LOCAL BRIEFS

ST. PAUL -- Four bills written by Rep. Greg Blaine, R-Little Falls, were included in the agriculture, environment and jobs finance omnibus bill that the Legislature approved June 30.

The first piece of legislation will create an agricultural loan program and change certain livestock zoning regulations. Blaine said the bill will help livestock producers in the permit process.

The second provision funds the Board of Animal Health, a panel that will protect the health of the state's domestic animals. It establishes the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory as the official laboratory for the board.

Blaine also successfully included in the omnibus bill a piece of legislation that will allow fund payment in lieu of taxes on wildlife land to each county having public hunting areas and game refuges. As a result of this bill Morrison County will receive additional revenue for wildlife land in Camp Ripley.

The final piece of legislation would return forest management costs on State Forest Trust Fund lands to the Forest Management Investment Account, removing the costs from the general fund into a dedicated fund.

Planning commission to meet Wednesday

The Brainerd Planning Commission will meet 6 p.m. Wednesday at Brainerd City Hall.