On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka appointed Sen. Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud) to serve on the conference committee for the omnibus judiciary and public safety bill. Sen. Relph will join four of his Senate colleagues and five House counterparts to meet and work out the differences in the bills passed by each body.

“I am pleased that Majority Leader Gazelka has appointed me to serve on the conference committee,” said Sen. Relph, who serves on the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. “As an attorney, business owner, and lifelong Minnesotan, I believe my experience in the legal and business fields will allow me to be a thoughtful, passionate representative for the greater St. Cloud community.”

The omnibus judiciary and public safety finance bill was passed by the Senate earlier this month and allocates $2.23 billion in funding over the next two years for Minnesota’s public safety and corrections departments and the judicial branch. It passed the Senate with bipartisan support.

Conference committees will begin meeting soon, and will 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. Relph is in his first term representing Senate District 14, which includes St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta, and other communities in Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties.