Minnesota Legislature passes higher ed bill

After more than ten hours of debate, the omnibus higher education finance and policy bill passed the Minnesota House shortly before midnight, on June 19, by a vote of 71-57. On June 22, the Senate briefly debated the bill before passing it unanimously.

After more than ten hours of debate, the omnibus higher education finance and policy bill passed the Minnesota House shortly before midnight, on June 19, by a vote of 71-57. On June 22, the Senate briefly debated the bill before passing it unanimously.

The $3.51 billion bill increases overall state spending in higher education by $100 million for FY22-23. The appropriation to the University of Minnesota is $1.39 billion or 40% of the total spending. This is an increase of $38 million in operations and maintenance funding–approximately 82% of the University’s legislative request. The bill also includes a one-time appropriation of $500,000 to the Natural Resources Research Institute. 

We anticipate that Governor Walz will sign the higher education bill into law in the coming days. 

After eight days of special session, the higher education and legacy budget bills are the only two budget bills that have passed both bodies of the legislature and are on their way to Governor Walz’s desk for signature. Last week, there were many long hours of debate, including a record setting 24 hour debate on the commerce and energy bill in the Minnesota House. 

There are posted budget agreements in the following areas: agriculture; commerce and energy; environment; housing; taxes; transportation; and workforce and business development. The following budget areas remain unresolved and/or do not have an agreement posted publicly: health and human services; E-12 education; public safety and judiciary; and state government.

In order to prevent a partial government shutdown, all budget bills will need to pass both the House and Senate by June 30. We anticipate the next eight days to be fast-paced with long floor debates and many amendments.