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 occurring 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.