Dayton signs disaster bill, which includes aid for Beltrami County, Red Lake

ST. PAUL -- Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill Tuesday that provides disaster relief to local governments affected by June 2014 floods, including Beltrami County and the Red Lake Nation.

The House unanimously approved the bill Monday, after the Senate passed it last week.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud, said the bill allows $74 million of federal and state flood relief.

The state will pay 25 percent of most recovery costs, with the federal government chipping in 75 percent.

Knoblach said the state just needs $2.2 million in new money. Another $3 million was set aside for disaster needs during last year's legislative session. Another $15 million was taken from money allocated to previous disasters but which Knoblach said is not needed.

In all, 47 counties and three tribal governments will get aid. It goes only to expenses local governments incurred, not individuals or businesses.

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