SF 3018
CCR--SF3018 - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016)
Posted on 05/22/2016 02:25 p.m.
KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
Line numbers
1.1CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON S.F. No. 3018
1.2A bill for an act
1.3relating to agriculture; making various policy and technical changes to
1.4agricultural-related provisions; modifying certain agricultural-related
1.5appropriations; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 17.53, subdivision
1.616; 18B.345; 28A.085, subdivision 1; 31.122; 31.94; Minnesota Statutes 2015
1.7Supplement, sections 41A.14; 583.215; Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter
1.84, article 1, section 2, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
1.9Statutes, chapter 216B; repealing Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 4,
1.10article 2, section 81.
1.11May 22, 2016
1.12The Honorable Sandra L. Pappas
1.13President of the Senate
1.14The Honorable Kurt L. Daudt
1.15Speaker of the House of Representatives
1.16We, the undersigned conferees for S.F. No. 3018 report that we have agreed upon
1.17the items in dispute and recommend as follows:
1.18That the House recede from its amendments and that S.F. No. 3018 be further
1.19amended as follows:
1.20Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:
"1.21 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 3.7371, is amended by adding a
1.22subdivision to read:
1.23 new text begin Subd. 8.new text end new text begin Report.new text end new text begin The commissioner must submit a report to the chairs of the house new text end
1.24new text begin of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture new text end
1.25new text begin and environment and natural resources by December 15 each year that details the total new text end
1.26new text begin amount of damages paid, by elk herd, in the previous two fiscal years.new text end
1.27 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 17.53, subdivision 16, is amended to read:
1.28 Subd. 16. Qualified voter. "Qualified voter" means a producer who would be
1.29subject to the payment of fees to finance the activities described in sections
17.51 to
17.69
1.30and who shares directly in the profits and risk of loss from the agricultural operation
2.1which produces or grows the commoditynew text begin , regardless of the Internal Revenue Service new text end
2.2new text begin tax filing status of the producernew text end .
2.3 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 18B.345, is amended to read:
2.418B.345 PESTICIDE APPLICATION ON GOLF COURSES.
2.5 (a) Application of a pesticide to the property of a golf course must be performed by:
2.6 (1) a structural pest control applicator; or
2.7 (2) a commercial or noncommercial pesticide applicator with appropriate use
2.8certification.
2.9 (b) Pesticides determined by the commissioner to be sanitizers and disinfectants are
2.10exempt from the requirements in paragraph (a).
2.11 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 28A.085, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.12 Subdivision 1. Violations; prohibited acts. The commissioner may charge a
2.13reinspection fee for each reinspection of a food handler that:
2.14(1) is found with a major violation of requirements in chapter 28, 29, 30, 31, 31A,
2.1532, 33, or 34, or rules adopted under one of those chapters;new text begin ornew text end
2.16(2) is found with a violation of section
,
, or
, and requires a
2.17follow-up inspection after an administrative meeting held pursuant to section
; or
2.18(3)new text begin (2)new text end fails to correct equipment and facility deficiencies as required in rules adopted
2.19under chapter 28, 29, 30, 31, 31A, 32, or 34.
2.20The first reinspection of a firm with gross food sales under $1,000,000 must be
2.21assessed at $150. The fee for a firm with gross food sales over $1,000,000 is $200. The
2.22fee for a subsequent reinspection of a firm for the same violation is 50 percent of their
2.23current license fee or $300, whichever is greater. The establishment must be issued written
2.24notice of violations with a reasonable date for compliance listed on the notice. An initial
2.25inspection relating to a complaint is not a reinspection.
2.26 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 31.122, is amended to read:
2.2731.122 FOOD; TOLERANCES FOR ADDED POISONOUS INGREDIENTS.
2.28Any added poisonous or deleterious substance, any food additive, any pesticide
2.29chemical in or on a raw agricultural commodity or any color additive, shall with respect
2.30to any particular use or intended use be deemed unsafe for the purpose of application of
2.31section
, clause (b)new text begin 34A.02, clause (2), new text end with respect to any food, unless there is in
2.32effect a rule pursuant to section
31.101 limiting the quantity of such substance, and the use
2.33or intended use of such substance conforms to the terms prescribed by such rule. While
3.1such rules relating to such substance are in effect, a food shall not, by reason of bearing or
3.2containing such substance in accordance with the rules, be considered adulterated within
3.3the meaning of section
, clause (a)new text begin 34A.02, clause (1)new text end .
