Senate Legacy Omnibus Bill
On March 30, the Senate passed a bill which cut base general funds for soil and water conservation districts administrative costs by $22 million. The Senate then shifted these costs to Legacy Funds by inserting them into the allocation of the Clean Water Fund, one of the four funds created by the Legacy Amendment.
In order to shift the funds into the Clean Water Fund, the Senate reduced or deleted funding for drinking water programs and on-the-ground water quality protection programs recommended by the highly regarded Clean Water Council, including:
- Surface and drinking water protection grants
- Department of Health source water protection programs
- Department of Heath program studying lead in drinking water
- Private well monitoring and ground water protection
- Board of Water and Soil Resources on-the-ground water quality protection programs
The soil and water conservation districts themselves opposed the use of Clean Water funds for their ongoing administrative needs. The previous legislature decided that these administrative costs would be paid using state general funds to successfully implement the new buffer law.
An amendment was offered to restore Clean Water Funds for drinking water and water quality protection programs as intended.
If you would like to let your Senator know what you think of this vote, you can send them a quick note by clicking HERE.
What Would Happen?
A “Yes” vote means the Senate Legacy bill allocates Clean Water Funds for drinking water and water quality implementation, rather than administrative costs.
A “No” vote means the Senate bill uses Clean Water funds for administrative costs, and reduces funding for drinking water and water quality implementation.
How The Senate Voted
A “No” vote means the Senate bill uses Clean Water funds for administrative costs, and reduces funding for drinking water and water quality implementation.
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