Legislature approves disaster relief bill, sends to Dayton

The Legislature has approved a bill that distributes $17 million in flood recovery dollars to 47 Minnesota counties and three Indian reservations that saw damage from June 2014 flooding.

January 26, 2015 at 10:31PM

The Legislature on Monday gave final approval to $17 million in recovery dollars for 47 Minnesota counties and three American Indian reservations that suffered damages and expense from flooding in June 2014.

The House voted unanimously in favor of the legislation on Monday afternoon. The Senate also passed the measure unanimously, last week, meaning it now heads to the desk of Gov. Mark Dayton. He is expected to sign the bill.

Several factors combined to bring on last June's floods, which were among the most severe and widespread in years in the state. A heavy snowpack from the previous winter, waves of torrential rain throughout spring and early summer, and a major June storm that brought nearly six inches of rain to many areas.

Most of the counties and reservations involved already had 75 percent of their flood costs covered by the federal government, with the state filling in the remaining 25 percent. The counties of Dakota, Washington and Morrison did not qualify for federal assistance, so in those case the state is paying more of their expenses.

The flood relief bill is the second passed in the 2015 session, following legislation that Dayton signed over the weekend to match Minnesota tax laws with federal counterparts.

about the writer

Patrick Condon

Night Team Leader

Patrick Condon is a Night Team Leader at the Star Tribune. He has worked at the Star Tribune since 2014 after more than a decade as a reporter for the Associated Press.

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