3.4 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 31.94, is amended to read:
3.531.94 new text begin ORGANIC AGRICULTURE; new text end COMMISSIONER DUTIES.
3.6(a) In order to promote opportunities for organic agriculture in Minnesota, the
3.7commissioner shall:
3.8(1) survey producers and support services and organizations to determine
3.9information and research needs in the area of organic agriculture practices;
3.10(2) work with the University of Minnesota new text begin and other research and education new text end
3.11new text begin institutions new text end to demonstrate the on-farm applicability of organic agriculture practices to
3.12conditions in this state;
3.13(3) direct the programs of the department so as to work toward the promotion of
3.14organic agriculture in this state;
3.15(4) inform agencies of hownew text begin aboutnew text end state or federal programs could utilize andnew text begin that new text end
3.16support organic agriculture practices; and
3.17(5) work closely with producers, new text begin producer organizations, new text end the University of
3.18Minnesota, the Minnesota Trade Office, and other appropriate new text begin agencies and new text end organizations
3.19to identify opportunities and needs as well as ensure coordination and avoid duplication of
3.20state agency efforts regarding research, teaching, marketing, and extension work relating
3.21to organic agriculture.
3.22(b) By November 15 of each year that ends in a zero or a five, the commissioner,
3.23in conjunction with the task force created in paragraph (c), shall report on the status of
3.24organic agriculture in Minnesota to the legislative policy and finance committees and
3.25divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture. The report must include available data on
3.26organic acreage and production, available data on the sales or market performance of
3.27organic products, and recommendations regarding programs, policies, and research efforts
3.28that will benefit Minnesota's organic agriculture sector.
3.29(c) A Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force shall advise the commissioner and the
3.30University of Minnesota on policies and programs that will improve organic agriculture in
3.31Minnesota, including how available resources can most effectively be used for outreach,
3.32education, research, and technical assistance that meet the needs of the organic agriculture
3.33communitynew text begin sectornew text end . The task force must consist of the following residents of the state:
3.34(1) three organic farmers;
3.35(2) one wholesaler or distributor of organic products;
4.1(3) one representative of organic certification agencies;
4.2(4) two organic processors;
4.3(5) one representative from University of Minnesota Extension;
4.4(6) one University of Minnesota faculty member;
4.5(7) one representative from a nonprofit organization representing producers;
4.6(8) two public members;
4.7(9) one representative from the United States Department of Agriculture;
4.8(10) one retailer of organic products; and
4.9(11) one organic consumer representative.
4.10The commissioner, in consultation with the director of the Minnesota Agricultural
4.11Experiment Station; the dean and director of University of Minnesota Extension and the
4.12dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, shall appoint
4.13members to serve three-year terms.
4.14Compensation and removal of members are governed by section
15.059, subdivision
4.156
. The task force must meet at least twice each year and expires on June 30, 2016new text begin 2019new text end .
4.16(d) For the purposes of expanding, improving, and developing production and
4.17marketing of the organic products of Minnesota agriculture, the commissioner may
4.18receive funds from state and federal sources and spend them, including through grants or
4.19contracts, to assist producers and processors to achieve certification, to conduct education
4.20or marketing activities, to enter into research and development partnerships, or to address
4.21production or marketing obstacles to the growth and well-being of the industry.
4.22(e) The commissioner may facilitate the registration of state organic production
4.23and handling operations including those exempt from organic certification according to
4.24Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 205.101, and new text begin accredited new text end certification agents
4.25new text begin agenciesnew text end operating within the state.
4.26 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 41A.14, is amended to read:
4.2741A.14 AGRICULTURE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, EXTENSION, AND
4.28TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER GRANT PROGRAM.
