House panel approves bonding bill

A nearly $1 billion public works bill has cleared a hurdle in the Legislature.

On Wednesday, the House Capital Investment Committee approved the $980 million bonding bill, which will now go before the House Ways and Means Committee. The committee also signed off on House File 5162, which offers $38.7 million in general fund money for various projects.

Heavy on asset preservation, the bonding bill supports projects ranging from upkeep of higher education buildings to bridge improvements across the state.

House File 5220 includes $64 million each to the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system for asset preservation, $65.5 million for the Department of Natural Resources, and $302.7 million for “library construction grants” a placeholder for local projects.

Other highlights include $12 million for Capitol Mall improvements, $48 million for a new Bureau of Criminal Apprehension regional office and laboratory in Mankato, $37.7 million for local bridge replacement, $16 million for a remodel of Building 16 at the Minneapolis Veterans Home, $60 million for Department of Corrections asset preservation, $57 million for the Public Facilities Authority, $32 million for public housing rehabilitation and $15 million for a Minnesota Zoo animal hospital.

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