A major fault line between Republicans and the administration of Gov. Mark Dayton revealed itself today in a House committee, where Rep. Denny McNamara, R-Hastings, began hearing testimony on his major environment budget bill.

The heads of four state agencies with responsibility for protecting Minnesota's environment stated their opposition to the bill, saying it would fund their agencies in part by shifting money from special cleanup funds.

McNamara, the Republican chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee, alleged that the agency heads were not being transparent about administration pots of money.

"My frustration is I don't know what's in the bill!" he exclaimed in the hearing room, packed with lobbyists, activists and agency staff.

The bill also includes a number of contentious policy changes opposed by the Dayton administration, including provisions that would give the Legislature the power to approve or disapprove new environmental regulations.

The committee will continue to hear testimony this week and will likely pass the bill to the full House.