4.29 Subdivision 1. Duties; grants. The agriculture research, education, extension, and
4.30technology transfer grant program is created. The purpose of the grant program is to
4.31provide investments that will most efficiently achieve long-term agricultural productivity
4.32increases through improved infrastructure, vision, and accountability. The scope and
4.33intent of the grants, to the extent possible, shall provide for a long-term base funding
4.34that allows the research grantee to continue the functions of the research, education, and
5.1extensionnew text begin , and technology transfernew text end efforts to a practical conclusion. Priority for grants
5.2shall be given to human infrastructure. The commissioner shall provide grants for:
5.3(1) agricultural researchnew text begin , extension,new text end and technology transfer needs and recipients
5.4including agricultural research and extension at the University of Minnesota, research and
5.5outreach centers, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, the
5.6Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Minnesota Extension Service,
5.7the University of Minnesota Veterinary School, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory,
5.8the Stakman-Borlaug Center, and the Minnesota Agriculture Fertilizer Research and
5.9Education Council;new text begin for use by any of the following:new text end
5.10new text begin (i) the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences;new text end
5.11new text begin (ii) the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station;new text end
5.12new text begin (iii) the University of Minnesota Extension Service;new text end
5.13new text begin (iv) the University of Minnesota Veterinary School;new text end
5.14new text begin (v) the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; ornew text end
5.15new text begin (vi) the Stakman-Borlaug Center;new text end
5.16(2) agriculture rapid response for plant and animal diseases and pests; and
5.17(3) agricultural education including but not limited to the Minnesota Agriculture
5.18Education Leadership Council, farm business management, mentoring programs, graduate
5.19debt forgiveness, and high school programs.
5.20 Subd. 2. Advisory panel. new text begin (a) new text end In awarding grants under this section, the
5.21commissioner new text begin and a representative of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural new text end
5.22new text begin Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota new text end must consult with an advisory panel
5.23consisting of the following stakeholders:
5.24(1) a representative of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource
5.25Sciences at the University of Minnesota;
5.26(2)new text begin (1)new text end a representative of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system;
5.27(3)new text begin (2)new text end a representative of the Minnesota Farm Bureau;
5.28(4)new text begin (3)new text end a representative of the Minnesota Farmers Union;
5.29(5)new text begin (4)new text end a person representing agriculture industry statewide;
5.30(6)new text begin (5)new text end a representative of each of the state commodity councils organized under
5.31section
17.54 and the Minnesota Pork Board;
5.32(7)new text begin (6)new text end a person representing an association of primary manufacturers of forest
5.33products;
5.34(8)new text begin (7)new text end a person representing organic or sustainable agriculture; and
5.35(9)new text begin (8)new text end a person representing statewide environment and natural resource
5.36conservation organizations.
6.1new text begin (b) Members under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3) and (5), shall be chosen by their new text end
6.2new text begin respective organizations.new text end
6.3 Subd. 3. Account. An agriculture research, education, extension, and technology
6.4transfer account is created in the agricultural fund in the state treasury. The account
6.5consists of money received in the form of gifts, grants, reimbursement, or appropriations
6.6from any source for any of the purposes provided in subdivision 1, and any interest or
6.7earnings of the account. Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of
6.8agriculture for the purposes under subdivision 1.
6.9new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.new text end
6.10 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.516, is amended to read:
6.1197B.516 ELK MANAGEMENT PLAN.
6.12new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner of natural resources must adopt an elk management plan that:
6.13(1) recognizes the value and uniqueness of elk;
6.14(2) provides for integrated management of an elk population in harmony with the
6.15environment; and
6.16(3) affords optimum recreational opportunities.
