New Legislation that Takes Effect July 1, 2008
• Encouraging Greater Minnesota counties adopting or updating comprehensive plans to consider open space goals. The initiative is entitled the President Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bill to Preserve Agricultural, Forest, Wildlife, and Open Space Land. And; • Establishment of an agricultural and open space task force to study state and local policies regarding land preservation, with a report due to the Legislature by Jan. 30, 2009. The bill was authored by Representative Al Junhke, (DFL-Willmar) and Senator Jim Vickerman, (DFL-Tracy)
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will see its General Fund appropriation increased by $188,000, primarily due to a one-time $1 million allocation for grants for a new livestock investment program. The increase is offset by a one-time $310,000 reduction in ethanol producer payments for an ethanol plant that ceased operations, a general reduction of $302,000 and a $200,000 reduction for an Elk River bio-energy product.
The $21.3 million decrease for transportation, the most controversial is transferring $15 million from an airport development and assistance fund to the General Fund. The provision was not in the initial House or Senate proposal. Critics noted the money was taken from the fund during the 2003 budget shortfall and it took four years to get the money back. The law provides $6.85 million in one-time money from the Trunk Highway Fund to take advantage of federal funds for bridge construction. It also reduces Greater Minnesota transit funding by $32,000 in Fiscal Year 2009.
A $1.75 surcharge is to be imposed on each fee collected for a driver’s license, permit and identification card, vehicle registration renewal and title applications from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2012. The money is to be used for a new computer information system within the Driver and Vehicle Services Division of the Public Safety Department.
As part of the transportation finance law, sponsored by Rep. Bernie Lieder (DFL-Crookston) and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), counties outside the metropolitan area, or counties working together under a joint powers agreement, can impose a sales tax of up to 0.5 percent and a $20 excise tax on vehicles sold at retail. But unlike the metropolitan area, the money can be raised only if approved by a voter referendum, and can only be used for a specific project. The tax expires once the project is completed.
For further detail on the legislation mentioned above, please visit the Minnesota House of Representatives web site.
