As the legislature works to assemble a final state budget agreement, Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) will serve on the conference committee for the environment and natural resources bill. The conference committee, which includes five members of each legislative body, is responsible for working out a compromise on differences in the budget bills passed by the House and the Senate. 

“Protecting Minnesotans’ shared environment and natural resource priorities while encouraging participation and expanding access to Minnesota’s great outdoors is a crucial goal of our environment and natural resources budget this year,” said Senator Eichorn. “I am proud to be appointed to this role and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle during negotiations to accomplish the best outcome for the people of this state.” 

In April, the Minnesota Senate passed a $276 million environment and natural resources budget which would fund the Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, and other environmental agencies and commissions in the state. The budget included funding for Minnesota’s critical environment priorities with efforts to tackle both Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), along with increased access and continued funding for state parks and additional efforts to engage Minnesotans and encourage them to take part in the state’s great outdoors.  

Conference committees will begin meeting this week and will continue until an agreement is reached. After a conference committee has passed compromise legislation, both legislative bodies must vote to approve the agreement before sending it to the governor for a signature or veto. The legislature is constitutionally-mandated to adjourn by May 20.