On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka appointed Sen. Andrew Mathews (R-Milaca) to serve on the conference committee for the environment and natural resources finance bill. Sen. Mathews will join four of his Senate colleagues, as well as five House members, to meet and negotiate a compromise on the differing bills passed by each body.

“I am particularly passionate about Minnesota’s unparalleled natural resources and our state’s environmental policy,” said Sen. Mathews, who serves on the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee. “I am excited to be a thoughtful voice on the conference committee and stand up for a budget that offers necessary funding while respecting Minnesota’s hardworking taxpayers.”

The $274.1 million budget was passed by the Senate earlier this month and streamlines environmental regulations and preserves programs that safeguard Minnesota’s water, air, nature, and wildlife.

Conference committees will begin meeting this week and continue until an agreement is reached. Upon reaching an agreement, both legislative bodies will vote on those agreements before sending them to the governor for his signature or veto. The Minnesota Constitution mandates that this year’s legislative session must adjourn by May 22.

Sen. Mathews represents Senate District 15, which includes communities in Benton, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, and Wright counties.