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2024 Legislative Session Preview
Minnesota legislators and advocates will fill the Capitol complex halls for the next three months when the legislature gavels in next Monday, February 12. The fiscal reality has shifted from last session from a historic surplus to a forecasted structural imbalance in future years with a limited surplus likely this year. The legislature was tasked with passing the state budget last year. This year, discussions will be centered on a capital investment package, some policy adjustments based on bills passed last session, and other various policy issues. Legislative leaders are managing expectations for spending proposals. A February forecast will determine whether policymakers have cash to work with this session.
Governor Tim Walz released his public infrastructure funding proposal in late January. The $982 million plan includes $830 million in general obligation (GO) bonds with a heavy focus on asset preservation. The state currently has over $7.6 billion in requests with $4.7 billion in state agency requests and $2.9 billion from local governments. The House and the Senate have been touring projects across the state over the summer, fall, and winter. They will have their own proposals for infrastructure projects and funding discussed this session. Any proposals that utilize bonding dollars require a supermajority to support, which means bipartisan support is necessary in both the House and the Senate to pass a bonding bill.
In addition to advocating for a capital investment package this year, AGC is primarily focused on passing strong worker safety measures by improving underground utility locating. With the increased state and federal funding for infrastructure, now is the time to update the 30-year-old excavation laws in MN. If your company has stories to share and how this issue has impacted your work, please contact Laura Ziegler to fill out a brief survey. Any identifying information is kept confidential with AGC staff.
In December, the AGC Board of Directors approved the Legislative Committee’s policy recommendations for the 2024 session. AGC’s full legislative agenda can be viewed here.
For a full legislative preview, AGC members can join the next legislative committee meeting next Tuesday, February 6. The committee will meet virtually every two weeks during session. Contact Laura Ziegler to join the committee conversations.
AGC Government Affairs staff is ready to work on your behalf at the MN Capitol this session. Reach out with any questions!
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