NEW ULM– July 1 will be the day several key bills from the most recent legislative session come into play.

Here are some changes to look out for.

Cannabis

Minnesota will begin supporting recreational cannabis. The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management will officially begin operation and money will begin to pour in to support the new office’s regulation initiatives. Taxation laws will also go into effect, with 20% of those taxes being distributed to local governments and the rest going to the state’s general fund. This is a formality for now, as marijuana is not estimated to be available for purchase until 2025 at the earliest. The possession of cannabis and expungement of cannabis-related crimes will not begin until August.

Education

The universal no-cost school meals program begins July 1. For every school day, all students will be guaranteed one breakfast and one lunch meal. For every additional meal or a la carte item, students will still need to pay. There will be a 10% funding increase for public schools under the new finance law. Future funding increases will be tied to inflation, eliminating the need to deliberate on an increase each year to keep up.

Agriculture

Those enrolled in the federal Dairy Margin Coverage Program, meant to support smaller dairy farms, will receive $4 million in funding. This is through the state’s Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Relief Initiative program. The state’s Farm to School program will receive $2.3 million in funding and $1.25 million will be sent in $50,000 increments for soil health grants.

Economy

To make Minnesota more economically competitive, a “Minnesota Forward Fund” has been created. The program will receive $500 million, which looks to facilitate new businesses and private investment. For small businesses and entrepreneurs, five new programs have been established which will look to support them in a variety of ways. There will be $12.9 million for the Small Business Assistance Partnerships Program; $10 million for the Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund Program; $5 million for Launch Minnesota, to spur innovation and grow technology startups; $5 million for an emerging developer fund program; and $3 million for a community wealth building grant program.

Elections

A $10 million dollar increase in election spending will include a provision to help local governments with $2.5 million. A voting operations, technology, and election resources account will be created to help local government with election expenditures.

State Government

A Legislative Task Force on Aging will be created. The task force looks to prioritize support for older Minnesotans by supporting local and statewide initiatives. These initiatives will allow people to stay in their communities and not have to look elsewhere for their elderly living needs.

Transportation

MnDOT has appropriated $2.46 billion to be spent on improving and sustaining local roads. There will also be dedicated funds specifically for the improvement of small cities’ infrastructure.