Walz signs bill with $1M in emergency bird flu response

Gov. Tim Walz has signed a bill containing $1 million in emergency funding for the state’s response to the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), more commonly referred to as bird flu.

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The Minnesota House and Senate passed the bill Thursday. Walz’s office says the legislation includes funding for disease surveillance, testing supplies, and also provisions to protect the privacy of farmers who seek mental health care.

“We’re proud of our nation-leading poultry industry in Minnesota and recognize that the work our farmers and producers do isn’t easy, even under the best conditions,” Walz said in a statement. “This legislation will help bolster our emergency HPAI response and provide relief for this essential industry. I’m grateful for the quick, bipartisan work to get this done and am proud to sign this bill into law today.”