6.17new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner must not manage an elk herd new text end
6.18new text begin in a manner that would increase the size of the herd, including adoption or implementation new text end
6.19new text begin of an elk management plan designed to increase an elk herd, unless the commissioner of new text end
6.20new text begin agriculture verifies that crop and fence damages paid under section 3.7371 and attributed new text end
6.21new text begin to the herd have not increased for at least two years.new text end
6.22new text begin (c) At least 60 days prior to implementing a plan to increase an elk herd, the new text end
6.23new text begin commissioners of natural resources and agriculture must hold a joint public meeting in the new text end
6.24new text begin county where the elk herd to be increased is located. At the meeting, the commissioners new text end
6.25new text begin must present evidence that crop and fence damages have not increased in the prior two years new text end
6.26new text begin and must detail the practices that will be used to reduce elk conflicts with area landowners.new text end
6.27new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.new text end
6.28 Sec. 9. new text begin [216B.1642] SOLAR SITE MANAGEMENT.new text end
6.29 new text begin Subdivision 1.new text end new text begin Site management practices. new text end new text begin An owner of a ground-mounted solar new text end
6.30new text begin site with a generating capacity of more than 40 kilowatts may follow site management new text end
6.31new text begin practices that (1) provide native perennial vegetation and foraging habitat beneficial to new text end
6.32new text begin gamebirds, songbirds, and pollinators, and (2) reduce storm water runoff and erosion at new text end
6.33new text begin the solar generation site. To the extent practicable, when establishing perennial vegetation new text end
7.1new text begin and beneficial foraging habitat, a solar site owner shall use native plant species and seed new text end
7.2new text begin mixes under Department of Natural Resources "Prairie Establishment & Maintenance new text end
7.3new text begin Technical Guidance for Solar Projects."new text end
7.4 new text begin Subd. 2.new text end new text begin Recognition of beneficial habitat.new text end new text begin An owner of a solar site implementing new text end
7.5new text begin solar site management practices under this section may claim that the site provides new text end
7.6new text begin benefits to gamebirds, songbirds, and pollinators only if the site adheres to guidance set new text end
7.7new text begin forth by the pollinator plan provided by the Board of Water and Soil Resources or any new text end
7.8new text begin other gamebird, songbird, or pollinator foraging-friendly vegetation standard established new text end
7.9new text begin by the Board of Water and Soil Resources. An owner making a beneficial habitat claim new text end
7.10new text begin must make the site's vegetation management plan available to the public and provide a new text end
7.11new text begin copy of the plan to a Minnesota nonprofit solar industry trade association.new text end
7.12 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 583.215, is amended to read:
7.13583.215 EXPIRATION.
7.14Sections
336.9-601, subsections (h) and (i);
550.365;
559.209;
582.039; and
583.20
7.15to
583.32, expire June 30, 2016new text begin 2018new text end .
7.16new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.new text end
7.17 Sec. 11. Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 4, article 1, section 2, subdivision 4,
7.18is amended to read:
7.19
7.20
Subd. 4.Agriculture, Bioenergy, and
Bioproduct Advancement
14,993,000
19,010,000
7.21$4,483,000 the first year and $8,500,000 the
7.22second year are for transfer to the agriculture
7.23research, education, extension, and
7.24technology transfer account under Minnesota
7.25Statutes, section
41A.14, subdivision 3.
7.26The transfer in this paragraph includes
7.27money for plant breeders at the University
7.28of Minnesota for wild rice, potatoes, and
7.29grapes. Of these amounts, at least $600,000
7.30each year is for agriculture rapid response
7.31new text begin the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment new text end
7.32new text begin Station's Agriculture Rapid Response Fund new text end
7.33under Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.14,
8.1subdivision 1
, clause (2). Of the amount
8.2appropriated in this paragraph, $1,000,000
8.3each year is for transfer to the Board of
8.4Regents of the University of Minnesota for
8.5research to determine (1) what is causing
8.6avian influenza, (2) why some fowl are more
8.7susceptible, and (3) prevention measures that
8.8can be taken. Of the amount appropriated
8.9in this paragraph, $2,000,000 each year
8.10is for grants to the Minnesota Agriculture
8.11Education Leadership Council to enhance
8.12agricultural education with priority given
8.13to Farm Business Management challenge
8.14grants.new text begin The commissioner shall transfer the new text end
8.15new text begin remaining grant funds in this appropriation new text end
8.16new text begin each year to the Board of Regents of the new text end
8.17new text begin University of Minnesota for purposes of new text end
8.18new text begin Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14.new text end
8.19To the extent practicable, funds expended
8.20under Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.14,
8.21subdivision 1
, clauses (1) and (2), must
8.22supplement and not supplant existing sources
8.23and levels of funding. The commissioner may
8.24use up to 4.5 percent of this appropriation
8.25for costs incurred to administer the program.
