Jonathan Mohr

Several controversial fee increases were removed during the conference committee process, but the omnibus environment, natural resources and agriculture finance and policy bill still received several hours of criticism on the House floor Saturday evening before being passed by a 71-60 vote. Passed 42-23 by the Senate about 90 minutes later, the bill now goes to the governor.

With the close of session drawing near, Gov. Mark Dayton and House and Senate DFL leaders have reached agreement on the broad outlines of a budget for the upcoming biennium.

A proposed land swap in northern Minnesota gave some lawmakers pause, but not enough to stop the House from passing the omnibus lands bill by a vote of 113-17 Tuesday.

“I’d love to say that this bill is for the birds; this bill is for the bees.”