Bill HF7000, SF7000

Session 2026

Bill Introduced By
Gene Pelowski
Winona State University
House

House Author
Gene Pelowski

A bill for an act relating to

HF7000 SF7000 is a bill to ensure Chapter 12B Natural Disaster Account remains funded.

Committee Hearing

Path	Committee	Action
1	General Legislation Committee	No Action Taken
2	Ways and Means and Taxes Committee	No Action Taken
3	Rules Committee	No Action Taken

Legislative Action

	Action
House	No Action Taken
Senate	No Action Taken
Governor	No Action Taken

Select Amendment

1.1 A bill for an act

1.2 relating to public safety; transferring money for the disaster assistance contingency
1.3 account.

1.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 Section 1. TRANSFER; DISASTER ASSISTANCE CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT.

1.6 $40,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 is transferred from the general fund to the disaster
1.7 assistance contingency account established under Minnesota Statutes, section 12.221,
1.8 subdivision 6. This is a onetime transfer.

1.9 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Author
Gene Pelowski
Winona State University
House

Essay

HF7000/SF7000 is a bill from the 93rd Legislature (2023–2024) HF 1278! It is a onetime transfer of $40,000,000. The amount should ensure that no Special Session would be needed to address a natural disaster when the Legislature is not in Session. “There is nothing Special about a Special Session!” This observation by Representative Gene Pelowski has repeatedly been proven accurate in numerous Special Sessions.

There is concern that this may not be enough if there are several natural disasters occuring when the Legislature is not in Session or an extremely severe natural disaster strikes Minnesota such as the 2007 Disaster that struck SE Minnesota. A delayed Special Session was finally called by Governor Pawlenty but it proved that Special Sessions were not the best way to address natural disasters. It is critical to get aid to stricken areas as soon as possible to restore public infrastructure such as roads and bridges, water systems, sewers system and power and communication systems.

There are currently no votes for this bill.