8.26new text begin Any unencumbered balance does not cancel new text end
8.27new text begin at the end of the first year and is available for new text end
8.28new text begin the second year.new text end
8.29$10,235,000 the first year and $10,235,000
8.30the second year are for the agricultural
8.31growth, research, and innovation program
8.32in Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.12. No
8.33later than February 1, 2016, and February
8.341, 2017, the commissioner must report to
8.35the legislative committees with jurisdiction
8.36over agriculture policy and finance regarding
9.1the commissioner's accomplishments
9.2and anticipated accomplishments in
9.3the following areas: facilitating the
9.4start-up, modernization, or expansion of
9.5livestock operations including beginning
9.6and transitioning livestock operations;
9.7developing new markets for Minnesota
9.8farmers by providing more fruits, vegetables,
9.9meat, grain, and dairy for Minnesota school
9.10children; assisting value-added agricultural
9.11businesses to begin or expand, access new
9.12markets, or diversify products; developing
9.13urban agriculture; facilitating the start-up,
9.14modernization, or expansion of other
9.15beginning and transitioning farms including
9.16loans under Minnesota Statutes, section
9.1741B.056
; sustainable agriculture on farm
9.18research and demonstration; development or
9.19expansion of food hubs and other alternative
9.20community-based food distribution systems;
9.21and research on bioenergy, biobased content,
9.22or biobased formulated products and other
9.23renewable energy development. The
9.24commissioner may use up to 4.5 percent
9.25of this appropriation for costs incurred to
9.26administer the program. Any unencumbered
9.27balance does not cancel at the end of the first
9.28year and is available for the second year.
9.29Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
9.3016A.28
, the appropriations encumbered
9.31under contract on or before June 30, 2017, for
9.32agricultural growth, research, and innovation
9.33grants are available until June 30, 2019.
9.34The commissioner may use funds
9.35appropriated for the agricultural growth,
9.36research, and innovation program as provided
10.1in this paragraph. The commissioner may
10.2award grants to owners of Minnesota
10.3facilities producing bioenergy, biobased
10.4content, or a biobased formulated product;
10.5to organizations that provide for on-station,
10.6on-farm field scale research and outreach to
10.7develop and test the agronomic and economic
10.8requirements of diverse strands of prairie
10.9plants and other perennials for bioenergy
10.10systems; or to certain nongovernmental
10.11entities. For the purposes of this paragraph,
10.12"bioenergy" includes transportation fuels
10.13derived from cellulosic material, as well as
10.14the generation of energy for commercial heat,
10.15industrial process heat, or electrical power
10.16from cellulosic materials via gasification or
10.17other processes. Grants are limited to 50
10.18percent of the cost of research, technical
10.19assistance, or equipment related to bioenergy,
10.20biobased content, or biobased formulated
10.21product production or $500,000, whichever
10.22is less. Grants to nongovernmental entities
10.23for the development of business plans and
10.24structures related to community ownership
10.25of eligible bioenergy facilities together may
10.26not exceed $150,000. The commissioner
10.27shall make a good-faith effort to select
10.28projects that have merit and, when taken
10.29together, represent a variety of bioenergy
10.30technologies, biomass feedstocks, and
10.31geographic regions of the state. Projects
10.32must have a qualified engineer provide
10.33certification on the technology and fuel
10.34source. Grantees must provide reports at the
10.35request of the commissioner.
11.1Of the amount appropriated for the
11.2agricultural growth, research, and innovation
11.3program in this subdivision, $1,000,000 the
11.4first year and $1,000,000 the second year
11.5are for distribution in equal amounts to each
11.6of the state's county fairs to preserve and
11.7promote Minnesota agriculture.
