1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; appropriating money to the commissioner of agriculture 
1.3 	for grants to partner organizations to assist meat and poultry processors with hiring 
1.4 	and training new employees.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; GRANTS FOR MEAT PROCESSING TRAINING 
1.7 	AND RETENTION INCENTIVES.
 1.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
1.9 	the meanings given.
1.10 	(b) "Partner organizations" include:
1.11 	(1) foundations engaged in economic development;
1.12 	(2) community development financial institutions;
1.13 	(3) federally recognized economic development districts; and
1.14 	(4) community development corporations.
1.15 	(c) "Small to medium-sized meat and poultry processor" means a meat and poultry 
1.16 	processor licensed by the state of Minnesota or the federal government that has fewer than 
1.17 	150 employees.
1.18 		Subd. 2.Grants. (a) The commissioner of agriculture must provide grants to partner 
1.19 	organizations to assist small to medium-sized meat and poultry processors with hiring and 
1.20 	training new employees. New employees at eligible meat and poultry processing plants may 
1.21 	receive up to $10,000 in the form of tuition reimbursement for programs at Minnesota state 
2.1 	colleges and universities, sign-on bonuses, relocation assistance, retention incentives, child 
2.2 	care stipends, and other related expenses. Employees at any one meat or poultry processor 
2.3 	may not receive more than $50,000 under this paragraph.
2.4 	(b) Up to 20 percent of a grant to a partner organization may be used for direct services 
2.5 	to employees, including but not limited to translation services.
2.6 	(c) Priority must be given to applications from partner organizations working in 
2.7 	partnership with Minnesota state colleges and universities.
2.8 		Subd. 3.Appropriation. (a) $....... in fiscal year 2024 and $....... in fiscal year 2025 are 
2.9 	appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to partner 
2.10 	organizations to assist meat and poultry processors with hiring and training new employees. 
2.11 	This is a onetime appropriation.