veterans Restorative Justice Act, which allow veterans in the criminal justice system who suffer from PTSD to be met with compassion, setting a new standard to care for veterans across the country.
Chapter 13, HF 2: E-12 Education Omnibus
This bill includes $1.2 billion for education over four years, including the largest formula increase in 15 years and targeted funding for students receiving special education and English learner services. It also includes over $35 million for efforts to put more teachers of color and American Indian teachers in classrooms, and to keep them there. The bill includes funding to make evidenced-based suicide prevention training available statewide to educators and school administrators, and has dedicated federal funds for school-linked mental health services for students and school staff. Every child in Minnesota deserves access to a world-class education, and this funding will help make sure every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Earlier this week, Governor Walz signed three additional omnibus budget bills into law, including measures to ensure housing stability by establishing an eviction moratorium off-ramp to support renters and landlords, protect Minnesota's natural resources, and provide a historic investment in health and human services resources to benefit Minnesotans across the state.
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