State Government Omnibus Policy Bill passes

A conference committee report was adopted unanimously by the conferees of the State Government Finance and Elections Conference Committee this week. The report does not include financial provisions and only comprises the noncontroversial policy provisions already agreed upon by the conference committee. The state government finance and elections budget target was agreed upon Monday and includes $67 million over base for next biennium and $63 million over base for the fiscal year 2024-2025 biennium.

Most of the provisions in this bill are either technical or administrative, including the Secretary of State and Campaign Finance Board agency bills. One notable addition is the creation of a Capitol Flag Program to fly flags on the Capitol grounds and have those flags available to the family members of public safety officers killed in the line of duty or members of the United States Armed Forces who have died while in active service. Another provision added in conference committee will allow federal funds to be used for the construction of three new veteran homes in Preston, Montevideo, and Bemidji. (HF 1952)

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