ST. PAUL, Minn.— On Monday, the Minnesota House of Representatives concurred on House File 434, bipartisan legislation authored by Representative Dan Fabian, R-Roseau, that is critical for local transportation projects statewide, as well as needed disaster relief in Southern Minnesota. The bill passed 119-10 in the House and has been sent to Governor Dayton for his signature.
First, the bill allocates $5 million to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to create wetland bank service areas that are given as credits to local road authorities to offset “no net loss” requirements for any road projects that impact wetlands. This emergency funding allows BWSR to cover its obligations by purchasing credits from private wetland banks, so locally planned road construction projects can continue on-time when construction season begins later this spring.
“I am very pleased that both the House and Senate fast-tracked this bill so critical county and township road projects can begin on-time when construction season begins,” said Rep. Fabian. “This is a commonsense and needed bill that will ensure local transportation projects planned by local officials can move forward in the spring.”
Additionally, House File 434 also appropriates $1.7 million in grants to the city of Madelia and Watonwan County after a fire devastated the community last year. That funding will go toward disaster recovery, infrastructure, and reimbursement for emergency personnel costs, equipment costs and property tax abatements incurred by public or private entities. The community is represented by Representative Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center.
“The businessmen and women of Madelia took such a risk and invested such a large amount of money into this project,” Rep. Cornish said. “This will be a way to allow their investment to come back sooner than expected.”