1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; requiring the Department of Agriculture to enable farm 
1.3 	safety consultants to perform certain workplace safety surveys; expanding eligibility 
1.4 	for certain workplace safety grants and loans;amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, 
1.5 	section 79.253, subdivision 2a; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.6 	chapter 17.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. [17.1075] FARM SAFETY.
1.9 	The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of labor and industry, shall 
1.10 	develop guidance, instructions, and materials necessary for Department of Agriculture farm 
1.11 	workplace safety and health consultants to perform the on-site surveys required for eligible 
1.12 	employers to apply for loans or grants from the assigned risk safety account under section 
1.13 	79.253.

1.14 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 79.253, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
1.15 		Subd. 2a.Eligible applicants. An employer is eligible to apply for a grant or loan under 
1.16 	this section if the employer meets the following requirements:
1.17 	(1) the employer's workers' compensation insurance is provided by the assigned risk 
1.18 	plan, is provided by an insurer subject to penalties under chapter 176, or the employer is 
1.19 	self-insured;
1.20 	(2) the employer has had an on-site safety survey conducted by a Minnesota occupational 
1.21 	safety and health investigator, a Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry workplace 
1.22 	safety and health consultant, a Minnesota Department of Agriculture consultant qualified 
1.23 	in farm workplace safety and health, an in-house employee safety and health committee, a 
2.1 	workers' compensation underwriter, a private safety consultant, or a person under contract 
2.2 	with the assigned risk plan; and
2.3 	(3) the on-site safety survey recommends specific safety practices or equipment designed 
2.4 	to reduce the risk of illness or injury to employees.