Minnesota Senate passes emergency coronavirus funding bill

Today, the Minnesota Senate approved a bill to provide emergency funding for combatting COVID-19 in Minnesota. The bill, authored by Senator Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud), passed by a vote of 64-0.

“This is a bipartisan effort to make sure that medical professionals and public health workers have the equipment they need to implement preventive measures and that Minnesotans have access to timely testing and treatment. I think we can all agree that the health and safety of Minnesotans comes first,” said Senator Relph, the bill’s chief author. “Public health officials are warning this is on the verge of a worldwide pandemic. With two confirmed cases already in Minnesota, it’s important to get this done.” 

Senate File 3813 appropriates $20.899 million to the Public Health Response Emergency Account. In the event the funds go unused or are reimbursed by the federal government, the money will automatically transfer back to the general fund. The emergency funds will allow the Minnesota Department of Health, in collaboration with state and federal officials, to support disease investigation, monitor potential cluster outbreaks, provide information to the public, coordinate statewide response activities, and conduct laboratory analysis. Top legislators, the administration, and public health officials remain in frequent contact.

Public health officials have announced two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Minnesota. While no large-scale travel bans are in place, officials have announced temporary flight restrictions at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. State and local officials are also working with state epidemiological officials on contingency plans that could be implemented if the needed arises.

The legislation now awaits action by the House of Representatives.

In addition to prevention efforts at the Capitol, Minnesotans are encouraged to monitor CDC developments and daily guidance to see the deliberate steps they can take to protect their health and others in others in public.

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Senator Jerry Relph represents St. Cloud, Waite Park, and St. Augusta in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as vice chair of the Senate Family Care and Aging Committee.