11.8Of the amount appropriated for the
11.9agricultural growth, research, and innovation
11.10program in this subdivision, $500,000 in
11.11fiscal year 2016 and $1,500,000 in fiscal
11.12year 2017 are for incentive payments
11.13under Minnesota Statutes, sections
41A.16,
11.1441A.17
, and
41A.18. If the appropriation
11.15exceeds the total amount for which all
11.16producers are eligible in a fiscal year, the
11.17balance of the appropriation is available
11.18to the commissioner for the agricultural
11.19growth, research, and innovation program.
11.20Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
11.21section
16A.28, the first year appropriation
11.22is available until June 30, 2017, and the
11.23second year appropriation is available until
11.24June 30, 2018. The commissioner may use
11.25up to 4.5 percent of the appropriation for
11.26administration of the incentive payment
11.27programs.
11.28Of the amount appropriated for the
11.29agricultural growth, research, and innovation
11.30program in this subdivision, $250,000
11.31the first year is for grants to communities
11.32to develop or expand food hubs and
11.33other alternative community-based food
11.34distribution systems. Of this amount,
11.35$50,000 is for the commissioner to consult
11.36with existing food hubs, alternative
12.1community-based food distribution systems,
12.2and University of Minnesota Extension
12.3to identify best practices for use by other
12.4Minnesota communities. No later than
12.5December 15, 2015, the commissioner must
12.6report to the legislative committees with
12.7jurisdiction over agriculture and health
12.8regarding the status of emerging alternative
12.9community-based food distribution systems
12.10in the state along with recommendations
12.11to eliminate any barriers to success. new text begin Any new text end
12.12new text begin unencumbered balance does not cancel at the new text end
12.13new text begin end of the first year and is available for the new text end
12.14new text begin second year. new text end This is a onetime appropriation.
12.15$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
12.16second year are for grants that enable
12.17retail petroleum dispensers to dispense
12.18biofuels to the public in accordance with the
12.19biofuel replacement goals established under
12.20Minnesota Statutes, section
239.7911. A
12.21retail petroleum dispenser selling petroleum
12.22for use in spark ignition engines for vehicle
12.23model years after 2000 is eligible for grant
12.24money under this paragraph if the retail
12.25petroleum dispenser has no more than 15
12.26retail petroleum dispensing sites and each
12.27site is located in Minnesota. The grant
12.28money received under this paragraph must
12.29be used for the installation of appropriate
12.30technology that uses fuel dispensing
12.31equipment appropriate for at least one fuel
12.32dispensing site to dispense gasoline that is
12.33blended with 15 percent of agriculturally
12.34derived, denatured ethanol, by volume, and
12.35appropriate technical assistance related to
12.36the installation. A grant award must not
13.1exceed 85 percent of the cost of the technical
13.2assistance and appropriate technology,
13.3including remetering of and retrofits for
13.4retail petroleum dispensers and replacement
13.5of petroleum dispenser projects. The
13.6commissioner may use up to $35,000 of this
13.7appropriation for administrative expenses.
13.8The commissioner shall cooperate with
13.9biofuel stakeholders in the implementation
13.10of the grant program. The commissioner
13.11must report to the legislative committees
13.12with jurisdiction over agriculture policy and
13.13finance by February 1 each year, detailing
13.14the number of grants awarded under this
13.15paragraph and the projected effect of the grant
13.16program on meeting the biofuel replacement
13.17goals under Minnesota Statutes, section
13.18239.7911
. These are onetime appropriations.
13.19$25,000 the first year and $25,000 the second
13.20year are for grants to the Southern Minnesota
13.21Initiative Foundation to promote local foods
13.22through an annual event that raises public
13.23awareness of local foods and connects local
13.24food producers and processors with potential
13.25buyers.
