State legislators will gather in St. Paul on Monday for a special session to address flood relief in southern Minnesota.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty rescheduled the special session for Monday to give the federal government more time to declare a federal disaster on the area.

A federal disaster was declared Wednesday for the 21 counties affected by the flooding that began Sept. 22.

Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, said she trusts that the flood relief bill will be well-formatted and well-defined.

“People can be comforted that the state will step in and provide resources,” Poppe said previously.

Minnesota Public Radio reported that legislators will vote on a bill that includes approximately $74 million in flood relief. Officials have indicated the majority of the state’s portion of the funding will come from the state’s general fund and general obligation bonds.

Total state and federal funding combined is expected to exceed $100 million.

“Disasters happen in Minnesota and we need to be able to have the response from the state,” Poppe said.