13.26new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.new text end
13.27 Sec. 12. new text begin FARMER-LENDER MEDIATION TASK FORCE.new text end
13.28new text begin The commissioner of agriculture must convene an advisory task force to provide new text end
13.29new text begin recommendations to the legislature regarding the state's Farmer-Lender Mediation Act. new text end
13.30new text begin The task force must be comprised of 14 members, including the commissioner or the new text end
13.31new text begin commissioner's designee, one farm advocate appointed by the commissioner who is new text end
13.32new text begin responsible for mediating debt between farmers and lenders, one adult farm business new text end
13.33new text begin management instructor appointed by the commissioner and three farmers appointed by new text end
13.34new text begin the commissioner, at least one of whom is a beginning or nontraditional farmer and at new text end
14.1new text begin least one of whom has personal experience with the farmer-lender mediation program. new text end
14.2new text begin The remaining membership of the task force consists of one member appointed by each new text end
14.3new text begin of the following entities:new text end
14.4new text begin (1) Minnesota Farm Bureau;new text end
14.5new text begin (2) Minnesota Farmers Union;new text end
14.6new text begin (3) Minnesota Bankers Association;new text end
14.7new text begin (4) Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota;new text end
14.8new text begin (5) Farm Credit Services - Minnesota State Federation;new text end
14.9new text begin (6) Minnesota Credit Union Network;new text end
14.10new text begin (7) Minnesota-South Dakota Equipment Dealers Association; andnew text end
14.11new text begin (8) University of Minnesota Extension.new text end
14.12new text begin No later than February 1, 2017, the commissioner must report the task force's new text end
14.13new text begin recommendations to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture policy new text end
14.14new text begin and finance.new text end
14.15 Sec. 13. new text begin FARM SAFETY INITIATIVE.new text end
14.16new text begin (a) The commissioner of agriculture shall analyze the range of safety challenges new text end
14.17new text begin presented in the operation of a farm. The commissioner's analysis shall include new text end
14.18new text begin consultation with organizations in Minnesota that address issues of farm safety. The new text end
14.19new text begin commissioner shall report the findings to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over new text end
14.20new text begin agricultural policy by February 1, 2017. The report must, at a minimum:new text end
14.21new text begin (1) provide information on how other states in the Midwest, including but not limited new text end
14.22new text begin to Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska, address farm safety issues;new text end
14.23new text begin (2) identify common safety issues faced by Minnesota farmers that need attention, new text end
14.24new text begin including common causes of farm-related accidents;new text end
14.25new text begin (3) identify how farm safety programs can better serve the growing farm labor new text end
14.26new text begin population; andnew text end
14.27new text begin (4) make recommendations to the legislature on how to improve farm safety efforts new text end
14.28new text begin in Minnesota.new text end
14.29new text begin (b) By October 1, 2016, the commissioner of agriculture shall compile an inventory new text end
14.30new text begin of farm safety programs and resources that are currently available in Minnesota. After new text end
14.31new text begin compiling the inventory, the commissioner shall make available the inventory and promote new text end
14.32new text begin to farm operators in Minnesota the farm safety programs and resources contained in new text end
14.33new text begin the inventory.new text end
14.34 Sec. 14. new text begin REPEALER.new text end
15.1new text begin Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 4, article 2, section 81, new text end new text begin is repealed.new text end
15.2new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.new text end
"15.3Delete the title and insert:
"15.4A bill for an act
15.5relating to agriculture; making various policy and technical changes to
15.6agriculture-related provisions and programs; providing for solar site management;
15.7modifying elk management plan; modifying a previous appropriation;
15.8establishing a Farmer-Lender Mediation Task Force and a Farm Safety Initiative;
15.9requiring reports;amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 3.7371, by adding
15.10a subdivision; 17.53, subdivision 16; 18B.345; 28A.085, subdivision 1; 31.122;
15.1131.94; 97B.516; Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, sections 41A.14; 583.215;
15.12Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 4, article 1, section 2, subdivision 4;
15.13proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216B; repealing
15.14Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 4, article 2, section 81.
"
16.1
We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill.
16.2
Senate Conferees:
16.3
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16.4
Dan Sparks
Gary H. Dahms
16.5
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16.6
Kent Eken
16.7
House Conferees:
16.8
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16.9
Paul Anderson
Rod Hamilton
16.10
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16.11
Jeanne Poppe